The Life of an S-Class Awakened (2)
Kang Se-na's house wasn't large, but it wasn't small either. It was quite spacious for a single woman, complete with two rooms and a generously sized bathtub in the bathroom.
"You thought I was born with a silver spoon, didn't you?"
"…Well, yeah… something like that."
"I got lucky, that's all. My father made a fortune in real estate before he passed."
Kang Se-na chuckled as she explained. Her outfit was far more casual than what she'd worn at the Management Bureau—baggy pajama pants, a tank top, and a light athletic jacket draped over her shoulders, forehead fully exposed. She seemed to have wiped off all her makeup. To me, this plain, unadorned version of her felt far more approachable than the polished version from the office.
Strangely, Kang Se-na showed no concern about inviting a man into her home. As a guy, it was a little embarrassing, but given the circumstances, there was nothing I could do about it.
"So, the reporters are gathered in front of the house."
"Yes."
"Looks like the information leaked."
Kang Se-na sank onto the sofa without a care and grabbed the remote, turning on the television. The screen showed the front of my house. Bold text across the news broadcast displayed my name and the title "South Korea's First S-Class Awakened."
My head started throbbing.
"Originally, the Management Bureau planned to keep your information as an S-Class Awakened—Nam Juyeon—under wraps as much as possible."
"Under wraps?"
"I'm sure I explained this kindly at the Bureau. You really did forget, didn't you?"
Kang Se-na sighed and continued. "Right now, you're a person of interest. If word gets out, other cities won't just sit back—they'll try to claim you. It's not just domestic; foreign scouts are likely to come running as well."
That made sense. At first I hadn't thought much of it, but then I reconsidered. I'd witnessed firsthand the terrifying destructive power of the Storm Dragon, Tempestra. I'd also heard the reports—disasters rampaging in other countries had caused casualties in the tens of millions, even hundreds of millions. China in particular had suffered catastrophic losses from three 4★ disasters running rampant. In such a grim situation, news of an Awakened in Korea capable of unleashing a 4★ disaster would be incredibly tempting to anyone.
"So what am I supposed to do? Hiding my face forever isn't sustainable. I can't even go home."
"Hmm… For now, the best option would be to prepare a separate room for you at the Management Bureau, but… judging by your expression, you hate that idea."
"Yeah. A bit."
"I actually agree. Now that things have come to this, the Bureau will probably try to use you as a figurehead. And I'm a soft-hearted woman—I have no desire to serve under a man who's already been dumped once."
"…"
I nearly spat out the water I was drinking. Kang Se-na continued without changing her expression in the slightest.
"Still, there's no harm in building a connection with an S-Class Awakened. Romance might be difficult, but being allies should be fine, right?"
Kang Se-na turned her back and handed me something. Upon closer inspection, it was a key card.
"What's this?"
"I booked a nearby hotel. Stay there starting tomorrow."
"A hotel?"
"To receive official housing as an S-Class Awakened, you'd need to go through the Bureau's procedures. But now that the information has already leaked, any safe house from them would end up the same way. Stay at the hotel for now. Once proper security personnel are in place, it won't be too late to appear before the reporters."
While I stood there blinking, Kang Se-na grabbed my hand irritably and shoved the key card into it.
"Take it. Stop hesitating."
"…Yes, ma'am."
"We're partners, after all. If you succeed, maybe I can finally quit this damn job."
With that, Kang Se-na cracked open a can of beer and began sipping it with beef jerky as a snack.
"…Hmm."
I looked down at the hotel key card in my hand and shrugged. Kang Se-na, B-Class Awakened and Management Bureau employee—she didn't seem like such a bad person after all.
"…By the way, Nam Juyeon."
"Yes?"
"…I'm really not your type?"
Apparently, she held grudges for quite a while.
The Storm of the North Sea, Mirien, was currently facing a single dilemma.
"Should I kill them, or not?"
A crowd had gathered in front of the Ruler Actor's residence. Those detestable insects swarmed around him like moths to a flame, pestering him endlessly. Mirien wondered whether she should personally bring down divine punishment upon them for Actor's sake.
The only reason she hadn't acted was simple.
'I never expected Tempestra to go that berserk.'
The Storm Dragon Tempestra, whom she had blessed with the protection of lightning, had unleashed its breath directly at Actor. It was fortunate that the Ruler Actor had noticed immediately and dodged—otherwise, Mirien might have lost the most important piece of her life.
For the past two days, she had been consumed with worry, terrified that she might have lost Actor's favor. Now, Mirien believed the time had come for her to act on his behalf once more.
"…First, I'll clean up that trash… for Actor…"
As Mirien muttered to herself, steeling her resolve, she suddenly sensed a presence approaching from behind.
"…Who's there?"
"How pathetic. Is that the humble wish of the so-called great mage?"
An uninvited voice rang out. Mirien turned to glare at its source.
