Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: No Strings Attached
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"…Will you at least tell me why?"
Section Chief Choi, calm after some thought.
He wasn't pushing.
He was clearly trying not to make Kang Hyun uncomfortable.
"I hate being tied down."
He said it straight.
He had no qualms about bleeding the country dry.
But wearing a mask? No thanks.
"The obligations must be what's bothering you. I can strike the clauses on overseas travel and private restrictions with my authority—"
"Still no."
"Then how about a non-binding provisional contract? We can negotiate the details later—"
"No."
"…You just want your freedom."
Sharp as ever.
Easy to talk to.
"I'd rather take nothing than be bound to anything."
"With support, you could grow much faster."
"I can do it on my own. I always have."
Arrogant words.
But Kang Hyun had earned the right to say them.
He'd proven it himself.
Did Section Chief Choi sense that conviction?
He couldn't argue back.
"…You're really turning down all these benefits?"
"Yes."
Turning down? Eh.
No need to rush. They'd all fall into his lap eventually.
What mattered was that everyone wanted him.
Nothing could replace him.
That meant they'd come begging in the end.
You don't extract concessions.
You make them desperate to give them to you.
One lifetime had taught him that well.
'Wish I'd known it back in my younger days in my past life.'
At least now, in his second go, he could play it cool from the start.
Thanks to that past experience.
Coming back really did change his perspective.
Reincarnation wasn't half bad.
"You truly want nothing from the nation?"
"Yes."
"It doesn't have to be material things."
"Hm."
"Special privileges, honorary titles, even a bit of public authority. The nation can provide those too."
"That does sound tempting."
"Oh!"
Truth was, he did want something.
'Diplomatic status for Thea.'
With that...
No, he needed it.
To roam Thea freely.
'Gotta settle those loose ends I left when I died.'
The promises before the final battle.
The people begging him to come back.
The home waiting for him.
And...
The hometowns of his fellow heroes he'd sworn to visit once peace was won.
Or rather, before that...
'They might still be alive.'
Even if not, he had to pay his respects at their graves.
So, he needed to go to Thea.
And for that, diplomatic privileges.
But not possible now.
'No way they'd hand it over already.'
A diplomat was the nation's face.
He needed at least a minimum rank to prove himself.
His identity still had to stay hidden.
And besides, those intangible perks...
"They'll end up in my hands eventually anyway."
"…."
Section Chief Choi fell silent.
He'd heard the unyielding resolve in those words.
"…Can't be helped, then."
"Huh? You're not pushing anymore?"
"Some things yield to pressure, some don't."
"Thought you'd pull the patriotism card and demand sacrifice."
"Haha. I get that a lot. But."
Section Chief Choi's posture relaxed a bit.
"You can't force patriotism. It has to come naturally from within."
"Oh…."
Not a rigid guy after all.
The more they talked, the better he seemed.
Perfect as a government liaison.
'This is enough for today.'
He'd plugged any leaks about his identity.
And built a good connection with the government.
Kang Hyun stood up.
"Then I'll be going."
"Pardon? S-so suddenly?"
"Business is done."
"W-wait! Even without a contract, at least take this!"
"Hm?"
Section Chief Choi pressed something into his hand.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ BANK NOTIFICATION ⚙ Deposit received! "Oh, money's in!"
"Cash!"
Kang Hyun and Aden huddled together, staring at the phone.
The mana stone conversion payout had finally arrived.
Things had gone haywire back then, so he hadn't even heard the amount.
"Let's see how much~"
"Checking now! Boom-chaka-chaka, boom-chaka~"
Account open!
"Guh!"
"W-what is it?"
"O-one thousand two hundred…!"
"What!?"
The deposit: 12.8 million won.
For just over a week.
The reward for six clicks of "Stop" in the dungeon.
"Y-you sure you read that right? Isn't it 1.2 million? G-give it here!"
"Hey! Hands off my sacred account!"
Aden's hand shot out.
He held the phone high behind him.
"Ow! But one of those was me clearing it solo!"
"Hey, how was that solo? If I hadn't stopped time, you'd be roast!"
Aden lunged to snatch it.
Their bodies piled up, his face buried in her massive mana pouch.
That elf milk scent wafted over.
Playing dirty with her weapons, huh.
"Hand it over anyway!"
"You brat!"
Taxes sucked.
If he'd signed yesterday, 50% tax exemption.
'Oh well, at least I got this.'
Ignoring Aden grinning at the phone, he pulled a card from his wallet.
