Chapter 17

Chapter 16: Awakening Test (1)

The next day, the three of them headed to the 'Seoul Arts Center,' where the Awakened Association was located.

The first thing that caught their eyes was a 150-story skyscraper.

Jinhyuk tilted his head back.

He could see the top of the building touching the clouds.

"Is this the one they built using the unique abilities of architecture majors?"

He had heard about it, but it's really amazing. They completed this in just a month, right?

"This is the headquarters of the Awakened Association. They also administer the tests and handle all matters related to the Tower of Trials here."

"Wow. Come to think of it, it's already been three weeks. I was so nervous when I took the test."

"Yeah, right? You're joking, right? You could even take down King Kong with your bare hands. Why? The examiner was scared of you, too?"

"Oh my. Did you say that to me, Taemin?"

Yoo Yeon-hwa smiled faintly.

Her eyes were smiling, but the corners of her mouth remained unchanged.

At that moment.

A chill ran down Jinhyuk and Lee Taemin's spines.

This is...

Similar to the pressure they felt when they first met the Minotaur.

It must be an illusion.

...Probably.

"..."

Lee Taemin swallowed hard.

He quickly changed the subject.

"Ah! Right. If you get a rank this time, how about we all join the same guild?"

"Guild?"

What guild all of a sudden?

"'Dangun' or 'Fighter' don't usually accept new members, but with you and us, we should be able to pass easily. Honestly, from the 15th floor onwards, it's almost impossible to clear without healers, buffers, or debuffers..."

Ah, that's what he meant.

Indeed, in the past, small groups often perished when they entered labyrinths or ruins.

No matter how skilled they were, they would eventually hit a limit in numbers as they progressed.

The two of them believed it was more efficient to grow with strong allies.

'Tsk tsk.'

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue.

'So that's why you failed to climb the tower.'

Experience points, items, hidden pieces.

He was already busy getting them all solo, and if he teamed up, he'd have to share them, right?

If he had to team up, it would be enough to use and then discard others.

"I think we should make this clear. I have no intention of joining any guild."

He detests being tied down.

Especially if the upper guilds start giving orders.

"Then, are we going to go as a group of three, you, me, and Yeon-hwa?"

"No, even if we do, it won't be efficient."

It's a waste to share among three.

The best way is...

"Let's each move separately as a principle, but only work together at specific sections. I won't stop you two from syncing up, but I prefer going solo."

Yes, this is the best.

"Even three is hard, and you're going separately?"

"Bro, isn't that too dangerous?"

The two of them looked at him in disbelief.

Of course, they had to.

Lee Taemin and Yoo Yeon-hwa were veterans who had climbed the Tower of Trials up to the 20th floor.

It meant they had invested a considerable amount of time and effort.

That's why they knew better than anyone.

Even on the lower floors, soloing is almost suicidal.

But there was something even they didn't know.

There are different levels among veterans.

And...

There was a player who, after drifting alone in a deserted game, eventually saw it through to the end.

"Let's take the test first. We should go before more people arrive."

Jinhyuk smiled and headed towards the building.

"Uh... Uh."

"Y-Yeah."

The two of them followed with blank expressions.

***

"Alright, everyone, please draw a number and wait your turn!"

"The D-09 group test will start soon, so those who are part of it, please head to the examination room!"

Despite it being a weekday, the inside was packed with people who had come to take the test.

Indeed, the allure of the tower is quite significant.

Judging by how many people it has captivated, it's clear.

"Please, please, let me get a good rank. I don't even hope for a D. Just an E, please."

"Even if I can only join a top 10 guild, it would change my life..."

"I want to sign a direct contract with the Awakened Association. Wouldn't it be great? Wearing a badge and walking proudly."

If you get a rank below F, you won't even get a chance to go to the second floor, let alone a stamp from a top guild.

That's why everyone prayed desperately, hoping for a lottery win.

Wishing they would be different.

At least, they hoped they would be different.

Of course.

Jinhyuk's gaze towards them was cold.

'Those guys won't survive a month in the tower.'

At best, they'll compromise with reality and become dropouts who stay on that floor.

No, it would be better if they realized their limits and stayed put.

It would be more troublesome if they recklessly stepped in and became a burden.

Jinhyuk drew a number.

[E-01 Group]

'Coming early was worth it.'

Since the D group is about halfway through,

I should only have to wait about an hour.

"But what's going on today? There seem to be more reporters than usual."

Lee Taemin looked around, tilting his head.

There were dozens of reporters with cameras, waiting for someone.

They looked like restless puppies.

"That's true. It is a bit strange."

Yoo Yeon-hwa added, nodding in agreement.

If there were only four or five, it would be understandable.

But a reporter corps of this size wouldn't gather unless a promising member of a large guild was coming.

Is there some unknown event happening?

...Just as he thought that,

Rustle rustle!

The entrance suddenly became noisy.

A group of people entered the building, accompanied by someone's shout.

"It's Park Hana! Park Hana from the Black Raven guild!"

Park Hana.

How could anyone not recognize her?

The rookie who made headlines through the Hall of Fame, heating up the media and the internet.

"Wow, is that woman Park Hana? She survived the labyrinth on the first day?"

