"I wonder if this means I won't need a suit anymore."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Still, wearing the suit is recommended. In terms of defense, the suit is more energy-efficient, and above all, it absorbs the initial impact, reducing damage to you, Master.]
It was just a thoughtless remark, but Suni seemed to take it seriously, as if I really believed I didn't need a combat suit, and desperately highlighted its advantages.
It felt like talking to a person rather than a machine.
Even considering that my awakening was special, there was something extraordinary about it.
No matter how much an awakener's body was enhanced, it shouldn't reach this level.
Body Enhancement Awakeners fundamentally possess superior physical abilities.
Even so, they don't get strengthened to this extent.
If Suni was right, my skin now couldn't be pierced by regular bullets.
Awakeners could deflect bullets too.
But that applied to C-Rank awakeners and above who could use mana.
Did that mean I was at C-Rank awakener level now?
My physical senses felt sharper, but since I couldn't use mana, probably not.
In the world at large, Body Enhancers were recognized as C-Rank when they could infuse mana into weapons.
I wasn't sure.
'This is a problem.'
I had planned to go out today.
But my height, which had been around 174 cm, had suddenly shot past 190 cm.
There was no way any of my clothes would fit.
'Should I go out tomorrow?'
I had a combat suit, but with so much to do outside, I didn't have the guts to walk around in something so skintight.
'No choice.'
I decided to postpone going out until tomorrow.
If I ordered clothes in the right size from Coupang, they'd arrive by morning.
With rocket delivery, ordering now meant delivery by late morning tomorrow.
Spending the day at home carefully examining my skills in detail didn't seem like a bad idea.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I woke up to an unpleasant feeling.
'Fuck.'
My crotch was wet.
My underwear was stained white.
I felt wronged.
If it had been from a good dream, I wouldn't feel so hard done by.
I woke up in a surge of irritation to find myself in this state.
Was I sexually frustrated lately?
Didn't feel like it.
Nocturnal emissions at my age...
I usually took care of it once a day consistently while watching videos, so I hadn't even considered it.
I showered off the white stains from my still-unfamiliar massive member.
Damn, I was wide awake now.
I didn't feel like sleeping anymore.
A delivery package had arrived at the front door at some point.
I roughly pulled out the new workout clothes I'd bought and got ready to head out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
What level were my abilities objectively?
If I considered only my physical combat prowess, I figured it was around D-Rank.
The standard for C-Rank Body Enhancers was external mana manifestation.
A prime example was the mana blade, coating a sword with mana.
I couldn't manifest mana externally yet.
My body had grown stronger, but I still couldn't sense mana itself.
So I estimated D-Rank.
But abilities weren't just one thing.
I had four skills under my belt.
I was a bit worried about the awakening test.
It was clearly a special awakening ability, no matter who looked at it.
'What if it doesn't measure properly?'
It was probably unnecessary worry, but my past experiences had left a bit of trauma.
Even if the measurement failed, showing my physical abilities or just the Inventory skill would be enough for awakener certification.
But skills like Inventory should be hidden if possible.
The world was vast.
I didn't think I was the only one with an Inventory-like ability, but it was still the kind that would draw a lot of attention.
With four skills, I might even get a higher rank and attract notice.
That would be troublesome too.
I didn't want to be popular.
My honest feeling was to avoid situations that would make things annoying.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Congratulations. You've awakened at D-Rank."
The association staff member, who had initially tensed up at my size, now smiled brightly and congratulated me.
My needless worries proved unfounded; I received a perfectly ordinary awakening rating.
Ordinary in the sense that a first mana measurement of D-Rank put me in the top 30% or so.
Most started at F-Rank and gradually built up their abilities.
Still, compared to my actual power, it felt low.
I was relieved, but I felt a bit sheepish about having imagined higher before coming.
"Ah! You already have a hunter license! It would be better to get a new one reissued."
The staff member said with a kind smile.
I turned in my old license and got a new one issued.
"If you're interested in academy training, I can write you a recommendation letter."
The staff member's friendliness was on another level compared to my civilian days.
The academy was an institution where awakeners and civilians could receive various training to become hunters or heroes.
These days, if you planned to work as a hunter or hero, it was beneficial to attend in many ways.
Of course, I had no intention of going.
"No, that's fine."
While awakeners and civilians were separated for training, there might be something to learn, but I had no desire to waste time when I knew a surefire way to get stronger.
My shabby old hunter license was transformed into a shiny new one.
It was made of some unknown metallic material with a faint blue sheen.
"This engraves Park Un-ho's mana pattern, making it usable as ID anywhere in the world."
Even in these small details, I could feel the gap between Non-Awakened Hunters and us.
"If you're interested in association work... please contact us."
They subtly handed me a pamphlet.
"The association always welcomes awakeners. Haha."
It was probably a pamphlet about benefits and duties if joining the association.
I had no plans to join.
"Sure, I'll contact you if I get interested."
Still, since they'd gone out of their way for me, I took the pamphlet instead of bluntly refusing and stood up.
More than joy at becoming an awakener, I felt a great sense of relief.
It was what I'd wished for over 14 years.
My chest felt clear.
As I left the Awakener Association, a crowd approached.
"I'm Kang Sung-hyun from the Sabers."
"I'm Lee Gyu-an from Hero Magazine. Care for an interview?"
"I'm Jo Su-jeong from Ilseong Corp."
"I'm Na Min-su from Strong Hunters."
It hadn't even been long since my mana measurement, but they must have gotten word somehow and swarmed in.
Companies, guilds, media—various groups.
D-Rank got this much attention; I didn't even want to think about higher ranks.
But their pushiness made me frown in displeasure.
Whether due to my face or my size, the surroundings quieted instantly.
Many eyes were gauging my mood.
A hulking figure over 190 cm, scowling.
And not just any bulk—it was an awakened, muscle-packed frame.
Even I would have been intimidated back then.
I could see the tense expressions on the scouts and reporters.
"Move."
The crowd parted like the Red Sea.
There were plenty of ill-tempered awakeners out there.
These people wouldn't be unaware of them.
Some might have had rough encounters.
But unless it was a major crime, awakeners got a pass in the atmosphere.
It was amusing that a dozen people were watching my mood after just one day as an awakener.
I might catch some flak, but adding me to the list of rude awakeners wouldn't change much.
If anything, it might be better that way.
With so much to do, I couldn't afford to waste time here.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Across from the Awakener Association was a flashy shopping mall.
Hero Mall.
Not just awakener gear, it had various amenities and tourist attractions, packed with people.
Calling it Hero Mall instead of Hunter Mall showed the public favored heroes over hunters.
I took the elevator to Basement Level 2.
Basement Level 2 was dedicated to awakener equipment.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Armsteel and Bluelock have good reviews. Bluelight has good quality but is criticized for being expensive and poor value.]
Suni diligently reported the internet research results.
My previous combat suit had internet access, but I rarely used it.
I mostly used the internet at home, and didn't wear the suit around the house.
But now that it was a skill, things were different.
Suni was an AI.
With internet access, her potential was limitless.
So I had her research awakener equipment.
It was something I should have done, but it was just online research anyway.
Suni was more efficient at it.
She seemed optimized for this kind of thing.
Basement Level 2 wasn't as crowded as upstairs, but there were still quite a few people.
With awakeners as the main customers, the atmosphere was sleek and upscale.
A pretty staff member approached.
"Welcome. How may I assist you?"
In response to the polite staff member, I stated my business.
"I came to look at some weapons."