Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Chapter 137 – Training (3) Never before had I actually watched someone undergo their awakening.

‘So it’s an X-ray ability.’

Though the fellow called Lee Jun-young did not seem to realize it yet, his latent talent had just triggered amidst those recent muscle spasms.

His level shot up to Level 30 the very instant he awakened, a clear indication that his newfound power fell squarely within the A-rank category.

Even when individuals obtained the exact same power, the system classified their tiers differently depending on the person’s unique potential.

A perfect illustration of this phenomenon was Jang Seong-jun’s telekinesis.

While numerous people had manifested telekinetic powers, Jang Seong-jun stood alone as the sole possessor of an A-rank version.

Regarding X-ray vision, my prior experience was limited to just two people, both of whom possessed meager D-rank versions.

‘Yet this man holds an A-rank.’

Even so…

‘Can an A-rank X-ray vision truly offer anything remarkable?’

With a power like telekinesis, a superior tier naturally implied a more devastating force or far more precise manipulation. For X-ray vision, however, it was hard to imagine how a higher classification could fundamentally enhance its basic utility.

‘Perhaps I should simply note him down as a potential vassal.’

Lately, there had been an active effort to expand the circle of vassals.

As the number of established outposts grew, the maximum capacity for registering vassals had also climbed substantially, driven by the upward progress of skill levels.

Now that the Dignity Maintenance skill had achieved level 7, the baseline capacity for basic vassal registration had expanded to 100.

Furthermore, because separate slots unlocked whenever a follower’s loyalty climbed to 100, the total ceiling currently sat at 133.

‘An A-rank power certainly makes one eligible for vassal status.’

As a rule, registering top-tier awakened individuals as vassals yielded far better efficiency.

Naturally, raw power was not the sole criterion.

A candidate’s moral fiber and a thorough discussion to gauge their actual desire to serve as a vassal were mandatory prerequisites before making anything official.

‘My initial assessment of him is positive.’

The catalyst that unlocked Lee Jun-young’s potential was almost certainly the sheer terror of dying.

He clearly recognized the threat posed by the Aisenblade, yet even in that harrowing moment when mortality stared him in the face, he prioritized the safety of his companions.

His dedication and accountability as a commander had already been thoroughly demonstrated.

‘I will wait for the moment, though.’

Following the dismantling of the JHS cult, an influx of newcomers had pushed the total population past the one hundred thousand milestone.

Because the JHS cult had provided favorable conditions to the awakened, a diverse array of talented individuals had integrated into our ranks, including several whose manifested traits appeared far more practical than simple X-ray sight.

Since there was no pressing urgency to fill the vassal slots immediately, my intention was to catalog them as prospective choices and monitor their progress over time.

‘Moreover, the timing is not ideal.’

Instead of prioritizing administrative vassal designations, my immediate focus had to remain entirely on rescue operations.

‘Absolute Dweller’s Eye.’

Once I verified that the group had reached Gundae Station unharmed and successfully crossed into Busan, I shifted my focus back to the devastated ruins of Jamsil, a location currently defined by pure catastrophe.

More than a hundred survivors, with Lee Jun-young and his allies among them, journeyed along the avenue with dazed looks on their faces.

Nonetheless, their initial panic had subsided significantly.

Upon their initial arrival at Jeonpo Station, the sight of an inexplicably peaceful and ordinary environment overwhelmed some to the point of tears, as they struggled to comprehend their new reality.

Guiding the crowd forward, Lee Jun-young questioned the guide walking at the front.

“Excuse me, but do monsters not raid Busan?”

The guide paused briefly before offering an answer.

“…Of course they did. There was a period when beasts completely overran this entire region.”

Intrigued by this response, Lee Jun-young cast his eyes over the surrounding environment once more.

“Here is your Iced Americano!”

Amidst the lively, bustling activity on the sidewalk, not a single sign of monstrous presence could be detected.

The guide continued speaking.

“It might look tranquil today, but when the invaders first arrived, it was absolute chaos. However, Lord Jaehyun purged every single one of them and cast a blessing over this land, ensuring our protection.”

“…”

Had Lee Jun-young not been staring directly at this unbelievable sight, he would have written off the guide’s claim as mere delusion.

Yet confronted with this living proof, he found himself unable to discount the explanation.

‘Kim Jaehyun was the name, right?’

