Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Patriotic Section Chief
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Choi Young-ho, Section Chief.
A man with impeccable posture, spine straight as a rod.
"A mask? Oh dear, caught a cold, have you? Let me get you a nice hot cup of cocoa!"
"Caffeine. Throat care. Problem."
"Pardon?"
A veteran seasoned beyond his years.
He'd played a major role in the massive defection of North Korean Awakeners.
Of course, he'd faced A-Ranks in person.
That unique chill they exuded—he felt it now.
'This guy's the top of the heap among them...!'
Choi trusted his instincts.
His hands trembled with excitement.
S-Rank, Perfect Clear.
And now, an A-Rank served up right in front of him!
As a civil servant of this nation, how could he not be thrilled!
But Kang Hyun was unimpressed.
'Section chief level?'
Even section chiefs varied in clout.
Did he have the authority to handle identity issues?
'Let's test him out.'
A few words of conversation would reveal his caliber.
Kang Hyun had rubbed shoulders with heroes, nobles, and royalty, after all.
Meanwhile, Aden was in full shrink mode.
'I-I wanna go home.'
Where had her earlier resolve gone?
She was quaking before this high-up official.
Shiver, shiver—
Her body trembled like an aspen leaf.
The staff outside might mistake it for an earthquake.
Once again, Kang Hyun spoke for her.
"This one's got A-Rank mana power. Came to register, but there's an issue."
"Not you, Kang Hyun-ssi, but the one beside you?"
"Yes."
Choi blinked in momentary surprise.
'A bit unexpected, but...'
A rookie A-Rank was jackpot anyway.
Whatever the case.
"Oh my! What's the problem? We'll handle any complaint with utmost sincerity!"
A refreshingly accommodating attitude, untypical of a section chief.
The ideal demeanor for a public servant handling grievances.
"She's an illegal resident from Thea. Just give her a clean identity."
Aden jolted in shock.
"M-Master...!"
Exposing her origins in front of a bigwig.
What now?
'I'll get dragged back to Thea for sure...!'
Shiver, shiver.
Aden's body quivered in fear.
But Choi's attention shifted elsewhere.
'Master?'
The elf was the A-Rank, right?
But calling him Master? An A-Rank's?
Aden was the star here.
Yet the more they talked, the more focus zeroed in on this Kang Hyun.
"She's not some shady fugitive."
"Her status in Thea is legit?"
"Yes. She's registered there, not a criminal."
"Hmm."
"She came over in a rush without papers. Check her records there, do a quick investigation, and you'll get the picture."
Concise explanation, no fluff.
Confident demeanor.
It inspired trust.
Instilling trust in others was a civil servant's must-have virtue.
'He'd fit right into civil service.'
Choi even eyed him for a government job.
Might propose it later.
'Anyway, if what he says is true, no issue.'
Illegal residents were illegal, sure. But.
'Could be a sympathetic case. Vetting them is the state's duty.'
Besides, for an A-Rank, that was trivial.
Just embrace her into Korea's fold—what couldn't they do?
Petty crackdowns on illegals?
Deportations?
This was the real service to the nation.
As an elite, Choi maintained basic common sense.
'More importantly...'
Choi eyed Kang Hyun appraisingly.
Their conversation so far had layers.
'Handing over talent like this to Korea. Handle it properly, nurture the gem.'
Boldly demanding "consideration" from a government official.
Securing national concessions through his inherent value.
Not your average nerve.
He even seemed practiced at it.
Plus, an A-Rank's master.
'This guy...'
A certain enigmatic figure from recent rumors crossed his mind.
Choi didn't hesitate.
"Yes. We'll do as requested."
"Not too tricky, then."
"Not at all. But..."
"Go ahead."
"By any chance."
Choi's head thrust forward suddenly.
Kang Hyun flinched.
"Ever thought about civil service?"
"Pardon?"
Out of nowhere?
A joke?
"My card. Think seriously about the offer..."
A bit of a dizzy character.
But just as relief set in—
"A-Are you the S-Rank Word Mage yourself?"
Sudden thrust!
He'd been erratic till now.
But Kang Hyun wasn't one to fall for mind games.
"What're you on about?"
Not a flicker in his expression.
Choi had watched Aden's reaction too.
'...Nope.'
Aden herself wore a "What?" face.
"Don't get ideas about me. Just handle her properly."
