I Became the Awakener the Whole World is Obsessed With (2)
I watched the screen on TV intently. The owner of the gate that Cheongwol Guild was tackling. In simple terms, the boss monster. It looked about 50 meters tall, with a thick carapace covering its back. You might think it's just a big turtle with short legs and nothing more...
But reality was different.
The turtle was wearing a helmet and greaves. So sturdy that even the mighty Hwang Hee-chan couldn't pierce them. It must be a nightmare for anyone facing it.
...Or, put differently.
It looked different to me watching from afar.
'That's not where you hit it.'
I sauntered over to the TV leisurely and plopped down cross-legged. Right before my eyes, the weakness they'd been dying for was crystal clear.
Trait 'Dragon Eye' has...
Level: 729
Weakness: Mana core located in the abdomen
'Super straightforward.'
Abdomen as the weak spot? A guild like Cheongwol should've found that easily. Hell, it's obvious at a glance—nowhere else to aim for anyway.
I wondered why they were flailing around missing it, but then...
"Aha."
So it body slams anyone who goes under. Even Hwang Hee-chan would turn into ketchup under a 50-meter mega-turtle's crush. The fact he'd checked five times amid that showed his strength, but anyway.
'Hwang Hee-chan couldn't spot it?'
I turned off my phone screen and looked back at the TV. Focusing my eyes hard, more info popped up.
The de facto heart and vital spot maintaining its massive body. Can't be covered by armor, so it's camouflaged with protective coloring normally. Distinguishable by its slow, powerful beats.
'Ah, protective coloring.' That explains why it's hard to spot. Urgent timing from the body slam pattern, and it blends perfectly with surroundings.
Of course, with Hwang Hee-chan and Cheongwol Guild, they'd find it eventually... but
'Can't resist giving legal advice.'
Me, Ryu Hwi-min. The guy who gets the urge to butt in when he knows stuff like this. I jumped straight into the gallery.
Time to do a good deed, so I logged in with my main account. My thumb danced busily over the budget phone's screen.
To move a body that size, obviously needs a mana core.
Needs mana intake, so couldn't armor it up.
So where's it at? Duh, the belly.
Obviously camouflaged for protection.
But it's a heart, so it'll thump thump.
Given the size, beats slow, but Hee-chan focuses and he'll spot it quick?
'This should do it?'
Half brainfart, but whatever. Spoiling the weak spot is enough.
'Wonder what the reactions are.'
I waited a bit and checked comments. If a guild guy sees it, he'll pass it on. I'd pat myself on the back for contributing.
And what greeted me was...
A frosty reception.
"......"
Logged in with my main for once, and they dug up my post history. And what's wrong with construction work? Think their houses were built by ants?
Deleted the post before they doxxed me further. Ran a full cleaner, wiping all my old posts and comments too.
Loved that account... but hey, I'm an awakener now. Time to retire the construction-era handle.
'Still, won't forget the grudge.'
Glanced at Se-rin lying in bed. Carefully connected to the hospital Wi-Fi. Logged out of sites.
One thing left.
'Help me out, construction site newbie ID photos I snapped.'
...After that, I rained justice down on the community until the hospital IP got banned. Took 3 minutes.
Posted about 20 pics in that time. Views? Didn't count, but enough to shift the bait.
"Phew, satisfying."
I can ignore it, but they shouldn't diss construction work. Plenty good folks like Ajusshi—solid industry really.
Before blackened Hwi-min went all-in with his 3-minute shitstorm domain expansion.
A woman saw it and widened her eyes.
Cha Yu-na. Ex-management agency staff, now Cheongwol Guild scout.
Rare info trait holder, stuck on community monitoring crap duty cuz of her Beginner's Tower origin.
-Tilt.
"Mana core...?"
'Not a term non-awakeners would know.'
Hwi-min's post, mocked by others.
To her, it looked totally different. Wording was spot-on. While others hemmed about "weak points," he nailed "mana core." Camo, everything logical.
'Could be a guess...'
"If right, jackpot."
After a moment's thought, Yu-na grabbed her phone.
