Fruition 3
When Im Du-ho’s name was called as the grand prize winner, the hologram call Park Dae-ri had placed cut off with a snap.
Ham Bong-sik, the section chief, stared blankly into space.
“What in the world just happened?”
The scene that had flashed across the smart watch camera a moment ago still circled in his mind.
Brilliant lights, a thunder of applause.
And at the center of it all, Im Du-ho.
Smack!
He raised a hand and slapped himself across the cheek.
Ow—damn, that hurts....
An implant hand made the pain twice as bad!
So this definitely isn’t a dream.
A grin he couldn’t suppress slowly spread across Ham Chief’s mouth.
He had worried about that kid all this time.
The ones who came in puffed up with second-rate degrees from prestigious universities always got shuffled into good positions, no matter how thin their actual skills were.
But Im Du-ho had lasted in silence for six years.
A high school graduate on contract.
Even if I wanted to push him into a permanent position, there was nothing I could do.
Even when he defended Du-ho as a man with real ability, the people above had judged only by credentials.
“Well, none of that matters now.”
A grand prize from a competition under the government’s umbrella was the kind of justification that could swallow credentials whole and still have room to spare.
He felt light inside.
“Right. No matter what anyone says, a technician is all about skill!”
Humming to himself, Ham Chief immediately placed a call to report upward.
Mighty Na Yong-seok’s office.
“...So Im Du-ho won the grand prize.”
Ham Chief’s excited report came through the hologram.
Na Yong-seok adjusted his glasses and tilted his head.
“You’re saying the grand prize winner is a contract worker in the Machine Upcycling department?”
-Yes, sir! And that’s why I’m calling....
After hearing the whole story, Na Department Head ended the call and leaned back in his chair.
Honestly, he wasn’t all that moved.
A contract worker’s human-victory story was touching and all, but—
“So what does the Hunter Administration have to do with a technician?”
Unless he was an exceptional Awakened.
Still, I need to write up a report....
Out of habit, he opened Du-ho’s personnel file.
Im Du-ho (26)
Date of hire: 2063. 03. XX
Contract: annual renewal (6th year)
That much was ordinary enough.
As Na Department Head absentmindedly scrolled downward, his hand stopped.
Huh?
“He Awakened three months ago?”
He checked Im Du-ho’s age again.
Twenty-six.
A late-blooming Awakened!
Na Department Head’s expression shifted subtly.
Usually, the moment someone received their Awakening diagnosis, they threw in their resignation.
Even as an F-rank, once you became a Hunter, the Hunter Administration’s contract salary was laughably small.
And yet Du-ho had stayed?
And after three months, he had won the grand prize in a skills competition.
Na Department Head narrowed his eyes.
He began combing through Du-ho’s file.
Then—
Huh?
“Why is private information access blocked?”
Du-ho looked down at the trophy in his hands.
It was heavier than he’d expected.
If Mom and Dad found out... they’d be shocked, wouldn’t they?
His chest suddenly grew hot.
Oh! Oh! Oh!!
-Du-ho nim is the best!
-Kyaaa! Congratulations, Mechromancer-nim!!
As Isto and Hoguai cheered inside Du-ho’s head, the host held out a microphone.
“Please give us a few words!”
Du-ho stared at the mic, dazed.
Um, well....
“If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
Ha-ha... hahaha!
Laughter broke out in the auditorium.
Without meaning to, he’d softened the whole atmosphere.
“I’d like to thank my parents. And also....”
Du-ho looked toward Park Dae-ri seated in the audience.
“I’d also like to thank Park Gyu-tae Dae-ri for recommending me.”
On one side of the audience, Park Dae-ri’s eyes widened.
Me, m-me?
At once, memories of all the days he’d tormented Im Du-ho flashed through his head.
He had cursed at him.
Dumped work on him.
Ignored him.
Park Dae-ri’s face burned.
Dammit.
All I have are memories of bullying you....
He lowered his head in shame.
“Ohhh~ So that’s the person who recommended Im Du-ho!”
A man sitting next to him, unaware of the context, smiled at Park Dae-ri as if he had excellent judgment.
“Congratulations!”
“Ah, yes. Th-thank you....”
Unwanted attention rained down on him from every direction.
Shit.
...What the hell is this?
Park Dae-ri looked up at Du-ho on stage with a complicated feeling in his chest.
Then, a dignified old gentleman with white hair came up onto the stage.
It was none other than the chairman of the organizing committee.
He handed Du-ho two certificates.
“Congratulations, young Im Du-ho.”
They were the 100 million coin prize certificate and the qualification certificate for the Global Skills Competition.
Thump-thump.
His heartbeat seemed to hammer against his ears.
Dear me....
To think I’m going to the global competition.
As Du-ho struggled to process the unexpected outcome, the committee chairman held out his hand.
“I look forward to what you’ll do next.”
