Druwa, Druwa. The Turbulent Early Days.
In the chaotic early days, when the government’s handling of awakeners—especially their treatment—was still woefully inadequate, high-ranking awakeners were already being poached abroad by major powers in double-digit numbers.
Riding the wave of public backlash that created, the Guild Alliance made its grand entrance. They promised awakeners treatment on par with what other countries offered, reeling in the masses that the government couldn't accommodate. Before long, the gap between the two powers narrowed dramatically, and now the Alliance had grown so massive that even the national government couldn't ignore their influence.
At the helm of this Guild Alliance were seven major guilds, commonly dubbed the "Two Powers, Three Middles, Two Weaks." Each guarded their territory diligently, bulking up their operations.
Among them, towering above the rest was the Hwarang Guild.
Smack in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul's priciest neighborhood, stood a colossal skyscraper along an eight-lane thoroughfare. Passersby could spot the sleek building owned by Hwarang Guild, its windows emblazoned with an elegant Taeguk emblem.
On the top floor, surrounded by specially reinforced glass on all sides for a panoramic view of everything below, was the office of Hwarang Guild's master, Kwon Do-gyun.
"That imitation Black Stone barely hit 30% efficiency, as confirmed."
"And that fool?"
"We've extracted him cleanly and shipped him overseas."
"Trackers?"
"Pruned them at the right points and sown confusion through the midpoints."
"Hmph, well done. Even if he's a bastard's spawn, I can't stand seeing him played like a fiddle by outsiders."
Sipping his wine while admiring Seoul's nightscape from his chair, he nodded in satisfaction. The man standing by behind him for the report let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Park's team seems to be setting traps, so blend in appropriately, then cut the tail. Too obvious, and it's no fun, right?"
Chuckling as if immensely amused, he wet his throat with the last of his wine.
"More importantly, any leads on Father's whereabouts?"
"No. Nothing since that day."
"Tch, figures. Who could track down that old coot if he really hunkers down?"
He shook his head, thinking of his father—one of the original seven, the great archmage. To shake off that suffocating presence that always loomed over him, he'd thrashed desperately his whole life. Glancing at his left hand trembling just from the thought, he smirked bitterly.
"Accelerate the plan. Trigger ten dungeons for now."
"Pardon? But that would mean... the recruits we've gathered so far..."
"Manager Kang. Do I have to worry about trash like them too?"
His voice turned icy. Startled, Manager Kang cut himself off and bowed deeply.
"S-sorry. I'll get it underway immediately."
It felt like a razor-sharp blade pressed against his throat.
"Manager Kang. What happens when a dog starts barking at its master's commands?"
"M-mercy."
"Hmmm~"
Draining the last of his wine and twirling the empty glass, Kwon Do-gyun lapsed into thought. Sweat poured down Manager Kang's forehead like rain as he watched.
He could sense his life hanging in the balance in his boss's mind.
"That new kid who joined recently, right? Kang Mir, was it?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Realizing he'd been granted a reprieve, Manager Kang bowed hastily.
"Make him a star. Give him a flashy debut, stir up some hype, add the right spices—boom, it'll heat things up again, yeah?"
"Understood. I'll handle it."
"And when all eyes are on that, kaboom! How's that?"
"Brilliant idea, sir."
"Come on, don't rub your hands like some cartoon villain."
"My apologies."
"Hahaha, you're great in every way, Manager Kang, but you lack flexibility."
"..."
Spinning his chair as he stood, Kwon Do-gyun patted the bowed man's shoulder lightly.
"Use this chance to purge all that 30% trash. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Kukukuku. It'll be hilarious seeing Ice Block Park's face when ten neglected dungeons go berserk at once. Too bad I won't witness it. Now get out."
Muttering to himself, he waved dismissively, signaling the end of the audience.
Manager Kang bowed deeply at the gesture and slipped quietly from the room.
Returning to his seat and pouring fresh wine into his glass, Kwon Do-gyun called after the retreating figure.
"Oh, and that bastard spawn's assailant? That trash F-rank awakener punk."
"Yes, a Kang Min-ho."
"Whatever, Kang Min-ho or dogshit. Deal with him appropriately. Even if he's my half-brother's kid, he can't go getting beat up by randos, right?"
"I'll take care of it."
"Good. Now go handle business."
"Yes, sir."
Click.
The door shut with a soft sound. Out in the hall, Manager Kang Ji-wook exhaled the breath he'd held and walked slowly down the corridor.
Even that brief encounter had left him drenched in sweat, as if he'd taken a bath.
"Here you go."
"Thanks."
A man handed him a handkerchief—Kim Soo-hyun, his executive secretary and hunter.
Kang Ji-wook took it, letting out a long breath as he wiped his brow.
"How many Black Stones do we have left?"
"Seventeen."
"Efficiency?"
"Fluctuating between 20% and 40%."
"Dump them all in."
"A-all of them?"
Shock flickered across the man's impassive face.
"Yeah. Line up about ten usable dungeons."
"Understood."
With a grim nod, the man hurried off, thinking the whole country was in for some serious pain.
At the Magic Officer Academy, awakeners were sorted into Class A, B, or C based on their awakening rank.
Starting today, Jae-wook and I were assigned to Class B for lessons. Naturally, we'd gotten new dorms exclusive to B-Class.
