Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 123

I wasn’t even there, so I don’t know how much they accomplished.

However, as a woman—whether a reporter or an announcer—shrieked in a high-pitched voice on TV, and subtitles about the current situation scrolled across the screen, I could roughly guess what was happening.

Fueled by my Facetalk post, low-level Awakened individuals across the country, grouped in units of dozens to hundreds depending on their class, began to confront the Bio Units that had breached the first defense line.

I don’t know who’s in charge or who the leader is.

I don’t know who is a Rank 8 Awakened or who is a Rank 9 Awakened.

Warriors gathered with warriors, and mages gathered with mages.

And they dealt with the Bio Units that had passed the first defense line using the tactics they had demonstrated while besieging the dungeon entrance.

Of course, there were casualties and injuries from time to time.

It can’t be helped. They are low-level Awakened, after all.

Rank 3 Bio Units are no match for them when they work together.

Still, they grouped together in dozens or hundreds to deal with each unit, and eventually, with their combined efforts, they were able to eliminate all the Bio Units that had emerged from the dungeon.

It’s been 5 hours and 30 minutes since I started watching TV, and I’ve run out of cola and popcorn.

The thrilling, spectacular movie is almost over.

The low-level Awakened and soldiers who had built the second defense line began to gather at the dungeon entrance, dealing with the remaining Zerglings and Hydras [fictional alien creatures, often used in strategy games]. As they joined the Awakened from supporting guilds, large corporations, and mid-sized companies besieging the dungeon entrance, the Rank 3 Bio Dungeon at Seoul City Hall emitted a blue light. A huge roar from the thousands of Awakened gathered around it filled the TV screen.

Now, the Rank 3 Bio Dungeon at Seoul City Hall is safe… for the time being.

That evening.

I posted my grand, touching, and admiring movie-watching *感想* [Japanese word for “impressions” or “thoughts”] on Facetalk.

‘To the brave warriors! To the great mages! And to the dedicated healers and clerics!

I’ve never felt such a heartwarming emotion before.

I couldn’t take a single step away from the TV, and I shed many tears at the miserable reality that I couldn’t be there.

Amazing. All the Awakened in the country.

Wonderful. All the families of Awakened in the country.

You have come together to create a great milestone.

And in dealing with the Rank 3 Bio Dungeon units at Seoul City Hall this time, there were unfortunate sacrifices.

Many will remember their courageous actions, and their righteous spirit will continue to live on.

Therefore, the Support Foundation will immediately provide 10 billion won [approximately $7.5 million USD] in consolation money to the families of the unfortunate victims, and 100 million won [approximately $75,000 USD] will be immediately provided to the injured Awakened or their families, regardless of the degree of injury.

Please fill out the relevant forms on the Support Foundation website and apply.

If those people who were targeting the Support Foundation hadn’t been there, we could have provided even more support….

It’s a shame.’

As soon as I posted, the number of views increased rapidly, and hundreds, thousands of ‘likes’ and comments began to pour in.

‘utopiafriend: Wow. 10 billion! The government is still scrambling with aftercare measures!’

‘wearethe123: 10 billion is amazing, but 100 million won to all the injured? Regardless of the degree of injury? Awesome!’

‘tttottt89: What! That’s not the problem right now! Han Jiwon is suffering so much because of some bastards! Hey~ Cyber Investigation Unit! Haven’t you found those bastards yet?’

