Chapter 15

[Translator - Hestia][Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 15

Vroooooooom.

The taxi sped towards the public housing complex on the outskirts of Seoul.

I slumped like a corpse in the backseat, my head resting against the window.

The Great Constellation roared in my ear.

【"Are you insane? You almost got a bad ending just a few days into Part 2."】

【"It seems you're suffering from various mental conditions, including an inflated ego, due to the shock of your death. Why don't you go to the hospital and see a healer?"】

【"Lee Eunwoo is a high-ranker you raised yourself, isn't he?"】

That’s right.

Lee Eunwoo is ranked 7th. A high-ranker among high-rankers.

He's strong enough to send the likes of me to the afterlife with a single bullet.

Moreover, unlike other high-ranking Awakeners who are a bit off their rocker, he was a very calculating and rational person.

【"Using a combo like 'Flaming Arrow' followed by 'Descent from the Inferno' in front of him... Are you desperate to get caught?"】

【Your constellation 'Sunny' is tearing their hair out!】

I retorted in my mind.

—No. But I couldn't just stand by and watch Seongnam City turn into a den of ghosts, could I?

The constellation read my thoughts and said.

【"I don't know why I'm more worried about your life than you are."】

So I continued the conversation in my mind.

—It's because you're more worried about my life than I am that I will recklessly charge into the Tower and close Gates without a second thought, isn't it?

【"...."】

—If no one else is looking out for me, I'd have to look out for myself. But I have you, don't I?

【"Am I supposed to be grateful or angry right now?"】

In the distance, I saw Hong Ilha's house.

I paid the taxi fare and entered the house.

"I'm home."

Wolha was studying at the living room desk.

An online lecture was playing on an old tablet— textbooks, reference books, and notebooks were spread out next to the desk.

"You're back, hyung?"

He looked me up and down.

"Why are you in such a state? Did you get into an accident or something?"

"Ah."

As Wolha said, I was a mess.

'Explosive Recovery' was a skill that restored damage to the body, not to clothes.

Considering I was trampled by a horse's hooves, it was fortunate that only this much was damaged.

"It's fine."

"What do you mean it's fine! You look like you got seriously injured!"

Wolha stood up.

I blurted out whatever came to mind.

It was the improvisation I had developed from frequent press conferences.

"I was walking on a mountain trail. The dirt is from helping someone who fell in front of me, and my clothes got ripped from getting caught on thorns."

But Wolha seemed to be smarter than the reporters.

"Stop making up nonsense! Where would there be such big thorns?"

There's no helping it.

I changed the subject.

"What were you looking at?"

"Huh?"

"Are you preparing for the civil service exam? Today?"

Wolha let out a deep sigh.

"You said we should. So I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea either. While you were out, I signed up for online lectures and went to the bookstore to buy some textbooks."

"You could have had them delivered."

"I need to start as soon as possible. Later on, even an hour will be precious."

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

What impressive initiative.

Wolha, still looking at me suspiciously, said.

"Don't go out tomorrow. We need to go to the Gate we used to work at and terminate our employment contract. Go wash up and rest. You must be tired."

"Okay."

I went into the bathroom to wash up.

I heard Wolha muttering behind me.

He thought he was speaking softly, but he couldn't fool my hearing, which was enhanced to over 200.

"Walking? The hyung used to hate walking."

I see.

I'll keep that in mind.

* * *

Lee Eunwoo watched as the seal was once again being placed on the outskirts of the 'Ghost Princess's Castle.'

"It's done!"

The 'Artificial Samdocheon' flowed freely.

The thick fog and green smoke couldn't escape beyond the Samdocheon.

Thanks to the perfectly timed intervention of the unidentified Hunter, they were able to defeat the Ghost Knights.

Immediately after, Hunters from the Magic Tower and the Holy Church joined in, successfully preventing the outbreak.

However, their combined strength wasn't enough to close the Gate completely, and the Hunters from the Iron Blood Legion had also suffered significant losses, so they settled for restoring the seal for now.

The raid would be thoroughly prepared and carried out later.

From beyond the control line, a child looked towards them and bowed their head.

"Thank you."

Lee Eunwoo felt a sense of guilt, as if he had stolen the cheers that should have gone to another Hunter.

"..."

It wasn't him who killed the Ghost Princess' champion.

