Ch.48Chapter 48 – Test (2)

One day, a traveler asked.

“I pride myself on being quite an excellent magician.

Yet why is it that I cannot sense your mana?”

To which the sage replied.

“An ant cannot see an elephant.

When something is too vast, even though it’s right before your eyes, you mistake it merely for the background…”

***

“Please enter this way!”

“Only those with entry permits and examination applications may enter! Ma’am, please don’t push there!”

May 5th.

Shin Jaehyuk visited the Korean Central Headquarters of the Hunter Association in Gangnam, Seoul, to take his awakening test. News that many celebrities would be gathering at the association today had turned the vast plaza into a sea of fans. Despite being in a quasi-state of emergency due to monsters, fan reactions were even more intense than before the gates opened. This was because President Park Jugwan’s policies had elevated the status of celebrities compared to before.

Shin Jaehyuk barely managed to enter the building through the crowded mass of people.

“Wow, finally made it in… Why are there so many people today?”

Shin Jaehyuk muttered as he unfolded his crumpled awakening test application.

“Why else? It’s because it overlaps with the event date the association set for Children’s Day.”

“Shit! You startled me!”

Startled by the unexpected reply, Shin Jaehyuk turned to face the speaker. It was Hong Harin. She was frowning after being hit with a curse word right to her face.

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you think? I need to look after you, and I’m also here to supervise my juniors from the National Intelligence Service who are taking the test today.”

I see. Shin Jaehyuk nodded in understanding. As someone with the high position of department head, she must be busy in her own way.

“Since celebrities and broadcasting stations are here for a live broadcast, be careful not to draw attention. I’m busy, so I’ll go ahead first.”

Hong Harin gave Shin Jaehyuk a brief warning and headed toward the main hall with quick steps. Her mission was to keep an eye on Hwang Heejong to prevent him from causing trouble. She had already warned her juniors to keep the broadcast cameras away from Shin Jaehyuk, so as long as he didn’t do anything crazy, he shouldn’t attract attention…

Left alone, Shin Jaehyuk checked the pamphlet he had received at the entrance. It was a specially produced guide for the event being held today.

“The event schedule… starts with Director Hwang Heejong’s opening speech, I see.”

It seemed there would be a speech by the association’s director in the main hall. Since this was an event schedule, there was no need to participate. Shin Jaehyuk, who only wanted to take the test and quietly return home, headed straight for the examination room counter. He had his fill of speeches that resembled principal’s lectures…

“Welcome! Please submit your application here and have a seat while you wait.”

An employee at the examination room counter greeted him. Following the instructions, he handed over the documents he had prepared at home and sat down on a sofa in the waiting room.

About ten people who had arrived earlier were waiting in the waiting room, presumably with the same intention of just taking the test and leaving. In one corner of the waiting room, a reporter was yawning boredly while standing guard behind a broadcasting station camera. Shin Jaehyuk looked at the pamphlet.

‘The celebrities probably won’t be here for a few more hours, but they’re already preparing for the broadcast. Did they come early to secure good spots when most people rush to the hall? How diligent.’

Shin Jaehyuk moved to a secluded spot away from the camera’s range. He preferred not to stand out. It would be troublesome if, by some chance, it was revealed that he was an S-class. With the intention of quietly taking the test and returning home, Shin Jaehyuk leaned back in his chair and was about to turn on his smartphone when—

“Hey!”

Shin Jaehyuk was startled by someone whispering directly into his ear. The warm breath penetrating his ear made his whole body’s hair stand on end. He quickly turned around to find the prankster. An unexpected person.

“Noona Cha Eunkyung?”

“Long time no see! It is you, right? I wasn’t sure because your body looks so good now.”

Shin Jaehyuk’s eyes blinked stupidly at the unexpected appearance. Meeting two acquaintances by chance in one day was an uncommon occurrence. While Hong Harin was here for work, why would Cha Eunkyung, a police officer, visit the association? He looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, I’m here to apply for a promotion. It’s my day off. I guess you’re here for the test?”

“Yes. I recently awakened…”

This time, Cha Eunkyung’s eyes widened.

“Oh! Really? Congratulations. Wow, look at those muscles. I was worried because you were so scrawny from being cooped up in your room all the time.”

Cha Eunkyung heartily patted his back, mistaking the muscles he had built through literally muscle-tearing training for the effects of awakening. Shin Jaehyuk played along with a wry expression.

‘Well, I guess the last time I saw Noona in person was when we accidentally met after I visited Kwak Taewoo, the Chopstick Killer. We’ve only been in touch by phone since then…’

It made sense for Cha Eunkyung to be amazed at his suddenly changed physique. Even he wouldn’t have believed it if his before and after photos were displayed in a gym advertisement. It was like the weakest of weaklings had transformed into a muscular Superman… A crazy bulk-up that was only possible thanks to his recovery ability using divine power.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder what happened to Kwak Taewoo? I think I heard the prison collapsed.’

