Next to the snack shelf was a refrigerator, a rather imposing presence for a lounge.
It wasn’t the small, unassuming unit commonly used in such spaces, but rather one sized for a household, gleaming with a fresh, new appearance.
It seemed to be a recent purchase, its surface remarkably smooth and clean, devoid of any smudges or fingerprints that usually accumulate with regular use.
“Have you thought about putting anything else in there?”
I asked, my voice tinged with a playful curiosity, my gaze naturally drawn to the pristine appliance.
‘What is all that?’
The question formed in my mind as I peered closer, my eyes widening slightly in surprise. Seeing my reaction, Yeon Hyeongwang smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes, and took out his phone.
He then showed me a picture of a refrigerator that was absolutely crammed full of yogurt containers.
It was astonishingly similar to the inside of the refrigerator I had just seen, an almost exact replica of the scene before me.
From familiar brands of yogurt you might easily find at a supermarket to exotic types I’d never encountered, all were meticulously organized and neatly displayed, a testament to an almost obsessive collection.
It was a yogurt obsession bordering on madness, a level of dedication to dairy that was both amusing and utterly perplexing.
“My house has a refrigerator like that too. In the boss’s room,” Yeon Hyeongwang added casually, as if owning a yogurt-filled refrigerator in one’s personal quarters was the most normal thing in the world.
To think they even had a refrigerator in their room, dedicated solely to this single, creamy delight.
Everyone here, except me, seemed intimately familiar with that refrigerator, a shared inside joke or perhaps a deeply ingrained habit that I was just beginning to grasp.
Yeon Hayeon, meanwhile, with an air of unhurried grace, casually poked a straw into a yogurt carton, her movements fluid and unconcerned, and walked towards me.
She answered James’s unspoken question, which I hadn’t even heard, by simply handing him a yogurt.
Her silent gesture spoke volumes, a succinct dismissal that probably meant, “Just drink this and don’t ask such things,” an almost imperceptible boundary setting.
***
“Speaking of the Dungeon Management Bureau,” Ban Eunhyeol, who had been sitting thoughtfully on the sofa, finally spoke, his voice cutting through the soft chatter of the lounge.
“According to what I heard from him earlier, they’ve established a new Hunter Management Team.”
This announcement immediately piqued the interest of the other guild masters, who shifted their attention to him.
“They used to just call everything the Dungeon Management Team, didn’t they? They only divided work into Team 1, Team 2, and so on,” Eunbada mused, his brow furrowed in recollection.
“Now that there are more Awakened Ones and hunter crime is rampant, it’s easier to work if they divide the teams,” Ban Eunhyeol explained, elaborating on the necessity of this restructuring.
Eunbada, who immediately showed a keen interest in the topic, responded with a serious expression, cupping his chin in thought.
“Indeed, it’s a bit late. They should have divided it earlier.”
Everyone in the group nodded as if in unanimous agreement. I, too, strongly concurred with that sentiment, recognizing the critical need for more specialized departments.
Considering that not even half a year had passed since the gates first mysteriously opened, it was impressive that related organizations had appeared relatively quickly.
However, they were still operating in a haphazard, early-stage manner, constantly improvising and adapting.
So, it was clear that this was a time when significant change was desperately needed to keep pace with the rapidly evolving world.
“Is that all you heard when you were called away earlier?”
Eunbada asked, seeking to extract any further tidbits of information.
“Well, pretty much,” Ban Eunhyeol replied, indicating that his earlier summons had primarily revolved around this bureaucratic update.
Eunbada, seemingly satisfied that there was no more pressing information to glean, lowered his gaze back to the book in his hand, resuming his quiet contemplation.
Just then, Cha Hyeonseo and James, who had just concluded their intense ping-pong game, walked purposefully into our group.
They then clapped their hands once in unison, a sharp sound that immediately captured everyone’s attention, signaling an important announcement.
James looked at Cha Hyeonseo with a “you speak” look, deferring to his more formal counterpart, and Cha Hyeonseo stepped forward, assuming the role of spokesperson.
His gaze swept over the assembled individuals, specifically focusing on the younger, student-aged Awakened Ones rather than the other guild masters, in turn acknowledging each of them.
“A new proposal was made at today’s meeting,” he announced, his voice steady and devoid of inflection.
I had vaguely felt it when he had only typed ‘Nice to meet you’ in the chat earlier, but his actual way of speaking was also incredibly stiff, almost robotic in its precision.
Without a single change in expression, his face remaining perfectly neutral, he continued,
“Going forward, we aim to expand the meetings to include all Awakened Ones from Rank 0 to Rank 10.”
When he finished speaking, James, with a more approachable demeanor, continued to explain the proposal in greater detail.
To summarize his words, the essence of the proposal was as follows: while the meetings were ostensibly for reporting on recent activities and updating everyone on developments, that wasn’t their sole purpose.
They were also intended as a crucial venue to discuss systems they wanted to implement in the future and to brainstorm innovative ideas on how to work more efficiently within the Awakened community.
