Chapter 42
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 042
Chapter Title: Non-Awakener Jeong Jin-yeong - [1]
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Jeong Jin-yeong stared at Kim Geuk, who was sitting across from him. At the man who towered at least two heads taller than him and was so broad-shouldered it was embarrassing to even compare.
This UFC veteran Awakener.
It had already been over half a year since they'd started working together. Thanks to that, he no longer flinched just at the sight of the guy, but staying completely calm in front of him was still a tall order.
At 34, he was the older one, but putting on airs like he had any right to was nothing but a pipe dream. A guy who'd been a total shut-in before Gates even opened... who was he to act all high and mighty?
"How's it been lately? Managing okay?"
At Kim Geuk's question, Jeong Jin-yeong trailed off.
"Yeah, well..."
Kim Geuk furrowed his brow, and just that was enough to make Jeong Jin-yeong's heart shrink.
"From the way you're talking, doesn't sound okay at all. Something wrong? That punk Seong Mun-yeong giving you shit? He snaps at me all the time too, poking at my nerves..."
"No, no, it's not that. Everything's great, really."
He'd blurted it out in a panic, but surprisingly, it wasn't empty words. It was the truth.
Jeong Jin-yeong genuinely loved the Hunter team he was on now.
For starters, the pay was incredible. Working with Kim Geuk, he'd raked in more money than he'd ever dreamed of earning in his life.
Just a few years ago, his parents had been tearing up over how their retirement savings were draining away to feed their unemployed son. Now, thanks to his earnings, they could actually survive. That fact filled him with pride and a twisted sense of victory.
And on top of that, his teammates were solid.
Having Baek Dam-bi on the team was a huge relief right off the bat. He'd worried that even if he somehow made it onto a Hunter team, he'd end up the isolated loner with no social skills. But with Baek Dam-bi there, who was just as quiet as him, it felt reassuring. Better to have two oddballs than one—it drew less attention and put him more at ease.
Im Hyeong-taek's natural friendliness meant no need to watch his step around him, and while Seong Mun-yeong and Lee Jong-ho teased him like he was an easy mark, it was tolerable.
He knew from watching other teams that those two would seem like saints by comparison. From what he'd seen in action so far, other teams were packed with real scumbags.
And the biggest comfort of all? The physical enhancer right in front of him—the one he'd pegged as the most dangerous type of thug—turned out to be way better than expected.
"If anything's tough, tell me anytime. I know saying that makes it harder to speak up, but still, say it."
"Yes..."
"And if you start thinking it's time to retire, tell me that too. Gotta prep retirement pay in advance."
Jeong Jin-yeong's eyes went wide at Kim Geuk's words.
"You're giving retirement pay? Why...?"
"No, not trying to hint you should leave!"
"No, I mean, if you're paying us retirement, it'd have to come out of your own pocket, right? That doesn't make sense. Technically, we're not even employees you hired. Do you really need to spend your own money...?"
Kim Geuk sighed at Jeong Jin-yeong's question.
"Ever since one of us died on the team, it's got me thinking all sorts. I gave Jin-jun's family more condolence money than standard, but what good does that do the dead guy? Feels shitty losing someone after all that cash we've made. And things are getting riskier by the day with that damn Behemoth. Gonna stay dangerous for a while, so if you've saved enough, retiring before it gets worse might be smart."
"True, other Hunters say you should quit once you've made enough. Push too hard, and you'll die someday..."
"Right? So I figured, if I cover retirement pay, anyone on our team who wants out can go right away. Cheaper than condolence payouts too..."
Jeong Jin-yeong blinked. He looked like the type who'd shove you in a factory and skim half your wages, but here he was offering condolence and retirement money when he didn't have to.
When they first met—judging purely by looks—he'd never imagined the guy would be this decent.
More precisely, he'd never expected him to look out for those around him like this.
Even the academy director seemed to feel the same. He'd fretted that Kim Geuk might cut ties once he debuted as a Hunter, but the guy kept promoting the academy and even hit the gym there—despite living far away—to flaunt their connection. The director had gushed about his gratitude.
"So, you thinking of retiring soon?"
Jeong Jin-yeong shook his head immediately at Kim Geuk's question.
"No."
"Yeah? You've made a good chunk, though."
"Still..."
"Fair, with rice and ramen prices holding steady but everything else skyrocketing, a fat bank account doesn't feel secure. You're renting with your parents, right? Seoul apartments are out of reach, but you could snag a nice one in Incheon before prices climb more."
