The news reports were a symphony of chaos. Accusations flew between Lionheart and Golden Lion. Lee Jin-ho, Grandmaster of Lionheart, publicly denounced Golden Lion for their "unethical financial practices" and "malicious attempts to destabilize the Awakened market." Jung Ho-jun, Grandmaster of Golden Lion, retaliated with scathing condemnations of Lionheart's "incompetent dungeon management" and "dangerous negligence" regarding the Steel Fang Caverns anomaly. The public, usually reverent towards the S-rank guilds, was now gripped by a growing distrust.
In their hidden subway base, Min-jun observed the unfolding drama with a detached satisfaction. Professor Kim, hunched over his consoles, updated their intelligence reports. "They're tearing each other apart. Lionheart's internal security is hyper-focused on Golden Lion, and vice-versa. They've even had minor skirmishes near their respective guild halls."
Kim Min-jun (Apex F-Rank / Nascent S-Rank)
* Rank: F (The System is proving incredibly stubborn)
* Level: 52
* Strength: 85
* Agility: 160 (Moves faster than the eye can follow)
* Stamina: 95
* Mana: 120
* Unique Skill: Lucid Dream Training (System Anomaly / [???] Rank) - "Mana Core Resonance" is now capable of inducing temporary, localized disruptions in mana-based security systems at a distance. "Mana Signature Replication" allows for the creation of intricate, self-sustaining mana constructs, and perfect replication of any known mana signature, including S-rank. "Tactical Flow Foresight" provides full strategic analysis and probabilistic outcomes for multi-faction conflicts. Current Focus: Global Mana Network Manipulation, Political Influence via Mana, Information Overload Tactics.
"Excellent," Min-jun finally stated, his voice resonating with an almost clinical precision. "Now, we orchestrate the grand finale of their public humiliation. We'll force them into a direct confrontation, live, on the global stage. It's time to expose the rot at the heart of the Awakened world."
He unfurled a new, intricate holographic map, detailing a rarely-used, public-facing section of the Awakener Association's main headquarters – a sprawling complex near the city center. "The Awakener Association is hosting their annual 'Awakened Unity Summit' there next week. All S-rank guild masters, key political figures, and media will be present. It's the perfect stage for our message."
"What's the message?" Ji-won asked, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"That the S-rank guilds are not the heroes they claim to be," Min-jun explained. "They are corrupt, incompetent, and driven by greed. We will reveal a truth so damning, so public, that their facades will crumble, and the public's faith will shatter irrevocably."
His plan was multi-faceted, requiring perfect timing and flawless execution. Professor Kim, leveraging his deep knowledge of the Awakener Association's antiquated mana-monitoring systems, would provide critical access points. Ji-won would prepare an illusion of unprecedented scale and psychological impact. Chul-soo and So-yeon would handle any unforeseen physical obstacles or security countermeasures.
"Professor, your intel on Golden Lion's shadow accounts – the ones they use to funnel illegal dungeon loot?" Min-jun inquired.
"Confirmed," Professor Kim replied, a new gleam in his eye. "They use a secondary, highly encrypted mana-link to transfer illicit profits from untraceable dungeons directly to shell companies abroad. It's a closely guarded secret, known only to a few top executives, including Jung Ho-jun himself."
"Perfect," Min-jun's smile was thin, dangerous. "And Lionheart's secret mana-farm operations – the ones draining mana from low-rank dungeons to illegally synthesize high-grade mana crystals?"
"Also confirmed," Professor Kim nodded, "Their top S-rank Chemist, Dr. Han Ji-hoon, oversees it. Highly unethical, drains dungeons prematurely."
The week leading up to the summit was a blur of intense preparation. Min-jun spent hours in focused meditation, refining his "Mana Signature Replication" to mimic not just guild masters' unique mana signatures, but also the precise mana patterns of their illicit operations. He practiced projecting these false signatures onto the global mana network, making them appear as undeniable digital fingerprints.
On the day of the summit, the grand hall of the Awakener Association buzzed with nervous energy. Grandmaster Lee Jin-ho and Grandmaster Jung Ho-jun sat at opposing ends of the main table, their forced smiles barely concealing their seething animosity.
From their hidden location miles away, Min-jun gave the signal.
"Phase One: Digital Exposure," Min-jun whispered, his fingers hovering over a complex mana-interface Professor Kim had jury-rigged. He poured his mana into the device, using "Mana Core Resonance" to find specific vulnerabilities in the Association's network, then his "Mana Signature Replication" to insert fabricated data packets.
