Chapter 9: The Key of Chaos

Key Fragment of Chaos.

Every time I clear a Tower.

No, that’s not it.

Every time I set a new record, I get a gray shard.

[Key Fragment of Chaos]

[Fragment. When combined, it returns to its original form.]

“How do you combine them?”

I was curious.

And then, suddenly, it was made.

“…Key.”

“Yeurssa?”

“Yeah, it really is a key.”

What’s completed is a murky purple key.

So this is the Key of Chaos.

Looks like you need to gather ten to combine them.

Automatic, that’s convenient.

For now, shall I check the description?

[Key of Chaos]

[F-class Key of Chaos, can open something.]

So there’s a grade, huh.

Probably goes like A-class, B-class, and so on.

But this is only F-class.

“It’s on the low end.”

Hmm.

A bit disappointing, then nod.

Well.

Come to think of it, it makes sense for it to be low.

At best, it’s for clearing Chaos Tower floors 1 through 10.

If the key from there was high-grade, that would be weirder.

But still….

“The description’s way too vague.”

It just says, can open something, and that’s it?

‘What does it open?’

‘Why don’t they tell me.’

Ah!

‘Maybe Robin would know.’

Shakes his head.

Guess not.

What about Arthur?

“Wasseo?”

“Mm…”

“Of course, I don’t know either.”

Even searching for it?

Nothing comes up….

Hmm.

“Can’t be helped.”

Cool-headed youth, Yoon Hajun.

Keeps his worries brief.

No point in staring at it if there’s no answer.

Just gives you a headache for nothing.

So what’s the use.

For now, set it aside.

I’ll figure it out someday.

Until then, sealed.

I put it in my inventory.

“Alright, since Robin’s out for the first time in a while and work’s over, how about a meat party?”

I haven’t sold the Magic Stones for money yet.

But does that mean I don’t have any cash?

Nope.

Not enough to move to a new place, but I have some.

Hey, I get a daily wage of 15 as a laborer!

“I bought loads of pork belly, beer, and soft drinks, so let’s eat all we want.”

“Duldulsset!”

“Okay, being generous today! Even got coffee!”

“Nice!”

“…Meat.”

“Hey, I said we have pork belly!”

Everything’s ready.

Let’s head down.

Time to have some fun.

Ah, first I should text Minwook hyung that I can’t come to work tomorrow.

I’m heading to the Awakening Management Bureau early in the morning.

Early morning, yeah right.

By the time I woke up, it was already 1pm.

Damn Arthur, Robin.

***

I guess you can’t call them anything but workers—they’re incredible drinkers.

Later on, they were so hyped, they just kept drinking among themselves.

“Ugh, I’m dying.”

But still, gotta do what needs to be done.

So, I called a taxi and got in.

[Destination: Awakening Management Bureau.]

On the way, I gave one last check.

[Name: Yoon Hajun (Lv. 10) / Republic of Korea]

[Occupation: Labor Management Office Head]

[Unique Skill: Summon Worker (Rank – Bronze) / Fixed Team Summon]

The key point is Fixed Team Summon.

I can’t manage at home, but.

Well, who cares.

As long as I can use the skill, it’s fine.

‘So, what’s the current list?’

[Fixed Team Summon]

[Arthur (High-grade) / Robin (Top-grade): 06 days 17 hours 33 minutes until summon available / Orc Horde (Low-grade)]

Perfect.

Just call me the Orc Summoner.

I’ll summon an Orc Horde with Fixed Team Summon.

Let’s just get ranked fast and get out.

Alright, let’s go.

[Awakening Management Bureau]

“No, I mean! I told you, I don’t know either?!”

“Yes, yes. You said a Gate was discovered in Gwangmyeong? Hmm… Well, that’s not under our jurisdiction, but I’ll relay the message.”

“Anyone among the hunters on duty today? Busan requested support.”

‘Is this the marketplace?’

It’s so noisy….

Where am I supposed to go.

[Information Desk]

Ah, found it.

Let’s go.

“Hello. How can I help you?”

“I’m here to register a new awakening.”

A formal and bland statement.

Answered right away.

Huh.

‘Why did it suddenly get so quiet?’

Wait.

‘Everyone’s looking this way?’

“Did you just awaken?!”

What’s with those eyes.

Just a moment ago, they looked so dead inside.

Now they’re sparkling like crazy.

Kinda overwhelming.

But I have to answer anyway.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Please come this way!”

I follow and get handed a sheet.

[Awakening Registration Form.]

“I’ll fill out the rest after checking. For now, just your personal information, please!”

Name, address, contact, and so on.

Filled it in.

Meanwhile, questions kept flying my way.

“When did you awaken?”

Awaken?

When was it again.

“About two weeks ago, I think.”

“Two weeks?!”

Is that so shocking?

The place got even quieter.

“What type is your awakening?”

Now I don’t even hear people swallowing.

Wow.

There’s so many people, but….

If I answer properly, it’s going to cause a fuss.

So.

“Orc summoning.”

“Huh?? Orcs? Ah….”

Such obvious disappointment.

Their eyes went cold instantly.

“Hey! Get someone right now who can go to Busan!”

“No, no. I thought maybe, but nope.”

“Told you, it’s not our jurisdiction, so we can’t dispatch immediately!”

The quiet surroundings went back to being noisy.

As expected.

Glad I prepared.

If I just came, the rumor would’ve spread everywhere.

Nice choice.

Now, I just need to show off the Orcs and head home.

Just show your skill for awakening confirmation, then clear a dungeon as guided, and your registration will be completed.

“What?”

“Wait a sec.”

“Clear a dungeon?”

