Chapter 31: Awakened Ones Association

“So, it’s about me, then.”

The white-haired woman,
Her gaze sharp and piercing, looked at Jang Baek-do with an intensity that could cut through steel. She was the owner of this apartment.

According to the information he’d gathered, she was a South Korean citizen who used the ID ‘Ashilis’ in the virtual reality capsule game, [Eftarel Verden].

At So Yu-jin’s words, Jang Baek-do gulped and nodded.

“…That is correct.”

“You seem awfully humble. Doesn’t it make you uncomfortable?”

Her words were casually delivered,
But Jang Baek-do remained tense. He maintained his respectful demeanor.

“I-I’m fine.”

“Hmm.”

Jang Baek-do flinched.
It might seem like an overreaction to a simple hum, but

‘The woman before me is a bomb.’

That thought was firmly planted in Jang Baek-do’s mind.

A South Korean citizen, seemingly ordinary, yet a mysterious being who emerged from an S-rank gate.

After various investigations, he’d discovered her name was ‘So Yu-jin,’
That she lived in this apartment, and that she had a female roommate.

The information was utterly mundane. So ordinary that it felt artificial.

But Jang Baek-do kept his doubts to himself.

‘Focus, Jang Baek-do.’

Right before him,
Was a bomb that could detonate at any moment, a bomb whose destructive potential was unknown.

Awakened, villain,
Whatever monstrous beings roamed the world, acting arrogantly before this unknown entity was foolish.

‘Don’t provoke her.’

He would even discard his pride if necessary. Jang Baek-do’s professionalism was the reason he held an executive position in the Association.

Although, right now, he felt more like he was kneeling than sitting.

‘…Unlike that ‘angel,’ she isn’t hostile. She seems reasonable. Just who is she?’

Jang Baek-do’s mind raced.
But uncovering her identity wasn’t his task. He focused on the mission at hand.

‘Visiting so late was a mistake born of desperation, but it couldn’t be helped.’

She was someone who needed to be secured immediately. Leaving her alone was too risky, so he had to take this chance, even at the risk of being rude.

It was a gamble.
And there was another reason.

‘…If it weren’t for the report about ‘those bastards’ being involved, I wouldn’t have done this. Damn it, this is the right choice.’

Jang Baek-do’s gaze shifted to the being the Association had designated as an ‘angel,’ Sephie. Despite his efforts to be respectful, her aggressive stance was unsettling.

‘We must secure her.’

Information about Yu-jin was spreading in unexpected ways.

And because of that,

If, before the Association,
A group that exploited Awakened abilities for their own selfish gain contacted Yu-jin, the consequences would be unimaginable.

They would undoubtedly try to exploit both beings for their own nefarious purposes.

Relieved that hadn’t happened yet, Jang Baek-do exhaled softly and slowly stood up.

Yu-jin and Sephie’s gazes followed his movement. He took a deep breath, then, meeting the expectant gazes of his subordinates, bowed deeply.

“We request that you accompany us.”

“…Hmm.”

“According to Baek Ji-a and Shin Hak-cheol, you don’t wish to cause any trouble. We’re not here to threaten or coerce you. We simply wish to offer our assistance.”

Jang Baek-do extended his hand.

“Please.”

Yu-jin stared at him silently, her eyes cold and calm. Jang Baek-do felt a tingling sensation on the top of his head under her intense gaze. Then, she spoke,

“…Sephie.”

“Yes. Just give the order, and I’ll take care of them.”

Jang Baek-do held his breath at the two women’s words. He maintained his composure, trying not to appear flustered. He heard his subordinates gasp behind him.

‘…Damn it. What went wrong?’

Frustrated by the unexpected turn of events, he wondered if he’d misjudged these beings beyond comprehension. He slowly closed his eyes, and then,

“Sephie…”

“Yes. Speak.”

“You’re too aggressive. It’s a problem.”

“…What? Ugh!”

Jang Baek-do opened his eyes slightly.

The being known as ‘So Yu-jin’ was pressing down on the head of the ‘angel,’ Sephie.

Sephie’s expression seemed to melt, and Yu-jin sighed softly, turning her head.

Then, she spoke to Jang Baek-do,

“Are we leaving now?”

“…Uh, yes? Ah! If you both agree, we’ll depart immediately.”

“Alright. Let’s go.”

The tension eased.
Trying to keep his legs from giving way, Jang Baek-do cautiously gave orders to his subordinates.

Yu-jin stood up, watching the Association employees approach, and silently suppressed a sigh.

She had many questions.
She was especially curious about the picture Jang Baek-do had shown her, but seeing him busy giving orders, she decided to ask later.

And so, with Sephie growling at the Association employees, Yu-jin headed for the Association headquarters.

“Here we are.”

We arrived at the Association.
Nothing special about it.

Everyone bowing as we entered wasn’t a novel experience.

‘I’ve seen enough of that.’

Following Jang Baek-do’s lead, we took the elevator to a room on one of the upper floors.

We were asked to wait, offered cold coffee, and then left alone as Jang Baek-do and his subordinates departed.

‘I didn’t expect them to actually come.’

It was odd that they chose an ordinary car, clearly intending to avoid attention.

‘But coming to my apartment en masse must have been a precaution.’

In case I reacted negatively to their visit and ordered Sephie to attack, for example.

I took a sip of coffee.
It was cold, and the bitter aroma of the beans filled my mouth.

