Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Even Hastily Made Ones Keep Stacking Up as EX-Rank (10)

Overnight Millionaire

Lee Si-hyeok was sitting in a chair, passing time while waiting for Han Da-hee to return.

‘Ugh.’

But the atmosphere was a bit, no, quite uncomfortable.

“Sob, sniff…”

It was because the woman who had taken the test with him was crying about two seats away.

No, why cry here of all places?

He fully understood being sad when you don’t get the grade you want. But why did it have to be right next to him? It felt like sitting on a bed of thorns, driving him crazy.

“…Excuse me, what’s your name?”

Finally, Lee Si-hyeok, unable to bear it any longer, spoke up.

The woman stopped crying and slightly lifted her face that had been buried in her knees.

“Song Chae-ah…”

“Ah, Ms. Chae-ah. I’m Lee Si-hyeok.”

“Yes…”

Silence. Quiet. Stillness.

There was no sign of the conversation continuing. What was this feeling of things becoming even more awkward?

While Lee Si-hyeok was pondering the next conversation topic, Song Chae-ah suddenly continued speaking.

“You’re lucky, Si-hyeok.”

“Pardon?”

“Your evaluation results came out well. I don’t know exactly what ‘beyond specifications’ means… but I can tell it’s ridiculously high.”

She let out a wet sigh.

“You said this was your first evaluation, right? And you got results like that. I’m really envious. This is my fourth evaluation and I’m still B-rank…”

“Isn’t that high enough?”

“I thought so at first too. My first evaluation wasn’t even B-rank, it was C-rank. After getting promoted one level, I thought I could accomplish anything.”

At those words, Lee Si-hyeok realized what the subtle sense of déjà vu he felt from her was.

Inferiority complex, or feelings of inadequacy.

Those negative emotions that gnaw away at oneself were dominating Song Chae-ah right now.

“…Stars. Shining stars, more precisely S-rank Awakened, I suppose. I wanted to become like those people too. But seeing you today, Si-hyeok, I realized it. Ah, I can’t do it.”

“…”

“People who are truly gifted have different destinies from me from the start. How could someone who awakened less than a month ago…”

Song Chae-ah let out a bitter laugh.

“Sorry. This is pathetic, isn’t it?”

“…No, it’s not.”

“Actually, when I first saw you earlier, Si-hyeok, I was secretly laughing at you. Looking at that Legacy Artifact. Wondering what kind of shoddy construction that was.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But I was being stupid. What I couldn’t understand due to my own inadequacy, I dismissed as someone else’s inadequacy instead. I feel really sorry toward you, Si-hyeok.”

“It’s fine. Well, it’s not like I heard it anyway.”

Silence flowed once again.

However, this time there was no feeling of awkwardness. Rather than carelessly blurting out words, Lee Si-hyeok pondered various things inwardly.

What words should he say? Comfort? Encouragement?

‘No.’

Lee Si-hyeok dismissed the thought.

Half-hearted comfort is worse than none at all, and perfunctory encouragement only makes the other person feel more miserable.

He knew from experience.

‘Awakening’ isn’t something that can be resolved through effort. As Song Chae-ah had said earlier, it’s close to destiny. Even if that person wants it, the Status Window will never respond.

That’s why Lee Si-hyeok, who achieved the Achievement 「Legendary Mimicry Genius」 and awakened the『Mimicry』skill, was a very special case.

After pondering and pondering, Lee Si-hyeok opened his lips.

“I hope you’ll enjoy it.”

“…Pardon?”

“Just as I said. Being frustrated because the results weren’t good, that’s natural. What you hoped for crumbled. But does that mean you’ll give up?”

“No… that’s not it.”

Lee Si-hyeok shrugged his shoulders.

“Right. You wouldn’t. I was the same way. Ms. Chae-ah, you seem to mistake me for some incredible lucky person… but I’m not as fortunate as you think. I’m someone who’s lived quite diligently.”

“How long? I’ve been working every day for 4 years since awakening…”

“15 years. From when I was thirteen, when I first dreamed of becoming a magical engineer, until now.”

“…Fif, fifteen years?”

Song Chae-ah’s voice grew louder.

“Yes. You know what’s even funnier? I was unawakened the entire time. Someone who hadn’t even awakened spent 15 years obsessing alone, trying to create just one piece. Every single day without fail.”

“How, how did you…”

“How did I endure it? I told you earlier. I enjoyed it. That’s all. Because I loved magical engineering, because I wanted to try using mana once, I stuck to it joyfully and persistently.”

Lee Si-hyeok chuckled.

He wasn’t usually the type to bring up such trivial stories, but somehow he felt like he saw his old self overlapping with Song Chae-ah.

“And then it worked out. I’m not trying to give you false hope. It’s right to look at things coldly too.”

