Master Smith Under Ministry of National Defense

Chapter 02

On the bed installed in the workshop where he was confined, Myung-jun had slept for a full two days without eating or drinking anything.

Though he had answered whenever the monitors talked to him to avoid any suspicion. However, when they asked him what was going on, Myung-jun gave only one answer.

“I’m tired.”

It was a serious problem. When an ordinary soldier fell ill, they could be sent to a military officer or admitted to a military hospital. However, Myung-jun wasn’t someone who could be dealt with in that way.

His existence, classified as a top-secret beyond Level 1, was information known only to an extremely small number even within the Ministry of National Defense.

An existence like an alien being confined in the basement of a large corporation as if it were a joke.

This was the treatment Myung-jun received from the Gate Response Strategic Research Institute under the Ministry of National Defense, and the best way to keep a secret was to minimize the number of people who knew it to an extreme.

Knowing this well, surveillance agent Captain Park Si-woo asked the leader of the project, General Moon Hee-cheol, who had come to the monitoring room.

“Has Sergeant Cha Myung-jun been sick before?”

“He has.”

“How was it dealt with then?”

“Specially trained surveillance agents took care of everything from blood sampling to checking blood pressure, and using the test results they created substitute patients to receive the examinations.”

“Sending a military doctor personally…”

“We can’t kill military personnel every time he is sick, can you?”

At those sharp words, Park Si-woo closed his mouth.

Then General Moon Hee-cheol spoke to him.

“Does he have a fever or anything?”

“No. He just refuses to eat because he has no appetite and stay in bed all day.”

As Moon Hee-chul was about to say, ‘Well then, it should be fine,’ he felt a strange sense of discomfort in his heart.

It’s like a frustration that makes people feel like they’re missing something, as if something is slipping through their fingers.

However, to confirm this sense of discomfort, going directly to Myung-jun’s workshop was a risky option. So, General Moon Hee-chul tapped his fingers and fell into deep thought.

“Hmm…”

“Are there any cost-related aspects involved? Refusing work in this manner has been a pattern over the past few years, but…”

“That’s right. But what if all of that was planned behavior?”

“What do you mean?”

“So, the idea is that what if he has intentionally showed such behavior periodically for a few years so that it would feel natural, what would you think?”

“Surely not… But what would be the benefit to gain from that? It’s just a few more hours lying in bed, but…”

“Interpreting the benefits gained from specific actions based on the standard of an ordinary people can be risky. Don’t forget. Sergeant Cha Myung-jun is a skilled individual, and among awakeners, he is one the highest ranked in the world.”

‘Well, he only manifests the production class, isn’t he?’

Captain Park Si-woo nearly answered like that but stopped himself.

It was because General Moon Hee-cheol was looking at him as though he knew what he was about to say.

“While you might think of him as just being in the ‘Production Class, but that Production Class User destroyed half of the Ministry of National Defense building with his power ten years ago. At that time, more than 20 rank 11th rank agents, including me, were deployed, and we barely managed to stop it.

Moreover, those 20 agents were all combat-class user, as you well know. Each of us ranked within the top 100 in the world rankings and were powerful enough to clear rank 8 gates by ourselves.

But what was the result? Six of us were left severely injured, and three died. Of course, if we had gone all out to kill him, we could have easily handled the situation.”

“He was an entity that couldn’t be killed.”

“He was an entity that shouldn’t be killed. He was the only production class user in the world capable of handling Rank 11 materials. And now, he’s the only user who can handle Rank 12 materials. Furthermore, he’s the only production class user capable of producing modern weaponry to counter Irregulars.

The world’s top Rankers are wielding weapons made by Sergeant Cha Myung-jun to attack Gates, and soldiers and mercenaries around the world are defending against Irregulars with weapons made by Sergeant Cha Myung-jun. Thanks to that, the influence of the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Defense, to which our research institute belongs, has spread globally to an unprecedented level.

Since D-Day, humanity has been able to cope with the Gate Crisis up to its current level because of one person locked inside that room. Even though we took his freedom away, in exchange for humanity safety.”

“Do you mean a sacrifice for the greater good?”

“Yeah, it would be nice if he could understand that, but expecting that much in the current situation might be a bit difficult. However, I don’t have any regrets. Even after 30 years, I still believe that I made the right choice.”

“Of course, if Sergeant Cha Myung-jun were to hear my words right now, he might challenge me to a fight.”

Captain Park Si-woo asked the General, who was suppressing a smile inwardly,

“By the way, if it’s alright, may I ask one more question?”

“About the cost?”

“Why does everyone address him as ‘Sergeant’?”

“He wanted it that way. He said his own time stopped on the day when his discharge was rejected. That title is his way of resistance, you see. Whenever he’s addressed that way, it subtly reminds us of the fact that we didn’t discharge him from the rank of sergeant but kept him under the Ministry of National Defense.”

“Then why are you always wearing old-style military uniforms too??”

