Chapter 20

Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 020

Chapter Title: Duty Toward One's Master

Park Ha-jun's lab.

While pondering the flaws in the Barrier circuits he'd drawn yesterday, an [Mail] arrived for Park Ha-jun.

It was another lengthy email.

The bulk of it explained the forged ID in detail.

1. The forged Awakener ID would use the manipulated and registered data of a man currently imprisoned in an underground jail for villainous acts committed without official Awakener registration.

Since the Association President had personally subdued him early in his awakening, there was no external exposure.

Additionally, the rank would be B-rank, and they apologized profusely for issuing a rank unworthy of the Maker's reputation...

'B-rank is higher than my own rank, though...'

He knew the slang term "power hidden deep." But what did one call this situation...?

In ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠any case, the Association's proposed forged ID was quite satisfactory. However.

2. Though asd123 hadn't specifically requested it, they could assist with [Mail] replies and other system activities if desired.

In other words, for any external activities, he could send and receive mail under that identity. Not as asd123.

Of course, routing through Lee Dong-gyu would introduce some delay.

And the method involved mental manipulation...

'...Is this really okay?'

Didn't it clash a bit with the Association's image?

Perhaps feeling uneasy themselves, they explained it in detail.

3. Regardless of what you might think, this villain had killed his own parents immediately upon awakening...

'Ah... um...'

He wasn't sure. The Association, as a national institution with a long history, had surely made a just decision.

Park Ha-jun, lacking the full details, saw no reason to impose moral judgment.

And finally...

4. Along with the ID, there are a few items we'd like to deliver. If possible, could we meet in person to discuss? Auction House transactions can be tricky for urgent situations due to valuation issues and competition from Corrupted Awakeners...

It was a valid point. Hadn't he sold scrolls of even higher value for just 10 million gold this time?

If a safe channel existed, a better trading method was needed.

Of course, the Association promised to provide that safe route without causing trouble.

Moreover, the Association President would personally protect him during the process, making Park Ha-jun truly feel like a successful Awakener.

'...If only my main job progressed this smoothly.'

Park Ha-jun sent a moderately positive reply, then held a pre-lunch meeting with his researchers.

That morning, the research proposal on "The Connection Between Elemental Magic and Knot Structures" was finally completed.

"...We should submit the proposal to the Mage Association and Research Foundation under New Research and Awakener Exploration Type 2."

Park Ha-jun nodded at one researcher's comment and asked,

"What's the chance of approval?"

"Honestly... it'll be tough. Our topic is great, but this kind of subject has always been handled by Magic Department professors."

Indeed. Research blending pure academics with magic was naturally the domain of Magic Department professors.

Pure scholars researching magic didn't sit well with mages.

In truth, non-Awakeners found magic incantations far too complex to handle.

"Worst case... it might not just get rejected, but draw major backlash from the magic academic community."

Of course, if Park Ha-jun's research yielded immediate groundbreaking results, it wouldn't face only criticism.

Like the enlightenment he gave Kang Eun-ho, a shock to them would force even rigid mages to acknowledge it to some degree.

But right now, it was just the proposal submission stage.

Revealing himself as asd123 would change things, but that was impossible for now.

'...From Eun-ho's case, my circuit concept based on geometric interpretation isn't just for me.'

Kang Eun-ho had clearly shown signs of enlightenment, and he'd grown noticeably when they last met.

However, not all mages had Kang Eun-ho's exceptional intuition.

'I need to systematize it further for broader applicability...'

That was Park Ha-jun's next task.

But he couldn't share this with the researchers.

"We still have to submit it. Right now, we need even negative attention. Mage backlash would definitely draw eyes."

"True..."

The researcher nodded with a worried expression.

In truth, research wasn't something he could bulldoze with his decisions alone.

It wasn't just his time at stake; it could ruin his assistants' time and careers.

'...Don't worry, kids. I'll make sure that never happens.'

Even if the proposal was rejected, Park Ha-jun now had the means for independent research.

Annual research costs around 500 million won could be covered by his Association contract and mass scroll sales via [Instant Manifestation].

Soon, with the forged ID, he could freely exchange currency too.

For proof-of-concept experiments—implementing magic incantations—Kang Eun-ho, who had eagerly signed the contract, would handle it admirably.

