Prepare for the Future
King-Ka, King's official fan club, had been experiencing a slight slump lately. The reason was simple: King had stopped all official activities. Without a star to follow, the fan club had nowhere to go, and naturally, their events grew fewer and farther between.
After King let his contract with Napa expire and vanished from the scene, the world had ushered in spring. Gentle warm breezes replaced the biting cold winds.
It was one such die-hard fan who breathed new life into the stagnant King-Ka, appearing like a comet streaking across the sky. She was a fan in the truest sense—fervent beyond measure. Fan clubs need substantial funds to keep running; even otaku pursuits demand money. And she had conjured that money out of thin air, bankrolling it all herself.
The emergence of the veiled superfan A! With her abundant resources, she began demonstrating the essence of fandom.
* * *
Stepping out of an alley on Yeongdeungpo 21st Street, Kang-ho glanced down at the outfit Smith had given him. It looked like it was woven from thin, dense chains—an undergarment that felt weightless and perfectly fitted, as if he weren't wearing it at all.
Suddenly.
"Hm?"
Kang-ho's eyes caught a massive banner draped across a towering building ahead. Prime real estate in central Seoul commanded sky-high ad rates.
We are waiting for you, King.
[King-Ka]
"......"
And it wasn't just one.
#King_Is_Coming_Back_Soon
[King-Ka]
They were popping up everywhere.
Kang-ho had resolved not to be fazed by much anymore. King lived in a stratosphere he couldn't quite grasp—a weirdo in his own league—so whatever happened around that guy was par for the course.
He stared at the banners for a moment before looking down at Seol-a. She was happily sucking on a candy she'd bought from a street vendor.
Her teeth won't rot, will they?Kang-ho fretted anxiously, but seeing her blissful face as she slurped away, he couldn't bring himself to take it from her.
It was around here somewhere.
Kang-ho scanned the surroundings, then fixed his gaze on a large building ahead.
[Awakener Association]
It had been ages since he'd visited the Awakener Association. He entered the sparsely decorated first-floor lobby and held his SS-rank Awakener license up to the magic stone scanner.
Beep—
The guard at the entrance bowed politely to Kang-ho. He flashed a small smile, nodded, and headed up to the third-floor auditorium.
The Awakener Association handled everything from resolving disputes between Awakeners or guilds, guaranteeing ranking battles, managing debuts and rank promotions—basically all Awakener-related affairs.
"Oppa, you're here?"
Up on the third floor, Lee Min-ah waved, her fatigue-lined face peeking over a canned coffee.
"Just got here."
"Seol-a's gotten even cuter since last time?"
Lee Min-ah beamed, stroking Seol-a's head as the girl clutched Kang-ho's hand.
"Want some candy from Grandma?"
"!"
An exclamation mark practically popped up over Seol-a's head. She glanced slyly at Kang-ho, then nodded.
"Jo."
Lee Min-ah covered her mouth, giggling. Kang-ho sighed.
"Don't give her any. She already had one on the way."
Seol-a tugged at his pant leg, looking utterly innocent.
"Ahahaha."
Kang-ho asked her, "What's going on?"
"Yeah, well..." She smiled awkwardly. "It's about the recent surge in demon realm gates. Since you've fought in them firsthand, I figured you might have some advice."
Kang-ho stared at her. The deep exhaustion in her eyes was plain as day. She'd been through hell since the war days—sharing a single bean, catching catnaps amid the chaos.
Before he knew it—
Kang-ho gave a wry smile and patted her head. "Our Min-ah's all grown up now."
"Oh my, what'd you say?"
Lee Min-ah narrowed her eyes playfully and poked his side. "Got it."
Suddenly, a chill seeped up from below. Two groups of Awakeners were ascending the stairs: Baekya led by Lee Hyuk, and Napa led by Big Boss.
Given the BIG3 dynamics, they weren't exactly on friendly terms. Kang-ho watched them impassively.
"Oh."
Lee Hyuk spotted him and smiled, the tension evaporating as he hurried over. "Senior, everything alright?"
"Yeah. Heard King got his ass handed to him by you and buckled down hard."
Kang-ho chuckled and clapped Lee Hyuk's shoulder. The young man bowed proudly.
