The branch director's office was on the top floor of the Association building. An employee knocked, opened the door for me, and quietly withdrew.
The man standing before the desk was in his late fifties, with graying hair and a neat suit. Behind his kindly expression was an unmistakable air of experience.
When he saw me, his face lit up and he strode forward.
"Welcome. I'm the director of the Seoul branch. I've been waiting all morning for you to arrive, Hunter."
When he extended his hand, a thick hand firmly clasped mine. It felt more like he was holding on to me than shaking my hand.
"Please, sit."
Once we sat opposite each other on the sofas, the branch director handed me a tablet. Two Dungeon records were displayed on the screen.
"An E-grade mutation in the F-grade Goblin Cave. Then, the very next day, an upper-level mutation in the E-grade Corrupted Temple. No Hunter in Association records has ever cleared mutated Dungeons on two consecutive days."
The branch director shook his head as he studied the records. He made no attempt to hide his admiration.
"When I first received the reports, I thought it was a computer error."
'So we're starting with the mutations, as expected.'
Surely he had not figured out that the cause of the mutations was the tribe's combined combat power.
My hand tensed with anxiety.
The branch director continued.
"When a mutation occurs, there is effectively nothing the Association can do. We cannot determine the exact Grade inside, and recklessly sending in more Hunters would only increase the casualties."
"So that's why organizing the rescue team took so long."
It made sense. When no one knew how many Grades the mutation had raised the Dungeon by, how could they simply throw in a rescue team?
"Correct. In the end, the party inside has to survive on its own. That's why a mutation classification is practically treated as a death sentence."
The branch director set down the tablet and looked me squarely in the eyes.
"Yet you walked out both times, Hunter. And you personally killed the bosses."
"I was lucky."
"The testimony is far too specific to dismiss as luck. I heard the full story from everyone who went in with you."
The branch director took out a document and tapped it. His eyes sparkled in a way one would not expect from someone reciting another person's exploits.
"Hunter Park Jeongsu's report says you exploited the Goblin Great Chief's intelligence and pierced its weak point."
Then he took out another report.
"Hunters Kim Dohyeon and Lee Seoyeon testified that you pinpointed the Golems' cores by yourself. One report even ends by saying you'll rise higher than its author."
That was Park Jeongsu's remark. Warmth spread through one side of my chest, but the pressure grew just as much.
'The more he praises me, the more frightening this gets.'
The longer the praise continued, the smaller the sofa seemed to become.
"The Association is paying close attention to your potential, Hunter."
The branch director leaned forward to the edge of his sofa.
"Mutated Dungeons are domains no one can enter, yet you have done more than survive inside them—you conquered them, Hunter. That means you are a talent the Association absolutely cannot afford to lose."
He placed an envelope and a document on the table.
"Here is a reward of 30 million won for clearing the mutated Dungeon. And this is a recommendation for the D-grade promotion exam. It will let you take the next exam without waiting."
'Oh? Thirty million won?'
Pressure or not, my eyes went straight to the envelope.
Four million won had entered my account yesterday. Today, they were offering more than seven times that amount, along with the qualification I had wanted.
The sofa that had felt so cramped a moment ago suddenly became comfortable.
"Thank you. I'll gladly accept them."
When I quickly tucked the envelope inside my clothes, the branch director laughed aloud.
"And this isn't an offer, but advance notice."
The branch director clasped his hands together.
"Once you reach a higher Grade, Hunter, the Association will make you a formal proposal. It's too early to discuss it now."
'A formal proposal. What are they going to ask me to do?'
I felt equal parts curiosity and pressure, but did not press him. Developing the planet was my priority for now.
"I'll hear it when the time comes."
The branch director nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Excellent. Until then, Hunter, the Association will continue watching your progress."
The branch director handed me a business card bearing his direct number.
"If you ever need anything, contact me at this number. The Association's doors are always open to you."
"Yes. I'll remember that."
"I look forward to great things from you, Hunter Lee Junhyeok."
The branch director walked me all the way to the door. This was not the treatment one would expect the branch's highest-ranking official to show an F-grade Hunter.
My back felt hot, and my pace quickened all the way down the corridor.
***
The envelope inside my clothes felt heavy throughout the journey home.
The moment I opened the door and stepped inside, I opened my status window.
[Current Points: 522P]
[Descent: Available]
There were many places to spend my points, but something else was more urgent right now.
'Let's go see Panterun's face.'
"Descent."
HUM!
My heart reverberated powerfully. White light covered my vision.
When I opened my eyes, I stood before the temple.
"Ruler!"
The tribespeople gathered and knelt. As I accepted their greetings, Panterun stepped forward, his eyes shining more brightly than usual.
"Ruler. There is something I wish to show you."
"Show me."
Panterun took his spear and walked to the center of the training ground. Standing before a wooden post, he drew the spear back beside his waist.
SWOOOSH!
The thrusting spearhead spun as it bored forward.
CRUNCH!
It did more than pierce the log. The wood surrounding the hole had been ground away entirely. The watching warriors raised their spears and cheered.
"I tried adding rotation to the thrust. I discovered that putting more force into the spin made it penetrate deeper, so I developed this."
'Did he transfer the rotational principle of Javelin Throwing to a thrust?'
It was a technique I had never taught him. He was already living up to the name of Pioneer.
"Let me try too."
I took the spear and stood before the post. When I recalled Panterun's movements, my inherited trait responded.
I was not imitating it with my mind. The instant I twisted my wrist, rotation naturally entered the spearhead.
CRUNCH!
A hole opened in the post. It was not as deep as Panterun's, but it was unmistakably a spinning thrust.
"You succeeded on your first attempt."
Panterun's eyes widened.
