The Weight of Recognition
"Master, the Association has contacted us!"
"Contact? ... I haven't received anything."
"I received it! It came through my messenger!"
You have a messenger, Mongmo?
What on earth have you been up to?
I spun my chair away from monitoring public opinion on Hyeolma Guard and looked toward Mongmo's desk.
"What kind of contact?"
Mongmo spread both arms wide, unfurling his wings, and flew straight at me.
He landed on my chest and looked up.
"They say to go independent!"
"...What do you mean, just like that?"
"Hyeolma Guard has grown far larger than expected! So they want us to stop pretending we're a ghost company and actually register one!"
"...But they said they'd invest."
"They've already given Ether, and they're offering plenty more support!"
"More? Like what?"
"Item sales channels, tax benefits, that sort of thing?"
"Oh. Well then, what do we need to do first?"
Tax benefits? I couldn't let that slide.
It seemed the Association's own work was grinding to a halt because of Hyeolma Guard. Understandable, really. They had their own duties to attend to.
"First we have to establish the company! But there's a problem!"
Buying a building and hiring staff wouldn't be difficult. We had the money, and everything else could be left to Mongmo.
After spending every waking hour on the internet learning about the world, Mongmo now understood how things worked better than I did.
"I can't be the president!"
"...Why not?"
"I have no legal identity! Well, I have one, but it's the fake one the Association made, so it won't pass muster!"
"If your identity gets exposed, it'll be dangerous, right?"
"Precisely!"
"Hmm."
So in the end, I needed someone else to stand in for me.
I had zero intention of running the company myself. Why would I? Besides, the sunlight penalty made daytime activity miserable.
"Company operations... business... president... people... Hmm."
One person did come to mind. But would he actually agree?
I picked up the phone. It had been a while since I'd called anyone directly. I usually just asked Mom how everyone was doing, but if I tried to pass business matters through her, she'd lose her mind.
Truuu ruuu ruuu.
After several rings, a deep voice answered.
- Hello.
The person on the other end was...
"Dad, have you been well?"
My father, Park Bok-hae. Grandfather had named him hoping his fortune would overflow like the sea, using the characters for "blessing" and "sea." Yet thanks to the family name, our father had only ever drawn the short straw in life.
- Hey! What's the occasion, my boy?
"Just calling to check in."
- Hahaha... Did you want to send more allowance?
"Aish, Dad! I already sent extra last month!"
- Ehehe, true. I may not have much else, but at least I have a good son!
Father had always dreamed of running his own business. In his youth, every bit of money he scraped together went straight into ventures that inevitably failed. Unable to recover his investments, he had paid off the debts through manual labor and now lived at home like a retiree.
- Well, forget the money. Just come visit your mother once in a while and show your face.
"I will. How's your back? You said you twisted it last time."
- All better! I just wanted to rest a little longer, so I haven't told your mother yet.
"Geez, Dad..."
- Kehehe! Let me enjoy myself a bit more! My grown son sends me allowance, so I should be allowed to relax, right?
"Anyway, I'll come down soon. I have something to talk about."
- Talk? Well, sure! Just let us know before you arrive!
Click.
"...Will this be okay?"
I hoped Father wouldn't mess this up again.
***
Hyeolma Guard operated on a fixed schedule: from two days after each reset until four days before the next.
The four-day buffer existed because the goblins needed time to escape. Once they got lost on the second floor, it took at least three or four days to find their way out. Even if I worked them hard, I wasn't about to sacrifice them pointlessly to the reset.
The two-day delay after reset was to avoid the rankers. The moment a floor reset, those speedrunners tore through the labyrinth at top speed, paying no attention to the difference between our goblins and ordinary monsters. If caught in their wake while they hunted for Ether, the goblins would be reduced to nothing but ash.
Even when the second floor had four days left, the first floor remained open, so everyone focused their efforts there. Once the first floor's reset timer began...
[06:00:00]
"Kerrrrk! Gather everyone! Return to the outpost, kerrk!!"
The familiars' holiday had begun.
"You worked hard farming. Now roast it, kerrk! Eat, kerrk!! Krahaha!"
Eat up!
The goblins tore into the roasted meat with wild abandon. Throughout the outpost, massive campfires roasted pork as though it were a festival.
A full 7,000 portions. 2,400 pounds. This was the goblins' rest period after two weeks of labor. Starting with this reset, I had decided to reward them with meat dishes.
The pork alone cost nearly a hundred million won, but...
"Good work, Gob. Once everyone's back, eat and rest for the day. Keep the workshop running on rotation."
These guys were bringing in ten billion won a month from Hyeolma Guard alone. A little morale boost like this was well within budget.
