Even if I Make It Roughly, Ex-rank Items Continue to Accumulate - Chapter 5

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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 (5)

Let’s Do Some Work Together

“We’ve arrived.”

Hunter Lee Gang-mok stepped out of the luxury sedan.

An A-rank Hunter of South Korea and the only son of Chairman Lee Young-hoon. He looked up at the building that soared high into the sky.

It was the building of Termion Corporation, his father’s company.

‘It’s only been two days… but it feels like I haven’t been here in ages.’

Lee Gang-mok had been hospitalized in the VIP Ward over the weekend. It was due to injuries sustained while escaping from the Gate Break.

As the short two-day hospitalization period indicated, the injuries weren’t that severe. Being an A-rank Hunter, the wounds from monster bites healed quickly.

However.

The psychological trauma remained intact.

“…Damn it.”

Lee Gang-mok clenched his fists as he recalled the tragedy from a few days ago. He had to do this to prevent his hands from trembling pathetically.

Nightmares had tormented him throughout his hospital stay.

Two colleagues being eaten alive by Predator Ants. They were all A-rank Hunters, but against hundreds of those creatures, they were nothing more than prey…

The cause was complacency.

They were the type who usually played cruel pranks on each other inside Gates.

Lee Gang-mok, who knew how terrifying the mass attacks of Predator Ants could be, had told them to be careful this time, but they wouldn’t listen.

His colleagues, asking what he was overreacting about, had even thrown away their artifacts and simultaneously disturbed multiple ant nests, only to be devoured by the swarm of ants that poured out.

That was their end.

…If only I had spoken more firmly.

Such regret was eating away at Lee Gang-mok’s mind.

Lee Gang-mok entered the building and waited for the elevator.

―The doors are opening.

The elevator that had just arrived. Since it was busy work hours, there was only one person inside.

“…”

But that person’s face looked familiar somehow.

A listless face that seemed uninterested in worldly affairs. But eyes that were sharp and alert, contrasting with that expression. Straight posture and tall stature.

It was that very man who had risked his life to fight alongside him when asked for help.

Their eyes met briefly.

The man seemed to recognize Lee Gang-mok, gave a light nod, and passed by.

Lee Gang-mok, who had been staring blankly, belatedly turned around with an “Ah!” The man was slowly walking away.

‘His name was… Ah.’

He remembered. Transport Team driver Lee Si-hyeok.

His father, Chairman Lee Young-hoon, who had visited the hospital yesterday, had told him. That he would call him today to express his gratitude.

Lee Gang-mok stared at Si-hyeok’s retreating back.

His lifesaver.

Was it really right to let the person who had saved him from the brink of death just walk away like this?

The old Lee Gang-mok wouldn’t have had such concerns, but now his mindset had changed significantly.

His colleagues who had their limbs torn off while screaming for help. Lee Gang-mok had escaped through the Gate to save himself alone, even after hearing those desperate screams.

Lee Si-hyeok, that man who was merely a transport driver, hadn’t done that. He hadn’t turned away from Lee Gang-mok’s voice.

Of course, Si-hyeok would know too.

That Lee Gang-mok had once thrown a document bundle and openly ignored him.

Despite that, he had risked his own life in what was almost a gamble to save Lee Gang-mok.

A hero.

Yes, to Lee Gang-mok, that figure seemed like a hero. The title of Hunter would suit that person better than himself.

Si-hyeok was about to leave the building.

“Excuse me!”

Before it was too late, Lee Gang-mok shouted loudly.

His footsteps stopped abruptly. He slowly turned around to look this way. His eyes held a questioning look.

Lee Gang-mok hesitated for a moment.

He had never apologized more than five times in his entire life.

As the son of a major corporation’s chairman, he had never wronged anyone. For someone like him, wrongs could become not-wrongs.

But now, having crossed the threshold between life and death and witnessed his colleagues’ deaths.

“…I’m sorry about that time.”

It was something that had to be done.

Si-hyeok’s eyes widened at the sight of Lee Gang-mok bowing his head.

“And thank you for saving me.”

Cold sweat ran down his back. The awkward gesture made him tense up to his chin, and worry about ‘What if he just ignores me?’ welled up inside him.

After a moment, a voice came from ahead.

“It’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

“I said it’s fine. What apology? If you really feel bad about it, just buy me a meal next time.”

“…!”

Si-hyeok said this with a tone mixed with laughter, then left the building without looking back.

This cool? Lee Gang-mok stared at that figure in a daze. Without realizing it, he had a dumbfounded expression.

‘…That’s so damn cool.’

For a while, he couldn’t move his feet.

 

* * *

 

A few days after the meeting with Chairman Lee Young-hoon.

There had been many changes in Si-hyeok’s life.

―Third floor.

