Chapter 16
The next day, the three of them headed to the Awakeners Association located in Seoul’s Seoul Arts Center.
The first thing that caught their eyes was a skyscraper that soared up to 150 floors.
Jinhyuk craned his neck upwards.
He could see the top of the building touching the clouds.
“Is this the building constructed with the unique ability of the architectural field?”
He had heard about it, but seeing it in person, it was truly magnificent. They said it was completed in just a month?
“This is the headquarters of the Awakeners Association. They organize the tests and handle all matters related to the Tower of Trials.”
“Wow, it’s already been three weeks since then. I was so nervous when I took the exam.”
“Ah, you must be joking, right? You could take down King Kong bare-handed. Remember how even the examiner was scared of you?”
“Oh my, was that something you said to me, Taemin?”
Yeonyeonhwa smiled sweetly.
Her eyes were smiling, but the corners of her mouth remained still.
In that moment, a chill ran down both Jinhyuk and Taemin’s spines.
It felt similar to the pressure they felt when they first encountered a Minotaur.
It must be an illusion.
…Probably.
Taemin gulped nervously and quickly changed the subject.
“Ah! Right. Once we get our grades, how about the three of us join the same guild?”
“Guild?”
Suddenly, why a guild?
“‘Dangun’ and ‘Fight Daddy’ might not easily accept new members, but with our abilities, we should definitely pass. Honestly, from the 15th floor onwards, it’s impossible to progress without healers, buffers, or debuffers…”
Ah, so that’s what he meant.
Indeed, there had been numerous incidents in the past where small groups entered dungeons or ruins and were wiped out.
No matter how skilled, everyone faces limitations in numbers as they ascend higher.
The two of them had concluded that growing with strong allies was the most efficient strategy.
Jinhyuk clicked his tongue internally.
‘That’s why you failed to climb the tower.’
Experience points, items, hidden pieces.
Busy enough trying to claim all these solo, splitting them with others would be even less efficient.
If he were to ally with anyone, it would only be with those he could use and discard.
“I should make it clear now, I have no intention of joining any guild.”
He detested being tied down, especially by high-ranking guilds dictating what to do.
“So, it’s just the three of us then?”
“No, that would be just as inefficient.”
Even splitting with just the three of them seemed wasteful.
The best strategy was…
“Let’s operate independently as a principle, and only collaborate for specific sections. I won’t interfere with the two of you since you’ve already built up a rapport, but I prefer to be alone.”
Yes, this was the best approach.
“Even the three of us will struggle, and you want to go solo?”
“Isn’t that too dangerous?”
Both of them looked incredulous, which was understandable.
Taemin and Yeonyeonhwa were veterans who had climbed up to the 20th floor of the Tower of Trials, investing considerable time and effort.
They knew better than anyone that soloing, even at lower levels, was nearly suicidal.
However, what they didn’t know was that there are levels even among veterans.
And that there existed a player who wandered the dead game alone and ultimately saw its end.
“Let’s focus on the test for now. We should start moving before it gets more crowded.”
Jinhyuk grinned and headed towards the building.
“Uh…? Oh.”
“Right, we should.”
The two followed him with stunned expressions.
“Everyone, please take a number and wait for your turn!”
“D-09 group test will begin shortly. Those concerned, please move to the examination hall!”
Despite being a weekday, the interior was crowded with people who came to take the test.
The allure of the Tower was indeed significant, captivating so many people.
“Please, please let me get a good rank. I’m not even hoping for D rank. Just E rank, please.”
“If only I could get into one of the top 10 guilds, my life would be set…”
“I want to sign a direct contract with the Awakeners Association. Wouldn’t it be great? Walking around proudly with a government ID.”
Receiving a rank below F meant not only missing out on the stamp of approval from the top guilds but also losing the chance to access the second floor.
Thus, everyone prayed fervently, hoping against hope.
That they, and they alone, would be different.
However, Jinhyuk viewed them with a cold eye.
‘Those fools wouldn’t last a month in the tower.’
At best, they would be stragglers, settling in their respective floors after making compromises with reality.
At worst, they’d be a nuisance, foolishly overreaching and becoming a liability.
Shifting his gaze, Jinhyuk picked a number.
[E-01 group] ‘There’s some merit to arriving early.’
Since the D group was about halfway done, he’d probably have to wait about an hour.
“Is today some special day? There seem to be way more reporters than usual.”
Taemin looked around, puzzled by the unusually large number of journalists, easily numbering in the dozens, waiting with cameras at the ready, like anxious puppies unable to sit still.
“Yeah, it is a bit odd.”
Yeonyeonhwa also noticed, adding her observation to the mix.
Typically, seeing four or five reporters might not be unusual, but this level of media presence usually required a high-profile guild recruit to justify.
Could there be an unannounced event happening?
Just as that thought crossed their minds, the entrance became noisy.
Amidst shouts and a rush of activity, a group of people entered the building.
