Chapter 146 – GOY 146

#146

As ​the ​bus ​arrived ​at ​the ​center, staff members ​who ​had ​been ​waiting ​in advance guided us.

In ​a ​solemn atmosphere, we ​were led to ​the ​Director’s ​office ​of ​the ​center’s Inspection Division.

Seeing ​as ​we ​were meeting the ​Director of Inspection, it ​was more ​likely to ​be about ​the arrest ​of ​an ​ability user who ​had committed ​a crime or the ​suppression of a terror ​attack rather than a ​gate issue.

Just ​who ​had committed a crime to warrant ​summoning an S-Class Esper?

Given ​that ​the ​Inspection ​Division—famous ​for refusing outside ​help—had issued ​an ​alert, the situation ​likely ​wasn’t ordinary. There was a ​high possibility ​that ​an incident more ​dangerous ​than ​an ​S-Class ​gate had ​occurred.

When ​I looked ​at Joo Seung-hyuk, he rubbed my visit our sitecheek ​with [visit our site]a smile, ​as [Read on Read BL Novels]if telling ​me it was okay.

“Please ​come in.”

The ​staff member opened ​the ​door, and we ​entered the Director ​of Inspection’s ​office.

Contrary ​to my ​expectation ​that a ​crowd ​of high-ranking ​officials ​and ​High-ranking Ability Users ​would ​be gathered, ​only ​the ​Director ​of Inspection sat alone in the office.

‘Are we the first ones here?’

Though bewildered, I first gave a salute in accordance with the discipline of the Esper Academy.

“Good work getting here.”

The Director of Inspection greeted us with a smile. Despite the S-Class alert, there was no sign of tension. Was this the composure that comes from being a seasoned veteran…?

“Don’t just stand there hurting your legs; please, have a seat.”

“Thank you, Director.”

“Thank you.”

Park Geon-woo bowed politely, and I followed suit. However, Joo Seung-hyuk sat on the sofa without so much as a salute or a word of thanks. Then, he asked bluntly.

“What is this about?”

The Director’s brow furrowed, seemingly displeased by his attitude. But Joo Seung-hyuk didn’t care in the slightest.

“Director, I would also like to know. What is happening?”

I also posed a question. In truth, it was strange that we were even asking. In an S-Class emergency, orders should have been issued the moment we arrived at the center, and we should have immediately sought a way to resolve the situation. This was no time for leisurely greetings and formalities.

I spoke in a fairly polite tone, but the Director’s frown deepened, stolen contentas if unauthorized copyeven that was displeasing to him.

To think he’d act this way just because we asked why the alert was sent. I had heard rumors that the people of the Inspection Division were authoritarian, but this was far worse than I expected.

“Director, please tell us.”

When Park Geon-woo spoke, the Director’s expression softened somewhat. Although he was a student, he had been pre-appointed to the Inspection Division. Regardless of Park Geon-woo’s abilities or achievements, it would have been impossible without the Director’s approval.

In other words, Park Geon-woo was one of the Director’s people, and he was showing generosity toward his own line.

I wondered if it was acceptable for the head of the Inspection Division, who should be fairer than anyone, to discriminate against people in such a manner.

Regardless, the Director seemed to have regained his mood and got straight to the point.

“There was an attempt to steal ‘Jin-hwan’ this morning.”

“Jin-hwan…?”

The moment I heard those words, my eyes widened involuntarily.

‘Jin-hwan’ was a national treasure capable of measuring an ability user’s mana and matching rate.

While technology has advanced to the point where measurements are done by machines now, in the past, the mana and matching rate of an ability user could only be determined through ‘Jin-hwan’.

And although measurement equipment technology has developed in modern times, a measurement as precise as ‘Jin-hwan’ is still impossible. The gap becomes even wider as one moves toward S-Class and above.

In truth, there were other treasures with measurement capabilities. However, treasures that could precisely measure such vast amounts of mana and matching rates like ‘Jin-hwan’ were rare worldwide.

In the past, when national power was weak, powerful nations often attempted to seize ‘Jin-hwan’ or demanded it under the guise of economic aid. However, the government and the people protected ‘Jin-hwan’ to the end, regardless of the circumstances.

Because of this, the value of Jin-hwan itself was high, and the people’s affection for it was strong, to the point where it was called the ‘New National Treasure No. 1’.

In ’93, there was almost an attempt to steal ‘Jin-hwan’. The prevailing theory was that it was [Read on Read BL Novels]the work of North Korea, but since all the visit our siteculprits committed suicide, it wasn’t certain.

Since then, the security for ‘Jin-hwan’ was strengthened, and South Korea’s global status rose, so no country dared to mention threatening deals over the ‘New National Treasure No. 1’.

And yet, a group targeting ‘Jin-hwan’ had appeared once again.

It was only natural that an S-Class alert had been triggered.

“Is ‘Jin-hwan’ safe?”

When Park Geon-woo asked, the Director’s expression stiffened.

“I would like you all to verify that.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

As I spoke, the Director’s gaze, which had been fixed on Park Geon-woo, shifted to me.

“Please undergo a mana and matching rate test.”

“What?”

It was an abrupt request. A mana and matching rate test all of a sudden? As I asked, unable to hide my confusion, the Director continued with a serious face.

“During the fight, the culprit’s attack was directed toward ‘Jin-hwan’. It’s possible they infiltrated the examination room from the start not to steal it, but to destroy it.”

Jin-hwan was one of the most accurate mana measurement tools on Earth. It wasn’t just for measuring the mana or matching rate of superpowers; it also served as a crucial indicator when manufacturing superpower heavy industry equipment.