‘I was planning to keep a low profile.’

Someone could perceive our existence, Sephie’s and mine, as a threat.

I didn’t want to get involved in anything troublesome. That’s why I decided not to cause a commotion.

Would this render the promise I made with Baek Ji-a, Shin Hak-cheol, and Yoo Ha-neul meaningless?

‘I didn’t do anything wrong. What was that picture about?’

I took the straw out of my mouth, holding the untouched part with my fingers and swirling it around in the plastic cup. The ice clinked together, but didn’t melt.

And then again,

Slurp—.
I put the straw back in my mouth and took another sip of the cold coffee.

Still bitter.
I frowned slightly.

It was rude to complain about hospitality, but since I was the one invited, this much should be acceptable.

‘I prefer sweet things.’

I’d had enough of bitter tastes,
From the blood I’d drunk on the battlefield. I took another small sip and swirled the ice with the straw again.

“Is this the right thing to do?”

Sephie, seemingly more relaxed because of my calm demeanor, or perhaps because of her trust in me, asked, seeking reassurance.

I shrugged.
Sephie pouted, making her displeasure known.

Her reaction was amusing, and I wanted to leave her hanging, but knowing she was worried about me, I quickly replied,

“Jang Baek-do… his words were true.”

Of this, I was certain.
A Transcendent’s senses were similar to a human’s, but fundamentally different.

While humans listened to words and tried to discern their meaning, a Transcendent’s senses perceived the essence itself.

Jang Baek-do’s words were undoubtedly true.
His offer of assistance wasn’t a lie. Though, considering the various causes and effects, it wasn’t the complete truth either.

If he’d resorted to threats or coercion, he wouldn’t be here. I might be able to dismiss it as a joke, but Sephie wouldn’t.

Sephie was excessively concerned about my well-being.

As if to prove it,

“…I don’t doubt your judgment, Yujin-nim, but still.”

She voiced her concern again.
I took another sip of coffee, a wry smile touching my lips, and waved my hand dismissively. Sephie rolled her eyes and pushed her coffee away.

“Phew.”

She took several deep breaths as if trying to calm herself. I appreciated her trying to follow my lead, understanding her anxiety.

I made a mental note to be more considerate of her feelings when we returned.
Even though I was the one being cared for.

Sephie sighed softly and nodded. Relieved, I turned my thoughts to the picture Jang Baek-do had shown me.

‘What was that about?’

‘…Well, I can just ask him.’

Just as I thought this, Sephie suddenly looked at me, as if something had occurred to her.

I tilted my head questioningly.
She looked back and forth between my coffee and hers, then suddenly downed her drink.

Then, she said,

“May I have your coffee, Yujin-nim? You don’t seem to be drinking it.”

“Hmm? Ah, sure.”

I didn’t want any more, and

‘Does she like coffee?’

I thought it might be nice to take her to a good café sometime.

I nodded and pushed my cup towards her. Sephie, looking like she’d committed a crime, glanced at me nervously, then

Carefully tucked her hair behind her ear, leaned forward, and started drinking my coffee.

I didn’t understand why she was being so cautious with the straw.

As I watched her drink, a knock echoed from outside.

I turned my head as the double doors slowly creaked open.

‘Four familiar presences. The rest are unfamiliar.’

Sephie, having finished the coffee, chewed on the straw thoughtfully as the doors opened fully.

“Apologies for the wait.”

Jang Baek-do entered first, apologizing immediately. I nodded curtly.

He glanced at me, then at Sephie, and then ordered one of his subordinates to bring two more coffees.

The employee nodded and left without a word.

‘I’m fine, but Sephie could use another cup.’

Just as I thought this, more people entered the room.

Four familiar faces.

Baek Ji-a and Shin Hak-cheol.
And Jang Baek-do.

And lastly, Yoo Ha-neul, fidgeting nervously as if she’d done something wrong.

Jang Baek-do, holding a black file under his arm, pulled out a chair at the left table and sat down. The other three sat opposite him.

Sephie and I occupied the seats of honor.
Following the four, unfamiliar people with stern expressions entered and took their seats.

Finally, with all but one chair occupied,

“The Association President has arrived.”

A voice called from outside.
It was a woman’s voice, but she remained unseen. She sounded like a secretary.

Everyone except Sephie and me stood up.

I blinked, and Sephie continued chewing on the straw nonchalantly.

No one said anything to us. They even flinched and averted their gazes when I looked at them.

Then,

“…I apologize for calling you at this hour.”

An elderly man with a striking mustache, leaning on a cane and supported by a woman wearing glasses, entered the room.

He sat opposite me and smiled warmly.

The introductions continued.

“My name is Kang Ma-jin. I am the President of the South Korean Awakened Association.”

Hearing this,
I nudged Sephie’s shoulder and told her to spit out the straw.

She complied without protest, carefully placing the straw in the cup.

Then, I spoke,

“I am Ashi… No, Yu-jin.”

“And I am Sephie, in service to Yujin-nim.”

Startled by our introductions, those who had been standing looked at us.

A brief
Staring contest ensued between me and Association President Kang Ma-jin.

‘Why is he looking at me like that?’

Facing the wrinkled old man, I felt a strange sensation. The secretary removed her hand from Kang Ma-jin’s arm and closed the door.

With a thud, Kang Ma-jin raised his hand slowly, and then he spoke again.


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