WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: DereKimchi
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Abandoned Tank is a Disaster-class Awakener ◈
Chapter 7
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A grin spread across my face.
Damn, I couldn't stop the corners of my mouth from rising.
Why was I in such a good mood?
There was no need to think about it.
I had brought Mr. Kang to America.
The world's first Awakener, a pioneer who had set first-clear records from the first floor through the thirtieth.
That alone was an incredible achievement.
But then what happened?
Once we brought him over, we discovered an unexpected bonus no one had known about: he had undergone an Evolutionary Awakening and become a Super Novice.
Not long ago, I had seen that power for myself.
Even after Eric Halvorsen, one of America's finest, had pushed a Berserker's battle high to its peak, Kang Seong-un had crushed him through sheer strength.
Every time I thought of it, I smiled.
'They were going to make someone like him an instructor.'
The Korean Awakeners Association's personnel policy was far too profound for me to understand.
Still, America had picked him up because of it, so I had no intention of complaining.
"Chairman, we've arrived."
"We're here already."
I got out of the car and adjusted my tie.
The headquarters of the Korean Awakeners Association towered before me.
The Korean Awakeners Association was always counted among the world's best.
Normally, this would not have been a particularly welcome building, but today it looked quite pleasing.
'Don't smile.'
I was here to negotiate.
No matter how good I felt, I needed to maintain a minimum level of dignity.
I lowered the corners of my mouth, but my reflection in the lobby's glass doors was still smiling.
Well, what could I do if they would not go down?
With a smile on my face, I followed an employee to the conference room on the top floor.
Creak.
When the door opened, Park Gang-sik and several key executives were waiting inside.
Park Gang-sik, seated at the head of the table, had an especially sharp gaze.
Park Gang-sik looked as though they were staring at a thief who had stolen a family treasure.
Ah, was that really wrong?
I had taken something rather precious from Korea.
"Welcome, Chairman Miller."
Park Gang-sik rose from his seat first.
"I didn't expect you to come to Korea yourself."
His words were razor-sharp.
"I didn't expect to return so soon, either."
I smiled and shook his hand.
"Korea always seems wonderful whenever I visit."
At my answering jab, Park Gang-sik's gaze hardened slightly.
"I'm glad you were satisfied. By the way, America must be more generous than I thought when it comes to judging people."
As expected, he went straight for the throat.
"Kang Seong-un's naturalization. Congratulations, but he was an Awakener Korea had already judged to have lost much of his competitive edge. You must have been quite desperate."
"Is that so?"
I briefly put on a surprised expression.
"Then this worked out well for both of us."
Park Gang-sik's eyebrow moved slightly.
"Worked out well?"
"America has taken the surplus manpower Korea considered fit to use as an instructor."
I smiled as calmly as I could.
"America cannot afford that kind of luxury yet. Someone who led the first clears through the thirtieth floor should be worked a little harder in the field."
The expressions of not only Park Gang-sik, but also the association executives, began to stiffen.
"Being first does not guarantee skill forever."
"That's right."
I agreed immediately.
"Which is why I checked his skill as well."
"..."
"Fortunately, it seems there is no need to worry."
Damn, I was so excited that I had talked too much.
Since this was a negotiation, I said no more.
It was enough to let them know that America was making good use of the person they had thrown away.
Park Gang-sik lightly tapped the table with his fingers.
"Did you come here today just to boast about Kang Seong-un?"
"That might be entertaining, but."
This damned mouth.
"Let's do that next time."
"..."
"Today, I came to propose a deal."
Only then did the atmosphere change.
A probing look entered Park Gang-sik's eyes.
"A deal."
"Yes."
I placed the documents I had prepared on the table.
"I would like to receive two items held by the Korean Association."
Park Gang-sik pulled the documents closer and checked them.
"...?"
Then he wore a puzzled expression.
Naturally.
『Black-Iron Armor』
『Black-Iron Greaves』
The relics listed in the documents.
Both were relics held by the Korean Awakeners Association.
However.
『RANK E』
Both relics had received the lowest possible importance rating.
The reason?
