Chapter 16: Awakening Test (1)

The next day, the three headed to the Seoul Arts Center where the Awakened Association was located. The first thing that caught their eyes was the 150-story skyscraper towering into the sky, its peak hidden amidst the clouds.

“Is that the building constructed using a unique Architectural Awakening skill?” Although Jinhyuk had heard about it, seeing the building completed in just a month was truly astonishing.

“That’s the headquarters of the Awakeners Association. They manage the tests, as well as all matters related to the Tower of Trials,” explained another.

“Woah. It’s been 3 weeks already since that test that had my heart racing.”

“Eh, you’re kidding, right? Like King Kong trembling in fear. Remember the examiner who got scared just looking at you?”

“Oh my, are you talking about me, Taemin?”

Yu Yeonhwa smiled, her eyes twinkling with mirth though her lips remained unchanged. In that instant, a shiver ran down Jinhyuk and Lee Taemin’s spines. This pressure… it felt similar to when they first encountered the Minotaur. Probably just their imagination. Probably.

Lee Taemin gulped nervously and swiftly changed the subject. “Hey! What if, after our grades come out, we join the same guild?”

“A guild?”

“Why a guild all of a sudden?”

“We could try ‘Dangun’ or ‘Fight Daddy’, although it is tough for new members. Our abilities should be sufficient to pass. Honestly, without a healer or someone with buff and debuff skills, conquering the 15th floor and beyond is impossible…”

Ah, so that’s what this meant.

Jinhyuk thought back to past expeditions where small teams entered mazes or ruins and were wiped out. Even the most seasoned could hit a numerical limit the higher they went. The two had concluded it was more efficient to grow strong with the aid of powerful allies.

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue inwardly. ‘This is why you can’t scale the Tower.’

Experience, items, hidden pieces – as a solo player, he was busy enough gathering these for himself without having to share with companions. If he had to be with others, then ideally they’d be just temporary allies he could discard at a moment’s notice.

“I should make it clear, I have no intention of joining any guild.”

Being tied down was the last thing he wanted, especially if it involved following orders from a high-tier guild.

“So, does that mean just the three of us will go?”

“No, the efficiency is still too low,” he said. Splitting loot three ways was still a waste.

The best method would be…

“Let’s operate alone as a rule, joining forces only in certain sections. You two are already well-coordinated, so I won’t interfere, but personally, I prefer to be alone.”

“That might be the best,” he concluded.

“Three’s tough, but going solo…?”

“I don’t mean to say anything, but isn’t that too dangerous?”

They both looked at him in disbelief. They had reached up to the 20th floor of the Tower of Trials and invested time and effort – they knew all too well that soloing was often a death wish.

But there was something the two weren’t aware of.

There are levels to players, even among the experienced.

And there existed a player who, alone, had weathered an abandoned game and witnessed its end.

“Let’s get the test over with first. Before it gets crowded, we should get moving.”

With a smirk, Jinhyuk headed toward the building, followed by Taemin and Yeonhwa with bemused expressions.

***

“Please take a number and wait for your turn!”

“D-09 group, your test will begin shortly. Please proceed to the examination area!”

Despite it being a weekday, the inside was packed with people taking the test.

The allure of the Tower was indeed profound to draw in so many.

“Please, let it be a good grade. I don’t ask for a D, just please, an E…”

“To be in a top 10 guild would be a bloom in life.”

“I’d love to sign a direct contract with the Awakeners Association. It’s great, isn’t it? Wearing a public servant badge proudly.”

The reality was, those who scored F or lower lost not just the chance to impress top guilds, but also the opportunity to ascend to the 2nd floor of the Tower.

Every one of them prayed desperately, hoping they would be the exception.

Of course, Jinhyuk’s view of them was ice cold. ‘They wouldn’t last a month in the Tower.’

Best-case scenario, these compromisers would just become stragglers, or worse, an extra burden.

Jinhyuk drew his number.

[E-01 Group]

‘It pays to come early.’

With group D halfway done, he’d only need to wait about an hour.

“What’s going on today? There seem to be more reporters than usual,” Taemin remarked, noticing the unusually large number of journalists.

“They’re waiting for someone like hungry puppies,” Yeonhwa added, observing that this kind of turnout was unusual without a promising new recruit from a major guild. Perhaps there was an unannounced event…

Suddenly, the entrance grew noisy.

How could anyone not recognize them? Through the Hall of Fame, they had heated up the media and internet as the topic of the moment.

“Wow, is that woman Park Hana? The one who survived the labyrinth on her first day?”

“Unbelievable. I’ve been binge-watching her videos on ViewTube, never thought I’d see her in person.”

“And next to her is Park Hajin. He recently made deals with China, didn’t he?”

Each face was prominent and notable.

Additionally, alongside Park Hana and Park Hajin, there was another figure who instantly captured everyone’s attention.

“My God, Kim Gitae from the Fightaholics Guild is here too!”

