Fired Characters from an Idle Game

47. Bat Yoo Junseo – (3)

A week passed since then.

Much had changed.

[“Between Expectation and Apprehension” Awakened Management Act to be Abolished… Reasons?]

The government seemed to have taken my ultimatum as a very serious reality. The legislators, usually sluggish in their work, moved faster than ever.

First, the National Assembly moved to abolish all related laws, including the Awakened Management Act.

The executive branch, too, withdrew all external auditors dispatched to the Awakened Management Bureau. The ministerial-level officials who planned the last incident were, one after another, canned like so many Vienna sausages.

[Law Abruptly Scrapped After High-Ranking Government Official Assassinated… Who Was Behind It?]

Of course, to survive or not, it remained fact that I had resorted to assassination, a last measure, to realize my intentions.

The media and the public eyed a possible link between the abolition of the Awakened Management Act and the recent terror incident.

But there was no evidence. Selene had discreetly completed her mission, and even the gossips casting doubts couldn’t dream that the first S-Rank Awakened of the Republic of Korea was behind it all.

In the end, the hypothesis remained only a suspicion.

=

– Just last week, an Awakened person committed terrorism against the government, so why is the Awakened Management Act being abolished… did they get paid off? How can I live without anxiety, really.

– Seoul, are you going to end up like our provinces now. Get ready. I won’t go far.

=

Public sentiment was grim, but it lacked the power to stop the Awakened Management Bureau’s fresh start.

After a week of eventful happenings, the Awakened Management Bureau came to be called the Awakened Association…

“Henceforth, Chairman Yoo Jun-seo! What do you think, Joo-yeon? Doesn’t it sound kinda cool?”

Yoo Jun-seo, it seemed, was quite pleased with the title of Chairman instead of Bureau Chief. He’d even dug out a suit he’d bought who-knows-when, and gelled his hair for the unveiling ceremony.

I was tempted to tease him that his hairstyle looked like a donkey had licked it once, but I barely managed to restrain myself.

Carrots were more effective than whips when it came to coaxing Yoo Jun-seo.

“It’s not bad. As expected of Flame Emperor Yoo Jun-seo, the symbol of Korea. How about wearing that outfit when you have those outbursts?”

“Ah, should I? Nam Joo-yeon, you really have an eye for these things!”

Without understanding the sarcasm, Yoo Jun-seo beamed and picked up the scissors.

“I’ve always wanted to do this, you know.”

“I can tell.”

“Heh heh.”

With a disturbing chuckle, Yoo Jun-seo cut the ribbon.

Applause erupted.

The Awakened Management Bureau, or rather, the Awakened Association, was now a separate organization from the government.

There were still some overlapping authorities, but the Association, too, could assert its will from a position equal to that of the government.

An organization of the Awakened, by the Awakened, for the Awakened.

“We’re going to be busy from now on.”

Meanwhile, Kang Se-na, who was sitting next to me, had dark circles reaching down to her cheeks, a testament to the workload that had piled up.

Yoo Jun-seo only had to show his face at official events, but the working-level staff must be dying.

“You’ve had a hard time.”

“Spare me. I have no desire to be consoled by a man jilted, not once, but twice.”

Kang Se-na chuckled as she said that, and we quietly observed the launching ceremony.

The nameless Minister who attended the event scanned the surroundings before his eyes met mine. He startled so violently, nearly toppling over, that I almost burst into laughter.

Kang Se-na, unable to contain herself either, giggled for some time.

“It seems the dignitaries are afraid of you, Mr. Nam Ju-yeon.”

“One must reign above fear; that is the nature of an absolute being.”

At my mutterings, Kang Se-na gave me a look of surprise.

“Mr. Nam Ju-yeon, do you know?”

“Know what?”

“Your eyes are completely different than when we first met.”

“A great deal has happened, after all.”

More than I could easily explain.

*

[A Fissure Erupts.]

[From the eruption of the Fissure, various Calamities may be harvested.]

[Overthrow the Calamities and dominate them. The dominated Calamities will reinforce your stronghold as loyal minions.]

[The Eruption will conclude in 6h.]

Several days later, a message announcing the fifth Eruption appeared.

This was the first Eruption we would face as the Association, not the Administration. The eyes of all of Seoul were upon us. Therefore, it was imperative that no civilians be harmed in this Eruption.

And…

“Mwahahaha! This is what it means to be an Empyrean of Flames!”

In the end, let’s just say,

I realized how fortunate it was that there was another S-Class Awakened.

[4★ Guardian of Crimson Flames casts skill「Immortal Armor」.]

The Guardian of Crimson Flames, a 4-star Calamity wielded by Yoo Jun-seo, was proving its worth in the very heart of Seoul.

This Calamity, taking the form of a massive suit of armor, wasn’t particularly impressive in terms of raw offensive power. However, it possessed incredible raw health, high defense, and a skill set designed to support party members across the board, making it a tank-support Calamity.

The point was, in a situation like this, where numerous Awakened were combining their strength to defend against waves, it could be just as effective as my Storm Dragon.

Kugugugugu!

As the Guardian of Crimson Flames swung its enormous gauntlet, the road instantly became a sea of fire. 1-star Calamities couldn’t even touch the armor before turning into ashes and crumbling away.

Even if it’s a defensive-type disaster, a 4-star is still a 4-star, after all.

The Disaster Order’s balance forms a fiercely steep pyramid structure. The difference between a 3-star and a 4-star disaster, though not as vast as the chasm between a 4-star and a 5-star, is still significant enough not to be ignored.

