One of the most infamous cases was the Great Dungeonization Experiment conducted in a small South American country, Chiolle.
There were also infection experiments involving a pathogen that only affected Awakeners.
And even awakening experiments conducted on children.
It was assumed that Gnosis' experiments were still ongoing worldwide, with estimated casualties in the tens of thousands.
The international community publicly condemned Gnosis' crimes with severe warnings.
However, since most of the victims were from impoverished third-world countries, and many of those involved in the organization had embedded themselves into high-ranking positions within their respective nations, progress in investigations had been virtually nonexistent.
"Yeah. They’re really evil villains. So, Princess Guru, you have to be extra careful, okay?"
"Yes, sir!"
So cute.
Siwon raised his hand to pat Guru’s head—only for two piercing gazes to stab into him from either side.
He quickly pulled his hand back and held it still.
"Now that I think about it, you’re from Kyrus, right, Team Leader Jin?"
At that sharp question, Gidan turned to Jurim in surprise.
Siwon blinked slowly.
"Yes. That’s right."
He continued speaking without any visible reaction.
"That’s why I defected."
Kyrus.
A small nation bordering Russia.
It was a primary testing ground for Gnosis.
It was also a country that had completely collapsed after a Great Dungeon Break triggered by Gnosis.
Jurim folded his arms and gave Siwon a once-over.
"Then I suppose we’ll end things here. If you have any more questions, send them to Hyeonak in writing, and we’ll handle them immediately."
He then gestured toward Gidan.
"He may not look it, but he’s a patient. He needs to rest."
Siwon shot up so fast that he knocked his chair over.
"Ah! Yes! Of course! My apologies."
With a face flushed red, he quickly picked up the fallen chair.
"Then, Hunter Gidan, if anything comes to mind, please feel free to contact me anytime."
"Yeah, yeah..."
Gidan took the business card and gave a half-hearted nod.
"Guildmaster On, I’ll see you next time."
"Hmm..."
Jurim stared at Siwon with a tilted expression.
His refined, handsome face, which often made others tense, looked as indifferent as always—
But then—
Siwon’s lips pressed shut as a system message popped up before his eyes.
[‘On Jurim’ is contemplating how to hide your corpse.]
[‘Ruler of the Frozen Lands’ is enjoying your flustered state.]
Although it was widely known as just a high-tier reading skill, Jin Siwon’s skill was actually “Barrett’s Whisper” (SSS).
Not only could it forcefully open a person’s status window, but it could also convey their thoughts and emotions through indirect messages.
Siwon had accidentally read On Jurim’s thoughts.
He gave a gentle smile.
'Does he know about my skill?'
A hunter’s abilities were a deeply sensitive topic.
However, when Siwon defected, he had been required to disclose some of his abilities.
So, it was possible that Jurim had already heard about it.
‘I’ll have to be careful.’
More importantly—
'Two messages...'
There were two indirect messages. Meaning they had come from two different people.
One was from On Jurim, the Guildmaster of Hyeonak.
And the other...
"Thank you for your cooperation. We’ll return Hyeonak’s confiscated items as soon as possible. I’ll take my leave now."
Siwon gave a slight bow before waving to Guru.
"Take care."
"Ba-bye!"
That adorable farewell made Siwon chuckle.
"Bye-bye."
[‘Han Guru’ feels sad watching you leave.]
[‘Fragment of a Monarch’ is observing you with interest.]
[‘Han Guru’s’ information is veiled.]
‘A Monarch... and a veil that conceals information?’
A veil was an item used to hide information from reading skill users.
Usually, the skill user would receive false information instead.
However, because Guru’s veil item was of a lower rank than Siwon’s skill, it had simply indicated that the information was hidden rather than providing a decoy.
Siwon suddenly recalled the first time he met Guru.
The Hyeonak Guild members with him.
The monsters that had conveniently escaped from the eco-zone.
And the total mana shutdown that had followed.
Had the ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) Awakener Center’s mana cut-off been an intentional cover-up to hide Guru’s rank?
"Hmm..."
Siwon hummed and scratched his chin.
‘That was beyond human capability.’
At the time, the mana shutdown incident at the Awakener Center had simply been classified as an unexplained phenomenon.
But now—
'...This is creeping me out.'
If he became an enemy, it would be a huge problem.
To be honest, he didn’t seem particularly friendly even now...
Siwon recalled how Jurim had actually considered killing him and hiding his corpse. Despite that, he kept his usual gentle smile.
‘Just how high is Guru’s rank for them to go that far? Could he be... B-rank?’
A four-year-old at B-rank.
Even on a global scale, that would be a record-breaking anomaly.
There might not have been a single precedent.
Normally, if an Awakener was too young at the time of awakening, their stats and mana reserves would be too low, resulting in a lower initial rank. Most children couldn’t even reach D-rank.
But Guru...
Guru not only had an unfathomable power—but also an unknown entity tied to him.
If that secret ever got out, the entire world would place a blinding spotlight on him.
And with that kind of attention, dangerous hands would inevitably reach for him.
‘I can’t let that happen.’
Even if Jurim wasn’t involved, Siwon had already decided he would protect that secret.
He had no intention of letting such a small, lovable child be thrown into the world as prey.
He could only hope that Guru never crossed paths with Gnosis.
Because children with exceptional talent...
Were Gnosis’ favorite test subjects.
Chapter 8 - The Worries of a Kindergarten Student
Some say that unpredictable things are like bouncy balls—but Jurim was the kind of man who could read the trajectory of a bouncing ball.
No matter what upheavals occurred in the world, he would either nap with an eye mask on or remain arrogantly indifferent to whoever he was dealing with, giving the illusion of impulsiveness.
But in reality, his every move was calculated, systematic, and grounded in solid reasoning.
He was also someone who could bear the weight of responsibility and consequences without difficulty.
Which is why his composure was rarely ever shaken.
That is...
Until he brought that child home.
“...Haa.”
Jurim let out a deep sigh, clutching a thick stack of documents.
Of all things, his people had to go out and hunt an S-rank monster connected to Gnosis. No matter how much he cleaned up the mess, the work never ended.
Government agencies, the Hunter Association, international guild alliances, and countless organizations were clamoring to hear Hyeonak’s account.
Not only from within Korea, but from overseas as well—emails and faxes were flooding in, keeping Hyeonak busier than ever.
And the worst part?
The final decision-maker in all of this...
Was him.
Since Guru was involved, he couldn’t afford to handle things carelessly.
As a result, Jurim was stuck trimming, revising, and embellishing reports, statements, and incident logs—endlessly.
With his head pounding, he clutched his forehead, then haphazardly tossed the documents onto his desk before resting his chin on his hand.
Even an S-rank hunter needed a break after several days of paperwork.
Pressing his weary eyes, he turned his gaze forward.
On his monitor screen was...
The first step of modern parenting education.
And also...
The most difficult one.
Before he could pass out from exhaustion, he chugged an Americano like a potion and lightly tapped his keyboard.
Then, he clicked.
[On Jurim]
- This nickname is already in use.
...Why was he trying to register for a moms’ community under the name On Jurim?
The man attempting to sign up for a parenting forum under the name On Jurim hesitated, then tried other options—Hyeonak, Gidan, Yun Seojun—before giving up.
The only name he didn’t attempt was Shin Nayun’s.
Partly because he had the barest shred of conscience telling him not to steal a woman’s name for a moms’ forum...
But mostly because he was sure that even that name would already be taken.
At that moment—
The library door slowly creaked open.

Comments

Loading...