Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Core Detonation Test
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[Chairman, when the core explodes, it’s not just a 'boom' and done. All the energy inside bursts out. Plus, my previous calculations were off. Based on today’s experiment data, it’ll pack at least the power of a small atomic bomb. And this building wasn’t designed with that in mind.]
"I've already taken a hit from one in North Korea and came back alive, haven't I? And Jae-in tested my armor, right? She said it blocks pretty much any energy."
After returning with Jae-in and running tests, my armor blocked not just physical impacts but also most forms of energy—magic, aura, even radiation. Otherwise, Na-young would have been charred black by the radiation.
[No.... Still....]
"It's fine. Evacuate all the researchers and have Jae-in collect data remotely."
[.... For real? If I leave, I won't be able to control it like now? It'll just blow? This research facility alone cost hundreds of billions, and it'll all go up in smoke?]
Even though it was just an experimental setup with a simple tunnel dug and reinforced concrete poured for defense, it was packed with expensive stuff like turbines, computers, and lab equipment.
"Wouldn't it cost more to spend time researching this carefully? Blowing it up once seems like it'd give us more solid data."
[That's true, but....]
"Then proceed. I'll take full responsibility."
My firm tone made Jae-in give up, and the staff started packing up and evacuating to the surface. It took a while since they were hauling out all the pricey equipment.
Once I confirmed everyone was out, I wrapped my body around the core from above. When protecting Na-young from the tactical nuke, I'd maximized my size to shield her. But now, since it was just the core, I only grew to about three meters and infused my armor thickly with aura.
[Chairman, I'm starting the catalyst injection now. I don't know when it'll blow.]
"Yes, go ahead."
The flooding began first. Once it was full of water, the catalyst mixed in with the core.
The core heated up faster and hotter than at any point in today's experiments. The water boiled so furiously it was hard to keep my eyes open.
ZZZZT.... ZZZZZ....
The speaker must have crapped out—Jae-in's voice was full of static, then cut out completely.
'It's holding up better than I thought.'
The moment that crossed my mind.
A flash erupted, turning the world white.
Then the shock.
An enormous roar beyond what I could handle ruptured my eardrums.
In North Korea, the blast had sent me flying, dispersing the impact, but now I was suppressing it with my entire body, so the shock hit harder. With the explosion, the aura and armor around my chest shattered.
After a brief moment, the shock subsided and the vibrations died down. The tank was cracked in places here and there, but I'd blocked it well enough that it mostly held its shape. The water had leaked out through the cracks and evaporated, leaving almost none behind.
"Cha.... Chairman!! Are you oka.... Mmph...."
Jae-in opened the top hatch of the tank and climbed in, then covered her mouth at the sight of me. Looking down at my body, there was a gaping hole below my solar plexus, exposing my spine and guts.
"I'm fine."
In fact, my body was regenerating in real time, flesh filling in. It was just taking a bit because I'd burned through so much vitality on defense and regeneration.
While Jae-in and the researchers cleaned up the lab, which was a mess from the explosion's vibrations, I downed potions and absorbed mana stones to recover.
"Anyway, today's data is incredibly valuable. Being able to run an insane experiment like this is all thanks to your reckless spirit, Chairman."
"Is that a compliment? Or an insult?"
Jae-in just flashed a grin without answering and headed back to the researchers to excitedly analyze the data. And she really did look thrilled—no exaggeration. Everyone was buzzing with excitement over the new data. If I left them to it, they'd pull all-nighters for days. I'd better stock up on potions to use as energy drinks.
* * *
The monsters in the subjugation mission were all small fry, so I couldn't level up. Now I needed at least an A-Rank Gate, or better yet, an S-Rank one.
With various incidents wrapped up and some time finally free, I applied for an A-Rank Gate—only for the reservation button to be grayed out again.
I'm seeing this screen so often it's giving me PTSD.
I called the Awakening Bureau to inquire.
"You're not allowed solo?"
"Of course not."
The bureau official reacted like I'd asked something obvious.
"Break occurrences this year already outnumber the past decade combined, so everyone's on emergency protocol right now."
"So A-Rank requires at minimum three A-Ranks plus a B-Rank, or five A-Ranks if no B?"
"Exactly. If you don't have a guild, we can introduce you to others from the bureau, but there's a waitlist. And once you're on a team, you'll need to complete the bureau's mandatory teamwork training."
Not having a guild was starting to cause inconveniences.
"Oh, or you could go with S-Rank Hunter Jeong Min-gi. Then just the two of you would be fine."
"Got it."
Going through the bureau would take too long. Should I really contact Jeong Min-gi Hunter?
"Sorry. I need to raise my rank faster...."
Na-young, sitting beside me, hung her head.
"What are you talking about? It requires at least five people. Even if you were A-Rank, you couldn't go. And you're swamped lately, right? Don't worry about gates—focus on mana healing. You need some rest too."
When the tactical nuke went off, I'd shielded her with my body and used the elixir in time, so luckily no radiation aftereffects. Still, I didn't want her pushing herself.
And her reaching B-Rank already was superhuman speed. She'd hit A-Rank soon enough without overdoing it.
"But why aren't you S-Rank yet, oppa?"
"Oh, my record's iffy."
