In the Name of God - Chapter 33.1
Currently, most countries, including Korea, have clans far stronger than the association. Few would refuse the opportunity to grow stronger or the enormous salaries.
That is why, during the lower-level promotion exams, awakeners who show promise are contacted first under the pretense of an interview. The goal is to recruit talent before the clans do.
‘From a safety standpoint, being affiliated with the association is not a bad choice.’
Association members are assigned quests far safer and more cost-effective than ordinary awakeners.
They are given generous vacation each quarter, and if they work for a certain period, they receive a substantial pension even after their contract ends. Additionally, they enjoy various VIP benefits in association facilities, making it a sweet deal for those seeking comfort while earning.
But I had no intention of living safely as an association awakener.
“Thank you for considering that, but I need quite a lot.”
Money, lifespan, information.
“What I need is not a comfortable awakener’s life, but a life as a strategy team that pushes through tough dungeons, earning both money and lifespan.”
Reading my determined gaze, Nam Hojin genuinely looked disappointed.
“…Understood. Still, since you just got promoted, I recommend you take your time to consider your options.”
“Thank you.”
He offered a polite smile and then returned to the same stern expression he had when I first saw him.
“This is the last question.”
His voice became ice-cold.
“How much do you know about what happened during the team battle?”
He meant the incident in the team battle where the destroyed rock golem had been enveloped by black energy and revived.
I shrugged my shoulders and pretended not to know.
“Well, I would rather ask you. Why are there such dangerous monsters in a promotion exam?”
I countered, as if requesting a proper explanation from Nam Hojin.
I saw him flinch slightly.
If we discussed the rock golem incident during the promotion exam, anyone could see I was the victim. In terms of responsibility, I would have a lot to say.
“…The monster that had died was moving, yet you did not seem very surprised.”
“That is because my face does not show emotion easily. I was much more surprised than I appeared. My heart nearly stopped.”
Nam Hojin seemed skeptical, but I held his gaze confidently. I was not the perpetrator, but the victim, so what could he do?
“So, Seong Do‑yoon, this was your first time encountering such a phenomenon, and destroying it after finding its weakness was purely accidental?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I could not reveal everything honestly.
I had not identified the pattern that caused the abnormal phenomenon. I did not know whether the point I assumed was the weakness was effective because it was connected to the system, or whether anyone could have done the same.
If I pretended to know in this situation with such limited information, it would only lead to more questions. What I thought was the correct point could very well have been a miss.
I deliberately added a touch of incredulity to my voice for Nam Hojin.
“I thought, perhaps, that the promotion exam committee or the association had intended this, but judging by what you say, it seems not. Was it just simple negligence?”
“……”
As the victim, I had said enough. If Nam Hojin had pressed further, both the promotion exam committee and the association would have had to bow to each awakener in the exam hall.
Nam Hojin did not ask any more questions.
As a signal that the interview had ended, he abruptly turned off the tablet screen that displayed my awakener registration information.
“When you are promoted to Grade 7, you will receive a request to cooperate with a reassessment of your abilities. It is routine, so do not feel burdened, just come to the association once.”
“Understood.”
“Then this concludes the interview. Thank you for your time.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As I stood to leave, Nam Hojin stopped me.
“Oh, this is a very personal question, though……”
He trailed off as if asking permission. I paused and turned toward him.
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