CHAPTER 76

The Calm Before the Storm (3)

Moon Ji-hoon was still in a daze.

"So the rumors were true…"

Stories about mysterious superpowered individuals had become quite well-known among the citizens.

The rumor that people chosen by "him" would awaken supernatural powers had spread far and wide.

What really made the existence of such powers widely accepted among the people was undoubtedly the presence of the Medical Team—individuals who used these abilities directly to heal patients, something many had witnessed firsthand.

Moon Ji-hoon was one of those people who had experienced that miracle for himself.

"I can't believe I was chosen by him, just like Dajeong!"

Before the dungeons became fully active, Moon Ji-hoon had been risking his life daily, battling goblins outside the safe zone.

Goblins were weak, but taking them on in swarms while armed with nothing but crude weapons was no easy feat. No matter how strategically he used the safe zone, dangerous moments were inevitable—and there was a time when he had been stabbed by a goblin.

"I really thought I was going to die back then."

After being rushed to the nearest Medical Team, he was waiting in the ER for treatment when, by sheer luck, he happened to meet Kim Dajeong.

She emitted a green light, and in an instant, his wound was completely healed.

Even when she pulled the knife out of his back, he didn't feel a thing—just a strange tingling sensation before the wound vanished completely.

Having experienced that miraculous event for himself, Moon Ji-hoon was finally able to grasp the sheer presence of the one who had turned this massive space into a safe zone.

He came to understand just how powerful that man—whom he had met only once—really was.

If that man not only created an enormous safe zone but could also truly awaken abilities in people, just as the rumors claimed—then what kind of being was he?

Only then did Ji-hoon truly regret the day the giant had appeared… and he had run away to the underground parking lot with Baek Seung-yeop.

At that critical moment, he had chosen to flee. He believed that meant he would never be chosen.

"But… he still gave me a chance."

Moon Ji-hoon looked down at his palm and activated his power.

Crackle.

A chill spread across his palm as tiny ice crystals began to form and freeze.

"With this power, I can clear a goblin dungeon on my own."

He was sure he could crush goblins without even needing a gun.

And above all, he was grateful.

"He saw that I've changed my heart."

Honestly, he was happy.

Because it meant that his repentance and desire to atone had been acknowledged.

"This is my chance."

He didn't want to let it slip by.

He wanted—more than anything—to prove his worth to that man.

"Make an impression on him. Moon Ji-hoon, you can do this!"

Sunlight began to stream through the window of his room.

Dawn had come.

"He said early morning… I should start getting ready."

Moon Ji-hoon hadn't slept a wink.

Yet strangely, he didn't feel tired at all. His mind was overflowing with adrenaline and excitement.

The first thing he did was throw open his younger brother's door and call his name.

"Sang-hoon."

"…Hmm?"

"Wake up. It's time to get ready."

Still in his underwear, Moon Sang-hoon looked up at him with half-open eyes and croaked,

"What time is it…?"

"Get up, shower, and get ready. Come on."

Despite Ji-hoon's urging, Sang-hoon reached for his smartphone.

Most of its functions were useless now, but as a clock, it still worked perfectly.

"…What the— It's seven. I'm going back to sleep."

Already expecting this response, Ji-hoon yanked off the blanket and pressed his cold, icy hand against Sang-hoon's back.

"AHH!"

"Still not getting up? Huh?"

"S-Stop! Okay, okay! I'm getting up, I'm up!"

After forcibly dragging him to the shower, Ji-hoon immediately headed to Baek Seung-yeop's house.

When he rang the doorbell, it wasn't Seung-yeop who came out—it was his younger brother, Baek Seung-min.

"…Ji-hoon hyung?"

"It's been a while, Seungmin."

Moon Ji-hoon looked at him with a warm smile.

Baek Seung-min, unlike him, was someone who had seized the opportunity with courage when the giant had appeared.

He had been recognized by him, receiving the privilege of owning a handgun, and eventually even came to lead a rescue team.

Judging by the looks of it, he seemed to be just about to leave for work now too.

'But I was chosen by him before you were.'

As far as he knew, Baek Seung-min didn't have any abilities.

That fact alone made him feel like the victor.

"Hyung?"

"He's still sleeping."

"Can you wake him up? He called us early this morning."

"He?"

Moon Ji-hoon pointed upward with his index finger and spoke in a subtle tone.

"The one at the top floor."

"Ah… you mean Jaehyun-nim?"

"His name is Jaehyun?"

"Yes, Mr. Kim Jaehyun."

"I see."

Moon Ji-hoon silently repeated the name Kim Jaehyun, determined never to forget it again.

At that moment, Baek Seung-min let out a small laugh and said,

"Wow, this bastard is still sleeping even when it's Jaehyun-nim calling? Still hasn't come to his senses?"

"Can you tell him to get ready and come as soon as possible?"

"Will do."

"Thanks."

Baek Seung-min's way of handling things was reliable.

Thanks to that, thirty minutes later, the three of them were able to meet in front of Baek Seung-yeop's house.

Baek Seung-yeop yawned loudly and grumbled,

"Haam~ Why the hell is that bastard telling us to come and go at the crack of dawn? Who does he think he is—"

At that moment—

"Hey."

Moon Ji-hoon cut off Baek Seung-yeop mid-sentence.

With a cold intensity, he gave a warning.

"Watch your mouth."

Normally, he would've let it slide, but for some reason, that comment really got under his skin today.

'You know how hard it was to earn this chance…!'

Moon Ji-hoon recalled the moment of his awakening.

