New Job Showcase !

I awoke to a clamorous atmosphere that shook me from slumber. 

The last thing I remembered from the previous day was selecting my third occupation, experimenting with it, and then collapsing into bed. Emerging from what felt like a coma, I was overwhelmed by a nauseating grogginess.

I mumbled to myself, "How much time has passed?" My mind raced as I realized I'd barely slept during my work marathon. 

My room remained untouched since last night, so I had opted to stay in my workshop.

Rubbing my eyes, I muttered, "I'm still so tired…" Had I known that rest wouldn't alleviate my fatigue, I would have cleaned up my workspace last night. Then, I could have rested on the bed infused with magic by Jung Hayan.

As I turned my head, I noticed Hwang Jeong-yeon sitting on the far side of the sofa. 

"You must be tired as well," I said, empathizing with her effort to keep up with my hectic schedule.

She had been diligently following my lead. She must be exhausted too. Although I hadn't expected her to stay, I was relieved to discover that I was slowly trusting people more.

Suddenly, the source of the commotion dawned on me. 

"Gosh… My hyung seems to have done a lot of work, too. The whole second floor is a mess. Oh, Hayan! If you keep running like that, you'll fall. Hee-young, please do something," said someone.

  Hushed voices murmured as they shuffled around.

"First, we should organize our luggage. Hee-young, pass me the white one…"

"Yes, of course."

I knew what this meant. My party members were back. I smiled at this realization, but upon seeing Hwang Jeong-yeon groggily stretching, I panicked.

'Oh no.' Footsteps were rapidly approaching the second floor. I knew exactly who it was.

'Jung Hayan.'

Even though Jeong-yeon and I hadn't engaged in any physical contact, Hayan seeing her here would be problematic. It wouldn't be ideal for Hwang Jeong-yeon either, as she counted on me to introduce Park Deokgu.

"Kee… Miyoung…" Jung Hayan's voice pierced through the door of the workshop. I couldn't pretend to be absent since the location-tracking magic was still active.

I felt like the protagonist in a horror movie. Rattling sounds continued as Hayan persistently knocked on the door.

"Kee… Are you there? Are you there?"

"Are you there? Kee?" 

"You didn't even sleep? Maybe you were still researching… Perhaps we should quiet down, for now, Hayan. It's still so early in the morning…" Park Deokgu said. 

I praised Park Deokgu's quick thinking.

'Nice save, Park Deokgu.' I thought.

"Or maybe there's something wrong with my hyung… Perhaps he fell down?"

'…I take that back.'

Thump-thump. Jung Hayan resumed her relentless knocking on the door. Hwang Jeong-yeon, who had awakened from the commotion, quickly grasped the situation, her eyes widening.

"Kee! Oh, are you still sleeping?" she asked, to which I almost snorted. If I were asleep, I most certainly would not have replied.

"What's going on?" she continued.

'Ugh, what a situation…' I gestured towards the window, and Hwang Jeong-yeon nodded desperately.

"Ah… Deokgu. I slept late and only woke up now."

"Ah! We're sorry to have disturbed you."

"You came a little later than expected. I'll open the door now. Wait." I spoke as Hwang Jeong-yeon dashed to the window. 

I could have claimed we were studying together, but even that would seem suspicious. The fact that we were alone together at this time of day would not sit well with Jung Hayan.

"Ah!" 

Hwang Jeong-yeon, who intended to jump from the second floor, let out a short scream. 

Jung Hayan, sensing that something was amiss, began to shake the door relentlessly.

After making sure there were no telltale signs that Hwang Jeong-yeon had been there, I opened the door slightly, revealing the faces I hadn't seen in a long time.

First, I saw Park Deokgu, whose simple smile I had missed. I didn't know why, but his eyes seemed red. Judging from the wounds on his body, the expedition must have been grueling.

Jung Hayan appeared to be the happiest. She initially scanned the room to pinpoint the source of the scream but soon focused her attention on me. Tears welled up in her large eyes, mirroring the emotion I felt. It was great to have her back.

"Oh uh… Kee…" Overcome with unfamiliar emotions, I began to stroke her head affectionately, and Jung Hayan began to sob.

"Oh, Kee…"

"Was the expedition hard?"

"Oh…" She nodded vigorously, unable to speak properly.

I tried to wipe away her tears but couldn't. Instead, I opened my arms wide, and Jung Hayan rushed into them, her face buried in my chest.

