# 049. Day and Night (3)
“Wow.”
The interior of the building that Jaehee followed Lee Shinhoo into was impressive. Jaehee found himself looking around like a tourist at the interior and scenery reminiscent of a luxury hotel.
“This is really amazing.”
“We invested quite a bit in the guild’s interior design. The world is already tiring and difficult enough, so I wanted people to at least enjoy their time inside here.”
Lee Shinhoo smiled as he watched Jaehee repeatedly express his amazement.
Shin Jaehee’s reaction was typical of someone his age. Despite being an Awakened One who had experienced various incidents, he was still just a young adult who had barely reached adulthood. Woo Jeongwoo’s reaction, on the other hand, was difficult to describe. While he wasn’t being particularly rude, there was a sense that he was keeping a proper distance. Could someone of this age really behave like that? According to reports, the two were same-age friends. It was unusual in many ways that friends would enter the tutorial together and come out together. Was all of this really a coincidence?
Shinhoo smirked. There’s no such thing as coincidence in this world. It’s just skill-created opportunities appearing like coincidence.
He wondered what that young man Woo Jeongwoo was hiding.
“Please, have some food.”
“Ah, this is a gift from my father.”
Unable to come empty-handed, Jaehee had brought a necktie as a gift, which he had chosen with Jeongwoo. Remembering that Shinhoo always wore suits, he had chosen a necktie, though honestly, he wasn’t sure if it would be to Shinhoo’s liking.
“I had originally planned to treat you to a meal, but when the dining location was set as Guild Sahae, my father insisted that I express his gratitude separately. However, since I chose the gift myself, I’m not sure if you’ll like it. The receipt is inside, so if you don’t like it, feel free to exchange it.”
“No, I like it. Bringing Yeong-i back was something that I should have done, and having you evacuate to our guild was also a natural course of action, so I don’t deserve any thanks for that.”
“Not at all. Thanks to you, my father and Yeong-i were able to stay safe.”
“If that’s the case, I should rather be thanking Jaehee-ssi and Jeongwoo-ssi. Not only did you successfully conquer the first S-rank dungeon, but you also safely rescued everyone, didn’t you?”
“Oh, not at all. That was just… good luck. I feel embarrassed to hear such praise from the guild leader of Sahae Guild, which has cleared the most dungeons.”
While conversing with Jaehee, Shinhoo observed Jeongwoo. After exchanging brief greetings, Woo Jeongwoo hadn’t said much else. His expressionless face seemed unsuitable for his age. Shinhoo himself had a substantial build, but Jeongwoo’s physique was even better. With such a build, he looked almost like a professional athlete. Yet, according to reports, Woo Jeongwoo was the undisputed top student at his school. In other words, he was an all-rounder, excelling in both physical and intellectual aspects.
Shin Jaehee and Woo Jeongwoo.
He had heard they were friends from the same high school, but from what he observed, Jeongwoo seemed to act like a mother hen. There was a strong bond between the two that made it hard to consider them merely friends.
In terms of ability, Woo Jeongwoo was clearly superior, but in terms of their relationship dynamics, it was curiously Shin Jaehee who held the upper hand. His intuition told him that between the two, Shin Jaehee was the one he needed to win over.
“By the way, I’ve been curious about something while hearing about this dungeon conquest. Jeongwoo-ssi, when did you enter Daejeon Station? I heard you had resolved several dungeons in Daegu area alone, but was surprised to hear you came out of Daejeon Station. No one saw you enter Daejeon Station.”
At Shinhoo’s question, Jeongwoo’s eyes gleamed sharply. Observing this reaction, Shinhoo pondered about Jeongwoo.
What’s the hidden card that Woo Jeongwoo has tucked away?
Most Awakened Ones have a hidden card of their own, even if it’s not particularly impressive. That’s because as one lives as an Awakened One, they learn that nothing is more foolish than revealing all their capabilities. Therefore, sooner or later, all Awakened Ones inevitably become tricksters.
“Ah, that’s… Jeongwoo…”
“Hmm, isn’t that something everyone can do? As an Awakened One, surely one can evade the eyes of ordinary people or cameras.”
When Jaehee tried to make an excuse, Jeongwoo bluntly interjected. His tone sounded somewhat arrogant. Hearing Jeongwoo speak in such a manner for the first time, Jaehee was a bit surprised. Shinhoo smirked at Jeongwoo’s response.