Therefore, even a nameless 4-star disaster can easily take on a hundred 3-star or lower disasters.

[4★ Guardian of Crimson Flames has cast skill 「Regenerating Flame」.]

A living armor, spewing crimson flames while completely blocking off an entire street.

The sight resonated deep within the hearts of men, eliciting exclamations of awe from the Awakeners.

With three 4-stars gathered, Seoul, during a situation like this eruption, could be said to be the safest city in the entire world.

“How about it, Kang Sena-yang! I’m definitely S-class, right?”

“Yes. Definitely.”

Leaving Yu Jun-seo, who was practically radiating a desperate need for validation, behind me, I manipulated the status window to check the information.

While preventing the eruption, I issued separate commands to Mireen.

It was to scout out future waves in advance, to weed out any dangerous disasters.

[5★ Storm of the Northern Sea Mireen has cast skill 「Eye of the Storm」.]

According to Mireen’s scouting, thankfully, no 4-star disasters seemed to have emerged from this eruption.

It was a stroke of incredible luck. If a 4-star disaster were to run rampant in the heart of Seoul, the damage would be immeasurable.

[The Eruption of the Rift has ended.]

[Strengthen your stronghold through the dominated disasters.]

[Time remaining until the next eruption: 13d 23h]

Several hours later, the fifth eruption ended.

Surprisingly, there was absolutely no damage.

Despite being a larger scale than the previous fourth eruption, the fact that there were no civilian casualties was nothing short of miraculous.

‘With this, the government won’t be able to say anything to us.’

With this incident, the Awakener Association’s influence will skyrocket, and a new wind will blow through the Republic of Korea.

A new system centered around Awakeners.

And the protagonist of it all will be this otherwise ordinary man, a public service worker who looks like he belongs in an asylum, standing right before my eyes.

“But, you know. Sena-yang, I have a problem.”

As I was looking at Yu Jun-seo while thinking about that, he, looking as fidgety as a man needing to relieve himself, spoke to Kang Sena.

Kang Sena sighed deeply before replying.

“What is it now.”

“I think all the wax melted because of the heat.”

Yu Junseo, utterly limp, clutched at his stringy hair, his face a mask of misery.

“….”

His eyes met Kang Sena’s at that precise moment.

Her gaze pleaded a silent message.

‘Save me.’

He ignored it.

*

*Ding.*

[5★ Miriene, Tempest of the Northern Sea, has completed Calamity Synthesis.]

[Reward: 50 Exp / 3★ Wave Tracker]

[…]

[5★ Miriene, Tempest of the Northern Sea, has completed Calamity Synthesis.]

[Reward: 50 Exp / 3★ Ghost Ember]

For two days straight, I poured every Calamity obtained from the Daejeon Nests and Outbreaks into Synthesis.

The result was a total of five 3-Star Calamities.

I didn’t manage to snag a 4-Star, but it wasn’t a great loss.

Based on the game’s system, the probability of getting a 4-Star through Synthesis was less than 5 percent.

Even then, the developers never disclosed the Synthesis rates; I had to calculate it myself using an Excel sheet.

Yu Junseo pulling out a 4-Star Calamity in one go was truly an exceptional case.

“At this rate, I think I have enough power, more or less.”

In any case, I currently possessed two 5-Stars, three 4-Stars, and eleven 3-Star Calamities.

Enough firepower to overturn an entire nation.

Somewhat lacking compared to the host Karrne’s gathered underlings, but I wouldn’t be helpless.

However, Karrne had the guaranteed Synthesis skill, “Mother’s Summons.” Her rate of gathering underlings would be faster than my rate of reinforcing my power.

Therefore, confronting Karrne without delay was the correct decision.

“Let’s go, Selene, Miriene. To China.”

Words spoken boldly after careful consideration.

In response, the two Great Calamities showed a tepid reaction.

“…Hmm.”

Selene nodded, but the corners of her mouth formed a ripple-like shape, while Miriene daintily raised a finger to twist her hair in a coquettish manner.

A palpable reluctance clung to their expressions.

I sighed, then asked, “Why is it that you two dislike Karne so much?”

Unable to bear it any longer, I inquired, and distinct answers returned.

“That woman is base. She dares to tempt our lord with wanton clothes and lascivious behavior. Moreover, to claim herself the Lord’s mother with that sullied body is nothing short of outrageous. Is she planning a virgin birth or something?”

“Asteria too, and that Karne woman as well, they’re both old hags. I don’t want to talk to old women.”

“…How have you two managed to avoid fighting until now?”

The more I saw of them, the more I felt it; I wondered how internal strife hadn’t erupted back in our gaming days.

“But my lord, how do you intend to travel to where that woman is?”

“The government has arranged a chartered flight.”

“…If they were to cause some harm… “

Selene asked with a worried expression.

Although the negotiations had resolved smoothly, a lingering anxiety remained that the government might still try to shoot down the plane I was on.

“So, I’ve considered a method of sorts.”

“What method is that?”

“I’m thinking of bringing someone along with me.”

“Someone?”

Selene tilted her head.

I lifted my phone and tapped a name in my contacts.

The ringing didn’t last more than twice.

[Uh, hello… Miss Nam Juyeon? What… business do you have with the Association…]

Association President Yu Junseo answered the phone with a hesitant voice.

It seemed that speaking with me on the phone was a rather ominous prospect for him.

Of course, Yu Junseo’s ominous premonition was about to come true.

I grinned. “Let’s go on a trip, shall we?”

[Huh?]

“To China.”

Just in case, I thought I’d bring a safety measure.