"You've racked up tons of contributions, plus the Helen incident and the New North Korea thing?"
"Hmm.... Helen and the New North Korea leader were never officially recognized as S-Rank by the bureau. So I don't get credit for beating them either."
"What about Tianfei?"
"China lists her as A-Rank Hunter. She's registered A-Rank with the World Hunter Association too. Even if Korea bumped me to S-Rank, it wouldn't stick without their approval—and they require A-Rank Gate clears for that."
One reason I'm trying to enter an A-Rank Gate now. S-Rank skills, but no record? It's like living in the US, speaking fluent English, but they won't certify you without a TOEIC score.
"Then how about contacting Jeong Min-gi Hunter? Even if you don't go together, you could team with Rose Guild A-Ranks?"
"Guess that's the way."
I pulled out my phone and dialed the number he'd given me before.
"Hello? This is Lee Ji-seok. Is this Jeong Min-gi Hunter's phone?"
[Oh, Lee Ji-seok Hunter. Here to join our guild? Smart move.]
Tireless guild recruitment pitch.
"No. I actually need a favor. I'm trying to enter an A-Rank Gate....]
[Got a favor? Come to our guild now.]
"He hung up?"
I stared at Na-young in disbelief.
"But he told you to come, so that's positive, right?"
"Feels like I'll get my nose pierced if I go.... Sigh...."
Na-young headed to the hospital, and I made for Rose Guild.
From the main gate, Rose Guild looked like a university campus or corporate factory complex. Massive buildings lined the long road from the entrance—all guild facilities.
They had their own offices, training grounds, byproducts processing plant, item workshop, and more. Fitting for Korea's top guild.
Checking the map, I guessed where Jeong Min-gi Hunter might be.
"Lee Ji-seok Hunter?"
Someone called out familiarly. I turned to see a smiling guy in his early twenties with a nondescript face. I knew him from somewhere, but couldn't place him.
My Intelligence stat had boosted my memory, but I still blanked on faces or names I'd glossed over.
"Ahaha, you don't remember."
I stared awkwardly, and he caught on, looking a bit miffed but masking it with a smile.
"I'm Lee Dong-bin, from the troll gate break. We held the front together, remember?"
Oh, the hunter struggling against the hellhound. Thinks we held it together, huh? Pretty high self-esteem.
"Oh, the dual-wielder? Yeah, I remember now."
"So what brings you to our guild?"
"Jeong Min-gi Hunter told me to come, so I did.... But I don't know where to go. He just said 'come to the guild' and hung up."
"He does that. Follow me."
"Thanks."
I followed Lee Dong-bin Hunter.
"Lee Ji-seok Hunter, you know we have an A-Rank Gate team, right?"
"Yeah. If Korea's strongest guild doesn't, who does?"
Korea has only a few dozen A-Rank Hunters, and fewer than five dedicated A-Rank Gate raid teams. One is the team including Jeong Min-gi Hunter. It's not fixed members—they pick the best for the gate type and clear timing to tackle A-Rank Gates.
"Ahem.... I just made main member."
"Whoa, really?"
I nearly blurted, *With your skills?* but held back. Main member—not porter or support. Must be A-Rank for real.
"No wonder you're surprised. Not many in their twenties make an A-Rank raid team."
He took my shock the wrong way, but he seemed happy, so fine.
Did Rose Guild have a dual-wielding A-Rank around this time?
"Oh!"
It hit me.
He was still A-Rank nine years from now. No real impact, so I'd forgotten. We'd even fought together.
"What's up?"
"Oh.... I think I've heard your name, Lee Dong-bin Hunter."
"Hahaha, I did a magazine interview recently—maybe from that?"
"Yeah, probably."
"Oh, then you saw the photos too? I didn't want to pose like that, but they insisted. Didn't look too cocky, did it? They said it was the longest feature they'd ever run on someone."
Listening to Lee Dong-bin's magazine brag made the short walk feel endless.
Just as I was about to say something, we reached the guild master's office. Lee Dong-bin knocked on the open door.
"Guild Master, it's Lee Dong-bin."
"Come on in, Dong-bin~"
Jeong Min-gi Hunter was half-reclined on the sofa, casually scrolling his phone.
"Brought Lee Ji-seok Hunter."
"Oh? You're here. Quick."
"You said come now, so I did."
"Hahaha, good job. Want something to drink?"
"Anything's fine."
"Dong-bin, mind grabbing two iced coffees? Make 'em sweet."
"....Yes."
Lee Dong-bin Hunter bowed his head and went to fetch the coffee.
"So when are you joining the guild?"
"I'm not joining. That's not why I'm here today. I want to enter an A-Rank Gate—could I tag along when Rose Guild goes? Just help with entry; I can hunt solo."
"Oh, the new regs?"
"Yeah, minimum three A-Ranks now."
"Lee Ji-seok Hunter, don't underestimate A-Rank Gates just 'cause you can take A-Rank monsters. You might run into an S-Rank if you're unlucky."
S-Rank monsters in A-Rank Gates? Rare as hell. If it happens, you bolt to a corner and wait for rescue.
S-Rank monster.... Even if one popped up, I'd probably manage.
"You can come with our team."
I'd thought it was too easy—then.
"If you pass the test."
It came with a condition.