What kind of extraordinary figure possessed the capability to bring about such wonders?

‘And… what is this strange energy stirring inside me?’

Could it simply be a trick of his mind?

Ever since he was granted citizenship, an immense, boundless reservoir of strength had been coursing through his veins.

He felt as though no task was beyond his current reach.

Oddly, whenever his thoughts focused on the name Kim Jaehyun, that inner force swelled with even greater intensity.

“I would like to ask you something.”

Offering a slightly self-conscious grin, the guide responded.

“I’m not the best at explaining details… Once we reach our destination, you can ask all your questions there. The staff will provide a comprehensive overview.”

He ushered the crowd into the assembly hall of a local middle school.

The fully functioning electrical lights overhead no longer shocked them.

Their walk through the city had already bombarded them with too many unbelievable sights to count.

“We have arrived. Kindly find a place to sit, and the introductory session will begin in a moment.”

As the guide turned to depart, Lee Jun-young spoke up.

“Sir, could I know your name?”

“Ah, certainly. I am Choi Hyeong-jun. Just call me Choi Hyeong-jun.”

“My name is Lee Jun-young.”

Following his lead, the rest of the companions began sharing their names.

“I am Kim Tae-hyun.”

“I go by Seo Ji-hyun.”

“I am Park Min.”

Lee Jun-young stood quietly until the final introduction was made, after which he bowed deeply toward Choi Hyeong-jun to show his respect.

“We are deeply grateful to you for guiding us here safely, Sir.”

Choi Hyeong-jun gestured dismissively with a modest wave.

“Please, I deserve no credit. This is entirely due to the benevolence of Lord Jaehyun.”

Once the guide took his leave, the group settled into the arranged chairs to wait.

Shortly after, additional crowds of refugees from alternative sanctuaries began filtering into the room.

Their distinct origins were immediately apparent.

‘Did we look like that just moments ago?’

The countenances of these newcomers perfectly mirrored the expressions his own group had worn just a short while before.

They were utterly stupefied, paralyzed by profound shock.

Only when the auditorium was packed with these bewildered refugees did the organizers make their appearance.

“Greetings, everyone. My name is Yu Hye-rin, and I oversee the Administrative Management Department. I am pleased to welcome you all.”

Following a polite, scattered clapping from the audience, the presentation officially commenced.

“This briefing is designed to ease your transition into our community. We are going to cover critical details regarding your daily survival, so I ask for your undivided attention for a short while.”

As she spoke, the room dimmed, and a projector hummed to life, casting a digital slide presentation onto the screen at the front.

“My goodness…”

The presence of a technology once so mundane, yet absent for so long, stirred a deep, complicated wave of nostalgia within them.

“To begin, we will outline the regional currency system and how transaction methods function. Each registered citizen is automatically granted an individualized digital wallet. Simply speak the phrase ‘Wallet Open’ to view your current funds. Why don’t you give it a try right now?”

A wave of excited murmurs rippled across the assembly as people eagerly tested the system.

Almost everyone began calling up their personal displays.

Observing the behavior of the crowd, Lee Jun-young tentatively uttered the required voice command.

“Wallet Open.”

【Citizen Lee Jun-young’s Wallet】

Balance: 0 won

“!”

A surge of astonishment hit him as a glowing holographic display materialized out of thin air directly before his eyes.

“Hey, Jun-young, what does your balance say?”

“Naturally, it reads zero won. What about your screen, Tae-hyun?”

“Same here.”

Kim Tae-hyun let out a quiet laugh.

“So this is how it works? Is it some form of advanced augmented reality or a virtual simulation?”

“I honestly couldn’t tell you.”

As they whispered, the presenter moved on to the next slide.

“Please do not be discouraged by your empty balances. That is entirely expected starting out. Now, let us discuss how you can generate income.”

The slide transition brought an immediate, tense silence over the audience.

The image that now dominated the screen was the unmistakable form of a goblin.

‘A goblin…’

Back in Seoul, monstrous entities as terrifying as the Aisenblade roamed the streets.

Yet, for the average survivors assembled in this room, the creatures that inspired the most visceral dread were actually goblins and orcs.

The terror induced by massive beasts like cyclopes paled in comparison to their dread of these lesser monsters.

The logic behind this was straightforward.

