Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Auntie vs. Kid
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The Awakener Association often asks me to appraise items for them.
...No.
That's not right.
It's not often—they ask me every time.
Ever since I registered as an Awakener.
They've clearly decided to milk my ability for all it's worth, hitting me up to check info on every new item they get their hands on.
Of course, back when they didn't have me, Awakeners had to stick their necks out and test items the hard way, taking stupid risks.
What can you do? I can reveal every detail with a single click, so putting up with a little hassle is the least I can do.
Besides, I've got a conscience. The Association's done so much for me.
They gave me a house.
Money.
Even Yoo Euisul.
Everything.
Item appraisals? A hundred or a thousand times? I'm game anytime.
I got a call from Kim Junghwan and headed to the Awakener Association to check the item's info.
Truth be told, ever since moving, the Association's so close there's no hassle at all.
Five minutes on foot.
Like popping out to the convenience store for a drink, I strolled in with my unwashed, messy bedhead.
"Ah, Jia! Welcome!"
The reception desk lady—now pretty familiar—greeted me.
It took a while to prove I wasn't the "head-smashing psycho," but anyway.
She doesn't fear me anymore.
"Which floor today?"
"42nd."
Thanks to internal rules and tight security, the meeting spot changes every visit.
42nd today, huh.
"Junghwan and two Awakeners are waiting. One's Euisul, the other..."
"Euisul unnie's here too? Why?"
"No idea..."
Right.
She's just reception staff.
Guiding visitors—that's their job. No deeper info.
I bowed politely to the desk lady and headed for the elevator.
And then.
"...?"
"..."
Some kid got in with me.
Looked about six or seven, wearing a super serious expression totally unlike a kid that age.
Why he was at the Awakener Association or why he hopped in the elevator? No clue from my end.
Whatever the brat was up to, it wasn't my business, so I didn't care.
But he hadn't hit his floor yet, so I had to say something.
"Hey, kiddo."
"..."
The kid shot me an annoyed glare.
What.
Staring like that.
Totally zero cuteness, not kid-like at all.
Felt a bit iffy, but I'd already spoken, so.
I kept going.
"What floor you headed to? Want sis to press it for you?"
"It's already pressed."
"Huh?"
"Going to 42."
"Oh... uh, yeah?"
"Yep."
...Is this kid a robot?
Some secret humanoid AI the Association cooked up?
Ridiculous fantasy, but this brat was that un-kid-like.
"And you, auntie? You headed to 42 too?"
"What."
Pop.
A vein throbbed on my forehead.
They say women hate being called "auntie," and damn if it wasn't true.
I'm only twenty-four.
Do I look so worn-out already?
This is the divine flesh handcrafted by the great Reflecting Myriad Stars herself.
I forced a smile at the kid.
"Yeah, coincidence. 'Sis' is going to 42 too. Not auntie—sis."
"Oh, coincidence. Auntie."
"...Not auntie, sis, kiddo."
"I'm not a kiddo either."
"What?"
"Just like you're not auntie, I'm not kiddo."
Whoa.
What fresh wordplay is this?
Forced logic.
The kid looks like a kid to anyone.
Me? No way I look auntie-age.
A bit pissed, I rephrased.
"Fine, jammin."
"...Huh?"
"Not kiddo, right? Jammin then."
Who does this wet-behind-the-ears brat think he is, climbing the ladder?
Respect your elders.
Caught off-guard by my sneak attack, the kid looked flustered.
...I'm such a petty, childish jerk.
Seeing that flustered face felt so damn satisfying.
Soon the kid spoke up again.
"Fine, then you drop 'auntie' too and go with..."
"...?"
"Chicken-coop auntie."
"Wha-wha-what!?"
Shocking words from a kid that age.
Couldn't even come from a normal brat, so ignoring offense, I corrected his language.
"Wh-where'd you learn that nasty word!"
"From the gallery."
"Ga-gallery...? You browse communities?"
"Gonic too."
"No bad sites at your age!"
"Mind your business, chicken-coop auntie. What do you care if I gall?"
"Wh-wha..."
Something's wrong.
Like a badly translated game NPC.
Where to even start fixing this kid?
Leaving me stunned, he beat me out of the elevator.
"You're the pink-headed Awakener who checks item info, right? Hurry it up, auntie. Gotta finish quick and get home for beers."
"Bu-bu-buh..."
Korea's future is bleak.
A seven-year-old at best with post-apocalyptic mouth.
Dazed, I followed the brat.
In the meeting room, Kim Junghwan and Yoo Euisul were waiting.
No—waiting for us.
"Why so late? Oh, came with Kim Mincheol."
"Euisul, long time."
"Don't play buddies."
"...Euisul's the same as ever."
Yoo Euisul started chatting with the kid—no, "Kim Mincheol."
I stood there dumbfounded, mouth agape, blinking like an idiot.
Seeing me, Euisul said,
"What're you doing standing there like a moron? Wrap it up quick and let's grab food."
"Uh... Euisul unnie, what's with this kid..."
"Kid?"
She glanced at him, then dropped a bombshell.
"Bet he's older than you."
"..."
What?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📖 Omnia Wiki Kim Mincheol (Awakener) Name: Kim Mincheol Age: 25 Race: Human Gender: Male 1. Overview 2. Details 3. Characteristics 4. Abilities 5. Trivia — 1. Overview Kim Mincheol is a South Korean Awakener. Among the country's 200 Awakeners, he's top-tier, a key asset to the Association. Notable feats include resolving the 4th Gwangju Anomalous Phenomenon, the 6th Seoul Anomalous Phenomenon, and first discovery of the Sejong Anomalous Phenomenon. — 3. Characteristics His most striking feature is his appearance: six to seven years old. This stems from permanent physical damage from an Anomalous Phenomenon attack. During the 4th Gwangju resolution, Kim Mincheol charged the phenomenon more bravely than anyone... — 4. Abilities He can select and snipe specific body parts of a [Target]. In simple terms, Kim Mincheol is a sharpshooting master. Within the range of his [Item] or weapon, he achieves 100% accuracy on any target. Drawback: Due to his physical age, he can't carry heavy weaponry. ⭐ 5. Trivia — Highlights - Hates being called "kiddo" or "jammin" most. Once smashed a reporter's camera after being called "kiddo," flew into a rage. - Straight shooter, says it like it is. - Can't stand injustice. - Must get revenge measure for measure, or he won't be satisfied—tires everyone around him out. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Sorry..."
Unbelievable.
Thought he was a seven-year-old brat, turns out he's a twenty-five-year-old stud older than me.
Even got hit by some unknown Anomalous Phenomenon attack that de-aged him, so I poked his trauma...
I bowed my head in apology to Awakener Kim Mincheol.
He waved it off.
"No, my bad too. Lost it over 'kiddo' and spat some unforgivable crap."
True.
Auntie was one thing, but chicken-coop auntie? Overkill.
Apologies exchanged, we're good. Yep.
Apparently Yoo Euisul nabbed this item solo.
She never teams with other Awakeners besides me, so obviously cleared the Anomalous Phenomenon alone.
So why's Kim Mincheol here?
This item.
Looks just like a modern handgun.
As an Awakener with shooting powers, if the effect pans out, he'd make killer use of this pistol.
Of course.
Whether it's useful or trash? Gotta check to know.