These days, there were so many incidents that news about a mere criminal seemed to have been buried. With monsters popping out of thin air every day, journalists would naturally put news about a serial killer on the back burner.

‘It’s a bit unsettling, but what could possibly happen? He’s just a stranger with no connection to me anyway.’

As an employee asked them to keep quiet in the waiting room, the two moved to the corridor to continue their conversation.

“Anyway, thanks for earlier. For accepting my request. I should have bowed deeply right then, but I was too busy, so I’m only now thanking you.”

She seemed to be referring to the hacking he had done to help arrest the Black Death Faction. Which led to the summoning of Belial due to his mistake… Shin Jaehyuk’s face darkened momentarily before quickly returning to a nonchalant expression.

“Don’t mention it. That kind of simple task… But how did the investigation go?”

Cha Eunkyung looked around to make sure no one was listening. It was illegal for a police officer to casually leak investigation information to civilians.

“Using the member list you sent, we followed an executive to discover their hideout. When I reported it, surprisingly, approval came from above, and we secretly raided the Black Death Faction’s headquarters,”

She briefly added that major criminal organizations are usually entangled in complex relationships with corrupt higher-ups, so raid plans are typically not approved easily, then continued.

“We succeeded in rounding them all up surprisingly easily. There was hardly any resistance. Later, we found out the organization was in shambles. Starting from the day of the ‘Incheon Disaster,’ the Black Death Faction’s chairman, Ryu Changgeun, suddenly disappeared, causing the organization to fall apart. Originally, the Black Death Faction was a coalition of various large and small gang organizations in the metropolitan area centered around Ryu Changgeun, but as soon as the captain vanished, the first mates started fighting among themselves.”

Shin Jaehyuk flinched when the story of Ryu Changgeun, whom he had killed, came up.

“S-so what happened next?”

“So I investigated further using the ‘transaction records’ file you sent, and surprisingly, I found traces of backdoor dealings between the Black Death Faction and Sujeong Corporation. You know, the company that fell apart when Chairman Song Sujeong and Vice Chairman Song Sugwon both disappeared on ‘that’ day. You know about it, right?”

This was also related to what he had done. Shin Jaehyuk remembered that the person named Song Sujeong and the demon summoner he had seen inside the gate had the same face from the news. He felt cold sweat running down his back.

“Yes, I know it very well…”

“The higher-ups concluded that all three were caught up in the Incheon Disaster, but honestly, it’s a bit too coincidental for all three to disappear for that reason… I think Ryu Changgeun might have taken care of Song Sujeong and Song Sugwon for some reason and fled abroad. Or maybe Song Sugwon commissioned Ryu Changgeun to assassinate Song Sujeong to inherit the chairman position…”

‘Phew…’

Her rambling speculations were far from the truth. Cha Eunkyung seemed frustrated at not being able to get closer to the truth of the case. Shin Jaehyuk inwardly sighed with relief. Fortunately, it seemed she hadn’t found any evidence related to him or the laboratory. That must be thanks to the cleanup he had requested through Gehenna’s “cleaners.” Shin Jaehyuk was grateful for his VIP status.

“By the way, you mentioned a promotion?”

“Oh, yes. I had quite some achievements in that raid operation.”

Cha Eunkyung scratched the back of her head, seemingly embarrassed. Despite her mischievous appearance, she was surprisingly weak to praise. Shin Jaehyuk expressed admiration.

“Wow, that’s amazing! So what rank will you—”

“Shin Jaehyuk, prospective awakened, please come inside!”

The call from an employee inside the examination room interrupted their conversation. It was an unfortunate timing. There was still much he wanted to hear.

“Oh, looks like it’s my turn already. Sorry, but I’ll have to go in first.”

“Yeah, we can talk another time when we’re free. Go ahead! See you later!”

***

Oh Byeongtae is Hwang Heejong’s secretary.

His hair is unkempt and his appearance unremarkable, but when he introduces his occupation to others, they are all surprised and look at him anew. It’s an understandable reaction. After all, he is the personal secretary to the highest-ranking politician in South Korea, second only to President Park Jugwan.

But is this job as wonderful as its prestige suggests? Not quite. There’s a lot of work. Too much, in fact. Some might call it complaining about good fortune in times when unemployment is rampant, but he has his own hardships. Between working, flattering, and accommodating the old man’s picky temperament, he’s even developing baldness that wasn’t there before.

“Damn it… I wanted to see Kim Yeri too.”

Oh Byeongtae grumbled from behind the staff counter in the awakening test waiting room.

Hwang Heejong had instructed him to “guard the waiting room while I give my speech, as an S-class might come for testing,” which meant he couldn’t even dream of seeing the celebrities gathered in the main hall.