Camera flashes erupted from all around.

As one of the top seven guilds globally and the second-ranking guild in Korea, the presence of a high-ranking member from the Fightaholics Guild was significant.

“Capture every moment!”

“Get a shot with all three in frame!”

The journalists were ecstatic, and rightfully so. Such a scoop was more than enough to dominate the front page.

＊＊＊

“Huh…”

With a stature nearing 190 cm, Kim Gitae sighed with annoyance, slightly lowering his sunglasses.

“Why are there so many people here? Is everyone and their dog getting tested now?”

“It seems that many dream of striking it rich. Nowadays, the Tower is believed to be the only chance for social advancement,” Park Hajin promptly responded.

“Anyway, these pests want to suck the honey dry. Don’t they understand that flailing about is futile?”

If they knew better, they would stay out of it and live quietly in their place.

“Anyway, do well today. I came here especially because of you two siblings, so don’t screw up… you know?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t worry… we’ll do our best.”

Park Hajin and Park Hana nodded in agreement. This was a golden opportunity they had to seize at all costs.

The plan was already perfectly laid out.

“We don’t have time, so clear the people lined up. The reporters are waiting, and we can’t hang around here for hours.”

Park Hajin gestured towards the bulky men beside him.

“Make way.”

“Hey, can’t you see people walking here? Move to the sides!”

“Move it quickly. Don’t dawdle, or you’ll get it.”

Players from the Black Crows Guild started to clear the line, parting the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea.

No one dared to voice their discontent.

“Ahem!”

“Where did I put those registration documents…”

Even officials from the Awakeners Association turned away, choosing to ignore the scene.

This was reality.

The name of a top guild carried more weight than laws or rules.

But then, the progress of the bulk men halted abruptly.

Three people stood firm, blocking the way. Specifically, one person stood resolute while two tried to dissuade him.

Especially the resolute one, leisurely sipping iced water from a bottle.

“What are you? Didn’t you hear to move?”

“Why should I move?”

Jinhyuk tilted his head in genuine curiosity.

He was here, waiting in line, so why should he step aside? If they had just arrived, they would’ve been in group F, right?

‘Could it be…?’

Suddenly recalling something, Jinhyuk shoved his ticket in the bulk man’s face.

“This is the alphabet used in America… Starts with A, then B, C, D. Next is E, then F. Memorize it if you don’t know.”

Yes, they might not know the order. Usually, it’s learned in elementary school.

A pang of empathy hit him.

‘Such a pity.’

Was it a troubled family background?

“Who, who doesn’t know that!”

The bulk man’s face turned beet red.

“Pfft!”

“Is this some kind of tailor-made education?”

Laughter erupted at the blatant mockery.

“…”

Kim Gitae frowned but didn’t intervene, as if saying, ‘handle your own problems at this level.’

Eventually.

“Damn, stupid idiots. Get out of the way!”

Park Hajin stepped forward.

“I don’t know who you are, but you’re making a mistake. It’s not too late to leave before I grind you to dust.”

A chilling threat.

‘Is this the brother Ha-na mentioned?’

His eyes seemed to show no hesitation in killing someone.

“How interesting.”

The siblings seemed equally clueless about grasping the situation.

“Everything’s fine, but could you stand a bit further away? Your breath is making my eyes sting,” Jinhyuk complained, holding his nose and scrunching his face.

“H-hyung?” Taemin Lee was startled and grabbed Jinhyuk’s wrist.

“Oppa! Why are you doing this?” Yeonhwa Yu was equally shocked.

“Crazy!”

“Did I hear that right? Did he just… to Park Hajin…”

“He’s got a death wish. Is he out of his mind?”

Even the onlookers were stunned.

Naturally, Park Hajin was the most taken aback.

“You… what did you just say?”

Blood drained from Park Hajin’s face.

“Isn’t that thing on your neck called a head? You’re polluting the air just by breathing, so keep those teeth tightly closed, will you?”

Jinhyuk sweetened his earlier harsh words with a smile, like adding a ribbon to a pile of dung.

“You brat! Do you think you can handle the consequences? If you think we won’t touch you just because there are many eyes watching…”

“Ah, come on. If it’s not the Fightaholics Guild, you guys are nothing, right?”

“Not Fightaholics, then you’re nothing?”

“That’s right. What’s so scary about you guys? And…”

Jinhyuk shrugged and continued.

“What’s with the name Black Crows? Black Crows?”

It’s not like there are white crows around.

“Are you lacking something? Or are you some poet or literary boy? They allow metaphorical expressions and all in those circles, right?”

Whatever it was, Jinhyuk couldn’t comprehend their lack of naming sense.

“You insect! You really have a death wish!”

Park Hajin extended his hand like a blade, clearly uninterested in further talk.

Clearly…

“You started this, right?”

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.

Chillingly cold, sending shivers down everyone’s spine.