The camera flashed continuously. The reporters crowded the front of the association building, their voices overlapping in urgency.
"Chairman! Was this a dungeon break?!"
"How many casualties have been confirmed?!"
"Is the city safe?!"
The large doors opened, and silence slowly spread across the area. Min jae-woo the association President stepped forward with a calm expression but firm. He stood behind the podium, looking over the crowd, then he spoke
"This incident…"
He paused briefly.
"…was not a normal dungeon break."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"The cracks that appeared were unstable spatial ruptures. This is a phenomenon we are still investigating."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"However—
"The situation is now under control."
A wave of relief passed through the civilians listening.
"All active threats within the affected district have ben neutralized through the combined efforts of the Korean Awakeners Association and participating guilds."
He continued, his voice steady
"We are currently prioritizing civilian safety."
"Rescue operations are ongoing."
"All injured individuals are being treated and relocated to secure medical facilities."
Cameras flashed again.
"We ask all citizens to remain calm and follow official safety directives."
He paused.
Then his tone shifted slightly.
More serious.
"This incident has confirmed something we can no longer ignore."
"The world we live in has changed."
Silence fell.
"Threats like this… will continue to appear."
"For that reason… "
"The Korean Awakeners Association will begin an immediate expansion of its forces."
Reporters leaned forward.
"All individuals who have recently awakened, regardless of rank, are required to register with the Association."
"Even the lowest-ranked awakened possess abilities that can contribute to survival."
"We will provide training, guidance, and protection."
His voice grew firmer.
"No awakened individual will be left without purpose."
"And no civilian will be left unprotected."
A brief pause.
"Additionally—"
"Unauthorized use of awakened abilities, criminal activity, or refusal to cooperate with emergency directives will not be tolerated."
His eyes hardened
"The Association will maintain order."
Then, his tone softened slightly.
"To those who fought today…"
"To the hunters, the guilds, and even the civilians who stood their ground…"
"You have our gratitude."
"You saved lives."
"And you proved."
"That humanity will not fall so easily."
Silence.
Then
Applause slowly began to rise.
Min Jae-woo stepped back from the podium.
But before leaving—
He added one final line.
"…prepare yourselves."
"Because this…"
"…is only the beginning."
Ji-Han, who watched the speech while walking, thinking about where and how he would live, was motivated. He decided to register with the association, since he had no house anymore.