Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 12

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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 (12)

Spilling the Tea About the Test

Announce that an EX-rank Awakener participated in the development of Termion Hex-9.

Then naturally, Hex-9’s sales would skyrocket like crazy, which would naturally lead to a sharp increase in Termion Corporation’s revenue.

And then.

Chairman Lee Young-hoon would reinvest this revenue into ‘Termion Security’, reviving the business that had been suffering serious losses.

Termion Security is a security and protection company.

With enormous capital secured, the company would thoroughly protect Si-hyeok so that no one could approach him.

This would create a dramatic promotional effect. A company so competent that an EX-rank Awakener would trust them with his life.

It’s a virtuous cycle.

The main company grows thanks to Si-hyeok and reinvests in its subsidiary, and that subsidiary grows again by protecting Si-hyeok.

A miraculous virtuous cycle driven by just one person.

‘Is this even possible?’

He calculated all of this in just the brief moment it took to drink a sip of tea?

Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon looked at Si-hyeok with shocked eyes. That sly smile. Those leisurely eyes. Meeting that gaze sent chills down his spine.

Si-hyeok opened his mouth again.

“How about it, Team Leader? This way, there’s no need to go through the trouble of hiding the awakening grade, is there?”

“…Yes, certainly. All the concerns we had are resolved.”

Kim Seung-hyeon gulped.

The Association Board of Directors had given orders to recruit Si-hyeok at all costs, but the words just wouldn’t come out of his mouth.

Impossible.

No matter how much they offered, could they really satisfy him?

Besides, that man wasn’t someone who would bow down to mere money.

Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon had worked in the Grade Assessment Team and faced countless Awakeners.

Guys who acted arrogant just because they had some ability. Guys with low grades who still acted high and mighty just because they were Awakeners. There were all kinds, but they all had one thing in common.

Either they had big ambitions but no ability.

Or they had ability but couldn’t utilize it.

But Si-hyeok was different from them. He possessed both ability and ambition. Overwhelmingly so.

Would such a person have any reason to come under the Association for money? No matter how he thought about it, it was impossible.

‘Better not to make a move.’

He judged based on long experience. Respect Si-hyeok’s opinions while maintaining appropriate distance and providing maximum support both materially and spiritually.

That was the only possible way to squeeze into that irregular’s heart.

“It seems our conversation is coming to an end. Isn’t that right, Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon?”

“Yes. We weren’t originally planning to make any official announcements, but… after hearing what you said, it seems we need to make this as big as possible.”

Receiving Kim Seung-hyeon’s gaze, Si-hyeok nodded.

“I’ll be counting on you.”

“Understood. We’ll contact you soon.”

With those words, Si-hyeok left the Chairman’s Office.

Only Kim Seung-hyeon and Lee Young-hoon remained in the room.

“Isn’t he amazing?”

Lee Young-hoon said with a pleased smile.

“Yes. Truly. Is he really someone who awakened less than a month ago? He has the atmosphere of a veteran who’s been through everything…”

“Haha. I had the same feeling at first.”

He briefly raised his eyes as if recalling the past, then lowered them.

“Team Leader Kim Seung-hyeon. Do you remember that time? When we met Theodore.”

Theodore Kraus.

An S-rank Crafting Type Awakener from Germany.

Though he’s now in seclusion, he’s still considered the number one legend in the field of Artifact creation.

When Theodore visited Korea in the past, Kim Seung-hyeon and Lee Young-hoon had met him during his prime.

“I remember. I could never forget.”

“Neither could I. He was clearly advanced in age, but those eyes were so intense.”

“But why are you suddenly bringing up that story?”

“I felt a similar impression when I saw Knight Si-hyeok.”

Lee Young-hoon crossed his arms.

“The weight contained in every word, the brilliant talent felt from his presence. Don’t you think so?”

“…I don’t think so.”

“You don’t?”

