Unaware Awakenings
There are cases like that among a certain type of awakeners. People who don't even realize they've awakened. Normally, when an awakener awakens, they instinctively understand what power they've gained in that moment. Just like Asakura Eri back in Japan, right in the thick of it.
But the world is vast, and with that vastness come all sorts of variations. Awakenings aren't one-size-fits-all. Among the unusual cases, there are those who've awakened but have no clue how to use their powers. They've clearly gained a skill—something they should know how to wield as naturally as breathing—but they don't, and in extreme cases, they don't even know what it is.
Or there are those who live their whole lives without ever realizing they've awakened. Plenty of reports exist of people who awakened without any outward signs, stayed oblivious, and only later stumbled upon the truth through some trigger.
A prime example is Taiwan's S-rank powerhouse, the Alchemist. His physical abilities are so ordinary, it's like he's not an S-rank Hunter at all—no overwhelming skills or anything. But true to his moniker, he develops all kinds of potions and analyzes artifacts that were once considered total black boxes, advancing Hunter gear to this day. Things modern science couldn't even begin to dissect, he cracks effortlessly.
Someone that incredible lived his life unaware of his own awakening until one day, while casually cooking, it finally clicked. Now he's recognized as an S-rank Hunter not for combat prowess, but for sheer utility, under America's protection. Humanity's irreplaceable asset.
Just like that Alchemist, Seo Dami figured the Yoon Sungjin in front of her might be an unaware case too.
He's awakened for sure, but we'd need a proper scan to confirm... Still, high chance he's an unconscious awakener. If he's getting prophecies through dreams without realizing it and just thinks he's writing novels based on them, it fits.
A fog lifting in her mind. Now things were starting to make sense.
Of course, he could just be super imaginative or got lucky with predictions—but either way, he's no ordinary guy.
And beyond that... the conversation itself was enlightening and downright fun. It started with talk about his work, but now they were casually chatting guild ops, Hunter industry drama, Gate strategies. Fresh insights popped from Yoon Sungjin's words like sparks.
"I've thought this since reading Lezal Hunter, but you have a remarkably original take on Hunter skill usage and such."
"Thanks. Just an clueless amateur spouting nonsense."
Yoon Sungjin smiled sheepishly, expressing gratitude, but Seo Dami wasn't buttering him up. She genuinely meant it. If she could, she'd slot him straight into her guild's strategy team. That unexpected beast-taming angle, those fresh perspectives—they hooked her. Especially his mindset on skill potential: mind-blowing.
Do Hunters really think enhancement skills only buff their own bodies? What about amplifying attack damage or boosting ally firepower? Haha!
Whether it was pure imagination or a dream-vision of some future Hunter pulling it off, it didn't matter—fascinating stuff.
Maybe even that 'concept-burning flame' thing... something my future self uses that he saw?
She wanted him. Yoon Sungjin had already cemented himself as prime talent in her mind. Oracle or not, his broad thinking and imagination on Hunters, Gates, monsters? Pure gold.
Then it hit her—something she'd blanked on.
"By the way, Writer Yoon."
Grinning in the warm vibe, Seo Dami spoke up.
"Yeah?"
He figured she had some work-related question, but...
"Why'd you kill Ha Yunha?"
Facing her beaming smile, Yoon Sungjin felt like a frog staring down a starving snake.
Under her piercing gaze that screamed volumes, Yoon Sungjin broke into a cold sweat. She's smiling... her mouth is smiling, but her eyes aren't.
I know this vibe. Seen it in a movie...!
The psycho superfan flick where they kidnap the author for a bad ending, chop off his legs so he can't run, and force a rewrite. And wouldn't you know, that obsessed villain was the same gender as Seo Dami.
The fun fan meal had turned into a bed of nails, like some grueling ordeal.
Oh right... totally spaced on the Ha Yunha thing...
With everything going on lately, he'd forgotten she might bring it up. It wasn't like he'd modeled Ha Yunha after her... felt kinda unfair, but no helping it. Best to roll belly-up like a surrendering dog.
"That, uh, no deeper meaning. Just..."
Not at the level of Game of Thrones writers getting death threats for killing fan faves. He needed to explain convincingly, so he blurted whatever came to mind.
