Chapter 8
The next morning.
Junhyuk arrived at Gate 7 of the western wall a little earlier than the appointed time and waited for Cheolmin.
'Whew, today's going to be busy. I need to register as an Awakener and remove the bracelet's seal.'
In truth, Junhyuk had wanted to break the seal immediately after obtaining the bracelet yesterday. But he lacked the Exciter solution required to melt one of the components—the crystal. While the solution was normally easy to acquire, all shops had closed by the time he tried. Reluctantly, he postponed the unsealing until today.
About twenty minutes later, two vehicles stopped before the gate. Cheolmin stepped out of the lead car and approached.
"Hey! Junhyuk! Haha, you’re here early."
"Well, I’m the one asking for a favor. By the way, where’s the party leader? I should greet him properly."
"Ah! Hold on a sec. Boss! This is the guy I told you about yesterday!"
At Cheolmin’s call, a burly man emerged from the lead vehicle—a large shield in one hand, a medium-sized shield strapped to his back. He strode forward with purpose.
"Oh, this kid? Haha, nice to meet you. I’m Yoo Sangjin, the tank and party leader. Since I’m older, no need for formalities."
His rough exterior matched his boisterous personality.
"If Cheolmin calls you boss, then you’re my boss too. Haha, I’ll be in your care today."
Junhyuk bowed slightly before raising his head and extending both hands for a respectful handshake. The natural gesture disarmed Sangjin’s suspicion.
"Yeah, work hard. Heard you refused payment? Do well, and I’ll share my cut with you."
The moment their hands clasped—
'Copy!'
Junhyuk activated his skill.
[Select three skills from the following:]
A mechanical chime rang as Sangjin’s skills materialized before Junhyuk’s eyes:
[Unique Skill] [Passive] Iron Skin [Lv.1]
DEF +1000
Absorbs 10% of damage taken
Usable without registering in skill deck
[Unique Skill] [Active] Shield Attack [Lv.1]
Strikes enemy with shield to draw aggro
Deals 300 damage
95% aggro increase
Usable without registering in skill deck
Cast Time: [Instant]
Cooldown: [30 minutes]
Force Cost: [100]
[Card Skill] [Active] Overwhelm [Lv.5]
Intimidates enemies with overwhelming presence
130% aggro increase
Reduces target’s ATK by 10%
Cast Time: [Instant]
Cooldown: [1 hour]
Force Cost: [1000]
With two unique skills and one card skill available, Junhyuk copied all three without hesitation.
'Iron Skin! Shield Attack! Overwhelm! Copy!'
[Copy Iron Skin, Shield Attack, and Overwhelm? [Yes/No]]
'Yes!'
[Skill copy complete. Copied skills can be viewed in the skill window.]
The entire process took 3–4 seconds—no one noticed anything amiss.
'Done! Finally copied tank skills! First phase success!'
Junhyuk released the handshake with a smile. "Haha, don’t worry. Once I commit to something, I give my all. And really, no need for payment—it’d be rude after imposing on you."
Not like I need cash after stealing their entire skillset, he mused. Oblivious, Sangjin laughed heartily.
"This kid’s got grit! Haha! Let’s move out. You ride in the rear vehicle."
As the party boarded, Junhyuk spent the trip copying skills from every member while exchanging pleasantries.
'I’ll delete the useless ones later.'
These were all first-tier Awakeners—their skills would become obsolete once he copied higher-tier users’. But since timing was uncertain, he hoarded everything.
By journey’s end, he’d copied 13 skills:
3 Healer: Holy Power (Lv1), Healing (Lv1), Light of Healing (Lv3)
1 Mapper: Mapping (Lv1)
2 Trapper: Damage Trap (Lv1), Binding Trap (Lv1)
7 DPS:
Melee: Steel Fist (Lv1), Combo Strike (Lv2)
Ranged: Archer Body (Lv1), Power Shot (Lv1), Rapid Fire (Lv8), Snipe (Lv7), Eagle Eye (Lv7)
He could now solo as tank, DPS, healer, mapper, and trapper—though limited by skill slots.
‘Should I test them now?’ He shook his head. ‘No. Once registered, skills lock for 24 hours. I can’t delay Hunter registration.’
The hunt concluded smoothly, thanks more to teamwork than Sangjin’s tanking alone.
"Haha! Clean finish! Everyone did well... Junhyuk, was it? Your stamina’s unreal. Even splitting loot duty with our porter—" Sangjin glanced at their usual porter, who wheezed despite his muscular build. "—and today had double the usual haul. Yet you’re not even winded."
Junhyuk scratched his neck awkwardly. "Haha, stamina’s my thing."
Pre-Awakening, I’d have collapsed, he thought. His enhanced physique masked his secret—for now.
Cheolmin sidled up. "Boss, this guy was a legend in school. Took down athletes without training. If he’d Awakened back then—well, haha!"
Sangjin’s gaze sharpened. "Oh? Before The Calamity? School gang leader?"
"Beat up gang leaders," Cheolmin corrected. "Wanted to be a detective. Might’ve made it if the world hadn’t gone to hell."
Sangjin’s expression softened. "Is that so? Here’s your cut."
Junhyuk waved his hands. "No, really—"
"Take it! Without you, our porter’d be dead. Think about joining full-time."
"Can’t promise yet. Need to wrap up Hyena work first. But... thanks." He accepted the money politely.
After farewells, Junhyuk headed straight to an alchemy shop.
6 PM already—gotta register as an Awakener before closing.
At the shop, a clerk greeted him. "Looking for something?"
"Exciter solution, please."
"Right this way."
Bottles ranging from 100mL to 1L lined the shelf. Junhyuk grabbed a 500mL one.
"Price?"
"250,000 won."
Nodding, he paid with five 50,000-won bills and hurried to the Awakener Association.