The B-Class dorms were hotel-level luxury, complete with every amenity imaginable.
'No wonder they say if life's unfair, reincarnate higher rank.'
After devouring a breakfast rivaling any hotel room service, I headed out with Jae-wook, who still looked dazed, toward the classroom.
"Dude, why the face? You look like a country bumpkin seeing a hotel for the first time."
"Weren't you shocked? The facilities are insane! And get this—the food's all made by chefs from actual hotels."
In my old guild, team leaders got even better perks. But Jae-wook, with no such experience, was buzzing like a kid at Disneyland for the first time.
"You'd pass out at the A building."
"Even crazier, huh?"
"Better than a five-star hotel, they say."
"Whoa, nuts!"
"So grind hard and hit A-rank."
"Hell yeah! Gotta do it!"
Jae-wook's fire was lit over the weirdest thing.
'It's not all free, dummy.'
I chuckled and clapped his back.
The school lavished upper-rankers to lure them to government service post-graduation. People never forget the kindness shown when they felt insignificant.
Of course, those who wanted to jump ship still did.
'Sparring for the first class, huh.'
Perfect setup to crush spirits outright.
I could already picture what was coming. Meanwhile, Jae-wook rambled on about how epic the dorm bathrooms were.
'Sigh~ Bear cub's got his perks.'
His obliviousness was a blessing here—no need to tense up before class.
The sparring gym sat in the school center. Pushing through the doors, we found B-Class freshmen already warming up, eyeing us.
'These punks. Real blatant.'
From their view, Jae-wook and I were parachutes backed by school brass. Not an unreasonable reaction.
But bowing down would make the rest of school hell.
'Sigh~ My fate.'
I sighed lightly and approached the professor in the center.
"Good morning, sir. Kang Min-ho, starting B-Class today."
"Lee Jae-wook here."
We bowed crisply. The professor beamed and extended a hand.
"Ah! Welcome, Min-ho, Jae-wook. Professor Kim told me all about you. Said you're promising kids—Irregulars too, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"Yep."
I didn't know what Kim Tae-min had said, but the prof's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"I'm Go Taek-hyeon. First year teaching. And shh—public secret, but I'm an Irregular too."
"Ah, got it."
That explained his overly warm welcome. As an Irregular himself, he'd endured all the disdain, envy, and malice hurled at them—better than anyone.
I nodded, recalling his status window from my Information Viewing skill moments ago.
I didn't know his starting rank, but those D-rank skills showed he'd clawed up from the bottom like Jae-wook to reach here.
'Hence "Indomitable Warrior," huh?'
His friendly face contrasted with the tough calluses I felt in his grip—those stuck with me.
9 AM sharp. He clapped loudly to start class.
"Alright, everyone gather here!"
B-Class wasn't huge. Coming from a C-and-below dumping ground, it felt oddly spacious.
"First, meet our new friends. Kang Min-ho here, Lee Jae-wook there. They've earned special placement in B-Class for their insane growth. No bullying—treat 'em well, yeah?"
"Yeees~"
His goofy delivery barely got a murmur back.
Smirking like he'd expected it, he continued steadily.
"Today, we'll dive deeper into interpersonal combat, picking up from last time. As you know, in dungeons, most casualties aren't from monsters—they're from fellow hunters. Sad but true; can't ignore reality."
Just like he said, hunter-on-hunter clashes caused tons of dungeon deaths. Early days, guilds fought tooth-and-nail inside routinely. High-rank jerks slaughtered low-ranks willy-nilly too.
Now, with self-restraint and government oversight, it was better—but fatalities kept climbing.
He shrugged and went on.
"So today, efficient takedown techniques in PvP. Pair up, face off."
Students flooded the gym center, pairing off instantly. Facing me: tall, lanky guy who smirked.
"Don't know what tricks got an F-rank here, but you'll regret it soon."
"..."
'I'm C now, dipshit.' But him underestimating me pre-fight wasn't bad—I just shook my head silently.
'Haa~'
Already underway. I sighed lightly, glancing at the professor's demo explanation.
"Key here: no skills, just raw physicals to subdue. Fighting without your go-to skills, blind to opponent's rank or powers? Terrifying. What do you do?"
"Clash head-on!"
Students shouted back.
"Right, but not always the answer. If they look unbeatable, your body freezes in death prep. Feel an S-rank's killing intent someday, you'll get it. Hope you don't... Run like hell if you can, but if not? Can't just offer your neck, eh?"
"Hahaha!"
Laughter erupted at his antics. Looking around, everyone hung on his words. He had this knack for earning trust.
As chuckles faded, he smiled softly and pressed on.
"Against peers, first clash gives the vibe. Instinct on if you'll lose, or scrape a win."
'Spot on.'
I nodded slowly. Possible if skill gaps weren't absolute.
"First, get used to taking hits. Helps you sense counters. Right-side folks: defend only, no counters. Others: attack."
I glanced right and shook my head. My attacker was hyping his aura blatantly.
"Five minutes. Begin!"
He charged, eyes gleaming.
"You're dead, fucker!!"
"..."
Defense only, right? But if he trips himself up... unavoidable.
I grinned wide at the onrushing punk.
'Druwa, druwa.'