“I’ll work even harder.”
Du-ho bowed deeply.
Before long, the host declared the ceremony closed.
“And that concludes the 2069 government-sponsored skills competition! Once again, let’s hear a round of applause for all our prize winners!”
Clap, clap, clap!
Cheers and applause filled the great hall.
The Korean University research team, who had received the gold prize, approached Du-ho.
“Congratulations, Mr. Im Du-ho.”
One of them held out a hand.
Du-ho shook it, then answered awkwardly.
“Thank you. And congratulations to you as well.”
He exchanged brief greetings with the other winners too.
And then....
Im Du-ho stepped down from the stage.
A little while later, several people from the audience came up to him.
“Congratulations, Mr. Im Du-ho.”
Just as one man approached with a smart watch raised to send a business card,
Du-ho put on an apologetic expression.
“Sorry, but... there’s something wrong with my watch.”
“Ah, I see.”
The man looked stumped.
The truth was—
I don’t really want to share my contact info here.
-Right, hamda. In the end, the one who’ll go looking for Du-ho nim is the one who wants something, hamda!
More people kept coming.
Du-ho slipped his smart watch into his pocket and brushed them off with apologies.
Then—
“Excuse me....”
A young woman took out a real paper business card.
“Would you take this?”
She carries around analog business cards....
That was extremely rare these days.
I can’t exactly refuse this one.
When he accepted the card, the woman gave him a small smile and walked away.
After that, a few more people handed him cards, and Du-ho took them all, tucking them into his pocket.
There are more oddballs here than I expected.
Just then, from a little distance away, two men watched him and whispered loud enough to be heard.
“That Im Du-ho guy... I thought he was some incredibly refined cybernetic body, but he’s a natural.”
“Seriously?”
“How does a natural make something like that?”
It was a discriminatory look, aimed straight at Du-ho.
At that moment—
“Hey!”
“What’s so bad about our employee being a natural?!”
Unexpectedly, Park Dae-ri shot the two men a glare.
Whirr, whirr.
His implant arm twitched menacingly.
The two men flustered and waved their hands.
“N-no, that’s not what we meant....”
“Then what did you mean?!”
Park Dae-ri raised his voice.
Du-ho, realizing what was happening too late, hurried to stop him.
“Dae-ri, please don’t.”
“Don’t what? What does being a natural have to do with winning the grand prize? Until seventy years ago, everybody was a natural.”
Just as the atmosphere was about to turn ugly—
“Mr. Im Du-ho.”
A deep, heavy voice rang out.
Du-ho turned to see the judges walking over.
Gasp!
The most shocked person of all was Park Dae-ri.
The instant he saw Choi Tae-jin, he froze, drained of color.
Seeing him, Du-ho was puzzled.
CEO Choi Tae-jin had an imposing presence, sure.
But not to the point where someone should be that terrified.
His confusion lasted only a moment.
Choi Tae-jin stopped in front of Du-ho.
“Im Du-ho. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Choi Tae-jin smiled with easy confidence.
“Since you’re going to the global competition now... let’s see each other often from here on out.”
“Ah, yes.”
Professor Han Ji-hyeok cut in.
“Mr. Im Du-ho, I’d like to invite you to our research institute.”
“...Pardon?”
“You’ll need help preparing for the global competition, won’t you? I was thinking I could serve as your mentor. I’m working on similar research myself.”
Professor Han Ji-hyeok’s open invitation was practically a love call.
Choi Tae-jin gave a snort.
“Professor Han, trying to get help from Mr. Im Du-ho already?”
“Choi... Chairman!”
“I’m sure I mentioned it during the judging.”
“Mentioned what...?”
Choi Tae-jin stepped closer to Professor Han Ji-hyeok.
He leaned in and whispered in his ear.
“I said that Im Du-ho’s work was better than your walking module.”
Then he stepped back and sneered.
“Did something happen to Professor Han’s memory?”
Professor Han’s face reddened.
“Chairman Choi, that was out of line.”
Ignoring him, Choi Tae-jin turned to Dr. Yu So-yeong.
“Dr. Yu, aren’t you joining the mentor competition?”
She shrugged.
“I’m fine.”
“Oh? That’s unexpected.”
“Though I won’t stop anyone who wants to come.”
Having said that, Dr. Yu So-yeong turned to Du-ho with a serious expression.
“Mr. Im Du-ho, I tried wearing the assistive device myself.”
“Ah, yes.”
“From a natural’s standpoint, it was not inconvenient at all.”
Yu So-yeong continued,
“If I could offer one suggestion... how about adding an indicator to the assistive device?”
“An indicator?”
“Yes. One linked to a smart watch, so you can check battery level and output status in real time.”
One of Du-ho’s eyebrows rose slightly.
He hadn’t added it because time had been too tight.
And now she was pointing out exactly that.
...So this is what judges are like.
“I’ll improve it before the global competition.”
