Chapter 16

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 016

Chapter Title: Contract

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Lying in bed with a sense of relief, Park Ha-jun saw a system message appear.

"?"

He'd thought his dopamine threshold for gold had risen lately.

Zing.

It was an illusion.

'He said he'd give a personal example, but I never imagined it'd be ten million gold...'

Thanks to that, the leading digit of his gold holdings changed once more—from ten million, past twenty, straight to thirty million!

Add one more zero, and it converts to cash.

'330 million...'

Smack. Unbelievable. In just two weeks, he'd amassed money in the hundreds of millions.

And this wasn't the end. The faster he grew, the steeper the gold accumulation would become.

Of course, ability growth would consume gold too, so he couldn't convert it all to cash.

...Even with enough gold, Park Ha-jun hadn't unlocked it yet.

'This has to be an addiction.'

He'd been running like a madman lately. He hated to admit it, but he'd been so absorbed he'd neglected his professor duties.

'If I unlock it now, I'll pull an all-nighter and go to work... In the lab, I'd just obsess over circuits all day... Then ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I wouldn't have the face to see the kids.'

He wanted to catch up on what he'd neglected, at least for a day.

Register as an Awakener, cash in some gold, buy the kids chicken...

For reference, Park Ha-jun had set a goal before.

He'd register as an Awakener once his abilities earned group protection or he could perfectly draw a 2-circle Barrier circuit.

Hadn't he met those conditions now?

Korea Awakener Association. A group centered around its S-rank mage chairman, powerful enough to crush a major guild.

He'd gained their full protection, with their pursuit of a clean image.

And that wasn't all.

Starting with Lee Dong-gyu's sponsorship, a torrent of messages flooded in.

...

Magic Scroll Maker wasn't a trait major guilds welcomed.

Yet for some reason, they were showering Park Ha-jun with love ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠calls.

True to form as major guilds, their gold offerings were hefty.

But since they were love calls, refusals didn't require returns, and they wouldn't hold grudges.

'What the hell is going on...'

How had the Purification scroll triggered all this?

He'd have to get a detailed report from Kim Ji-seok later to understand.

Anyway.

Numerous major guilds sent dazzling offers.

But only one satisfied Park Ha-jun's desires.

The Korea Awakener Association.

To sum up their long sponsorship message:

1. asd123's scrolls have become a key obstacle to Corrupted Awakeners. Competition for purchases could intensify.

A plea on humanity's behalf.

Of course, selling high and fast to anyone wasn't bad for a seller.

But selling to Corrupted Awakeners? That left a bad taste for Park Ha-jun.

Their goal led to this world's ruin, after all.

2. Contract terms guarantee industry-top levels, with asd123 able to request renewals anytime.

They'd match conditions instantly as he grew.

Focused on gold/gear support over cash, plus fee and tax reductions.

3. Any other concerns? They'd accommodate maximally.

This hooked Park Ha-jun.

Why had he avoided registration? Danger. No telling what Corrupted Awakeners or villains might do.

He'd resolved to register because 'gold-to-cash exchange' was that desperate.

Really, just that one reason.

The rest was mere curiosity...

So if there was a safe way to exchange gold for cash without registering, he wouldn't bother.

Hunters' interest in asd123 was appreciated, but Park Ha-jun wanted fame as a mathematician.

For his desires.

Only the Association could enable discreet activity, cherry-picking Awakener perks.

Even if exposed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to society someday, until then—easy, safe money-making.

'That way, I can run the department smoothly and tend to my life.'

But for potential risks, he checked Lee Dong-gyu on the Association site.

Could be Corrupted Awakener phishing.

'Nickname matches, early Association member...'

Verified, Park Ha-jun sent a mail.

'Contracting with the Association doesn't mean selling scrolls only to them.'

Item Analysis Room. Lee Dong-gyu was handling the aftermath of the Elemental Golem core incident.

An Association staffer approached with documents.

"Gate exploration team list."

Lee also selected and rented gear to hunters.

"Confirmed as is?"

"Yes. Primary exploration tomorrow at lunch with these members."

"Got it. I'll select suitable items and send them. Anything else...?"

Mid-bustle, a system mail arrived.

"Holy shit!"

"Pardon?"

"Ah... sorry. Something urgent came up. Can we talk later? I'll contact you after selecting the items."

A contract with asd123 outweighed the gate from the Elemental Golem core.

"? Sure..."

He sent the staffer off and checked the mail again.

'It's really asd123, right?'

He hadn't expected much.

No external or community activity from this non-Awakener.

Kim Ji-seok had warned to approach the eccentric carefully.

Yet a reply came. Wanting to talk, even!

