Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 59
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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 59.
Willfulness with Reason (1)
Monday morning.
Duna and Dubin had left for school early, while Doo-ho was leisurely eating breakfast at the table.
Mother, seated across from me, tapped her fingers through the air. A holographic screen unfolded, and the drone market shopping app opened.
Looking closely, Mother wasn’t squinting her eyes like before.
“Two kilograms of onions, one bunch of green onions… oh, this one’s on sale.”
Mother skillfully added items to her shopping cart.
‘I’m grateful the treatment is going well.’
According to the doctor, we were fortunate to catch it in time, and though the recovery was slow, she was improving.
Watching Mother grow healthier, I felt thankful for this life we had now.
But then….
“What about Father?”
Mother hesitated.
“Mother?”
“…He left for work early.”
‘Why is she being so cautious about saying that?’
Noticing my puzzled expression, Mother continued carefully.
“Thanks to you, we’re living somewhere so nice, but if people found out about your father’s job….”
“If they found out what?”
“He said he’d leave before anyone arrives, worried people might look down on you.”
“…!”
Clatter.
I set down my spoon.
Feeling a surge of frustration, I took a deep breath.
Regaining my composure, I spoke gently.
Mother.
“We’ve come this far as a family because of Father’s efforts. Why should he feel ashamed?”
She gazed at her son, who had grown so much.
‘It feels like just yesterday he was toddling around.’
Time really does fly.
I was infinitely grateful for my son, who had grown up so well and kind despite our humble circumstances.
She reached out and tidied his hair.
“Son… thank you.”
Feeling bashful, I stood up and grabbed my bag.
“Please tell Father there’s no need for that, Mother.”
“I will.”
Mother smiled faintly as she saw me off.
“Son, fighting for another great day.”
“Yes, I’ll be back soon.”
He feigned heading toward the entrance, then quietly climbed the split-level stairs.
-Your ordered items will arrive shortly.
A notification chime emanates from the drone port speaker.
“My, that was fast.”
As Mother’s footsteps sound toward the balcony, the drone port opens and the mechanical hum of fresh produce boxes settling into place fills the air.
‘Thank goodness I don’t have to carry heavy groceries anymore.’
Entering my room, I stepped over the save point installed on the floor.
The surroundings shift, and the Underground Level 2 Android Parts Warehouse of the Hunter Management Bureau unfolds before my eyes.
‘My life has become incredibly convenient too.’
“Thank you, Hawkeye.”
-I apologize for not making things more comfortable for you.
-Ding-a-ling~ Blackeye’s jingling skill activates.
-Hey, shut your trap, you iron-headed fool!
-You’re not even kids, and you two are bickering from this early? Ribbit?
This morning too, my head was filled with their noisy chatter.
* * *
Upon opening the center door and stepping inside.
Hm?
‘Something feels off about the atmosphere…?’
Ever since learning ‘how to perceive mana’ from Bom-i on Sunday, I’ve become sensitive to air currents as well.
In other words, my ki-sensing had improved.
The Reboot Center appeared unchanged from usual, yet I sensed an unsettling aura emanating from Ham Bong-sik and Park Gyu-tae.
Even so.
“Good morning.”
I greeted them brightly, but Ham’s complexion remained grim.
“…Deputy Lim, you’re here?”
Since the Reboot Center was newly established.
Ham from the Android Transport Department also joined this division.
Effectively my direct superior.
Gulp.
Park Gyu-tae speaks excitedly beside Ham, who sips his coffee.
“We’re in trouble, Deputy Lim. Manager Na’s been sued over the Yeouido crackdown operation.”
“…What?”
“Something about excessive force.”
The moment I heard those words, I was flabbergasted.
‘They cause a riot in someone else’s country and then claim excessive force?’
Ham, who was at the scene, vents his frustration.
“We should’ve turned a blind eye like that bastard Go Gyeong-taek did.”
“The manager should be fine, right?”
“…It seems those above are troubled as well. I even heard the Audit Team investigation being mentioned.”
“That’s absurd.”
Ham, observing my expression, ventured to speak.
“You should know too, Lim. If you’re oblivious to the atmosphere and Na Manager takes issue with you over nothing, it won’t end well.”
“I’ll be careful.”
I returned to my seat.
Park Deputy beside me stared into empty space with an intensity that could bore holes.
Whirrrrrr….
My leg trembled visibly, the motor sound grating on the nerves.
‘Why is he so anxious?’
It’s not something we can resolve anyway.
In truth, the noisier my surroundings became, the more I had always focused on my own work.
