Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Ripples
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A hush fell over the reporters in an instant.
"Pardon?"
"I must have misheard."
"Haha... surely... you're not joking, right?"
"You mean... like the magic from fantasy movies?"
"I get why you wouldn't believe it. I didn't at first either. But let me show you the proof."
A white glow floated above Hanna's hand.
"This is a basic light spell called Light."
-Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Of course, this alone won't convince you."
The white light shifted to red, morphing into a small flame.
"Whoa!"
Then the flame turned white, generating a small chunk of ice that exuded chilling mist before scattering into tiny sparks on her hand.
Hanna clenched her fist to snuff out the sparks.
A cool breeze swept through the press room.
-Whoosh!
The reporters watched the mystical display, utterly entranced, as if at a performance.
"Convinced yet?"
"S-Surely... you manifested all four elements?"
"Exactly. Magic requires aptitude to wield real power, but even minor spells like these can be handled across all elements without much issue."
They'd seen her command all four elements right before their eyes.
At this point, the reporters had no choice but to believe.
"Real magic?!"
"This is insane!!!"
The reporters' excitement exploded.
A barrage of questions followed.
"C-Can ordinary people learn these secrets and become Awakeners?"
"Yes. They can."
"What?!"
"Even civilians can awaken?! Is that for real?"
"It'd be great if just seeing the secrets let everyone use aura and magic, but reality doesn't work that way."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Sadly, even learning the secrets hits a talent barrier. It's not as simple as a Mana Test. But one thing's certain: the pool of Awakeners will expand far beyond what we have now."
"So Park Un-ho is releasing these astonishing secrets?"
"Yes. Surprisingly so."
"H-How will you release them?"
"Well..."
-Gulp.
The reporters swallowed dryly, eyes locked on Hanna.
Not just them—billions watching on TV worldwide held their breath, waiting for her to speak.
"You'd get mad if I said they're dropping in 60 seconds, right?"
"Argh!!!"
One reporter apparently screamed.
"Hehe, just kidding. At midnight tonight, we'll launch a site where you can view the magic and aura secrets. It won't be free, though. Sign up, buy a viewing pass, and you're in."
"Midnight?!"
"H-How much for a pass?!"
"Check the site for exact prices. What I can say is any Awakener can easily afford one. For civilians, it might sting a bit... but if you're determined, it won't be a problem."
Hanna paused to catch her breath before continuing.
"I even think it's too cheap. Park Un-ho made a huge sacrifice for the greater good. Don't forget that."
"No offline sales?"
"No plans for that now. Online only for the time being."
"Online? Won't that be vulnerable to security issues?"
"We'll manage it tightly."
Doubts flickered across the reporters' faces—tightly managed? Really?
"You'll see."
Hanna shared my own concerns.
She didn't know how I'd handle security either.
I'd assured her confidently it was fine, so she just said it like that.
"Even if we lock down online, we can't stop offline copying."
Confusion spread among the reporters at her words.
"Park Un-ho warned: sharing with friends and family? Fine. But sell copies of his secret manuals? Be prepared."
I urge you not to incur his wrath.
The post-conference reaction was, predictably, explosive.
Awakeners lacked proper, reliable training methods.
This was that path, so they went wild. Civilians cheered at the new shot at becoming Awakeners.
Sensing aura. Forming rings.
Judging talent.
I priced that entry segment at $10,000—ten million won.
A measure for the common folk.
Ten million won.
Chump change for Awakeners.
No Awakener lacks that much cash.
It was practically a giveaway to them.
For average citizens, a big splurge—but doable.
People pay that for gourmet secret recipes anyway.
Sure, some can't afford it.
Can't help that.
Catering to everyone has no end.
This was plenty generous.
Family pooling for one copy to share.
Friends chipping in for a copy to transcribe.
Each account allows one login.
Whose account? Critical.
Only trust friends and family for sharing.
Ten million isn't pocket lint—gorge it and ghost?
Post-entry content?
Priced higher, naturally.
Awakeners could handle premium passes.
Viewing advanced stuff meant they'd awakened, so cost burden drops.
【Un-ho's Secret Arts Library】
Site name.
Ten minutes of brainstorming felt wasteful, so I slapped it together.
Vulgar name aside.
At midnight launch, money piled up too fast to count.
The secrets I released on the site sparked a global frenzy.
Riding that wave, three elusive S-Rank Heroes—Merlin, Wang Cheon, and Oracle—rushed to Jeju Island where I was.
Ella was MIA, disappointingly.
Couldn't ignore them, so I set up a reception room.
"Wang Chun's here too."
"It's Wang Cheon!"
"No thoughts on renaming? Suits you better. Wang Chun."
"Cut it out, both of you."
The tanned beauty with white hair—Oracle—stepped in to mediate.
"What in the world were you thinking?"
Merlin asked.
No mana ring visible on him.
Not due to 8-circle mastery.
He seemed weaker than Liriana.
Merlin practiced a different magic system from what I'd spread.
Probably from a world unlike Pantera.
"What thinking? Protecting Earth like you wanted."
"This is protecting Earth?"
"Awakeners powered up by my secrets will clear Dimensional Rifts easier."
"Where'd you even get that knowledge?"
The real question.
That's why they flew in.
I stared into space for dramatic effect.
"Woke up and it hit me."
"What? You just woke up and remembered?! That make any sense?!"
Wang Cheon yelled in disbelief.
Everyone looked baffled, naturally.
"Ahem... listen up. Woke up with a clear head, and boom—methods for magic and aura flooded in. Made me think: maybe in a past life, I wasn't the Heavenly Demon but some epic magic swordsman."
Still dubious looks.
But results spoke, so they'd buy it.
"You lot know past-life stuff too—same deal, right?"
"Doesn't scream reincarnator to me... but at this point, hard to deny."
Oracle said, a bit deflated.
"And I released them for the greater good. Like you said the world was doomed."
"Wasn't that too hasty?"
Merlin ventured cautiously.
"Hasty? How?"
"What if they fall into villains' hands..."
"Can't prevent that. Not like we're skipping the feast over maggots."
"Irresponsible."
Wang Cheon grumbled sourly.
"You're the irresponsible ones."
"What? We've busted our asses clearing dangerous rifts."
"That enough? Earth's doomed, you said? A few criminals matter more?"
"W-Well... there's still time, so maybe think it over more..."
"It's mine. I do what I want. Not your call. Hate it? Don't look."
"Ahem."
"Hm. Hm."
Merlin and Wang Chun averted eyes, coughing awkwardly.
They'd all peeked too.
"Everyone, calm down. Anyone can see Un-ho released true secrets. Huge resolve."
Only the pretty Oracle got me.
Wanted to hug and kiss her, but I'm a gentleman—restrained.
Three mana rings already circled her chest. Fresh off release, she'd been grinding magic. Heartwarming.
Schmucks were busy anyway.
Shocked by the release, visited, realized arguments fell flat—then bounced quick.
"Thanks for sharing the secrets. Hated how those two hoarded theirs. You'll loosen them up. Hehe."
"Oracle! Only you get me. Dinner sometime?"
"Sorry. Dropped everything to rush here... gotta head back. Next time for food."
Disappointing, but couldn't hold a busy girl.
I waved coolly as Oracle left.