Chapter 10

The Hunter Who Sees the Future 010

Chapter 10

Song Jin-woo thinks that with 200 million won, he could do even more than this.

‘I could buy nice clothes for Hana too.’

Perhaps because it’s a preview, the students like to dress up.

Others use expensive cosmetics, carry branded clutches, and adorn themselves with flashy accessories, but the poor Song Hana doesn’t even apply a simple lip balm.

The bigger problem is the violin itself.

The instrument Song Hana is currently using is an intermediate-level violin worth about 5 million won.

Even that was a used one she managed to get with great difficulty.

Although the sound isn’t particularly bad, the clear traces of the previous user’s use always made her heart ache.

While it’s a good instrument for a hobbyist, it’s insufficient for someone like Song Hana, who wants to make a living with the violin.

No matter how important the player’s skill is, the difference in the violin’s performance cannot be ignored.

Students aiming for music school, like Song Hana, sometimes use bows worth 15 million won.

When combined with the violin, it easily exceeds tens of millions of won. Not only are they expensive, but they also produce a clear and pleasant sound.

Recently, there has been talk of a solo recital for Song Hana. While the school can support other aspects, they cannot provide a violin.

Even the unambitious Song Hana seems to want a good violin.

No matter how frugally she spends, she can’t afford to buy a violin, but now is the opportunity.

“Um... but...”

Song Jin-woo, who was about to go forward, paused and looked at Han Soo-jung, who replied with a look that seemed to wonder if he was already giving up.

“What’s the matter?”

“I came here as a porter. So I’m not in a party, and I don’t have quest sharing.”

“Oh, I see! Please wait a moment.”

Han Soo-jung immediately sent a party request to Song Jin-woo and shared the quest.

“Is it done?”

“It’s done. Let’s go.”

With all preparations complete, Song Jin-woo looked at the gently flowing river with a determined gaze.

‘I will definitely do it.’

The determination in Song Jin-woo’s eyes was so strong that it felt like a belief.

“Will it be okay?”

“To cross with such a body? I think it’s impossible.”

“A normal person would have trouble crossing, let alone someone with a disability...”

“Tsk, tsk, blinded by greed.”

“Doesn’t know his place.”

“A normal person with all limbs intact couldn’t even do it, what does he think he can do...”

Behind him, he could clearly hear a mix of concern and contempt, but Song Jin-woo showed no reaction.

His eyes were fixed on the other side of the river.

Leaning on his crutches, Song Jin-woo limped towards the river.

“Oh, oh, he’s really going!”

“It’s too reckless! If he falls, he might not be able to get up!”

Splash!

Song Jin-woo’s ankle was finally submerged in the river. The pain was more intense than he had imagined, rising to the top of his head.

“Gasp!”

It felt as if countless fire ants were tearing at his flesh, or as if his feet were in a boiling pot of oil.

But Song Jin-woo did not back down.

Splash! Splash!

With every muscle in his face contorted, Song Jin-woo slowly but steadily moved forward.

At first, the river only submerged his ankles, but as he walked, the water level rose to his knees and then to his waist.

“Gasp! Gasp!”

He managed to endure up to his knees, but when the water reached his waist, Song Jin-woo almost lost his mind.

The groin is a particularly sensitive area, and the pain when his penis and scrotum touched the water felt like his brain was burning.

‘Not yet, not yet.’

Blood trickled from his clenched teeth due to the intense pain.

Creak! Creak!

In the suffocating silence, only the old crutches seemed to scream for him.

But Song Jin-woo neither screamed nor stopped.

By this point, all his senses had disappeared. The only thing driving him forward was his willpower.

Tears and snot streamed down his face as he moved like a machine.

The overwhelming pain in his groin made the rest of his body feel almost painless.

Each step required all his strength.

He never let go of the crutches, fearing he might lose his grip.

“Oh, oh, he’s really going!”

“Hang in there! You can do it.”

When Song Jin-woo was halfway across, the group, who had been skeptical, started to cheer. The initial mockery was no longer heard.

Of course, there were those who hoped for his failure, like Choi Kang-hyun, who had just regained his composure.

‘No way! If I failed and this cripple succeeds...’

He had already made a fool of himself. If no one succeeded, it would at least save some face. At least he had tried.

But if Song Jin-woo succeeded, the ridicule would be doubled.

‘There’s no way that Song-jang kid can succeed. He’ll definitely fall halfway.’

Despite Choi Kang-hyun’s curses, Song Jin-woo’s steps did not stop.

But the pain was still there, and it was getting worse.

He understood why shock from extreme pain could make someone give up on life.

Every sense in his body was entangled in pain, as if his flesh was being torn apart. It felt like pouring oil on his body and setting it on fire.