Across the globe, on every major Awakener news outlet and financial monitoring screen, a breaking news alert flashed. A comprehensive, irrefutable data dump appeared – detailing Golden Lion's illicit shadow accounts, complete with transaction logs and mana-signature verification, clearly implicating Jung Ho-jun. Simultaneously, irrefutable evidence of Lionheart's illegal mana-farm operations, including video logs and Dr. Han Ji-hoon's mana signature, flooded the networks.
The reaction was instantaneous. Gasps rippled through the summit hall. News anchors stammered, their voices filled with disbelief. The raw data, complete with mana signature timestamps and GPS coordinates linked to the guild masters themselves, was impossible to refute.
Before the chaos could fully erupt, Min-jun initiated Phase Two. "Ji-won, now! Project it live!"
Ji-won, invigorated by So-yeon's "Mana Overcharge," unleashed an illusion of unprecedented scale. It wasn't a monster. It was a projection of the two guild masters, life-sized, translucent, floating in the air above the summit stage, their mana signatures glowing brightly for all Awakeners to see. And they were speaking. Not their current, desperate denials, but fabricated conversations, woven by Ji-won, exposing their private contempt for the Awakener Association, their plans to betray each other, and their callous disregard for public safety.
"Jin-ho, you fool, the Association is nothing but puppets! We control the real power!" the illusory Jung Ho-jun boomed, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Ho-jun, you greedy swine, your pathetic shell corporations are amateur hour compared to my mana farms! The public won't know what hit them!" the illusory Lee Jin-ho retorted, his words laced with venom.
The illusions were so real, the mana signatures so perfectly replicated by Min-jun and projected by Ji-won, that for a horrifying minute, no one could tell what was real and what was fabricated. The two real Grandmasters, their faces pale with shock and fury, stood up, shouting denials, but their words were drowned out by the illusory accusations and the sheer panic of the crowd.
Park Chul-soo
* Rank: E
* Level: 28
* Strength: 50
* Agility: 18
* Stamina: 50
* Mana: 30
* Skill: Steel Shield (E-Rank) - Can now generate a sustained, low-frequency tremor field (E-Rank) for minor environmental manipulation or disruption. "Mana Siphon" potency increased.
Lee So-yeon
* Rank: E
* Level: 27
* Strength: 18
* Agility: 20
* Stamina: 32
* Mana: 100
* Skill: Minor Regeneration (E-Rank) - Healing comparable to a mid-B rank. "Mana Overcharge" can now provide temporary bursts of combat proficiency and skill refinement.
Han Ji-won
* Rank: F
* Level: 24
* Strength: 18
* Agility: 35
* Stamina: 28
* Mana: 90
* Skill: Minor Illusion (F-Rank) - Illusions are now hyper-realistic, capable of inducing mass hallucination and complex, interactive scenarios. "Mana Nullification Field" can disrupt even high-tier mana constructs for brief moments.
Security personnel finally rushed the stage, but the damage was done. The trust was shattered. The public had seen their heroes unmasked, their corruption laid bare by seemingly undeniable evidence.
Min-jun felt a surge of power, not just from the successful operation, but from the systemic feedback of his actions. The Awakened System, sensing a massive shift in public perception and guild stability, registered a new level of influence.
Kim Min-jun (System Recognition - [???] Rank)
* Rank: [???] (System struggles to categorize, bypassing F)
* Level: 55
* Strength: 90
* Agility: 170
* Stamina: 100
* Mana: 140
* Unique Skill: Lucid Dream Training (System Anomaly / [???] Rank) - Now grants "System Integration" (A-Rank) - allowing direct, albeit limited, interaction with the Awakener System itself, such as manipulating public perception of specific mana signatures. "Mana Core Resonance" can now induce micro-rifts for tactical diversions or resource extraction. "Mana Signature Replication" is now a true Mana Replication, allowing the creation of complex, semi-permanent mana constructs that mimic effects of higher-rank skills. Current Focus: Global Mana Network Restructuring, Awakener System Exploitation, Public Awareness Control.
He looked at his team, their faces tired but triumphant. They had just thrown the entire Awakened world into turmoil, from the shadows. The S-rank guilds, once untouchable, were now embroiled in a desperate, public civil war.
"The stage is set," Min-jun declared, his voice calm, yet carrying the weight of destiny. "They are bleeding out. Now, we prepare to emerge. It's time for the true Weaver to take control of the narrative. The old world is crumbling. We will build the new one."
The puppet master had pulled his strings, and the grand play was only just beginning.