The unidentified Hunter with the red halo was the true hero of the day.

Lee Eunwoo had experienced a similar feeling before, against Baekya.

Baekya had used 'Law of Light' to break through the barrier and half-incinerate the Life Vessel, leaving the Lich half-paralyzed.

All Lee Eunwoo did was put a bullet in the Lich's head.

But it was Eunwoo who was known as the Hunter who defeated the Lich and saved the people.

As the saying goes, 'The grace of a teacher is like the sky; the more you look up, the higher it seems.'

Even in death, Baekya seemed to be looking down on him.

'This is irrational suspicion.'

Lee Eunwoo opened his status window, accessed the Aitel system, and checked the rankings.

+

【Server: Republic of Korea / Ranking】

NO 1. Great Mage / ■Vasa

NO 2. Fairy King / Na Jeongwon

NO 3. Sword Saint / Cheong Siyeol

NO 4. Fist King / Joo Suhyeok

NO 5. Seven Star Saintess / Joo Ye-eun

NO 6. Mr. Pistol / Lee Eunwoo

.

.

.

+

Everyone had moved up one spot from their previous rank.

【Server: Republic of Korea / S-Rank】

【11】

The number of S-Ranks in Korea had also decreased from 12 to 11.

'The Sun of Humanity' Baekya had definitely died by Cheong Siyeol's sword that day.

'My emotions were clouded by the crisis, leading me to think of such irrational stuff.'

Lee Eunwoo lightly bit his lower lip.

Baekya was the idol of many pyromancers.

Awakeners of that class who use 'Flame Arrow' and 'Descent from the Inferno' in combination were now everywhere.

Unlike Cheong Siyeol, who still admired Baekya, Lee Eunwoo was different.

In his mind, Baekya was nothing more than an irrational terrorist who burned the world without any purpose.

He acknowledged that Baekya was once a great teacher and a hero, but that was all.

So even if he saw a Hunter using a similar combat style, he shouldn't have suspected that Baekya was alive.

It was irrational to be personally attached to someone who, from a utilitarian perspective, had to die, and it was disrespectful to compare a hero who acted anonymously to a mere terrorist.

'Huh?'

At that moment, numbers that Lee Eunwoo shouldn't have been able to see appeared before his eyes.

【Server: Republic of Korea / Achievements】

【Collapse/Expand】

【First Climber】 Sᴇaʀᴄh the N0ᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

【First to Clear Floor 10】

【First to...】

'Why are these still here?'

These achievements were usually found deep within the system, so he hadn't paid them much attention.

When an Awakened climbs the Tower and achieves something, the entire country benefits in various ways, such as an increase in tutorial participants.

Some of these benefits persist even after the achievement is initially unlocked, while others require the achiever to maintain their position.

Let's take Baekya's achievements, 'World No. 1' and 'First Climber,' as examples.

Even after Baekya's death, the fact that he was the first to climb the Tower remains unchanged.

Therefore, the benefits gained from the 'First Climber' achievement still remain with Korea.

However, 'World No. 1' requires the holder to be the current world's number one, so it has now passed to a Hunter in the United States.

What Eunwoo saw were these 'Retained' achievements, starting with those two.

【First Climber】

【First to Clear Floor 10】

【First to Clear Floor 20】

【First to Clear Floor 25】

【First Archdemon Slayer】

These achievements are only active if the corresponding individual is alive and active on the server.

If Baekya was dead, he should have been crossed out.

'What's going on?'

Uncharacteristically flustered, Lee Eunwoo stopped in his tracks.

His adjutant looked up at him.

"Is something wrong, sir?"

He didn't even hear the question.

'There are two possibilities. Either Baekya is alive, or there's an error in the Aitel system. Which is more irrational?'

'The Aitel system can't have errors... It's reasonable to assume it can't, at least not until now. So we can reasonably expect it to continue functioning correctly in the future. But... someone who was thought to be dead can be alive.'

'Excellent.'

His thoughts raced.

Lee Eunwoo had argued this from the beginning.

'Are you going to stop climbing the Tower just because he's dead? He believes in us. We have to use what we can! From a rational perspective, his power is useful.'

He didn't understand concepts like good or evil, nor did he particularly want to.

There were only gains and losses.