Dr. Yu gave a small nod.
“The strength of Mr. Im Du-ho’s work is that it’s simple and comfortable. I hope my advice doesn’t make it overly complicated.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Dr. Yu slowly looked around at the people nearby.
Then she raised her voice as if making sure they all heard her.
“To think something like this could come out of a place where everyone just takes other people’s work and develops it further—I’m really looking forward to the future!”
The surrounding people flinched.
They averted their eyes with awkward expressions.
Pu-ha-ha-ha.
Choi Tae-jin burst out laughing loudly.
“Dr. Yu, isn’t that a bit too blunt?”
“I was only stating the facts.”
She smiled at Du-ho again.
“Mr. Im Du-ho, I’ll be looking forward to good results at next year’s global competition.”
“I’ll do my best!”
Soon after, the judges took their leave.
Du-ho rubbed at his chest.
Dear me....
They’re all a handful.
-Du-ho nim.
Hm?
-Dr. Yu So-yeong seems like exactly the kind of talent needed for world conquest, hamda! She even knows how to flatter Du-ho nim properly.
Hey, that’s not flattery, it’s advice.
Then Hoguai’s voice sounded as well.
-Mechromancer-nim, Professor Yu is basically a robot just like me. Wouldn’t it be worth considering inviting her to the Robot Liberation Front?
Du-ho massaged his temple, then laughed despite himself.
Come to think of it....
You two must really like her.
At that moment, Park Dae-ri came over.
Du-ho asked first, “Are you all right?”
“I-I just really don’t like people like Choi Tae-jin.”
Just as Du-ho was thinking, Well, that makes sense,
the other man suddenly bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
“Huh?”
Park Dae-ri was bowing all the way down.
“Why are you suddenly doing this?”
“I... did too many wrong things to you.”
“......”
Du-ho reached out and wrapped a hand around Park Dae-ri’s implant hand as he spoke.
“It’s fine. And I was cursing you out where you couldn’t hear me too.”
“I-I see.”
Still looking apologetic, Park Dae-ri gave a small bow back. Du-ho returned it as well.
“Thank you so much for recommending me for the competition, Park Gyu-tae Dae-ri.”
Park Dae-ri nodded.
Dammit....
He’s got a real talent for making people feel guilty.
“Come on. Lunch is on me today.”
“But I’m the one who won the prize.”
No way!
“I said I’m paying! Let me pay!”
Du-ho followed behind Park Dae-ri, who had already started walking ahead.
Hunter Administration, 12th floor, unofficial conference room.
Bang!
Kim Tae-seong, second bureau chief, slammed his hand down on the table.
The red letters on the hologram screen wavered.
Cheoncheong Clan’s attempt to clear Floor 80 failed
“They’ve dropped two stages down to Floor 80, and they still make a mess of it!”
Chief Kim’s furious voice shook the conference room.
Seated at the head of the table, President Ma Jeong-seok flipped through the report and muttered in a low voice.
“Poor strategy, lack of teamwork... equipment degradation too. There isn’t just one problem here.”
At the mention of equipment degradation, Kim Tae-seong practically exploded.
“Damn it! We should have brought in Master Jang Mun-seo and founded a production division back then! Then we’d at least be able to supply proper equipment for the assault!”
“Chief Kim, how common do you think a proper production-type Awakened actually is?”
When Kim Tae-seong opened his mouth to argue with Park Sun-gwon,
“Even so, if a production Awakened appeared, we could bring them in and train them....”
“Oh, come on. If there isn’t anyone like Master Jang Mun-seo, then who’s going to handle that training?”
“...Then you’re saying we just stand back and watch?”
President Ma Jeong-seok ignored the two men bickering and looked out the window.
After a moment, he spoke.
“I tried to bring Master Jang Mun-seo here myself.”
“A-and?”
“I was refused outright.”
“Hmph. Even if we had managed to bring him in, how common is a proper production-type Awakened, really?”
Park Sun-gwon said that and called up another set of documents.
“More importantly, the Cheoncheong Clan has become desperate after repeated failures and started hunting for Ghost like mad. They even hired an assassin named Blood Rat.”
President Ma Jeong-seok’s brow furrowed.
“Using an assassin to find Ghost?”
“They’ve probably hit their limit and are trying to switch strategies to clearing the upper floors of the Abyss.”
Listening, Kim Tae-seong snapped in anger.
“How long are we supposed to let those bastards do whatever they want? Our Administration isn’t some straw dummy they can toss around!”
Right then, the door opened and Na Yong-seok rushed in.
His face was flushed.
“Sorry to interrupt the meeting! It’s an important matter!”
“Report.”
At President Ma Jeong-seok’s order, Na Yong-seok raised a hologram.
“One of our employees won the grand prize at the skills competition... and it looks like he may be a production-type Awakened.”
At that instant, the conference room fell silent.