“Morning arrived once again…” Do-Yun opened his eyes to the alarm blaring in his ears.

The day started with a cold shower and some sunny-side-up eggs with toast. He didn’t have the energy to do much more but left for the gym anyway.

On his way, he felt numerous gazes on him. This had nothing to do with his face shown in one of the most shared videos on Metube. Most of them wouldn’t be able to make out that it was him unless they saw him from close by.

So, when he arrived at the Gym the reason for the many eyes that focused on the road. A military jeep stood outside, and for the on-edge public, the last thing they wanted to see in their area was this.

“Did some gate open in the surroundings? Is what I would think if I didn’t know any better.” With a smile, Do-Yun entered the gym.

Near the reception, he saw two individuals in military uniform. However, the more catching point turned out to be their eyes.

“H-Hyung!” Byung-ho was like a lost ship that finally found land.

“We meet again Lee Do-Yun-nim. My name is Park Chan-Yeol, and this is Ryu Ji-Hu captain of the 1st Awakened Squad.” Chan-Yeol greeted him with a smile.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Ji-Hu had a more serious nature as opposed to Chan-Yeol. But that didn’t matter in the slightest because they had the same objective.

‘They arrived at last.’ Do-Yun smiled.

“Shall we get to the point?” He asked.

Chan-Yeol didn’t expect Do-Yun to cut into the heart of the matter that quick. He thought they might sit down and have some small talk so they could ask the question in an amicable situation. But, that wasn’t possible.

“I would appreciate that.” And Ryu Ji-Hu wasn’t one to waste time either.

“So, I’d assume that you are aware of why we came here?” His question received a nod, “Then may I have your answer.”

Do-Yun bent his knees slightly, he slowly turned in their direction.

“I refuse.”

The words hung in the air as silence reigned over the room. They didn’t expect such a straight refusal, however…

“Was the pose necessary?” Ji-Hu pushed his glasses up.

“Oh! You got the reference? Looks like you aren’t as uptight as you try to look, huh?” Do-Yun laughed.

“So, that is your real answer?” Ji-Hu asked.

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

‘Huh? That’s it?’ Chan-Yeol couldn’t contain his shock which made Do-Yun chuckle.

“It looks like you didn’t fill in your guy on the situation.”

“There was not much time to do so,” Ji-Hu said.

“What do you mean Colonel?” Chan-Yeol felt lost.

“Well, the main reason for your visit doesn’t involve my recruitment. The colonel’s priority is information, isn’t that right?” Do-Yun pulled a chair from the corner and sat down.

“That is correct, the recruitment stayed in the back of my mind as the best-case scenario.” Ji-Hu sat down on the chair provided by the bewildered Chan-Yeol. Even then this wasn’t the time to think about that.

“We can still make this a best-case scenario if you want.” Do-Yun smiled.

“How so?” Ji-Hu wanted to know what he went on in his head. He was curious from the moment Do-Yun went into a silent period after defeating two Last Monsters alone.

“Instead of making this one-time information exchange, why don’t we take it a step further?”

“That depends on what type of information you demand.”

"I need detailed information about all Gates that have appeared cleared or not, and anything you have found on the Tower.”

“Are you sure that is all?” Ji-Hu thought that request was rather lackluster.

“Well, think on a bigger scale.” Do-Yun smiled as a change occurred on Ji-Hu’s face.

“You want gate locations from all over South Korea?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Yes, I know that you must already be keeping track of that. I mean your information gathering is rather solid to reach me that fast. So, I would assume that you have put this into practice.” Do-Yun planned to ask this of the first people who came to him.

“You are correct.” Ji-Hu nodded. This was Baek-Hyeon’s first task when he joined, he deemed it necessary and took action, “But we do not have any information on the towers, and as obvious as it is other countries have kept their lips sealed so far.”

“Don’t you guys have spies in the other countries? Or was it just the movies?” Do-Yun asked but Ji-Hu shook his head.

“They are exaggerated. So far we have received nothing.”

“I see, tell me when you find something.” Ji-Hu agreed with a nod and leaned forward.

“Then I’ll ask my questions now. What do you know about different types of energies?”

“Heh, you’re going with a heavy hitter from the start.” Do-Yun laughed before raising his fingers, “There are five, would you like a more detailed explanation?”

‘So that’s how it will be, huh? But I prefer it this way.’ Ji-Hu nodded.

“The first one is common Magic Energy which is base unrefined form. The other four are refined forms of this energy in one way or another. Mages convert it into Mana and form circles. Healers convert it into Divine Power in the stigma inside their brains. Martial Artists and knights turn it into Aura circulating it around their hearts. And lastly, Psychics convert it into Psion and sort it in the special organ that is formed in their brains.” This was elementary-level knowledge to Do-Yun, but to Earthlings who have stepped into the Realm of Supernatural.

‘This is big!’ Chan-Yeol jotted it down on his notepad. This information would help them big time, ‘We didn’t even know that there were two more types of energy.’

