Chapter 25
The day after awakening Changsoo as a dealer,
Deadly Strike and Ice Trap were finally sold.
Ice Trap went for 180 million won, while Deadly Strike sold for 1.35 billion won.
Total sales: 1.53 billion won.
In an instant, Junhyuk had over a billion won.
With Ice Trap, he even got to meet the buyer personally and copy the skill.
Though he couldn’t copy Deadly Strike this time, no matter – he’d get another chance.
Not like it was that rare of a skill anyway.
Seeing his bank balance, Junhyuk felt full without even eating.
Another day passed, and Junhyuk joined one last job to wrap up his Hyena work.
“Hey! Junhyuk! Heard from Boss Kichul you awakened? Congrats!”
“And not just any class – a Noble Tanker? From bottom-feeding Hyena to nobility overnight! Haha! I laughed so hard my stomach hurt all night. Damn, wish I could pop an awakening like you!”
“Bullshit! You’re pushing forty tomorrow – what awakening you talking about? Junhyuk’s still in his prime twenties. For old farts like us? Impossible.”
The Hyena members each offered congratulations after hearing through Kichul.
“Anyway, shouldn’t you be busy preparing stuff after awakening? Just calling us instead of ghosting like others do is more than enough. Go on, make it quick.”
Junhyuk smiled at Kichul’s words.
“Come on, we’ve been through stuff together. ‘End with grace,’ right? One last job as a Hyena today, then maybe drinks?”
“Ha! Deal. Finish quick and we’ll toast to your farewell. Let’s go! Today’s the jackpot!”
As Kichul led, the others echoed: “Jackpot!”
Junhyuk pretended to head to his zone but diverted to a convenience store instead.
“Still here.”
The monster byproducts he’d hidden earlier remained untouched – beneath the Hyenas’ notice despite days passing.
“Hmm… too bothersome to sell now. Better craft something later.”
Grade C and B monster parts worth billions, but Junhyuk wasn’t pressed for cash with his skill cards already valued in hundreds of billions.
“Subspace Open!”
After storing the materials, Junhyuk headed to his actual assignment – an apartment rooftop.
“Activate Teleportation Circle.”
The glowing circle whirred to life (Whoooosh!), followed by system prompts:
[Teleportation circle activated]
[Primary circle detected. Connect?]
Having pre-installed one at home, Junhyuk confirmed: “Connect.”
[Connected to: [Home]]
[Name new circle?]
“Basecamp.”
[Named: [Basecamp]]
[Active circles: 2/3]
First Awakening allowed three circles within 20km; Second Awakening seven within 150km; Third fifteen within 400km (Seoul-to-Busan range). Currently limited by his copied teleporter abilities, but sufficient for novice zone activities.
Just as Junhyuk prepared to leave after completing his objectives:
[Core generation complete – Original System user exclusive]
[Core functions initialized. Check Status.]
[Status System unlocked +50 bonus points]
[Core-growth skill [Crystal Absorption] created. Check Skills.]
[Information Access unlocked. Check Commands.]
The long-awaited core activation hit Junhyuk alongside a staggering power surge. “Wha-?!” Energy overflowed through his body like during initial awakening. ‘Just from core activation?! Status Open!’
The revamped status screen appeared:
User: Choi Junhyuk [1st Awakening]
Age:25
Class:Copy Master
System:Second Original
[STATUS]
STR:20+[100] VIT:27+[100] AGI:35+[100]
DEF:20+[100] TECH:14+[100]
Bonus:50
ATK:100+[1000] DEF:100+[1000]
HP:15000+[10000] Force:5000+[7000] [+20000][1/s regen]
Core LV1 EXP0%
Effects:
Force Charge +20000
Skill Cost -10%
Skill Efficiency +20%
Info Access by Rank
Level via Crystal Absorption
Junhyuk’s eyes widened. ‘So THIS is an Original Awakener’s true power!’ His stats had skyrocketed thanks to +100 from Twilight Bracelet atop base stats (14-35 range). Reaching 500 would require serious crystal investment…
The core’s benefits were revolutionary:
Force reserves allowed 20000 extended usage;
Efficiency boosts stacked with equipment;
And this was just Level One!
Suddenly, Park Gangho’s legendary strength made sense – he’d maxed everything including core. “So when the time comes… I’ll reach that height too.” Having inherited everything from Park Gangho, Junhyuk’s path was clear.
New function [Information Access] prompted experimentation: “Open Commands” revealed new options including “Open Info Access,” which responded mechanically: “[Restricted to 1st Awakening data. Input keywords.]”
After confirming system inquiry:
“[Systems divide into Originals (2 total across dimensions) and Derivatives (widespread). Subkeywords – Original/Derivative]”
Drilling into Originals:
“[Original Systems: Master (Creation Authority) & Second (Copy Master). Master exists complete without awakening; Copy Master requires user activation.]”
The realization struck – Junhyuk was the sole Original Awakener across all dimensions!