And Baekya was still an Awakened whose benefits to this world outweighed his harm.

Lee Eunwoo shifted his gaze.

National Assembly members, the mayor, the chief of police, and others were pushing their way past the control line, taking pictures as if they had done something.

"Chief."

"Ah! Mr. Eunwoo."

Swish

The chief, slightly nervous in the presence of the S-Rank Hunter— offered his hand for a handshake.

Without even looking at his hand, Lee Eunwoo spoke in a commanding tone.

"I'm looking for someone. A young adult male, tall, and an Awakened. His halo is either a white ring or a red disc. I request that you review all of the city's CCTV footage from today."

'It would be good to find the nameless hero, and if it's Baekya who has returned... even better. Even after his fall, that incomprehensible man continued to fight against the Gates.'

A look of embarrassment and humiliation flashed across the chief's face.

"Why... are you looking for that person?"

"Are you curious?"

Lee Eunwoo sneered.

His halo, shaped like two overlapping diamonds in blue and black, pulsed lowly as if reprimanding the chief.

Hum!

The chief was reminded once again that he was dealing with an S-Rank Awakened.

"...No, sir. I'll find them right away."

* * *

I locked the door, closed the window curtains, and sat in front of the full-length mirror— opening my status window.

Once again, I zoomed in on the important parts.

+

【Status Window】

2. Class: Pyromancer (C-)

7. Stats:

[Strength 195] [Agility 220]

[Health 230] [Mana 260 ‣ 265]

+

My Mana had increased again, by 5 points, without me even noticing.

It had gone up by 25 points in a single day.

In the past, it took months of burning monsters all day long just to barely gain 1 point.

I didn't know whether to be happy about the absurdly fast growth or sad that I was still weak.

As for the skills, I got two decent ones.

+

【Skill (Passive): Underdog (C+)】

【Increases attack power and defense penetration by 10% against enemies two or more grades higher.】

【Skill (Active): Dullahan's Gaze】

【The knight Dullahan, who carries his head under his arm, has a wide field of vision. Using this skill creates a burning eye that functions as an 'Observer.'】

+

'Underdog' is passive, so I don't need to worry about it, and 'Dullahan's Gaze' seems perfect for situations like today.

It'll be very useful for me now, since I won't be able to stand out for a while.

But the biggest gains from this expedition are these two.

I carefully took out the sword wrapped in newspaper.

【Champion's Sword (Rare)】

【A sharp longsword of a Ghost Knight. It is imbued with dense spirit energy.】

【Magic Power +10, Strength +15, Health -5】

I had obtained the artifact that Hong Ilha had so desperately desired.

The dense spirit energy should help the blade withstand the Radiant Light Sword skill.

I'm willing to accept the Health -5 penalty for the sake of the other two stats.

But the real star of the show is this.

A handkerchief embroidered with green thread on white cloth.

【Ghost Princess's Handkerchief (Heroic)】

【A handkerchief the Ghost Princess tied, wishing for her champion's safe return. Grants the wearer a powerful stealth effect.】

Heroic grade was high enough that even my original self would consider it quite useful.

I had checked it over and over with the Constellation's help, but there was no mention of it being unusable by the living or any hidden penalties.

With a trembling heart, I picked up the handkerchief and tied it around my wrist.

My reflection was still visible in the mirror.

A handsome man with a white ring-shaped halo and black hair.

It wasn't that the handkerchief wasn't working.

【Flame Arrow】

I summoned a Flame Arrow above my hand.

The halo above my head was still a white ring.

Success.

I inwardly let out a cheer.

It worked.

It worked!

If Wolha wasn't studying outside, I would have screamed at the top of my lungs, dignity be damned.

A thrilling shiver ran through my body.

The Constellation spoke in a tone that suggested even she approved.

【"You've done well."】

【"Now you can use your skills freely outside without being suspected of being Baekya."】

My strength gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor.

It was originally impossible for an Awakened to hide their halo.

Only someone like me could change its shape when not using abilities.

From S+ High Rankers to F-Rank porters, all Awakened had to display their halo 24/7.

It meant that playing the 'hidden powerhouse' game was fundamentally impossible.

Now, I'm the exception.

No matter what happens at the Gate tomorrow, no matter what happens at future Gates or in the Tower, I won't be mistaken for Baekya!

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]