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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Heavenly Demon Goes to the Awakener Registration Center
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The health center was built in a boundary zone where the shield was visible, far from the city center.
Getting out of the car, the Heavenly Demon suddenly looked up at the sky.
Above the cloudless sky, a transparent, glass-like light shimmered.
It was the shield's glow, clearly visible to the naked eye now that they were close to the dungeon area—something impossible to see properly from the city.
"Hmm. The issuance..."
Jang Chaewon entered the health center and looked at the comprehensive information board on one side of the first-floor wall.
"Ah, second floor."
The two took the elevator to the second floor and entered a large office where dozens of staff members were seated.
"Um, we're here to get a health checkup result issued."
At Jang Chaewon's words, a young man sitting at the front of the office handed over a single sheet of paper.
"Just fill this out."
"Yes."
As Jang Chaewon took the paper and reached for a pen, her handbag rang with a shrill phone tone.
"Hello? Ah, yes. Boss."
Answering the call while hurriedly filling out the form, Jang Chaewon's eyes widened.
"Yes? Water's leaking? From the bathroom we worked on a few days ago?"
After listening with a stiff face for a while, she nodded.
"Yes, yes, got it. I'll head there right now."
She hurriedly ended the call and handed the paper she was holding to the Heavenly Demon.
"This is the fully filled-out form. I have to go to the site for a bit, so get the checkup done while I'm gone."
"This Lord does not know the method."
"Don't worry. Just hand over this paper, and they'll handle the checkup and issue the results automatically."
Checking the time on her phone, Jang Chaewon waved as she headed out.
"I'll be back by the time the checkup's done, so just wait a little."
"Hmm."
The Heavenly Demon looked at the paper, then turned around with a resigned expression.
But in the meantime, the young man who had been sitting there was no longer at his seat.
He stood silently for over fifteen minutes, but the young man showed no sign of returning.
"Hmm."
Letting out a low hum, the Heavenly Demon stepped outside. Just as he was about to look around.
"Can I help you with something?"
A clear female voice came from behind. Turning around, he saw a young woman in her twenties holding a stack of documents.
"Were you speaking to this Lord?"
Muscles so massive and sharp that even a heavyweight bodybuilder couldn't match them, eyes dyed red like burning charcoal... An appearance that would send anyone running in terror if encountered at night.
But the woman calmly stared at the Heavenly Demon, then suddenly waved her hands as if realizing something.
"What are you doing standing here?"
"What do you mean?"
"Have you finished filling out the form?"
The Heavenly Demon glanced at the paper he held and nodded.
"Indeed. The shopkeeper filled it all out."
"Then hurry to the building across the way. It's almost time."
"The building across?"
"Yes. Go out, cross the parking lot, and you'll see it right there."
At the woman's urgent words, the Heavenly Demon nodded.
"I see. My thanks."
Watching the Heavenly Demon dash off, the woman sighed.
"They built the buildings identically on purpose... So many people still get confused."
The Heavenly Demon rushed downstairs and ran to the large building visible on the opposite side.
Not late yet, people of various ages, genders, and outfits were gathered in a crowd out front.
"No need to rush."
An old man chuckled upon seeing the hurriedly arriving Heavenly Demon.
His short hair was streaked with white, but his back was straight, and solid muscles rippled across his body.
"You'll just go in order anyway."
At the old man's words, the Heavenly Demon narrowed his eyes.
'These are all the people here for health checkups?'
It was completely different from what Jang Chaewon had confidently said: 'It'll be quick.'
The old man pointed at the paper in the Heavenly Demon's hand and blinked.
"Why are you holding the form? You didn't submit it and came straight here?"
When the Heavenly Demon nodded, the old man stroked his chin and whispered lowly.
"No point submitting the form now. They lose them all the time here. Get your rank first, then they'll tell you to submit it later."
Rank. They even ranked health?
The Heavenly Demon nodded and tucked the form into his bosom. The old man smiled warmly.
"It's fine. It'll work out."
The old man gave a friendly look toward the Heavenly Demon, who was clad in his Blood Demon Battle Robe.
Come to think of it, the woman from the previous building and this old man too—their reactions were different from ordinary citizens who fled in panic at mere eye contact.
"Ah, I awakened with just this body, no skills."
Seeing the puzzled Heavenly Demon, the old man flexed his sturdy forearm.
"A bit late in life, but still."
Just then, a sharp male voice came from inside the building.
"Alright, we're starting. Please enter slowly."
"It's starting now. Good luck to you too."
Before heading inside, the old man lightly patted the Heavenly Demon's log-like forearm.
His expression was so friendly and natural that the Heavenly Demon unwittingly nodded.
Following the long line through the building led to a large machine encircling the corridor walls.
A woman at the front passed toward the machine, and it flashed with an emotionless female voice.
[Physical Awakening Rate: 39%]
"Ah, you have an explosion-type skill. Please go to the explosion skill testing room at the end of the second-floor hallway first."