What the…

“Wasn’t it enough to just show my skill and get ranked?”

That’s what the internet said!

Said it’d be over in an hour at most!

Due to reports of corruption in the awakening process, some steps were added recently, sorry.

“Fine.”

No way….

“Since there have been cases where ranks were over-evaluated by corruption, we need not only the examiner’s subjective assessment, but also an objective performance index-.”

They’re explaining the reason.

But I’m barely listening.

I mean.

‘Why suddenly send me to a dungeon?’

I hate dungeons….

What a bolt from the blue.

“Do you understand?”

I get it.

I don’t know why, but.

Apparently, people often exaggerate their awakening rank.

So.

***

“So, you’re saying I need to prove it by clearing a dungeon.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Any other way?

Nope.

Apparently, everyone’s been doing this lately, so whatever.

“Whew….”

I really don’t want to….

But what can you do.

If that’s the process, I’ll follow it.

Don’t want to get suspected for nothing.

But.

“I can only summon Orcs once per day. Is that okay?”

“What?”

Seriously.

I can only summon them once a day.

‘Orc.’

“Whew….”

“I’ll explain briefly. Unless it’s a special place, only one person can enter a dungeon at a time-.”

No signal inside.

Machines don’t work.

Blah blah blah.

I listened to the whole explanation just in case.

‘Why?’

I have to go in myself….

It’s an F-class dungeon, and even among those, it’s an easy one.

Scouts have checked it several times, so there’s nothing to worry about.

‘Wait, is the explanation already over.’

“Um… Can I go in now?”

Nod.

Seriously…

They’re already stepping back a bit to let me through.

Whew, I thought I’d never have to enter a dungeon in my life….

With auto-hunting, why would I!

But capitalism is cold.

To turn Magic Stones into money?

I have to go in, no choice.

First, let’s call the Orcs.

[Fixed Team Summon]

Orc Horde (Low-grade)

Fwoosh!

A flash of light.

Then.

“Chwiik!”

“Gasp-”

I can hear someone startled behind me.

Well.

Even if they know I’m going to summon Orcs, seeing them up close is surprising.

But once you get used to them, they’re kinda cute….

“Chwiik! Chwiik!”

See?

The Bureau staff are startled, so the Orcs politely wave and greet them.

Damn.

Whose kids are these, so well-mannered.

“Ah, hello….”

“Chwiik!”

Guess that calmed them down a bit?

They even greet back.

Whew.

Anyway.

Usually, I’d just send them in.

On auto mode.

Today?

I’m going too.

Switch to manual mode.

“Chwiik?! Chwik!!”

You think I’ll be okay?

No….

Honestly, I’m nervous, so you guys go first.

I’ll follow behind.

“Chwiik!”

Yoon Hajun, awakened for about fifteen days.

Special notes.

Dungeon entry count: zero.

A total newbie.

But I do have something to rely on.

[Fixed Team Summon]

[Arthur (High-grade) / Robin (Top-grade): 06 days 17 hours 12 minutes until summon available / Orc Horde (Low-grade): summon available]

Those clear words.

Arthur.

A cheat code that ends the game whenever I call him.

I’m counting on you.

“Chwiik!”

Ah.

‘Maybe I won’t even need to call Arthur.’

Honestly, with just the Orcs, F-class is a breeze.

What.

‘No need to be nervous at all?’

Suddenly, I’m feeling brave.

“Alright, let’s go.”

F-class dungeon?

Bring it on.

Labor Management Office Head, Yoon Hajun is on the move.

“Chwiik! Chwik!”

The Orc Horde went in.

Yoon Hajun quickly followed.

Ding!

[Key of Chaos, confirmed.]

[Moving to Labyrinth of Chaos.]

What the hell.

Arthur!

Come out, Arthur, now!

Ding-ding-ding-ding—!

***

“Yes, Director.”

“How did it go? What’s the awakened job, and estimated rank?”

“Nothing special to see.”

“Huh? Why?”

“He’s an Orc Summoner.”

“What? That kind of job exists? Ha… At best he’ll be a D.”

D?

No way.

“We’ll have to check his dungeon clear time, but I marked him as F for now, since he can only use his skill once a day.”

“A dud, then.”

“Yes, a dud.”

A rare awakening registrant.

At first, I was hopeful.

The mysterious hunter who’s been setting records lately.

I figured he’d show up sooner or later.

Even the timeline fits—awakened about fifteen days ago?

I was almost certain until that point.

Then the problem.

‘Orc summoning.’

‘Why would it be orc summoning out of nowhere?’

Still, just in case….

But real orcs actually popped out.

Chwiik! Chwik! Even greeting people.

“We really need to find that hunter. This is bad.”

“Yeah… There’s not much time….”

“Did you hear anything from up top?”

“I just got confirmation.”

“About what?”

“If we find him, we’re to offer whatever terms it takes to make him join the Bureau. If a private guild snatches him, our heads will roll.”

Whatever terms, huh.

Makes sense.

So many times we’ve lost awakened hunters because higher-ups told us to wait and see.

“That’s good. Now we just have to find him.”

“Exactly. For now, return as quickly as possible. Once you’re back, we’ll rework the plan.”

“Yes.”

I answered, but.

I’m not confident.

‘How am I supposed to get back quickly.’

The Orc Summoner just went in.

I’ll probably have to wait at least two hours here, doing nothing.

“Haa….”

At that moment.

I noticed something strange.

“The Gate’s color….”

It’s changing?

It only changes after clearing the dungeon….

And then, he appeared.

The Orc Summoner.

What the heck.

“You just went in a moment ago!”

“What is this!”