hotmtlnovel Chapter 121
Chapter 121
Chapter 121
[Things That Are Changing]
After conquering the Cyclops’ Tomb, Shin Tae-gil visited Kang Hyeon after a long time.
“Did you have a good time in the dungeon?”
“Ah... Well, it was okay.”
Kang Hyeon frowned for a moment as he recalled the events in the dungeon.
“By the way, what brings you here? Coming all this way in person.”
Shin Tae-gil is always busy with work. Kang Hyeon was curious as to why he would come in person, which he rarely does.
“First, take this.”
Shin Tae-gil pulled out an unfamiliar mechanical device from his pocket.
“What’s this? A new smartphone?”
“Similar. It’s a prototype of a product being secretly developed in collaboration between the government and corporations.”
“Government and corporate collaboration?”
“Yes. You know how there are many electronic products powered by magic stones these days? This is one of those.”
“Wow. That’s nice. Products using magic stones don’t need separate charging, right?”
Recently, there’s been a boom in the market for electronic products using magic stones. Thanks to magic being a highly efficient energy source, products could be used for over a year with just one charge. Moreover, ability users could charge them by infusing their own magical power. Because of this, despite being much more expensive than existing products, they were steadily expanding their market share.
“There’s not much difference from existing smartphones just because it uses a magic stone. In your case, Kang Hyeon, the difference would be that you can charge it with your magical power, and it can be used inside dungeons.”
“Use inside dungeons... But still can’t make calls, right?”
“Correct.”
It was still too much to expect calls inside dungeons.
“Still, this is pretty good. But why are you giving this to me?”
“One moment. Take this too.”
Ignoring Kang Hyeon’s question, Shin Tae-gil pulled out another device.
“What’s this now? A hearing aid?”
“Similarly, it’s a prototype of a product made in collaboration between the government and corporations. It’s based on existing translation magic and allows for mutual communication.”
“Allows for mutual communication... Is it possible to talk with monsters too?”
“It is possible.”
“Wow! What the heck?! When were you making something like this? You could have given me a heads up.”
Communicating with monsters was possible before too. It was done using magic or abilities related to translation. At first glance, it seemed very good, but these were shunned by the market. Astronomical prices and limited quantities. Even if you went through the trouble of talking with monsters, there wasn’t much benefit. To begin with, there were very few monsters intelligent enough to have a conversation with.
The only usefulness of such translation magic was that you could understand and speak foreign languages without learning them separately. But even that was seen as a luxury item used only by the rich, as the money to buy a skill book could hire dozens of interpreters.
“Both users need to wear this device for communication to be possible. It’s not yet at the completion stage, but I’m showing it to you first, Kang Hyeon.”
“Thank you. I actually had a use for it, so this is great.”
Kang Hyeon grinned, thinking of his swordsmanship teacher, Kergo.
“So, what’s the reason for giving these to me?”
There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. While he would gratefully accept the gifts, Kang Hyeon thought there must be a reason for Shin Tae-gil’s sudden behavior.
“It’s not particularly for compensation.”
“Then?”
“There’s something I need to tell you, Kang Hyeon. I think you might need it in the’ future.”
“Something to tell me?”
“Yes. It’s really important.”
Suddenly, Shin Tae-gil started to get serious.
“Kang Hyeon. Don’t you think electronic products have been malfunctioning more often lately?”
“What’s with that sudden question?”
“It’s exactly as I said.”
“Malfunctions... Come to think of it, there have been some. Calls getting cut off, and ah, my computer crashes occasionally too.”
“Since your magic power level is high, Kang Hyeon, you probably experienced these symptoms more frequently.”
“Is there a reason for that?”
“Yes. Currently, this phenomenon is occurring worldwide. It’s just not being mentioned yet because the symptoms aren’t severe.”
It was then that Kang Hyeon realized the seriousness of the situation.
“It’s related to the dungeons, right?”
“That’s correct. It’s been about 9 months since B-rank dungeons appeared. Experts predict that A-rank dungeons will appear in the near future.”
“What does that have to do with electronic devices?”
In fact, everyone expected A-rank dungeons to appear. It wasn’t really a surprising event at this point.
“You might not have noticed, but since B-rank dungeons appeared, residual magic power has started to appear in reality, not just in dungeons. Reality, not dungeons. It means magic power has started to exist on Earth.”
“So that’s why electronic products are malfunctioning.”
“Even though A-rank dungeons haven’t appeared yet, the magic power density on Earth is gradually increasing. At this rate, experts believe that all electronic products will be neutralized not long after A-rank dungeons appear.”
“Huh...”
Not being able to use electronic devices. For humans, it would be like taking away fire from people before the Industrial Revolution. That’s how much all of humanity currently relies on equipment powered by electricity. If all of that suddenly disappeared, it was obvious that society’s systems would collapse.
“Is that information reliable?”
“It’s confidential information from the United States. I don’t know the exact source, but I’m certain because their words have never been wrong so far.”
“So far? You mean this isn’t the first time you’ve heard this information? That.”
“Ah, that’s...”
For a moment, Shin Tae-gil was flustered by Kang Hyeon’s question.
“Well, if you don’t want to reveal it, that’s fine. It’s not particularly important to me anyway. In any case, your amazing information from America has been spot-on so far, so I guess it will be this time too. That’s what you’re saying, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Are we preparing well?”
