Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 121

“…You really didn’t forget me, did you?”

What a surprise!

Before I knew it, Sarah was standing demurely next to the dining table.

Please, just make some noise when you move around!

“Wh, who is it?”

My wife opened her mouth and asked, stammering.

“Think of her as a special Awakened. I just accepted her as a guild member.”

“…Re, really? Sh, she looks like a foreigner. Is it true? Huh?”

“Hello. I am Sarah Matilda, Mr. Han Jiwon’s personal secretary. I’m really sorry for appearing so suddenly. I was originally abandoned in Seoul, but now someone has finally called for me. I was just being recklessly, carelessly subjugated to someone…”

“That’s enough! Let’s go outside for a bit.”

I thought she was going to say something even stranger if I left her alone, so I stopped eating and took Sarah outside.

The sulking, pouting Sarah glares at me.

You’re not human! Can you even feel such emotions?

Right. I didn’t know. I didn’t know… I forgot.

Since you’re just an entity subjugated to me, I didn’t think I needed to pay much attention… Couldn’t you just stay in the inventory?

You don’t need to exist outside like this, so why do you always try to be in reality?

As these strange questions filled my head, Sarah sighed deeply and said something odd.

“…This world has so many amazing things. Even though the existing magic power is terrible, the scientific technology has made tremendous progress. Flying in the sky without magic, water spouting from below to above, and infinite light illuminating the world. Nevertheless, humans steal, plunder, and kill each other for even the slightest personal gain. The same species steal from each other with swords and weapons. And then they reconcile. And then they are wary of each other again. It’s so funny, isn’t it?”

“……”

I am funny.

What exactly do you want to say? And where did you learn that?

Did you learn it from surfing the internet in Seoul for so long? There must be a lot of misinformation there.

As I remained silent, not knowing the true meaning of what Sarah was saying, she began to soliloquize again.

“That person’s choices have never been wrong. I believe in you. And I will wait. Until you save me… It’s so desolate and barren here. Incomprehensible. I’ll rest for a while.”

With Sarah’s last words, she disappeared.

She disappeared, leaving behind strange, enigmatic words.

Left alone, I quietly took out a cigarette, trying to understand the true meaning of what she said.

An after-meal smoke.

Two weeks later.

As expected, people need to work.

It doesn’t necessarily mean having a job, farming, running a business, or freelancing, but my father occasionally lectured that you need to work with a sense of responsibility to get along with people and prove your worth.

However, since coming down from Seoul, I haven’t done anything like that at all.

Waking up late in the morning, eating the breakfast-cum-lunch that my wife painstakingly prepares, which I can never describe as delicious, washing up roughly, and then lying on the sofa to turn on the TV.

I watch various entertainment programs, again and again, and when there’s nothing more to watch, I grab my fishing rod and head outside, regardless of the weather. Then, they come and safely escort me to where I want to go.

Whether I’m fishing for time or catching fish is unclear, but I cast my fishing rod, crack open a can of coffee, and put a cigarette in my mouth.

Summer is fast approaching, and the sunlight is warm. If I get sleepy, I just collapse anywhere and fall asleep… Of course not. I sleep for more than 8 hours every day.

If that gets annoying, I grab my fishing rod and look around the construction site where they are building the new house.

Well, even if there’s nothing for me to do, if I just show my face like this, the workers and construction company employees on site are very happy. Sometimes, I order a generous buffet to match the number of people and treat them to lunch or dinner.

Then, sometimes, I visit a large Jeju Black Pork restaurant near Nohyeong. This is the restaurant I gave to my parents as a gift. From the farm that provides the pork to the employees and chefs, as well as the existing operating system, everything is the same as before. It wasn’t a place that raked in money, but I bought a place that was doing quite well for almost three times the current market price and handed it over to my parents.

Since I’m not doing it to make money anyway, and just to have them work, I insisted that it doesn’t matter even if it fails.

Well, of course, there’s another appropriately sized beef restaurant across the street. That belongs to my father-in-law and mother-in-law.

The rest of my relatives will be taken care of by my parents or mother-in-law. That’s why I gave them a card with a considerable amount of money on it.

I don’t need to take care of everything, one by one, personally.

If I just hand over a bankbook, seal, and card with a certain amount of money, they’ll use it well. Hehe.

After looking around the restaurant, when the time comes, I head to the city hall to play billiards and have dinner with my seniors. Of course, with alcohol.

I have a drink with the meal for the first round, mix beer and whiskey for the second round, and enjoy music and dancing. After some time passes… call.

Then, the bodyguards wearing black sunglasses who received my call safely take me home.

This has been the same schedule almost every day for the past two weeks.

