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chapter 164
I wanted to know why Yeon Mirae was hostile toward the Awakener Association.
Hearing the association head’s words, I narrowed my eyes and asked:
“Are you saying that because you truly don’t know, or because you know and are ignoring it?”
“Eh?”
The association head looked at me as if he didn’t understand what I meant. This person… really doesn’t know why Yeon Mirae is hostile toward the association.
Realizing that, I let out a sigh. It seemed he didn’t know much about Yeon Mirae’s past. Her history is well-known; even a little investigation would have revealed it.
“Do you really not know how much the Awakeners persecuted Yeon Mirae every time she visited the association in the past?”
“Ah…”
I had witnessed it firsthand when I visited the market with Yeon Mirae some time ago.
[What is this, some kind of half-baked fool?]
[Why is she here? Even half-baked people use the market these days?]
[What good is her sword skill if she can’t use aura?]
Yeon Mirae was insulted just because she couldn’t use aura. And this happened in a market operated by the association. Of course, the people insulting her weren’t officially part of the association—they were ordinary Awakeners—but the association’s staff didn’t stop them.
The staff probably couldn’t intervene because many of them weren’t Awakeners themselves, and so couldn’t freely speak to an Awakener. But at the very least, the association’s image in Yeon Mirae’s eyes suffered irreparably.
“So it’s only natural that Yeon Mirae would be hostile toward the association.”
“No…”
Even though Yeon Mirae’s mind knew it wasn’t entirely the association’s fault, she still couldn’t hold a positive view of them. The association head looked wronged but didn’t offer any excuses.
“Is that the end of the story?”
“…Yes. Originally, I came to ask that Awakened Yeon Mirae kindly participate more actively in the association’s affairs, but… I suppose that’s impossible.”
Even though Yeon Mirae dislikes the association, she would do her obligatory duties, but only that much.
‘If I told her to help with the association’s work, she’d do it diligently even if reluctantly… but there’s no reason for me to tell her that.’
With that thought, I left the lounge. The fact that the association head didn’t stop me indicated there was no further business.
‘By the way… wanting Yeon Mirae to participate actively in the association’s work.’
Her hostility toward the association was not recent. The fact that they now wanted to improve relations with her likely meant they needed her help—whether her strength or influence.
‘Although there are other Aura Masters in Korea, calling on Yeon Mirae must be to leverage her influence.’
She had already gained influence and connections through her special lectures. Other Aura Masters may have connections, but compared to Yeon Mirae, they were insignificant. Whatever they planned, it wasn’t something I needed to concern myself with. So I started wandering around the store again.
‘Oh… they even have artifacts.’
However, after buying the Pocket Dimension Cube earlier, I didn’t buy anything else and just browsed. Nothing was immediately necessary or suited for me.
A few days after buying the Pocket Dimension Cube and meeting the Awakener Association head for a transaction, I visited the market again.
‘It’s a different market from last time.’
The market I visited a few days ago was the closest to the Undead Dungeon, while this one was fairly large and close to my home. The previous market was smaller in scale.
‘That’s why when purchasing items, I was told to just take them out in front of others.’
In somewhat larger markets, Awakeners selling monster byproducts usually go into a designated room for transactions, supposedly to protect the privacy of the sellers.
The reason I came to this market near my house was simple.
“So this is the Awakener Market? It’s a bit different from a normal department store.”
“Of course it’s different, Mom. Even the items they carry are different.”
My mother wanted to come here. Technically, only Awakeners can enter, but non-Awakeners can accompany an Awakener as guests. My mother wasn’t an Awakener, so she came in with me.
“But what are you planning to buy? I doubt there’s anything useful for me here.”
There were protective items like charms or small barrier-creating magic circles, but my mother didn’t need them; the protective spells and hidden barriers in our house were far stronger. She didn’t know about them, of course.
When I asked her why she wanted to buy something, she smiled.
“Our son got a Dungeon Conqueror Certificate. Even if I can’t buy him weapons, I should at least get him a potion pouch.”