Because of that, I could remain unshaken in any situation.
Park Deputy, on the other hand, was dizzy with worry.
He’d spent considerable money replacing his limbs with the latest model, and now he was finally learning skills beside me, steeling himself to truly become a proper person….
What if the Department dissolved?
Would he be sent back down to that dusty underground pit?
No, that wasn’t it.
What if they used this opportunity to eliminate the Department entirely and outsource it?
That couldn’t happen.
Absolutely not.
‘Why is my life always like this?!’
As usual, I activated the hologram and reviewed my work.
A glance.
Seeing Park Deputy still unable to focus on his tasks, I finally called out to Isto in my mind.
‘Isto.’
-Yes?
-You did pass it along to Go Gyeong-taek, right?
Since those three had initiated the matter and I understood the situation well, it was easy to ask.
-Please wait a moment.
‘…Right, I should wait.’
That was true.
The three Super Intelligence units had set things in motion early Friday morning. Of course it would take time to resolve.
Then.
Whirrrr….
The automatic door of the Reboot Center slid open as Na Manager entered.
Everyone bowed in greeting toward Na Manager.
“Manager, you’ve arrived!”
What’s this?
“Why are you all greeting me so formally? Did you cause an accident without telling me?”
Contrary to what Ham Bong-sik had said moments before, Na Manager maintained his usual composure and lightheartedness.
Perhaps because of that.
Park Deputy finally settled his nerves and focused on his work.
Watching Park Deputy, Doo-ho thought that Na Manager was truly a superior worth learning from.
‘He must be struggling, yet he doesn’t change his expression to keep his staff from wavering.’
That was when it happened.
Ding ding!
An alert sounded from Na Manager’s smartwatch.
A hologram screen unfolded in the air.
The face barely visible through the screen was none other than Go Gyeong-taek.
Doo-ho muttered inwardly.
‘Is this finally getting resolved?’
That’s what he thought, but Go Gyeong-taek’s face had turned red as he suddenly burst into anger!
-Na Manager! We can just settle this right now! Yes?! Please, stop pestering us!
Go Gyeong-taek’s rough voice echoed through the center.
Na Manager quickly lowered the volume.
He immediately stood up and left the room.
Ham Bong-sik, who had been watching, widened his eyes.
Stop pestering us?!
“The audacity! This whole mess happened because of whom! Ugh….”
Watching the fuming Ham Bong-sik, Doo-ho muttered to himself.
‘What did those guys do that day to be so angry?’
Then Isto’s voice resonated in his mind.
Doo-ho.
-I’ve kept you waiting.
‘Waiting for what?’
-I just relayed your intentions to Go through Coco.
…Huh? Coco?
No, wait.
What intentions did I ask you to relay?
Only then did Doo-ho understand.
Sigh….
Isto’s “just a moment” must have meant he was going and coming back.
In other words.
Go Gyeong-taek’s uncontrollable anger was like getting slapped at the Han River and venting the frustration at Jongno.
‘This needs to be handled carefully….’
.
.
.
A moment later.
Na Manager returned to the office.
Ham Bong-sik rose from his seat with a sigh so heavy it seemed the ground might collapse beneath him, then approached Na Manager from behind.
‘Why did I help that bastard….’
Sensing his presence, Na Manager turned to face him and asked abruptly.
“You know, Ham, they say people die if they change too suddenly. What do you think?”
“…Excuse me?!”
Ham staggered back in shock.
This man.
He’s thinking about death?
Why is he being so extreme?!
“Sir, Manager! I’ll book you a trauma center appointment. So that….”
“What are you talking about?”
“You said people die.”
“Go Gyeong-taek said it. He’s not adapting because he’s suddenly doing things he never did before.”
Go Gyeong-taek?
Mr. Go Gyeong-taek?
Lim Doo-ho and Park Deputy both perked up their ears simultaneously.
Na Manager leaned deeply into his chair’s backrest and continued speaking as if for the benefit of his concerned subordinates.
“Don’t worry. They said they’ll handle the lawsuits and complaints on their end.”
Ham asked as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Really?”
“The Changcheon Legal Team said they’d take care of it themselves.”
Ding.
Na Manager glanced at his smart watch and clicked his tongue.
“Their words are rough, but they’re efficient. Anyone watching would think they’d made some serious threats.”
Flinch.
Lim Doo-ho, the instigator (?), shrank back for a moment.
Sigh.
‘…I’m getting nervous for no reason.’
Over there, Na Manager checked the file, activated the hologram on his desk, and began drafting a report.