[Physical Awakening Rate: 33%]
"No skills... Then head to the physical ability testing room on the third floor first."
[Physical Awakening Rate: 11%]
"Huh? Your physical awakening rate is quite low. Is your skill mental-type?"
The man standing before the machine occasionally asked questions to passersby.
He stared intently at the screen on the machine's side, directing people based on their awakening rates.
Finally, as everyone passed, the old man in front of the Heavenly Demon stepped forward.
[Physical Awakening Rate: 3%]
In that instant, the old man's face turned ashen after passing through the machine.
"3%?"
"Physical awakening rate below 10%. Please return."
At the man's firm words, the old man spoke in a trembling voice.
"Can't I at least get a proper check?"
"Sorry. Those below 10% awakening rate can't even take the test."
"I awakened... Why not? Look at this body at seventy. Who has muscles like mine?"
The old man tensed his body to show off, but the man shook his head.
"Even with an A-rank skill, below 10% physical awakening means no dungeon entry. Too many awakeners died relying only on skills without developed physical abilities."
"I know. But..."
The old man gritted his teeth.
He had lived in poverty his whole life, and recently, the miracle of awakening had come to him.
His body suddenly grew firm, easily lifting things he couldn't before. He could even hoist a car by hand.
'No... I must become an awakener.'
The old man's eyes blurred as he clenched his fists.
He had a granddaughter to support, left behind by his son and daughter-in-law who died in a traffic accident.
She always smiled brightly despite their modest life, a granddaughter precious as the apple of his eye...
Before heading to the Awakener Registration Center, he had stepped out to take her to kindergarten, beaming.
"You rascal. After today, Grandpa's an awakener, so I'll buy you lots of tasty things."
But his granddaughter, holding his hand, pouted and shook her head.
"I don't want that."
"Huh? What do you mean? Don't want it? As an awakener, Grandpa can enter dungeons and get expensive relics."
Blinking her big eyes, the granddaughter shook her head.
"I don't like Grandpa getting hurt. I like living poor like now better."
The old man's smiling eyes wavered like ripples.
Worn sneakers, threadbare socks peeking above, small scrapes visible here and there.
He had never properly provided clothes, food—anything for her.
The country offered some support, but to help her incompetent grandpa, his little granddaughter picked through trash with him.
For this kind, lovely girl, he had vowed to register as an awakener, even if his bones shattered...
"Um, sorry, elder.
The man's voice pulled the reminiscing old man back.
"Huh?"
"You need to step aside for the next person to be tested."
"Ah. Uh."
Lowering his head, the old man bit his lip.
"I thought at least 9th Grade Awakener... But I can't even get a rank."
He hadn't even dreamed of entering dungeons for relics.
But he hoped for at least 9th Grade to work as a porter in dungeon areas.
Dungeon porters earned more than average big-company salaries.
"Um, sorry, but..."
Turning to leave, the old man clasped his hands.
"Can't you check once more? The machine might be wrong. I haven't used full strength yet, fearing damage around."
"Sorry, we can't. Unless the machine's broken... It's already logged."
"Hmm."
The man bowed politely, and the old man smiled weakly.
"I see."
"Sorry, elder."
"No need for sorry. I didn't know my place. My apologies."
The old man turned sadly with a lonely smile. Then he saw the Heavenly Demon's massive, statue-like muscles.
"Indeed. You need a body like yours to be called an awakener."
Gazing powerlessly at the Heavenly Demon, the old man said.
"Good luck then."
"Next. Please pass through here?"
At the man's words, the Heavenly Demon stared at the machine. Then he calmly walked through slowly.
[Physical Awakening Rate: 1200%]
"Huh?"
Not just the man, but even the old man walking away turned back at the machine's female voice.
"Um, sorry, but could you pass through the machine once more?"
At the man's words, the Heavenly Demon turned and walked through again.
[Physical Awakening Rate: 1400%]
"Ah... It really is broken."
The man blinked at the screen.
The graphic of a human body was covered head to toe in red light indicating max physical awakening.
Average 1st Grade Awakener physical awakening was up to 200%.
Even with strength enhancement skills, 1st Grade couldn't exceed 300%.
"Seems the machine's broken..."
The troubled man sighed.
"Can't fix it right now... Go to the physical ability skill testing room on the third floor first? They can measure accurately there."
The Heavenly Demon pointed at the old man in the hallway.
"Broken, you say. Then that old man can be saved too."
"Yes? Ah..."
Scratching his cheek, the man nodded helplessly.
"Elder, go up to the third floor too. Need a precise test there."
"Th-thank you!"
The old man grinned widely, raising both hands.
Third floor. Physical Ability Testing Room.
Opening the door revealed a large space walled, floored, and ceiled entirely in gray cement.
In the center sat a glossy black spherical metal lump.
At the end was a small glass-walled office filled with various machines.
"Ex-excuse me."
At the old man's loud call, a woman emerged from the office.
"Ah, sorry."
A young woman in a white coat and glasses smiled, holding a small computer with a screen.
"Here for testing?"