“I see. If you change your mind later, please let me know. I’m just very curious about what method you used. Now, aren’t you hungry? Let’s eat first.”
Shinhoo naturally changed the atmosphere and guided them to the dining area. The meal was served at a restaurant inside Sahae Guild, which featured plush, luxurious carpets and soft classical music filling the space. The ambiance was comparable to that of a hotel restaurant.
“Wow, do you dine in such places every day?”
“Haha, I’d be pleased if this place moves Jaehee-ssi’s heart and makes you want to join our guild. What I value most is the human rights of Awakened Ones. That’s why all the facilities in the guild focus on the happiness of our guild members. In fact, given how the world has become, I understand that Awakened Ones have certain obligations, but they shouldn’t exceed to the point of exploitation, don’t you think?”
Shinhoo spoke with a gentle smile. Listening to Shinhoo’s words, it did make sense.
Although Jaehee hadn’t seen many Awakened Ones, most were mandatorily assigned dungeon conquests or monster disposal by the Management Bureau. With few Awakened Ones and many tasks to handle, everyone was always exhausted. While it was true that these tasks needed urgent attention for the sake of endangered ordinary citizens, from an Awakened One’s perspective, it could feel like exploitation.
“It’s true that with great power comes great responsibility, but most Awakened Ones were ordinary people who never asked for such power. They want to spend quality time with their families and had lives before awakening, but now most of those aspects are virtually eliminated. Sahae Guild exists for that reason. The Management Bureau, despite its name being ‘Awakened Management Bureau,’ can’t really be said to be on the side of Awakened Ones, can it?”
“That’s… true.”
Jaehee nodded, thinking of Section Chief Lim Yongtae. Though Section Chief Lim seemed to be walking a tightrope, trying to satisfy both the Awakened Ones and the government, both sides always seemed discontented.
“Jaehee-ssi, and Jeongwoo-ssi. I’m not saying this as a guild leader to recruit you into our guild. It’s perfectly fine if you wish to join another guild. However, since we now have to live as Awakened Ones, we must ensure our own rights. That’s what Sahae Guild exists for. Awakened Ones weren’t born just to be machines for service, were they?”
His calm voice had a strange persuasiveness and something that attracted people’s hearts. Shinhoo continued the conversation without touching much of the meat in front of him.
“Awakened Ones still lack a central focus to unite them, making it harder for them to assert their rights. That’s one of the reasons Sahae Guild was established. Especially during chaotic times, shouldn’t we have a long-term perspective? Awakened Ones shouldn’t be used like disposable batteries.”
“…That’s right.”
“If greater responsibilities come with greater power, shouldn’t there also be greater benefits?”
“…Pardon?”
Shinhoo smiled at Jaehee.
“You both are still young, so you might think I’m being too materialistic. But think about it. Even for Awakened Ones, if they’re asked to do many difficult tasks without proper compensation, isn’t that slavery? Moreover, battles with dungeons or monsters require risking one’s life every time. The nation continually pushes us into such situations. It’s only natural to receive appropriate compensation, isn’t it? That would also boost the morale of Awakened Ones and enable them to work more passionately.”
While Shinhoo’s words seemed correct at a glance, Jaehee felt an inexplicable discomfort in agreeing with them.
The words themselves were valid, but was he suggesting a work slowdown if proper compensation wasn’t provided?
With the lives of others at stake…?
“Jaehee-ssi, Jeongwoo-ssi. Have you chosen a king?”
Jaehee glanced at Jeongwoo, wondering what to say, but Shinhoo, interpreting their silence as a negative, nodded.
“It seems you haven’t yet. Well, it’s understandable since you haven’t been out of the dungeon for long, so you probably haven’t had the luxury to think about such matters. Then, consider this: From now on, a world will come where one cannot survive without choosing a king, regardless of who it is. Then, who would you two choose? It’s not such a distant future.”
When the topic of kings came up, Jaehee’s mouth went dry. He looked at Shinhoo.
The handsome man in an impeccable suit was, like an experienced salesman, trying to sell them a king.
“Do you want to become a king, Shinhoo-ssi?”
“A king? Me?”
At Jaehee’s question, Shinhoo laughed as if he’d heard something amusing.
“I am a Zero, Jaehee-ssi. I am someone who cannot become a king.”
A moment of silence fell.
