I Became an Awakener the Whole World Is Obsessed With (1)

Hwang Hee-chan.

Korea's undisputed strongest Awakener.

The legends he had carved out were too numerous to count.

Clearing Floor 30 of the Pilgrim's Tower was the bare minimum,

and with specs so overwhelmingly superior that he even outclassed those who had conquered the Challenger's Tower, he was a hero who had stopped all kinds of national-disaster-level Gates from breaking.

He was practically revered as a great man in Korea.

He had even appeared in educational comics like 'What?', which said it all.

Yet that same man was saying he would lay down his life.

-Gulp.

'That meant….'

Naturally, his guild came to mind.

Cheonghwa (靑花).

Korea's number-one guild, directly operated by the conglomerate Cheonghwa Group.

Who could be worth the life of that irreplaceable ace?

There could only be one.

He possessed two Legendary-grade traits,

had cleared the third tier of the Pilgrim's Tower,

and was the third-generation chaebol heir who had declared he would conquer the fourth tier, only to be defeated and trapped right before the boss floor.

His name appeared to be Hyeonseo.

'…Hyeonseo's a man, right?'

It was an androgynous name, so I was a little puzzled, but anyway.

After that, I stared blankly at the screen.

The fortieth floor might tower over him like Mount Tai,

but for me, it would only take a few clicks.

If it were me…

Couldn't I help him?

'Normally, that's impossible.'

It was normally impossible.

Party play was limited to the Egen Tower.

Even if I reached Floor 39, he'd still have to challenge Floor 40 alone.

No, we probably couldn't even meet in the first place.

Only one person could enter a safe zone.

Supposedly to prevent people from stealing rewards, or something.

It would normally be impossible, but

'Could my traits make it work?'

I had Mythic-grade traits.

If I did this and that, it might work.

With a strange certainty, I gripped the sword tightly.

[Myriad Severance Sword (Mythic)]

The sword is imbued with mystery.

It can cut through anything.

"…A slash through space?"

Swish—

I slashed the sword through empty air.

My mind was filled with the image of cutting through space.

I put the image of crossing over to another safe zone into it,

-Ding.

[The traits 'Sword God,' 'Myriad Severance Sword,' and 'Dragon Knight' activate.]

"…Guh!!!"

Something immediately rushed out of my body.

My head spun too.

They said Awakeners got dizzy when they used too much mana, so this seemed to be that symptom.

For a moment, I wondered if I'd gotten carried away for no reason, but…

the effect itself was unmistakable.

-Screeeeeech!!!

"……Ah!"

My Rare-grade sword was embedded in empty air.

And when I pulled the sword out,

a tiny gap opened up.

A gap just big enough to peek through.

Beyond it, I could see a safe zone identical to this one, except that the bed was a little disheveled.

-Ding.

[The trait 'Dragon Eyes' activates.]

[Safe Zone on the Boss Floor of Awakener '???']

A safe zone where someone had stayed briefly.

Its traces had scattered over time.

It was impossible to identify who,

but it was clear that someone had been there.

"…Eureka."

It really works.

For now, perhaps because I lacked mana, I could only peek briefly beyond it before it ended,

but if I grew stronger, someone could cross over and more.

And if I used this, maybe I could party up with him too…

-Ding.

[The trait 'Dragon Eyes' activates.]

[Wall of Dimensions]

A powerful barrier surrounding the Tower.

It is relatively weak in the horizontal direction,

but impossible to pierce vertically.

"Tsk."

Looks like I can't pierce upward.

Well, if I could, people could skip climbing the Tower and just take the rewards for free.

So even with a Mythic-grade trait to cheese things, this was apparently blocked.

'Still, I should be able to help him someday.'

I wasn't discouraged.

As long as I could meet him, I could give him various things, couldn't I?

If he'd been injured somewhere, potions.

If his weapon had broken, a new weapon.

If he needed anything else, I could give it to him.

The price would be… pretty steep, though.

'He's a third-generation chaebol, isn't he? He wouldn't report his lifesaver over something like dodging military service, would he? He'd probably spare me some of his allowance.'

"Well then, let's put him on my list for now."

I placed my hand on the Status Window.

Tap, tap—

After a few taps, my first historic comment was posted on the channel.

It was filled with hope.