“……”
Maybe she read an article online suggesting gifts for children who earn dungeon conquest certificates. Usually, high school Awakeners who get such certificates receive non-burdensome gifts like potion pouches or dismantling daggers. But for me, it wasn’t particularly useful.
“Mom, I have a Pocket Dimension, so I don’t need a potion pouch.”
“Really? Then a dismantling dagger…?”
“I have plenty in my Pocket Dimension.”
“……”
My mother looked troubled. She wanted to give me something, but I refused. Of course, I wanted her gift, but if it ended up unused in my Pocket Dimension, it would be pointless.
‘If I’m going to receive something, it should be genuinely useful.’
That thought made me recall a useful item I didn’t yet own, something I could use continuously until it broke.
“Then get me a smartphone case.”
“A smartphone case? Do they even sell that here?”
“Yes. Smartphones get damaged easily in dungeons, so there’s a special case for protection.”
Even though my smartphone wouldn’t break easily unless I made a big mistake, it would be good to have. It was also useful outside of dungeon use.
“Really? Then show us where they sell smartphone cases…”
“Oh, Jaehui, you’re here?”
Just as my gift was decided, a familiar female voice called my mother. Turning, I saw Lee Ha-eun’s mother. Of course…
“Hi, Geonwoo!”
“Hi. You’re here too?”
Next to her was Lee Ha-eun. I greeted her and asked:
“What brings you to the market?”
“Oh, we also got our Dungeon Conqueror Certificate, so our mom said she’d buy us a potion pouch.”
“Oh, you too?”
“Geonwoo, you too?”
Parents tend to think alike. Lee Ha-eun’s mother likely read a similar article as mine.
‘…Maybe?’
I scanned the entire market and confirmed my suspicion.
‘There are many kids our age here.’
Some came with their parents, some alone. They were all buying items for dungeon conquest after earning their certificates. I even sensed the presence of classmates—though not all of them.
“Oh, look at me, chatting away. But today, we came to buy a gift for Ha-eun.”
“You too? I also came to buy a gift for Geonwoo. I was going to buy a potion pouch, but he said he has a Pocket Dimension, so he doesn’t need one.”
“Really? Then what are you getting him?”
“A smartphone case. Geonwoo said phones break easily in dungeons, so there’s a special case to prevent that.”
“Oh, I should get that too. Let’s go together.”
While conversing with Ha-eun and checking our classmates’ locations, our mothers finished their conversation and called us. They planned to move together. But…
“Geonwoo!”
“Huh?”
“Do I look any different today?”
Ha-eun’s fleeting comment froze me instantly.
‘…Different?’
Answering incorrectly would make her pout. She might forget later, but for now, she would stay sulky throughout the market visit. That wasn’t acceptable.
‘What’s different?’
First, I quickly scanned her outfit. It was different, but she usually wears a school uniform anyway—this wasn’t the reason.
‘Her hairstyle…’
I compared her current hairstyle with my memory. No change. If there was a subtle difference, I couldn’t detect it anyway, so I moved on. My gaze then focused on her face.
‘…Ah.’
She had put on light makeup. She usually doesn’t wear makeup at school.
“You’re wearing makeup? Did you do it yourself?”
“Yes!”
She smiled as if pleased that I noticed.
“…Phew…!”
It seemed I had navigated the situation successfully.
“Geonwoo is completely under Ha-eun’s control.”
“Actually, Ha-eun wouldn’t have been disappointed even if Geonwoo didn’t notice.”
I breathed a sigh of relief while hearing our mothers’ comments. We reached the store selling potion pouches without any awkwardness and saw many others in similar situations.
“Hi Geonwoo, Ha-eun! Are you here for potion pouches too?”
“Hi, Doomin. Where are your parents?”
“My mom was busy this weekend, so she just gave me money and told me to buy what I need.”
Starting with I Doomin, who came alone…
“Are you all friends of our Chunha?”
“……”
Jin Chunha and his parents still avoided eye contact with me.
“Oh, we see everyone here?”
“Hello, everyone.”
Even Elliot and Elena from the dormitory. All the kids from our class who earned the dungeon conquest certificate had gathered.
‘I had a feeling this would happen when I sensed the kids’ presence.’
