The Audacity of the Non-Awakened
The Patriarch is taking an interest in a non-awakened employee? The Seoul Headquarters of the Korean Hunter Association had been in a state of chaos. A string of massive incidents had erupted over the past few days: the emergence of an Unbound awakened and the discovery of a mana mine of unprecedented scale. If these had been isolated events, the staff might have just thought, "Wow, that's huge..." and handled the paperwork quickly. But what was even more shocking than the Unbound awakened or the mana mine itself was the employee who had discovered it: Shin Jiwoo.
"This is insane... A mere entry-level employee discovered this?"
Upon closer inspection, these events weren't just simple news stories. They contained findings that could lead to revolutionary advancements in fields like Dungeon Research and Dungeon Management.
"Team Leader! You know that Z-wave pattern that occasionally appears in dungeon mana readings?"
A researcher from the Association's Dungeon Research Team rushed to the team leader with a stack of data. The wave pattern displayed there looked no different from the ones they had seen before—just the occasional, minor fluctuation of mana.
"Yeah. Isn't that a common phenomenon in some dungeons? What about it?"
The team leader asked back, as if wondering why the researcher was making a fuss. It was established academic dogma that these Z-shaped patterns were simply one of many mana flow phenomena, with no specific significance.
"N-no, I don't think so. Please, take a look at this."
"Hey, you...!"
The researcher urgently dragged the team leader toward the research equipment. The team leader had been annoyed, but his expression shifted the moment he saw what was displayed before him.
"This pattern appears when Orichalcum and Forganium collide and undergo mana-conversion. It looked like a standard mana wave because the unique mana of the magic stones was canceling each other out!"
"Th-then, the dungeons where Z-wave patterns appeared until now were...!"
"At the very least, they were dungeons where Orichalcum and Forganium were deposited!!"
"Th-this is incredible...! We need to research this properly and report it to the academic community!"
It was data that would bring a groundbreaking change to dungeon research. Magic stones possess a unique wave pattern. However, when different magic stone waves collide, their inherent patterns vanish, making them appear as ordinary mana. It was a concept difficult for the average person to grasp, but in scientific terms, it was a discovery worthy of a Nobel Prize in Physics. It meant they could identify dungeons containing magic stones without having to search them manually.
"B-but how did he discover this? There's no way to force magic stone waves to collide using conventional methods..."
"It's thanks to that super-large mana mine discovered recently."
"The one that employee Shin Jiwoo found?"
"Yes. The report says Shin Jiwoo meticulously analyzed the dungeon data and discovered the possibility of the mine."
"Indeed. He really is a brilliant talent."
"So, I pondered how on earth employee Shin Jiwoo could have known. Looking at the report, it says Shin Jiwoo focused specifically on the moments when the mana waves fluctuated."
"Ho, ho-oh."
The researcher raised his voice in excitement. Of course, at the time, Jiwoo had only done that to nitpick the field staff.
"And he also said he scrutinized the dungeon environment and composition. Not only that, he dug through data from other dungeons to examine the site and prepare for the situation."
"Right. That implies he knew the magic stones were there. I've been wondering how he knew. W-wait, could it be?"
The team leader's eyes widened as he jumped to his feet.
"Could it be... that Shin Jiwoo realized this fact on-site?"
"That's the only explanation. Of course, he couldn't have proven the hypothesis on the spot, but after countless hours of deliberation, he must have been certain. He analyzed the characteristics of other dungeons where magic stones had been found, the features of this super-large mana mine, and the traits of each magic stone in that split second to seize a momentary possibility!"
"How could such an absurd... but there's no other explanation."
"I heard rumors that Shin Jiwoo was a workaholic even before he joined. They say he passed that notoriously difficult entrance exam as the top candidate, with the highest score. And he's from 'that' family."
"If it's that family... but isn't Shin Jiwoo a non-awakened?"
"Exactly. Being a non-awakened in that family, imagine how much he must have studied to be recognized."
Every puzzle piece was falling into place. The keen eye to identify the presence of magic stones on-site. The immense ability hinted at by his background and the rumors. Furthermore, everyone knew from the previous incident with the Unbound awakened that Shin Jiwoo's level was extraordinary.