[Pilgrim Public Channel]

Author: Hyeonseo

Title: Please save me…

Construction Worker: You've cleared Floor 10 by now, right

Construction Worker: You're hanging in there, right

Hyeonseo: Yes? Who are you?

Construction Worker: I'll tell you when I reach Floor 39

Construction Worker: Let's talk again later

"…That should do it."

After writing that much,

I closed the Status Window with a relieved feeling.

Let's meet someday, third-generation chaebol.

You lucky bastard, getting out of military service.

"…Move."

Just as the Egen Tower's characteristically harmless white light filled my vision,

my eventful first Tower climb came to an end.

* * *

-Ding.

[Moving to the 'Beginner's Tower'….]

[Would you like to move to Floor 0?]

[You have been moved.]

Whoosh—!!

My body was engulfed in a pillar of light.

When I opened my eyes again, I was standing in a familiar place.

"Phew."

'The prison setting on Floor 10 was a little stifling, but this is better than a cave.'

It had been incredibly fascinating just ten hours ago, but now I was already blasé.

Once I took care of what I came here for, I probably wouldn't be back.

'Well then… Ah, there he is.'

"Hey, bro~!!"

After looking around,

I waved while holding the sword.

It wasn't the Rare-grade sword I'd just fused, but a cheap sword with all its teeth missing and its blade dulled.

The sword's owner—the bus driver stationed on Floor 0—opened his eyes wide.

"…Huh? Wait, huh?"

"Thank you for lending me the sword~ Here you go."

"Huh, whaa?"

I handed him the sword as if I were throwing away trash.

The man caught it reflexively.

His eyes as he examined the sword were filled with confusion.

"It hasn't even been half a day. How…?"

"The sword you gave me was really good."

"For a beginner to climb alone, even with a combat-type trait, it should take three days."

"The sword you gave me cut so well."

"……This?"

"Yes."

Of course, I put on a shameless poker face.

Unless they admitted the sword they'd given me was a cheap one, they couldn't really object.

And that was exactly what happened.

"Uh, um… yes…."

"I don't have to pay a rental fee or anything, right?"

"We lend it out so newbies can at least clear the first tier comfortably, so it's fine, but how did you do it in half a day with an edge that barely cuts…."

"It was such a masterpiece. Ah, well, I'll be going!"

After making up a rough excuse,

I turned around with relief and reached out.

When I pressed the brilliantly glowing 'Return' button on the Status Window, my body lit up brightly again.

-Ding.

[Return complete.]

"…Oh-ho."

'It's morning already.'

Before I knew it, I'd returned outside the Tower.

The acrid smell of exhaust greeted me.

The gazes of passing citizens came free with it.

-Murmur, murmur.

"Someone else is climbing the Wimp's Tower."

"A man should go to the Normal Tower even if it kills him, tsk."

"He must've just awakened, too. What a waste."

"……."

Ah, shit. I'm getting seriously looked down on.

They wouldn't have looked at me like that if I were a woman.

This is gender discrimination.

'What's so bad about the Wimp's Tower…? No, it's good for me.'

Come to think of it, it wasn't bad.

The more people ignored me, the less likely I was to attract attention.

For someone like me who wanted to stay out of the Administration Bureau's sight, it was actually a good thing.

And that was exactly what happened.

-Swoosh.

'If I pull my hood low and walk….'

When I pulled my hood low as if I were embarrassed, their gazes drifted away as though they weren't interested.

Thanks to that, I was able to blend back into society naturally.

I ate a cup of instant noodles at a nearby convenience store.

Then I took the bus as if nothing had happened.

Everything was so familiar that what had happened in the Tower felt like a dream.

"Status Window… Phew."

'So it wasn't a dream.'

Fortunately, strength eight times greater than before I entered the Tower surged through my body.

The Status Window shimmered before my eyes.

Thanks to that, I wasn't anxious.

It stayed that way until I arrived at the hospital and reached the lobby.

"Hello, I'm here to visit my younger sister."

"Mr. Hwi-min? Long time no see. Just wear this and go in."

Clack—

I put the visitor pass around my neck.

I was so used to it I could do it with my eyes closed.

My steps toward the hospital room were much lighter than usual.

-Creeeak.

"…Oppa's here."

After opening the hospital-room door,

I dragged over a chair from nearby and sat down.

