Second-generation Awakeners.
Heroes who survived the most brutal battles, facing both monsters and the government, emerging victorious against all odds.
Shin Seong-gwak was one of them.

‘These younger ones will never understand. How cruel it is to have a high level.’

Those who casually enter gates to make money, those who hunt monsters just to buy the latest luxury items—
such carefree and weak third-generation Awakeners can never comprehend it.
The government, which treated Awakeners as expendable tools,
and the Awakeners Association, which rose up to stand against them, fighting desperately for survival.
Killing high-level Awakeners to gain experience points far more efficiently than defeating dungeon bosses.
Even now, the "star Awakeners" adored by the public, who bask in fame, wealth, and honor,
would have been treated like boss monsters that anyone could easily defeat just ten years ago.

‘The young ones can never understand. We were the ones who brought an end to that hellish era.’

Awakeners from the association and government-affiliated Awakeners.
In a war so brutal that it could be compared to a civil war,
Awakeners killed those on the opposing side to gain massive experience points.
The longer they fought, the more they survived, the more experience points they gained.

‘The problem with second-generation Awakeners started like this.’

They gained the same experience points as they would from defeating dungeon bosses,
but the rewards of a dungeon, such as loot, were not available in the aftermath of the civil war.
While they leveled up, they did not receive appropriate rewards.
Even if they obtained items from their enemies, they were often broken in the battle,
and much of the equipment did not match their classes or did not meet usage requirements.
Even if their levels rose, their combat abilities did not rise to the level that matched their new power.

‘A harsh dilemma had arrived.’

An Awakener who hunted normally would steadily progress,
even if they entered higher-level hunting grounds, continuing their growth and leading a fulfilling life as an Awakener.
However, after the war with the government, second-generation Awakeners,
who had only leveled up, had to enter much higher-level hunting grounds to continue to level up.
But their specs were insufficient to withstand the stronger monsters there.
To make matters worse, the concept of "End Point" was introduced.

‘The phenomenon where an Awakener’s abilities become too strong for their level, causing self-destruction.’

Upon leveling up, Awakeners would experience a temporary restoration of health and combat prowess,
but once an Awakener enters the End Point, their body cannot break free from its grip.
Leveling up might restore their health for a while,
but the disease that comes with the End Point only worsens faster—like a vicious addiction that spirals into further deterioration.

“Hello, did you come alone, sir?”
“I was hoping to see the Guild Leader. Could you guide me?”
“You didn’t make a reservation, right? Then please fill in your basic information on this visitor log.”

Shin Seong-gwak had struggled for nine years to escape this vicious cycle,
but after a year of relentless effort, he collapsed and gave in.

“I’m done.”
“Let’s see… Sir’s name is Shin Seong-gwak from the Myeongho Guild, Awakener status is confirmed, level 249… huh? 249?”

249 level.
This was the result.

“Sir, you shouldn’t joke about your level. Is that really correct? If you write something like 25 or 24.9 later, there will be a huge problem!”
“Haha. I never thought I’d meet people here who don’t even know my name or face. It seems like life really does surprise you the longer you live.”

Shin Seong-gwak chuckled like a kindly grandfather.
The ground beneath his feet vibrated subtly,
and the pen on the reception desk fell to the floor.

“Eh? Was that an earthquake?”

Before the flustered receptionist could pick up the pen,
the pencil holder toppled,
and pens scattered across the desk, rolling under it.

“Eh? Eh?”

The receptionist frantically reached out and started collecting the pens,
but then—
crash!
Bang!

“AAAH!”

The monitor toppled, and books from the bookshelf spilled,
as the tremors grew fiercer and became unbearable.
Finally, the receptionist screamed and collapsed to the floor.

Drrrrrrr!

The tremors grew stronger, as if the end of the world was coming,
unceasing and escalating.
Shin Seong-gwak was determined to continue this display of power.

‘The guild is shaking to the point of collapsing, but they can't just ignore this.’

Come out on all fours.
Show your shameless face.
I’ll make you pay for this in front of the guild members.

“Sir, please come under the desk!”

Shin Seong-gwak was determined not to stop until he saw the Guild Leader.
A strange emotion arose on his face.

‘How can they be so oblivious? They were speaking nonsense about helping the person who dishonored me.’

Upon closer inspection, the body had signs of training,
but there was no trace of the magical power typical of an Awakener.
To leave a powerless, unawakened person in an important position welcoming guests…
I’m astonished by the sloppiness of this new guild’s management.
It’s beyond words.

‘My mood is soured.’

There’s no fault in a powerless regular person just earning a few bucks and writing in a guestbook.
Once Shin Seong-gwak’s mood softened, the tremors also stopped.

“What’s going on?! Did a gate appear…? Haah!”

Min Woosung, sensing the magical reaction, rushed in.
When he recognized Shin Seong-gwak, he slumped down.