"Damn. I watched her V-tube videos in a row, but I never thought I'd see her in person today."

"The one next to her is Park Hae-jin. I heard he recently made a deal with China."

All of them were notable figures.

Moreover, there was another person who instantly captured everyone's attention besides Park Hana and Park Hae-jin.

"Good grief, it's Kim Gi-tae from the Fighter guild!"

Flash flash flash!

Camera flashes went off in all directions.

The Fighter guild, one of the world's top seven guilds and the second-largest in Korea.

And one of its high-ranking members.

"Don't miss a single moment!"

"Get a front shot. Take a picture with all three of them together!"

The reporters were ecstatic.

No, they couldn't help but be ecstatic.

This kind of scoop was more than enough to make the front page.

***

"Huff."

A towering figure nearly 190 cm tall.

Kim Gi-tae lowered his sunglasses and sighed irritably.

"Why are there so many people? Now, even dogs and cows are taking the test?"

"There are more people dreaming of instant wealth. After all, these days, the tower is believed to be the only opportunity for social advancement."

Park Hae-jin answered immediately.

"Still, these bugs want to taste the honey. Don't they know it's futile no matter how much they struggle?"

Well, if they knew, they wouldn't have tried in the first place.

They would have known their limits and lived quietly.

"Anyway, do well today. I came here just for you two, so if you make a mistake... you know, right?"

"O-Of course."

"Don't... worry. We'll do well."

Park Hae-jin and Park Hana nodded.

This is their golden opportunity.

Somehow.

By any means.

They must make it a success.

And they already had a perfect plan in place.

"Since we don't have time, clear the line of people. The reporters are waiting, and we can't stay here for hours."

Park Hae-jin nodded to the burly men beside him.

Then,

"Make way."

"Hey, can't you see people are trying to pass? Move to the sides. To the sides!"

"Move faster. Don't dawdle and get beaten up."

The players from the Black Raven guild pushed through the line.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea.

No one complained.

"Ahem."

"Where did I put the document with the personal information?"

Even the Awakened Association staff turned away, ignoring the scene.

This is reality.

The sign of an upper guild is above the law or rules.

However,

The burly men's steps came to a halt.

Three people were blocking the path.

Specifically, two who were trying to dissuade them and one who was standing firm.

Especially the one standing firm was leisurely sipping ice water from a water bottle.

"Who are you? Didn't you hear me tell you to move?"

"Move? Why should I?"

Jinhyuk tilted his head.

No, he was genuinely confused.

He drew a number and was waiting his turn, so why should he move?

If he had arrived just now, he would have been assigned to the F group.

'Ah, could it be...'

Jinhyuk, as if remembering something, held the number up to the burly man's face.

"This is the alphabet used in America... it starts with A, then B, C, D. Next is E. Then F. If you don't know, memorize it now."

Yes, it's possible he doesn't know.

Usually, you learn this in elementary school.

It's heartwarming.

'Pitiful.'

Does he have a difficult family background?

"Who, who doesn't know that and asks!"

The burly man's face turned bright red.

"Hah!"

"Is this some kind of eye-level education?"

Laughter escaped at the blatant mockery.

"..."

Kim Gi-tae, who was watching, frowned but didn't step in.

As if saying, 'Handle this yourself.'

Finally,

"Che, you stupid brats. Move out of the way!"

Park Hae-jin stepped forward.

"I don't know who you are, but you're making a mistake. It's not too late to back off. Before I crush you."

His threat was terrifying.

'So this is the guy Park Hana was talking about.'

From his eyes, it seems he wouldn't hesitate to kill someone.

Interesting.

How did the siblings end up being so clueless in the same way?

"Everything's fine, but can you step back a bit? Your breath is making my eyes water."

Jinhyuk pinched his nose and frowned.

"Bro?"

Lee Taemin was shocked and grabbed Jinhyuk's wrist.

"Bro! What are you doing?"

Yoo Yeon-hwa was equally shocked.

"Are you crazy!"

"Did I hear that right? That guy just... to Park Hae-jin..."

"He must be trying to die. Is he in his right mind?"

Even the onlookers were stunned.

Of course,

The most stunned was Park Hae-jin himself.

"You... what... did you say?"

The color drained from Park Hae-jin's face.

"Is your head a dumpling? Your breath is so bad it's polluting the air. I'm asking you to close your mouth."

Jinhyuk smiled and rephrased his words more politely.

The bow on top was a bonus.

"This brat. Hey, can you handle this? If you think you can't touch me because there are many eyes on us..."

"Pfft, no way. If you're not part of the Fighter guild, what do you have to be afraid of?"

"The Fighter guild, not you. And..."

Jinhyuk shrugged and continued.

"What's with the name Black Raven? Black Raven?"

There's no White Raven.

"Are you missing something?"

Or are you a poet or a literary youth?

They allow ambiguous expressions in poetry.

Whatever it is, I can't understand your naming sense.

"Y-You little bug! You must be crazy to want to die!"

Park Hae-jin reached for his sword, as if he didn't care about the consequences.

Clearly...

"You started it?"

In an instant, the atmosphere changed.

It became so cold it sent shivers down their spines.