When he had first gained the ability to use his powers, he had felt Kim Jaehyun's gaze upon him.

It had felt like the flow of their conversation was reading his situation like an open book.

Even now, for all he knew, Kim Jaehyun could be watching. So remarks like that were unacceptable.

"…What?"

Taken aback by such an intense reaction, Baek Seung-yeop continued.

"What did you just say?"

"I said watch your mouth."

"You little…!"

As Baek Seung-yeop clenched his fist, Moon Sang-hoon stepped in to diffuse the tension.

"Come on now~ You both just woke up, so you're being touchy~ Let's drop it and head up~!"

At Moon Sang-hoon's light-hearted comment, Baek Seung-yeop calmed down and growled toward Moon Ji-hoon.

"Watch yourself."

***

On the elevator ride up, the tense atmosphere between the two continued.

Ding—

[You've reached the 30th floor.]

[Doors opening.]

Just as they were about to ring the doorbell of Unit 3002 where Kim Jaehyun resided, the front door opened as if they had been expected.

Moon Ji-hoon bowed and greeted him politely.

"Ah, good morning, sir!"

Baek Seung-yeop looked at Moon Ji-hoon with clear disapproval.

Just from their expressions, it was easy to guess the party's atmosphere.

'Doesn't seem like they get along very well.'

He had thought they'd be on good terms after working together for so long, but it seemed that had been a misjudgment.

'In that case, there's no need to keep all three of them together.'

He wanted to hear Moon Ji-hoon's honest thoughts.

Still bowing, Moon Ji-hoon heard the words:

"Ji-hoon, you come in alone."

"Yes, sir."

In any case, since Moon Sang-hoon and Baek Seung-yeop weren't registered as his vassals, they couldn't go past the entrance, where the shoes were lined up.

"The two of you, please wait outside for a moment."

"Okaaay~"

"…Yes."

After leading Moon Jihoon to the living room, I got straight to the point.

"Do you plan to continue being part of that party?"

The reason I had called Moon Jihoon here today was because I believed his abilities were too valuable to waste on hunting goblins.

I intended to strengthen his specs by forming a bond contract with him and granting him the [Knight] title. If he wanted, I'd also offer the same contract to the other two people he was with, giving them more power.

But if the party atmosphere wasn't exactly harmonious, there would be no reason to go so far as using a bond contract to empower them.

Moon Jihoon answered cautiously.

"I'll do as you wish, Jaehyun."

I shook my head slightly and said,

"I'd like to hear your honest thoughts, Jihoon."

"I…"

After a moment of hesitation, he continued.

"I don't really want to stay with Baek Seungyeop. But I do want to take my younger brother with me."

"Understood."

I looked at Moon Jihoon and said,

"There's something I'd like to propose to you."

I briefly explained the bond contract and gave him the choice.

Moon Jihoon's answer was simple.

"It's an honor!"

He immediately accepted the bond contract. Upon being promoted to knight, he also acquired the [Mage] title and gained a new ability called Ice Explosion. Though his level remained at 30, it was clearly a powerful ability.

'Not bad.'

I was planning to assign Moon Jihoon to Lee Junhyuk's team.

'The synergy between Lee Junhyuk's water-based powers and Moon Jihoon's ice powers should be significant.'

If all went well, I thought I might be able to form another ace team like Ha Donggeon's.

After completing the bond contract, I stepped out into the hallway where Moon Sanghoon and Baek Seungyeop were waiting. I addressed them.

"Congratulations. You're now free from the quest."

Baek Seungyeop's face lit up as he asked,

"R-really?"

"Yes. You have Moon Jihoon to thank for that."

Watching Baek Seungyeop's face quickly harden again, I thought to myself,

'He's easy to read.'

His personality wasn't exactly to my liking, but I preferred people like him over those who hide behind lies and masks.

They were far easier to deal with.

"You're aware that you all fled when the cyclops appeared. The quest was a punishment for that."

As the atmosphere suddenly turned somber, I continued speaking.

"Next time something like that happens, the punishment won't be as light. Keep that in mind."

I turned to Baek Seungyeop, who now wore a bitter expression.

"Mr. Baek Seungyeop, you may leave now."

"What? Just me?"

"Yes. I still have things to discuss with the others."

"Understood."

After sending Baek Seungyeop away, I explained the bond contract to Moon Sanghoon as well.

"That sounds great~"

Moon Sanghoon readily accepted the offer.

'I wonder how this will turn out?'

This was a kind of experiment.

'If awakening abilities are truly determined by genetics…'

Then the results should show now.

"Kneel before me and swear your loyalty."

"Got it~"

Wooooong

After completing the contract, I checked Moon Sanghoon's awakening ability. Just like Moon Jihoon, he had gained the ability "Ice Explosion."

'I see.'

His loyalty level had far surpassed the threshold needed for vassal registration.

'Registering vassal: Moon Sanghoon.'

With a flash of light, a new vassal possessing the same ability as Moon Jihoon was born.

And then—

[A being meeting the criteria for citizenship has approached the vicinity of your home.]

[Would you like to offer them citizenship?]

As I was reviewing the information of newly joining citizens one by one—

'An Awakener?'

A new awakened individual had joined.

'Grant citizenship, now!'

The moment they accepted citizenship—

[The number of citizens has reached 50,000.]

[With the citizen count reaching a certain threshold, the 'Marketplace' is now open.]

[T/L: Read extra chapters on my ko-fi page "Pokemon1920" : https://ko-fi.com/pokemon1920 ]