Round 282

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Pentagon, USA.

Nathan had the opportunity to meet one of the generals and a level 8 Awakener, Andrew, after a long time.

Andrew Tate.

He is known as the longest-serving active Awakener in the United States.

The achievements and anecdotes about him could fill five volumes of books.

Initially a civilian Awakener, he became a soldier dedicated to his country and has been respected by everyone for his 20 years of service.

“Is the information I’ve confirmed accurate?”

“General, are you cutting to the chase without even a greeting?”

Although Nathan, the head of the intelligence, held a higher rank, he showed respect due to the aforementioned facts.

Moreover, the two had a long-standing relationship.

Thus, they were informal with each other in private settings.

“Try to understand my position a little. So, is it true or not?”

A secret meeting room located in the deepest part of the Pentagon.

Conversations held here were never to be discussed elsewhere.

In fact, there was an unwritten rule that conversations here must be forgotten once they leave this room.

“I’m not sure what information it is, but if my guess is correct…”

Gulp.

The great general Andrew swallowed dryly as he intently watched Nathan’s lips.

Following such a reaction, Nathan slowly continued,

“It’s probably correct.”

“What do you mean it’s probably correct?”

“I don’t know either. You’ll have to share the information you’ve gathered with me first, so I can confirm.”

“Hmm.”

Andrew pondered.

If the information he had come across was something even Nathan was unaware of, it could be a significant risk.

In the modern age of information, those who preemptively obtain information have the advantage.

And revealing such information to Nathan, who could be considered the utmost expert, required a lot of resolution.

“It’s about Kyler Lucas.”

“I’ve vaguely heard that he has settled somewhere other than the USA.”

Eventually, Andrew revealed everything.

At the same time, Nathan maintained a poker face, but internally he breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Thankfully, it’s not about Emily’s level 8 Awakening.’

Emily’s level 8 Awakening would be considered a monumental event even in the United States, a superpower in terms of awakenings.

She would receive tremendous attention as a talent who will lead the future.

However, Nathan wished his niece would not attract such attention.

Emily, who had never lived an ordinary life, was finally recovering and meeting her biological father for the first time.

It seemed that the foundations for a normal life were finally being laid for her.

‘Of course, even that can hardly be called ordinary.’

He hoped at least she could experience the warmth of family and the preciousness of everyday life.

“Nathan, we have known each other for a whopping 30 years. Back then, both of us were just starting out.”

Interpreting Nathan’s silence differently, Andrew hurriedly spoke up.

“We’ve been through a lot over the years. Helping each other, arguing, sometimes even conflicting. But I would like you to be honest with me in this matter.”

“What would you like to do, General?”

“What?”

“Putting aside whether the information is true or not, what do you want to do about Kyler Lucas?”

Faced with Nathan’s question, Andrew wore a seriously grave expression.

“We need to capture him.”

“Haven’t we failed repeatedly already? The losses have been tremendous. That’s why the higher-ups have told us to tone down our response.”

“We can’t just stand by and watch.”

“The damage caused by Kyler is astronomical. Even so, the damage has approached zero since we stopped provoking him first.”

“But again, we can’t just stand by. The things he has done in the past don’t just disappear.”

Nathan internally felt a headache coming on due to Andrew’s stubbornness, but he did not show it.

“Our intelligence agency has concluded that the information you brought is correct.”

“Of course!”

“However, we still haven’t pinpointed where he has settled. If that were possible, we could have captured him by now.”

“Hmm.”

The truth was that all of this was possible only with Nathan’s secret cooperation, but Nathan pretended not to know and brazenly acted.

“Still, now that he’s not running away and staying in one place, it’ll be different than before.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. The reason he was difficult to catch was because of his unparalleled elusiveness. If he has settled in one place? I guarantee we can catch him.”

Really?

Nathan already knew where Kyler had settled.

And that place was not one anyone could just wander into; it was a location where one could potentially stay inside for a lifetime without ever needing to come out.

‘With luxurious meals to boot.’

Furthermore, now his daughter Emily would also be joining him.

Kyler had nothing more to wish for.

“I hope, General, that you’ve settled your lifelong debts.”

“Indeed.”

“We in the intelligence agency will keep you informed as soon as we receive any updates.”

“Please do.”

With that, the conversation concluded.

Andrew was the first to rise from his seat.

Remaining behind, Nathan quietly took out a cigarette and lit it.

“Huh.”

His face, obscured by smoke, left a faint smile.

***

After enjoying the sea and gradually getting used to the dungeon, Kyler and his daughter had started moving around on their own.

Especially since Kyler couldn’t leave, he seemed eager to find things to do.

‘A level 9 Awakener, no less.’

Using a level 9 Awakener as labor, could he be the true alpha male of this era?

Pondering this nonsense, he finished his breakfast and stood up.

“We’ll go to the Sky Island this afternoon.”

“Sky Island?”

“There’s one place I haven’t introduced yet, right? That’s Sky Island.”

“Could it really be an island floating in the sky?”

“See for yourself.”

At my words, Kyler seemed incredulous, while Emily simply looked excited.

“Sky Island! Ara, Cheong, have you guys been there too?”

“Of course!”

“It’s soooo high up!”