"Yes."
The old man shrugged, and she pointed at the large metal lump.
"The test is simple. Lift that measuring device with both hands to gauge physical strength. Pure strength or strength enhancement skills are fine."
She tapped her computer, and the black metal sphere emitted a faint glow.
"But if your skill isn't strength enhancement, lift with pure strength first, then test skills separately. Otherwise, it registers as strength enhancement from your awakening skill."
"Got it."
The old man nodded crisply and looked at the Heavenly Demon.
"You first?"
The Heavenly Demon shook his head, so the old man grinned.
"Good, I'll go first then."
Rolling up his sleeves, the old man gripped the glowing orb with both arms.
Then he began lifting with all his might.
"Grraaah! Hraaaah!"
As he strained, beeps came from the woman's small computer screen.
But the rising pitch soon dropped low again.
"Measurement complete."
"How is it?"
At the old man's question, the woman's expression turned subtle as she checked the screen.
"90kg per arm... Equivalent to 3% physical awakening grade."
Same as the first-floor machine.
The old man nodded, head bowed.
"I see. Same result."
"No, it's different."
The silently listening Heavenly Demon shook his head.
"The elder doesn't know how to use his strength. Without internal energy, to draw out the body's power, one must regulate breathing, aligning body and spirit."
"Wh-what? What's that mean?"
The flustered old man didn't even notice the Heavenly Demon's informal speech.
"Simply put, prepare to maximize your existing power."
Raising his internal energy, the Heavenly Demon stared into the old man's eyes.
Though only ten years' worth from the Shrine God, it was enough for a light hypnotic technique.
"Won't be pleasant sights. Probably."
As the Heavenly Demon's voice shook the old man's mind.
"Grandpa! Grandpa!"
The moment their eyes met, the measuring device blazed before him, his young granddaughter pinned beneath.
"It hurts! So hot!"
"W-wait!"
Panicked, the old man instinctively lifted the device.
Sizzle—his forearm flesh melted instantly.
"Urgh."
Amid mind-numbing pain, he gritted his teeth and hoisted it.
"Waaah! It hurts so much!"
"Hraaaah!"
Seeing his granddaughter in agony, the old man summoned every ounce of soul and body to lift it.
His lift wasn't for measurement—it was the desperate will to burn everything to save her.
"No... Can't lose you too!"
"Grandpa!"
As her scream shook his ears.
Crack, crunch.
Bones twisting, his frame and muscles ballooned like balloons.
"Raaargh!"
He felt the flaming metal slowly rising. Then.
"Huh?"
The melting arm pain, roaring flames, granddaughter under the metal—all vanished.
"What in the world...?"
The bewildered old man looked around.
Then, the woman staring at the screen let out a surprised voice.
"650kg per arm... Equivalent to 39% physical awakening."
"39%? Me?"
The old man jumped, and she nodded.
"Yes. Did you use a skill?"
"No, no skills."
"Looks like muscle expansion strength enhancement skill. You can register as an 8th Grade Awakener with this."
"R-really?"
Stunned, the old man beamed at the Heavenly Demon.
"You heard? I'm an 8th Grade Awakener!"
"I heard."
"Elder, take this form to the first floor? You'll get your registration card."
The old man took the trembling paper.
"Th-thank you."
"No thanks needed."
"Um... I don't know what happened, but thanks to you..."
Turning, the old man tried to bow to the Heavenly Demon. But he passed by without looking.
"Done? Go quickly, elder."
"Huh? Uh."
Heading out, the old man raised a hand to the Heavenly Demon.
"F-fight! Do your best!"
"Next. Come lift it."
"Good."
Grinning, the Heavenly Demon gripped the metal with both arms.
He was curious about his raw physical strength without internal energy. No such machines in his Murim world.
"Here we go."
Baring his fangs, he lifted. Then.
Crack, crackle.
Cracks spiderwebbed the concrete floor under the device.
Simultaneously, the woman's screen blared beeps with flashing red lights.
As Blood Flame Radiance surged in the Heavenly Demon's eyes.
"Stop!"
A sharp shout—Jang Chaewon burst in, blocking him.
"Are you crazy? Put it down now!"
At her wild-eyed yell, the Heavenly Demon obediently set it down.
"You're late, shopkeeper."
"Shut up. Why are you getting an awakener test here?"
"Awakener test?"
The Heavenly Demon said calmly.
"Earlier, a woman at the place you entered saw this Lord and directed me here. Said I was quite late."
Only then did Jang Chaewon piece it together.
The health center clerk, seeing the inhuman brute, had sent him to the Awakener Registration Center across the way.
"Fine. This isn't the place, so let's go."
Grabbing the Heavenly Demon's hand, she bowed to the woman.
"Sorry. Some mix-up. Hohoho."
Watching them vanish like the wind, the woman glanced at the frozen monitor number.
The red-flashing screen showed an impossible '3,000%'.
"Hmm..."
Taking a deep breath, she stared, then shook her head.
"Broken, I guess."