But Song Jin-woo could not give up. Whenever he wanted to die, he thought of his sister and clenched his teeth so hard they might break.

And finally...

Rumble!

The sound of a mechanical device moving was heard, and the River of Endurance disappeared. Song Jin-woo had successfully crossed the river.

“He did it!”

“He really succeeded!”

While everyone cheered, Choi Kang-hyun pulled at his hair and screamed.

“Damn! No way!”

Although he had defied everyone’s expectations and succeeded, Song Jin-woo was still in a daze.

Even though the river had disappeared, the pain still lingered, and he continued to move forward without realizing his success.

His mind was a blur, and he could see nothing but the instinct to keep moving.

“Huff, huff,”

He staggered, leaning on his crutches, on the verge of falling.

He had almost reached the door in front of him.

“Oh, oh,”

As everyone watched in amazement...

Thud!

Someone embraced Song Jin-woo. It was Han Soo-jung.

“You’ve succeeded. You can stop moving now.”

Hearing Han Soo-jung’s words, Song Jin-woo, who was in her arms, lifted his blurry eyes to look at her.

His whole body was still trembling with pain, and the tremors were felt by Han Soo-jung.

“D, did I succeed?”

The desperation in Song Jin-woo’s voice touched Han Soo-jung.

This was not just a matter of material desire. There was something deeper inside him. But she couldn’t bring herself to ask.

Dealing with someone who was not part of her group and who had shown such strength beyond the physical was a new experience for her. She was overwhelmed without realizing it.

She had to clear her throat before speaking.

“Y, yes. It was a perfect success.”

“Aah~”

Hearing that he had succeeded, the pain gradually subsided.

Just a moment ago, the pain was so intense that he thought death would be better, but it quickly faded.

When he came to his senses, he realized he was in Han Soo-jung’s arms.

Shorter and more slender than her, he looked like a child in his mother’s arms.

Realizing this, Song Jin-woo put strength into his hands holding the crutches and stepped back.

“Thank you.”

Seeing this, Choi Kang-hyun gritted his teeth.

If he had succeeded, he would have thought it was his right to embrace Han Soo-jung.

‘That Song-jang kid!’

As his hatred grew, he began to think that all this humiliation was because of Song Jin-woo.

It was an absurd thought, but it was typical of someone who was more accustomed to finding faults in others than in himself.

As Song Jin-woo regained his composure, the group moved forward.

Exhausted from using all his willpower, Song Jin-woo could calmly check his status at the back of the group.

‘I definitely heard something...’

Amid the chaos, he had heard a familiar sound.

“Summon status window.”

▷ Level: 50

▷ Title: Diligent Worker

▷ Race: None

▷ Status: Good

▷ Job: Master Woodsman

▷ Job Level: 65

▷ Master Job Count: 1

▷ Emblem Count: 13

▷ Health: 250/250

▷ Mana: 50/50

▷ Stamina: 300/300

▷ Strength: 50

▷ Wisdom: 10

▷ Endurance: 60

▷ Agility: 40

▷ Intelligence: 10

▷ Charisma: 10

▷ Spirit: 10

▷ Luck: 5

▷ Fame: 120

When Song Jin-woo opened his status window, he noticed a new emblem he had not seen before.

▲ Proof of Endurance

(Rank S)

▷ Condition: Crossed the River of Endurance

▷ Abilities:

Endurance +250

All stamina consumption -20%

Status effect duration reduced by 50%

By successfully overcoming the trial, he had earned an S-rank emblem. Although it was a terrifying trial, it was an unexpected gain for Song Jin-woo.

‘So that’s why...’

He didn’t understand why Han Soo-jung had sent Mr. Kim from the Hall of Wisdom, but now it seemed she wanted to ensure her people got good emblems.

Han Soo-jung, who had already passed the trial, knew that clearing the gate would grant an emblem.

That didn’t matter. The important thing was that he had cleared the trial and was promised 200 million won as a reward.

The S-rank emblem was a bonus.

‘This will make manual labor less tiring.’

In the Dimensional World, repetitive tasks drained his stamina, making him always feel exhausted.

But with this emblem, he wouldn’t have to worry about stamina anymore.

It increased his Endurance by 250 and reduced stamina consumption by 20%.

While a typical player might prefer the reduced debuff duration, Song Jin-woo, who didn’t hunt, didn’t need it.

As Song Jin-woo was about to move forward with a smile...

“Hey! Song-jang!”

Choi Kang-hyun, who had made a fool of himself before the trial, stopped Song Jin-woo.

Song Jin-woo couldn’t understand why he was so angry.

“Why are you stopping me?”

“What? Why am I stopping you?