“It’s Park Hana! The Black Crow Guild’s Park Hana!”
Park Hana.
How could anyone not know her?
The rookie sensation who had dominated headlines and internet buzz through the Hall of Fame.
“Wow, that’s Park Hana? The one who survived the dungeon on her first day?”
“…Incredible. I’ve watched her videos on loop, but to see her in person today.”
“And next to her is Park Hajin. He even made deals with Chinese guilds recently.”
Notable faces one after another, and alongside Park Hana and Park Hajin, another figure was drawing people’s attention.
“It’s Kim Gitaek from the Fight Daddy Guild!”
Flashbulbs popped from every direction.
Fight Daddy, one of the world’s top seven guilds and the second-ranked in Korea, with its executive member and ranker present.
“Don’t miss a single moment!”
“Get a shot with all three in the frame!”
The frenzy among the journalists was understandable.
This scoop was more than enough to dominate the front pages.
Kim Gitaek sighed, annoyed by the crowd, despite his towering presence nearing 190 cm.
“Why’s it so crowded? Is the test open to just anyone now?”
“It seems more people are dreaming of striking it rich overnight. You know, these days, many believe the Tower is the only chance for social mobility.”
Park Hajin responded promptly.
“Always the bugs trying to suck on honey. They don’t realize that no amount of struggling will help.”
If they did, they wouldn’t even attempt it, knowing their place instead.
“Make sure you do well today. I came all the way here for you two. Mess up, and you know what happens.”
“Of course.”
“Don’t worry… We’ll do our best.”
Park Hajin and Park Hana nodded, aware of the golden opportunity they had.
They had to succeed at all costs, by any means necessary.
And their plan was already in motion.
“Let’s not waste time here. Get those people in line out of the way. We can’t spend hours here with the press waiting.”
At Park Hajin’s nod, the Black Crow Guild members began to clear a path, parting the crowd as Moses did the Red Sea, met with silence rather than objections.
Even the association staff turned a blind eye, a testament to the reality where the prestige of top guilds outweighed laws and regulations.
However, their advance halted abruptly when three individuals refused to move aside, with one nonchalantly drinking water as if undisturbed by the commotion.
“What’s your problem? Didn’t you hear us say to move?”
“Why should I?”
Jinhyuk tilted his head, genuinely puzzled.
He had taken his number and was waiting his turn. Why should he move for latecomers?
‘Could it be…?’
Realization dawned on him as he thrust his number before the bulk of a man.
“This, my friend, is called the alphabet, starting with A, then B, C, D, followed by E, and then comes F. If you didn’t know, now’s a good time to learn.”
Perhaps they weren’t familiar with such basic knowledge, usually taught in elementary school.
A wave of pity washed over him.
‘So tragic.’
Did they suffer through a difficult childhood?
“Who… Who doesn’t know that?!”
The brute’s face reddened with anger.
A chorus of derisive laughter broke out at the absurd situation.
Ignoring the tension, Kim Gitaek did not intervene, signaling this was a test they had to handle themselves.
Eventually, Park Hajin stepped forward, venom in his voice.
“Whatever you are, you’re making a mistake. It’s not too late to walk away before I grind you into dust.”
A chilling threat.
‘So, this is the brother Park Hana mentioned?’
His gaze seemed capable of killing without hesitation.
Fascinating how the siblings shared an inability to grasp the situation.
“Could you maybe stand a bit further back when you talk? Your breath is making my eyes water.”
Jinhyuk held his nose, his face twisted in disgust.
“Brother?”
Taemin grabbed Jinhyuk’s wrist in alarm.
“Onii-chan! Why are you acting like this?”
Yeonyeonhwa was equally startled.
“Insane!”
“Did I hear that right? Did he just say that to Park Hajin…?”
“Looking to die, huh? He’s completely lost it.”
The onlookers were aghast, their mouths agape in disbelief.
Understandably, the person most taken aback was Park Hajin himself.
“You… what did you just say?”
Blood drained from Park Hajin’s face, leaving him pale as a ghost.
“Do you have dumplings instead of a brain up there? Breathing alone seems to pollute the air, so please, clamp those teeth shut.”
Jinhyuk rephrased his earlier mockery with an added layer of sarcasm, wrapping it with a bow for good measure.
“This bastard! You’re asking for it! Do you think you can handle the consequences? Thinking we won’t touch you with all these eyes on us?”
“Ah, please. As if. Fight Daddy might be something to fear, but you guys? And besides,”
Jinhyuk shrugged nonchalantly.
“What’s with the name ‘Black Crow’? As if there are white crows around. Got any brain issues or something?”
Perhaps aiming for some poetic or literary flair, but it fell flat.
“Regardless, your naming sense is beyond me.”
“This little bug! You’ve got a death wish!”
Park Hajin’s hand transformed into a blade, his patience worn thin.
Surely…
“You started this, didn’t you?”
The atmosphere shifted dramatically, chilling to the bone.