Platinum Card.
90% discount at government-affiliated Awakener shops.
Section Chief Choi had slipped it to him at the end.
Spend as much as you want, he'd said.
But the discounts were all debt.
Repayable to the nation if he renounced citizenship.
Not naturalizing?
Essentially debt-free.
No interest, no deadline.
And even that would be waived with a government contract later.
A bribe to keep him from other countries.
Not bad.
"Disciple. Stop staring at the account. Dungeon time."
"Dungeon? Aye!"
Clear today's, then shopping.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Section Chief Choi clutched his head, deep in thought.
'…He can't ignore support forever.'
F-ranks were easy.
But E-grade? Different story.
Walls separated rank bands.
Unlike beginner F-ranks, E-grade marked real Awakener work.
'Solo Perfect Clear? Impossible.'
He'd need a team or support.
Both within the nation's power.
Slip in irresistible perks through that gap...
"It's up! Perfect Clear!"
"What!?"
E-grade!?
Already?
He perked up at his team's chatter.
"Man, stamina like a monster."
"Right? Has he ever skipped a day?"
"He skipped yesterday. Tired maybe?"
A staffer checking internet comments casually.
"Progress is 100%, but Perfect Clears still hype everyone up."
"Kill the comments, kid. It'll be hate soon enough."
"All hate on us."
"What can we do? Gotta find him quick…."
Section Chief Choi flinched.
But he couldn't spill yet.
Minimize info leaks.
At least until a contract.
"By the way, Chief, any progress on the Perfect Clear hunter?"
"Yeah, you were swamped two days ago, but today—"
"W-wait! Uh, what rank was this Perfect Clear? E-minus?"
Section Chief Choi shot up, cutting them off.
"F-plus."
"…I see."
He sighed in relief.
The team burst out laughing.
"Aw, Chief. Don't hold out for E-band Perfects."
"Yeah, solo only works in F."
"E needs a team."
"Haha, right? So let's find him quick and hook him with a solid team."
Yeah, no way it'd work.
'That's why he skipped E-minus. He knows the wall.'
Probably frustrated against it now.
Time to call and nudge.
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
Scheming ways to force-feed support.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Kang Hyun cleared the dungeon.
"This sword's done for."
The loaned short sword from registration.
Beyond scrap—about to shatter.
"Get a new one with the Platinum Card."
"Think I will?"
Awakener gear was pricey, though.
Maybe just browse.
Rewards first.
"Ah, got a dud."
Dried Divine Spring Elixir.
"Was great before. But no stat boost now."
Only worked when Magic Power was F-rank.
'Save it for processing later.'
Expert in elixirs, Kang Hyun.
Many ways to consume them.
Mix multiples for buffs.
Or sell it.
'Elixirs are rare. Should fetch a good price.'
Stash for now.
"F-band rewards are getting skimpy."
"Yeah. E-minus tomorrow."
"Oh? You're going!? But the difficulty…."
"Hold on, taking a call."
📞 INCOMING CALL 📞 Riiing~ He pulled out his phone.
"Yes, Section Chief Choi."
[Nothing major. Just got a Perfect Clear alert.]
"Yep. Cleared it just now."
[Oh dear, good work. You said you'd call before raiding, so I checked in.]
Kang Hyun hadn't gotten E-rank clearance yet.
But now?
Talks were done.
One call to Section Chief Choi, and it was approved.
No solo record left behind.
True one-touch reporting.
A perk unique to him—no one else had it.
"Why bother a busy man like you for something like that? It's just simple F-plus."
Today's weapon woes kept him from E-minus.
"I'll call before E-minus."
[Haha, appreciate it. But... anything you want to say?]
"Say? Hm…."
Anything?
"Oh, right. I'll put the card to good use."
[Ah... the card, yes, use it well. But besides that...]
"Yes?"
A faint mumble.
Something like, 'If it's tough, take more support...'
Too quiet to catch.
What was that?
[No, nothing. Guess not yet.]
"Not yet? What?"
[Good work on the clear. Rest up!]
Click.
Hung up.
Voice full of energy, as always.
"Since it's come up, wanna shop for weapons?"
"Oh, yes! Been dying to see an Awakener shop!"
"Why?"
Called a taxi on his phone.
"Prices that make luxury brands look cheap. Just browsing gets my heart racing."
"Plenty to excite. Ah, taxi's here."
"Taxi! Symbol of luxury!"
"…No more starving from now on, so cut it out."
They headed for the shop.