Even if rejected, he could continue independently. No external interference during research might even be better.

Yet the reason for submitting anyway was simple.

'First... we need the magic academic community's reaction and feedback on the proposal.'

Independent research risked veering completely off course.

Years of work might end up ignored by academia.

For Park Ha-jun, losing face with his team weighed heaviest.

Thus, even after all-nighters drawing circuits, he never approached research sloppily or drowsy.

He might get absorbed in circuits occasionally, but only after perfectly completing scheduled tasks.

'Today's morning routine is done, so...'

Park Ha-jun placed a card on the table and said to the researchers,

"Anyway, let's end the meeting here. Take it easy until the proposal results come in—no need to watch my mood. And get lunch with this today."

"Huh? Is it okay to order out this often? With only 3 million in sponsorship, we should be thriftier..."

"I told you, the sponsor's a big shot. Feels like even more's coming soon..."

After convincing them, the lab door creaked open cautiously.

Peeking through was Soo-ji.

"Pro-fe-ssor... Can I eat with you too...?"

"Haha, of course. I was just about to call you—perfect timing."

"Yay!"

Soo-ji bounded in energetically. The researchers teased, "Ooh... rich girl Soo-ji."

(For the record, she was from a wealthy family but refused all parental support.)

Meaning her situation wasn't much different from the others.

"I've got business, so I'll eat out. Enjoy, everyone."

Handing the card to the team, Park Ha-jun skipped lunch and headed to Kang Eun-ho's private ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠training room.

To universalize his circuit concepts, he first needed to check Kang Eun-ho's progress.

Not to mention resolving his questions about the [Barrier] circuit.

The Association's executive meeting.

While the Association President was on an overseas trip, briefings on recent events were underway.

The President listened silently.

"Kim Ji-seok's Team successfully cleared the Grade-3 Hazard Management Gate, with asd123's scrolls playing a pivotal role..."

"Councilor Jeong Hyun-seok failed at Purification, so we entrusted it to asd123 for success... Ah, it was a sight to behold..."

"Ahem. No need to bring up that one."

Starting with reports he'd already seen via mail.

"We've also imprisoned three confirmed Corrupted spies in the underground jail and tracked the two staff members who hid their activities. Still investigating if they've become Corrupted or something else."

Staff hiding activities. The President knew one well.

A spy for the Corrupted over multiple regressions. Kept alive for utility.

'...That guy's only surviving because I handle him personally. Until I die. So why...'

Originally, in past regressions, he hadn't gone overseas at this time but handled a B-rank Gate in Korea first.

But the outcome was poor, so this regression was an experiment: the overseas trip.

Thus, the future was largely unknown to him. Not everything, but incomprehensible situations would arise.

'...Is this also because of asd123?'

As he pondered briefly, briefings continued.

The final report was shocking, even though he'd heard it before.

"Finally, Councilor Jeong Hyun-seok, who fell to Corruption, has awakened. No abnormal symptoms remain... thanks to asd123's scroll."

A storm of events, most tied to asd123.

The President was astounded. A sense of reliability he hadn't felt since the first regression—challenging his belief that only his efforts mattered.

But he pushed it away.

Giving in to one temptation led to countless more.

'Only I am the answer. The rest are means.'

Protect asd123 from Corrupted, exploit fully. If failure, correct for next regression. That was it.

"...Well done, everyone. Thanks to you, I can focus solely on that Gate without divided efforts."

The PPT showed data on an elemental golem core-powered Gate.

The first scout team reported a massive snake. Flicking its tongue summoned lightning from the sky.

"...Hallucinations, perhaps? Mana density is at best C-rank. How could an apartment-sized snake emerge from a C-rank Gate? Even if Corrupted-tampered, there's a limit."

"That 'limit' is outdated data. Look at the B-rank Kim Ji-seok cleared."

......

As heated debate raged, the President spoke.

"...It's tough alone."

The room fell silent. He was known for cryptic remarks.

This seemed another.

"To stably take down that giant snake, we need a 4-circle mastery mage."

4-circle mastery mages.

Only two: Councilor Jeong and Councilor ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Shin.

Councilor Jeong Hyun-seok replied without hesitation.

"I'll assist you, President."

Councilor Shin eyed him disdainfully but inwardly sighed in relief.

Even the President called it tough alone—a Gate too daunting to volunteer for lightly.