Riiiing—
Bell rang, call connected.
"......"
She hesitated. Relay in place, but gate net limited. Wrong info now...
Demotion or firing certain. Beginner's Tower grads were disposable. Fired from Cheongwol? Back to site-hopping.
Still, Yu-na spoke up.
"...Belly."
"Might be a mana core in the belly!"
"Beats slow like a heart, covered in camo! Please check again!!"
Silence from speaker. Clangs of blades on armor, awakener shouts faint.
Yu-na gripped phone, waited. 10 seconds later, positive reply.
"Please!!"
Yu-na squeezed eyes shut. All she could do now: pray.
And betting her performance review on user SteelCivvy...
Jackpot.
"Mana core under the belly. Confirmed."
Click.
An awakener gripped his dagger reverse.
Korea's legend, Hwang Hee-chan.
Shadow Dancer (Legendary)
Your shadow becomes one with you. Move via shadows.
"Hup!!!"
His body silently sucked into darkness. One of Korea's ten Legendary traits activated.
He reappeared under the boss monster's belly.
"TwaKaaaaw!!!!!!"
Beast sensed, slammed massive body down. Hundreds of tons like a rockslide crashing.
But he didn't panic. Eyes pierced one spot.
'...Found it.'
Pattern on his forearm blazed. Proof of conquering Pilgrim's Tower hell.
Stigmata.
He murmured softly.
"I offer it."
His arm moved blinding fast, yet silently. Motion outpacing sound.
Then, shweeeeeek—!!!
Sharp air-ripping roar, vibration felt. Cross-shaped blood flash burst from beast's underside. Ground cracked with crunch.
Hwang Hee-chan's finisher.
"Hwang Hee-chan!!?"
'No way...!!'
Nearby awakeners gasped. Finisher meant no escape margin.
...Put differently.
No need to escape.
-Slash.
"Towaaaa...."
Cross cuts etched on thick shell. Crack, craaack—!!
The giant shrugging all attacks split into four clean pieces instantly. Even Hwang Hee-chan mildly surprised at the cleanness.
'Mana core shattered, hardening released.'
Poof—
Before beast fell, underside dustified. Exhausted Hwang Hee-chan slumped.
City-destroying mega-gate. Disaster logged as one line on legend's resume.
"Whew, tough."
"Hwang Hee-chan!!"
"Support me a bit. Overdid mana."
"Yes!!"
Other awakeners rushed over. Elite Cheongwol squad, all big shots. Even they gazed at him hero-worshipping sparkle.
Normally he'd quip "What ya staring at," but ignored.
Mind fixed one place.
-Riiiing.
"Success. But who figured it? You?"
Cleverly hidden mana core. He'd missed it five checks— who spotted?
Unexpected answer.
"Oh?"
'Beginner's Tower grad?'
Unexpected messenger, and
Somehow on call with living legend, Yu-na honestly spilled source. Equally shocking.
Even Hwang Hee-chan froze briefly.
"...Internet? Sent me to death on that?"
"Nonsense."
Absurdity brief. Hwang Hee-chan hearty laugh, waved hand.
'Luck maybe, but if not...'
"Tell SteelCivvy this. Hwang Hee-chan will reward personally—contact him."
Man even legend eyes. Anonymous awakener SteelCivvy, face unknown.
Yu-na gulped hearing relay. Promotion dangled.
'If he's real deal, mega achievement!!'
"Got it!!!"
Snatch—!!
Hung up, grabbed mouse. Slammed dozens tabs shut.
Monitored all awakener stuff regardless genre, but now irrelevant.
SteelCivvy. Catch him, done.
'Post... why deleted?'
Trail gone. Post vanished, account evaporated.
No choice, pulled official Cheongwol account...
Awakener Hwang Hee-chan wishes to thank personally.
Please contact SteelCivvy at number below. Thanks.
"......Huh?"
Notifications exploding. Most mentioning conceptual post.
'What?'
Yu-na's hand to conceptual button.
"SteelCivvyAwakenerAnalyst2" nickname.
Flooding conceptuals.