Right now, Si-hyeok was on his way to meet the biggest change among them all.

He got off the elevator and walked down the corridor. The atmosphere was completely different from the underground warehouse he usually frequented.

Pure white walls and rooms packed closely together.

This was Termion Corporation’s research facility. The place where artifacts that could shake the world with just one announcement were born.

Si-hyeok passed by the research labs. He also saw a room with Research Director Yoon Seo-jin’s name on it.

He arrived at the end of the corridor.

An empty research lab with no name attached yet.

“Whooooo…”

Si-hyeok gulped and held his employee ID to the door lock.

Beep!

―You have been authenticated.

The lock was released and the interior became visible.

A main table for processing magic stones and designing circuits.

A ventilation system for purifying residual energy.

Even an experimental small containment room with protective barriers applied.

“Th-this is insane.”

Si-hyeok couldn’t hide his excitement and stepped back.

Fortunately, no one was watching. Were the CCTVs watching? Who cares. Anyone in this position would think the same thing.

―This is really amazing.

Was it two days ago? Si-hyeok, who was preparing to leave work, received two pieces of news from Yoon Seo-jin.

First, complete approval had been granted for the Gate Byproducts purchase rights, and from now on, he could purchase them by speaking to the warehouse staff.

And the other one.

That a spare research lab would be provided to Si-hyeok free of charge!

Chairman Lee Young-hoon, who seemed to think highly of Si-hyeok’s aspirations, apparently felt that the gratitude was still insufficient and gave him one of the spare research labs in the building.

Along with the words that since he was going to research anyway, wouldn’t it be better to do it in better facilities.

From Termion Corporation’s perspective, there probably wasn’t any particular loss. They had the right to contact Si-hyeok first about any artifacts he created.

At the time, the company happened to have a spare research lab too. When more researchers are added later, Si-hyeok can just step aside again.

With this, Si-hyeok had become a really, very, extremely strange position within the company.

An employee belonging to the Transportation Team, but with a personal research lab.

The only person who could develop whatever he wanted without following orders from above.

‘To think that coincidence back then would lead to this result.’

He’s amazed all over again.

Si-hyeok checked the time. 7 PM. It was originally time to get off work, but he had no desire to go home at all.

Swoosh.

Si-hyeok, sitting in his chair, pulled out his laptop.

He had made a big decision to buy it since it seemed like he’d be doing a lot of development and research outside in the future.

The damage compensation sent by the Awakener Association.

Fortunately, there was some money left even after fixing the damaged transport truck. Plus, the company said bonuses would be paid on payday, so he didn’t have to worry about money for a while.

Click. Tap tap tap!

Though he had entered a new environment, Si-hyeok’s routine remained unchanged.

After work, as always, he went to the ‘Magical Engineering Papers’ site to look at newly uploaded research materials.

‘〈Circuit Connection Technology Considering Long-term Use〉? This looks interesting.’

Now that he could use good materials, he had to go through a more thoughtful process to create his next work.

Si-hyeok was absorbed in his research, unaware that the moon was rising outside the window.

Beep!

He was getting tired and stretching when he heard a mechanical sound from the door lock.

—Master key, authenticated.

The door opens.

Startled, Si-hyeok looked at the woman standing in front of the door.

“…Manager Yoon Seo-jin?”

“Hello, Si-hyeok.”

“How did you get in? No, more than that, haven’t you gone home yet?”

Haggard face and a face worn down by overwork. Yoon Seo-jin trudged over and sat across from him at the table.

“Didn’t you hear when the door opened? Master key. All research department managers have one. And I always work until this time anyway. Do researchers even have regular quitting time to begin with?”

“…I see. Please have this.”

Si-hyeok handed her an energy drink.

A beverage infused with mana, made exclusively for awakeners.

“Oh my, thank you. You have great sense. But wasn’t this what you were going to drink, Si-hyeok?”

“It was buy one get one free, so I have another one.”

“Nice, nice. Let’s drink together then.”

Yoon Seo-jin held out her bottle as if to toast. Si-hyeok chuckled and clinked bottles with her.

“Ahh! Now I feel alive. By the way, what are you doing, Si-hyeok? You’re not even in the research department. Aren’t you tired?”

“Well, yes. I’m doing something I like. I can’t get tired already.”

“Hehe. You really are an interesting person.”

Manager Yoon Seo-jin seemed to be in a particularly good mood today.

“Is the thing you were developing all finished?”

“Oh. How did you know? That’s right. I just finished presenting a three-month project.”

…That sensitive woman only treats me warmly when she’s free, or when she’s done something wrong.

“So, Si-hyeok. I have some time before I start my next project, you know? About a week?”

Yoon Seo-jin’s eyes lit up as she leaned forward on the desk.

“I’m thinking of doing some work during that time, would you help me out?”