The existence of ‘Jin-hwan’ was cited as one of the factors that allowed South Korea’s superpower heavy industry to grow rapidly.

Even just damaging Jin-hwan would inevitably deal a blow to South Korea. Thus, it was highly likely that the culprit’s goal was destruction rather than theft.

“On the surface, there seem to be no particular abnormalities, but we can’t know for sure from that. There is a possibility that a problem occurred within [stolen content]the function of [Read on Read BL Novels]Jin-hwan itself. Therefore, I want you S-Classes to perform a mana and matching rate test.”

The Director’s reasoning was sound.

To properly check whether ‘Jin-hwan’ was damaged, it was correct to measure the mana of Joo Seung-hyuk and Park Geon-woo, who were counted among the most outstanding Espers in South Korea.

Furthermore, ‘Jin-hwan’ had one major drawback: there was a limit to the number of mana measurements. It could not be used more than three times a month, and at most, no more than five. Any more than that would cause an overload and potentially destroy the treasure.

Because of this, the actual use of Jin-hwan was extremely limited.

Among those who received an ability manifestation test at the center, if they were measured as S-Class, Jin-hwan was used for more precise verification. Additionally, the treasure could be used when an ability user underwent Re-awakening or when checking the matching rate between High-ranking Ability Users of the center. Other than that, it was almost never permitted.

Occasionally, ‘Jin-hwan’ was used to check the accuracy of newly developed ability measurement equipment, but one had to wait until there was room in the usage count. Even then, it was only possible for domestic companies, and a massive usage fee was added on top.

I had only been tested by Jin-hwan twice. When my mana level came out high during my first ability user test at the center, I was measured again with Jin-hwan a month later. And I underwent it once more while checking the matching rate with Park Geon-woo. That was back in middle school…

Undergoing a matching rate test [stolen content]with Jin-hwan despite not being a center employee was an enormous privilege, [Read on Read BL Novels]but I wasn’t particularly grateful for it.

At the time, the center had made a huge mistake, and public criticism was concentrated; they tried to divert the public’s attention through the matching rate between me and Park Geon-woo. That’s why they even used Jin-hwan.

Because the center released promotional articles claiming it was a high matching rate recognized by Jin-hwan, the rumors of our romance caught even more fire.

Anyway, since both Park Geon-woo and I are S-Class and have experience with matching rate tests via Jin-hwan, it would be ideal for us to do a re-measurement to determine if there are any abnormalities with Jin-hwan.

But for some reason, it felt unsettling.

Then, Joo Seung-hyuk, who had been maintaining a quiet silence, spoke up.

“Is that an S-Class emergency?”

A sneer played on Joo Seung-hyuk’s lips. The Director’s face distorted at an attitude that had thrown any semblance of respect for superiors far away. However, regardless of the attitude, I agreed with his words.

I admit that ‘Jin-hwan’ is a treasure so precious that its value is hard to quantify. If there were those targeting Jin-hwan, [stolen content][unauthorized copy]it was natural for an S-Class alert to go off.

But it wasn’t a situation where the treasure had to be protected or the culprit tracked right this second; they rang an S-Class alert for a matching rate test? While it was a serious matter, it was by no means an S-Class emergency.

“How dare you say that! Of course it’s an emergency! This is a challenge to South Korea! It’s a conspiracy to collapse South Korea’s ability system! No matter who the culprit is, it is a grave crime that can never be forgiven!”

The Director shouted so loudly it made my ears ring.

“We must catch the culprit as quickly as possible. To do that, we need to know their objective exactly! Whether they tried to steal Jin-hwan or destroy it—the direction of the investigation changes 180 degrees depending on that purpose! This is a situation where every second counts!”

“How incredibly pathetic.”

The sneer on Joo Seung-hyuk’s lips deepened. Even in front of the Director of Inspection, who boasted power greater than even the Center Director, he showed no sign of walking on eggshells. I thought he had become much milder lately, but seeing this, it seemed nothing had changed from before.

And yet, why is it that he’s no longer scary…?

“And Lee Yeon-soo is my Guide. A matching rate test with another bastard is impossible.”

“What! How can you say such a thing in this situation! A national treasure was targeted!”

The Director roared. No matter how powerful Joo Seung-hyuk was, there was nothing to be gained by making an enemy of the Director of Inspection. I hurriedly grabbed Joo Seung-hyuk’s hand and bowed politely.

“I will follow the Director’s words.”

“As expected, Guide Lee Yeon-soo is reasonable. He has been intelligent and patriotic since he was young. Unlike some people.”

I truly hate it when someone uses me to put someone else down. Moreover, it went without saying when the person being compared was Joo Seung-hyuk.

“Esper Joo Seung-hyuk is also a hero of South Korea, more outstanding than anyone.”

When I immediately took Joo Seung-hyuk’s side, the Director’s face crumpled once again. Though not as much as the Director, Park Geon-woo’s expression also stiffened.

“I have things to discuss with Esper Park Geon-woo, so please leave first.”

The order to leave was given. If it were the old me, I would have apologized, worrying about the Director’s mood. Regardless of who was right or wrong, I would have unconditionally said I was sorry and flattered him just to ease the atmosphere.

But now, I didn’t want to do that. As I bowed my head and prepared to leave with Joo Seung-hyuk, the Director added one last thing.

“And perform a matching rate test with Esper Joo Seung-hyuk as well. I’m told that data between S-Class users is necessary to check for abnormalities in Jin-hwan.”

“…Understood.”