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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Man in the Blue Dragon Cloak
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'What the hell is that?'
As soon as I stepped inside, the first thing I saw was a massive blue dragon.
To be precise, it was a cloak emblazoned with a blue dragon. With summer right around the corner and the weather already starting to warm up, wearing something like that made me seriously question the guy's sanity.
And the person draped in that insane blue dragon cloak turned around smoothly to reveal himself.
"Ah, there you are. I've been waiting, Miss Ayoung."
He was a tall guy with his hair slicked back.
He had a heavy, world-weary look like he'd seen it all, but the Academia uniform marked him unmistakably as a student.
In other words, he was prematurely aged. Even being generous, he looked late twenties at best.
'What the hell did this guy eat to end up like that...'
"I already told you I'd turn down any offers. I can't switch guilds—it's my constellation's guild to begin with."
"Then join our party while staying in your guild. I just can't bear to watch a talented gem rot away in the trash. You know all about Blue Dragon Guild, right?"
Yeah, who doesn't?
One of Korea's Big Three guilds, with a reputation and strength recognized even abroad—a powerhouse that all Awakeners look up to.
Home to the constellation of struggle, the Blue Dragon, it was known as the most aggressive guild, always pushing to claim the top spot among Korean guilds.
'Top guilds get even more cutthroat about recruiting talent.'
And like someone with nine trying to complete their set of ten, their hunger for Heaven Class Awakeners B-rank and above was particularly fierce.
"I've chosen my path, and I'm staying right here—so quit harassing me. Is there some rule that every Heaven Class has to join one of the Big Three?"
"We promised you'd be treated right. The tactical value of your unique skill 'Judgment Field,' the frontline prowess of 'Judgment Fist,' and your growth trajectory—hitting B-rank Awakener stats at level 45. To keep leveling up, you'll need C-rank dungeons, but does Baekya Guild have what it takes?"
At level 45, she'd hit the level cap for D-rank dungeons.
And wait—this guy wasn't a first-year in Academia's upper class? Level 45 already?
Unless he was ridiculously diligent or his guild pushed him hard, reaching that level was astonishing.
"I'll handle it by forming my own team, so butt out and leave."
"Come on, think it over. Our constellation Blue Dragon's creed is 'struggle.' You're an Academia student who's spared no effort honing and elevating your talents to the max. You fit our constellation perfectly. Who knows—maybe even both constellations at once..."
This guy's bullshit was off the charts.
Blessed by two constellations at once? It's not impossible, but constellations are prideful and possessive—they don't share their apostles.
Not unless you have exceptional talent and wisdom.
Sure, Ayoung had solid potential as a B-rank Awakener, but she probably didn't offer much merit by constellation blessing standards.
'Whatever, no point arguing. Better keep my mouth shut... Huh?'
"My exclusive Staff—who's a nine-year Academia veteran—is making that face, so this must be some top-tier bullshit, right?"
"Urk!"
Hey, dude, why are you glaring at me like that?
I didn't do anything! Your bullshit was creative, sure, but I kept my trap shut!
So why are you shooting me resentful looks like I ruined the deal?
This is bullshit. I'm innocent.
"Anyway, get lost. I have important business with my exclusive Staff!"
"...Ahem! Understood. We'll call it a day."
"No. Never come back. Ever! Law guy!"
And why the hell are you pulling aggro on me with this dude? Just let him go!
That doesn't even count as work!
I wanted to complain, but things wrapped up before I could butt in.
The Blue Dragon Guild guy named Go Seongjun vanished a while ago, face twisted in anger.
"Phew~ That felt good. Nice assist!"
"What nice assist? Why pull aggro from one of the Big Three? Just say your constellation said no, and it's done smoothly."
"I already tried that. They don't listen and keep pushing. That guy's a B-rank Awakener in the same Heaven Class, so no one's in a position to shut him down outright. Plus, as you know, close-combat frontline classes are precious."
Fighting Ma-in, Scavengers, and monsters up close means frontline classes suffer the most casualties—and are in highest demand.
Way back, the extreme DPS meta devalued them for a bit, but when monsters too big for that showed up, their value skyrocketed back.
"Yeah, high demand, low supply, high risk of injury or death... Anyway, putting that aside—what's your plan?"
"Only one option. Get stronger."
"You're level 45, so C-rank dungeons for leveling from here."
"That's why I'm focusing on technique and skill-building. With B-rank stats, I need solid experience, prowess, and knowledge before graduation—then straight to C-rank dungeons. Gear matters too, of course. You know the Big Three monopolize over 80% of C-rank and higher dungeons, right?"
"Yeah, more or less. Only they have the chops, they snap up all the high-rank Awakeners from Seoul and Busan Academia, and they pour everything into recruiting independents too~"
That's how they became untouchable even by the government.
Of course, that was the government's own fault.