"If you're thirsty, go outside and drink on your own."
"Understood, kerrk! Won't Master eat with us?!"
"Nah, I've got other things to do. You guys have fun."
"Krhahaha! Don't worry, kerrk!!"
I left everything to Gob and exited the labyrinth.
After changing clothes and putting on a coat and hat, Mongmo came running and slipped into my pocket.
"I already told you. You're my pet flying squirrel, got it?"
"Got it!"
"Hey now."
"Cheep!"
"Good."
I gave Mongmo a few pistachios in my pocket, then stepped outside.
The sunlight hit me the moment I left the house, but I kept my expression neutral. No matter how many times I felt it, the sun still annoyed me.
Haah... Still, I used to like the sunlight that came through the window in my room.
Creak. Click.
"...?"
When I opened the front gate after crossing the yard, a man in a black suit bowed politely.
"...Who are you?"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Park Hyun-gi."
"...!"
"I'm from the Association. I heard you're heading to your family home. Please allow me to drive you there."
"How did you know?"
"The Association President sent me. You are currently under national special protection, Mr. Park Hyun-gi."
"...Ah, I was just going to take the bus."
"I'm afraid that won't do. For our sake as well, please allow us to accompany you. We will ensure you arrive safely."
"..."
I slipped my hand into my pocket and ruffled Mongmo's head.
"Cheep!"
You told them, didn't you?
But there was no helping it. My identity was already exposed, and I had signed a contract accepting their protection in exchange for the Ether loan.
I glanced unconsciously at the rooftop across the street and spotted men in suits. The next building over, and the one after that, were the same.
Tududududu.
"That helicopter and those drones up there... they're not for me, are they?"
"..."
"Ah, I see. My family home address is..."
"We already know. Please get in."
I swallowed and climbed into the limousine.
The car... was the door always this thick?
The driver waited until I was seated before gently closing the door.
The seat cushion softly embraced my back.
Wow, so this is what an expensive car feels like. The ride quality is incredible.
Before I knew it, the limousine was already moving. I hadn't even noticed when it started.
The driver must be someone extraordinary.
Feeling awkward, I reached into my pocket and poked at Mongmo with my finger. He boxed my finger for a while until the driver handed something back to me.
"...A tablet?"
Were they offering me a movie to watch?
"If it's all right, would you like to take a brief call?"
"A call?"
"Yes. The Association President is waiting. He would like to at least exchange greetings, if you're willing."
"Ah..."
"Of course, it's not mandatory. But I hope you'll understand how much he wishes to speak with you."
"Meeting in person is still a bit much, but... all right. A call is fine."
When I opened the tablet, a large phone-shaped icon was already centered on the screen, as if pre-set.
I was supposed to tap it.
Tap.
The moment I pressed the icon, the screen lit up and a man appeared.
Whoa, this is a video call?
- Good afternoon, Mr. Park Hyun-gi. This is Association President Kim Min-woo.
"Ah, yes, hello."
- It's an honor to finally speak with you directly. I only heard about you through my subordinates, but you're far more handsome than I was told.
Mongmo said that?
Probably not.
"Ah... yes."
Even knowing it was flattery, I felt embarrassed and didn't know what to say.
I glanced away, and the President cleared his throat.
- The reason I called is to greet you properly. I also wanted to let you know that the Association will always stand by your side.
"Yes, it certainly seems that way. Thank you."
- If you encounter any inconvenience while exploring the labyrinth or need anything, please don't hesitate to tell us. We'll help in any way we can.
"...I don't need anything except Ether."
- K-khm. Unfortunately, the previous loan was already the maximum we could provide at the time.
"I figured. Still, thanks to that, I've grown a lot. I'll pay it back soon."
- Haha! Take your time! By the way, I have so many questions. About your business, your abilities...
"...Is it okay to talk about that here?"
I glanced forward, then quickly looked back at the tablet.
- Haha, you can trust our special protection system! But if you're still concerned, perhaps you could visit the Association sometime...
"Going there myself is a bit much. Would you come visit me instead?"
- R-really?!
"Yes. Once I'm mentally prepared, I'll contact you."
- Then I shall await your invitation, Mr. Park Hyun-gi!
"Yes, yes—please go ahead."
Click.
I ended the call.
Whew, I thought I was going to suffocate.
Just when I thought I could finally ride home in peace...
Swish.
"...?"
The driver handed me another tablet.
"...I just finished a call, though?"
"..."
This time the driver didn't answer.
What now?
I opened the new tablet. Another phone icon sat in the center.
Tap.
When I touched it, a woman appeared on screen. Blonde hair, blue eyes—an obvious foreigner.