“…”

“But if you’re not going to give up until the end, shouldn’t you at least enjoy it? In the end, only emotions remain.”

Lee Si-hyeok looked toward the door. Han Da-hee was just coming in.

“So, Ms. Chae-ah. From now on, I hope you’ll seek the process over results, happiness over frustration.”

“…”

“Thank you for your hard work today.”

Lee Si-hyeok got up from his seat and walked toward Han Da-hee.

Song Chae-ah was left alone.

She felt like she’d been hit in the head. He worked hard for 15 years? And while unawakened at that?

It was unbelievable.

But Lee Si-hyeok’s appearance as he spoke in a clear, measured tone was difficult to doubt. His life was melted into his attitude.

She wiped around her eyes. No more tears were flowing, but she rubbed roughly with her sleeve, trying to erase the tear stains.

She was ashamed. Four years. Looking back, those years had been marked entirely by the single emotion of pain. Not once had she thought it was enjoyable.

She was doing what she wanted to do, so why had she only tried to endure? Looking at it now, she couldn’t understand it at all. Lee Si-hyeok’s words had shattered her fixed notions.

She looked outside the door. Lee Si-hyeok was having a conversation with the evaluation supervisor.

‘…Enjoyably.’

Song Chae-ah clenched both fists and repeated inwardly.

Her values, her future.

It was the moment they were changed by a man she’d met for the first time.

 

* * *

 

Lee Si-hyeok returned home.

Without even washing, he threw his body onto the bed.

“I’m dead tired.”

Transportation work until 6 PM.

Then straight to the Association for the Awakening rank test until now, 11 PM.

Considering he’d been devoted to crafting the 〈Shadow Blade〉 all weekend, he’d really overworked his body to the point of beating it up.

Lee Si-hyeok stared blankly at the bright fluorescent light, recalling what had happened earlier.

—We’ll need to discuss Mr. Lee Si-hyeok’s evaluation results a bit more with our superiors. Since this is the first result we’ve seen, it’s difficult for us to make a judgment easily.

Assistant Manager Han Da-hee had guided him with a polite tone.

‘She said they’d contact me right away once the discussion is finished.’

She’d also added that he might become the first EX-rank Awakened surpassing S-rank, asking him to keep it secret for the time being.

She was worried that Lee Si-hyeok’s safety might be endangered by unnecessary rumors. Song Chae-ah had also been firmly cautioned.

Lee Si-hyeok turned on his mobile phone.

Holding back his heavy eyelids, he slowly entered a portal site.

“…Huh?”

But then, Lee Si-hyeok’s eyes widened in an instant. He abruptly sat up from where he had been lying down.

At the very top of the portal site.

There was a news headline plastered in huge letters.

 

[Termion Corporation Officially Launches ‘Termion Hex-9’… Collaboration with Researcher Lee Si-hyeok Creates Buzz]

 

“Come to think of it, they said it would be released this evening.”

Manager Yoon Seo-jin had told him in advance, but he had completely forgotten due to his busy schedule.

Lee Si-hyeok touched the screen as if mesmerized.

 

[Termion Corporation’s flagship product ‘Termion Hex-9’ was officially released today. This model shows improved accuracy and portability compared to previous versions….]

[…According to industry insiders, recently awakened researcher ‘Lee Si-hyeok’ participated in this model and provided core technology.]

[The rapid fire function he contributed is an element that didn’t exist in previous models, and is receiving positive reactions among buyers.]

[As interest in the Hex-9 intensifies immediately after its release, curiosity about researcher Lee Si-hyeok who participated in the research process is also growing.]

 

“…The industry is paying attention to what kind of research results he will show in the future…?”

Lee Si-hyeok, who had only sat up partway, jumped up completely. Bang! He hit his head on the ceiling, but felt no pain at all.

He hurriedly checked other articles.

 

[‘Termion Hex-9’ Surpasses 50,000 Sales on First Day of Release… Signal of Record-Breaking Success]

 

“Cra, crazy.”

The mobile phone dropped from Lee Si-hyeok’s hand with a thud.

He opened his mouth and started calculating in his head.

Termion Hex-9’s selling price: 5 million won.

First day sales: 50,000 units.

Lee Si-hyeok’s royalty: 1%.

―2,500,000,000 won.

Lee Si-hyeok’s hands trembled. In just one day, exactly one day after release, he had made 2.5 billion won.

More importantly, this was just the first day’s sales.

Artifacts usually see increasing sales over time. When first released, there are often quite a few defects, so Hunters carefully read reviews before making purchases.

And Lee Si-hyeok was confident that this Hex-9 was perfect. Sales would inevitably increase.

But if it was 2.5 billion won on the first day….

‘How much money will hit my account on settlement day…?’