They were too heavy.
Several strong men had to work together just to move the Black-Iron Armor, and even lifting one Black-Iron Greave was difficult for an ordinary Awakener.
Several tanks with high Strength had tried to wear them, but the results had all been the same.
Scrap metal so heavy it was difficult to even move in place.
Nor did they have any confirmed special effects.
Nothing had been properly discovered about them except for their abnormally high durability.
Questioning the items I had requested, Park Gang-sik looked up from the documents.
"You want these?"
"That's right."
"May I ask why?"
"You could say they caught my interest."
Damn.
It was a joke, but the atmosphere turned cold again.
I lightly cleared my throat and continued.
"In return, the terms of the deal will be more than satisfactory."
At my gesture, the employee who had come with me placed an equipment list on the table.
Park Gang-sik's gaze changed after turning the first page.
『White Guardian Armor』
『White Guardian Greaves』
Top-tier heavy armor actually used by Vanguard tanks.
They were among the finest defensive equipment currently confirmed.
They were relics with not only high defense, but also verified impact-dispersal and mana-resistance effects.
And they were being exchanged one for one, armor for armor and greaves for greaves.
Park Gang-sik checked the documents again.
"A one-for-one exchange?"
"Yes."
Until now, the Black-Iron Armor and Black-Iron Greaves had been known as useless relics.
Of course, they had not been considered that way from the beginning.
They were among the current top-tier relics, obtainable from the twenty-fifth floor and above, so people had tried to find a use for them somehow. But no one had succeeded.
In contrast, the White Guardian armor we offered was proven top-tier defensive gear that could immediately be equipped by Korea's front-line tanks.
Their prices were difficult to even compare.
Park Gang-sik studied the documents for a while before suddenly looking at me.
Then a small smile slowly appeared on his lips.
He looked like he had reached a conclusion.
"How strange."
"What is?"
"This White Guardian armor."
He tapped the documents with his fingertips.
"Wasn't it originally a relic prepared for Kang Seong-un?"
So he knew after all.
Well, we had recently started gathering tank relics, so he could not help connecting them to Mr. Kang.
"That's right."
I did not deny it.
"But you are trying to dispose of the relic not long after taking him away?"
Park Gang-sik's smile deepened.
"It seems he did not live up to expectations after all."
The executives in the conference room also began to look more relaxed.
"..."
But I offered no comment.
I let them think what they wanted.
Park Gang-sik seemed to take that as confirmation.
"Well."
He leaned back in his chair.
"His title as the world's first may be impressive, but he is still a Novice."
Ha ha.
I laughed inwardly.
Not long ago, that Novice had overwhelmed one of the world's finest Berserkers, but there was no reason to tell him that.
If they continued running the association this foolishly, it would only benefit us.
Park Gang-sik continued.
"So are you planning to move him from the front lines to research now?"
"Research?"
"The Black-Iron Armor and Black-Iron Greaves still have no known effects."
He laughed quietly.
"It seems that since he produced no results, you plan to cling to equipment and study that instead."
There was open mockery in his voice.
"How American."
"..."
"Even if you fall behind in climbing the Tower, your research facilities are excellent, aren't they?"
Several executives laughed quietly.
"It seems that this time as well, rather than clearing it yourselves, you intend to find the answer in a laboratory."
He had picked a sore spot and stabbed right at it.
After the two destruction beams, America had fallen behind in the Vanguard competition, pouring vast capital into research and equipment development to close the gap.
It was also something Korea had mocked repeatedly.
"..."
I looked at Park Gang-sik for a moment.
Seeing that face, I knew for certain.
This man thought he had won.
America had taken Kang Seong-un, only to realize his limits too late.
We were trying to dispose of useless top-tier heavy armor and take Korea's unconfirmed equipment for research.
That was the story he had put together.
'Oh, thank you.'
It was wonderful.
"If that is what you think."
I smiled and lifted my teacup.
"I'm grateful."
Park Gang-sik's smile stopped for a moment.
"What do you mean?"
"It's nothing."
I took a sip of tea.
