Instant Kill, Time-Stop Spellcaster

Korea’s World Quest was cleared.

The people were overjoyed.

Both Awakened and ordinary citizens alike had been plagued by the strange crisis, and now it was finally resolved.

Many shared their happiness with family and friends.

“That was truly nerve-wracking.”

“This is the first time I’ve been so terrified of a gate collapse.”

“Yeah. I didn’t usually pay much attention before.”

The incident had changed people’s perceptions.

Gates, Awakened, and collapses—words that had become part of everyday life—were now recognized again for their importance.

“A nation’s strength really is tied to its Awakened force. Imagine if Seonghwa, Phantom, and the Perfect Clear Awakened hadn’t been here.”

“We’d better vote wisely in the next election.”

“Absolutely. I’ll only vote for parties that promise to increase the budget for Awakened forces.”

“Well, I doubt any party would say no to that now.”

“Damn those traitors. Look at all the trouble they caused.”

Meanwhile, the guild “Palan” was being dismantled.

Its members scattered, and the top ten guilds quickly seized the remaining profits.

Though legal battles were ongoing, no one had hope for Palan’s future.

The evidence was overwhelming. Their leader, S-Class Park Cheol- woong, had died, leaving nothing but prison sentences for the remnants.

“Did you see the rewards for the World Quest?”

“Of course.”

Public interest in the Awakened was at an all-time high, and everyone was talking about the Perfect Clear Awakened, the hero of this crisis.

Especially the World Quest rewards.

“Man, what kind of weapon is the Hero’s Weapon?”

“Do you think it’s a relic used by heroes a hundred years ago?”

“That would be legendary.”

“Can’t the government show us the rewards just once?”

The Hero’s Legacy was highly symbolic. It wasn’t for nothing that the arrival of the S-Class Word Mage had drawn so much attention.

“Wow, and the Perfect Clear Awakened got it.”

“That’s how it should be. The right person got it.”

However, celebration didn’t last long.

A new World Quest had been generated, this time on a global scale.

Countries moved quickly, first reassuring their citizens.

“French citizens, rest assured.”

“Proud Britain has safely resolved two World Quests since our nation’s founding.”

“Even neighboring Korea cleared a World Quest.”

“Global disasters will only serve to strengthen the union of our federation.”

This time, public unrest was less intense than it had been in Korea. The incident was too vast to comprehend, and nations emphasized humanity’s resilience, projecting an air of calm.

Governments minimized the crisis’s severity as much as possible. Panic would only make matters worse.

People assumed, “The government will take care of it,” except in two nations.

└ Why does our country seem the most worried?

└ Now’s not the time to worry about others.

└ If they get hit with two consecutive collapses, they’ll finally realize, ‘Oh no, we’re doomed.’

└ Our country acted the same way at the start.

└ Is the Korean Peninsula really safe? We already cleared the quest.

└ I’ve witnessed two collapses during this crisis. I can’t even sleep properly.

└ You survived two? You should buy a lottery ticket.

Japan experienced constant protests, reminiscent of Korea’s public outcry at the height of its crisis.

“The current cabinet must resolve this immediately!”

“Secure a blessing quickly!”

“Hold Korea accountable and bring over the Perfect Clear Awakened!”

Japan had already tasted the bitterness of collapse. Their fragile sense of security was now overtaken by the looming threat of a World Quest.

The Japanese government, like others, tried to placate public opinion, but anxiety was hard to quell.

Though governments downplayed the topic of blessings, they were frantically contacting Korea behind the scenes.

“Of course.” Kang Hyun nodded.

If only words weren’t their only solution.

Despite official statements, people preferred the quickest, proven solution: blessings.

After all, Korea had completed its quest just yesterday.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is going to have a hard time.”

“How much?”

“Of course.”

Korea would receive a discount—it was his home, after all. His family was there. And based on past experience, maintaining good relations with his home country made life much easier.

‘Besides, I already installed plenty of blessings before negotiations even started.’

Charging full price would practically be extortion.

“How much is it?”

<10 billion.>

“…Excuse me?”

Even with 8 billion in cash, Kang Hyun was stunned into silence.