“Rather, I think he’s surpassed that time. When we met Theodore, he still felt like something within the human category…”

Kim Seung-hyeon paused for a moment.

“Felt like?”

“Knight Si-hyeok somehow didn’t feel human at all. That would be natural, I suppose. There must be an enormous gap between S-rank and EX-rank that I can’t even fathom. He truly felt like a monster.”

“Haha! A monster, is that a compliment?”

“It’s the highest compliment I can give.”

It’s not just about achievements.

Even though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, the aura and atmosphere felt through intuition was overwhelming.

Yet his way of speaking and behavior were filled with humility and respect. The human aspects mixed in made him feel even more monstrous.

A brief silence flowed.

Chairman Lee Young-hoon seemed to be thinking about something, then spoke in a delighted tone.

“I intend to bet on Knight Si-hyeok.”

“Bet?”

“Yes. I’ll stake everything I can. Whatever that may be. Aren’t you curious? Just how far we could reach if we’re with that person?”

He chuckled softly.

“I hope my name, Termion Corporation, will leave its mark in the future that Knight Si-hyeok creates.”

“…”

“I’m old enough now, but I feel like a spark has been lit in my heart. Haha. This is really…”

—My heart is racing. Lee Young-hoon swallowed those words.

 

* * *

 

Si-hyeok’s Personal Research Lab.

Several days had passed since the three-way meeting in the Chairman’s Office.

“Phew…”

Si-hyeok sighed as if nervous.

Today was the day of the press conference.

In a venue filled with numerous reporters, the fact that the world’s first EX-rank Awakener had been born would be officially announced.

‘Only 30 minutes left.’

The Association’s official live broadcast was displayed on his laptop.

Si-hyeok stared at it blankly and licked his lips once.

…Just a month ago, he was just an ordinary delivery driver. Thinking about how all eyes would be on him soon made his lips go dry.

How fortunate it was that the Association said he didn’t need to participate in the press conference. There really was no consideration like that.

Si-hyeok was calming his mind when he turned his head at the presence he felt beside him.

Si-hyeok wasn’t alone in the Personal Research Lab right now. There was someone he wouldn’t normally see here with him.

“Why are you here, Deputy Han Da-hee?”

It was Deputy Han Da-hee from the Grade Assessment Team, who had been in charge of Si-hyeok’s awakening grade test.

“I’ve been assigned to protect Knight Si-hyeok for the time being.”

“No, I know that. The Association will provide protection until Termion Security finishes reorganizing.”

“Yes.”

“But my question is why specifically Deputy Han Da-hee came. Aren’t you from the Grade Assessment Team? This wouldn’t be your original job.”

“It was.”

It was? Does that mean not anymore?

“I’m currently the team leader of the newly established ‘Special Protection Team’ for Mr. Lee Si-hyeok.”

“Did you transfer departments?”

“Yes. It’s because I was the person in charge of Mr. Lee Si-hyeok’s grade assessment at the time.”

“Ah.”

Lee Si-hyeok made an expression of understanding. Then a thought occurred to him.

“By any chance, did you forcibly transfer teams because of me…”

“No. The proposal came from higher up, and I accepted it because I wanted to.”

Team Leader Han Da-hee, no longer Deputy Han Da-hee, spoke with her still cold expression.

Lee Si-hyeok inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Even though he needed protection from the Association, he didn’t want to force others because of himself.

“But why are you inside the Research Lab? If protection is the purpose, you could do it from outside.”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Huh? Oh, no…”

“If you’re uncomfortable, please let me know. I’ll have you replaced with another staff member at any time.”

“It’s fine. I was just genuinely curious.”

Lee Si-hyeok waved his hands as if to say it was a misunderstanding. Replacement? Wasn’t that treating herself too much like a replaceable part?

“It’s to prepare for any possible situation. Just because it’s inside the Research Lab doesn’t guarantee safety. There’s also the possibility of enemies infiltrating through that ventilation duct or window over there.”