“Yes, finally someone recognizes me.”

The expression of the man who followed, So Gyeong-seok, became stiff.
An Awakener affiliated with the guild in Myeongho-dong would easily recognize Shin Seong-gwak.

“Is the Guild Leader coming?”
“She should be here soon.”

So Gyeong-seok, trying to calm his racing heart, could barely contain himself.

‘If that guy suddenly went berserk, how long could I hold on?’

So Gyeong-seok’s level was 182.
Among C-rank Awakeners, he was considered quite strong,
but against someone of Shin Seong-gwak’s caliber,
he questioned if he could even last a second.
Rather than worrying about how long he could last,
the real concern was whether he could survive at all.

‘Please, let me just ride along, let me just ride along, please let me ride along!’

Min Woosung’s level was 156.
Having awakened his abilities, he was cautious of the secrets of stronger Awakeners,
but due to threats from the guild leadership about his growing powers,
he had stagnated just beyond C-rank.
He had awakened mind-reading powers, and if Shin Seong-gwak targeted him,
he wouldn’t be able to avoid his fate.

“Eh? Who’s that old man?”

Joo Ah-young’s level was 1.
She had diligently worked towards becoming an Awakener,
gathering knowledge at an Awakener’s academy,
but when it came to recognizing the level of a second-generation powerhouse like Shin Seong-gwak,
her understanding was lacking.

“Don’t speak so carelessly!”
“Woosung, take Ah-young and step back.”
“Eh! What? What’s going on? I want to watch too!”

As soon as they were given an excuse to flee, Min Woosung grabbed Joo Ah-young and dragged her into the building.

“I don’t know why this is happening, but if our Guild Leader finds out, she’ll be furious.”
“That’s a relief. I came out to fix the reckless habits of your fearless Guild Leader. But, is your Guild Leader even A-rank?”
“…I believe she’s C-rank.”

So Gyeong-seok also understood that the situation was taking a bad turn.
An Awakener’s rank is determined by their level.

1 ~ 50 level is F-rank
51 ~ 100 level is E-rank
101 ~ 150 level is D-rank
151 ~ 200 level is C-rank
201 ~ 250 level is B-rank
251 ~ 300 level is A-rank

Given this ranking system,
Shin Seong-gwak was undoubtedly an upper-tier B-rank, close to A-rank.
Though the massive boost in magical power and ability enhancement that comes with leveling 50 levels may not have occurred,
he could easily show A-rank combat power depending on the situation.
He was a true powerhouse.

‘Hae Eung-eung, the Guild Leader, is not ordinary, but can she actually defeat someone like Shin Seong-gwak?’

At the convenience store,
it was Myeongho Guild who had interfered using magical waste to harm Joo Ah-young,
which led to the Myeongho Guild’s senior members’ assault.
Though he had heard of the incident where Hae Eung-eung’s guild had attacked Shin Seong-gwak’s mansion,
it was clear that Shin Seong-gwak had returned to his guild after that day,
toppling the power structure and continuing his vigorous activities.

‘If Hae Eung-eung truly defeated Shin Seong-gwak, would he still be active like this?’

So Gyeong-seok couldn’t believe it.
Shin Seong-gwak had only returned with one arm injured,
so while he probably hadn’t lost, he also hadn’t won.
He suspected it ended in a draw, not a victory.

‘Today is the day we settle this!’

The same location.
The only difference was that the Haenampa Guild Headquarters had changed ownership.
It was here that Shin Seong-gwak had come,
to repay the humiliation he had suffered previously.
This time, he was the one who would be storming the place.
Even a lowly C-rank like So Gyeong-seok would be crushed in an instant if he crossed the line.

‘But Hae Eung-eung is no ordinary C-rank either.’

A C-rank at the time of her Awakening.
Awakeners with such impressive records were highly likely to reach A-rank later on.
Starting with high stats and magical power,
they possessed strong abilities that accompanied their high magic.

‘But that’s just it—C-rank, in name only.’

So Gyeong-seok had watched in disbelief as a monster like her,
who had risen through the ranks, was branded as just another C-rank.
It didn’t make sense to him.
The label of C-rank on her Awakener license meant nothing in the face of her true abilities.

‘The hidden powerhouse of the villain organization. An unrecognized master now rising to prominence in the open.
Today might be the perfect opportunity to witness Hae Eung-eung’s true power.’

Unable to resist thinking about her,
So Gyeong-seok felt the cool breeze blow at his back.

Step by step.
With each step she took,
the air grew clearer, more fragrant.
Her signature style, the one that seemed completely natural now,
was unmistakable—dressed in simple attire, she approached like a force of nature,
her presence undeniable.

“Guild Leader. Shin Seong-gwak, the legendary former powerhouse of Myeongho Guild, has arrived.”
“You are...!”

The second encounter between Shin Seong-gwak and Hae Eung-eung was about to begin.