However.

"Rest up, Councilor Jeong. Corruption residue might linger. Besides, that Gate is what corrupted you."

Gazes shifted to Councilor Shin.

"What say you, Councilor Shin? Will you join?"

Subordinates watching. Pride at stake. Yet words stuck.

"I, uh..."

"Enough. I won't drag the unwilling. The internal battles would be rough anyway."

The conclusion fizzled.

No other 4-circle mastery mages besides them?

Mages idolized the President, joining the Association—not large guilds.

"...No way. This old man enters alone and dies with the Gate."

"What are you saying...! If so, Councilor Jeong and I will go! Somehow..."

Councilor Jeong Hyun-seok spoke. Councilor Shin panicked. Was he mad?

"Kehkeh, joking. One method remains, no? asd123. Interesting."

How capable was a non-Corrupted one?

Especially curing Jeong's Corruption defied logic.

Corrupted scrolls weren't that potent. Common knowledge: Corruption amplified abilities.

Yet his seemed unchanged.

...No, overwhelmingly superior.

'Did he go easy on me then?'

That would bruise his pride.

Thus, from the mail report, he'd planned a request.

A very difficult, yet essential [Barrier] scroll.

"Have analyst Lee Dong-gyu request a Barrier from asd123. Specifics: infuse harmony into the Barrier."

Mages tilted heads. Harmony in a Barrier? What?

Lee Dong-gyu just smiled faintly and nodded.

Magic Department third-year class—Intermediate Understanding and Practice of Magic Incantations.

Kang Eun-ho cast five Neutral Magic Bullets before the TA.

The somewhat complex, element-free version was easier to handle.

Squeeeak. Kwagwang.

The five Neutral Magic Bullets followed the set trajectory. Still not perfectly stable, but.

"...What, Eun-ho?"

At least team-play viable.

The excited TA slapped his shoulder.

"Hey, man, you finally got it? So stable!"

"Haha... Yeah, feels like I did."

"See? Told you it'd click. You're the type—once logic sparks, the path opens wide. Congrats, dude."

"Thanks. ...Luck, mostly."

Meeting his benefactor.

Kang Eun-ho scratched his head.

But a group watched disapprovingly.

After class, they smoked in the smoking area, lounging casually.

"...Saw Kang Eun-ho? He's improved a bit."

"Still trash, right? Matching some knight who can't even control trajectory with a mage. And random firepower too."

"Today felt solid, though?"

"Fluke. He's hopeless, I swear. ...Nah, who wants that? Pitiful—A-rank, trains alone while others hang out, worse grades than me. Insane?"

"Haha, hilarious."

But the smoking area wasn't just them.

Kang Eun-ho passed through en route to training. Overheard the crap.

Past him would've detoured.

Other paths to training existed.

But now, he didn't want to. Backbiting insults he'd endured.

But calling his skill a fluke—one he couldn't tolerate.

It insulted not just him, but Professor Park Ha-jun's teachings.

No ill intent maybe, but he couldn't let it slide. Respect for his master demanded it.

So, he deliberately passed closer.

Air chilled. Sudden silence. A-rank intimidated overt mockery.

But.

Pfft.

Eye signals, sneers. Truly despicable.

Kang Eun-ho halted at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the snicker.

"Hey, why the laugh?"

Shifted vibe froze their faces.

"...Wasn't laughing? Freaking out suddenly?"

Defiant still. What'll you do?

"Really? Then what crap did you spew earlier?"

They glanced nervously. First time he'd pushed back—panicking.

Group strength prevailed.

"...What, wrong? Two years fumbling, grades below mine—fact. Class fluke made you strutty, so we chatted among ourselves?"

"You think I can't handle it without a fluke? Apologize while I give the chance?"

"...Screw off."

That instant.

Fwoosh.

Five Fire Magic Bullets manifested in under a second, encircling the motormouth's neck.

"...A guy who can't even react to this—why so cocky? I just couldn't calculate before. Not weak in PvP."

Any twitch meant burns. He glared at the tensed fool, then reality hit—dismissed the spell.

"...Forget it. And it wasn't a fluke. Without calc, your neck's gone. Don't spew that shit again."

He could stomach personal jabs, not master's insults.

Muttering, he left.

No time wasting on trash.