The Saint Wants to Rest - Chapter 12.2
“Everything is ready for the measurement.”
The ability measurement room had been cleared out in the furthest corner of the facility. This area was isolated from the other testing rooms and had very little foot traffic. Furthermore, the technician in charge was an Awakened, albeit a low-ranked one. Usually, only those with exceptional potential were brought here.
Measuring the abilities of Awakened didn’t involve any grand, complex machinery. The device was structured so that a person simply had to place their hand inside. It wasn’t built with any conventional special technology; rather, it was a machine created by combining Gate byproducts with magic.
The World Awakened Association had spent an enormous amount of money to produce these. In the beginning, they were difficult to obtain even if one had the funds, but as the world stabilized, they became quite widely distributed.
“Please reach inside and grip the rod you feel.”
Vermouth gave a slight nod and slid his hand into the interior of the machine.
“Now, please channel your power into it.”
The technician began to explain the method of flowing energy into the device. However, before the explanation could even finish, Vermouth slammed his power into the machine. Yes, “slammed” was the only appropriate way to describe it.
“Ack!”
With a sharp crackling sound, a massive amount of force surged into the device. A holy-looking white light didn’t just wrap around the machine; it spilled out, bleeding into the very air. Simultaneously, the printer connected to the device began spitting out a results sheet. However, it couldn’t finish the print. The machine broke before it could.
“Hu—huh?”
The technician looked back and forth between the stalled results sheet and the broken machine with a look of utter helplessness. This device was fully capable of measuring the power of an S-rank Awakened. Moreover, because of the magical treatments applied to it, it rarely malfunctioned under normal circumstances. He stared blankly at the machine and gave it a few frantic taps, but the device offered no response.
Naturally, the technician’s gaze shifted past Vermouth and landed on Yoon Tae-gyeom.
“Could you show me the results sheet?”
The technician pulled the half-printed sheet out by hand and handed it to Yoon Tae-gyeom. The paper was stamped with a series of zeros. The answer was simple. Either the subject was powerless, or they possessed a level of ability that even an S-rank machine could not comprehend.
“My apologies. I should have restrained my strength,” Vermouth apologized nonchalantly.
“Not at all. It is the machine’s fault for being flimsy,” Yoon Tae-gyeom replied, looking away from the paper. “Mr. Vermouth. As of today, you are an S-rank Awakened. That is fortunate, since you mentioned you wanted to become famous.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Is there a specific reason why you wish to be famous?”
At those words, Vermouth let out a soft, elegant smile.
“Because there is someone I want to find.”
“I see. I hope you find them without fail.”
Yoon Tae-gyeom smiled back as he spoke. Vermouth would likely never find the person he was looking for. Because Yoon Tae-gyeom would make sure of it.
***
“Yo! I’m here!”
Hong Seo-yun tapped the gate with the toe of his boot while holding grocery bags in both hands. Usually, he would press the bell, but since he could already sense the presence of the two in the yard, there was no need.
Creak.
The door opened, and a familiar face appeared.
“Hyung.”
It was Ian.
“What about the meat?”
When Ian peeked his head out from the door and asked, Hong Seo-yun lifted the bags for him to see.
“Right here! Pork, beef, even seafood! I bought a bit of everything.”
“Nice, you pass!”
Ian gave a beaming smile and opened the gate wide. As Hong Seo-yun marched inside, Ian closed the gate and followed behind him. A mat had been spread out in one corner of the yard, and everything needed for grilling meat was laid out upon it.
“Are we short on vegetables?”
At Hong Seo-yun’s question, Choi Jae-heon nodded.
“We have enough. Besides, you only eat meat anyway.”
“I’m asking for the sake of the kid.”
“Who are you calling a kid?”
Ian grumbled as he rummaged through the bags Hong Seo-yun had set down. Choi Jae-heon, Hong Seo-yun, Yoon Tae-gyeom, and Ian. These four used to gather often in the past to grill meat in the yard. The adult hyungs would drink alcohol and hand Ian a soda.
“You.”
Hong Seo-yun said simply and let out a loud laugh.
“Pipe down. You’re being a nuisance to the neighbors.”
“What? Everyone in this neighborhood is gone anyway.”
At that, Ian looked up with a puzzled expression.
“Gone?”
“Yeah. Your brother bought up this entire area.”
As he spoke, Hong Seo-yun pulled the meat out of another bag and lined it up on the table.
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