Chapter 12
After finishing a samgyeopsal party with his younger siblings, Junhyeok returned home and immediately prepared to unseal the bracelet in his room. The materials required for the unsealing were Exciter Solution, a D-grade or higher crystal, and the blood of the binding recipient. Among these, the D-grade crystal was typically the hardest to obtain, but Junhyeok already possessed multiple C-grade crystals, making the preparation straightforward.
He poured Exciter Solution into a pre-prepared basin, submerged the bracelet, and retrieved a C-grade crystal from his subspace. “Huu, shall we begin?” Junhyeok gathered Force at his fingertips and dipped them into the solution.
As his finger traced through the liquid, faintly glowing patterns began forming on the solution’s surface. Whoooooosh! The dissolving crystal accelerated with each completed sigil, its released Force rapidly absorbed by the wooden bracelet.
Moments later—
“Done.”
Withdrawing his hand, a brilliant light erupted from the completed pattern. Fwoooooosh! The radiance flooded the room for five seconds before vanishing, leaving an intricate design etched onto the bracelet’s surface.
“Kukuku, finally mine. The Bracelet of Twilight.”
This artifact had once belonged to Jaden Russell, the third-ranked villain before regression. Junhyeok, then eighth-ranked, had fortuitously befriended Jaden during a drinking session where the bracelet’s secrets were revealed.
Removing the bracelet from the solution, Junhyeok nicked his fingertip with a cutter knife. Slick! A crimson droplet fell onto the engraved pattern. Sssssuck! The design absorbed the blood, glowing faintly red before a system notification echoed in his mind:
Ding!
[The 38th of 101 artifacts created by the Master Original System has been unsealed.]
[Set Artifact: Bracelet of Twilight registered. Total registered artifacts: 16.]
[Bound to Second Original System User: Choi Junhyeok.]
[Fully unlocked by an Original System user.]
Junhyeok stared blankly. “Wh-what is this?”
Awakeners typically used two equipment types: Earth-made gear crafted by Artisan-class Awakeners or interdimensional gear rarely dropped by monsters. Neither triggered system notifications—let alone claims of being “Master Original System creations.” Jaden had only mentioned basic acquisition methods and primary effects, nothing about systemic origins.
Even Junhyeok’s usual composure cracked. “101 artifacts...? Never heard of this. Check bracelet options.”
A translucent window materialized:
(True) Bracelet of Twilight [Set]
38th artifact created by Master Original System.
Fully unlocked by Original System user.
Skill Efficiency +50%
Force Consumption -30%
[Core Formation Bonuses]
All Stats +100
Force +2000
Active Skill: [Blink] Unlocked
[Set Artifacts]
Necklace of Sunset
Ring of Dawn
Junhyeok gaped. The bracelet’s original +30% efficiency had already been extraordinary—boosting healing, damage, or aggro depending on the user. Now? +50% efficiency, -30% Force cost, +100 stats, and Blink?
“I thought the original was broken... This is absurd. Once Core Formation completes, it’ll be downright game-breaking.” He equipped it with satisfaction.
“Now... time to call Cheolmin.”
Ring ring ring!
“Hey! Junhyeok? What’s up?” Cheolmin answered.
“What’re you doing?”
“Resting at home. Why?”
“I awakened as a Tank today.”
“...What?!”
“Haha, yeah. Still processing it.”
Silence. Then—
“ARE YOU JOKING?!”
“Does it sound like a joke?”
More silence. Junhyeok continued, “Registered at the Association today. My Tanking Aptitude Test is in two days. Veteran hunter observations supposedly help. Didn’t get to watch Sangjin hyung properly earlier.”
Cheolmin’s voice turned deadly serious. “You’re... for real?”
“Would I lie about this?”
“HOLY SHT! SERIOUSLY?! A TANK? A FCKING TANK?!”
“Yah! My ears! Lower your voice!”
“VOICE?! YOU JUST DROPPED A BOMBSHELL! Meet tomorrow. I’ll talk to Sangjin hyung.”
Later, Cheolmin called back: “Hyung approved. Gate 7, 7:30 AM. Don’t be late.”
Next morning, Junhyeok waited at the gate in his Association-issued combat suit, shield and sword equipped.
“YOU’RE ACTUALLY—” Cheolmin froze upon seeing him. “That suit... You really did it!”
“Told you.”
“A 25-year-old natural Awakener?! And a TANK? Did you save a nation in your past life?!”
“Maybe a city,” Junhyeok joked.
Sangjin approached, eyeing him. “Heard you awakened. Natural Awakening’s rare these days—let alone for a Tank. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“You want to observe my tanking?”
“Yes. The test determines my Awakener rank. Any insight helps.”
Sangjin nodded. “We’ll benefit too. Follow along.” He extended a hand.
Perfect timing. Junhyeok shook it, activating [Copy] on Sangjin’s remaining three skills.
“Let’s move out,” Sangjin said. “Junhyeok-ssi, ride in the second vehicle.”