Cheong gave a rare big reaction, even standing on her tiptoes.

At this, Emily grabbed Cheong and rubbed her cheeks.

“Our Cheong!”

“It tickles, sister.”

“I want to rub-rub too!”

Watching the children getting along so well, I decided to catch up on some delayed work until the afternoon.

Check the fields, inspect the storeroom, make sure the soybean paste, soy sauce, and chili paste were fermenting well, and prepare to plant new crops for the waning winter…

Fortunately, having many family members meant that the division of labor was well established.

Thanks to that, I just had to do a final check.

“Yeah, good job.”

-Hehe.

Especially since the Kkumuris, despite appearing clueless, were actually quite proficient at their tasks.

They had even learned to mark numbers recently. Clever kids.

“This is how you need to water it.”

“Like this?”

“Yes. You’re doing well, Emily.”

Nearby, the children were whispering to each other during a mini farm experience.

I stretched luxuriously while watching them contentedly.

“Ahhh! Shall we head up now?”

“It’s an adventure!”

Out of nowhere, Ara brandished a key high.

The key was red, and I initially thought it was rusted, but it turned out that was its actual color.

‘I can’t figure out what it’s made of.’

It had a peculiar texture.

Solid, yet almost like a liquid?

Yes, like slime…

‘Could it be a key made of slime?!’

…probably not.

It was a bit unsettling.

Then, Emily approached me quietly.

“Uncle.”

“Huh?”

“I completed the quest!”

“What? When?!”

What was going on? 

Wasn’t the quest to swing a mana sword ten thousand times? 

Ten thousand times. Even a thousand would be tough, but this was ten times that number.

And she had received the quest just two days ago.

Plus, she had been with us all day, sightseeing and playing.

How in the world did she complete the quest in the meantime?

“I swung mana intermittently.”

“Swung mana?”

“Yes! I imagined the sword with mana, held it in my hand, and swung it. While playing, while moving!”

Huh, huh, huh.

What was she talking about?

Although I was only a level 3 Awakener, and actually closer to a level 1, not even a combat Awakener, I could guess how absurd Emily’s claim was.

‘Imagined a sword with mana and held it?’

But if the quest was completed, that meant it was recognized.

That meant Emily truly imagined a sword with mana and created it.

Manifestation of mana into a tangible form through mental imaging.

I’m sure I studied and learned about this before awakening.

Of course, I couldn’t use it.

Such abilities were said to be possible for Awakeners of at least level 5 or 6, who had at least five years of experience using mana.

“Can you show me?”

“Yes.”

Emily quickly formed something in her hand, but it was hard to see.

“I can’t keep it up for long. I need to rest after about 100 swings to be able to do it again.”

Even that was incredible.

Ah, no wonder she’s not just any sword master.

I had forgotten for a moment due to her being a level 8 Awakener, but Emily’s abilities were also overpowered.

“Have you told your dad?”

“No, not yet.”

At the moment, Kyler was busy looking for land to live on with Emily.

He said they could always build another house, but he was being cautious not to cause any trouble.

It really didn’t matter.

If they didn’t like the house, they could just build another one.

“Hmm, maybe you should tell your dad too?”

“Yes! Of course. Oh, and after completing the quest, I feel like my powers have gotten stronger. They said I can now unleash sword winds, but I’m not quite sure what that means yet.”

“Heh, heh, heh.”

A hero has emerged!

I couldn’t help but break out into a sweat and smiled at Emily.

“Emily, we’re friends, right?”

“Huh? Why do you say that all of a sudden? Uncle, you’re my lifesaver!”

“Ha ha ha! Yes! That’s right! Exactly.”

Phew!

Hearing her confirm it again was somewhat reassuring.

But why did I feel relieved?

I haven’t done anything wrong, have I?

“And I got another quest.”

“Oh, is it finally a hunting quest this time?”

“No? It’s to steal something?”

“Huh? Steal something?”

What a peculiar quest. 

Steal something? Suddenly? And a hero, at that?

Just then, Kyler returned.

He relayed the conversation he had just heard.

Kyler listened quietly and soon began to give detailed advice.

Unlike me, who was initially shocked and excited, he remained his usual self.

‘Indeed, one of only seven level 9 Awakeners in the world!’

Respectable.

How can he not be surprised? Especially since it’s his own daughter?

Hehe.

“Huh?”

But for a moment, I saw it.

A doting smile lingered on Kyler’s lips before disappearing.

Kyler…

You’re just another typical doting father after all.

“Hmm, that quest to steal something is unusual.”

“Indeed. Emily, can you tell us what this item is?”

“Just a moment!”

Emily intently scanned the air, seemingly reading the quest.

“Um, it says to steal any one of the relics of the Seven Sins!”

“Aha! The relics of the Seven Sins.”

Typical hero quest.

Not ordinary at all.

Understanding a bit more now that it’s about stealing items like the relics of the Seven Sins.

‘The relics of the Seven Sins?’

I glanced briefly at Ara.

Then, Ara, staring blankly back at me, exclaimed,

“Wow! We’ve got a gift for Emily!”

Are you sure it’s okay to give that away so easily, Ara?

I don’t know.

For now.

I need to find out what the Relic of Gluttony is all about.

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