And someone, presumably a forward-thinking individual, had apparently made this proposal: Wouldn’t more heads lead to better ideas?
So, with this logic in mind, they proposed expanding the number of meeting participants to include Awakened Ones from Rank 0 all the way to Rank 10, thereby drawing on a wider pool of talent and experience.
“Oh, that’s great!”
Han Jibin’s eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm as he actively expressed his approval, a vibrant contrast to Cha Hyeonseo’s stoic delivery.
“Now all of you have to come out. Except you, over there,” Eunhasu declared, his finger, which had pointed to the Four Heavenly Kings and Yeon Hyeongwang in turn, then deliberately bent in front of me, singling me out.
Do Ihyeon, who had been awake and quietly listening to the entire conversation, his presence almost imperceptible until now, slowly uttered one remark, his voice low and contemplative.
“Why exclude her?”
Our eyes met as he asked, his tone genuinely curious, devoid of any accusatory edge.
His deep, enigmatic eyes, whose thoughts I couldn’t possibly fathom, stared intently at me, a penetrating gaze that seemed to seek something deeper.
For a fleeting moment, my heart pounded, a sudden surge of adrenaline.
‘Does he… know something and is saying this?’
It was a brief, almost imperceptible moment of vulnerability, but it marked the peak of my tension since I had arrived here, a sudden fear of exposure.
“Well, because I’m not in the top 10,” I replied casually, feigning an air of indifference.
He seemed to think for a moment, his brow subtly furrowing, then slowly closed his eyes with an expression of understanding, accepting my explanation at face value.
It was a subtle reaction, but enough to confirm my suspicions that he might be more perceptive than he let on.
Feeling the need to keep a close eye on Do Ihyeon in the future, sensing a potential threat to my carefully guarded secret, I also averted my gaze from him, breaking the intense eye contact.
“Friend over there, let’s go to an SSS-rank cafe with us later,” James suggested in a lively voice, perhaps sensing my slight discomfort or simply being the amiable person he was.
He seemed bothered that I was the only one excluded from the formal meetings, offering an alternative form of inclusion.
An SSS-rank cafe. It was a cafe ambitiously opened in the bustling downtown area by an Awakened One who had recently awakened a barista ability, gaining a reputation for its exquisite coffee and unique atmosphere.
“Sounds good,” I replied coolly, a genuine smile touching my lips.
Since I had no desire to participate in meetings held by high-ranking Awakened Ones anyway, and preferred to maintain my low profile, the offer of a casual outing was much more appealing.
I also had no intention of revealing myself, even if they theoretically searched for Rank 0.
Just then, someone voiced a practical problem that no one else, except me, had apparently thought of.
“But how are you planning to call ‘Nada’?”
It was Baek Jiwoo, ever the pragmatist.
He pushed back the white hair covering his forehead, a characteristic gesture, and spoke, his voice clear and direct.
“Does anyone here know who ‘Nada’ is? Like their name, age, that kind of stuff?”
At his words, everyone became silent, a sudden hush falling over the lounge, as they exchanged only glances, a silent conversation passing between them.
A brief, almost imperceptible exchange like ‘Do you know?’, ‘No, do you?’ happened in fleeting eye contact, confirming that no one present had any actual information about the elusive Rank 0. Seeing this, Baek Jiwoo sighed deeply, a sound of exasperation, and stared at the empty air in front of him, as if willing something to appear.
Soon after, as if in response to his silent plea, a chat window suddenly materialized in front of me.
[ΣEutteum Inc(8): Nada-nim, please just type a dot in the chat window.]
I was a little surprised by this unexpected approach.
I had anticipated a chat window might appear, given the advanced communication technology available to Awakened Ones, but I hadn’t expected Baek Jiwoo to elicit such a concise and direct answer.
Since they couldn’t trace my location just by me sending a chat, merely sending a single character, I readily complied.
***
[Nada(0): .]
I typed, a single period appearing in the chat.
“Wow, she really just sent a dot,” someone murmured, a hint of awe in their voice.
“Isn’t this the first time for Nada’s chat? Awesome!” another exclaimed, the excitement palpable in the air.
[Blood(2): We would like to hold regular meetings for Awakened Ones from Rank 0 to Rank 10. Are you able to attend?]
While everyone else was making a fuss, marveling at the simple dot, Cha Hyeonseo, whose expression remained unchanged, as stoic as ever, sent a chat politely asking about my attendance.
At that, everyone held their breath, the previous chatter instantly silenced, and stared intently at the empty air, as if waiting for my reply to appear.
‘It feels a little rude to refuse outright when he asks like that,’ I thought, a fleeting consideration of politeness.
Yet, my resolve to remain hidden was stronger.
[Nada(0): It is not possible.]
I typed, the words appearing with a definitive finality.
Sorry is sorry, but I had to say what I had to say, my identity a secret I couldn’t compromise.
Everyone’s disappointment was palpable at my reply, a collective sigh almost audible.
