Free Web NovelFrom her perspective, however, this training did not seem to be of much help to Yohan. Even if he was technically a healer class, he was still a high-tier Awakener, and so inevitably ended up acting as a tank. If he really wanted to practice proper coordination, he should at least be paired with a veteran team like Golden Bug or Taeyang Ascension. She watched with some regret as ten minutes slipped by.
The monstrous bird was badly wounded but far from dead. At that point Seo Yakrin, deciding the training had been sufficient, used telekinesis to pull away the rookies who were on the verge of collapse and pinned down the beast.
She could have finished it off herself. But she did not forget that today’s rift exploration also served to strengthen loyalty and belonging to Taeyang Guild. At her signal, Lee Hyunmook slowly nodded and properly gripped the spear he held. His arm drew back in a seemingly loose motion, and everyone’s attention was captured.
With a sharp thrust, his arm snapped forward. Swaaaack! The spear shot straight like a line, piercing through the bird’s head. Black lightning flashed, using the spear as a lightning rod to strike down upon the monster. One single streak of black light—yet lethally decisive.
The creature made no sound, only convulsing as it was scorched black by the terrifying bolt. The rookies gaped with their mouths wide open. On their stunned faces, awe and fear of Lee Hyunmook mixed with swelling pride in their guild. Only Yohan, who had already seen far greater powers in the Abyss, clapped absentmindedly with a cheerful “Waaah.”
“At that size, the chance of an Eternal Stone dropping is high...”
At those words, Seo Yakrin disassembled the monster with telekinesis. The rookies from Big Sheep, watching with grimaces, gasped aloud—the beast had indeed yielded an Eternal Stone, albeit somewhat small. And this time, Hyunmook declared he would give all the proceeds from its sale to Big Sheep without taking a commission, drawing cheers all around.
Finally, they planted a bright red flag and transmitter on the carcass to signal its location. Later, a professional collection team would be dispatched to fully dismantle it.
“Joining Taeyang Guild was the right choice...”
“I’m staying with this guild until I die.” freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Exhausted but proud, the rookies of Big Sheep hardened their resolve. After the great bird hunt, Hyunmook declared the rift expedition over, and at last returned to formal speech.
“Everyone, you did well today. Go back now, eat well, and rest thoroughly.”
The rookies’ faces lit up at the praise. Their packs were heavy, but the spoils were rich, and their steps were light.
It did not take long to return to the parked van. Though they had wandered here and there, they had not gone far from their starting point, and so the way back took less than an hour.
“Haa...”
As they climbed aboard, sighs of relief escaped, bodies slumping from exhaustion. It had only been two days of exploration, but the constant tension weighed heavily. Seo Yakrin looked back at them like a schoolteacher and warned:
“We are still near the rift zone. Monsters could strike at any time. Save your relaxation for once we are outside the gate, understood?”
“Yes, senior!”
The rookies straightened their postures, eyes sharpening. Even after passing through the gate of the rift barrier, they did not [N O V E L I G H T] relax, darting their gazes about like true novices. Seo Yakrin laughed inwardly.
Before entering the metropolitan area, the van stopped for inspection. Since the appearance of rift phenomena, Korea had established many checkpoints. Awakeners returning from expeditions were required to disembark and undergo visual inspection. As the van halted, Yohan thought:
‘Come to think of it, how did my brother get through here?’
These checkpoints existed to screen out the contaminated, and Yang Yosep’s symptoms had been too severe to conceal. Either he paid a bribe, or he found some back passage. In the end, no checkpoint could be perfect. The cities must be full of mildly contaminated people—and of those worse than mild, hiding it.
Yohan stepped out of the van for inspection—and immediately ran into familiar faces. Park Seungmin and Go Jaewon.
<9>
The Traitors
Park Seungmin and Go Jaewon were among other Awakeners, their clothes somewhat grimy as though they had just finished a battle. Reporters swarmed around them, cameras flashing; clearly some kind of press conference was underway.
