Did she miss the days when she was an Isekai Noble Lord?
Was that nostalgia for the past what was driving her crazy?
I looked at Karin with a sympathetic expression. I realized I had been too indifferent, just living day to day.
“What’s with that look, mister? You don’t believe me, do you?”
“No, Dad believes in our Rin.”
“Ugh, you’re so annoying. All this time, the reason I’ve been eating so much was because of the Awakening Quest, okay?”
She’s played that game too much; she’s starting to lose it a little.
“Alright, Level 1 Noble Lord. What skills do you have?”
“The skills I have now are Relief and Currency Exchange. And Message Transmission.”
Relief? What kind of relief? She’s the one who should be getting relief right now.
“Oh, right. Like in games, there are quests you have to complete. The reason I’ve been eating a lot is because I’m synchronizing with my Territory.”
They say it’s bad to get too obsessed with games. But something caught my attention—the part about synchronizing with the Territory.
“Is there something called Synchronization Rate?”
“Huh? Uh, wait a sec.”
Karin seemed to be dragging something through the air like she could see it.
“Yeah, there is. Because I’m good at politics, the Synchronization Rate has gone up to 5%.”
I have a Synchronization Rate too. As far as I know, other Hunters don’t have a Synchronization Rate condition.
In my case, once the Synchronization Rate reaches 100%, I’ll fully regain the powers I once had.
But hers is a bit strange. She said it was the Synchronization Rate of the Territory.
Could it mean the Territory, which is in a Floating Island state, is synchronizing with this place?
No matter how much the world has become game-like due to system integration, that’s too unrealistic.
“Damn, it’s true.”
“No, believe me.”
“Really?”
Karin’s suspicious eyes.
“I have a Synchronization Rate too. I have two status windows now—one is for Supporter Awakening, and the other seems to be for the Hero side. When I fill the Synchronization Rate, I think I can regain the Hero’s power.”
“Come on, that can’t be true.”
That’s the reaction I get after I actually believed her.
Well, the fact that Karin has undergone Awakening is not bad news. On the contrary, it’s good news.
In her other world, Karin is the highest-ranking Eye of Truth. Loved by the gods, performing miracles, she was even called a Saint.
Honestly, she’s competent.
If she regains the power of the Eye of Truth, she’ll be really reliable.
More than anything, the Floating Island drifting in the air right now could return to where it originally belonged.
‘Karin can return to her world, too.’
Here, she’s just a game addict, but over there, she’s the Isekai Noble Lord. There’s no comparison.
While we were talking, the delivery food arrived. Karin got excited at the sight of the food and rushed out with quick steps.
Is she really that happy?
If she wanted it that badly, I could have just bought it for her with the money for gear.
There’s no way someone who plays games also doesn’t know how to use a delivery app just because she’s from another world.
The two of us finally ate until we were full after a long time.
Karin devoured the food as if she was on a mukbang, ready to receive virtual gifts from viewers.
Watching her eat like that on a broadcast whets one’s appetite, but seeing it right in front of me somehow made me lose mine.
No, she doesn’t look ugly eating. She’s eating properly and with gusto.
So why does it feel so uncomfortable? Could this be what it feels like to be a great sage taking care of a baby dinosaur?
When the appointed time came, I headed to the Gate Management Bureau. It’s currently the hottest government agency, so the building was impeccably maintained.
“Welcome. I’m Minjung Kim. I called you earlier.”
“Hello.”
She’s a beautiful woman who looks good in office wear. Even with glasses, she looks intelligent.
But after greeting me, she stared at me so intently it made me uncomfortable.
“Have we met before?”
“Ah, that’s a classic pick-up line.”
The words slipped out before I could stop them. What would she think?
She might think I’m some crazy guy hitting on her during a professional meeting.
Minjung Kim’s mouth twitched slightly. I definitely saw it.
Suddenly, I had a new embarrassing memory.
“The Director is waiting inside.”
Guided by her, I entered the building.
Seeing white-collar workers wearing ID badges made me feel like I was somewhere important.
“Oh, this guy? Tall and handsome.”
The Director had a surprisingly friendly demeanor and was very straightforward.
He was so honest, he just stated facts.
“I’ll bring some tea.”
The secretary bowed politely and left the Director’s office. The Director invited me to sit on an expensive sofa like he had known me for a long time and welcomed me warmly.
The laugh lines around his eyes suggested he had a very good personality.
But that was just the surface.
People often act like they’ll give you their liver and gallbladder but will poison you if it serves their own interests.
I’d had enough of that kind of experience in the other world.
Avoid unnecessary grudges. The more enemies you have, the more obstacles you face.
“This is the first time I’ve seen such impressive records from day one of Awakening. I thought the guy who submitted the report must have made a mistake.” He chuckled.
The Director placed the report materials on the table. It included an overview and detailed investigation of the Anyang Amusement Park Incident.
“Why did you block the articles?”
“Articles? What articles are you talking about?”
He answered bluntly. No need to waste hours with unnecessary talk.