“The government is doing its best to overhaul the existing system based on the magic stones we’ve collected so far. I’m not sure if we’ll make it in time, but we can’t just sit idle either.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
“Mr. Kang Hyeon. As you know, this is absolutely...”
“Top secret? Don’t worry, I understand.”
Even Kang Hyeon knew that if this kind of information leaked out, it would cause tremendous chaos.
“Are you leaving already?”
As soon as all the conversation was over, Shin Tae-gil stood up from his seat.
“Yes. I’m busy with work.”
“Wait a moment. I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
Shin Tae-gil was taken aback by Kang Hyeon’s sudden seriousness.
“I just cleared a B-rank dungeon, remember? The Cyclops’ Tomb.”
“Yes, I know.”
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy at his father’s words.
Kang Hyeon’s expression also became very dark.
“Hey, that’s not like you, Dad! Why are you saying such things? What’s wrong with not being an ability user?”
Kang A-hyun stepped in to lighten the mood, but Kang Hyeon’s darkened expression didn’t improve.
“You too, stop frowning! It’s not like you to pretend to be depressed.”
“It’s not like that.”
“What do you mean it’s not? You’re not crying, are you?”
“Damn it. I said it’s not!”
In fact, there was another reason why Kang Hyeon’s expression was dark.
‘A terrible memory came back to me.’
A few months ago, Kang Hyeon had a heated argument and fought with Choi Min-jun.
Although the situation was resolved because people around them intervened, Kang Hyeon was still uncomfortable.
‘That bastard. I should have finished him then...’
***
Ippotranslation
***
Not long after Bandarenko and the Free Ability Users Liberation Alliance had fallen, there was an incident.
That day, everyone had gathered at Shin Tae-gil’s arrangement to clear up misunderstandings and promote harmony.
“What misunderstanding is there with a criminal bastard?”
Kang Hyeon was consistently sarcastic, and the other participants were the same.
Perhaps it was inevitable that an argument broke out in such a meeting.
“You don’t know anything.”
“I don’t know? What don’t I know?”
Kang Hyeon asked with a fierce expression.
“Only trials make humans stronger. And only humans who survive like that will survive in the world that’s about to unfold.”
Kang Hyeon frowned at Choi Min-jun’s answer.
“Do you think that’s a valid reason for killing people?”
“How naive.”
“What?”
“Is it arrogance from strength? Do you think you can survive in this world with such naive thoughts?”
“You bastard... I could tear you apart right now. Watch your mouth.”
Although Kang Hyeon spoke aggressively, Choi Min-jun’s expression remained calm.
“In a changing world, you alone might survive. Because you’re strong. But what about your family? Your comrades? You don’t think you can protect them forever, do you?”
Kang Hyeon’s face hardened at Choi Min-jun’s words.
Honestly, it would be a lie to say he had never thought about it.
Kang Hyeon had pondered this issue several times.
But because there was no realistic alternative, it was a problem he had ultimately ignored.
“So? What are you trying to say? Since they’re going to die later anyway, let’s just kill them now? Is that it?”
“If they experience trials and grow, more people will be able to survive.”
“What about those who haven’t awakened? They can’t grow. For non-awakened, monsters aren’t trials, they’re literally disasters.”
Choi Min-jun made a firm expression at Kang Hyeon’s words.
“They’re those who will be eliminated and die anyway.”
“Ha, keep talking. I think I need to hear it all before I beat you up to feel better.”
Kang Hyeon snorted, but Choi Min-jun still looked confident.
“In a world where magic power becomes a new resource, there’s no place for humans who don’t pass the test.”
“...”
“Don’t you feel it too? Even here where we are, magic power is gradually emerging. The world outside the dungeons is also changing and adapting to magic power.”
“So there’s no place for humans who are eliminated in this new world?”
“Now you’re starting to understand.”
Choi Min-jun smiled, seemingly satisfied with Kang Hyeon’s words.
“I’ve heard your bullshit well.”
However, his expression quickly hardened at the following words.
“Honestly, I’m not exactly a person who values life much. But I can clearly see that you’re an even crazier bastard than An Yu-seong, who’s steeped in chosen people’s ideology.”
“Don’t take it emotionally, think logically.”
“Logic my ass!”
***
Ippotranslation
***
“Hyeon. Hyeon! What are you doing?”
His mother kept shaking Kang Hyeon, who was lost in thought.
‘Enough. What’s the point of thinking about it now?’
Kang Hyeon decided to push thoughts of Choi Min-jun aside for now.
“It’s nothing. Haha. I’m hungry. Let’s eat quickly.”
“Okay, okay. I understand.”
Kang Hyeon tried his best to forget about that day’s incident, but he couldn’t help these memories surfacing occasionally.
When wounds hidden in ordinary daily life suddenly popped up, anger towards himself and the world welled up for not being able to properly refute Choi Min-jun’s words.
-They’re those who will be eliminated and die anyway.
“That’s bullshit. I won’t let that happen.”
Everyone turned their heads at Kang Hyeon’s sudden muttering.
“Hyeon. Is something wrong..?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just had a different thought for a moment. Haha!”
“Are you really okay?”
“I said I’m fine. By the way, what’s for dinner tonight?”
As Kang Hyeon returned to a bright mood, his mother smiled.
“What else? It’s beef, your favorite.”
“You don’t usually eat meat often. What’s the special occasion?”
“I had a good dream today. Somehow I thought of you, so I bought some earlier when I went shopping.”
Kang Hyeon grinned at his mother’s words.
“We have beer too, right?”