Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Supernova (3)
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"This is..."
Lee Dong-hyun's face filled with shock as he checked Kang Woojin's mana reading.
"What's wrong? Is something off?"
"No, it's not that. Ahem. Your mana is in the absolute top tier of A-rank."
It was an incredibly high number.
In truth, it surpassed even Kang Woojin's own expectations—so much so that calling it "high" didn't do it justice.
"Is it that high?"
Yet he feigned complete ignorance, asking with an innocent expression.
"Of course it is..."
"To be honest, just two days ago, researchers and hunters from the bureau visited the academy. When I showed them a bit of my ability, they rated it S-rank."
Lee Dong-hyun tilted his head at what wasn't quite a confession from Kang Woojin.
"Ah, are you puzzled because your mana rank seems low compared to your actual ability?"
He added the question, trying to read between the lines.
"How long ago did you awaken, Mr. Kang?"
"A little less than a week."
Precisely, it had been over a month, but on paper, Kang Woojin had awakened during the recent A-rank gate raid. His face didn't change as he lied without missing a beat.
"That's what makes it even more impressive. In just a week—no, strictly speaking, after a single gate raid—your mana has reached A-rank."
Lee Dong-hyun explained with genuine admiration.
Of course, Kang Woojin already knew all this.
"Is it really that impressive?"
But he kept playing dumb, prompting Lee Dong-hyun to revisit the facts and draw out his words.
"Simply put... Oh, have you ever read any martial arts novels, Woojin?"
He'd devoured plenty of those trashy web novels.
Kang Woojin, who could count proper wuxia novels on one hand, responded calmly.
"Sure, a couple."
"Think of modern mana like the internal energy in those stories. Not exactly the same, but similar to how an old master has deep reserves."
"I see."
"And yet, a newcomer like you has the kind of internal energy an old master would possess."
Unless he'd consumed some special elixir or something, it was truly remarkable.
The surveillance hunters around them all nodded in agreement at Lee Dong-hyun's explanation.
"Your body must just have a constitution that absorbs mana exceptionally well."
Lee Dong-hyun went out of his way to explain kindly.
"That's a bit odd. I remember getting my mana measured once before, and they said it was low back then."
"Were you an aspiring hunter from the start? Anyway, your constitution must have changed upon awakening. It's not that rare."
As Lee Dong-hyun's explanation continued, Kang Woojin finally got to the point.
"I get that my mana is above average."
"Not just above—way above."
"So, does that mean I can be pre-approved as an S-rank hunter?"
That was the reason he'd made him chew over the facts from the start.
Kang Woojin had Lee Dong-hyun explain in his own words just how impressive A-rank mana was and what position he was in.
He wanted to drive it home.
"Ah, so that's the crux of it."
"As you know, Director, my only real achievement is that previous A-rank gate."
Lee Dong-hyun smiled as Kang Woojin shrugged.
"Do you know why our bureau factors in achievements when ranking hunters?"
"Honestly, no idea."
"It's partly to gauge their sense of duty and justice, but the real point is ability. How much they achieve with their personal power."
"Then..."
"You're more than qualified for S-rank, Woojin. Sure, your mana lags behind some other S-ranks, but you can't fill up on the first bite. Your skills and record are already proven."
It was the outcome Kang Woojin had expected, but one never knew with people.
Fortunately, he'd been smoothly pre-approved for S-rank. He let out a quiet sigh of relief as the tedious verification wrapped up.
"There's a reason for promoting Korea here too, right?"
And then he followed up.
"You're pretty sharp. Truth is, our Korean Hunter Management Bureau has no reason to underrate our own hunters. Of course, there are limits."
Lee Dong-hyun answered.
In this modern era of towers, gates, and monsters as humanity's enemies, a powerful hunter directly translated to national strength.
They had no choice but to offer preferential treatment.
"Oh, right. Do I have to go through mandatory training like Sia?"