'This is actually happening?'

Overwhelmed with emotion. As an Association member and item analyst, he couldn't contain his excitement.

He'd gotten the chairman's approval for asd123 contract talks. Lee dove into details.

But asd123 still refused registration.

Not just refusing registration—no info leaks at all.

'Expected that much.'

And next.

Without registration, naturally. Also expected.

'But a tough ask...'

By ability alone, asd123 could rake in tens of billions monthly.

Controlling info perfectly while moving huge cash? Spies everywhere would notice.

Even hiding hard, exposure would be instant.

But not impossible.

Lee drafted a mail.

Simple gist:

We'll issue a forged Awakener ID.

This fulfills your requests, but...

Full 'unwavering' support as offered? Tough. Just moderate aid and tax breaks.

'Damn... this should work.'

No other way.

The Association had steeled itself even for this.

A clean-image group issuing forgeries voluntarily?

Public fallout would be massive.

But the risk was worth the asd123 contract.

Cold sweat beading as he waited.

Positive reply. Thank goodness.

"Yes!"

Lee pumped his fist.

The contract was huge, but post-Purification, he was a desperate fan—double the thrill.

Why would non-HR Lee mail asd123 directly?

'...I'll handle scroll receipt too.'

asd123. Who was he? Wanted his scrolls displayed in the analysis room center!

"Ahem."

Composing himself, as he wrote:

Mail from asd123 first.

'...Tricky.'

Considering asd123's recent earnings, it'd be substantial.

Honestly, over 5 million gold was impossible now. And estimates put asd123 over 40 million recently.

'Contract not finalized. Keep positive image.'

Ignoring anxiety, he replied.

Biting nails, waiting. Over 5 million? He'd have to ask to wait for the forged ID.

'Please...'

Consider his situation—under 5 million.

Then.

Modest amount. Good thing—not excessive.

'Is the eccentric rumor true...'

Truthfully, 3 million won was pocket change.

But no standout moves.

Could seem dismissive.

'Waiving fees is fine, though.'

He got the account but didn't background-check—didn't want to shatter asd123 illusions with sleuthing.

Soon direct trade, they'd meet anyway.

Next day. Mathematics Department lab.

Park Ha-jun called his researchers and TA Lee Soo-ji.

"We finally have a sponsor for our research."

He'd received 3 million won from Lee Dong-gyu. Minimal, considering future growth.

'Association's full support can be requested later...'

Hidden identity activity was a now-or-never privilege.

A forged ID might even allow full Awakener ops.

'Satisfied with the Association contract.'

Not even signed yet, and he'd cashed 3 million?

Grinning, Park Ha-jun pulled out a card.

"Got sponsorship... How about chicken for lunch?"

Thanks to it? No hesitation like before from Soo-ji and researchers.

"Wow! But Professor, cleaning chicken's a hassle—pizza instead!"

"Chicken's tastier though..."

"Ooh, pizza sounds good. Professor, I found a great pizza spot recently! Right here..."

"...Fine, as long as you're happy."

The usually corpse-like lab buzzed with rare energy.

"Eating pizza for lunch— this is the successful life!"

Lee Soo-ji's words drew a researcher's tease.

"You eat out every day!"

"Eek."

"Ugh... gold digger eating alone all the time."

Soo-ji apologized profusely.

"Who's the sponsor? Funding math? Must be an angel!"

"Hm... Someone hugely interested in our research? A big shot."

"Huh? Why our research?"

"Topic's got magic ties, right?"

"Ah~"

Soo-ji trailed off oddly.

Did she know something?

Anyway, fun time. Just buying tasty lunch let them chat and laugh freely—pure bliss...

But after pizza, Park Ha-jun excused himself back to his seat.

'To protect this simple happiness—and grow happier—I can't just coast.'

Right there, he hit [Pay].

The gate powered by the Elemental Golem's core.

Fortunately, mana density stalled at C-rank, but it looked ominous.

During Purification, guilds bickered over reward shares.

Under Association lead, they agreed on caution.

"...14:08, primary exploration team entering."

Today, the Association team stepped in.

What they faced:

"What the hell is that?"

"C-rank level... How?!"

A colossal snake, apartment-15-stories tall.

Holes riddled its body; surface rough like graphic pixels.

"...Snap out of it. It's alive."

The team leader murmured quietly.

But the snake flicked a flame tongue, glaring.

Kieeeek-!

With its roar, fiery rain fell from the sky.

"...Retreat."

The 14:08 entry team decided retreat at 14:08.

Even retreating, the man kept eyes on the snake.

For any extra intel.

Enduring scorching heat to the last, he escaped the gate at the final moment.