“Hmm. That’s true. Then you’re not going to follow me into my home too, are you?”

He asked worriedly at the sudden thought.

“No. I won’t invade your privacy.”

“Ah, that’s a relief.”

He was making an awkward smile thinking he had worried for nothing, when she continued speaking.

“However, the Association purchased the apartment next to yours, Mr. Lee Si-hyeok.”

“…What?”

“I’ll stay there and protect you until Termion Security gets established. I’ll act inconspicuously, so you don’t need to worry.”

Lee Si-hyeok blinked.

Next door? At least it’s fortunate that it’s not cohabitation? Whether he receives protection from Security or the Association, it can’t be helped anyway.

It’s also a necessary procedure for his safety. Besides, they would naturally be considerate of Lee Si-hyeok.

Thinking that way, it didn’t seem like it would be particularly uncomfortable.

They spent time having various other casual conversations.

Since she was quite an emotionless person, conversation didn’t flow well, but Han Da-hee responded quite well as the nervous Lee Si-hyeok threw out random topics.

—The door is opening.

When the press conference was about to start, the Research Lab door burst open.

Lee Si-hyeok looked up in surprise, and Han Da-hee drew up her mana and took an attacking stance.

“Hey hey, stop! It’s me, me!”

The person who opened the door and entered was none other than Department Head Yoon Seo-jin. Han Da-hee looked at Lee Si-hyeok.

“Do you know this person?”

“Yes. She’s my boss at work.”

She withdrew her mana again.

Yoon Seo-jin walked over with strides, looking incredulous.

“Excuse me, who are you? Who are you to suddenly attack…”

“I’m Team Leader Han Da-hee of the Special Protection Team. I’m exclusively in charge of protecting Mr. Lee Si-hyeok.”

“Protection? What protection… Oh, that’s it!”

Yoon Seo-jin smiled brightly as if something had occurred to her. Then she suddenly looked at Lee Si-hyeok.

“Si-hyeok! I heard the news from the Chairman too. EX-rank? Are you really crazy?!”

“Did you come because of that?”

“Of course! I kept bothering him so much that the Chairman let it slip a little, and I caught on to it brilliantly! It was obvious it wasn’t S-rank, and seemed like a higher grade…”

She kept talking without stopping her mouth. Most of it was about Lee Si-hyeok’s grade.

Fuss, flattery, commotion.

For a while, the high-pitched voice that kept piercing his ears without rest went in one ear and out the other for Lee Si-hyeok.

When he glanced at Han Da-hee’s face, her previously stoic eyebrows were slightly furrowed. Would that woman react like that unless she was quite fed up? Lee Si-hyeok chuckled inwardly.

Still, since it was all praise, Lee Si-hyeok felt embarrassed but didn’t particularly try to stop her.

“…Oh, right. There’s going to be a press conference soon? What time is it now?”

Yoon Seo-jin checked her smart watch.

“Only 1 minute left. When did it become this time?”

“While you were chattering, Department Head.”

“Hehe. Chattering, how much did I chatter? Anyway, I came to watch the press conference together too.”

“Are you done with today’s research?”

“No? There’s still a lot left. How could I finish all of that? There’s a mountain of work to do.”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, there’s a lot of work left, but I put it all aside and came. I sent all the staff home too.”

“Is that okay?”

“Of course. Is that what’s important right now? If I don’t watch this live, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. The Chairman will understand this much, right?”

“That’s true.”

Not long after, it was time for the press conference.

Yoon Seo-jin stuck right next to Lee Si-hyeok. There was only one laptop, so there was no other choice.

Han Da-hee also pretended not to, but subtly moved only her gaze to glance at the screen.

—Good day, thank you for attending today’s press conference.

The Awakener Association President standing on the platform read the prepared script.

—The Korea Awakener Association has always approached every discussion about an awakener with caution and responsibility.