My younger sister, Ryu Serin, lay demurely on the bed.

I gently brushed back her hair.

"Your big brother's here, okay? I awakened. And my traits are incredibly strong."

"……."

"And… summon, Dohwa."

"Yip?"

"I can even use the Floor 1 boss you liked as a summon now."

I held up Dohwa, the fox monster, like a doll and showed her to Serin.

She was in a vegetative state, so she showed no reaction,

but if she had been awake, wouldn't she have squealed the moment she saw it?

Just imagining it made me happy.

"Yip…?"

"Ah, Dohwa. She's my little sister. Say hello quietly."

"Yip. Yip."

Dohwa wagged her tail happily too.

Its fur went flying.

Hmm, should I send her back for now?

"…You stay inside. Dismiss summon."

"Yip!"

"Ahem. Anyway, we'll be able to make lots of money now. I found twenty potions alone."

After sending Dohwa back,

I rummaged through my Inventory with my hands free.

A potion appeared in my hand.

"Can you see this? They say this one alone is worth over 100 million won. Or so they say; apparently there aren't enough to sell."

"……."

"I think I might be able to cure you with this, too. So excuse me for a moment."

-Goggle—!!

I focused all my strength into my eyes.

My Mythic-grade trait, 'Dragon Eyes.'

I wondered if this might let me find a treatment for my sister.

Even a university hospital professor couldn't guess what disease it was, but…

-Ding.

[Excess Mana Syndrome]

A rare disease that afflicts ordinary people.

The amount of mana accumulated in the body becomes excessively high,

greatly impairing brain function.

('Medium-grade Healing Potion' can improve the condition)

"……It really works."

O Mythic-grade trait, GOAT of traits.

Please watch over my sister with your almighty freebie power.

We weren't related by blood,

but she's my one and only little sister.

'Mom, Dad. Please watch over us.'

The parents who adopted me from the orphanage when I was staying there and raised me with love as their real son.

It seems the day I repay that kindness isn't far off.

I did get it all for free without any effort.

But whatever the case, as long as I can save Serin, that's all that matters.

'Then….'

"Fusion!"

I lined up twenty potion bottles on the floor.

Then I shouted, "Fusion."

The floor immediately began to glow brilliantly.

-Ding.

[Using the trait 'Fusion'….]

[Crafting complete.]

[Low-grade Healing Potion x2]

It somewhat heals serious injuries.

(Can create a 'Medium-grade Healing Potion' with the trait 'Fusion')

(Required: Low-grade Healing Potion x10)

"…Eight left."

Before I knew it, I was holding two potions.

The hand holding them trembled.

Just ten floors, and this is what I got.

I was itching to head back to the Tower right away.

If it hadn't been for the time it took to climb from Floor 11 onward, I definitely would have gone back without being able to resist.

"Next time I come, I'll cure you for sure."

"……."

"You must be bored just lying there, right? I'll leave the TV on, so listen to it while I'm gone."

I reached out with a hand trembling with excitement.

I grabbed the remote nearby and—beep!

I planned to turn on the Awakener-related program Serin liked and leave the room.

I turned it on without giving it much thought, but

[Breaking news!]

"…Huh?"

Talk about bad timing.

The news happened to be on TV.

It was one of the occasional Gate-related reports.

[A gigantic guerrilla Gate has appeared in Seoul's Gangnam District.]

[The Cheonghwa Guild's subjugation team, including S-rank Hunter Hwang Hee-chan, has been dispatched, but reports say they are experiencing major difficulties in dealing with the new type of boss.]

[The Cheonghwa Guild is searching for Hunters who have experience fighting similar monsters….]

"Wow, that's serious."

A gigantic Gate? That's a national-disaster-level threat.

Hwang Hee-chan went, so there probably won't be a problem,

but there could still be casualties among the subjugation team.

'Well, it has nothing to do with me.'

I didn't think much of it.

The Gate hadn't broken yet, and it was still in the early stages.

Hwang Hee-chan would handle it.

That was the extent of my thoughts, but…

-Ding.

[The trait 'Dragon Eyes' activates.]

[Dragon Eyes (Mythic)]

You see through the enemy's weaknesses.

"…Oh?"

Just as I was about to look away from the TV.

The boss's weakness came into view.