Virtually everyone who crossed paths with those truly catastrophic beasts perished instantly.

The only threats they had successfully navigated and managed to survive were basic goblins and orcs.

“Your primary option is active hunting. Eliminating hostile monsters yields monetary compensation as a direct reward.”

At this revelation, a shadow fell over the faces of the crowd.

For ninety percent of the refugees present, engaging a goblin in combat was a terrifying prospect, not a simple chore.

They were individuals who had barely managed to cling to survival. Though many had likely slain a goblin or two out of sheer desperation, those encounters had been desperate, terrifying struggles for their lives.

“I completely understand your anxieties. However, there is no need for panic. For those who choose to hunt goblins, we will equip you with standard firearms.”

As she concluded her reassurance, the screen shifted to display photographs of combat rifles, including the K2 model.

“Guns? Are they serious?”

“Well, if we are armed with rifles, fighting goblins becomes a whole different story…”

“Could they truly be distributing actual military firearms to us, or is this some kind of trick?”

She then provided a concise overview of terms like ‘dungeons’ and cooperative ‘parties.’

“But do not fret. Even if martial combat is not your preference, you will find countless other avenues to build your wealth. Conventional employment is readily available. To start, let us examine the mechanics of our ‘Marketplace.'”

The system of the ‘Marketplace’ detailed by the department head sounded completely groundbreaking.

“You can envision it similarly to an e-commerce platform. However, there are absolutely no shipping delays. The moment a transaction goes through, your purchase materializes right in front of you.”

To demonstrate, a metal can of cola materialized suspended in the air.

Exactly like the individual wallet interface, the marketplace list was cast as a holographic projection. Upon completing a payment, the selected goods simply popped into existence from nothing.

Such technology threatened to render every traditional shipping and logistics firm obsolete.

‘This is mind-blowing.’

The virtual inventory of the Marketplace contained everything from basic meals and sweet treats to martial implements such as swords, lances, and archery bows.

As Lee Jun-young scrolled through the available commodities, Yu Hye-rin’s voice guided them forward.

“For standard employment, you will perform tasks and upload verification materials—such as documents—here to collect your daily compensation. This interface also handles transactions at local dining establishments, so learning it is highly recommended.”

The slides were designed so clearly that grasping the functionality took almost no effort.

“Additionally, you can generate income by listing your own items for sale on the platform. Every citizen has a listing limit of 20 items, allowing you to turn a tidy profit even if your prices run slightly higher than standard retail outlets.”

The crowd immediately began brainstorming commercial opportunities.

True to her word, the options for earning a living seemed virtually limitless.

‘So, risking my neck to hunt isn’t even mandatory.’

Frankly, the non-violent paths to income held far more appeal for average citizens than combat-related tasks.

Very few individuals had any desire to gamble their lives against vicious monsters.

“Once your wallet starts filling up, you’ll naturally want to make purchases. While the Marketplace is excellent, we also highly recommend utilizing the official ‘Shop’ function.”

The description of the Shop that succeeded this was equally mind-boggling.

Acting as an all-encompassing substitute for typical supermarkets and local convenience stores, this system offered virtually any household item.

The audience was further stunned by a brief clip demonstrating the purchasing process.

Watching everyday items blink into physical existence looked like a scene lifted directly from a futuristic science fiction movie.

‘Is this truly still the same Korea?’

The restored order of the streets outside had already left them dumbfounded, but the core infrastructure operating beneath the surface transcended contemporary technological bounds.

Staring at these interactive holograms of wallets and virtual stores made him feel as though they had stepped through a portal decades into the future.

‘This is completely overwhelming.’

Every new detail disclosed during the presentation delivered yet another wave of disbelief.

Yet, the absolute peak of their astonishment arrived with the concluding topic.

“Finally, we must address your immediate accommodation needs. To begin, you will be assigned to temporary lodgings managed by our administration.”

Hearing this, Lee Jun-young felt his muscles tighten with anxiety.

The emergency shelter arranged by the cult had consisted of nothing more than a suffocating canvas tent pitched along the banks of the Han River.

Yet, to his utter disbelief,

“No way…”

The provisional housing they were being allocated was actually a fully functional apartment complex.

An actual home where they could enjoy hot baths, rest on comfortable mattresses, and prepare meals with functional kitchen utilities—it felt entirely like a fantasy.