"America, which only clings to research, is offering two fine pieces of heavy armor for two useless pieces of equipment."
I set down the teacup and smiled.
"There is no particular reason for the Korean Association to refuse, is there?"
"..."
Park Gang-sik stared at me.
His doubts remained.
Naturally.
When someone offered overly favorable terms in a negotiation, anyone would wonder about the catch at least once.
But even so, I had to do it.
For one thing, Black-Iron equipment itself could only be obtained from the twenty-fifth floor and above, and there were still unanswered questions about it.
That was why, even if it aroused suspicion, I had no choice but to show a definite hand.
So I leaned back in my chair even more comfortably.
"Of course, if you don't want it, we'll leave."
"..."
"We have nothing to lose."
At those words, Park Gang-sik's gaze changed.
If we pressed him, Park Gang-sik would grow suspicious.
If we let it go, Park Gang-sik would want it.
Before him were two chunks of iron that no one could use.
In return, he would receive two pieces of top-tier heavy armor that could immediately strengthen two Korean Vanguard tanks.
The calculation was too easy.
Park Gang-sik finally set down the documents.
"We will review the terms a little further."
That was what he said, but his voice had already given me the answer.
I laughed inwardly.
'Yes, review them all you want.'
And if possible, I hoped he would keep thinking that way to the end.
That Kang Seong-un had a problem.
That America had come looking for toys to research.
That way, when he later learned the true value of the Black-Iron Armor and Black-Iron Greaves, his expression would be far more enjoyable to see.
* * *
I met Miller again several days later.
Several large storage cases I had never seen before were lined up behind Miller.
"As requested."
Miller looked over the cases as he spoke.
"We have secured all the Black-Iron equipment from around the world."
The employees released the locks.
Click.
When the thick lids opened, the dull sheen unique to black metal was revealed.
Black-Iron Helmet.
Black-Iron Armor.
Black-Iron Greaves.
Black-Iron Gloves.
Black-Iron Boots.
Black-Iron Shield.
And even a Black-Iron Greatsword as tall as a person.
Seven relics in total.
I slowly approached the cases.
In truth, there was nothing impressive about their appearance alone.
They had no fancy decorations, and they did not glow even when mana was poured into them.
Their surfaces were simply rough and black, making them look less like valuable Tower equipment and more like chunks of iron tossed into the corner of a forge.
Then there was their weight.
Even one Black-Iron Boot had to be lifted with both hands by most Awakeners, while the armor required specialized transport equipment.
So evaluations were similar around the world.
A failed product that was needlessly heavy.
Scrap metal whose performance could not even be confirmed.
Miller looked at the Black-Iron Armor before asking me,
"But are these items really worth that much?"
It had been my request from the beginning to gather the Black-Iron equipment.
Therefore,
"Yes."
I did not hesitate.
"The world will know soon enough."
"Know what?"
I placed my hand on the rough surface of the Black-Iron Armor.
The feel of cold metal passed into my palm.
"That this is not equipment no one could use because it was heavy."
Miller narrowed his eyes.
"Then?"
"They are restricted relics."
"Restricted from being equipped?"
"There are relics whose true abilities do not activate unless the wearer has stats above a certain level."
That concept was not yet known in this era.
If someone wore or touched them without meeting the required stats, they simply felt abnormally heavy.
And it would still be another two or three years before that secret was discovered.
Miller turned his gaze toward the Black-Iron Greatsword.
"Then these as well..."
"Yes. They are restricted relics."
"What are the requirements?"
"Seventy in each stat."
"...Seventy?"
"Yes."
It was natural for them to be surprised.
At this point in time, even requiring seventy in a single stat was an absurd number.
"Then..."
I grabbed the Black-Iron Armor.
The enormous iron armor, which had previously required several people to move, rose in my hand as lightly as could be.
"Yes."
The corners of my mouth rose.
"The only person in the world who can probably wear this now."
I looked at Miller.
"Is me."
Gulp.
Miller swallowed dryly.
"...Still, just in case, would you like to try wearing it?"
"Let's do that."
I looked at Miller, who seemed more nervous than I was, and slipped my arms into the Black-Iron Armor.