They treated first-gen Awakeners like Hel Joseon conscripts, exploiting them until the Awakeners formed guilds, declared independence, and rebelled into warlord corporate entities—forcing the government to hastily create the Association.
'History's just one dumb repeat after another~'
Tensions between guilds and government persisted after that.
But guilds' rights truly expanded after that Grandmaster—the strongest Awakener in history, one of them—ditched his guild.
Equivalent to a Big Three back then, the Guild Master said Korea sucked too much to stay, took the guild's building and Awakeners, and peaced out.
'Who knew the old fogeys' "If you don't like it, go abroad" would be taken literally.'
Losing that mega-guild overnight left a massive security vacuum, nearly dooming Korea—barely recovered to rebuild civilization.
After that, the mindset shifted: never undervalue Awakeners and guilds again. That's how we got here.
"Whatever ambitions or dreams you've got, I don't care. But your dumb stunt just dragged me into Blue Dragon Guild's grudge too."
"But you did make that weird face."
"Whatever. Just hand over the uniform and your guild-emblem flag. Time to hit the dungeon."
Yeah, bickering like this got us nowhere. Better spend the time leveling.
I needed to dungeon-dive, but first—remembering yesterday's chaos with Akaron and Seom-myeol—I grabbed the uniform and gear, then headed straight back to the dorm.
***
Blue Dragon Guild, Academia Branch Office.
"Hey, you fucking bitch—I told you to keep tabs on Shin Ayoung, right?"
Thwack!
Back in his office, Go Seongjun immediately punched someone, unleashing ruthless violence.
She was from his faction, a Human Class female student. Without even clutching her already-swelling cheek, she stood right back up after one hit.
"S-Sorry."
"I told you ahead of time, didn't I? Talent recruitment is a guild war— an intel war. Shin Ayoung's a B-rank Awakener with the fighter class 'Judgment Fist.' She's perfect for our guild, packed with Blue Dragon Warrior fighters—how many times have I said that?"
"I'm truly sorry! Young master."
"Yeah, one more for good measure."
"Guh! Cough! Cough!"
Thud!
He was a Blue Dragon Warrior fighter class too. Ignoring that she was a woman, Go Seongjun slammed his fist mercilessly into her gut.
Of course, if he'd channeled aura full-force, her stomach would've caved in—so he held back enough not to kill.
Still, the student tasked with surveilling and intel on Shin Ayoung collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony.
Go Seongjun's gaze didn't waver an inch.
"You're Academia students, but the moment you wear the Blue Dragon Guild name and emblem, you're Hunters through and through. Think this isn't guild turf just 'cause it's a branch? The others know too, right?"
"O-Of course!"
"Yes!"
"We know!"
The other students could only affirm, trembling under his intimidation.
Part of it was his B-rank Awakener Heaven Class status, but as the Blue Dragon Guild Master's son—with Blue Dragon constellation's blessing—he wielded immense influence and power.
Still green in real combat as Academia students, but that background made him an absolute authority among them.
"Anyway—did that other guy you tasked investigate report back? Not this useless bitch."
"Right away. Shin Ayoung's exclusive Staff is Yoo Seongwon. Thirty-two this year, one of the Facility Maintenance Team Leaders with nine years tenure. He first made contact two days ago; yesterday he joined Baekya Guild as Shin Ayoung's exclusive Staff, and it looks like he delivered her uniform and gear today."
"Hmm... Exclusive Staff, huh. Our Heaven Class folks barely have duties outside written exams—mostly bossing during tests—so hiring an exclusive Staff now means...?"
"He's probably planning to form a proper team. Why else hire a nine-year Academia vet instead of a specialist in one area?"
"Hmm..."
Facility Maintenance folks see themselves as emergency SCVs, but they're skilled in most Awakener support work.
In short, it pointed to her seriously planning to build and run her own team within the guild.
Prioritizing someone with know-how in supporting and operating Awakener orgs over just party members.
"Graduation's two years off—starting already? And wouldn't posting a job or guild-internal hire be faster for an exclusive Staff? Baekya's not that small."
Smaller than Blue Dragon, sure, but solid mid-tier—they could recruit pro Staff or managers via postings.
Nine years' experience or not, it was all in-house at Academia. Outside hires would differ.
"That's where this 'Yoo Seongwon' old-timer being an Awakener comes in. We pulled all CCTV: she stalked him first, even used Judgment Field on him. Plus records of E-rank dungeon Staff training."
"Definitely an Awakener then. Wait—Judgment Field to pin him down? Assuming high agility, that's C-rank! Maybe higher! No wonder! That old guy's a hidden Awakener?"
Unlike Yoo Seongwon trying to hide it, they'd easily traced his path, analyzed his moves, and pegged him as an Awakener.
Still just speculation, so to confirm, Go Seongjun immediately asked his guild student members.