Mr. Caliber Kwon Seong-Il has finally returned from the association’s headquarters. You must have been waiting for a while, Swordies! We worked really hard to prepare for this clip to pay you back for waiting patiently for us. We have many more videos coming up soon, so please continue to support us!
└ [BEST] Time. D: It was so cheesy that they named themselves after Gods at first, but I got goosebumps after watching your video. They’re a different type of human compared to us. Considering that Mr. Caliber only showed us a tiny fraction of his power, it makes a hundred percent sense to call those in the challenger section gods. If he showed something beyond this, then it would have made us afraid of them. Honestly, this alone…
└ Adremarek: This is insane.
└ Shaun: Apart from his ability, I was touched by his love for his son. You must have nothing to fear, Young Master. I’ll continue to support you.
└ Lazybud: Oh my gosh, his back <3 I’d bet ninety percent of his body is made up of muscles. Is that actually the back of a human? Even computer graphics wouldn’t be able to draw such a back. It’s freaking crazy.
└ Kang Seung-Yong: The elves and dwarves are so done now. They will chicken out as soon as they see him. The beast warrior is coming, so get out of the way!
└ Shinkong: [Link: The World Awakened Association: The Awakened Around the World] By the way, Mr. Caliber is ranked fifth in the world.
└ Grape Captain: The first, second, fifth, and eighth are all Koreans. I love it!!
└ New Brand: Odin, who holds the highest authority among the Awakened in the association, holds the 0th rank. The one below him is Lee Tae-Han. What else do we need to say? We gotta take shots for them!
└ Wooden Meat: [Link: Why I’m looking forward to the future of Korea] The Young Master would have known that Odin and Mary were Korean Awakened from this video. How about asking Mary to be your special guest for the following clip? The name sounds like she is a female.
└ Toma: Code name and gender may not match.
└ Time. D: It was cheesy that they named themselves after Gods at first, but I got goosebumps after watching your video. They’re a different type of human compared to us. Considering that Mr. Caliber only showed us a tiny fraction of his power, it makes a hundred percent sense to call those in the challenger section gods. If he showed something beyond this, then it would have made us afraid of them. Honestly, this alone shows… gosh, you are the best, Mr. Caliber![1]
└ Lionessia: For someone ranked fifth, this is nothing. He must be able to burst an entire Graf with one punch. Showing his power to the public was such a good idea. Good job, Young Master.
└ Min-Seob: Nothing? Why do Koreans always belittle others? I want you to keep in mind that that is his minimum power output.
└ Lionessia: No, I didn’t mean that. Don’t pick fights with me.
└ Bioren: Don’t stop me y’all. MARRY ME, MR. CALIBER!! Or you, Young Master!
└ Elf Geek: When can we buy an elf slave? +_+ I’ll only live for that day. (31 years old, male, office worker, Seoul)
└ Clear Sky: In the future, no content will surpass Invincible Caliber TV in terms of quality or excellence.
└ Kim Tidy: Do you not know of Catalina Ronea?
└ Clear Sky: She is just in the gold section.
└ Star of the Flavor: I was thrilled as a Korean. It’s impossible for me to contain my excitement knowing that the Awakened known as the savior is among them, Mary, who is ranked second, Lee Tae-Han, the President of the World Awakened Association, and Kwon Seong-Il, who holds the fifth rank and reminds me of our parents with his love for his kid, are all Korean. This country has been eaten up by Jeonil, but there is hope. [Link: Shocking truth about Jeonil Group.] Please watch this.
└ Star of the Flavor: I feel sorry for that truck more than the elf. It has become a toy!
└ DDK: I can’t shut my mouth. I was expecting it, but this is amazing. I thought I was watching a movie. That’s why I feel worse about the clumsy editing skills. I’m sorry, but that’s true.
└ I’m Sick: …This is pathetic. We are so pathetic! We have reached a point where we are not alarmed by the video’s implications, but rather derive pleasure from it. What do you think is the point of the association showing the power of the Awakened in the challenger section? This is why the media is dangerous.
└ Rockhead: Yeah, [Link: Agreement between the World Awakened Association and the UN member states on membership]. Their attack has already begun quietly. Bullets don’t work. They are even superhumans. Caliber will be able to subdue this country’s military alone. But Odin? He is in the Ender section. Moreover, the association is as clever as it’s quiet. They know how to attack and control us. I’m afraid of that, you jerks. You, morons, should feel the same way, okay?
└ Mr. Happiness: Alright, bring on the next idiot! If we take into account the association’s impact and the Awakened’s authority, their power in Korea is immense. You are being way too negative and not considering the advantage we could gain from them. Tsk tsk.
└ Lunatic: Caliber looks like my dad, but my dad is not an Awakened :’( His body is covered in fat and he has no skills. Only his stomach is protruding lol. He also sleeps a lot.
└ Sunshine: Every father is like an Awakened to their kids. Let’s be nice to our parents while they are here.」
Yes, of course. This guy knows something. So instead of staring at your phone, why don’t you give your parents a shoulder massage.
Seong-Il scrolled through all the comments, feeling uneasy about his face being shown, but he still enjoyed Ki-Cheol’s happiness. Moreover, Ki-Cheol informed him that it was a prevalent trend among today’s youth.
