Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: #2
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Camila's face showed her bewilderment at Do-hyun's proposal.
"Kim? You know that if you get the Awakener green card, you have to enter the country within six months, right?"
"I'll enter the US within a month."
"You know you have to take the level test right after entry?"
"Of course, I know."
"You're saying you'll upgrade from B-rank to S-rank within a month? If I may be blunt, by US AAA standards, Kim is only Lv. 3, you know that?"
The International Awakener Association divides ranks by grade system, from D to S.
But the US, flooded with high-rank Awakeners, created its own new standard.
AAA—American Awakener Assessment—subdividing into levels.
For reference, only the US uses AAA now, but after the apocalypse begins and Awakeners grow overall, it becomes the international standard.
'Though by then, America will have already fallen.'
Anyway, B-rank is just Lv. 3~4.
S-rank starts at minimum Lv. 7.
Going from Lv. 3 to Lv. 7 in a month naturally elicited that reaction.
"Do you know the AAA evaluation is far stricter than the existing grade system?"
"I know."
"There are cases where domestic S-ranks get rated A or even B."
"But there are also cases where it goes up. Like B getting A."
"!!"
Camila shook her head.
"...Even so, there's no precedent of a B-rank getting S. Especially since Kim's class is one that's extremely hard to grow, isn't it?"
Do-hyun was a Knight class.
A special one among them.
Not a 'Legend' or 'Unique' grade, but 'Rare' class.
Shadow Knight.
The class commonly called assassin or killer.
Specialized in dealing with humans rather than monsters—precisely, in 'murder.'
That was why Camila had come personally despite him being mere B-rank.
"Shadow Knight abilities shine powerfully in maintaining public order and fighting villains. But growth is practically impossible."
Awakener abilities aren't fixed.
They can grow.
But only by conquering 'Abyss' dungeons—otherwise, killing fellow humans won't lead to growth.
'Even villains raid Abyss to improve sometimes.'
Indeed, there was even a joke that the Ten Evils had conquered as many Abyss as the Ten Stars.
Of course, that didn't mean the Ten Evils helped the world. Without their sabotage, the apocalypse would've been far easier.
'Come to think of it, most of the Ten Evils were from fallen America. Makes sense—most Star-level Awakeners are gathered there now.'
Like how the world's best baseball players, no matter where from, flock to MLB.
"This is just a provisional contract anyway, so it means nothing, right? Final terms are set after AAA test."
Camila groaned.
Usually, provisional contracts respect the party's wishes in clauses.
"......In that sense, is there any need to demand this now? If high-level comes out in AAA, you'll get treatment accordingly."
True.
It was an unnecessary demand.
If S-rank, Lv. 7 or above, they'd give matching treatment even if he refused.
"Just hate the hassle."
"Revising the contract later? Sure, procedures get messy, but that's..."
"Not just that—if I enter like this, I'll be classified as 'B-rank Awakener immigrant' and get low-level test, right?"
"!!"
Do-hyun looked steadily at Camila and said,
"Too annoying to test multiple times, so prepare the high-level S-rank test right away."
'Crazy bastard.'
Parting from Do-hyun, Camila shook her head in disbelief.
Priority recruit for useful Shadow Knight against villains, but not special enough for that attitude.
County HPD—Hero Police Department—alone had several Shadow Knights.
But...
'What was that gaze...?'
That final moment.
Do-hyun's eyes sent chills down her spine.
As an immigration officer, she'd met countless Awakeners.
A-ranks weren't much different.
But from Lv. 7—S-rank—the feel was distinctly different.
Not overt intimidation.
From Lv. 7, soul tier rises, emanating soul pressure—Soul Pressure.
Do-hyun's gaze carried the Soul Pressure felt only from Lv. 7.
'And not just any Soul Pressure...'
Camila swallowed hard.
'Similar to when I saw the White Reaper.'
Star-level hero whose fame echoed across America.
Polish Slav recruited after slaughtering countless Russian villains.