Honestly, he doubted anyone would come for testing during that short time, but being accustomed to his meticulous—or rather, fastidious—personality, Oh Byeongtae simply did as he was told. While missing the celebrities was quite disappointing, he was also somewhat pleased.

‘That raccoon-like Hwang Heejong is trusting me with his plan, isn’t he?’

It was a chance to prove his abilities and solidify his trust. If he successfully completed this mission, he might even aim for a position as an association director or even the next headquarters director. The happy fantasy seemed to blow away all the work stress that had accumulated until now. It was worth all the effort of sucking up to the old man and struggling to reach this position…

‘Even a mouse hole sees the sun sometimes! Promotion is as good as mine!’

Oh Byeongtae inwardly rejoiced.

In truth, this mission was a free opportunity. Even he thought the plan couldn’t fail.

Director Hwang Heejong’s plan was to expose the identity of the S-class in front of the broadcasting cameras to preemptively block Park Jugwan’s influence. True to his character, the plan was flawless.

From behind the staff counter, behind the employees handling administrative work, Oh Byeongtae glanced outside. An HBS reporter was waiting across the waiting room, and behind him, A-class hunter Ko Gamho of the association was on standby.

Hunter Ko Gamho was an awakened with sensing skills, specialized in detecting energy of abilities. Originally part of the gate reconnaissance team, he had been temporarily assigned to work at the examination room today for “security reasons.”

No matter how the unknown S-class might hide their energy, they would inevitably be caught by Ko Gamho’s skills. Then it would be checkmate, game over.

“Shin Jaehyuk, prospective awakened, please come inside!”

A counter employee called for a waiting applicant. Oh Byeongtae turned his attention to the familiar-sounding name.

‘Shin Jaehyuk? That name seems to be on the list…’

Oh Byeongtae checked the list of suspected S-class individuals. Found it. The name was on the list.

‘Could he really be an S-class?’

Did he come at this timing when there are fewer people, as Hwang Heejong predicted, because he’s reluctant to reveal his identity?

Oh Byeongtae observed the appearance of the man entering the examination room. He was a sturdy man with a physique that showed he had worked out quite a bit. Judging by appearance alone, he looked quite strong. But one shouldn’t judge awakened ones by appearance. What determines an awakened’s strength is mana, the ability, and awakening skills. One cannot make assumptions before measuring mana levels with the testing device.

‘But since the subject is likely a divine power awakened rather than mana—’

Oh Byeongtae nudged Ko Gamho, who was absorbed in a smartphone game. Annoyed at the interruption, Ko Gamho responded sarcastically.

“What is it?”

“Scan that person for me.”

“Is he one of those ‘suspicious candidates who will definitely come today, though I can’t tell you why’? Yes, yes, of course I’ll do it…”

Ko Gamho, who had been dragged here without knowing the reason, used his skill with a sarcastic tone.

Energy Sense Enhancement. A skill that can detect even the most distant and subtle energies. It was the ability that had made him the ace of the reconnaissance team. His ability to find any demon was useful for preparing against surprise attacks, discovering hidden demons, and locating boss rooms.

The A-class hunter’s sensing expanded to envelop the target. It searched every corner of the body for anything suspicious.

‘This is just the background energy floating in nature, this is the energy from the security guard at the entrance, this is from the mana detector, and this is…!’

As Ko Gamho filtered through the jumbled information, he sensed something. Energy flowing from the man Oh Byeongtae had pointed out.

Weak mana gathered in his lower abdomen.

‘Eh, nothing special… What a waste of time.’

Deflated, Ko Gamho deactivated his skill. The annoying secretary asked:

“Well? Do you sense anything?”

“He is an awakened. A D-class mana awakened.”

The ant who failed to see the elephant answered unenthusiastically and buried his face back in his smartphone screen.

Ko Gamho didn’t know. He didn’t realize that the subject’s divine power was so vast that he had mistaken it for residual energy in the atmosphere. Experiencing this situation for the first time, Ko Gamho didn’t understand that his ability, as precise as a microscope, was unsuitable for observing the sun.

Glaring at Ko Gamho, who was curt and arrogant despite having a physical job, Oh Byeongtae clicked his tongue.

‘Tsk. A dud this time…’

He drew a red line through Shin Jaehyuk’s name on the list. He had about forty more names to cross out.

‘Well, it’s unlikely we’d catch him on the first try.’

It’s fine. There were still many names left on the list. One of them must be the S-class hunter, and there was no way for them to escape this trap.

‘Get caught quickly and become my opportunity for promotion…!’

Imagining a happy future where he would rise to become the number one in the association, surpassing Hwang Heejong, Oh Byeongtae grinned. Little did he know that he had just squandered the opportunity of a lifetime…