“For the same reason.”

“You are an unusual person.”

“Well, can you blame me? The whole world has turned upside down. Monsters that can’t be killed with guns pouring out suddenly appearing from black gates. And some of humanity displaying transcendent abilities that completely ignore the laws of physics and causality. Every situation is far beyond our understanding. Nevertheless, the remaining humans must keep on living. In this incomprehensible and bizarre world, we must somehow find answers and forge our path to survive. Our Gate Response Strategic Research Institute is, in the end, one of the answers humanities has put to resist this absurd situation.”

“Then Sergeant Cha Myung-jun…”

“He’s the being who carries the burden of billions of humans who died on D-DAY, and not by his own choice, but by the will of others. Therefore, we should always be grateful to him.”

After saying that, General Moon Hee-cheol stood up, wearing his combat gear. Then, Captain Park Si-woo also stood up and asked the General,

“Will you go in by yourself?”

“Yes.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to go in together? Since currently sergeant Cha Myung-jun hates you the most, General.”

As the Captain said, Cha Myung-jun had an immense hatred for General Moon Hee-cheol, who was the one responsible for his confinement. He hated him to the point where he wanted to throw the hammer he held in his hand as soon as he saw his face.

However, despite the danger, Hee-cheol was feeling a strange emotion that he had to go there himself. It was a feeling that was like a form of unease, pressing down on his heart.

“Indeed, I have to go. I’ll confirm it with my own two eyes. Mobilize all the Rankers affiliated with the research institute.”

“All of them?!”

All the Rankers affiliated with the research institute, who were Rank 10 fighter class user or higher, were currently tasked with clearing unresolved Gates from various countries under the request of governments worldwide.

Normally, only about 5-6 people reside in this place, but summoning ‘all’ the top-ranked Rankers, meant that General Moon Hee-cheol is taking this situation seriously. That’s why Captain Park Si-woo’s expression showed his unease as he addressed the General.

“Do you think that the same incident as the ’10 years ago’ might happen again?”

“I’d like to believe not. But there’s a similar ominous feeling, like back then. Even though he’s lying there not doing anything, but that’s making me even more anxious.”

On that day, the top Rankers affiliated with the Korean Gate Response Strategic Research Institute received messages from the institute.

[Suspicion of abnormal signs in the observation subjects. All members are to immediately ceasetheir mission and return to the institute.]

*********

At that moment, Myung-jun, whom Moon Hee-cheol had expressed as having a ‘ominous feeling’, was actually lying on his bed, conversing with the voice within him.

The magic circle-like form had disappeared completely, and he was currently looking at his right palm, which had suddenly transformed into a form resembling a face with two eyes and a mouth.

Myung-jun was desperately trying to understand the current situation.

‘So, what you’re saying is that the [Sentinel’s Insignia] isn’t really an item but more like a seal?’

<That’s right.>

‘Then, what I accomplished while enduring that terrible pain was ultimately to create a face on my hand?’

<No, it’s not like that.>

‘Why?’

<I possess the power you mentioned, the power of ‘regression.’ However, to accomplish it, it’s not as simple as just using an item. It requires a process of obtaining my permission.>

‘Please, I beg you. Send me back to the past.’

<Sorry, but ‘permission’ is just a term. It’s not something that will just happen because you ask for it.>

‘What should I do then?’

<I’ve noticed that you become incredibly aggressive when your pride is hurt.>

‘Given the pain and patience I had to go through to complete you, isn’t it a reasonable?’

<Considering I’ve read your memories, I’ll acknowledge that. Moreover, as the one who released my seal, you also have the legitimate right to use my abilities.>

‘Then, send me back.’

<Cancelling a timeline that has progressed for over 30 years and rewind the universe to the past is no small task. It’s not something that can be easily accomplished just by making such a request, you know?>

‘Ah, then what am I supposed to do?!?’

Eventually, Myung-jun couldn’t contain himself and shouted. It wasn’t his rationality, which urged him to avoid drawing attention to the entity in his palm from those observing him, but rather his ‘instinct,’ which was exhausted by the long wait and suppression. However, the presence on Myung-jun’s palm remained undisturbed by his attitude.

Instead, with an even calmer voice, it spoke to Myung-jun.

<I’m sorry, but initially, if I hadn’t intended to fulfil your request, I wouldn’t have borne half of that terrible pain. I’ve read your memories, and I understand why you want to rewind time, also what you want to achieve by rewinding time. But as a representative of spacetime power, there are things I must do before manipulating time.>

‘What is that?’

<I’m checking your Path.>

‘Path? What’s that?’

<It’s like the path governed by fate. All living beings are influenced by the threads of fate. They end up living the life guided by fate, and that fate bestows one of the countless possibilities like threads of a spider’s web.>

‘Explain it more simply.’