‘oooqaz1: Roughly outlined. blog.ooo.co.kr <- You can get a rough idea if you go here' 'zzz1234: Shit! I should have participated too!' 'btbt676: But if you get healed after being injured, doesn't it just heal completely? How do you know who's injured? There might be scammers too?' 'ohohoh22: There's a form on the Support Foundation website. Most of them get filtered out when you fill it out. And are you going to try to scam in front of the support guild? Are you crazy? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ [Korean slang for "lol"]' 'manula: ohohoh22 is right. Trying to scam the support guild in Korea? You'll get buried or… quietly… wiped out~.' As always, comments were pouring in real-time. And the link that claimed to have grasped the rough outline and the interest in it. I think I'll be able to hear the screams of those sons of bitches soon. Hmm, then should I end my shut-in mode now? It's a shame. Tsk. The next day. TV news, newspapers, and portal site articles were all plastered with content about the handling of the Rank 3 Bio Dungeon units at Seoul City Hall. The main content focused on the influence, organization, and unity that emerge when low-level Awakened individuals come together, and it was generally accepted that this was the key point in resolving the situation. Of course, my Facetalk post, which was the starting point, was a large supermarket's plus event [meaning it was a bonus or added benefit]. And the list of those sons of bitches I mentioned was gradually revealed and discussed on the broadcast. Son of a bitch 1, who insists it's absolutely not true. Son of a bitch 2, who makes nonsense excuses that communication was not smooth. Son of a bitch 3, who conscientiously resigns from his current position quietly and without a word. Son of a bitch 4, who casually goes on a business trip abroad, etc. From several-term National Assembly members to ministers, vice ministers, and agency heads. As expected, our country's Cyber Investigation Unit is great, thorough, capable, and tenacious. They presented evidence to those who insisted it wasn't true, explained the who, what, when, where, why, and how to those who claimed it was a misunderstanding, nodded and spat at those who resigned, and even applied for an entry ban for those who went on business trips abroad. They collectively filed complaints, moved agencies, and kept prosecutors and police busy. And even in the midst of all this, experts mentioned the time limit for clearing the Rank 3 Bio Dungeon at Seoul City Hall this time, or said that the Rank 1 Bio Dungeon in Taebaeksan would be a bigger problem in this situation, and that preparations should be made quickly from now on. Watching such news flashes, I despaired that I really couldn't enjoy shut-in mode anymore. I never thought, never thought, but really, little things can make a big difference! I thought collecting dust would only result in dust… Tsk. It's annoying when things go too well. Three days later. When the Support Guild members who had gone up to Seoul returned to Jeju safely, without a single casualty, after successfully completing their mission, I, who had not visited the guild office even once since clearing the Rank 1 Bio Dungeon in Taebaeksan, finally went to work after nearly a month. Ignoring the greetings of the guild members, I was about to enter my room, the guild leader's office, when Han Deuk was sitting at my desk in the guild leader's office, with his legs propped up on the desk, watching something on the PC and chuckling. He was spilling snack crumbs all over the floor. I quietly went behind him and looked at the monitor. A webtoon [South Korean digital comic] with incomprehensible artwork. And a close look at those things with strange settings…. "Shall I cut that off for you?" "Cut what… Keuk. H-hyungnim [Korean term for older brother or respected male figure]!" 'Pu-wack!' "Agh! Aaaagh!" "You son of a bitch! Are you just going to *be* the guild leader? Huh? Is this yours? Is this your seat! Come here. One hit is not enough. I'll just cut off all three of your legs." "Agh! No, hyungnim. That's not it!" "Then, is this not inside but outside? Come here. While I'm being nice." "That's not it! I was only here for a little while. Gilsu was here longer…." "Giilsuu? Ha, these guys are taking turns causing trouble. Okay. Let's get you today!" "H-hyungnim! I know you can't activate your mana!" "… I see~ So, you guys are aiming for the guild leader position because I can't activate my mana. I see, I understand now… You~ son of a bitch! Summon all the Dark Assassins!" "Eh, what?" [Ding! Summons 94 Dark Assassins.] "Catch that bastard and Gilsu outside. Now!" As I gave the order to the Dark Assassins, Han Deuk, sensing something was wrong, tried to escape from the guild leader's office, but was startled to find blood flowing down his neck. "B-blood! H-hyungnim! B-blood is coming from my neck!" "Move a little more and I'll cut it off." "… H-hyungnim. No, Guild Leader! I-I must have been crazy for a moment. Hey, would I really do that? Gilsu made me do it…." "Agh! What is this? There's something here! Jihae! Mihae! It's an attack! It's an attack! It's an emergency!" Gilsu's bizarre cry echoed through the guild office from outside. A moment