A low hum reverberated.
Mana coursed through the air.
A few seconds later, with a distinct sound effect, the results appeared on the large monitor.
[Name: Lee Dayoon]
[Level: 1]
[Race: Gold Dragon]
[Skills]: [Item Creation (SSS)(Growth Type)], [Dragon Heart (SS)], [Gliding (C)]
The moment the results were displayed, the examination room was plunged into complete silence.
No one dared to utter a single word.
The staff member who had instructed me to grasp the handle was the first to react.
“…It seems there was an error. I will re-run the test.”
A low hum—*Ding!*
As expected, the re-run test yielded the exact same results.
“…Awakener Lee Dayoon. Does the information displayed on the screen match the contents of your Status Window?”
“What? Yes. It’s identical.”
As if her confirmation had sealed their fate, everyone in the measurement room froze, their gazes fixed blankly on the monitor.
Two entirely new ranks, whose very existence had been unknown until this moment, were now emblazoned on the monitor.
In the stillness, where only the faintest breaths could be heard, the loudest sound was the pounding of my own heart.
Thump-thump-thump.
‘What would happen now?’ ‘Would they seize me for experimentation?’ ‘Would I be forced into slavery, crafting weapons for them?’ ‘Might they even dissect me to replicate my abilities?’ ‘After all, Dragon Heart was rumored to be an incredibly potent material.’
All sorts of terrifying scenarios flashed through my mind.
My tail tapped restlessly against the floor, a frantic beat of anxiety.
“Um, excuse me…”
The first to break the silence was the staff member standing closest to me, the one who had guided me through the measurement process.
“Awakener Lee Dayoon. Please… just a moment. I will bring the Director.”
He fumbled for his phone and then hastily exited the measurement room.
Though no one dared to approach me, all eyes were undeniably fixed upon me.
Less than three minutes later, the measurement room door swung open, and a middle-aged man rushed inside.
His forehead was beaded with sweat, clearly a result of his hurried arrival.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Joo Deokhwan, Director of the Awakener Management Bureau.”
The moment his eyes met mine, he bowed respectfully in greeting.
It was a truly surreal sight: a middle-aged man, easily over 180cm tall, bowing his head to me, a being barely 140cm.
“Uh… hello?”
And then, a shocking declaration spilled from Director Joo Deokhwan’s lips.
“First and foremost, as the Director of the Awakener Management Bureau, I wish to sincerely apologize for the events that transpired today.”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard, I blurted out a dumbfounded reply.
The very idea of the Director of the Awakener Management Bureau—a man often considered one of Korea’s most powerful figures—bowing and apologizing to me was simply unfathomable.
“Due to a misunderstanding on our part, an unfortunate incident occurred where agents were hastily deployed to your residence. While it may not be sufficient compensation, the Bureau intends to provide Awakener Lee Dayoon with the utmost convenience and support.”
‘…Convenience?’
I couldn’t comprehend the Director’s words.
‘They weren’t going to imprison me, but offer convenience?’ ‘Could it be that they already knew my true identity and were simply executing a strategy to win me over, having witnessed my SSS-rank abilities?’
“All damaged furniture and shattered windows will be taken care of as quickly as possible—no, within the hour. If you wish, we can immediately arrange a Bureau-owned residence for you.”
“No way… is this for real?”
The unbelievable situation left me utterly speechless.
However, Director Joo Deokhwan’s words didn’t end there.
He pulled a black cell phone from his pocket.
“Furthermore, this phone has the contact number of your assigned staff member registered, so please don’t hesitate to call if you require anything.”
With that final remark, I began to grasp the situation, even if only slightly.
‘Am I… being treated far more significantly than I ever imagined?’
I had heard that non-combat Awakeners found it difficult to raise their levels, and since they didn’t directly protect people like Hunters, there was a difference in their standing.
Yet, those three letters—SSS—seemed more than enough to completely shatter that conventional wisdom.
As I fully comprehended the situation, a surge of confidence filled me.
All this time, I had believed myself to be the subordinate, but in reality, I stood as the ultimate superior!
First, I accepted the phone Joo Deokhwan offered and decided to engage in negotiations with a bit more assertiveness.
“So, the residence and other necessities, I can mention them later, right?”
“Yes. You may inform us at your convenience, anytime.”
‘Good. It’s a relief to know these aren’t limited-time offers.’
“Then… can I go home now?”
“Yes, of course. I’ll have a dedicated vehicle prepared immediately. Ah, and please accept this.”