As I was enjoying this pleasant life every day, I finally got a bite.

‘Woong… Woowoong.’

It’s Hyung [older brother/male friend] Hongchan.

“Yeah, Hyung.”

“Japan exploded!”

“Is it Class 1 this time?”

“Yeah. It’s unofficial right now, and they’ll announce it soon, but I just got a call from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They’re asking for help.”

“Then, it’s starting now, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“What about China, the United States, and the other countries?”

“I don’t know about the others yet. The United States is ambiguous, and seeing how busy the Processing Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are, it seems like something’s up…”

“Okay. And what about that?”

“I called our legal team and a few other places and merged them. The amount of money is quite significant, after all. And the number of Awakened is enormous.”

“I guess you’ll take care of it. I’ll stay like this.”

“Yeah. But Jiwon, let me ask you something. I’ve been wondering about it for a while…”

Hyung Hongchan trails off strangely while talking on the phone.

“What is it?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yeah. That’s why I’m doing this.”

“How much?”

“As much as you have money.”

“Huh?”

“That’s right. Even between siblings, money transactions are accurate, so what else would I trust you with? I trust you as much as you have money.”

“……”

“I roughly know. What you were thinking when you brought this up. You were going to ask that, right? The mineral I entrusted to you?”

“Huh? Yeah.”

“You can just eat it all and run away. Then that amount of mineral is your worth. Surely you’re not going to be satisfied with just that?”

“Hey! If you exchange all the minerals, it’s 2.6 trillion won [Korean currency]!”

“You have to subtract all the taxes and fees too.”

“Even if you add all that up, it’s still close to 2 trillion!”

“Okay. Then you’re only worth 2 trillion. Are you only going to clear one dungeon and not do it next time? Do you want to cut open the goose that lays golden eggs? Really?”

“…You little punk. I’m just saying. Just saying.”

“I’m just saying too.”

“…Anyway, I understand. I’ll hang up then… And thanks. For trusting me.”

“Yeah. But it’s not because I trust you… It’s because I’m too lazy.”

“You little punk. Until the end. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s okay.”

“…Yeah. Hehe.”

“Hehe. Hang up, you punk!”

“Okay.”

We ended the phone call with Hyung Hongchan with strange laughter.

Okay, so it’s finally starting, huh?

Good! From now on, I’ll focus even more on the shut-in mode!

What should I do? Should I start with daytime drinking?

The next day, in the afternoon.

The grand auditorium in the Seoul branch of the Jiwon Guild, crowded with hundreds of reporters and dozens of cameras.

I watched Hyung Hongchan’s press conference live on TV.

“…Accordingly, Jiwon Guild will use the 760 tons of minerals from Guild Leader Han Jiwon’s Taebaeksan Class 1 Bio Dungeon clear reward as available funds to support the families of Awakened who died while clearing dungeons in Korea with 3.5 million won per month for living expenses within 5 years. Also, for the families of Awakened with Class 1 aftereffects from clearing dungeons, we will provide 2.5 million won, Class 2 2 million won, and Class 3 1.5 million won per month. In addition, this includes all mental disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of Awakened, and will be continuously supported according to the available fund limit once the family relationship certificate and aftereffect diagnosis are confirmed.

Furthermore, if the available funds for the 760 tons of clear reward minerals are less than 20%, the dungeon rewards cleared by Jiwon Guild will be prioritized to replenish them, and this will be maintained until Jiwon Guild is dissolved.

With that, I will conclude the guide for the establishment of the Jiwon Guild Domestic Awakened Support Foundation.”

As soon as Hyung Hongchan’s explanation ended, a huge flash of cameras and questions from reporters poured out.

Watching the Vice Guild Leader of Jiwon Guild slowly scan them and answer questions, I was caught in a strange mood.

Now that I’ve thrown a stone into the well, waves will rise somewhere.

The next day, in the morning.

Yesterday’s press conference by Hyung Hongchan once again stirred up the slightly calmed public opinion in Korea after clearing the Taebaeksan Class 1 Bio Dungeon.

All news and newspapers, and other media outlets competed to explain the purpose and support details of the Jiwon Guild Domestic Awakened Support Foundation.

It has been nearly 50 years since the world’s largest mysteries, Armored Dungeons and Bio Dungeons, emerged, but no domestic guild has ever supported dungeon clear rewards to others on such a large scale, foaming at the mouth, spitting, and being busy getting excited,

And that afternoon, press reports of the Japanese Prime Minister’s request for support for the Osaka Class 1 Dungeon clear spread around the world.

I ignored the call from the Director of the Dungeon Processing Bureau.

