Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 26.
Fruition (3)
Lim Doo-ho’s name was called as the grand prize winner.
Click.
The hologram call Park Deputy had been on disconnected.
Ham Bong-sik stared blankly into empty space.
“What… what is this?”
The scene transmitted through the smartwatch camera moments ago circled endlessly in his mind.
Brilliant lights, thunderous applause cascading down.
And at the center of it all stood Lim Doo-ho.
Smack—!
I raised my hand and slapped my own cheek.
Ow, that really stings….
With an implant hand, the pain is doubled!
‘This is definitely not a dream.’
An uncontrollable smile spread across Ham Bong-sik’s lips.
I’d been bothered by it for so long.
Those who’d graduated from prestigious universities with mediocre abilities and strutted about had always been transferred to better positions, while Lim Doo-ho had endured six years in silence.
A high school graduate on a contract basis.
‘Even if I wanted to push for a full-time position, there was nothing I could do.’
No matter how much I advocated for his skills, those above only judged by credentials.
“Now that won’t be a problem anymore.”
A government-sponsored competition grand prize winner—credentials like that would eclipse any other qualifications.
My chest felt lighter.
“That’s right, no matter what anyone says, a technician is defined by skill!”
Ham Bong-sik hummed cheerfully and immediately contacted his superiors to file a report.
* * *
In Na Yong-seok’s office.
-…So Lim Doo-ho won the grand prize.
Ham Bong-sik’s excited report came through the hologram.
Na Yong-seok adjusted his glasses and tilted his head.
“The grand prize winner is a contract employee from the Machine Upcycling Department?”
-Yes, that’s correct! So the thing is….
After hearing the full story, Director Na ended the call and leaned back in his chair.
Honestly, he felt little excitement.
A contract worker’s triumph was heartwarming, certainly.
“What does it matter if the Hunter Management Bureau has a technician or not.”
It’s cool to see a contract worker’s human victory, but.
“What’s wrong with the technicians at the Hunter Management Bureau?”
Unless they were an exceptional awakened one.
‘Still, I need to write a report…’
I habitually opened the personnel record.
『Lim Doo-ho (26 years old)
Date of Hire: 2063. 03. XX
Contract Type: Annual Renewal (6th Year)』
Up to this point, everything was ordinary.
As I scrolled down the file with idle fingers, my hand suddenly stopped.
Huh?
“He awakened three months ago?”
I immediately checked Lim Doo-ho’s age.
Twenty-six.
A late bloomer awakened one!
My expression shifted subtly.
Usually, people submit their resignation the moment they receive their awakening judgment.
Even if you’re only F-rank, once you become a Hunter, the Hunter Management Bureau’s contract salary becomes pocket change.
Yet Lim Doo-ho remained?
And three months later, he won the Skills Competition award.
My eyes narrowed.
I began examining Lim Doo-ho’s documents more carefully.
Then.
What?
“Why is his personal information access restricted?”
* * *
Doo-ho gazed down at the trophy in his hand.
It had considerable weight to it.
‘My parents… they’ll be shocked when they find out, won’t they?’
My heart suddenly burned with warmth.
Oh! Oh! Oh!!
-Doo-ho is the best!
-Woohoo! Congratulations, Mechromancer!!
As Isto and Hawkeye cheered inside Doo-ho’s mind, the emcee extended the microphone.
“We’d love to hear your acceptance speech!”
Doo-ho looked at the microphone and spoke hesitantly.
Um, well….
“If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
Hehe… hahaha!
Laughter erupted from the audience.
The atmosphere became noticeably warmer unintentionally.
“I’m grateful to my parents. And….”
I glanced at Park Deputy sitting in the audience.
“I’m also grateful to Park Gyu-tae Deputy for recommending me.”
In one corner of the audience.
Park Deputy’s eyes widened.
‘Me? Me?’
In that instant.
The days when he’d tormented Lim Doo-ho flashed through his mind.
Hurling curses.
Dumping work on others.
Memories of dismissal and contempt.
Park Deputy’s face burned with heat.
Damn it.
‘All I remember is tormenting him….’
Shame bowed his head.
“Oh! So you’re the one who recommended Lim Doo-ho!”
The man beside him, oblivious to the truth, laughed while looking at Park Deputy. He said Park had an eye for talent.
“Congratulations!”
“Ah, yes. Thank you….”
Unwanted attention from those around him poured down.
Damn.
‘…What is this.’
Park Deputy looked up at Doo-ho on stage with conflicted feelings.
Soon after.
An elderly gentleman with white hair ascended the stage.
None other than the event’s chairman.
He handed me two certificates.
“Congratulations, Lim Doo-ho.”
They were none other than a ‘Prize Money Certificate for 100 Million Coins’ and a ‘Global Skills Competition Participation Certificate’.
Thump-thump.
My heartbeat seemed to drum against my ears.
Phew….
‘I’m actually competing in a global competition.’
Just as I was reeling from this unexpected outcome, the committee chairman extended his hand for a handshake.