The army was only aware of three and that too was gathered by the efforts of the Awakened Squads. There was no help from the outside as everyone was hoarding information.

“So, which one do you use?” And Ji-Hu was no different.

“Woah! I thought your question would be how I know this.”

“I can ask that, but there is no guarantee you’ll tell me your source for that cheap.”

“Then what makes you think that I’ll tell you about what makes me powerful?”

“Because you have another request, right?” Ji-Hu stated.

From the moment he started to talk with Do-Yun—No, even before that he could feel it. He wasn’t one to chase fame and fortune. If he wanted that there were plenty of opportunities to step up as the Mysterious hero who saved people.

‘He could’ve stayed at the site and waited for others to find out what he did, or he could’ve come out to the public after the release of the portrait.’ But Do-Yun decided to leave in silence and wait even after his face was out in the open. ‘He wasn’t waiting for someone to offer him money, what he needed was information and a connection with the government.’

Ji-Hu’s guess turned out to be correct. Do-Yun asked for information about the gates and the tower. With the way things were going, there was only one thing he could ask from him.

“The permit to enter those Gates that are under Military supervision,” It was his luck that the First Awakened Squad was the first one to track him down.

“Well, you got me.” Do-Yun laughed but he never hid his true intentions from the start.

“To answer the question what I use is Magical Energy.”

“Is that so?” Ji-Hu frowned.

“No need to look so doubtful. That is what I use whether you believe me or not is up to you.” Do-Yun shrugged.

“Then what about the energy on Jam-Sil Gate's Last Monster? Was it not yours?” Chan-Yeol asked but he flinched when Ji-Hu gave him a side-eye.

“Haha, no need to stare him down. I know you are feeling a bit cheated by my answer, so I’ll give you the answer.” Do-Yun leaned onto the chair.

“Well, I don’t see a problem.” Ji-Hu looked away from Chan-Yeol.

‘Phew* saved…to be honest who am I kidding.’ A wry smile formed on his lips when he saw Ji-Hu’s left foot tap away at the ground, ‘Oh god have mercy.’

Thankfully Do-Yun brought that attention to himself.

“So, about the Aura on that goblin. It wasn’t mine.”

“Did you have some sort of assistance then?” Ji-Hu asked.

“No No, why are we going the hard way?” Do-Yun smiled.

It was like Ji-Hu didn’t want to accept the possibility. But, running around in circles would cause more damage.

“You mean to say that the lingering energy on the Last Monster of Jam-sil Gate is his own?” Ji-Hu pinched the bridge of his nose.

The monsters Ji-hu has faced so far only used Magic energy as the source for their skills. When Na-Young described the new type of energy, the only natural conclusion for him was that it belonged to Do-Yun.

‘Does that mean there is a chance that these monsters can use the other types of energies too?’ Byung-Ho’s eyes widened when Do-Yun gave him a nod.

‘A monster that can heal and use magic… that’s problematic…’ This increased the potential dangers of the Gate further.

“I am sure you’ve already got the color system down, right? Be sure to stick to it religiously when it comes to the Gates. That is all.” Ji-Hu noticed the good-natured smile on Do-Yun’s face and sighed.

“Now I really want to know the source of your information.” At a time like this, information became the most important commodity.

“Haha, if you bring something of value maybe I’ll tell you.” That is why it came with a price.

“I’ll hold you two it.” Ji-Hu stood up and put his hand forward.

“Sure Sure.” Do-Yun shook the hand and the two smiled.

This looked like the start of a long-term partnership. The Korean Wall and The Mysterious Hero, truly a combination that could only bring protection and good for the people. But Chan-Yeol wiped the cold sweat off his brow.

‘Why do they look so menacing?’

“Then I expect you don’t lose,” Do-Yun said.

“It would be weird if I did lose now.” Ji-Hu can’t see things go awry now.

“Good, everyone likes a confident guy, go break a leg.” Do-Yun patted his shoulder and walked towards the rack in the corner.

“Let’s go Chan-Yeol.” Ji-Hu exited the Gym now that he accomplished his goal.

“Ah yes sir.” Chan-Yeol wanted to leave but he turned to his left, “Take care Byung-Ho. Let’s meet again if possible.”

“Oh… Yes, you take care too Chan-Yeol Hyung.” Byung-Ho bowed as Chan-Yeol left quickly.

‘The air was so tense, but Hyung talked with Colonel Ryu like it was nothing.’ Do-Yun’s level rose in Byung-Ho’s mind even more.

He knew so much about the monsters and their abilities. Even more than the military of the country, this was an impressive feat in itself but then came his fighting capabilities.

‘But wouldn’t it be better to join the Awakened Squad?’ Byung-Ho didn’t understand why Do-Yun would turn that down offer.

He saw Do-Yun start his usual routine. The weight of the plates bent the bar, but he continued to push forward.

‘Well, Hyung knows better than me so I shouldn’t think about it.’

However, another person asked a similar question to him.

“Wouldn’t it have been better if Colonel pushed a little more so that he would join?”