NSE-Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Park Si-woo

Shadow.

An assassination organization that operated in the darkness, dreaming of the resurrection of a Great Being.

Its members were extremely diverse, and many of them were active in the light.

A kind of double identity, so to speak.

Han Baek-gil, the leader there, looked at the pitch-black stone in his grasp.

The Life Stone.

A gift bestowed by the Great Being.

The effect was simple.

If the designated target died, it lost its color. Like Lee Seo-yun’s stone, now held in his hand.

‘So she’s dead.’

Han Baek-gil clicked his tongue inwardly.

Lee Seo-yun had been a talented promising prospect since the moment she Awakened.

She was also an Awakened with a cruel nature inside.

It takes a madman to recognize a madwoman.

Han Baek-gil had recognized it at a glance. That was why he had approached her in advance and recruited her as a member of Shadow.

‘I had been planning to entrust her with an important role later.’

She was a talent certain to grow into S-rank. Even within Shadow, there weren’t many with such talent.

And such a talent had died abruptly overnight.

“……Tsk.”

Clicking his tongue, he summoned the members.

Members entering with masks on.

Number One through Number Seven. They were core talents who had each been assigned a number.

Seeing them, Han Baek-gil said.

“Lee Seo-yun is dead.”

“That psycho bitch is dead? How?”

“Obvious, isn’t it? Didn’t she finish the job we gave her this time? She probably went hunting to blow off steam and got herself killed instead.”

At those words, the members inwardly nodded. Lee Seo-yun’s eccentric behavior was quite famous even within Shadow.

Because whenever she was given a job, after finishing it she would always go out to wreck someone.

“But isn’t it a bit strange? That bitch may be crazy, but she’s not stupid, you know? She must have moved because he looked like someone she could devour…….”

True.

Lee Seo-yun enjoyed hunting; she wasn’t the type to value life-or-death duels.

“She usually targeted guys who moved alone, right?”

“Yeah. She said guys who move in parties were boring, so she probably did the same this time. And then she got taken out…….”

Han Baek-gil raised a hand and said.

“There are two possibilities in total. First. A high-ranking Awakened hid his identity and entered a Low-tier Gate. Or…….”

“A new face appeared and wrecked Lee Seo-yun one-on-one?”

“Right.”

Han Baek-gil nodded.

If an A-rank or S-rank Awakened had entered hiding their identity, it wasn’t strange for Lee Seo-yun to be hunted.

But the possibility itself was extremely low. The Gates Lee Seo-yun mainly operated in were between D-rank and E-rank.

What was there to gain there that an Awakened whose name you’d recognize just by hearing it would enter?

Of course, it could have been because there was something like a Hidden Piece, but that wasn’t a very high possibility.

Because for such high-level ones, the starting point of a Hidden Piece was usually in a high-tier area too.

“If it’s a new face, who could it be?”

The members’ eyes sparkled at the interesting topic.

People commonly think that those with high Achievements would disclose it everywhere, but that wasn’t necessarily so.

There were many Awakened who hid their Achievement grade to some extent.

If A, about B.

If B, about C.

Lowering the treatment they received a little, in exchange for drawing less attention.

There were quite a few Awakened who operated that way.

Because boasting about a high Achievement didn’t always have only advantages.

“That bitch’s Achievement grade was A. Her Level was 300 too. If someone took her down, it means they’re no ordinary player…….”

“Right. That’s why I gathered you. If a new face really has appeared, then a variable has come out.”

The members nodded.

Of course, even if it was a new face, it probably wasn’t a real greenhorn.

The odds were high that it was a guy who had been knocked around quite a bit in the Awakened world.

Surely some low-level wouldn’t have taken down that Lee Seo-yun.

“Good. I get why we’re gathered. So, boss, what will you do if we find that guy? Kill him?”

“There’s no need to. I’ll leave recruitment open as a possibility too. Of course, if that doesn’t work…….”

Han Baek-gil’s eyes turned chilling.

Even without finishing the sentence, everyone understood.

“Good. Then I’ll trace the movements of Awakened of A-rank and above. If they entered a Gate, there must be someone with a gap in their schedule.”

“I’ll look through the entry records of Low-tier Gates on this end. For those who entered alone.”

Who had killed Lee Seo-yun.

To find that out, Shadow began to move.

* * *

After coming out of the Gate.

Kim Min-woo, who had comfortably returned home, called in the Bodyguards.

“Please look into this person. Oh, and please dispose of this ID.”

“Understood.”

Park Si-woo.

Great Light Orphanage.