It wasn't some earth-shattering advice, but Jeong Jin-yeong blinked anyway.
Something welled up in his chest. What to call it—gratitude? Emotion?
Either way, it felt good. Hell, better than when he'd heard about the retirement pay. Way better.
He even remembered they were renting? Jeong Jin-yeong couldn't recall when he'd even mentioned it.
His own parents couldn't keep track of what he said—proudly serving grilled dried yellow croaker on his birthday after he'd clearly said he hated it, asking "You like this, right?" This guy paid more attention than they did...
"Anyway, good work today. And since you'll keep at it, let's keep pushing. Incheon forever."
"Yes, Incheon forever...!"
Kim Geuk patted Jeong Jin-yeong's shoulder and sent him off. Jeong Jin-yeong bowed and headed home.
As he walked, he replayed their talk in his head.
Filming that rock spirit fight footage might've been the best decision of his life. Without it, he'd never have dared ask Kim Geuk to join the team—and he wouldn't be this happy now...
At home, he logged into HuntWeb.
Jeong Jin-yeong's account had some real presence there. Everyone knew he was the porter for that famous Kim Geuk team.
Another fulfilling day today Haha Kim Geuk hyung's on his fourth straight deployment and no team members hurt? For real?
To show his respect—and flex his team membership—he posted his usual Kim Geuk praise. Replies poured in right away.
You're the porter for Kim Geuk's team, right? What's the deal with that loser there lately? Do the guys talk shit about her behind her back when it's just dudes?
As a fellow "quiet one" on the team, he couldn't badmouth her.
You're talking about Baek Dam-bi, right? Not at all... She's basically the second MVP after Kim Geuk hyung anyway?
Solid. You're not bullshitting?
No lies at all. Back in the day, I wouldn't have wanted Ice Ability even if offered, but after seeing Dam-bi, it seems pretty solid? So I'm thinking of trying to Awaken Ice Ability this winter by dressing light on purpose.
?
They say feeling the cold is the trigger for Ice Ability Awakening. Gonna really feel the chill and try. Even if Ice Ability's weaker than others, better than no Awakening.
Good on you as an inferior non-Awakener realizing Awakeners' superiority, but don't do weird shit like that. Makes housing even harder...
He wasn't kidding about wanting Ice Ability, at least.
Over the past half year of hunts, Jeong Jin-yeong had realized Awakeners earned big for a reason.
Truth was, everyone except the team's two Awakeners was just baggage. Even veteran Jang Byeong-gon paled in comparison and couldn't strut around.
He pictured Kim Geuk and Baek Dam-bi from the team. They looked special even at a glance.
How great would it be to Awaken like them? Then even a thirty-something shut-in like him could become special too.
Kim Geuk was exceptional even among Awakeners, so matching him was a stretch. But he'd at least outshine Lee Jong-ho or Seong Mun-yeong. Hell, even surpass veteran Jang Byeong-gon...
Truth be told, he'd always been interested in Awakeners. That's why he'd snuck peeks at Kim Geuk during academy days. Seeing a real Awakener after only internet pics had been thrilling and envious.
"People are still Awakening lately. Maybe me too..."
He suddenly searched "how to Awaken." Read through the results.
Ice Awakeners: Awaken from feeling cold. Ridiculously easy condition, and since Korea was winter when Gates opened, tons of them here.
Flame Awakeners: Awaken amid burning sensations when engulfed in fire. Sounds similar but way harder. Jump in flames on purpose, and you'll die before Awakening.
Physical Enhancers: Awaken training body or martial arts. Gym workouts changed nothing, so probably hopeless.
Force Blade Awakeners: Awaken swinging swords, so kendo places now use real blades? Maybe sign up someday.
And Force Exoskeleton Awakeners...
Jeong Jin-yeong thought he might actually have a shot at that. Trigger was pressure and stress—and he knew all about those.
But apparently, talent mattered more than just the trigger.
That's why not everyone who met the condition Awakened. Korea was full of stressed folks, but Force Exoskeleton Awakeners were rare...
He was fantasizing about Awakening when his smartphone buzzed.
Hunter muster alert. Another Gate.
A big one—they wanted as many Hunters as possible.
No way Kim Geuk would sit this out. Jeong Jin-yeong shut down his PC, grabbed his rifle and ammo, and prepped to deploy.