<Using the memories I’ve read, the easiest interpretation is ‘Destiny’.>

The voice said,

<For instance, let’s say a person was destined to become an interstellar traveller in the 19th century. Then the fate of the stars that governs his life would influence the lives of countless people to shape a world where he can go to space.

Someone might be destined to create the rockets needed for him to go to the moon, and someone else might be destined to calculate the trajectory to the moon.

In this process, a certain politician might make a crucial decision to send humans to the moon, and someone else might think of electing that politician as their president.

The guidance of all these fates converges to allow an ordinary human to set foot on the moon.>

‘Are you saying that humans’ destinies are determined in that way? Don’t talk nonsense! Does that mean being trapped underground by the military for over 30 years was also my destiny?’

<You didn’t quite grasp it. As I mentioned, in the process of achieving one’s destiny, numerous other destinies come into play. So, if someone is to go to the moon, someone else has to create the rocket.

The issue is that the person creating the rocket also has their own separate destiny. Eventually, when these two destinies collide, the stronger one guides the weaker one onto its own direction. That’s how history unfolds.

In this process, due to an individual born from an exceptionally strong current of destiny, countless smaller destinies gather and flow around them. We refer to this as ‘Path’.>

‘So, you’re saying that my original destiny was sacrificed due to the flow of someone else’s destiny?’

<Exactly. From what I can see, the planet you call Earth is in a state where the flow of all destinies is deeply entangled due to the influence of an immensely powerful star.

Originally, many things that shouldn’t have happened on this planet occurred precisely because of that. Even strange beings from other dimensions and outer space crossing through the gates are a result of the power of that star.

Remember, for someone to become a hero, there must inevitably be villains and sacrifices.>

‘Then, is the power that guards my destiny incredibly weak? Weak enough to keep me trapped for over 30 years in this state?’

<No, that’s not it. The power of the star you were originally born with is strong enough to resist the overwhelming force of this star. You put in tremendous effort to restore your destiny to its original state.

That power granted you a unique ability that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. It enabled you to wield transcendent power to gain your freedom. It allowed you to withstand the burden of a 13th-rank item, something that a normal human would have instantly reduced to ashes.

Moreover, you influenced all timelines accessible to you in the universe, guiding me, the only being capable of rescuing you from the entire multiverse, to occupy your right palm in this very moment.

It’s an astounding achievement. You’ve pierced through the influence of a being capable of wielding the entire fate of planet, which is extraordinary.>

‘So, the fact that I collected five 12th-rank materials to complete you is an event caused by my guardian’s influence?’

<That’s right. But it seems that was the limit. Ideally, I would have needed enough energy to send you back into the past, but I don’t sense such power. It’s likely that your guardian power is currently being depleted to the point of your star’s fading away.>

‘They sacrificed their own existence to the point of annihilation to rescue me? If that’s true, why would they go that far?’

<Among countless stars of destiny, only a handful possess such power. And among those stars, there’s only one that keeps its promises no matter what happens, [Oath Keeper].

It’s the name of the entity that risked everything to divert your destiny, to alter the course of your path, and to free you from over 32 years of suffering.

And the very entity that fought against the destiny of the stars, risking everything to safeguard you, is tied to the promise you made with your younger sister 34 years ago.>

Warm tears flowed from Myung-jun’s eyes.

Upon hearing the word “34 years ago,” he instantly knew what kind of promise the existence that guarded his destiny was trying to uphold. It was the promise he made with his sister on the day he enlisted in the military, while she clung to his pants, crying.

‘Oppa, for the next two years, protect the country for So-eun. And come back safely after two years.’

So-eun, who was born as the youngest and was still only around elementary school age, finally let go of his pants after he extended his pinky finger and made the promise.

That promise.

To uphold that promise that Myung-jun had strived to keep for 34 years, the existence known as Myung-jun’s guardian had sacrificed everything.

<The Oath Keeper I know is an existence that ensures, by any means necessary, that the sworn oath made by the being they care for is upheld. In the process, if necessary, they would twist even the neck of a god responsible for destiny, just to absolutely ensure their promise is kept. And now, they’ve depleted all the power of destiny and are fading away. It seems that I’ve been burdened with an incredibly heavy load. Since the Oath Keeper has led me here, it’s practically my duty to ensure you keep your promise.>

‘Does that mean you’ll help?’

<I have no choice. I knew from the beginning that I would need to help you, which is why your guardian power led me here.>

Myung-jun’s teary eyes glistened. Then, he looked at his right hand and asked,

‘Alright. Then answer my question about this existence If the entity that led you here is the guardian that holds authority over my destiny, who on earth are you?’

In response, the two pupils embedded in Myung-jun’s right hand stared back at him. Then, with a calm voice, it revealed its name in Myung-jun’s mind.

[Time keeper]

An entity that observes within the infinite expanse of time, overseeing the destinies of planets and stars. And, in order to correct your distorted destiny and to rescue this fallen star, it descended upon your right palm.

<That is my name.>

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