He handed over Park Cheol-ung’s ID along with a paper with brief information written on it.

Since Shadow might catch the scent, he planned to dispose of it in advance.

In less than 10 minutes, he was able to receive documents containing the guy’s information.

As expected, Park Si-woo was currently in the Orphanage.

He examined what was written under Special Notes.

[Good with a sword since childhood. Guilds that coveted his ability contacted him several times, but he never ended up Awakening.]

‘He’s a Sprout Destined for Greatness, all right.’

The sooner the contact, the better. Because past a certain point, Park Si-woo’s Awakening would require taking a roundabout route.

‘First, I’ll meet him.’

Level up?

That could be done anytime.

Hunt the Outer God within 7 years.

Honestly, not seven years but even just a few months would be enough to hit 200 easily.

From then on, growth would hit a wall.

This was something with the possibility of breaking through that.

It was reason enough to move right now.

“Please get the car ready. We’re going here.”

Great Light Orphanage.

He would meet Park Si-woo here first.

* * *

Great Light Orphanage.

At the Orphanage located in Gyeonggi Province, children were running around today too.

A friend his own age sat beside Park Si-woo, who was staring blankly at the sight.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing…… I don’t have many days left here now, right? So I was just looking.”

“Must be nice? You even have time to zone out.”

“Nice, my foot. I’m already miserable as it is.”

“True. You have a younger sister too…….”

The friend nodded as if he understood. Just as he said, his younger sister was in this Orphanage with him too.

He was in a situation where he had to leave as he came of age. Even if he received the Settlement Support Money, that pittance would at most get him a cramped cubicle room.

After brooding for a moment over the stifling feeling that came flooding in, Park Si-woo said.

“……What are you going to do for a living when you leave?”

“Me? I told you. I’ll just learn a trade. You?”

“Who knows. I’ve been wondering lately if I really should too. If I had at least Awakened, it’d be a different story…….”

At those words, the friend let out a chuckle.

“Awakening, my foot. If you haven’t done it by our age, it’s over.”

“……True.”

Park Si-woo quietly nodded.

He felt bitter inside.

Since he was young, his dream had been to become an Awakened.

The reason was simple.

Because he had been saved by an Awakened. An A-rank Gate that had suddenly burst open in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, 13 years ago.

He had gone on an outing with his family then and lost his parents. If the Awakened hadn’t come to help, he might have lost even his only younger sister.

From then on, his dream became to be an Awakened. Just as he and his younger sister had been saved, he wanted to become someone who saved others.

Of course, it wasn’t that it absolutely had to be an Awakened, but……

There was no other profession that was as respected as Awakened. That was why most of the children at this Orphanage dreamed of being Awakened too.

Unfortunately, only a tiny few had achieved that dream.

Just then.

Vehicles stopped in a row in front of the Orphanage. At the feast of vehicles that looked outrageously expensive at a glance, both of their eyes widened.

“What’s this? Is some important person coming today or something?”

“Don’t know. The Director didn’t say anything in particular.”

Then an astonishing sight unfolded.

People getting out of the vehicles.

Among them, a very familiar face came into view.

Kim Min-woo!

Though he was wearing sunglasses, it was impossible not to recognize him.

And no wonder, since he was the hottest Awakened in Korea these days! On top of that, the people who looked like Bodyguards had both hands full of gifts, so many they looked hard to carry.

‘Why on earth is that person here…….’

Just then.

“Hey there! You, friend!”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yeah, you. You’re Park Si-woo, right?”

“Yes. That’s right…… Do you know me, by any chance?”

“Of course. I know you well. Very well indeed. Shall we talk with your big brother for a bit? Somewhere quiet.”

Kim Min-woo, who had taken off his sunglasses, said with a grin.

* * *

Inside a small cafe.

Kim Min-woo and Park Si-woo sat facing each other.

“If there’s anything you want to eat, order whatever you like.”

“No. I ate earlier, so I’m fine. Um, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about…….”

Park Si-woo seemed curious about his business.

Then there was nothing to do but bring up the main point right away.

“Si-woo. You’ve got a lot on your mind lately, haven’t you?”

“……What?”

“You’ll have to leave the Orphanage soon, and your way of making a living is bleak, isn’t it? Am I wrong?”

“That…… I guess so?”

“And since you have a younger sister too, you’d have to get settled first.”

Park Si-woo nodded.

“Your big brother here, you see. I’ve got a bit of an eye for people, you know? To me, you’re a guy who’ll make it.”

“What does ‘make it’ mean…….”

“That you have the talent of an Awakened, that’s what.”