Maybe from killing so many villains?
Unlike typical S-ranks, White Reaper exuded eerie blood-red aura—Do-hyun felt eerily similar.
'......Ridiculous. Comparing a mere Lv. 3 B-rank to White Reaper.'
Whether her sense was real or not, approving his proposal was impossible.
Immigration rules.
Special treatment bending rules happened, but not for B-ranks.
Camila could do one thing.
-Priority Observation Target.
Her evaluation report on Do-hyun went up to immigration higher-ups.
Do-hyun knew Camila wouldn't accept his proposal.
'But she'll mark me as observation target instead.'
Generally, observation targets aren't good.
Means more eyes on him—in a bad way.
But that's exactly what Do-hyun wanted.
'Gotta move fast.'
Do-hyun's goal wasn't becoming America's strongest hunter.
Dominate America.
'Won't be easy. Far harder than Korea.'
America differed from Korea.
Everything dozens of times bigger: land, power, capital, Awakener numbers, levels.
Without Phase 1 apocalypse, it'd truly achieve Pax Americana.
Difficulty like KBO champ vs. MLB.
Biggest issue: time limit.
'Phase 1 starts, America crumbles fast. Current glory like a lie.'
-This stop is Bupyeong Station!
Do-hyun rode the subway.
Destination: Incheon.
Already joked as demon realm; post-cataclysm, truly became one, security worsened.
Especially near Incheon Port—law utterly absent.
-This stop is Dongam Station!
-This stop is Juan Station!
Nearing Incheon Port, subway emptied rapidly.
Remaining: drug addicts, or those eyeing him like prey.
'Even these guys feel nostalgic.'
Post-regression, Do-hyun always hit Incheon Port early.
Important business.
Anyway, Triad gang ruling port wouldn't act on subway.
Korea boasts top-tier security worldwide; subway violence brings Awakener security instantly.
Of course, security holds only inside stations.
Arriving at terminus Incheon Station, exiting drew hostile glares everywhere.
"New face? What business?"
Chinese-accented thuggish tone.
No mere thugs.
Triad mafia from China infiltrating Korea—kidnap healthy folk, sell as slaves to Southeast Asia or harvest organs in China.
'Just a front. Actually procure human sacrifices for Outer Gods.'
Learned in 7th round.
Then, as villain, he'd wiped Chinese elite—gleaned info.
Currently, over half China's high ranks corrupted by Outer God cult.
Of course, these small fry clueless about victim use.
Anyway, scum deserving death.
"Your eyes piss me off. First, gouge 'em out then—Gaaaargh—!!!"
Kwak!
Do-hyun whipped out jackknife, stabbed one's eyes, slashed sideways.
Victim clutched face screaming; gang startled, drew guns.
But shocked—Do-hyun vanished.
"Stealth skill?"
"B-rank or lower anyway! Use infrared!"
But,
Shaaak—!
One fumbling detector collapsed bleeding.
Gang realized too late they'd poked wrong prey, tried fleeing—but over.
Dead in steps.
Last gasping growled,
"You... you'll... regret. Playing hero? You'll die horribly."
Do-hyun crushed his throat.
Indifferently.
"Sorry, but not here to play hero."
More Triad rushed.
Result unchanged.
All slaughtered mercilessly, no matter numbers.
Nearby cleared, quieted.
Do-hyun slipped into Chinatown alley, Triad base.
Despite outer chaos, inside calm.
Such fights daily.
Report probably just reaching bosses.
Familiar alleys led to Chinatown's tallest Chinese-style building.
Gong Qing Guan.
Former famed Chinese restaurant, now Triad HQ.
Bustling personnel felt.
Do-hyun pulled item from bag.
Specter Bomb.
Mana Stone bomb; recipe top secret but...
To Do-hyun, whatever.
Like flicking cig butt, tossed at Gong Qing Guan.
Flash!! KABOOM—!!!!
Building exploded, collapsed.
Messages rose.
Hundred Man Kill
‘Bloody Knight’