When Park Seungmin spotted Yohan stepping off the van, arrogance spread across his face. He flaunted his presence in front of the press, but Yohan felt nothing at all.
‘The more famous they get, the more it’ll backfire. All the better for me.’
Yohan glanced at him indifferently and turned his head. Seungmin bristled, his voice rising.
“What’s this? Holding a press conference here of all places? Don’t you see people waiting to get inspected?”
Seo Yakrin descended from the van, her face twisting as she glared at Go Jaewon. He forced himself to stare back, but the weakness in his posture showed. Reporters seized the moment, snapping up the clash between Seo Yakrin and Go Jaewon.
“Long time no see, Yakrin.”
Trusting she would not act rashly in public, Go Jaewon dared to greet her with feigned ease.
“Don’t call my name. You’re dead if you do, Go Jaewon. Seriously.”
Ignoring the cameras, Seo Yakrin spat her words. Go Jaewon faltered, sweat breaking on his pale face as he forced a smile.
“Even so, I am older than you. That’s a bit harsh...”
“I told you—call me again and you’re dead.”
Her eyes gleamed viciously, hair lifting as her telekinetic power stirred. Go Jaewon’s expression changed; he knew the signs well from long years together. As he gripped his spear in panic, camera flashes burst. Then— fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
“Yakrin, enough.”
Hyunmook, having parked the van and stepped out, raised a hand. Seo Yakrin reluctantly withdrew, still glaring at Go Jaewon. She had never truly intended to attack; frightening him was enough.
And indeed, in front of so many people, Go Jaewon had betrayed his fear. His face flushed red as onlookers recorded with phones. Yohan could already see the comments: “Go Jaewon chickened out? lololol.” Reporters surged toward Taeyang Guild.
“Mr. Lee Hyunmook! Have you just returned from a rift exploration?”
“What are your thoughts on the proposed regional equal distribution of Eternal Stones?”
“Is it true there are plans to lease purification stones abroad?”
Hyunmook answered calmly: Yes, I believe the government will manage well, that rumor is groundless... Yet even as he replied, questions kept coming. Pushed aside, Go Jaewon’s face turned purple with humiliation.
After fielding several inquiries to give the press material, Hyunmook raised his voice.
“This is a place where explorers, wounded and weary from battle, must be inspected. Please understand.”
Soothingly, he gestured. Reporters glanced at the growing inspection line and conceded, backing away. They had rushed here for news of Seungmin and Go Jaewon’s first expedition with Sunrise Guild, but lingering risked contamination—or provoking overstressed Awakeners.
“All right, then let us begin the inspection.”
Only after Hyunmook intervened did the checkpoint officers approach, weary and irritable. Government-affiliated Awakeners manned the site in case of emergencies, but their numbers were few, and civil service was unpopular, leaving their faces deeply lined with fatigue.
The procedure was simple. First, outer clothes off—then trained dogs sniffed for the stench of contamination. Those beyond mild always reeked. Next came visual checks, or sudden feints of attack against suspicious individuals; anyone beyond mild would react with excessive aggression, unable to restrain themselves.
Just as inspections began, Park Seungmin suddenly spoke up.
“Ah, one moment! Let me purify before being inspected.”
Camera flashes exploded again. With ostentation, Seungmin shone light and cleansed his battle-stained clothing. Gasps rose from the crowd. He could have done it earlier—but clearly wanted spectacle. After purifying the Sunrise guild members, he cast a glance toward Hyunmook and Seo Yakrin.
These days Seungmin lived his best life. Anxious over Eternal Stones and Hyunmook’s mysterious cure, the government had showered him with lavish terms: a signing bonus, a house, a car, escorts and ceremonial service—all treating him as a prized lord.
‘After all, there are two high-tier Awakeners over there already.’
Though costly, the government acted unconcerned, claiming that with top-tier dealer Jung Siyoung and now a top-tier purifier, Taeyang Guild had no real advantage. Indulged in luxury, Park Seungmin was now eagerly awaiting Jung Siyoung’s return from monster-clearing operations in Busan.