“……What?”

“Didn’t you hear?”

“No, I did hear. But I haven’t Awakened up until now, though?”

“Kid. Your big brother Awakened much later than your age. And how am I now?”

“A super…… rookie, aren’t you.”

“Right. If you find the condition and Awaken too, you can become like your big brother, that’s what I’m saying.”

“I’m sorry, but…… I don’t really know the condition…….”

“Of course you don’t! Who would know their Awakening Condition? Your big brother also tried this and that and just got lucky by chance.”

In truth, it wasn’t by chance but that he had simply known it, but there was no need to tell him that.

“Your big brother’s been looking for talent lately, and you caught my eye right away. When I looked at the Orphanage records, it said you’re pretty good with a sword?”

“Ah…….”

Park Si-woo nodded as if convinced.

Awakened was a wonderful profession.

Also, Awakening Conditions often hit like a lottery.

Naturally, orphanages made efforts to produce Awakened too.

Because if they produced an outstanding Awakened and sent them to a Guild or organization, support money would pour in generously as a form of repayment.

One part of that effort was precisely training. They handed the children several practice weapons and had them train.

Doing so, not only could they find a weapon that suited their aptitude, but with luck, there were even cases of Awakening.

Even if they didn’t Awaken, there was no harm in the sense of finding usable talent.

Park Si-woo, too, had once drawn attention like that.

He wielded a sword astonishingly well.

But he hadn’t Awakened yet.

Maybe I could scratch this lottery ticket?

Guilds that thought so formed ties with Park Si-woo and gave him some support.

They even helped with the various attempts made to learn his Awakening Condition.

But now, with a considerable amount of time having passed.

Park Si-woo was already chewing gum with the sweetness gone. Those who were going to make it usually finished Awakening before fifteen at the latest, but this guy didn’t Awaken no matter what he did.

What good was talent for swordsmanship? In the end, if he couldn’t Awaken, it was all for nothing.

There’s a limit to attempts, after all.

In the end, the Guilds that had been keeping an eye on Park Si-woo also fell away one by one.

That was the reason Park Si-woo was worried about what he’d do for a living once he left the Orphanage.

Instead of studying.

Instead of learning a trade.

He had run toward a single shot at Awakening, and it hadn’t worked.

“You haven’t given up yet, have you?”

“…….”

Park Si-woo quietly nodded.

Seeing that, Kim Min-woo grinned.

“I’ll help you. Until you Awaken. Whatever you imagined, you’ll receive support beyond that.”

“……Um…….”

“Yeah, call me whatever’s comfortable. Just call me big brother.”

“……Yes. Big Brother. I understand why you wanted to see me. But I don’t quite understand why you’d go this far for me. Even the other Guilds have all given up…….”

He chuckled.

Why would he do this, indeed.

The world still didn’t know the worth of this genius.

The talent who truly deserved to be praised as a genius by the Sword Immortal was not himself but Park Si-woo.

‘Because this guy is a true genius.’

Traits, Swordsmanship Genius.

Hadn’t the game’s start screen driven the point home for sure, no less?

That this guy was a monster.

There was no loss in forming a connection.

And on top of that, the most important thing was.

‘That the chance of obtaining Achievement Points is extremely high.’

Their worth couldn’t be measured by mere money.

Because Achievement Points raised Kim Min-woo’s potential itself.

To hunt the Outer God, the higher the Level, the better.

The only way to surpass the bitter Level 200.

Hold back from this?

“No way I can hold back.”

“Pardon?”

“Your big brother can’t hold back, I said.”

What life would Park Si-woo have lived originally? He didn’t know exactly, but he could guess.

In the distant past.

Even when the best player had known the Awakening Condition and run it himself as the pilot, S-grade was the limit for the Achievement.

Not to mention, Park Si-woo now was in a situation where he didn’t even know his own Awakening Condition.

With a tricky condition, even if he Awakened, it would usually end at around C or B grade.

Being a swordsmanship genius, he’d climb to the top tier, sure, but.

‘A famous Awakened in Korea. Just that level.’

It would probably end at roughly that point.

The first Skill Book was that important.

What if, from a fate that would end like this, he attained an Achievement of S or above?

If he changed a main character’s fate to this extent, could the story possibly not twist?

If it succeeded, Achievement Points would pour in.

A lottery ticket certain to win.

He had to scratch it first and see.

“S-grade? No, you’ll surely become an Awakened beyond that. Let’s do it. Your big brother will help.”

Writing a myth in Korea’s Awakened scene.

That was the reason he had come looking for Park Si-woo.