After finishing lunch, I headed to my room to change. If I was going to the Awakened Union headquarters to meet the executives, I might as well look presentable—but not too formal.
I opted for a pair of brown cargo pants, a slightly worn white corduroy jacket, and a clean pair of white rubber shoes. For the final touch, I strapped my Patek Philippe watch onto my wrist. The cool weight of it was a subtle reminder of my status in this world.
Walking over to the mirror, I ran a hand through my dark hair, styling it into a messy fringe. As I examined my reflection, I couldn't help but note the striking resemblance to a younger Sung Jin-Woo from Solo Leveling. The sharp eyes, the lean but defined build—it was uncanny. If I ever ended up getting a shadow-related ability in this life, I might start worrying about being some kind of walking crossover.
Satisfied with my appearance, I stepped out of my room and made my way to the living room, where my mother was still seated at the dining table, finishing her tea.
"Remember to behave, Rheon," she said without looking up.
I smirked. "Come on, Ma. It's me. I'm always behaved."
She finally glanced at me, eyes full of knowing amusement. I wasn't fooling her.
"Bye, I'm leaving," I added before she could say anything else.
As I stepped outside, the afternoon sun greeted me with a crisp breeze. My personal car was already waiting, a sleek black sedan parked by the driveway. The driver, Donghyun, a trusted member of the household's security team, gave a respectful nod as he opened the door for me.
"Where to, Rheon-nim?"
"To the Awakened Union HQ," I said, sliding into the backseat.
Donghyun acknowledged my command and smoothly pulled the car out onto the road.
As the vehicle weaved through the bustling streets of Seoul, I let my mind drift back to what Ralph had told me during our last lesson.
Seoul City was a unique power hub—a neutral territory where multiple Awakener organizations coexisted, each holding dominion over certain sectors.
Unlike the Korea from my past life, this world had no royal family to unify the land. Instead, history had played out differently. Hundreds of years ago, powerful Awakener clans fought over Seoul, carving out territories in brutal battles for supremacy. But everything changed when Japan invaded the Korean Peninsula. Forced to set aside their feuds, the Awakener families united against a common enemy. At that time, Korea had yet to be divided into North and South, and the war effort had been a rare moment of unity.
It was in the aftermath of that war that the Lee family rose to prominence. Through careful expansion of their businesses and influence, they laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the Korean Awakener Association—The Awakened Union.
By the time the Union was officially established, Korea had already been split into North and South. Despite the division, it remained the first recognized Awakener Association in the country, extending influence even into North Korea. Of course, this didn't sit well with the other powerful Awakener families at the time. Being the first to create an association didn't automatically make them the authority over Awakeners, and this led to tensions. Rival families eventually responded by forming their own associations, with many setting up headquarters right in Seoul—turning the city into a chessboard of political maneuvering and power struggles.
I leaned against the car window as we neared our destination, watching as Seoul's towering skyscrapers passed by in a blur. The city was far more advanced than I remembered from my past life.
Pulling out my smartphone, I snapped a quick photo of the cityscape. The technology here was leagues ahead of its time. Despite it still being the early 2000s, the phone in my hand felt comparable to the ones from 2020 in my previous world.
Touchscreens, advanced processors, high-speed connectivity…
Everything was evolved, likely due to the influence of Awakeners and their power-driven economies. How different would the world look by the time I hit adulthood?
Before I could dwell further, the car came to a smooth stop.
"We've arrived, Rheon-nim," Donghyun announced.
I glanced out the window and took in the sight before me—
The Korean Awakener Association Headquarters.
A skyscraper that towered over the surrounding district, its sleek obsidian glass exterior reflecting the afternoon sun. It wasn't just a building—it was a statement. A fortress of power, authority, and legacy.
I stepped out of the car, adjusting my jacket as I gazed up at the monolithic structure.
"Thanks for the ride, Donghyun," I said casually before getting out of the car.
------
As I got out of the car, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. A message from Chang-Min, my father's right-hand man.
"Coming down."
Chang-Min had been with my father for as long as I could remember. He handled administrative tasks, managed schedules, and generally kept things running smoothly. Since he frequently visited our house, I'd gotten to know him well over the years.
The only thing that irritated me about him? He used to treat me like some normal kid. Sure, I looked like an eight-year-old, but I wasn't some naive brat who needed to be coddled. Fortunately, he had learned to drop that act over time.
Sighing, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and made my way toward the main entrance of the Awakened Union Headquarters. The automatic glass doors loomed ahead, but as soon as I got close—
A guard stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
"Kid, you're not allowed inside," he said, looking down at me with a no-nonsense expression.
I blinked.
Then sighed.
Of course.
I could deal with this in two ways:
Flaunt my status as the chairman's son and the heir to the Union.
Or
Try to get inside without making a scene.
I preferred the second option. The last thing I wanted was to be some spoiled rich kid throwing around his name.
"Someone inside is coming to get me," I told the guard, keeping my tone calm. "Can I wait in the resting area?"
"No can do, kid," the guard responded immediately.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling. Man, this is a pain.
Luckily, before I had to argue any further, a familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Rheon! What are you doing standing outside? Come inside."
Turning my head, I saw Chang-Min approaching from the lobby, dressed in his usual tailored suit. He gave me a questioning look as he strode past the guards.
I walked toward him without another word. As we passed the entrance, Chang-Min glanced at the guards and spoke firmly—
"That's the chairman's son. Next time he's here, let him through."
At that, the guards visibly stiffened. Their eyes darted between me and Chang-Min, realization dawning on them like a delayed slap to the face.
I watched their faces pale slightly as the weight of their mistake sank in.
Honestly? It was kind of funny.
Still, I waved it off. "Don't punish them. They were just doing their job."
The guards looked relieved, but I turned to Chang-Min with a suspicious gaze. "But why weren't they informed I was coming? Especially since this is my first official visit?"
That was his job. He should've told them.
Chang-Min rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Err… I forgot."
I sighed. "You have one job, Chang-Min."
He coughed. "I have many jobs, Rheon."
Fair point. The man had a ridiculous amount on his plate, handling everything from security protocols to my father's packed schedule. Still, I had to give him a hard time.
"Anyway, let's go. The chairman and the executives are waiting," he said, quickly changing the subject.
I smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Let's get this over with."
And with that, I stepped forward, formally entering the heart of the Awakened Union for the first time.