Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Are You Really Woo Jin-seong's Successor?
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Are you really Woo Jin-seong's successor?
"What should I do for verification? Got any ideas, Blackie?"
"Puuu...?"
No good. Blackie doesn't know either. Should I ask Awakens Then Leaves Gallery? But she's probably not awakened—does she even know?
Hey, how do I verify? Do I need to send a photo or something??
Nah, just show your Awakener registration card. Your name's gotta be on it.
"Eek."
I still hadn't gotten my Awakener registration card. No guardian, no guild I knew. So there was no way to verify? But I wanted to make it to the recommended feed...
I don't have a guardian so I couldn't get it. Can't I verify with something else??
What's your ability? If no card, just film yourself using it.
Idk my ability well;;; the description's weird.. Looks like summoning though??? Can I film Blackie and send it??
Blackie?
It's what I summoned!!!
What kinda name is that for something you're taking into the Tower... Sigh, whatever. Send it over.
OK OK wait a sec
Phew, good. I just needed to snap a pic of Blackie and send it.
"Blackie, can you strike a pose?"
"Puuu...?"
When I shoved my phone camera in its face, Blackie tilted its head like it had no clue.
"Do I need to give it some kinda command?"
I thought for a sec, remembering that GIF from the gallery where a dog spun around when its owner clapped.
"Alright, Blackie, move to the sound."
Clap, clap. As I started clapping, Blackie stopped tilting its head and stretched out its eight legs to both sides, wobbling back and forth.
I filmed Blackie as sincerely as possible. Worried they'd think it was a doll, I sent a video to Awakens Then Leaves Gallery.
(video file)
Does this work??
Yeah, good. Lemme see what crazy power you awakened.
Great. Video sent. Now just wait for a reaction. But what if they think it's weak just from the looks?
Should I send the clip of Blackie melting the wardrobe? No wardrobe left in the house now—maybe the desk?
While I pondered, Awakens Then Leaves Gallery replied again.
What the heck did you send? Nothing in the video or pic? Just black.
Huh???
What? When I checked the video I sent, Blackie's wiggly legs were clearly visible.
I see it fine;; Is your phone broken?
Got a brand new phone last week, what? Your video must be busted.
New phone envy... Mine's 7 years old, orphanage teacher got it for me.
Damn, that's why. No way a crappy old thing like that records anything visible.
Still good for gallery scrolling. Can't game tho..
Whatever, no other verification?
"Whine..."
Still, it was my precious phone I'd had for 6 years. Hurt a bit hearing someone diss it.
Look, someone who never posted weird stuff suddenly claims they awakened. You never did concept posts before. Just always "wanna awaken, miss Woo Jin-seong."
Not a concept;;; I really awakened for real..
So, anything else to verify? Camera's crap, probably won't work.
"My recommended feed..."
No verification meant no upvotes either.
That meant no more of that heart-pounding thrill, the fuzzy head rush from posting awakening attempts and hitting the recommended feed.
Of course, I also wanted to clear up the misunderstandings around me and shut down the slander against Woo Jin-seong. Felt like a letdown now.
Deep in thought, Awakens Then Leaves Gallery messaged again soon after.
So you only cleared the Tutorial Tower and never been in the real Tower, right?
Only been awakened for a day.
Wanna hit Tower Floor 1 with me? Gotta clear up to 15 anyway if you're real.
No card, can I even enter the Tower??
Tower entry doesn't need the card. It's just ID for us. I can vouch.
That gave me pause for a second.
Awakens Then Leaves Gallery was one of the old-timer fixed nicks in the gallery.
I figured they'd be struggling like me, unawakened. But they can enter the Tower?
Wait... are they awakened?
Wait, are you awakened?
Didn't I say? Awakened a couple months ago.
Why didn't you leave the gallery then? Your name says you leave when you awaken;;;;;;
Ugh, it's just a nick. Not leaving for real. So, you in? Sounds like you know no other awakeners. I can help out.
For real??
Yeah, don't misunderstand. Felt bad reading your old posts, so if you're legit, wanna help.
I'm not pitiful;
Sure you aren't. Anyway, don't wanna ask for your address. Come to this one I send. Tower entrance—lotsa awakeners, no worries.
For real???
Yeah
I hesitated a bit. Meeting a stranger was scary, but if true, I could get real advice on being an awakener.
Might even hook me up with a guild if lucky.
Worst case, waste some time. I'd wasted plenty before—no biggie...
"B-Blackie. Wanna go?"
"Puu!"
Blackie wrapped a tentacle around my thigh. Like it was saying it'd stick right by me.
Its skin was cool, but knowing someone was there comforted me.
"Alright, decided."