Click.
Heavy metal wrapped around my body.
It was a weight that would make it difficult for an ordinary Awakener to even stand, but with my Strength at 102, it was not particularly heavy.
Click, click!
I put on the greaves and boots, then the gloves.
Finally, I pulled on the helmet and looked at the two remaining relics.
A shield and a greatsword.
Equipment that normally could not coexist.
Relics had rules.
Weapons classified as two-handed could never be equipped together with a shield or sub-weapon.
Just like a game, equipping them together was impossible.
If you tried to force it, they repelled each other like magnets with matching poles.
But this Black-Iron Shield and Black-Iron Greatsword were different.
Clack.
I held the shield in my left hand.
With my right, I gripped the Black-Iron Greatsword's handle and lifted it.
Thud.
The tip of the greatsword left the floor.
A familiar system sound rang in my mind.
[Checking the wearer's stats.]
[Strength 70 or higher.]
[Agility 70 or higher.]
[Health 70 or higher.]
[All conditions have been met.]
[Confirmed simultaneous equipping of seven Black-Iron equipment types.]
[The hidden equipment combination has been completed.]
[The Black-Iron Armament set has been activated.]
At that moment.
Bzzzzz!
Faint red lines spread across the pitch-black metal surfaces.
The equipment that had seemed like dead chunks of metal vibrated low, as if it had gained a heart.
From the helmet to the armor.
From the armor to the gloves and greaves.
Finally, the same energy connected the shield and greatsword.
Miller's eyes widened.
"This is...?!"
I immediately checked the information that appeared.
【Black-Iron Armament Set】
All Stats +30%
Final Defense +50%
You can use Dominating Aura (覇氣), the unique skill of Black-Iron equipment.
The moment I saw that information.
'As expected.'
The corners of my mouth rose on their own.
A stat increase that was rarely seen, and a full thirty percent at that.
As a result, my Strength reached 132, my Agility 130, and my Health 195.
That alone was an insane set of numbers.
But the truly terrifying part was something else.
The Black-Iron Armor's defense was already higher than the finest heavy armor of this era.
Then, with the helmet, greaves, gloves, boots, and shield added, the final defense was boosted by another fifty percent.
It was literally an iron wall.
And it was not merely sturdy defense.
I moved my right hand.
Whoosh!
The person-sized Black-Iron Greatsword lightly cut through the air in one hand.
I could maintain overwhelming defense while using the greatsword's powerful attack strength without compromise.
'There was an uproar when this was discovered in my previous life.'
The Black-Iron Armament was originally supposed to be discovered by China first.
Thanks to it, China had risen beyond Korea to the ranks of the strongest Awakener nations. But now, that glory would go to America.
I raised the shield in front of me and lifted the greatsword with one hand.
Clack.
The heavy blade rested over my shoulder.
At last, the form I had wanted was complete.
I could endure getting hit.
I could strike while enduring.
And even that attack power would not fall behind most damage dealers.
A combat style with no need to distinguish between tanks and damage dealers.
Miller was speechless for a moment before finally opening his mouth.
"...I am certain again."
"About what?"
"That through Mr. Kang, America will rise to the ranks of the great Awakener nations."
As Miller said, America had always lagged behind in my previous life.
It had lost too many people through two failures, and no matter how much money and technology it poured in, it could never quite close the gap.
But this time was different.
America had accepted me after Korea threw me away.
At my request, it had willingly invested astronomical sums to bring even the equipment other countries had left in their warehouses.
It was only natural that I meet those expectations.
"Chairman."
"Yes, Mr. Kang."
"Thank you for accepting my unreasonable request."
"Unreasonable? We only put in a little effort. Of course, it was something we had to do for you."
Yes.
A homeland did not have to be the place where one was born.
The place that truly believed in me and supported me could be called another homeland.
"Now all preparations are complete."
"Then..."
I looked past the training room, toward where America's Tower stood.
"Now, it is time to catch up to Korea..."
No, I take that back.
"...It is time for America to surpass them and return to the ranks of the world's strongest nations."
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