“Arrest the first-floor team leader! They’re suspected of being a spy!”
“Understood!”
“No! I’m not! I swear!”
Despite vehement denials, their face had already turned pale.
To anyone observing, they looked exactly like the guilty party.
‘Did they already know? Since when?’
The first-floor team leader sensed something unusual.
There was no doubt…
‘I’m screwed.’
If caught, it was off to the special prison.
No, that was unthinkable—death would be better!
Steeling their resolve, the first-floor team leader seized the brief moment when Kang Hyun handed them over to the guards.
“Hup!”
“Hey! He’s escaping!”
“I knew it! I knew he’d try this!”
The escape was on.
The team leader kicked open the door and bolted through the lobby.
‘You knew I’d try this?’
Of course, they had known!
Damn Choi Young-ho!
What would happen if they were convicted?
It was a clear case of “conspiracy to murder an Awakened.”
There would be no choice but to live as a traitor now.
‘I have to escape, no matter what!’
Even so, they were an “all-in agility” type—
And as the first-floor team leader, they knew the headquarters’ security forces well.
‘They can’t catch me with the resources stationed at HQ!’
But at that moment, amidst the overlapping shouts.
“Catch them quickly!”
“Hey! Stop! Stop right there!”
“【Stop】!”
A sharp sound rang out—
And the fleeing team leader froze.
‘…Huh?’
Before they could comprehend what had happened, the guards pounced on them.
“We got them!”
“Arrest them!”
“Rookie, get the special cuffs!”
As the situation came to an end, the first-floor team leader slowly regained their wits.
“No, no! I’m innocent! I didn’t do anything!”
What had just happened?
Why had they been caught?
Did they cramp up for a second?
No, there was no way an Awakened would cramp up!
The confusion didn’t last long—
because despair soon took over.
Choi Young-ho strode toward them, his steps measured and deliberate.
“Don’t worry, first-floor team leader.”
His shadowed face was ice-cold, and the lenses of his horn-rimmed glasses glinted ominously.
“If you’re innocent, a thorough investigation will prove your case.”
And if not, it was off to the special prison.
The first-floor team leader knew their crimes all too well.
They shivered with terror.
“Ch-Chief Choi! I’m sorry! I let greed blind me! Please, just this once—I’ll never betray the country again!”
“…Traitor.”
Chief Choi growled, his voice low and menacing.
But the team leader was confused.
“Huh? Traitor?”
What was he talking about?
A traitor?
How was that relevant?
Was their private finance company actually a foreign entity?
“Wait, wait! There must be some misunderstanding—”
Before they could finish, a guard knocked them unconscious.
No further words were necessary.
They had already effectively confessed.
Shortly after, a group of individuals arrived at the scene, all dressed in formal suits.
“We’re from the National Intelligence Service’s Awakened Response Division.”
They were special agents, all Awakened.
A few of them waved.
“Chief Choi, it’s been a while!”
“Another big catch, huh? Still working on the frontlines these days?”
Chief Choi roughly handed over the first-floor team leader.
“This is a heinous traitor who tried to sell out our nation! Conduct a thorough interrogation!”
“Wow, Chief Choi, I’ve never seen you this angry before.”
Awakened individuals were vital to national defense.
To conspire with a foreign power to harm them?
Especially involving the Perfect Clear Awakened?
It was a crime tantamount to treason.
A brutal interrogation likely awaited the traitor—
an illegal but effective one.
Watching the scene, Kang Hyun nodded.
‘A foreign connection? A spy? So that’s what it was?’
He hadn’t realized.
‘Wow, Chief Choi is really on top of things.’
Meanwhile, Choi thought.
‘Kang Hyun… How did he figure it out?’
It was indeed remarkable.
The first-floor team leader had been a seasoned veteran at HQ.
They had evaded detection as a spy for a long time.
But Kang Hyun had identified them immediately.
‘Perfect Clear Awakened really are something else!’
Having someone like this emerge was a blessing for the nation’s future.
The flow was good.
With things progressing so smoothly, it was time to make the offer earlier than planned.
‘At last, the Perfect Clear Awakened will officially serve Korea!’
His patriotic heart pounded with anticipation.
Chief Choi led Kang Hyun to a meeting room.
###
Meanwhile, the mood at Seonghwa’s support team was tense.
Yoo Chae-young’s sharp gaze bore into her team as she interrogated them.
“…What did you say?”
“Ch-Chief Choi… refused our offer…”
Yoo Chae-young pressed her temples.
Refused? Why?
This was Seonghwa, the third-ranked guild in Korea.
A guild of their caliber had completely humbled themselves.
They had even offered all the data they had collected.
Yet the government still refused to bring the Perfect Clear Awakened to them.
‘And they refused this?’
Choi Young-ho… was this the kind of person he really was?
She had thought his devotion to the nation was genuine.
Had greed blinded him instead?
‘The government trying to keep guilds in check is understandable, but this is absurd.’
In this era, Awakened power was synonymous with strength.
If guilds surpassed the government in Awakened power, the balance would collapse, and the state would fall under guild influence.
Maintaining the balance was crucial.
But now?
Forget balance— the Perfect Clear Awakened should be secured at all costs!
“What’s the public’s reaction?”
“It’s a frenzy.”
A progress indicator was displayed:
<South Korea: 100%>
Korea had been struggling with declining progress rates recently, but they had achieved 100% completion in record time.
All thanks to the Perfect Clear Awakened.
Yet the public was outraged.
└ Are they seriously letting them go? They carry 10% of the progress single-handedly!
└ If a Perfect Clear Awakened is even C-rank, they can handle the progress solo.