Sending address, heading over
Lol yeah
Whew. Soon, Awakens Then Leaves Gallery sent the address.
"An hour from home."
Searched the address online—yep, one of the Tower entrances scattered nationwide. Saved it and hugged Blackie.
"Good thing I topped up the bus card last time, huh?"
"Puu!"
Already 9 PM... For some reason, since awakening, I got sleepy around then.
"Ugh, where is it?"
First outing in ages made my head spin now and then, but Blackie stuck to me like glue, so I managed the bus somehow.
Tried paying adult fare midway, but the driver kept insisting on child fare—annoying, but saved money.
Finally at the Tower entrance.
Not really a tower—just a massive portal and a long plaza sprawled out. No tower in sight.
'Towers only visible in Seoul. Elsewhere, just portals.'
I kept my head down, scanning around.
Tons of people, like she said. All geared up—weird stuff, so probably awakeners.
Some looked rough, startling me, but they ignored me completely, so I relaxed a bit.
Anyway, time to meet Awakens Then Leaves Gallery. Where the heck were they?
Where r u??? At Tower entrance;;
Lmao you actually went to the Tower entrance? Lololol
???????
Good job, go home now lol
Hey?? If this is a lie I'm stalking u in gallery and downvoting everything;;;; Sniper shots too!!!
My head...
Did she really trick me? Paid child fare all the way here, and got duped by Awakens Then Leaves Gallery??
"Puu...?"
Time wasted before, sure, but getting played by a gallery regular? That stung.
Tears welled up just as my phone buzzed again.
Lolol sry;; Joke. Right in front of portal. White tee, jeans, sunglasses. Find me.
Almost turned around thinking u tricked me;;; Got it, looking...
"Right in front of the portal? Where's the portal..."
Quickly wiped the tears. Not from thinking I got tricked—wind was just too strong, eyes hurt.
'Where's the portal? Should I ask?'
As I wandered, Blackie on my shoulder started poking my cheek.
"Huh?"
"Puu, puuu!"
Looking at Blackie, it pointed a tentacle rightward.
Pointing out the portal? I nodded and headed that way.
"Blackie, can you sense portals too?"
"Puu!"
Blackie seemed more capable the more I watched. Looks like an octopus doll, but amazing.
Anyway, trotting along the direction Blackie pointed...
Thud, wham!
"Ow!"
Not watching ahead, I smacked into something hard and fell flat on my butt!
Hurt. Squeezed my eyes shut, then opened and looked up to see what it was.
A woman stood there.
"Hey kid, you okay?"
White tee, jeans, sunglasses. I stared blankly, then tilted my head.
White tee, jeans, sunglasses? Sounded familiar. Oh yeah—Awakens Then Leaves Gallery said they were wearing that.
'But she's a woman? Gallery vibes screamed guy. Is this her?'
I caught my breath, grabbed her outstretched hand, and stood.
"S-Sorry."
"Huh? No, it's fine if you're okay. No injuries?"
"No."
"Puuu...?"
Needed to confirm first. Blurting 'Are you Awakens Then Leaves Gallery?' would be awkward if not.
'I'd die of embarrassment.'
So I stepped back, pulled out my phone discreetly, and opened the DMs.
Hey, green hair??
Sent the message, glanced up at the woman.
She heard the notification, pulled her phone from her jeans pocket, and checked.
Bzzz——
Yeah it's me, why aren't you here? Hurry. Bumped into a kid waiting for you.
This was real?
I took a deep breath, tiptoed quietly behind her.
She hadn't noticed, still staring at her phone. I poked her back with my fingertip.
"Hm?"
"Um..."
"Oh, the kid from before. Hurt? Want sis to take you to the hospital?"
"No, it's not that..."
Words stuck in my throat now that it was time. Gallery friends aplenty, but never met IRL.
No friends or family ever, so talking to strangers was hard. Convenience store? I'd treat 'em like customers.
But no choice—had to speak up.
"Um... are you... Awakens Then Leaves Gallery...?"
"H-Huh?"
I spoke, and the green-haired woman blinked rapidly, mouth agape.
She alternated between her phone and me for a while, then raised her brows.
"You're... Woo Jin-seong's Successor?"
"N-Not so loud..."
"No way, you're really Woo Jin-seong's successor?"
No awakener didn't know Woo Jin-seong. People nearby started glancing over at the name.
I ducked my head, lips twitching. Hearing my nick aloud made my face burn hotter than lava.
"So, you're really Woo Jin-s——"
Couldn't take the shame anymore. Cut her off before she yelled more. Hesitate, and it'd get louder.
"Y-Yeah. So please be quiet...!"
Gonna die of embarrassment for sure...