[Awakened Management Bureau Director Yoo Junseo Promoted to S-rank Awakened]
=
– He’s definitely a piece of work. His appearance and abilities are two different things.
– Yoo Junseo, he’s been overshadowed by Nam Jooyeon, but he’s been making a name for himself since the early days. He was part of the first Hellfire Hound extermination team, and he was also there during the last Tower eruption. He’s shown everything he’s got, so it’s no surprise he’s being recognized now.
– I heard the U.S. and China only have one or two S-rank Awakened each. Is Korea about to flex its muscles on the international stage? Are we becoming a superpower?
– It’s good news, but I’m not sure how I feel about the government prioritizing Awakened individuals. Isn’t that just wasting taxpayer money?
– What if S-rank Awakened start leaving the country? The government needs to keep them here.
– So, are you going to protect the country yourself? LOL. Aren’t we living safely thanks to these people? They should cut the salaries of useless politicians instead.
– Oh my, my heart swells with pride! Korea has produced another S-rank Awakened! This is truly a sign of our nation’s rising fortune! In the past, we would’ve been oppressed by the superpowers, but now we can stand shoulder to shoulder with them! Korea’s potential knows no bounds! A nation with the blood of a strong people, capable of producing S-rank Awakened! How proud our ancestors would be! Long live Korea!
– Why does this old geezer keep commenting?
=
Yoo Junseo’s day begins with checking the news.
To be precise, it’s not the news articles themselves but the comments underneath, especially the highly upvoted ones, that he focuses on.
In that sense, today’s morning news comments were excellent.
Although there were some critical comments, most of the top-voted ones were praising him.
Yoo Junseo’s shoulders trembled.
“Hehehe.”
A creepy laugh escaped through the gaps in his teeth.
Yoo Junseo turned his head to look at his new subordinate standing beside him.
[4★ Flame Guardian is watching over you.]
The status window used the term “watching,” but the Flame Guardian had no eyes.
In fact, it had no limbs either.
Yoo Junseo’s new calamity was a suit of black armor surrounded by flames—a living armor that floated in the air.
Although the Flame Guardian wasn’t a named entity and its combat abilities weren’t exceptional, being solely focused on tanking, how much did that really matter?
Yoo Junseo had a 4-star calamity, and that was enough to earn him the sweet title of S-rank Awakened.
That was all Yoo Junseo needed.
“Ms. Kang Sena, don’t you think I should be called ‘Flame Emperor’ rather than ‘Flame King’?”
“…What kind of nonsense are you spouting first thing in the morning?”
Kang Sena, his secretary, who was organizing documents, frowned.
Yoo Junseo felt a bit deflated under her sharp gaze but pressed on.
“Well, when I was an A-rank, I was called the Flame King, but now I’m an S-rank, which is on a whole different level. Don’t you think I deserve a more fitting title? Like, you know, Flame Emperor or something.”
Yoo Junseo spoke seriously, but Kang Sena let out a deep sigh.
How on earth did someone like this manage to synthesize a 4-star calamity?
“It’s the end of the world,” Kang Sena muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Yoo Junseo to hear.
It seemed he had been completely smitten by Nam Jooyeon’s display during the last meeting.
Ever since Nam Jooyeon left for Daejeon, Yoo Junseo had been going on and on about how they needed to break away from the government, spouting nonsense that no one cared about.
Then, out of nowhere, he decided to gamble by synthesizing his two strongest 3-star calamities.
“Ha, it’s more surprising that it actually worked.”
Against all odds, the gamble paid off.
At this point, Kang Sena had no choice but to admit it. Yoo Junseo wasn’t someone who rode the wave of the times—he was just lucky.
“Anyway, Seoul’s combat power has been strengthened, so that’s a good thing. If you really want to be called the Flame Emperor, I can guide the reporters, but personally, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“Why not?”
“There’s an Awakened far more impressive than you who goes by the title ‘Dragon King.’ If a latecomer like you starts calling himself an emperor, don’t you think there’ll be backlash?”
“…Ah, I see.”
Using Nam Jooyeon, who wasn’t present, as a reference point seemed to convince Yoo Junseo. He nodded vigorously and then shouted:
“Then I need to meet Nam Jooyeon!”
“Hmm. I wonder how our director came to that conclusion.”
Kang Sena wasn’t curious at all, but seeing Yoo Junseo’s expression, she reluctantly asked.
“The Dragon Emperor and the Flame Emperor! Together, the Twin Emperors! The two guardians of Korea!”
“…Sigh.”
Maybe it’s time to quit this job.
As Kang Sena seriously contemplated this, someone else entered the director’s office.
“Um, Director?”
Seo Yerin came in carrying a stack of documents.
“What now?”
Yoo Junseo had already lost interest in most tasks and was mechanically scrolling through news comments, upvoting and downvoting.
Seo Yerin cautiously spoke up.
“…There’s someone here to see you.”
“Can’t you see I’m busy? Who is it?”
“…It’s someone… quite high-ranking.”
“High-ranking?”
Seo Yerin fidgeted before replying.
“The National Security Office…”
“…”
Yoo Junseo hastily stood up.