"Selene. I don't recall inviting you."
"No. I don't recall being invited, either."
The Singed Saint, Selene. The great disaster who had burned an entire continent alone. Once Mirien's comrade and one of the Ruler Actor's subordinates. Yet the relationship between the two who had once shared the same boat could never be called good. Their feelings toward the Ruler Actor were similar, yet pointed in completely opposite directions. And that rift had only deepened now that everyone had been liberated.
A vein bulged on Mirien's forehead.
"How did you even get up here?"
"I flew. I learned the Levitation skill."
Selene lifted the hem of her flowing nun's habit slightly.
"How ridiculous. So, what did you come to say?"
"I came only to deliver one request."
"A request? You, the vixen who stole the Ruler away, have something to request of me?"
Mirien radiated hostility. Selene merely gazed at her with detached eyes.
"How unfortunate. To think a mage like you fails to understand such an obvious truth."
"…What nonsense are you spouting now…?"
"If you intend to approach My Lord with something as trivial as romantic feelings, then stay away."
Mirien flinched at Selene's words. Never before had Selene conveyed her intentions so clearly. Selene continued without pause.
"The current My Lord, who has taken human form, is—though I hate to admit it as a subordinate—utterly fragile. Having lost his divinity, My Lord cannot withstand your affection."
"What?"
Mirien narrowed one eye.
"Are you saying right now that I'm harmful to Actor?"
"Of course. You are a mage who once led the world to ruin. You were never human—you are a calamity in and of yourself."
"…Wh-what?"
"It was the same a few days ago. You nearly caused My Lord severe harm by driving the Storm Dragon Tempestra into a frenzy."
"…"
Mirien bit her lip. She was aware that she did not possess ordinary human emotions. Selene continued in a gentle voice.
"You are ruin. And My Lord is not in a state where he can endure your affection. As a loyal subject, I have no choice but to prioritize My Lord's safety above all else. Therefore, your existence poses a great danger to My Lord."
"…You… what exactly are you trying to say?"
"Stop meddling and disappear."
The air around them trembled at Selene's words. In an instant, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and lightning began to flash. A blue light entered Mirien's eyes. She looked ready to strike at any moment, but Selene merely closed one eye softly.
"…I have received orders from My Lord not to fight you. If you kill me while I am defenseless, you will lose My Lord's favor forever."
"…Tch."
At the mention of the Ruler's name, Mirien's hand trembled. The raging mana subsided. Silence fell, and Selene opened her closed eye to deliver the verdict on the reality Mirien had refused to accept.
"More than anything, you've already been abandoned, haven't you?"
"…"
Abandoned. It was a death sentence.
[5★ Storm of the North Sea Mirien has been fired.]
[Y]
Naturally, the memory from a few days ago resurfaced. The clear truth she had denied and refused to understand until now pierced Mirien's mind once more at Selene's single remark.
"More than anything, you already know. Who is currently by My Lord's side."
Selene placed a hand over her chest, a sneer on her lips. Her burn-scarred skin gleamed dark red in the sunlight.
"My Lord chose me. Not a filthy mage like you, driven by base desires, but a subordinate willing to stake her life on loyalty."
Selene's words were scathing. Mirien, who would normally have flown into a rage and argued back, could only shrink in on herself, shoulders trembling.
"N-no. Actor… he helped me. He gave me a new life. He gave me a heart…"
"Yes. That is an undeniable fact. But do you know this?"
Selene twisted her lips and continued.
"My Lord treated every disaster with perfect fairness. He granted me an Elixir, cured Karne's illness, and restored Asteria's crown. In other words, you were not given any special treatment."
As Mirien fell silent, Selene glanced down at the ground and shrugged.
"Hmm. It seems My Lord has begun to move. I shall take my leave."
"…"
"I hope you remember what I said today. With your brilliant mind, I believe you understand better than anyone."
Before Mirien could protest, Selene dissolved into particles and vanished. Mirien stared for a long while at the spot where Selene had been.
"…That bitch, how dare she…"
Mirien, who had been radiating hostility, soon shook her head and collapsed. Her head hurt. More than that, the artificial heart Actor had gifted her was acting up. Clutching her chest, Mirien grimaced.
"…Ugh."
She had known all along. The feelings Mirien harbored for the Ruler Actor were different from ordinary loyalty. Actor did not favor her alone—he loved everyone equally. And unlike Selene, who had returned to the Ruler's side, Mirien had been abandoned. She couldn't even begin to guess the reason.
"…Hah."
Yet Mirien was a calamity in human form. An omnipotent mage. She would stop at nothing to achieve her goals.
"…That fox bitch. Does she really think I'll just sit here crying and give up?"
Today, Mirien had awakened to another emotion.
Jealousy.
And at the same time, hatred.
It was more than enough fuel for the magic she would cast.