“I look forward to great things from you.”
“I’ll work even harder.”
I bowed my head deeply.
The host then announced the closing.
“Well then! This concludes the 2069 Government-Affiliated Skills Competition! We ask once more for your applause for all our award winners!”
Clap clap clap!
Cheers and applause filled the Grand Auditorium.
The Korean University research team that had received the gold award approached Doo-ho.
“Congratulations, Lim Doo-ho.”
One of them extended a hand for a handshake.
I accepted the handshake and replied with a somewhat awkward smile.
“Thank you. And congratulations to you as well.”
I exchanged brief greetings with the other award recipients.
And then….
I descended from the stage.
A moment later.
Several people from the audience approached me.
“Lim Doo-ho, congratulations.”
As the man who had approached raised his smartwatch to send a business card, I wore an apologetic expression.
I looked sorry.
“I apologize, but… my watch has been acting up.”
“Oh, I see.”
The man’s face fell.
The truth was.
‘I simply didn’t want to share my contact information here.’
-That’s right. After all, those who need you will find you anyway!
People continued to approach me.
I tucked my smartwatch into my pocket and vaguely excused myself with apologies.
Then.
“Perhaps….”
A young woman pulled out a physical business card.
“Would you accept this?”
‘Carrying around analog business cards….’
A rare sight in this day and age.
‘I can’t refuse this one.’
As I took the card, the woman smiled brightly and turned to leave.
After that.
A few more people handed me cards, and I accepted them all, tucking them into my pocket.
‘There are more eccentrics here than I expected.’
That was when.
Two men at a distance observed me and whispered just loud enough to be heard.
“That Lim Doo-ho over there… I thought he was a sophisticated cyborg, but he’s a natural.”
“Really?”
“How did a natural create something like that?”
Their eyes held a discriminatory gaze as they looked at me.
In that moment.
Hey!
“What does it matter that our employee is a natural?!”
Unexpectedly, Park Deputy grabbed both men by the collar.
Whirrrr whirrrr.
His implant arm trembled menacingly.
The men waved their hands in panic.
“Ah, no… that’s not what we meant….”
“Then what did you mean?!”
Park Deputy raised his voice.
Doo-ho, who had just noticed, stopped him.
“Deputy, please don’t.”
“Don’t what! What does being a natural have to do with receiving a rating? Everyone was a natural until seventy years ago.”
Just as the atmosphere was turning hostile.
“Lim Doo-ho.”
A low, heavy voice rang out.
I turned to see the judges approaching.
Flinch!
No one was more startled than Park Deputy.
The moment he saw Choi Tae-jin, his face drained of color and he froze.
Watching him, I was puzzled.
Choi Tae-jin certainly had presence.
‘But he’s not someone to be that frightened of, is he?’
The confusion was short-lived.
Choi Tae-jin stepped in front of me.
“Lim Doo-ho. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Choi Tae-jin smiled with ease.
“Since you’re advancing to the global competition… let’s stay in touch.”
“Yes, of course.”
Professor Han Ji-hyuk interjected.
“Lim Doo-ho, I’d like to invite you to our research institute.”
“…Pardon?”
“You’ll need help preparing for the global competition, and I thought I might serve as your mentor. I’m conducting similar research myself, after all.”
Professor Han Ji-hyuk’s blatant overture,
Choi Tae-jin let out a snort of laughter.
“Professor Han, are you trying to get Lim Doo-ho’s help?”
“C-Chairman!”
“I mentioned it during the judging.”
“What do you mean…?”
Choi Tae-jin approached Professor Han Ji-hyuk.
He leaned in close to the professor’s ear and whispered.
“I told you that Lim Doo-ho’s work surpasses your locomotion module.”
He stepped back and sneered.
“Does Professor Han have a memory problem?”
Professor Han Ji-hyuk’s face flushed red.
“Chairman Choi, that’s going too far.”
Choi Tae-jin ignored Professor Han Ji-hyuk’s words and turned to face Dr. Yu So-young.
“Dr. Yu, aren’t you participating in the mentor competition?”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“I’m fine with sitting it out.”
“Oh, that’s unexpected.”
“Though I won’t turn away anyone who does decide to enter.”
Dr. Yu So-young, having answered thus, turned her serious gaze toward Doo-ho.
“Lim Doo-ho, I actually tried on the auxiliary device myself.”
“Ah, yes.”
“From a natural user’s perspective, it was completely comfortable.”
Yu So-young continued.
“If I may make one suggestion… what if you added an indicator to the auxiliary device?”
“An indicator?”
“Yes. By syncing it with a smartwatch, you could monitor battery levels and output status in real time.”
One of Doo-ho’s eyebrows rose slightly.
I hadn’t been able to add it due to time constraints.
And she’d pinpointed exactly that.
‘…The judges truly are different.’
“I’ll incorporate that before the global competition.”
Dr. Yu So-young nodded slightly.