This middle-aged man in front of me was a slippery fellow.
Even after I said that, he acted like he didn’t understand at all. But I caught a flicker in his eyes.
Those tiny, invisible movements become evidence and add credibility.
I found it strange.
Many reporters had come, yet not a single proper article was published.
“Something happened, and it was resolved well,” was all the news said. That was too odd.
Honestly, I thought it would be heavily covered and become a big issue.
That would raise my profile and, naturally, my value.
But things played out differently.
Someone must have intervened.
I wondered who had the power to control reporters.
There couldn’t be many. So, by process of elimination, I narrowed it down to those involved with Hunters.
Finally, I considered who would arrange such a hurried meeting at this time.
“Did you block the articles, Director?”
The middle-aged man smiled, looking at me as if I was a foolish young kid playing a prank.
“There’s no benefit to controlling the articles. No matter how much the media whines, can they really suppress it? Besides, the more Hunters shine, the better it is for us. Why would we block it?”
He laughed. A sly guy indeed.
“Why such a misunderstanding?”
It’s not a misunderstanding. It’s a clear fact.
“There’s a shortage of people in government work. The competition with Guilds, which offer high salaries, and institutions that offer salaries plus honor incentives, makes it hard to attract talent.”
That’s it.
Hunters get hazard pay by default.
But when working for the state, due to patriotism, salaries inevitably drop.
In the name of some half-baked honor.
Of course, I also enjoy gaining attention and wealth. People might call me a materialist.
To those people, I’d ask—would you be willing to work for free out of burning patriotism? Or accept a pay cut?
The company would be the one to benefit.
Sounds ridiculous, right? One should receive fair compensation for their labor.
Pay is set according to ability.
There’s no need for unnecessary emotions to interfere.
Hmm. Friends working in government agencies are rarely passionate about their mission; they’re just insufficient in number.
“Is that so?”
Saying that, the Director crossed his legs, placed his hands on his knees, and asked leisurely.
“What about you?”
What about me? Money, obviously.
“I’m looking for a good Guild.”
The secretary brought the tea. The subtle aroma was pleasant.
“Money is great, sure. But the pride of working for the government isn’t small either. There’s no rush, so look carefully.”
“Is freelancing possible?”
“Freelancing?”
“I want to find a good Guild, get a good salary, and build a foundation for growth. But isn’t pride something you can fulfill separately?”
The Director smiled with interest.
“Go on.”
“I’m saying I’d apply if the institution needs freelancers. There’s always a shortage of manpower.”
Guards who patrol or secure dangerous zones.
Even if temporary, being a Hunter would grant various benefits.
Tax reductions, welfare support, and free dungeon access.
Being able to freely enter dungeons is an advantage for me.
Of course, entering higher-level dungeons is tough without bidding.
The Director tapped the armrest of the sofa with his fingers. His smile faded.
“In national emergencies, all Hunters are mobilized by public authority.”
“But not all emergencies are officially recognized.”
I matched what he wanted to hear with what I wanted to say. That’s a deal.
“I only ask that when I help, you provide some form of compensation. I’m not asking for much, just for the country’s sake.”
He wants to have me. Because I have potential? Or because of some special quality I possess?
Otherwise, there’d be no need for this ridiculous preliminary interview.
If I rejected it outright, I’d create resentment.
I’ve learned many times in the other world.
Showing your fangs is for the moment you bite to kill.
Half-hearted jabs only stir anger and increase caution.
If you’re going to act, do it decisively. If you’re going to aim, be cold and calculating.
The Director’s stern mouth, which had been tapping the chair’s armrest, lifted again.
“Hmm, the report seems a bit off.”
“Report?”
“Yeah. Military exemption. No social experience. Dropped out of high school.”
The Director smiled slyly.
“Our country tends to judge people by data. Maybe an overzealous subordinate made a mistake.”
They probably controlled it deliberately to prevent the story from being picked up elsewhere.
No matter how powerful Guilds or the media are, the Gate Management Bureau currently holds the most power.
At the beginning, the Gate Incident almost destroyed society.
The system is barely holding together now, but more and more skilled Hunters are emerging.
Meanwhile, the government’s control is steadily weakening.
At such times, the Gate Management Bureau even has the authority to deploy special forces to manage Hunters and prevent Gate rampages.
“That’s how such people protect the homeland.”
“How was it?”
The Director was interested in the young man. Uncharacteristically, he had set up this ridiculous preliminary interview and outright pressured them to block all articles.
Thanks to that, the Guild couldn’t even approach Lee Hyunbin beforehand and was treading carefully.
Rightly so.
No one wants to be targeted by the authorities.
Unless there were only a few Guilds, there were many competitors, and they could always collude with the government.
“Unique.”
“Unique?”
“Yeah, unique.”
The Director muttered something unintelligible and then smiled with interest.
“Can you prepare a freelance contract?”
The secretary blinked, not understanding the Director’s words.
It had been a long time since someone confidently made such a demand.