"If you mean Cynthia, the top awakener from the last batch—no, that's not the point. If you want, we can waive the training for you, Mr. Kang."
Lee Dong-hyun accommodated him in every way.
In a world where no one was trustworthy, he surprisingly left a decent impression.
"Sounds good. S-rank."
"There are plenty of other perks too."
"Then, can I keep my identity hidden from the public going forward?"
"You want to keep your identity secret?"
"I heard from hyung—er, Hunter Kim Chang-sik. He said I could operate with my face and name concealed."
"Hm, of course that's possible."
Lee Dong-hyun gazed thoughtfully at Kang Woojin before continuing.
"It happens sometimes. People who want to separate their daily life. They live two lives, like hitmen or magical girls in movies."
"Then please make it that way."
"What about an activity name?"
"Activity name?"
"Think of it like a stage name. Those folks usually use epithets, but since you're not an official hunter yet, Mr. Kang, you don't have one. We need a suitable alias."
"Just pick something fitting. It's embarrassing to name myself."
The conversation was wrapping up nicely.
Ding-dong-ding!
Break time was over.
"We'll end here for today and handle the rest slowly. The urgent stuff's done anyway."
Lee Dong-hyun glanced outside the auditorium and urged Kang Woojin to head to class, being considerate.
"As they say, take care. Looking forward to working with you."
Then he extended his hand once more.
Smoothly.
Kang Woojin stood and took Lee Dong-hyun's hand.
This time, he didn't refuse the handshake.
And so, a supernova was born in South Korea.
A masked man using the name "Genova" debuted as Korea's newest S-rank awakener.
The man himself, Kang Woojin, hated how girly it sounded, but his not-quite-epithet alias grew more famous by the day.
Immensely, uncontrollably fast.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ On the top floor of a towering building in Seoul.
A commotion erupted in Choi Jong-yoon's office.
Crash!
Choi Jong-yoon swept everything off his desk with his arm, unable to contain his rage.
"Damn it all!"
Given his position, even his vulgar curses came out somewhat refined.
Thud!
But his actions were rougher than his words.
Shatter!
Venting on innocent objects, Choi Jong-yoon huffed, his shoulders heaving rapidly.
"Manager Nam!"
In the midst of his outburst, he called for his secretary.
"Manager Nam!"
At the second call, a suited man entered the office.
"You called, Guild Master?"
Nam Hyun-do bowed, avoiding Choi Jong-yoon's gaze.
"What the hell have you been doing, Manager Nam?!"
Choi Jong-yoon scolded him and pointed to the TV monitor on the office wall.
"How long are you going to let that garbage broadcast slide?!"
The monitor showed panels relentlessly criticizing Hwamyeong Guild's actions.
"I'm sorry. We're pressuring the stations, but controlling the media isn't as easy as it used to be."
"Ha! Those lapdogs who used to watch our every move are pouncing the moment the guild stumbles?"
"My apologies..."
"What about the bureau? What's the Hunter Management Bureau doing? Still no movement?"
"Well, yes. It seems they're staying neutral on this incident."
"Neutral my ass! Isn't preventing guild conflicts their job too?! How can they just stand by until it's this bad?!"
Choi Jong-yoon ground his teeth, losing his reason bit by bit.
"From this incident alone, our Hwamyeong Guild's mistake is clear. But considering our past contributions, maybe the bureau's just pulling back without supporting the other side..."
"Are you defending someone right now, Manager Nam?! Have you lost your mind?! If you'd handled things properly from the start, we wouldn't be in this mess!"
Fuming, Choi Jong-yoon hurled a coat hanger at Nam Hyun-do.
'Throwing a coat hanger at me...'
Nam Hyun-do clenched his fists, still bowed, swallowing his anger.
"Jung Il-hoon? You couldn't even handle that rat bastard properly and ruined everything?!"
Choi Jong-yoon kept berating him without pause.