Ham, watching the document displayed on the hologram from behind, wore an expression of disbelief.
“F-forty billion coins?!”
Changtian Clan: 2.5 billion.
Han Hyun-chul Family: 1.5 billion.
A total of 4 billion coins would be deposited into the Hunter Management Bureau under the guise of donations.
“Is this… real?”
Changtian, the clan that wouldn’t even give the Hunter Management Bureau their scraps, was making a donation.
Na Manager shrugged his shoulders.
“Regardless of their true intentions, as long as I can secure it, that’s all that matters.”
He finished transmitting to his superiors and smiled broadly.
Doo-ho, who had been listening intently from across the room, nodded slowly.
Right….
‘If it’s resolved the way the Manager said, then that’s that.’
Then a memory surfaced—something Isto had said long ago.
「I am designed so that I cannot directly connect to the communication systems used by humans.」
Now I understood the reason.
If.
‘If this one could directly connect to Earth’s communication infrastructure…?’
Everything that ran on automation could fall under Isto’s control.
So….
World conquest wasn’t mere boasting.
Good grief.
‘Just thinking about it makes my heart race.’
It was right then that Doo-ho shook off the dizzying thought.
Ding—.
An alert appeared on the hologram above Na Manager’s desk.
『Kim Tae-sung, Director』
Ham Bong-sik clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘He was just grilling the Manager, and now what does he want?’
Na Manager calmly pressed the call button.
Director Kim Tae-sung’s face appeared on the screen.
But.
His expression was… remarkably bright?
-Na Manager~.
“Yes, Director.”
-I reviewed the report. Entrusting you with the Reboot Center was indeed an excellent decision. A 4 billion won donation from Changtian Clan and the Han Hyun-chul Family.
The source of Director Kim Tae-sung’s brightness became crystal clear.
Na Manager replied composedly.
“You’re too kind. It’s all thanks to my staff.”
-Are your staff members there?
“Yes.”
-Let me see them for a moment.
Ham Bong-sik quickly gestured for Doo-ho and Park Deputy to come over.
‘Come here!’
When the three of them lined up before the screen, Director Kim Tae-sung spoke.
-You’ve all worked hard. Everyone suffered through this, so I’ll make sure to give out bonuses and take you all out for dinner.
Ham Bong-sik answered on behalf of the group.
“Thank you so much, Director!”
Director Kim Tae-sung’s gaze swept across the screen before stopping on Doo-ho.
-You there, are you Lim Doo-ho, Deputy?
“Ah… yes.”
-So, you’re preparing well for the Global Skills Competition?
Doo-ho’s expression showed surprise.
Kim Tae-sung, the Director, spoke with a smile.
-Don’t make that face. I’ve already grasped your capabilities through reports. This android repair case, and the items you modified during the Abyss 80th Floor conquest—they played a significant role, didn’t they?
Doo-ho hastily waved his hand.
“No, that’s not it!”
-Even modest. I have high expectations for you going forward.
“Thank you.”
Just as I thought the conversation had ended.
-By the way, Choi Tae-jin, the representative?
At the mention of that name, Park Deputy’s face beside Doo-ho stiffened.
Director Kim Tae-sung in the hologram delivered a pointed remark.
-He’s one of the most prominent figures in the industry. He’ll be of great help to the competition you’re preparing for.
‘What is this? Is he suggesting Choi Tae-jin as a mentor?’
Doo-ho answered for now.
“Ah, yes….”
-Good, work hard then.
The call ended, and after a moment of silence, Ham Manager broke it.
Geez….
“Just a moment ago, the Manager was really laying into you.”
Na Manager leaned back against his chair and answered matter-of-factly.
“That’s how organizations work. He got double-chewed out by Director Park Soon-kwon and the President for covering for me.”
Pfft!
Ham Manager burst into laughter, recalling that scene.
Doo-ho and Park Deputy returned to their seats.
As Doo-ho was about to sit, Park Deputy spoke up.
“Hey, Lim Deputy.”
“Yes?”
Doo-ho turned his head, and Park Deputy asked carefully.
“Do you have a moment?”
“What…?”
Park Deputy glanced around, then lowered his voice.
“About Choi Tae-jin… I have something to tell you.”
Why is this happening?
Why does everyone keep bringing up Choi Tae-jin?
I Became a Mechromancer
Author |
Keongang E
Published |
February 25, 2026
Published by|
TaleSyx
Website|
https://talesyx.com
Email|
[email protected]
© Gungang E, 2026
This publication is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission.
UCI|
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0059
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————