└ Even at D-rank, it’s possible. This is absurd.
└ In terms of progress contribution, they’re more valuable than an S-rank Awakened. The public needs to rise up!
The situation was spiraling out of control.
└ This country is hopeless lololol.
└ Escape from Hell Korea, intelligence first.
└ Damn it… incompetent government officials… declare martial law, issue an arrest warrant, and block their departure!
└ Are you insane?
└ I agree. Honestly, it’s the right move.
Yoo Chae-young’s frustration boiled over.
This wasn’t the time for power struggles between the guild and the government.
‘If it’s come to this, we’ll find them first, no matter what.’
Out of sheer determination, they would bring the Perfect Clear Awakened to Seonghwa.
Chief Choi would regret this later, but it would be too late.
###
“Still recovering from a cold, I see? Please, have some warm cocoa… or tea.”
“Thank you.”
Lowering the mask, Kang Hyun took a small sip, then pulled the mask back up.
“The first-floor team leader’s backers will be revealed after the interrogation is complete.”
“Oh, I get to know too?”
“Of course. The public’s right to know must be upheld!”
Kang Hyun tilted his head.
This person seemed unusually passionate.
He lowered his mask briefly to take a sip of tea.
“And, as the individual involved and the one who apprehended them, no less. Above all…”
Chief Choi hesitated for a moment.
Should he reveal it?
Yes, better to establish a cooperative relationship now.
“You’re this nation’s invaluable Perfect Clear Awakened.”
“Oh.”
Kang Hyun was slightly surprised.
So, they found out.
“How did you know?”
After hearing the full explanation.
“Hmm, it really isn’t easy to keep a secret.”
“Exactly. It’s nearly impossible for an individual to manage it alone.”
“Having a capable ally would help.”
“For example, the nation.”
“You’re quick on the uptake.”
“Haha! Thank you.”
Kang Hyun chuckled, and Chief Choi nodded with a kind smile.
“Besides you, who else knows?”
“For now, just me.”
Good.
The reason Kang Hyun had kept his identity hidden from the government until now was to avoid having his personal information spread and drawing too much attention.
Although it was regrettable to be found out, at least he had connected with Chief Choi before the news spread widely.
Things were turning out better than expected.
“The dungeon clear records that identified me…”
“Have been destroyed.”
“And if something attention-grabbing happens, like another Perfect Clear…?”
“The press will be controlled.”
“What if paparazzi start following me…?”
“I’ll assign 24/7 close protection.”
“T-that was a joke.”
“I wasn’t joking. If you ever need it, just let me know.”
Wow.
‘This is legit.’
Indeed, things were going quite well.
But the benefits didn’t stop there.
In fact, this was just the beginning.
“The nation will provide all resources and conveniences necessary for your smooth growth, Kang Hyun.”
“For example?”
Support?
That was a luxury he hadn’t had in his previous life.
Unlike his fellow heroes.
As an orphaned street mercenary, he had been entirely self-sufficient in martial arts, elixirs, and everything else.
His comrades had often lamented this.
If Kyle, the strongest hero, had received support during his formative years, he could have reached even greater heights, perhaps avoided suffering from vocal cord damage, they would say repeatedly.
So, Kang Hyun couldn’t deny some curiosity.
Might as well hear them out.
“We’ll issue you a Platinum Card reserved for the top prospects.”
“A card?”
“You can use it at government-affiliated Awakened goods stores at a 90% discount.”
“90%!?”
At 90%, it was practically free.
How could they afford that?
Awakened gear was extremely expensive, ranging from hundreds of thousands to billions.
Materials and manpower from Thea didn’t come cheap.
It was a dazzlingly generous benefit.
“In addition, all taxes will be reduced by 50% until you reach S-rank.”
Taxes!
The dreaded word that drained life.
Running the Magic Academy had taught him how oppressive taxes could be.
Even a former hero trembled at the thought of taxes.
“We’ll also grant you immunity. Unless it’s a major crime, you won’t face legal consequences.”
Kang Hyun paused to think.
If he stormed into a loan shark’s headquarters and caused a scene…?
‘That probably wouldn’t be covered by this immunity.’
That would have to be handled discreetly.
Anyway, the benefits were so abundant, they were almost overwhelming.
‘I should’ve come here sooner.’
But when there’s a give, there’s also a take.
“What do you want from me in return?”
“For starters, you’re prohibited from changing your citizenship. In times of national crisis, you’ll be conscripted by presidential authority. Your social media activity will be restricted, and if you leave the country, you’ll be required to travel with mandatory security personnel…”
The list of conditions went on and on.
‘This guy speaks like a news anchor.’
And why did his glasses keep gleaming like that?
In any case, none of the terms seemed too critical.
“All these are minimum requirements for the sake of national interest! We ask for your cooperation!”
Accepting seemed like the logical choice.
But—
“I see.”
“Haha! I’m glad you understand the nation’s position! Now, if you’ll just sign this agreement…”
Kang Hyun briefly lowered his mask and took another sip of tea.
“No.”
“…Excuse me?”
The truth was, he had already made up his mind.
He’d just been curious to hear them out.
‘Support?’
It sounded nice.
But being tied down somewhere…
“H-Haha. I must’ve misheard. Could you repeat that?”
“No.”
“Perhaps I forgot to explain some details! Here’s a revised list of support items—”
“Never.”
Kyle—
He had been the only hero not affiliated with any nation.
And he was—
‘I haven’t even started squeezing benefits out of them, so there’s no way I’m tying myself down yet.’
—The most skilled at extorting nations for all they were worth.