He handed me a rigid card, its surface shimmering with a holographic reflection.
“This is…?”
“It’s your Awakener Registration Card. You can use it as conveniently as an ID card.”
The card bore my name along with a photo ID, though I had no idea when it had been taken.
A formally assigned Awakener number was also inscribed on it.
Receiving the Awakener Registration Card made the reality of my awakening truly sink in.
It also reassured me that I wouldn’t be captured by the government and have my scales plucked out.
“So, may I leave now?”
“Yes. I will escort you.”
Joo Deokhwan guided me, acting as if he were a low-ranking employee himself.
Upon reaching the underground parking lot, where we were finally alone, Joo Deokhwan spoke to me in a hushed whisper.
“Regarding any identity issues, if you call me directly, I will resolve them in whatever way you desire.”
The moment I heard those words, a shiver ran down my spine.
‘Didn’t this imply that the highest echelons of the Bureau knew I was the adult ‘Lee Dayoon’?’ ‘They were truly a terrifying organization.’
‘And the fact that he’s telling me this now… means they still won’t completely relinquish control.’
It sounded as if they had a plan to suppress or expose my identity if necessary.
‘In that case, it would be best to avoid relying solely on the Bureau’s support.’
A waiting vehicle pulled up before me, and after climbing into the back seat, I glanced back at Joo Deokhwan.
Behind his smile, I could almost perceive a calculating, cunning glint as he weighed the pros and cons of my existence.
“Please have a safe journey home. I await your call at any time.”
“…Right.”
After exchanging a subtle battle of wits through our gazes, I settled into the moving vehicle.
Perhaps it was due to the sheer volume of events that had transpired in such a short time, but as soon as I was in the car, an overwhelming drowsiness washed over me.
‘Well, the driver will wake me when we arrive.’
‘I was simply too sleepy to do anything else right now.’
I drifted off to sleep.
****
“…you are.”
“Huh?!”
Moments later, a sudden, unfamiliar voice startled me awake.
“We have arrived, Awakener Lee Dayoon.”
I soon realized the voice belonged to the female staff member who had driven me here.
Just as she said, the familiar alley near my studio apartment was visible outside the window.
The moment I reached for the door handle to exit the car, it opened automatically before my hand even touched it.
The driver, having already stopped the car, now extended her hand as if to escort me.
I took her hand and stepped out of the car.
“Have a good day, Awakener Lee Dayoon.”
The woman offered a polite farewell before driving the car away.
‘Come to think of it, did they say the Bureau had fixed up the inside of my place?’
While the exterior glass, which had been shattered, now looked completely intact, I wasn’t sure if the interior would be in the same pristine condition.
‘Since I had money, if there were any issues, I could just stay at a hotel for a bit and then contact the Bureau to have them finish cleaning up.’
“Ohh?”
With that thought in mind, I climbed the stairs and entered my room, only to find it astonishingly clean.
Not a single shard of glass was visible, the broken picture frame had been replaced, and the floor was wiped clean, not a speck of dust remaining.
‘The Bureau truly lived up to its name, didn’t it?’ ‘Perhaps there was an Awakener specialized in cleaning.’
Dismissing the trivial thought, I lay down on the bed.
Things had been too frantic to do it until now, but there was one thing I had vowed to do the moment I awakened.
Instead of the new phone I’d received, I picked up my original, cracked phone, which had been plugged into its charger.
Then, I logged into my familiar account, not the newly created ‘Golden Hand’ one.
“If you’ve awakened, you absolutely have to do this.”
The one thing I had sworn to accomplish once I awakened.
It was, in fact…
[——]
[Awakening Successful! Later!]
[King of the Unemployed]
[My life has done a 180 LOLOLOLOLOLOL]
[Just registered as an Awakener and on my way back now.]
[To celebrate, I’m giving away chicken gift cards. Anyone can use them.]
[——]
It was to post a verification on the Awakener Gallery.
Within seconds, my phone began to buzz frantically with comment notifications.
[Anonymous (121.138)] Enjoy your lie.
[Anonymous] It’s been fun. May you ascend to a higher stage.
[Lightning Man ▣] This bastard awakened???
[Deadline ▣] Recommended persistent post… wait, it’s not. What the hell?!
Disbelievers, supporters, and those utterly bewildered—everyone’s reactions were distinct, yet they shared one common thread.
Namely, the fact that those comments were pumping an immense amount of dopamine into my system.
“Heh-heh… Heh-heh-heh…!”