He had expected this when he accepted Manager Yoon Seo-jin’s proposal, but experiencing it firsthand felt like being slapped dozens of times with bundles of cash.

And it didn’t feel bad at all. He wanted to be slapped more.

No matter how achieving his dream was Lee Si-hyeok’s top priority, making money was important in another sense.

This would all become research and development funding!

Lee Si-hyeok found himself grinning without realizing it.

‘Come to think of it, this is already the second time I’ve been in the news.’

When the Gate Break occurred and he saved Hunter Lee Gang-mok. Back then too, portal sites had been plastered with Lee Si-hyeok’s photos.

However, in this news, the reporters couldn’t figure out who Lee Si-hyeok was.

They probably didn’t think that the transport driver from the previous news and researcher Lee Si-hyeok were the same person.

Plop!

Lee Si-hyeok lay back down on the bed and picked up his phone again. It had cracked slightly when he dropped it earlier.

It didn’t matter. He no longer needed to worry about mobile phone repair costs. Go ahead and break all you want. I’ll fix you.

Lee Si-hyeok enjoyed his happy mood while checking the news, then gradually fell asleep.

 

* * *

 

Although he had become a billionaire overnight, Lee Si-hyeok had no immediate plans to quit his job.

The transport work was already an established routine, and not having it would probably be more difficult. He had to go to the company research lab after work anyway.

―Basement Level 3.

After collecting Gate byproducts from morning to afternoon, he entered the underground warehouse for delivery.

“Si-hyeok!”

Manager Yoon Seo-jin greeted him in front of the elevator.

Standing right in front of the door, it seemed like she had been waiting while watching the floor numbers.

‘Why is she suddenly doing something she’s never done before… Oh, right.’

A natural rejection reaction occurred, but then he remembered seeing the news about Hex-9’s success last night.

Lee Si-hyeok smiled and greeted her.

“Nice to see you, Manager.”

“Si-hyeok, you heard the news too, right? Termion Hex-9 surpassed 60,000 sales! It’s insane, really!”

“Yesterday it was 50,000, but it’s already increased that much more?”

“Yes. Right now the whole world is going crazy talking about our product. Haven’t you checked?”

“Ah, I don’t really look at my phone during work.”

Yoon Seo-jin bent down to check the byproducts Lee Si-hyeok had brought. Even while doing so, her mouth didn’t rest as she poured out words.

“No, it’s really hit the jackpot. When we released the previous model, Hex-8, first day sales were 30,000 units, but this time it increased by 20,000 units.”

“Oh… 20,000 units?”

“Yes! Si-hyeok, you know the reason too, right? Why this model became such a huge hit?”

Lee Si-hyeok thought for a moment.

“…Because of the improved accuracy?”

“Well, improved accuracy and portability. That definitely helped too. But there’s something else that’s different from before, isn’t there?”

“The rapid fire ability?”

“Exactly! Right now sales are rising because of that. You know what the Hex model series kept getting criticized for. Single shots were fine, but rapid fire was really lousy.”

Lee Si-hyeok had thought that several times too. Back when he was unawakened, when he bought the Hex-8 for analysis.

Although he couldn’t use it due to lack of mana, when he roughly checked the blueprints and visible structure, he had felt it was lacking.

“This time Si-hyeok solved that problem. Suddenly appearing like a comet and solving our headache in one go! Damn, it’s crazy, crazy.”

“…You seem very happy.”

Lee Si-hyeok replied with a sour expression.

He was also happy that the product was selling well, but this was the first time he’d seen Yoon Seo-jin this excited at work. Was she always like this?

“I always get happy when products turn out well. Si-hyeok, you’re seeing this for the first time.”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

Come to think of it, when they developed together in the research lab last week, her energy was quite high too. Thinking about that, it didn’t seem so strange.

“Ah. Right, Si-hyeok.”

While pulling the transport cart and storing the byproducts in the warehouse, Yoon Seo-jin called out as if remembering something.

“The Chairman said to come up to the Chairman’s Office when Si-hyeok arrives?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You said you don’t check your phone during work. So he probably contacted me instead.”

“Ah.”

Lee Si-hyeok took out his phone to check. Indeed, there was a message from the Secretary Office asking him to visit.

“By the way Si-hyeok, did you take the awakening grade test?”

“…Why are you asking that?”

Deputy Han Da-hee had asked him to keep it secret. Finding it difficult to answer, he threw back a counter-question.

“The Chairman mentioned it. He said the Association’s Grade Assessment Team Leader is currently visiting the company. Why? It’s curious, isn’t it?”

“….”

“So I kept pestering him about why he kept trying to dodge the question. You know what he said?”

Yoon Seo-jin smiled mischievously.

“He said there’s something to discuss regarding Si-hyeok’s awakening grade?”

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