She looked at me and spoke in fluent Korean.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Park Hyun-gi. I am Elena Vance, from the U.S. Federal Awakener Management Agency, F.A.M.A. Please call me Elena.
"...The U.S.?"
- Yes, that's correct.
Oh come on, Min-woo hyung! You said I could trust the national special protection system. This thing is full of holes!
"Driver... was that a spy?"
"..."
- Haha, please don't blame him. He meant no harm. We simply wished to greet you, so I hope you'll forgive our slight overreach.
"Ah, yes. So, what brings you to call?"
- I merely wanted to say hello. And to ask if you're satisfied with your current living situation.
"Living situation?"
I thought for a moment.
These days, I made money just by sleeping and snoring. Every month I earned enough for three generations after me to live comfortably.
"Yes, I don't really have any complaints."
- I see. That's wonderful. If you ever experience any inconvenience, please feel free to contact me anytime.
When Elena finished speaking, the driver slid a business card toward me. It had her name, affiliation, and phone number.
- The United States is always open to you, Mr. Park Hyun-gi. We promise your treatment will be no less than that of our current top ranker, Alex.
"...Alex?"
Alex Scar. There wasn't a single person who didn't know that name.
World rank 3, America's only SS-rank Awakener. The one who had consumed ten thousand Ether.
"No, I don't think I deserve that kind of treatment..."
- You undervalue yourself, Mr. Park Hyun-gi. The amount of Ether you can secure is certainly important. But the safety of Awakeners is equally vital. Your ability has solved a long-standing problem for us in one stroke.
"...Hyeolma Guard?"
- Correct. How many Awakeners do you think die in the labyrinth every year? Humanity's population has always been on an upward trend, but it stagnated after the labyrinth appeared. Everyone who entered never came back out. That never happened even during the height of wars.
"...But Hyeolma Guard only has five thousand members so far."
- Already five thousand. And it's been less than two months since you awakened. How much more will you grow from here? If you work with us, we'll mobilize everything we have to support you. We'll even provide Ether free of charge.
E-Ether?
Elena stared at me through the screen with a serious expression, as if she meant every word.
After falling behind China and India in the labyrinth race, America had gone all-in on scouting Awakeners. This was more aggressive than I'd expected.
But...
"American food probably doesn't have much garlic, right?"
- ...Pardon? Garlic? Garlic?
"Never mind. I'm satisfied with my current life, and my English isn't great either."
- You'll have a 24/7 interpreter. That won't be a problem at all...
"I just like my neighborhood and Korean food. I can't eat it anymore, which is a shame, but I have no plans to emigrate."
At my answer, Elena smiled bitterly and nodded.
- I understand. But please know that our desire to maintain friendly relations with you is genuine, even if it doesn't involve immigration.
"Yes, it would be nice to stay on good terms."
- It seems we're almost at your destination. Please enjoy your time with your family. And this is a small token of our sincerity.
Sincerity?
At that moment, a drawer near my seat clicked open.
Inside was a small glass bottle. Within it, tiny white orbs glowed faintly.
This was—?!
"E-Ether?!"
- Ten in total. I hope this conveys at least a portion of our sincerity. Please contact us anytime you need anything.
Beep.
Wait, seriously?
They were just giving away ten Ether like that? For real?
That was a hundred billion won. At the very least!
After casually handing over ten Ether, Elena ended the call without hesitation.
While I sat there dumbfounded, the driver spoke.
"You should absorb them quickly. We're almost at your house. Would you like me to drop you off nearby?"
"Ah, no. My parents would be shocked. Please stop a little ways away."
"Understood."
Still dazed, I opened the bottle and absorbed the Ether.
Ten Ether points appeared in my status window.
Wow, this is actually real?
While I was still processing it, the car came to a stop.
"Mr. Park Hyun-gi, both Korea and the United States will devote their full resources to your protection. That part, at least, is completely sincere, so please rest assured."
"Th-thank you."
"Then I wish you a pleasant time."
The door opened automatically, and I stepped out.
Wow, what just happened? Am I dreaming right now?
Once I got out, the limousine quietly drove away.
I walked slowly toward the house.
My home on the outskirts of Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, where my parents were waiting.
"Mongmo..."
"What is it, Master?"
"Am I really that valuable?"
"Of course! You are the True Ancestor! The pinnacle of all vampires!"
"Well, yeah, but... No, I don't know. Mongmo, back to flying squirrel mode."
"Cheep!"
My life had changed overnight, leaving me stunned, but for now, I just needed to greet my parents.
Knock knock.
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!"
Your son, worth two hundred billion won, has arrived.