"...Understood."
He'd felt something.
Probably wishful thinking.
'Definitely not the Perfect Clear guy.'
Rank too high.
Both Aden and Kang Hyun.
'A-Rank's master, so he's at least A-Rank himself.'
Purely modern, stats-focused thinking.
'F-Rank Dungeon Perfect Clear impossible. Can't even enter.'
Dungeons had entry restrictions.
Powered by World Tree roots.
Roots had self-preservation instincts.
Blocked higher-rank Awakeners than the dungeon's level.
Entry limited to five ranks below your own.
Thus, Perfect Clear Awakeners maxed at E+.
Since it was F-Rank Dungeon.
'That's why it's such a massive talent.'
If he grew more.
Even A-Rank, no, B-Rank stats.
Might rival existing S-Ranks.
The ultimate seed.
'But this guy's no seed.'
That's how Choi felt.
A fully realized person, surpassing the B- and A-Ranks he'd seen.
Couldn't peg him as a Perfect Clear Awakener.
Just one snag.
'No A-Rank like this in Korea.'
Foreigner?
Then why register his disciple here?
Looks Korean too.
Truly enigmatic.
Like that mystery S-Rank Word Mage.
'Build good relations, keep an eye.'
Choi called in staff.
With gusto.
"Appreciate the cooperation!"
"Y-Yes?"
"Help this one with registration! Oh, and warm water too!"
Procedures done.
Mana measurement too.
'Real A-Rank confirmed!'
He'd expected it.
Still, great!
One person boosted Korea's Awakener forces a step forward.
'Thus, Korea grows stronger!'
Patriotism aflame.
'Stumbled into a huge achievement.'
Snagged a heavenly A-Rank.
Monumental merit.
News tomorrow.
Internet buzz again.
Positive stimulus for the public.
Business done, the pair rose.
Choi handed Aden his card too.
"Any issues, call me direct. No middlemen."
"Oh, sure."
Aden still stiff.
Kang Hyun took it for her.
After chatting, he got it.
'Choi Young-ho, section chief. Seems capable.'
Worth befriending.
Once stronger, national cooperation essential for anything.
'Good instincts too.'
No caffeine? Warm water provided.
"Thanks in advance."
"No worries!"
Bow!
Choi bowed deeply.
Aden flinched again.
Grabbed Kang Hyun's sleeve, tugging.
They slipped out fast.
Aden sighed.
'Thought my soul was leaving my body.'
Shoulders heavy today.
Ah, or was it her chest?
'Anyway, sorted.'
Legit identity secured.
'No more fugitive life.'
Could go to hospital openly.
No dodging cops.
All in a few hours.
Thanks to Master.
"...Thank you, Master."
"Yeah."
Curt, indifferent.
Even after reshaping her life thrice.
'Master's changed.'
Became immense overnight.
Upon Awakening.
The Kang Hyun Aden knew...
Supreme magic theorist.
Impressive, yeah.
'No mana, can't cast, yet that skill.'
And always bullheaded.
Boundless self-belief.
Debts piling.
Students fleeing.
Finger-pointed as fraud.
Not a waver.
Always his way.
His temper.
'Ah, hasn't changed.'
Master was the same.
Just mana to prove skill now.
'No matter what they say, he's always been a great man inside.'
Aden thought.
Maybe overhyping.
But closest to her revered "hero" archetype.
'Whether overhype... time will tell.'
Aden's loyalty deepened.
But whatever.
"Hey, dungeon time!"
Kang Hyun craved Word Commands.
Perfect Clear rewards too.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The pair headed to the Gate.
Another F-Rank Dungeon.
'Mana power hasn't risen yet.'
Stronger monsters?
Might not stop a horde like last time.
Mana shortage.
"Hope mana power goes up this time."
"Raising stats is super hard, they say."
"Yeah? No spirit elixirs as rewards?"
Wishful thinking?
"They do drop, but super rare. High-rank Dungeons only."
"Hmm."
Rewards mostly junk anyway.
"Gotta grind tons of Dungeons for anything good."
"Tch."
Expectations dashed.
"But really, I go in too?"
"Yeah. Gotta observe to learn."
"I'll study hard!"
Aden's cheeks flushed.
"Finally seeing Master's magic!"
"No fuss."
"A Perfect Clear Awakener's magic!"
And so, they reached the Gate.