"...This is no time to be standing around. We need to research further and report this to the higher-ups."
"Agreed. Honestly... someone like employee Shin Jiwoo deserves a promotion. Let's include Shin Jiwoo's achievements when we submit the results."
"Frankly, I haven't been happy with the current Dungeon Management team staff lately anyway. Someone like Shin Jiwoo should be the one getting promoted."
And so, a massive innovation began to take root in dungeon research. Along with the research results, Jiwoo's "heroics" were reported to the higher-ups. A whirlwind of change began to sweep through the headquarters. And naturally, that news reached the Personnel Department as well.
"Shin Jiwoo... huh."
Shin Chi-hyun, who was busy with his duties, heard the news about Shin Jiwoo. At first, he thought it was nonsense. In Chi-hyun's memory, Shin Jiwoo was nothing more than useless dust in the family. But after reading the reported data, he couldn't help but believe it. It was too intentional to be a coincidence; every action had a clear purpose. Even looking at his entrance exam scores, it was evident how much knowledge Shin Jiwoo possessed.
"You've harbored poison, haven't you, Shin Jiwoo."
So he had been holed up at home reading books for a while. Did that mean he hadn't given up, even though he couldn't awaken?
"...Interesting."
As a non-awakened, Shin Jiwoo was useless. But as the Deputy Director of the Association's Personnel Department, Chi-hyun found himself intrigued. Even if he hadn't awakened, Shin Jiwoo had inherited the direct bloodline. He possessed the same tenacity and venom as the rest of the family. Even if he hadn't awakened, that one trait alone was enough to call him a member of the family.
"Did he say he was coming to the family gathering this time?"
Shin Chi-hyun decided to observe Shin Jiwoo at the upcoming gathering. To see if he was a talent worth using in the Association. He might be useless to the family, but it seemed he could rise to quite a high position within the Association. Perhaps he could even reach the highest position a non-awakened could attain.
With that thought, Shin Chi-hyun attended the family gathering. He spotted Shin Jiwoo in a corner, talking to the twins of a branch family, and approached him. Unlike before, he wasn't cowering and showed a certain venom, which made Chi-hyun wonder if he was actually useful, but—
"So what are you going to do? Hit me? A hunter hitting a civilian? Go ahead, hit me! Na-na-na-na-boo-boo!"
"You little..."
It wasn't that he was harboring venom; he had lost his mind and was provoking him. It was an unexpected, erratic act from the only non-awakened in the family. Not just Shin Chi-hyun, but everyone else stared in stunned silence.
"Have you lost your mind, Shin Jiwoo?"
"Lost my mind? Yeah, I'm crazy! I'm crazy!"
Jiwoo grabbed Shin Chi-hyun by the collar and shook him. Chi-hyun watched, brow furrowed, as Jiwoo stuck his tongue out. '...Did he go crazy from studying too much? The reports did mention he occasionally pulled stunts at the Seocho Branch, but...'
Chi-hyun's brain raced to analyze Jiwoo's unexpected behavior. 'Or perhaps he's become arrogant after tasting a bit of success? Well, I suppose he's had enough resentment built up after being ignored for so long.'
How could a person change this much? No matter how he thought about it, only a few conclusions emerged. Shin Chi-hyun wasn't the type to empathize well. Honestly, Jiwoo's current behavior was beyond the scope of logic. 'Even so, to do this here, and to a superior at work? I suppose I had too high expectations.'
People called Shin Chi-hyun a cold-blooded man, but the reality was a bit different. He simply filtered people through strict logic for the sake of the Association and the family. The fact that he fired people often was just because he fired the unnecessary ones. For similar reasons, he didn't lose his temper and resort to violence in situations like this. If he did, he would be disciplined and expelled from the Association. Instead, he needed to consider firing employees who caused such disturbances. Of course, it was too early to decide on firing him, as Jiwoo's achievements were too significant.