*
Upon returning to Seoul, there was some kind of event happening at the Management Bureau building.
[Awakened Management Bureau Celebration]
…What a waste of taxpayer money.
If they have the luxury to throw such a lavish celebration just because of one successful synthesis, they should be taking better care of the soldiers.
Moreover, this event didn’t seem to be solely for Yoo Junseo’s celebration.
Members of the newly formed cabinet were gathered, chatting freely.
“…Ah, Nam Jooyeon…”
However, most of them stiffened upon seeing me enter the building.
Thanks to the scene I caused in the meeting room not long ago.
Even the lawmakers who weren’t present that day must have heard about it—the congressman whose nose was shattered and is still in the hospital.
To them, I’m an asymmetric force that could overthrow the government at any moment, depending on my mood.
Perhaps that’s why.
Among the lively attendees of the Management Bureau event, no one approached me to talk.
Except for one person.
“Ah, Nam Jooyeon! Welcome back! Did everything go well with the regional matters?”
A-rank Awakened Seo Yerin, who clearly had no sense of the atmosphere, approached me with a warm greeting. She seemed completely oblivious to the sharp glances from the lawmakers directed at me.
Seo Yerin asked about this and that, and I answered half-heartedly.
She then brightly smiled and showed me her phone.
“Have you seen this? You’ve got a strong rival now!”
[S-rank Awakened Dual Peaks Emerge… The Era of the Flame Emperor and Dragon Emperor, What’s Next?]
“…What.”
It’s only now that I realize how sensationalist the media can be.
As I was thinking that, I noticed something shocking on Seo Yerin’s phone screen.
[Ah… this is truly a sign of our nation’s rising fortune…! Seeing Korea produce such outstanding talents, our ancestors would be so proud…! The Flame Emperor and Dragon Emperor will protect the nation and lead the world! People of Korea…! Hold your heads high! The great Republic of Korea… marches forward!] (Edit/Delete)
The usual boomer comments you see on news articles.
But the problem was the edit button next to the comment.
Which meant the person who wrote this comment was…
‘Don’t tell me Seo Yerin is that nationalist, pro-Korea boomer?’
I had stumbled upon a fact I never wanted to know.
The curse of knowledge, they call it.
The innocent-looking woman in front of me no longer seemed so innocent.
But I decided not to point it out and instead cleared my throat to change the subject.
“By the way, Seo Yerin, where is Director Yoo Junseo, the star of the event?”
Yoo Junseo was nowhere to be seen in the event hall.
Given his personality, he would’ve definitely been on the stage to receive applause.
“Ah, the director went to talk with some government officials, so he’s not here right now.”
“Government officials? What kind of talk?”
“Hmm… Sena unnie told me not to say anything, but… I guess it’s better if you know, Dragon King.”
Seo Yerin, with her light brain capacity, also had a loose tongue.
She smiled subtly and whispered to me.
“It’s the National Security Office. Sena unnie said it’s a direct presidential agency! Isn’t that impressive? Ah, have you met them before, Nam Jooyeon?”
“…Hmm.”
Just then, I made eye contact with Kang Sena, who was walking toward us.
She summarized the situation by squinting one eye instead of speaking.
The National Security Office had summoned Yoo Junseo.
What that implied could mean many things, but none of them were satisfying.
“Seo Yerin, I’d love to chat more since we haven’t seen each other in a while, but something urgent just came up. Let’s grab a meal next time.”
“Ah, ah! When next time?!”
Subtle hints didn’t work on Seo Yerin.
“How about next week?”
“Okay! I’m free anytime!”
After brushing off Seo Yerin, I left the event hall and headed to the outdoor restroom.
Once I confirmed I wasn’t being followed, I summoned Mirien.
[5★ North Sea Storm Mirien has been summoned.]
“Actor, why?”
“Did you hear about it?”
I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but things are taking a strange turn.
Yoo Junseo was called by the National Security Office.
I need to know what they discussed.
“…Hmm. I wonder? But what’s the National Security Office?”
Right. Mirien wouldn’t know.
Selene, who’s oblivious to worldly affairs, probably wouldn’t either.
But having lived in this country my whole life, I couldn’t shake off a bad feeling.
“If you don’t know, we’ll have to find out. Mirien, can you track Yoo Junseo? You’ve seen him before.”
“Actor, what do you take me for? As long as he’s on this planet, he can’t escape my sight.”
“Good. Then track Yoo Junseo and find out what he’s discussing with the government.”
“Okay.”
Mirien’s body dissolved into a mist of light and scattered.
She must be using a tracking spell from the top floor of the Reverse Heaven Tower.
I, on the other hand, moved in the opposite direction.
The Blue House was half-destroyed, and Mirien’s Tower now stood where the National Assembly used to be.
The current presidential office and the rest of the South Korean administration were located in Jung-gu, where the city hall was.
I ducked into a nearby alley, pulled my hood deep over my head, and summoned Selene.
[5★ Charred Saint Selene has been summoned.]
“Selene.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Just in case, be ready.”
“…Ready for what, my lord?”
“To fight.”
It’s always better to prepare for the worst.