—However, today we stand here to deliver news more special than any other moment. Now, it’s time to write history that no one could have imagined together.

The Association President paused. Amid the countless flashing lights, he continued speaking.

—A few days ago, South Korea’s first EX-rank awakener was born.

Murmuring sounds began to be heard.

Since the camera was only showing the platform, it wasn’t directly visible, but the press section was clearly in chaos.

Even though the Q&A session was still far off, various questions rained down toward the Association President. Questions like whether it was certain, what the awakener’s name was.

—Please wait a moment, I’ll take questions after I finish the prepared content.

The Association President calmed the audience. Were they overwhelmed by the presence he emanated? The reporters regained their silence.

Then the pre-prepared materials began to appear one by one.

From Lee Si-hyeok’s grade assessment process to its results.

It was thoroughly prepared to prevent people from spreading false rumors. They continued the announcement systematically, containing only plain facts.

Especially when explaining about the Legacy Artifact that Lee Si-hyeok created, it was spectacular – they actually brought the to the press conference hall.

‘They asked to borrow it from me for a while.’

With all of Earth’s attention focused there, the Association President personally scanned the Shadow Blade once more with a mana detector.

And the hologram that appeared indeed had the words ‘Legacy Artifact’ written on it.

Yoon Seo-jin kept searching news articles on her phone while watching the live stream.

However, the moment the Shadow Blade was revealed, the portal site temporarily went down. Once again, Yoon Seo-jin’s commotion swept through the Research Lab.

—The birth of an EX-rank awakener doesn’t stop at simply the appearance of one special being.

—Now we will take one more step forward for a stronger South Korea and to achieve things that no one thought possible.

—We hope this sacred birth will give greater inspiration to all of us, and we ask for your interest and support.

The press conference ended.

Lee Si-hyeok watched the Q&A session with his mouth agape. There was nothing unusual. Just all the questions he had expected.

“…Si-hyeok, look at this.”

Yoon Seo-jin showed him her mobile phone.

Creak, Lee Si-hyeok’s eyes widened as he lowered his head.

“Te, Termion Hex-9 sales increased 10-fold?!”

“See when this news was posted? 5 minutes ago. Every time I refresh now, the sales records keep getting updated!”

“Huh…”

Lee Si-hyeok let out a hollow laugh with a dazed expression.

It was an expected result. But there was a dimensional difference between just picturing it in his head and experiencing it directly like this.

To see his bank account balance multiplying hundreds of times with his own eyes like this. The plan he had set up seemed like it couldn’t possibly fail.

“Huh?”

Manager Yoon Seo-jin tilted her head. She seemed to have discovered something and held out her phone again.

The screen displayed a list of best posts from an internet community.

Artifact Network.

A community commonly called ‘ArtiNet’.

It was a site Lee Si-hyeok knew well. It was a place where aspiring creators and people currently working in the field all gathered.

It had considerable influence and quite a few famous Awakeners, making it very well-known. However, Si-hyeok didn’t use it much due to some malicious users who frequented it.

“Do you use ArtiNet too, Manager?”

“…Ahem. I just lurk. Sometimes you can find decent talent here. Plus, as someone who makes products, I need to check reactions, right? I have no choice.”

“I was just asking.”

Her response was longer than expected for a casual question. Was she making excuses or something? He didn’t have any particularly negative impression of it though.

“Anyway! Look at this post. It was uploaded right after the press conference ended, right? But the recommendation count broke ten thousand in less than 10 minutes.”

“Is ten thousand high?”

“Yes, extremely. Usually it barely hits a thousand. Not that I’ve ever posted anything myself, of course.”

Ignoring the unnecessary addition, Si-hyeok looked at her mobile phone.

At the very top was a best post with an incredible number of recommendations.

 

[Story time about taking the EX-rank and awakening grade tests that the association announced this time lol.txt]

 

Si-hyeok looked with a flustered expression, then touched that post.

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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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