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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Awakener Rank Measurement (2)
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The rank measurement proceeded quickly.
Whenever someone was called, they stepped up onto the platform and placed their hand on the monolith as instructed. Just like Lieutenant Han Si-yeon had demonstrated, the awakener's information would appear.
A soldier standing by would input the awakener's details, and that was it.
With military efficiency, they processed everything like a conveyor belt, and in no time, the measurements for those lined up ahead were done.
"How'd it go?"
"Nothing special. Take a look."
Before the monolith's rank reading could fade, Kang Ji-ye, who had snapped a photo with her phone, showed her results.
"Your stats are rock bottom, huh. But four unacquired skills? That's something."
Kang Ji-ye, thinking he was teasing her about her poor stats, bristled—only to relax at his follow-up and flash a V-sign with her fingers.
"Right? They said it's potential. Means I can learn four more skills down the line."
Compared to Lieutenant Han Si-yeon's two unacquired skills, Kang Ji-ye's potential seemed impressive.
Kang Sa-hu looked at his little sister with newfound appreciation.
"Guess the talent I couldn't get as a necromancer was hiding in you."
"...You wanna fight?"
Kang Ji-ye's eyes narrowed into axes in an instant.
Right then, as if on cue, Kang Sa-hu was called last.
Kang Ji-ye glared murderously at her brother, who stood up like he was fleeing, brushing off his pants.
"What? This feels rigged."
"No way. First time seeing those soldiers."
"Then how come you're called right after you piss me off?"
Kang Sa-hu shrugged at her indignant tone.
"'Cause it's just you and me left?"
"...Ugh, seriously annoying."
She ground her teeth, realizing he'd timed his jab perfectly for when it was her turn next.
As he climbed the platform, Lieutenant Han Si-yeon waited behind the screen—the same one who'd demonstrated the monolith earlier.
"Awakener Kang Sa-hu, correct?"
"Yes. Just put my hand here?"
"That's right. The monolith will absorb your mana."
Kang Sa-hu nodded and stepped up to the monolith.
It had been wiped clean after each person; faint fingerprints and smudges lingered.
When he placed his hand on it, he felt mana—qi—being sucked out through the contact.
Even during the measurement, Kang Sa-hu's mind raced.
This situation isn't so bad for us. It would've been hard to reveal we're necromancers anyway. Might as well let them chalk it up to awakening powers naturally.
With awakeners being openly screened like this, it was easier to pass off necromancy as an awakening ability.
The fact they had to call people in to check ranks meant the government didn't know everything about awakeners yet.
They might suspect necromancy, but they couldn't prove it was fake.
In other words...
No more hiding in the shadows, living like dead men just because he was a necromancer.
Necromancers can finally step into the light.
After years of oppression, the joy of liberation hit him proportionally hard, curving his lips into a smile.
Then, a commotion from the side made him turn.
Lieutenant Han Si-yeon and the soldier recording nearby stared at him in shock.
"What's wrong? Something..."
Following their gaze to the monolith, Kang Sa-hu fell silent.
Unlike Han Si-yeon's demo, something bizarre was happening.
Lines wriggled as if trying to form text—same as before.
But they kept trying to shape letters, only to scatter like driftwood on the sea, reforming and dispersing without forming a single character.
"...Looks like an error. Please wait a moment."
"Should I take my hand off?"
As Kang Sa-hu moved to pull away...
The monolith, still draining his mana, began vibrating wildly.
"G-Gasp! Deputy company commander!"
"What? What's happening?!"
Han Si-yeon stared in panic.
Kang Sa-hu, hand still on, debated whether to let go.
"Lieutenant, can I remove my hand?"
"W-Wait! No protocol for this...!"
"What? What's going on?"
The privacy screen was just hasty cloth; sounds carried outside.
Those waiting heard the panic.
"Hey, something wrong in there?"
"Just a sec."
Another soldier rushed over.
"Deputy commander, everything oka—Gah!"
Peeking inside, he flushed red and yelped at the shaking monolith.
Han Si-yeon glared at the intruder, finger to lips.
"Get outside first. Prep to evacuate the other awakeners..."
Crackle.
As soldiers floundered, cracks spiderwebbed across the monolith.
It glowed like it might explode; Han Si-yeon bellowed.
"Everyone, down!"
Crash!
The monolith shattered right after.
The screen collapsed; people on the floor peeked up, murmuring.
"What the hell?!"
"What happened?"
Kang Ji-ye shoved through to the platform.
"Oppa!"
She scanned for him.
But it wasn't him who answered.
Clack.
"Oppa...? You?"
Four giant hounds, guarding Kang Sa-hu like summoned sentinels, met her eyes. She blinked wide.
One had crushed the monolith under its belly, blocking any blast.
"Why'd you come up?"
Kang Sa-hu asked; she snapped back.
"Thought you were hurt! You okay?"
"Yeah, not a scratch."
Casually, he waved off the hounds encircling him.
They scanned for threats, then parted slightly.
"Good work."
He emerged, petting the one that had shielded the monolith.
The fresh-looking giant hound clicked its jaw happily.
"G-Gah! What is that?!"
"M-Monster! Another one?!"
"Everyone, calm down!"
Awakener panic turned to combat stances; Han Si-yeon intervened.
"It's his ability! Not an enemy!"
Tensions eased one by one.
To quell the chaos fast, Han Si-yeon sent Kang Sa-hu down.
"A minor issue arose, but all measurements are complete. Results will be sent later. You're free to go."
It reeked of sudden dismissal.
But fresh awakeners, fresh from monster encounters, welcomed it after seeing the hounds and scattered.
Kang Sa-hu scratched his head, ordering his hounds back to soul cores.
The four guarding him complied smoothly.
But the one that blocked the monolith refused.
"Why not coming?"
Clack clack.
It shook its head, approaching.
Puzzled, Kang Sa-hu watched as it opened its jaws slightly, revealing something.
"...Hm."
Understanding, he pocketed it discreetly.
"Oppa? What's tha—"
He shushed her with a finger to lips.
She clamped shut; once the last hound returned, he led her out.
He ignored stares, knowing it'd waste time.
His focus was the fragment in his pocket—from the monolith.
After measurements.
Han Si-yeon stood at ease before her superior, face stiff.
Two stars gleamed on his chest.
The man sighed after silently watching the video.
"So, his rank didn't register properly."
"I'll correct it! We'll recall him soon for re-measurement!"
Her crisp reply soured Director Han Sung-hoon's face.
"And risk another monolith? Got a plan? You know how few we have."
She paled at his barrage.
"Sorry!"
"Tch. Think before you speak. You're supposed to lead these 'hunters.' Short-sightedness won't cut it."
"I'll correct it!"
"Sigh..."
Grimacing, he rewatched the clip she'd snuck.
The screen showed wriggling lines—unreadable, barely letters.
Recalling the government's 'prophecy' order, Director Han Sung-hoon scrawled 'EX' in red on Kang Sa-hu's rank field.
Awakener: Kang Sa-hu
Rank: EX
"Dismissed."
"Yes, sir!"
She saluted sharply, taking the file.
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