"What's so great about you, brother? Deputy Director of Personnel? Didn't you join the Association because you were weak? Are you an A-class hunter? My mother and my younger sister are S-class hunters!"
Snap—
However, Jiwoo had finally touched Shin Chi-hyun's sore spot. As he said, Chi-hyun was on the weaker side of the family; with his power, A-class was his limit.
"...Watch your mouth, Shin Jiwoo."
"What, did I say something wrong? Honestly, if I were an awakened, I would have definitely beaten you, if no one else! You're terrible at fighting. You're so weak."
"That's enough, Shin Jiwoo...!"
"Honestly, didn't you become Deputy Director because of the family name? I don't think you have any particular ability. Honestly, I think I'd do a better job than you!"
"Shin Jiwoo...!"
—The Patriarch is entering!
Just as Shin Chi-hyun's mana began to stir, unable to contain his rage, the appearance of the Patriarch plunged the banquet hall into instant silence.
Thump—
As if rehearsed, everyone simultaneously knelt on one knee and bowed their heads. Jiwoo and Shin Chi-hyun also stopped fighting, their bodies moving automatically first.
Click— Click—
Everyone held their breath. The banquet hall echoed with the footsteps of only one person. It was just the small sound of dress shoes hitting the marble floor. Yet, the presence of that sound was greater than anyone else in the room.
'...Is the Patriarch coming this way, by any chance?'
Normally, the Patriarch would speak, and the banquet would resume. But the Patriarch did not give an opening speech from the podium and instead walked slowly toward the center of the banquet hall. In that uncomfortable silence, everyone swallowed their tension.
'It's not my imagination. He's coming here.'
As the footsteps grew closer, Shin Chi-hyun was certain. The Patriarch was approaching the side where he was standing. It was a rare opportunity to receive the Patriarch's attention. But perhaps because there was no way to predict what would happen, he felt fear instead.
Step—
Finally, when the Patriarch stood before Shin Chi-hyun and Jiwoo, his voice echoed through the banquet hall.
He had only spoken a single sentence, yet the pressure was immense. Just receiving that voice at point-blank range made Shin Chi-hyun break into a cold sweat, his legs trembling. For a mere A-class hunter, it wasn't easy to withstand the Patriarch's aura. Even the other S-class hunters had stiffened expressions. But.
'...A non-awakened is withstanding the Patriarch's aura?'
Unexpectedly, Jiwoo did not collapse even after hearing the Patriarch's voice directly. An ordinary person might have vomited or fainted. But Jiwoo was just sweating a little, maintaining his posture firmly.
"If you have inherited the blood of this family, you must not speak words you cannot take responsibility for. Answer me."
The Patriarch demanded an answer from Jiwoo. And Jiwoo slowly opened his mouth. Jiwoo spoke, struggling to resist before the Patriarch's aura. And at the words Jiwoo spat out, everyone in the banquet hall was shocked.
"I am sincere. Excluding the fact that I am not awakened, I am superior to Shin Chi-hyun."
—!
The family members flinched. But they quickly straightened their posture. The Patriarch always demanded tests from the family members. And those who could not keep their word were completely cast out of the Patriarch's favor. Taking responsibility. That was the dignity the Patriarch believed in. It was no different why he was called the Dignified Patriarch. And having spoken those words, Jiwoo had to prove them.
'Is he dying to get himself killed...!'
'That guy is crazy.'
'What guts does a non-awakened have...'
They were family members who had always looked down on Jiwoo for being non-awakened. But for once, they felt pity for Jiwoo's future. If he made a mistake here, he could be permanently exiled from the family—no, from this land ruled by the family. Knowing how hard Jiwoo had tried to be recognized by the family in the past, they could clearly see Jiwoo's future.
However, in the midst of all this, only one person was thinking differently. The one person closest to Jiwoo. The one who had been talking to Jiwoo until just a moment ago. Shin Chi-hyun, who could see Jiwoo's expression by glancing sideways.
Shin Chi-hyun couldn't help but be surprised as he looked at Jiwoo's side profile.
Smirk—
'That guy... he's smiling?'
The corners of Jiwoo's mouth were turned upward.