I also ignored the direct line to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Hyung Hongchan told me about.

When I ignored the Jeju Branch Manager’s cell phone, the Branch Manager came to me and said this and that before returning. And I ignored all the calls that were not saved in my phone, that were not our guild members. Hehe.

Then, they came to Jeju to find me.

If you ask Hyung Hongchan, he’ll definitely say he doesn’t know, and there’s no way to contact me, so the person who’s desperate has to come.

Well, it’s a natural result in a way. Although it’s questionable whether the person who came thinks that way.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Director of the Dungeon Processing Bureau came to my house, but I had no intention of letting them into my house, so I went out in front of my house.

“Mr. Han Jiwon! Why can’t we get in touch with you? Not with your cell phone, and no matter how much we contact the guild office, we can’t get through. Can’t you just answer the calls from the agents!”

Said the Director of the Dungeon Processing Bureau,

“Not only the Japanese Bio Dungeon, but also official and unofficial clear requests have come from 8 countries, including Russia and the United Kingdom. If we don’t hurry, something really big will happen!”

Said the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Whatever.

“I don’t know what you’re hurrying about, and what’s going to be a big deal. I roughly guess what’s going on, but my magic power isn’t activating. I can’t use skills either. Find someone else.”

“…Wh, what do you mean!”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“What do you mean… Korean. Let me say it again. My magic power isn’t activating. I’m telling you to find another Awakened at this time?”

“Act, activation? Is there such a thing? If you’re an Awakened, you have magic power through… Ho, are you wearing something like a magic power blocker?”

“Not at all.”

I put both hands forward and turned them up and down, and rolled up my pants to my calves.

“There’s nothing like handcuffs, bracelets, or anklets. It just suddenly happened like this.”

“Hmm, can we test it?”

“I don’t mind the test, but I’m suddenly starting to feel bad. Because what you’re saying now means you don’t believe me. Do as you please.”

The Director of the Dungeon Processing Bureau hesitated for a moment, then called an agent to bring a portable magic power measuring device.

“Ah, even if I’m wearing a magic power blocker at the Blue House [South Korean presidential residence], the magic power is measured. Please refer to that. Maybe even if the magic power isn’t activated, it will be measured.”

“What exactly are you saying! I’ll measure it first.”

“I’m telling you to do as you please. But I don’t know why I keep feeling bad~.”

“Ahem. I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t believe you, it’s just that Mr. Han Jiwon is such an exceptional Awakened that we…”

‘Beep… Beep beep! Beeeep~… Crackle.’

One of the bodyguards scanned my body with a portable magic power measuring device at the Director’s instruction and showed the measurement result, but the LED screen exploded with a strange beep.

“……”

“…What is this….”

“It’s broken. You should carry something good.”

At my words, the Processing Bureau Director looks at the agent.

The agent hesitated for a moment and hurriedly went to the car to bring a new magic power measuring device, but

‘Beep… Beep beep beep! Beeeep~… Crackle.’

The result is the same.

“I guess this one is broken too. Anyway, I can’t help you because my magic power isn’t activated. Well, goodbye.”

I finished my words and went back into the house.

Looking out the veranda window, both of them are busy talking on the phone in the parking lot in front of the house. The agents are hurrying into the vehicles and moving somewhere.

Okay. I don’t know if they’re fooled or not, but what are they going to do?

They’re not going to push an Awakened who can’t activate magic power to go abroad.

How much longer until the Seoul City Hall Class 3 Bio Dungeon regen clear?

About a month left?

The next day, in the afternoon.

Several calls came from the Jeju Branch Manager, but I ignored them as usual.

And less than 2 hours later, something like a strangely shaped large bus came to the front of the house… Ha, is that a mobile magic power measuring device?

Since it doesn’t work with a portable one, did they bring the one from the branch? Tsk.

Can I blow that up too? Well, I’ll know if I try.

Wearing a white t-shirt and sweatpants, with messy hair and dragging a slipper, I went outside, and as expected.

The Jeju branch employees were operating something inside the large bus, and the Processing Bureau Director, who appeared from somewhere, came and asked.

“Can we measure it one more time?”

Isn’t this person busy? Can he be here trying to get me?

No, is it because I’m so good?

Still, it’s annoying.

“If it’s not measured with this, don’t come back again. I’ll contact you when my magic power is activated. Got it?”

“When will that magic power be activated?”

“Well, I don’t know either. It hasn’t even been 2 years since I awakened.”

“Will it be activated? No, it may not be activated for life, or it may be activated tomorrow. Anyway, this won’t be easy.”

Did he notice?

His tone is a bit strange?

Still, he can’t be sure. That’s why he brought this.