“That’s so unreal I feel dizzy.”

Wait, just the blessings in Korea alone…

At half price, that was… 2.05 trillion.

Oh my god.

“Wow… 2 trillion… What do I even do with that?”

<…I’m envious.>

“What was that?”

He had zoned out and missed it. He had enough money now to buy any rare elixir.

Maybe it was time to shop once things settled down.

‘I should’ve bought Mom a better purse and Dad some top-tier liquor.’

He recalled a time when his parents had worried about Kang Subin’s college tuition.

‘Now those small worries are over.’

Retirement was soon in order for his parents.

His father had always dreamed of opening a quiet bar when he got older.

‘Will he manage it if I just give him the money? Should I help? I’m terrible at business, though.’

Kang Hyun noticed a smile creeping across his face.

It wasn’t his first time finding success. Kyle’s previous status had been beyond comparison to this.

But this was the first time he felt true contentment—expecting happiness for others because of his success.

As an orphan, Kyle could never have understood this.

It was a feeling that only Kang Hyun, raised in a happy, ordinary family, could have.

‘I should’ve paid more attention to the people around me in my past life.’

Of course, doing so back then would have meant never achieving the Black World Tree’s seal.

Still, he regretted missing out on nearby happiness.

‘Suddenly, I miss that guy.’

Park Cheol-woong’s words echoed in his mind.

Indeed. There was no turning back now.

‘All I can do is cherish what’s here now.’

He wouldn’t make the same mistakes again.

“Oh, sorry. Got lost in thought. What did you say?”

“Really?”

That was good news. It was exhausting when leaders were hostile.

‘Why, though? Is it just because I’m a citizen?’

He’d find out when they eventually met.

“Sure. Take care.”

He hung up and returned to work.

He felt a strange sensation and turned around.

Aden was staring at him, mouth agape.

“Two… trillion….”

“…What?”

“Steak… Wagyu beef….”

“More meat? Don’t you ever get tired of it?”

“That’s an impossible proposition.”

It was as if she had been programmed with “Big money = steak outing.”

He needed to introduce her to some other delicious dishes.

“Let me just finish this up, and we’ll head out.”

“Yay!”

Aden returned to her task of sorting through elixirs scattered across the floor.

“Wow, such a waste. Where are we even going to use all this?”

They had earned 23 boxes from clearing the Korean quest. All opened.

Much fewer than the number of blessings installed.

‘Five per day must’ve been the limit.’

No more rewards came after five Perfect Clears per day.

Still, they had received two silver boxes as a 10-clear reward.

And the result?

“Bronze boxes feel underwhelming now.”

“Right?”

It was disappointing. Only one elixir was usable.

There was no helping it, though. His only remaining E-level stat was Health.

The D-level elixirs would start appearing in the silver boxes.

“Blegh.”

Ding!

[Health has increased. (E+ → D-)]

He checked his stats.

[Stats]

Strength: D-

Agility: D

Endurance: D-

Health: D-

Magic: D+

All his stats had now reached D-level.

‘No word-based abilities at all, though. Was my past luck just that good?’

“We’ll hold off on opening the World Quest rewards.”

“Yes, today doesn’t seem like the day.”

They feared a streak of bad luck. Better to wait.

“Steak!”

“Okay, okay.”

Aden dragged him toward the same steakhouse they had visited last time.

“Now, we’ll commence the emergency summit hosted by the Global Supernatural Alliance (GSA).”

Chief Choi Young-ho, who was timid and deferential to those in power, trembled as he listened to the opening declaration.

‘Why am I even here…?’

The room was packed with representatives from various nations.

Many sent delegates, but several presidents and prime ministers were also present.

Someone tapped his shoulder. Choi flinched.

It was the South Korean president, Kwon Dong-cheol.

“Do well. Your role is very important.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Why had they chosen him instead of the Awakened Bureau chief?

Choi just wanted to go home.

“The agenda is ‘Discussing Solutions for the Dungeon Crisis’ and ‘Determining the Blessing Installation Sequence.’”

He felt countless eyes on him.

Choi just wanted to clock out.