"Don't you have any eye for people, Manager Nam?!"
But right then.
Ring ring.
The office phone on the floor rang.
"..."
"..."
True to his old-school ways, he insisted on a landline. After a brief silence, he took a deep breath.
Click.
He picked up the receiver.
"It's me. Who? Oh, yeah. Send them in."
Finishing quickly, he hung up and shooed Nam Hyun-do away with a wave.
"You can go now, Manager Nam."
Nam Hyun-do bowed again.
"Yes, Guild Master."
As he left, Choi Si-hyeok took his place.
"You called, Father?"
Choi Si-hyeok greeted Choi Jong-yoon politely.
The father-son dynamic felt unusually cold and rigid.
Step, step.
Choi Jong-yoon approached the bowing Choi Si-hyeok and slapped him hard across the face.
Smack!
The sharp sound echoed through the office as Choi Si-hyeok's eyes widened.
"F-Father?"
His voice dripped with bewilderment.
They weren't close, but this was the first time his father had ever struck him.
On the flip side, having laid hands on his son for the first time, Choi Jong-yoon glared fiercely.
"What the hell kind of son are you? Huh?!"
"I..."
"The guild's in this state, and you're just wandering around doing who knows what!"
As the famous guild master's son handling various operations, Choi Si-hyeok looked guilty.
"I spoiled you rotten, and now you're going completely off the rails? Why'd you sell the stocks? Huh?"
"There were reasons for that..."
"Reasons? What?!"
"The A-rank healer I mentioned before..."
Choi Jong-yoon, who had been one-sidedly tearing into his son, flinched.
"To get her, it was an unavoidable choice..."
Choi Jong-yoon steadied his breathing at Choi Si-hyeok's words.
How much would an exclusive A-rank healer awakener cost?
With public opinion souring and stocks plummeting...
If they could secure her, as his son said, they could turn things around.
If they could secure her, that is.
They could form another raid team, bolster guild members in the tower...
'Getting priority on tower and gate raids from that old bureau fart would be easier too.'
In short, it more than made up for the current losses.
Like a sports team signing a star player to a long-term deal in tough times.
Attracting sponsors, selling jerseys—Cynthia could benefit the guild in every way.
She was the key to overcoming Hwamyeong Guild's unprecedented crisis.
"You sure?"
"Pardon?"
Choi Jong-yoon, who had eyed Cynthia at the previous party, spoke more calmly.
"I'm asking if you can definitely get that girl."
"Ah, yes. Trust me, Father. Just like always."
His mood eased somewhat at his son's assurance, and he reverted to his usual stern tone.
"Even so, dropping 5 billion on one house? I didn't raise you to be a sucker."
"Sorry for not consulting you first. Things moved too fast. As you know, folks in that neighborhood don't sell easily."
"Sigh."
"And you taught me yourself—it's faster to ask forgiveness than permission. It'll all work out. Don't worry."
Setting aside his personal feelings for Cynthia for the moment, Choi Si-hyeok worked tirelessly to soothe the guild master, insisting it was all for the guild.
"You punk..."
His efforts paid off, and Choi Jong-yoon regained his composure.
"Spare me the lip service. Report to me daily from now on."
"Understood, Father."
"And how's it going with White Tiger Guild Master Yoo Won-sik's daughter?"
"...We're doing well enough."
The father and son discussed guild and personal matters alike.
"Then I'll head out."
Choi Si-hyeok finished their time and left the office.
"Si-hyeok."
Choi Jong-yoon suddenly called him back.
"Yes, Father."
"Do well."
"..."
Choi Si-hyeok turned, bowed deeply, and exited.
Click.
His face hardened.
"..."
With a murderous glint in his eyes, he steeled his resolve and left the guild.
'I absolutely can't fail. Especially not now, with the guild cornered.'
He vowed repeatedly to make Cynthia his own.
And a few more days passed.
The day of Choi Si-hyeok's study group finally arrived.