Chapter 337 (1/2)

Act 3

The number of reporters that had shown up in the Awakener Authority’s headquarters went past three digits. People from public networks, cable stations, and internet news media outlets were present.

However, it wasn’t as if there would be an important announcement scheduled for today.

It was just that the names involved in the incident were about to be discussed.

“Senior, was this matter that serious? Look how many showed up today.”

“Obviously, you dumbass! Not just the association and the reporters, but even Kim Su-hyeun is involved in this matter. He hasn’t directly returned to the tower yet. What do you think his reason is?”

“Are you saying it’s because of this incident?”

“Even Kim Su-hyeun must be paying attention right now. This incident? I’m telling you, the Authority is biding its time for this one.”

The reporters were murmuring to one another.

This was supposed to be a simple press conference meant to clarify the Authority’s position about the issue, yet so many reporters had shown up. They pulled out and prepared their recorders and note pads, and gave their undivided attention to the rostrum in front of them.

Step, step.

Shortly after, the Authority’s director stepped out to meet the eager crowd.

Click, click.

Cameras started clicking. Blinding flashes annoyed the director, but he didn’t let it get to him. He managed to maintain a stoic expression.

Soon enough, the director reached the center of the platform. He raised his head and began to speak, “As you all know, the dungeon that recently appeared in the city of Cheonan was successfully raided by the awakener Kim Su-hyeun. Before we begin, I would like to express my gratitude as a representative in charge of ensuring our nation’s safety.”

Whatever had transpired, it was Su-hyeun who took care of the incident, not the Authority.

If it had all gone according to plan, then it would have been the Authority stepping up to stop the dungeon outbreak and further solidifying their position before holding this press conference.

However…

‘Since it happened, I will acknowledge what must be acknowledged.’

The director’s manner as he delivered his speech was so earnest that the casual observers would have thought he was genuinely proud of Kim Su-hyeun, an awakener from his country.

However, as he continued praising Kim Su-hyeun, the director’s expression gradually hardened. And precisely at that moment, the reporters knew that he would get to the main topic of today’s conference.

“It is unfortunate, but this event has laid bare the deficiencies in the association’s system.”

“…”

The reporters held their breaths.

The things about to be brought up right now was what the director wanted to say all along.

“Thankfully, due to the presence of an excellent awakener named Kim Su-hyeun, as well as the Authority’s swift response, we were able to overcome this crisis without any losses, but still, that doesn’t mean there was no underlying problem.”

“In that case, is the Authority planning to take the Awakener Association to task?” a reporter eagerly asked.

The director simply smiled. It seemed that he had been waiting for this question all along.

“Of course not,” the director denied. “How can we dare to criticize the association that works so hard to protect our country?” He smiled amiably and waved his hand in denial. He sounded like a man worried about the future of his nation and thus decided to devote his whole life serving the public. “It’s just that,” he went on, “I would like to point out that even the association has some inadequate points. That is all. So for anyone to suggest that we wish to take them to task, that’s not true at all. What happened this time was purely a mistake, and, as such, we are not planning to publicly criticize them.”

“In that case, are you saying that this matter will be overlooked?”

Heads turned towards the reporter who asked the question.

While the reporter managed to keep a straight face while he asked the question, he was implying that the association had the tendency to look past some issues.

The thing was, some reporters shared this brave correspondent’s view. It was just that they didn’t dare provoke the director.

What if this incident was indeed caused by the association’s mistake, and if there was a possibility of something similar happening in the future…

…Hundreds of thousands of lives were at risk here, so this incident couldn’t just be labelled as an accident because the neglect might have been deliberate.

“We definitely cannot do that.” The director’s voice was firm. The manner of his speech and even his expression suddenly changed. He continued, looking grave, “How many lives are at risk from such an incident? Since there is a possibility that an event like this nature could happen again, we must come up with a way to prevent it.”

“And what is that way you’re talking about?”

Here was yet another question he had been waiting for. The director suppressed a smile and replied seriously, “The Awakener Authority has acknowledged that the association’s system is flawed, and, as such, we ask for cooperation.”

“Cooperation?”

“When he said cooperation…”

“Can it be…”

The crowd was stirred instantly.

The Awakener Authority requested the association for cooperation. Something like this had never happened before.

However, a word such as ‘cooperation’ didn’t suit the undercurrents happening beneath the surface.

“The Authority is filled with many excellent and talented individuals. Yes, our awakener manpower is, well, less compared to the association. However, the Authority is a department meant to manage the awakeners instead. Thus, we have been focusing on thoroughly analyzing and coming up with a suitable system to manage the dungeons.”

A system that calculated which order the dungeons should be raided, as well as how many awakeners and in what rank must be sent to a dungeon in order to maximize the safety and efficiency…

The Authority was publicly boasting about its system—on the back of the association’s mistake.

“Without a doubt, the association possesses a powerful combat force. Well, it does boast the likes of Paragon guild’s Kim Su-hyeun, Thomas, Choi Hak-joon, Jung Yoon-ho, and several S-ranks, as well as countless other awakeners, in their roster.”

The director sighed.

This was where the real show began.

“I believe that the Authority and the association can cover for each other’s inadequacies. I mean, the association’s flawed system and the Authority’s insufficient manpower.”

“What is the position of the association in this matter?”

“We have sent an official request and are currently waiting for their reply. We believe that in a few days, good news will—”

“There’s no need to wait for a few days.”

Someone cut off the director’s speech. In normal circumstances, no one would do such a rude thing, especially to the director, but one actually dared.

The director frowned and turned his head. The reporters did the same.

However, the venue was filled with murmurs as the people saw who the speaker was.

“It’s Kim Su-hyeun!”

“The new association chairman, Lee Ju-ho, is also here.”

“Hey! What are you doing? Take their pictures!”

Click, click.