“Work?”

“I saw the video of you in action too, you know. It’s still causing a stir on the internet. Bang bang bang at those predator ants! Killing them all with that pistol-like artifact. But as I watched, that artifact kept catching my eye.”

“…”

“I thought it was because I’m a researcher, but that wasn’t it. It felt somehow familiar.”

She lowered her voice and continued.

“That’s the Termion Hex-9, right?”

“…”

Si-hyeok pondered his answer.

This wasn’t a matter to brush off lightly. The Termion Hex-9 was still a prototype that hadn’t been revealed to the world.

Strictly speaking, Si-hyeok had stolen a product that was tightly veiled in secrecy. No matter that he made it to test his 『Mimicry』 skill, from the company’s perspective it was nothing but a crime.

‘I originally took it thinking I’d never have to use it, but the brake just happened to fail…’

He couldn’t lie either. She was probably asking to confirm something she was already certain about.

If it was Yoon Seo-jin, who had directly led the development of the Hex-9, she would naturally be extremely angry.

“…That’s right. I made it by copying what I saw in the underground warehouse.”

Si-hyeok, who finally answered honestly, bit his lips tightly.

“Wow, how did you do that?”

But it was the complete opposite reaction from what he expected.

“That’s crazy. Even if you saw it several times, you shouldn’t be able to copy it. You didn’t even see the blueprints, right?”

He couldn’t read any anger at all in her admiring expression.

“Is that even possible? If someone showed me an artifact and told me to copy it, I don’t think I could do it either. How many people could do that… Hmm? Si-hyeok, why do you look like that?”

“…I was a little surprised because your reaction was different from what I expected.”

“Reaction? Why… Oh, did you think I’d be angry?”

“Yes.”

Yoon Seo-jin chuckled.

“Of course I’m annoyed. You completely copied something I worked hard to make. But that feeling disappeared after just a little while. No, how did you make it with those materials? And someone who just awakened? You know that curiosity that all researchers have, right? It just kept bubbling up.”

“Huh…”

“And you haven’t made any profit from it yet, right? You didn’t expect the Gate brake to fail when you took it. Si-hyeok isn’t the type to go around doing weird things either.”

“That’s right.”

Si-hyeok nodded with a serious expression.

“Pfft. Don’t worry. No one else would recognize it. The video was so shaky that I barely noticed it myself.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Yes. Anyway, the reason I brought this up…”

She crossed her arms.

“Si-hyeok, would you like to participate in developing the Termion Hex-9?”

“What? But that’s already finished…”

“It’s finished. But it hasn’t been released yet. I have about a week of downtime too. The production line will be delayed even more because Si-hyeok found defects anyway. I want to do some modifications during that time.”

“Modifications…?”

“What you did to your artifact. That.”

Si-hyeok immediately understood.

The method that the 『Mimicry』 skill had suggested to maximize the Termion Hex-9’s ‘rapid fire ability.’

That was the difference between the original and the replica.

“You know what I mean, right? I’m not forcing you. But it would take a long time if I researched it alone. Si-hyeok already knows the method, but I’d have to start from scratch.”

“Wait, wait. Then would I be joining the research department?”

“No? Si-hyeok just needs to visit occasionally and give advice. That would be better, wouldn’t it? Plus, you’ll get royalties too.”

Royalties? Si-hyeok tilted his head.

“Si-hyeok belongs to the Transportation Team, not the research department. That means you’re not a research worker who just receives the exact salary specified in the contract. What does that mean?”

“…?”

“A collaborative relationship. A partnership providing advice from outside. That’s why royalties are provided. You’d be working in an equal relationship, not a hierarchical one.”

She counted on her fingers.

“Let’s see. Hmm, probably 1%? Rapid fire is that much of a definite upgrade. If I talk to the Chairman, he might give us that much, don’t you think?”

‘…Crazy.’

Si-hyeok’s mouth fell open without him realizing it.

1%.

It looked very small as a number, but considering the actual amount that would come in, it was an absurd sum.

Since the Hex-9 was the flagship product of the major corporation Termion Corporation, both the sales volume and price per unit were enormous.

Even if only 1% of that comes in, it’s truly astronomical money. Lee Si-hyeok, who originally wasn’t very greedy for money, couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘I have to do this.’

This is an incredible opportunity.

Since Lee Si-hyeok would be participating as an equal collaborative partner, he wouldn’t need to unconditionally follow orders from above. It meant he could freely unleash his creative desires.

The participation period is even short.

He was in a situation where he’d need quite a bit of money to purchase High-Grade Magic Stones going forward, and now he could even gain substantial long-term income.

“So, what do you think? Will you do it?”

“Deal. Let’s start right away.”

Lee Si-hyeok grasped the hand that Department Head Yoon Seo-jin extended to him.

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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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