Let’s try it first, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll use another method….

“Maximum measurement value!”

“Set the max value to 12,800!”

“Set all stats to the maximum value within the limit and fuse it twice! So it doesn’t explode!”

When I entered the large bus with the Processing Bureau Director, the Jeju Branch Manager looked at me with strange eyes.

Hey, mister. Why are you like this too? Huh?

We’re on the same side. Wait. When these people leave, I’ll give you a hint.

And what did he say earlier?

The maximum measurement value is 12,800?

Hehe, that’s the standard for Awakened Class 1 calculated arithmetically.

Yeah, that’s right. But still,

‘Beep… Beep beep beep!”

“Oh, it’s going up tremendously! I, it’s going to explode!”

“Raise it to the maximum value! The maximum value!”

“This is the maximum value!”

“It’s not doubled! What are you talking about!”

“Parallel, it’s all doubled!”

‘Beep beep! Beeeep~… Kwachijijik.’

Acrid smoke spreads inside the large bus.

“Ugh, I guess this one is broken too. It smells a lot. Put out the fire well, and see you next time~.”

I left the bewildered, dazed Awakened Jeju branch employees, the branch manager, the Dungeon Processing Bureau Director, and the agents behind and went back up to the house.

Should I meet my seniors and play a game of billiards today? Hehe.

Shortly after.

I’m having a great time playing a game at a billiards hall where the game fee is always free when I’m there, and there’s a big picture of me with the billiards hall owner hanging on one side, which is almost a regular haunt,

“Guild Leader! Breaking news! Please take a look at this!”

The billiards hall owner raises the volume of the TV on the wall and looks for me.

Not knowing what’s going on, I go closer to take a look,

“Oh~ I’m screwed?”

It was a video of the Class 1 Bio Dungeon in Osaka, Japan, exploding, and the units inside pouring out and attacking the nearby city.

A disheveled female reporter was screaming something in Japanese, explaining the situation far behind, but heavy weapons, including attack helicopters and tanks, were forming a barrage and pouring shells, but with hundreds, thousands of Zerglings and Hydras, and a huge Ultralisk and Lurker digging into the ground, and Wyverns and Mutalisks flying into the sky, it was literally a screwed situation, and it was a video.

“Ah~ they’re shelling the Ultralisk. That’s so delicious. If you play with food, you’ll be punished later….”

Before I knew it, all the customers in the billiards hall gathered in front of the TV, watching the breaking news, and were startled by my words.

“J, Jiwon Guild Leader?!”

“It’s Han Jiwon!”

“Hey~, don’t be like this. He’s a customer. A customer! I’ll kick you all out if you make a fuss. Get permission from the Guild Leader and take a picture. You student there! Put your phone down! If the Guild Leader goes to another billiards hall, I’ll claim damages from you!”

Some of the customers who didn’t know I was at the billiards hall clung to me, but the billiards hall owner took care of it.

That’s why I come here.

“…Hey! Didn’t the Prime Minister ask for support? Don’t you have to go?”

Hyung Kyung-hwan, who was watching TV with me, asks.

“Why would I go there? And I can’t go even if I want to.”

“What are you talking about? Why can’t you go? If this happens, isn’t it going to be a complete mess over there?”

“I’m telling you to be a mess, right now.”

“…What the hell are you talking about?”

“Woof~. Woof woof. Understand?”

“You son of a bitch! Just play billiards!”

“Woof!”

The TV breaking news is the TV breaking news, and billiards is billiards.

I moved to the billiards table where we were playing.

I feel sorry for the Japanese people, but it’s still not the time yet.

Korea too.

The next day, in the morning.

I roughly ate the same food that my wife prepared and went into my room to turn on the latest laptop. As soon as I went to the portal site, I looked at the situation in Osaka, Japan,

“Ha, even the United States and China?”

Breaking news that Gap Guild, which boasts the best fame in the United States, and China’s Chacha Guild have entered Japan caught my eye. Well, it’s obviously to deal with the exploded Bio Units.

They tried to make a deal with us, but since it didn’t work, they went to the other side.

“Okay, call them in. Let’s watch what happens.”

I quietly took out my cell phone and called Hyung Hongchan.

“…Okay. Anyway, how’s the reaction to the support foundation?”

“Didn’t you say you looked it up on your PC and called? You can look it up yourself!”

“I just wanted to hear it from you.”

“Not because you’re lazy?”

“Correct.”

“Ha~. When the Awakened’s stats go up so much, does it originally become so annoying?”

“Well, it seems like that, and it seems like there’s another reason. Anyway, what’s the reaction?”

“What else! It’s as we guessed.”