“The strength of your work, Lim Doo-ho, is its simplicity and comfort. I hope my suggestion doesn’t make it overly complicated.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Dr. Yu So-young glanced around the room.
Then she raised her voice as if for everyone to hear.
“It’s truly remarkable to see such innovation coming from a place that usually just develops others’ work!”
The people around them shifted uncomfortably.
They averted their eyes from her gaze with awkward expressions.
Puhahahaha.
Choi Tae-jin burst into loud laughter.
“Dr. Yu, aren’t you being a bit too blunt?”
“I’m simply stating facts.”
She smiled again as she looked at Doo-ho.
“Lim Doo-ho, I’m looking forward to seeing excellent results from you at next year’s global competition.”
“I’ll do my best!”
Shortly after, the judges left their seats.
I brushed my chest clean.
Phew….
‘They’re all quite the characters.’
-Doo-ho.
‘Hmm?’
-Dr. Yu So-young seems like the perfect talent for world conquest! She knows how to flatter you properly.
‘Come on, that’s not flattery—that’s advice.’
Then Hawkeye’s voice chimed in.
-Mechromancer, Professor Yu is essentially a robot like myself. Have you considered inviting her to join the Robot Liberation Group?
I rubbed my temples and couldn’t help but laugh.
Now that I thought about it….
‘You two seem to have taken quite a liking to her.’
Just then, Park Deputy approached.
I spoke first.
“Are you alright?”
“I… I was frightened and disliked someone like Choi Tae-jin.”
The moment I thought to myself, ‘I see.’
Then….
“I’m sorry.”
“Pardon?”
Park Deputy even bowed his head deeply.
“Why are you suddenly doing this?”
“I… I’ve wronged you far too much.”
“….”
I reached out and grasped Park Deputy’s prosthetic hand as I spoke.
“It’s fine, and I’ve also cursed you behind your back plenty of times.”
“Oh, you did?”
“Yes.”
I bowed my head deeply to Park Deputy, who still wore an apologetic expression.
“Thank you so much for the tournament recommendation, Park Gyu-tae.”
Park Deputy nodded repeatedly.
This guy….
‘He has a talent for making people feel sorry.’
Let’s go!
“Today’s lunch is on me.”
“But I won the prize?”
No way!
“Let me treat you! Please let me!”
I followed Park Deputy as he led the way.
* * *
Hunter Management Bureau, 12th Floor, Unofficial Conference Room.
Bang!
Kim Tae-sung, the Second Director, slammed his fist on the table.
The red text on the hologram screen trembled.
『Changtian Clan Floor 80 Conquest Failed』
“Two floors lower and still this disaster!”
Director Kim’s furious voice echoed through the conference room.
Ma Jeong-seok, the President seated at the head of the table, flipped through the report and murmured softly.
“Immature strategy, lack of teamwork… and equipment degradation. The problems are endless.”
At the mention of equipment degradation, Director Kim Tae-sung erupted.
Damn it!
“We should have brought Jang Moon-seo the Craftsman under our wing and established a dedicated production department! Then we could have properly supplied equipment for the conquest!”
“Director Kim, how common do you think truly skilled production-type Awakeners are?”
Director Kim Tae-sung opened his mouth to counter Park Soon-kwon.
“Still, if a production-type Awakener emerges, we could bring them in and train them….”
“Good grief. Without someone of Jang Moon-seo’s caliber, who would do that training?”
“…So you’re saying we should just sit back and watch?!”
Ma Jeong-seok gazed out the window as the two men bickered.
Soon he spoke.
“I attempted to bring Jang Moon-seo the Craftsman here myself.”
“And, what happened?”
“Flatly rejected.”
“Hmm. Even if we had brought him, how common would truly skilled production-type Awakeners be?”
Director Park Soon-kwon, having said that, displayed different data.
“More importantly, the Changtian Clan, growing desperate from continued failures, has become obsessed with finding the Ghost. They’ve even hired an assassin named Blood Sura.”
A frown creased Ma Jeong-seok’s brow.
“Using an assassin to find the Ghost?”
“They must be feeling the limits and changing their strategy to conquer the upper layers of the Abyss.”
Director Kim Tae-sung, listening, suddenly flared up.
“How much longer do we let them do as they please! We’re not some charity lending them grain sacks!”
It was at that very moment.
The door opened and Na Yong-seok, the Department Head, rushed in.
His face was flushed with excitement.
“Apologies for interrupting the meeting! But this is urgent!”
“Report.”
At Ma Jeong-seok’s command, Na Yong-seok displayed a hologram.
“One of our employees won the grand prize at the skills competition… and appears to be a production-type Awakener.”
In that instant, the conference room fell silent.
I Became a Mechromancer
Author |
Keongangsae
Published Date |
February 25, 2026
Publisher |
TaleSyx
Website |
https://talesyx.com
Email |
[email protected]
© Keongangsae, 2026
This publication is protected under copyright law and may not be reproduced or distributed without permission.
UCI |
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0026

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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