later. "Keueung. Heuheuheuk…." "Keoeok. Keueueuk…." "If you don't shut your mouths, I'll keep going." "Keuheup." "Heup. Heuheup." Han Deuk and Gilsu were choking without even making a sound. So why do you guys keep messing with me when you know this is going to happen? Are those things on your shoulders just for decoration? Don't you think? How can these guys be team leaders…. "If you do this kind of thing one more time, you're expelled. Got it?" "Yes. Guild Leader. But as hyungnim knows…." "I told you to shut up." "Keueueuk. Yes." I overdid it a bit. No, I overdid it quite a bit. Of course, it's true that these guys were doing stupid things half-jokingly, half-seriously. However, because of that, the guild members saw me summon the Dark Assassins, and the bodyguards who monitor me 24 hours a day will find out about it there as well. That's enough. It's our farce, our play. If you 'pretend' to do it, I 'pretend' to receive it. It's also true that there was a little sincerity in it. That son of a bitch dares to spill snack crumbs on my seat! If you're going to eat, eat cleanly! You son of a bitch. A moment later. After gathering all the team-level guild members, we discussed the schedule for the future. Most of you probably had doubts about my mana not being activated until now, but no one asks directly. Since the rough outline was already revealed in Seoul anyway, they just assume that's the case. Besides, I don't have any reason to tell you. Keukeum. Because I've been enjoying shut-in mode for nearly a month, there are quite a few reports from these guys. Whatever they do, I'll only listen to what I want to hear. After all, Guild Operations-related matters are Hongchan hyung's responsibility. It's too much of a hassle for me to go through each one and deal with it. I briefly listen to the key points, roughly, and pass on the rest. I'm sure they'll do well on their own. After receiving reports on issues and key points from each of the team-level guild members for a long time, and roughly passing them on, I asked about things I hadn't paid any attention to during that time. "How are the Art Team guys doing?" The Art Factors 3, including Sai, in the mage class. Also known as my spare batteries. The team name is Art, taken from the first letters of Art Factor. I named it this way because it sounded pretty good with a similar sound. Anyway, Junghwan, the leader of the Art Team, opens his mouth at my question. "I tested it while clearing the Jeju City Hall Rank 6 and Rank 7 Dungeons with Team Leader 1 and Team Leader 2. Moreover, Sai was hit by a Spell Shockwave in Jeju City Hall Rank 6. Sai is now Rank 9, and I and Vice Team Leader Hong Munhee have risen to the late Awakened rank in terms of stats." "Did you get over 100 gas pieces?" "… Ah, no. Not yet…." "Hmm…." "I'm sorry, Guild Leader." When I make a disappointed expression, Junghwan gets up, bows 90 degrees, and apologizes. Hey. That disappointed expression… I was just thinking. Thinking. "Sit down. It's not like that." "Yes. I'm sorry." "What. How much can you raise your stats in a month? There's no need to be sorry, Han Deuk-ah." "Yes." "How much time is left to clear the Taebaeksan Rank 1 Bio Dungeon?" "Um, about a month. Exactly 35 days left." "Hmm… a month. A month, huh…." I had a strange thought, no, I decided that it was time to proceed with the work that I had been postponing, which could grow their levels. "Let me ask you all one thing." "Yes." "Please speak, Guild Leader." "Decided by majority vote… no, I'm just going to refer to it. Who wants to go clear the Osaka Rank 1 Bio Dungeon in Japan, raise your hand!" "…Yes?" "J-Japan?" "Osaka? Rank 1?" The team-level guild members, who had slightly embarrassed, dumbfounded, and absurd expressions, looked at each other… No way! "Oppa [Korean term for older brother, used by females], me! Me!" "M-me!" "Hyungnim! I'm going no matter what." "I'm going too!" Jihae and Gilsu were the first to raise their hands, and then the rest of the guild members, who understood what I meant, hurriedly raised their hands. The type of Osaka Rank 1 Dungeon is Bio. It's a Bio Dungeon. And a Bio Dungeon… I can definitely clear it. Regardless of rank. Very easily. And… those things are possible too… Keukeum. Two days later, in the morning. I didn't say anything. I didn't do anything. Like before, like a few days ago, even though I was just lazing around, doing nothing, like a bug that idolizes laziness, the Director of the Dungeon Management Bureau, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan came to see me. As expected, I was being watched! Keuheuheuh. The results of the stupid things I did in the guild office come back this quickly. That's how carefully I'm being watched… Keukeum. Anyway, the Japanese man conveys his gratitude in words that I can understand without the need for an interpreter. The Director of the Management Bureau, who silently stares at me with strange eyes and expressions. And the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who keeps translating something next to the Japanese man. Shall we have an in-depth conversation now? "1 trillion won [approximately $750 million USD] in advance. 