"I missed you…"

"I've missed you too, Hayan…" My words were half-sincere.

Soon, Kim Hyunsung and Sun Hee-young appeared in my line of sight. Since Hayan wouldn't let me go, I settled for waving as a greeting.

I didn't need to ask them; I could sense the mood.

'The expedition was successful.'

"It's been a long time, Kee." Kim Hyunsugn said. 

"Yep, Hyunsung. Did the expedition go okay?"

"It wasn't satisfactory, but it worked. Ye-ri had only managed to change to her second job since she was only on her first one, but Hee-young, Deokgu, and Hayan all finished their jobs. All of their stats also rose considerably."

"I'm glad to hear that."

I knew Kim Hyunsung's role as their caretaker wasn't easy.

Hyunsung's curious gaze made me anticipate his question. 

"How about you, Kee?"

"The same goes for me. I've improved my stats and acquired a new job."

"What did you get this time?"

"Oh? Hyung also got a new job?"

"Yes, I did. I'll explain what it is downstairs."

"Ah."

"It's because it would be difficult for me to explain what kind of job I got. It'll be quicker to show you in person."

"Is this a high-grade alchemist job?"

"Yes. The Show Details says it's a newly-discovered job."

"You mean it doesn't stem from your existing job?"

"It probably doesn't."

"That's… I'm a little surprised."

"Thanks to that, I had no choice. If several jobs appeared at the same time, I would have postponed choosing until you guys came back. However, there was no option. I don't regret getting it, however."

"Hearing you say that makes me even more curious."

Jung Hayan was still clinging to me, but I could see that Park Deokgu looked intrigued.

"Aw… I should have been with you in that glorious moment… It's a shame my hyung couldn't have helped me choose my third job…"

"You'll also like mine."

"Oh, really?"

I didn't know how Kim Hyunsung would react to my new job, but I was sure Park Deokgu would appreciate it.

"It's really amazing that you managed to get a job on your own."

"Sun Hee-young, however…"

"Yes. This is my fourth job change."

"I see."

The atmosphere felt warmer. Everyone's relationships had improved, and it seemed like the new members had integrated well with the old ones.

Park Deok-gu and Kim Ye-ri appeared highly attentive to Sun Hee-young's every move.

'Not bad.'

Although she considered her new role a service to weed out the indolent members of society, I knew she was still a competent individual. She was different from Jung Hayan, which was why she held this position. However, I hoped that Park Deokgu, who had potential, would become more proactive in the future.

'I don't think he's on that level yet…'

Putting that aside, the overall atmosphere felt cheerful. As we made our way to the training center for a demonstration, we kept up a steady stream of conversation. Demonstrations were essential to show that the time spent in training was worthwhile.

I was always the one who garnered the least attention, but this time was different. It was only natural for them to recognize my true worth. I wasn't just an alchemist who rode off their money. I knew that today, their valuation of me would rise significantly.

"I want you to watch me closely. The magic power itself isn't that bad, but I haven't been able to determine its efficiency yet…"

"Yes, of course."

"Hayan, can you step away for a moment?"

"Ah… Yes. dear."

I began to memorize my intended spell, my prepared catalyst reacting as soon as I applied my magic to it. Since I didn't have much magic power, using this amount of mana felt appropriate.

Two things were prepared: a catalyst depicting a magic circle with various magic types and another catalyst that could receive spells. I also had materials with the same information value and materials that could interact if necessary.

The quality of these materials was crucial for creating the magic circle, but their information value took precedence.

'All of this was based on Jung Hayan's application of magic to my teeth and other objects.'

As my thoughts scattered, I found myself getting a little distracted. However, completing the rest of the spell was not a struggle; after all, this was a simple incantation.

That was when the tiny monster cells flying toward the spell began to expand. Watching the transition from cells to flesh was grotesque but intriguing.

Kwajijijik, kujik, kadedeuk.

Incoherent sounds filled the air, resembling bones twisting and cells exploding.

Although this was a familiar sound to me, it wasn't to the others. Kim Ye-ri covered her ears and grimaced.

Eventually, the massive flesh I'd conjured took the shape I desired—a giant hand.

Quad-de-deuk!

Even before this happened, I could feel everyone's gaze fixed on me, as if they were silently demanding an explanation.

"Huh… Hyung…"

"This… How did you manage this?" Even Kim Hyunsung was astonished.

Pleasure crawled down my spine as I saw his reaction. "It's a characteristic that comes with my new job."