Then Kang-ho felt Big Boss's gaze. The man approached slowly and bowed deeply, with utmost respect. Ghost did the same beside him.
"......!"
Lee Hyuk's eyes widened. He'd never seen Big Boss—slum-raised ruler of Mu continent—show such deference to anyone.
The auditorium was filled with plush tables and chairs. BIG3 guild masters and executives mingled with reps from the Four Great Sects and smaller guilds. The buzz quickly filled the vast space.
Kang-ho, never one for crowds, settled in a quiet corner with Seol-a on his lap. She found gatherings like this fascinating, craning her neck to look around.
Suddenly, she pointed at someone. "Gran."
Seol-a looked up at Kang-ho and continued deliberately. "Uncle."
It was Im Cheol-bae. Seated at Mercenary's spot, he scanned the room, spotted Kang-ho, and grinned wide.
He shot his hand up and bellowed, "Kang-ho!"
Thud—the room fell deathly silent. All eyes followed his gesture to Kang-ho and Seol-a.
-Choi... Choi Kang-ho.
-It's really him.
-First time seeing him in person.
-Is he really from the war generation? He looks so young.
He'd tried to hide in the corner, but Cheol-bae had sniffed him out with that smug grin: Where you gonna hide?
"Always so cheeky."
Kang-ho sighed shortly and waved back.
Then an old man patted his shoulder. "Long time no see, Kang-ho. Your big bro's been feeling neglected."
Sword God Park Jun-woo.
"Where's Ho-young?"
"Bow guy's in secluded training."
"Man's got fire."
"Swore this year he'd finally beat me."
"Yeah, right."
As they bantered, a young man beside Jun-woo bowed. "Hello, Senior. Han Yu-wol."
"Ah, right. Your disciple debuting this time?"
"Yeah. Climbed to 5th in S-rank."
"Impressive."
Han Yu-wol bowed again. "An honor, Senior."
"Guild?"
"Independent for now. Gotta find him a good fit."
On the auditorium's widescreen, a summary of the current situation flashed.
Lee Min-ah took the podium, briefing on the demon realm and demonic energy issues—global hot topics, especially after the catastrophe 50 years ago traced back to the demons.
She finished her concise report into the mic.
She looked at Kang-ho.
Silence fell again. All eyes on Kang-ho.
He handed Seol-a to Jun-woo, who settled her quietly on his lap. Kang-ho ascended the podium slowly. Lee Min-ah smiled gratefully.
Thanks.She mouthed it; he shrugged and took the mic.
Just then, Big Boss rose from Napa's seats. He walked to the podium and asked Kang-ho, "If I may speak first?"
Kang-ho offered the mic. Big Boss began.
"Yes."
Ghost played the prepared file.
-Kwaaaa!
It was footage from the great magic raid, preserved for records—capturing modified humans, mid-boss Epsilon, and...
-What the hell is that?
-Big Boss and Ghost... couldn't do a thing?
-My God...
Dr. Jackal's entrance, instantly overwhelming Big Boss (SS-rank 2) and Ghost (SS-rank 8).
No Muramasa footage, to avoid international incidents.
But still—Jackal, a slum-overrunning monster from Mu continent, demon realm rank 24 lord, supercharged by forbidden power. Everyone's faces hardened at the sight of two titans shredded like paper.
The video paused mid-rout. Big Boss addressed them gravely.
He continued.
Silence gripped the room.
Shocking words. The overwhelming power gap left them stunned.
Big Boss glanced at Kang-ho, who nodded. The video resumed.
Kang-ho appeared.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
He carved through Jackal effortlessly.
-Whoa...
-My God.
-What the hell just happened?
The crowd stirred anew. Big Boss handed back the mic.
Kang-ho took it.
He spoke.
From Theo's intel. Kang-ho eyed the crowd.
Everyone swallowed hard. Cheol-bae crossed his arms, eyes wide.
Kang-ho addressed them steadily.
His low voice carried an eerie magnetism.
All eyes locked on him in rapt silence.
Short words, massive impact. Kang-ho set down the mic and descended amid the murmurs. He glanced at Lee Min-ah—she grinned and thumbs-upped him.