In fact, even those who had grown to become leaders of a group during the Stage of Advent often engaged in taking interviews or showing up on social media as an influencer’s guests.
They were labeled as elites, and they faced tougher challenges than others to earn that status before the Stage of Advent. Whether it was academics, career, politics, or sports, they all shared something in common. They had learned how to battle the world before entering the Stage of Advent.
Life in every world was tough. Seong-Il was worried that Ki-Cheol might fall victim to scams if they promised money or buildings. He wanted Ki-Cheol to understand the dangers associated with money.
His grades didn’t matter because Seong-Il thought what made school meaningful was the opportunity to learn how to interact with people. Even if Ki-Cheol had devoted himself entirely to his studies, he wouldn’t have learned how to navigate the world unless he was among the top two-ranked students in school and was able to join an elite group as a result.
However, that was just one of many roads Ki-Cheol could choose to take. By staying focused on a single path and having a genuine interest and passion for it, he could enter the circle and acquire a wealth of knowledge.
Competition existed in every world as it was a natural part of life. People strove to outdo their rivals and achieve greater success. When monetary incentives weren’t present, reputation became a driving factor. Even if you fell behind in the competition, the lessons learned could provide motivation for future goals.
Seong-Il dreamed that Ki-Cheol would grow mature through such competition. He was still a child, but he said creators work and succeed regardless of age. It was a good experience for Ki-Cheol.
He muttered, “But the video editing actually sucks. I should get him a tutor.”
Seong-Il wasn’t familiar with creating videos, but the clips that Ki-Cheol and Yong-Joo were making were quite amateur. He smiled with satisfaction at the thought of the two kids working together to film the video, even at this late hour. He felt proud seeing them striving to become experts, using obscure terminology and staring at their monitors with solemn expressions.
Making money, meeting other officials who could be their colleagues or rivals, seeking help from successful experts in the field, fighting over differences in opinions between friends, and getting a sense of accomplishment were the process of becoming a real adult. Not a fake adult like he was in the past.
In that sense, Seong-Il had to lift the restrictions that were tied to Ki-Cheol.
Why shouldn't he reap the benefits of his father’s fame?
That was what the world was like.
Seong-Il: I can’t say much because I know nothing about this computer thing, but cheer up. You are the female president of the Jeonil Group. Odin is merciless to traitors, but he doesn’t throw personnel away because of just one mistake. Oh, by the way, I want to talk about Ki-Cheol…
Seong-Il and Jamie’s phone conversation continued until he arrived at the meeting location.
***
The destination that was set for Seong-Il’s navigation system was a hill in Incheon.
「 Warning!
This area is the private property of the corporation and entry by outsiders is strictly prohibited. If you wish to enter, please provide us with advance notice of the purpose of your visit, the list of visitors, the intended time of entry, and obtain written approval beforehand. Any unauthorized entry will result in legal action and liability for civil and criminal matters.
February 1st, 1998
Jeonil Investment (Co., Ltd.) 」
The notification board was attached to the barbed wire. Exactly twenty years had passed since it was first put up, so traces of time remained on it as it had become rusty.
Those who arrived before Seong-Il were camped there. Five black vans were parked side by side, and when Seong-Il got out of the car, a total of twenty-five people, five people per car, also got out of the cars at once. They were all wearing association security uniforms and were unarmed at the moment.
Seong-Il laughed while looking around at the foreign agents. The first person he spoke to was an Asian who stood out among them.
“Are you Korean?”
The agent saluted. “Yes, sir! My name is Kim Shin-Bae. I’m honored to be here with you today.”
He reminded Seong-Il of the soldier from Act One, Stage One, which was a long time ago.
What was his name?
Seong-Il couldn’t remember, but Kim Shin-Bae’s stiff posture and impression he gave off resembled the soldier in the Stage of Advent.
“It’s not an honor. Um, do you speak English?”
The agent nodded. “Yes, I have no issue translating.”
“Odin and Mary will arrive soon, so get ready.”
“Yes, sir. Is there anything else to pass along a request?” Kim Shin-Bae asked.
Seong-Il huffed, “You should ask your boss. Do I have to take care of every novice?”
“Sorry, sir. I apologize.”
Seong-Il chuckled. “Hehe, I’m just kidding. Don’t be scared. It’s because you just look so fresh.”
Seong-Il had roughly heard that the team had assisted Odin and Mary when they were in the middle of a dungeon. Although they weren’t Awakened, they were competent.
Seong-Il approached the foreign agents first and began to shake hands with them.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Caliber. How do you do?”
“How do you do, sir?”
“Good. Sir!”
“Honored to be here. Sir!”
After shaking hands with everyone, Seong-Il took out the combat backpack he had prepared from the trunk of the car. He packed the same items as he did when he entered dungeons during the Stage of Advent because he wasn’t sure of what to expect in Star Dragorin. Despite the general perception that Star Dragorin was a fantasy land full of hope and dreams, the reality proved to be quite different.
Seong-Il clenched his fist, recalling why mankind was in a safe spot.
Yes, fuck. There is no reason for me to have a headache. Those who stress us out are enemies. I should just trust Odin and go ahead.
Seong-Il shouted at the agents, “Okay, guys. Let’s get ready!”
1. Repeated comment is deliberate ☜