1 trillion won after clearing. We'll take care of the unit corpses ourselves. Make a decision." What conversation… it's a unilateral notice. "Yes? Last time, the reward for clearing the dungeon was 1 trillion won…." The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs objects to my words. Hey… Mister. Why are you getting involved here? Just do the translation? As soon as the translation of the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was slightly embarrassed and red-faced, was finished, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan repeatedly said 'Hai, hai' [Japanese for "yes, yes"] and bowed 90 degrees to me. As expected, the Japanese keep their manners well. If I had known that they would say okay in one shot like this, I should have bet about 3 trillion won or more. Tsk. Originally, negotiation is supposed to have a push and pull. By the way, the Director of the Management Bureau's expression has been unusual since earlier. It's like you know everything about what you did last summer? No, it's like you know where you buried a pile of cash in the ground? Or, it's like you know the password to the hidden folder full of baseball videos in your PC's F drive? Tsk. I have a strange feeling for no reason. Keukeum. The next day, in the afternoon. As soon as the mages and warriors who supported this Osaka Rank 1 Bio Dungeon clearing from the Support Guild's Seoul branch came down to Jeju and joined us, we boarded a chartered plane that flew directly from Jeju International Airport to Osaka, Japan. I don't know how the rumors spread, but hundreds of reporters gathered at Jeju International Airport to bother us… but they couldn't. Because the number of Dungeon Management Bureau agents, airport security personnel, and Awakened Association personnel was greater than the 80 or so Support Guild members. No, from the beginning, we were sipping coffee or drinks in the VIP lounge, so there was no trouble. Before boarding the chartered plane, I added a post to Facetalk. 'It's all thanks to you. My mana activation limit has been lifted. I don't know why, or what psychological factor it is, but the mana that hadn't been moving until now has been activated since the day before yesterday. I cautiously guess that it's probably because of those people who have been bothering me until now, but I don't know exactly. What is certain is that my mana was activated after your courageous actions and sacrificial spirit when the Rank 3 Bio Dungeon at Seoul City Hall broke out this time. I don't know if it's a coincidence or fate, but I think it's all thanks to your interest and support. So I decided to be brave too. I'm not saying we should look back on the past. I haven't forgotten the past, and I haven't forgiven them either. I'm just doing it for the sake of the little lives that will disappear for no reason. These kids are innocent. I'm going to save them. Some of you may curse me, and some of you may praise me for doing well, but it's because my heart can't turn away from the eyes of those young children. It's an excuse. Thank you.' From now on, I should carry a laptop or a portable keyboard with me. What the hell, I've already arrived in Osaka, Japan after writing one post… Keukeum. Now, let's get out of the airport, deal with that Rank 1 Bio Dungeon, and go straight back to Korea… Huh? Japan? Airport? Did I bring my passport? Do you need a visa to enter Japan unless it's for tourism? Hmm, maybe everyone else brought their passports except me? Right? Passports and everything else were unnecessary. I don't know what they're so busy about, but as soon as we got out of the airport, soldiers and government officials guided us to a large bus and took us somewhere. Hmm, I feel like I'm being kidnapped for no reason. If there wasn't an interpreter next to me, I would really think so. I should check my condition before arriving at the dungeon. No matter how much of a cheat skill I have for Bio Dungeons, Dungeon Rank 1 is Rank 1. I don't want to have my head cut off for trivial matters. I recognized my condition in a small voice. "Status window." [Ding! Checks your status.] [Art Factor/Warrior: Han Jiwon (Lv-99) Nationality/Affiliation: Republic of Korea/Support Guild, Age: 40, Height/Weight: 182cm/76kg, Agility: 133, Endurance: 146, Strength: 137, Stamina: 138, Intelligence: 136, Luck: 144, Enchant: 124, Inventory: 8/10 (Zulut (Defense+Attack 200%, 1,160), Dark Assassin (94), Torkan (600), Fallen Warrior (10), Dran (101), Speed ​​Zergling (Attack 100%, 1,160), Magic Worm (100), Ultra (18)) Buildings: 11 (Force, Battery, Gateway, Drakan Core, Gas Mine, Speed ​​Core, Land Core, Stargate, Black Core, Light Core, Land Spore Core), Crystal: 0/990, Personal Stats: 0, Summon Target Stats: 13,801 (Prolb), Possessed Artifacts: Minerals (Absorption): 3,660, Gas (Absorption): 3,660, Idea Pouch (Absorption): 1, Idea Awl (Absorption): 2] [Skill Name: Heaven and Earth Storm (Rank 3). Time: 480 minutes/480 minutes Condition: When 100 or more Lightning Shamans use wide-area lightning Effect: Wide-area lightning within the recognized range (Bio Dungeon +200%) Damage: Wide-area lightning +200%, Critical +50%] [Skill Name: Intensive Storm (Rank 4). Time: 480 minutes/480 minutes Condition: When 1,000 or more Zuluts attack simultaneously Effect: Strengthens physical attack power according to the target (Mech Dungeon +100%) Damage: Attack Power +100%, Critical +25%]