"It was, like... a warning? Y'know?"
Flailing to salvage it, sweating bullets, not even sure what he was saying.
"A warning?"
"Yeah, uh... Breaks are dangerous, Hunters aren't invincible. Like a 'be careful, everyone'? Something like that..."
What am I even saying?
Panicking, spewing nonsense, Yoon Sungjin glanced her way and clammed up.
How mad is she?
Gauging her mood, but Seo Dami was lost in her own thoughts, ignoring him.
A warning? To who? Me, obviously? So I nearly died in that Yeonam-gu Break? Wait—does that mean the Break was... a targeted terror hit and assassination attempt?
Chills down her spine. Kang Sora had slipped her the classified info: the Yeonam-gu Break officially ruled an 'accident.' Sure, skeptics piped up, but Gates are unpredictable, response was solid, and then the Association scandal blew up—old news now, buried.
But insiders knew: it rivaled the scandal in heat. Artificial traces in the Break. Someone—or some group—induced it. No hard proof, but circumstantial evidence screamed it. Sora warned her just in case.
Back then, she figured some lunatic messing in her turf...
But the target was me?
Realizing it might've been an assassination plot amid the chaos, she twisted into a crooked smile.
A 'welcome party' for my S-rank promotion, huh.
If she hadn't gotten suspicious from Lezal Hunter, drilled her guild hard, prepped thoroughly... she might not be here. Rage boiled inside, twisting her smile further.
Yoon Sungjin flinched at the sight. Sensing her mana swell, he thought, Oh crap, is today my death day? My grave?
Snapping to, Seo Dami reined it in.
"Sorry about that. Not mad at you, Writer Yoon. Just... something nagging hit me, lost control for a sec."
Smiling softly—I'm still so immature—Yoon Sungjin relaxed. No blood in the air.
Staring him down, Seo Dami pondered. Whether he'd backed into it like a bull in a china shop or deliberately warned her—thanks to him, she'd hit S-rank and dodged a hit. Gratitude was in order.
Though he seemed oblivious: "A danger warning, huh? Thanks, that's good news."
"Haha... no need to thank me. I'm the one grateful you didn't call it presumptuous."
She licked her lips at his apparent cluelessness.
Playing dumb? Nah, he really doesn't know?
If acting, with that face, he'd be a star overnight—new Hallyu icon. Otherwise, zero self-awareness of the favor. Seo Dami stifled a laugh. Like trading gold for dirt or corn for diamonds—real as it gets.
Intended or not, aware or not, hiding it or whatever—didn't matter. She'd owe him, valued him highly. Fact.
"Writer Yoon, need anything? A car? A house?"
"Pardon?"
Halfway through his steak, Yoon Sungjin blinked in confusion at the sudden shift.
Her eyes screamed Just say the word, sis got you! He read the sincerity, flustered.
Why the sudden generosity? He'd heard celebs talk on TV: fans offering buildings just to meet, a meal for 100 million won, gifting high-rises. He never bought it. Fan love or not, house for lunch? Insane.
Even if pocket change to the rich, happy to spoil their fave... nah, Yoon Sungjin couldn't wrap his head around it.
Never dreamed it'd happen to him.
Wait, is this my skill kicking in?
His lame, forgotten ability—useless in fights, he'd thought—finally earning its keep? Swallowing steak, Yoon Sungjin recalled it.
"You're joking, right?"
"Nope, dead serious, Writer Yoon."
"Mind if I ask why? It's... huge. Sudden, too."
"I'm that big a fan, and I owe you one. Call it that."
Pondering how to take it, he remembered scoffing at those celeb stories: Turned it down? Crazy? Why refuse? They get their wish, you get a free meal—win-win. Same as fan letters or gifts. Unless they're expecting weird stuff, it's a steal.
Lifetime of scraping by nudged him: "If it's a house, a standalone with a garden okay?"
"Garden and house—romantic. But solo in a big place? Tough upkeep. Want a maid too?"
"Thanks! Won't say no. Any fan service you want?"
Opportunity knocked—he grabbed it. Car or house? Chump change to a hotshot like Seo Dami.