Among them, Han Jibin looked the most dejected, his earlier exuberance completely deflated.
It was like watching a loyal dog that had been wagging its tail wildly in anticipation, only to have it sadly drop, its spirit momentarily crushed.
[â–¶Cutieâ—†(9): You really can’t come out even once? T_T]
Han Jibin’s earnest chat appeared, accompanied by a pleading emoticon, his hope clinging to a slim possibility.
“Well, it can’t be helped,” I heard Do Ihyeon say, his indifferent tone providing a calming effect.
I intentionally didn’t answer Han Jibin’s earnest chat, letting Do Ihyeon’s pragmatic words stand.
As if to say, “It’s fine if she can’t come out,” the others also acquiesced and swallowed their disappointment, accepting the inevitable.
[Blood(2): Understood. Mr. Hwan, are you able to attend? Hwan(6): Yes, I am.]
Cha Hyeonseo, with his characteristic efficiency, immediately turned his attention to other attendees.
He had asked for attendance from both me and Hwan (who wasn’t physically present in the lounge), and as soon as Hwan’s affirmative reply came, Cha Hyeonseo took his gaze from the air, moving on to the next item on his mental agenda.
“Dana, you know Mr. Hwan well from seeing him on TV, right? He does most of the Dungeon Management Bureau’s interviews,” Han Jibin said, his voice regaining some of its usual cheerfulness as he moved on from his disappointment.
“I know him. If I ran into him outside, I’d recognize him right away,” I confirmed, as Hwan was indeed a well-known public figure.
Han Jibin, who looked ready to launch into a detailed explanation if I hadn’t known him, said he felt the same way and then proceeded to praise Hwan, expressing his strong desire to meet him just once.
‘Hwan’, identified as Rank 6, was a unique figure among the top Awakened Ones, as he was the only one among us who didn’t belong to a guild.
They said he was a dedicated police officer before the gates opened, but after awakening as an A-rank hunter, he was immediately scouted by the Dungeon Management Bureau and was now making great contributions to public safety.
As the only civil servant hunter in the top 10 ranks, he had no shortage of fans who admired and followed him for his unwavering integrity and strong sense of justice.
Han Jibin, who was still rambling enthusiastically about Hwan’s exploits next to me, seemed to be one of his most ardent fans.
“Oh, there’s Mr. Hwan!”
Han Jibin, in the middle of his fervent discussion about Hwan, suddenly pointed excitedly at the TV on the wall and shouted.
As if on cue, Hwan was just then appearing on the news, his face filling the screen.
[Lee Hwan: Yes, the body recently found in the dungeon was indeed murdered by a person, not a monster. From the traces left on the body, it appears the culprit is an Awakened One who committed the crime using a skill.]
It was a grim report about a body found inside a gate, a recent discovery by the Dungeon Management Bureau.
I had initially only thought that a non-Awakened person had accidentally entered a gate and fallen victim to a monster, so it was shocking news to learn it was a deliberate act of violence.
When the gates first opened and Awakened Ones proliferated, hunter crime was unfortunately rampant, a dark side effect of newfound power.
At the initial stage, the guild masters of the current Seven Great Guilds and the Dungeon Management Bureau had to fiercely apprehend criminals, and it was only through their concerted efforts that the current fragile peace was barely achieved.
[The suspect is a male in his 30s, and it has been revealed that he is an Awakened One whose personal information is registered with the Hunter’s Association, causing shock. The suspect possesses a skill that allows him to perfectly mimic another person’s appearance and voice for a short period. Citizens, please exercise extreme caution and report anyone suspicious.]
The newscaster continued, displaying a photo of the suspect.
“If Mr. Hwan steps up, he’ll catch him quickly,” Han Jibin said proudly, watching the suspect’s photo being broadcast on the news screen, his faith in Hwan unwavering.
“Guys like that, if they gain power, they should use it for justice. I don’t know why they live like that,” Baek Jiwoo shook his head, his expression a mixture of confusion and disapproval, as if he truly couldn’t comprehend such a twisted mindset.
“Indeed,” I agreed.
Even before transmigration, the type of person I understood the least was an Awakened One committing crimes, abusing their extraordinary abilities for nefarious purposes.
Seeing a similar incident happen here made me feel uneasy, a familiar dread creeping in.
“Let’s memorize his face well,” James said, his voice uncharacteristically solemn, his expression the most serious I had seen on him today.
Everyone silently nodded their heads, a shared sense of gravity settling over the group.
The walk home alone was incredibly refreshing, a quiet solace after the intense gathering.
After everyone had learned that I had awakened, I had immediately told Axe-wielding Uncle that his bodyguard services were no longer needed.
Thanks to Yeon Hayeon, who readily agreed and removed the bodyguard, I was now able to move around freely by myself, enjoying a newfound sense of independence and privacy.
I had been cooped up in my room, diligently pretending to study, and now it was already early dawn, long after having dinner with my parents.
The time was finally right to go out and close the gate for the quest, a task that awaited me in the quiet hours of the night.
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