'So this is the power of inheritance.'
The path he pioneered was carved directly into my body. Rather than learning from him, it felt more accurate to say we were creating it together.
"My Spearmanship seems to grow faster when I spar with you, Ruler. Next, I want to add rotation to my throws as well."
"Good idea. Show me first when you complete it."
Panterun nodded enthusiastically.
We had exchanged a few more blows when it happened.
ROOOOAR!
A howl erupted from the Orc camp.
I turned and saw dark red energy soaring from the center of the camp.
"Panterun!"
"Yes!"
We both ran at once.
When we reached the camp, Orcs were scattering in every direction. Primitive Human women had scooped up the two young ones and were fleeing with them.
At the center stood the leader Orc who had carried the white flag during the negotiation. He had transformed into an entirely different being.
Dark red energy wrapped around his swollen body, and no reason remained in his rolled-back eyes.
DING!
[Orc Awakened Born!]
Your investment in Awakening induction has borne fruit.
Awakening Type: Berserker
Abilities: Explosive increase in physical abilities / Pain negation / Enhanced combat endurance
'It finally happened!'
But there was no time to celebrate.
DING!
[Warning: Awakening Rampage]
The force of Awakening has forcibly activated the innate skill 'Berserk.'
The individual has lost its sense of self and entered a rampaging state.
Stabilization Condition: Physically subdue the rampaging individual and force its complete submission
On Failure: Rampage continues / Indiscriminate attacks against nearby individuals
'Subdue him?'
BOOM!
While I read the message, the rampaging Orc smashed a hut. An entire wooden pillar went flying.
When Panterun raised his spear to block his path, the Orc's gaze locked onto him.
'No.'
If two Awakened fought head-on, it would only end when one of them died. I could not afford to lose the first Awakened of another race. The only option was to follow the system's instructions, subdue him, and force him to submit.
"Panterun! Don't kill him—just knock away his weapon! I'll finish it!"
Gripping my spear, I charged straight ahead.
ROOOOAR!
The rampaging Orc rushed to meet me. His swinging fist tore through the air with enough power to break bones from a glancing blow.
I twisted aside and activated Weak Point Detection. Red dots appeared behind his knees and above his ankles.
His returning arm immediately swept toward my ribs.
I rolled across the ground to escape. The earth where I had just stood caved in.
'One hit and it's over. I know where to strike.'
I presented the spearhead as though to thrust, then flipped the spear at the last instant.
CRACK!
The shaft struck the back of his knee. I used enough force to buckle it, but not shatter the bone.
GRRRGH!
He staggered but did not stop. His body, unable to feel pain, forced itself back into balance.
Panterun drove in through the opening.
SWISH!
The spinning thrust grazed the back of the hand gripping the club and knocked the weapon away. It was a blow that followed my order not to kill with perfect precision.
"Now!"
I hurled myself onto the Orc's back, hooked the spear shaft across the front of his neck, and pulled with both arms.
GRRRRRGH!
Every time he thrashed, it felt as though my arms would be torn from their sockets.
'Hold on. I have to hold on.'
Panterun kicked out his good leg and forced him to his knees, but the struggling did not stop.
All that remained was to carve into this creature's instincts who stood above him.
Still pulling the shaft tight, I focused all my will and shouted into his ear.
"You're one of my tribesmen! Come to your senses!"
FLASH!
The Ruler's energy surged from deep within my chest and collided head-on with the Orc's dark red aura.
His struggles subsided, and the tension left his rigid neck.
DING!
[Subjugation Successful]
The rampaging individual has submitted to the Ruler.
'Berserk' has been deactivated.
Awakening stabilization begins.
The dark red energy faded, and his swollen body returned to its original size.
When I released the spear shaft and stepped away, he collapsed. A moment later, he raised his head. Reason had returned to his rolled-back eyes.
Grrrr.
He pressed a fist to his chest and touched his forehead to the ground. It was the deepest Orc oath yet.
"Welcome back."
I patted his shoulder.
"Are you unharmed?"
Panterun rushed over and immediately checked my body. His face was rigid with worry.
"I'm fine. It ended easily because you knocked away his weapon."
WOOOOOO!
The tribespeople emerged from hiding and cheered. The Orcs cautiously approached and surrounded their newly Awakened kin.
DING!
[Achievement Accomplished!]
★ First Awakened of Another Race ★
The first Awakened of another race has been born on the planet.
Reward: +150P
Current Points: 672P
'Another achievement in the bag.'
But the windows did not stop there.
DING!
[Special Authority Unlocked]
▸ [Ruler of All Races]
― The traits of Awakened from other races will also be inherited by the Ruler.
― Inheritable Trait Detected: [Unstoppable Berserker]
― Effect: Physical abilities increase as combat continues / Increased pain resistance
I doubted my eyes.
Did this not mean inheritance would extend beyond Panterun, and every time an Awakened of another race was born, I would gain their trait too?
'A Ruler who grows stronger every time an Awakened is born.'
I laughed.
'Inheritance.'
When I activated the authority, a stream of dark red light flowed out of the Orc Awakened and seeped into my chest.
HUM!
Every muscle in my body tightened sharply, then relaxed. The sensation of a berserker who never tired and endured pain was carved into my bones. When I clenched my fist, I felt certain my strength would continue without end.
[Trait Inheritance Complete]
[Unstoppable Berserker] has been acquired.
'Panterun's Spearmanship and an Orc's endurance.'
With this combination, I could aim not only for the D-grade exam, but even higher.
I was smiling down at the prostrate Orc Awakened when it happened.
DING!
[Bestow Name]
The second Awakened awaits a name.
A name defines existence.
Bestowing a name will form a Soul Link and cause latent talent to bloom.