Chapter 24

024. Hunter Han Seong-yun (4)

There was no regret.

I had always thought this level was the most appropriate from the beginning.

However, Hwang Man-ho's lips curled in disbelief.

"Sir, are you really going to choose Level 10?"

His tone seemed to be asking how a guy like me could possibly pass that level of difficulty.

Well, if you put it that way, I don't really have a response...

"It's fine."

But I had no intention of changing my mind.

I chose this level because I thought it was just right.

I also wanted to reconfirm whether the 'Tower of Trials' was as appealing as I thought, challenging enough to climb all the way up.

"Understood. I'll set it to Level 10, so please enter."

Kim In-ho continued his guidance with a calm expression, as if he had no emotions at all, almost like a machine.

It seemed as if he didn't care how the test went, unless it involved a sponsor.

'Hmm, looking at it this way, he seems quite materialistic.'

After all, the Hunter Association has had quite a lot of controversy, so this level of corruption might be considered light.

Thud, thud.

I calmly stepped through the open glass door.

As I entered the white stone chamber, the glass door closed, and a guiding voice sounded.

Whoosh.

"Han Seong-yun's Hunter test is about to begin."

"The test is set at the highest level, Level 10. If you pass, you will start as a minimum D-Rank Hunter."

"Please choose any equipment you like from the items on the right."

"In three minutes, a monster will appear from the black circle in front of you, so be prepared."

'Starting as a D-Rank Hunter, that's good.'

Originally, it would take a lot of time to reach a rank like this.

It's one of the best starting points.

Of course, the test content will be more difficult, but I felt more anticipation than tension.

I wonder what kind of monster will appear to create such a solemn atmosphere.

'It can't be a Doppleganger, right?'

Thinking of a creature with combat abilities close to C-Rank made me smile bitterly.

I still vividly remembered the grueling one-on-one battle on the third floor.

But now, I could defeat such a Doppleganger without much difficulty.

'If it's a one-on-one battle, that is.'

Of course, if there were four of them, it would be a bit more challenging.

The monster had a lot of abilities, like physical resistance and body transformation.

But, in other words, if it's not at that level, I don't really care what kind of monster it is.

I'm not sure if it's because I haven't fully entered the main part of the test yet.

The monsters that the Hunter Association can summon don't seem that difficult.

'Well, let's choose my weapons first.'

I carefully examined the equipment on the right wall and picked two that seemed comfortable.

"Silver Guild's mass-produced iron sword"

"Rank: F"

"A sword made according to strict standards, with a decent skill."

"Balanced and rarely damaged."

First, I chose the sword labeled as 'mass-produced.'

There was nothing better than this, and it was the closest to the black iron dagger I had.

It's hard to compare now, thinking about the black iron dagger in my studio.

'Well, the blade length is similar, so it's fine.'

Next, I equipped a shield that was hanging nearby in my left hand.

It was a rectangular iron shield, inferior to the wooden shield I usually used.

"Silver Guild's mass-produced iron shield"

"Rank: F"

"A shield made according to strict standards, with a decent skill."

"It's relatively light, but otherwise has no particular strengths or weaknesses."

The crude shield I bought in the Tower of Trials was better than this.

Even though these are the items provided for the Hunter test, I wasn't satisfied.

But when I took the test before, I remember being given E-Rank equipment.

'Is this what happens when you choose Level 10?'

I had no information because I hadn't seen anyone choose Level 10 for the Hunter test.

It was a bit disappointing, but the mechanical voice from the corner of the stone chamber cut off my complaints.

"The test will begin in 30 seconds."

"Please be prepared."

It seems the three-minute grace period has already passed.

But there was nothing to prepare once I had chosen my equipment.

I'm confident I can intercept any enemy from any direction.

'They'll come from there, I guess.'

Looking at the black circle in the center, I smiled.

I never thought I would be so relaxed, when I used to be nervous and trying to steady my breathing.

Even for a test at the highest level, I don't have any particular thoughts.

'This must be what growth feels like.'

"The test is about to begin."

"Hunt the Flamebird."

At the same time, a trail of flames rose from the black circle, and I widened my eyes.

It was a type of monster I had seen in the Hunter Association's monster guide.

'Flamebird, a D-Rank monster.'

A strange creature whose difficulty varies depending on the opponent.

As its name suggests, it is weak to water and has almost no resistance to magical attacks.

However, the problem is that it is almost impossible for someone skilled in close combat to defeat it.

It's like giving a stick to a child and telling them to kill a goblin.

For a moment, I thought it was an unreasonably difficult level...

'...But this is what Level 10 is supposed to be, I guess.'

Well, starting as a D-Rank Hunter from the beginning, I decided to understand it.

At that moment, the Flamebird, enveloped in red flames, let out a fierce screech.

"Kweeeeeeek!"

"Due to the skill 'Predator's Roar,' your movement is slowed by 25%."

The cry, infused with magic, made my body stiff like rusted iron.

Of course, it wasn't the absolute restraint shown by the unique trait of the fourth-floor challenger.

It was a few levels lower, a cheap binding.

'If it were a physical attack, it would have been easier.'

If it were, I could have weakened the effect with the 'Physical Resistance' skill, but this isn't.

It's not so bad that I can't ignore it, but it's annoying.

My feet felt sluggish, like walking through a swamp.

Looking at the Flamebird, which was flapping its wings proudly, I briefly considered how to deal with it.

The orthodox way would be to use an anti-magic skill to attack the Flamebird, but I had none.

'I was planning to test my newly acquired skill anyway, so this is perfect.'

The binding is just right for testing.

Crack.

I pressed my feet into the white stone floor and circulated magic power throughout my body.

This was a preparatory step to activate the skill without affecting my body.

The skill I'm about to use might have a significant impact on my body.

"Instant Acceleration."

"The skill 'Instant Acceleration' is activated."

The moment I spoke the skill name, my body felt as light as a feather.

The skill effect was more noticeable than the partial enhancement of an assassin's cloak.

Feeling the effect of the instant acceleration, I took a large step.

And.

Boom!

The stone fragments around me flew as my body soared into the air.

Ten meters in the air, the optimal distance to strike the Flamebird.

The moment I reached that point, I sensed the decisive moment and swung my sword from top to bottom.

'It's over.'

Squish!

The moment the Flamebird's body was cleanly cut in half.

The guiding voice continued calmly, as if there was nothing more to see.

"The test has ended."

"Congratulations."

"Your final evaluation rank, Han Seong-yun, is C-Rank."

Seven years, the days I spent to become a Hunter.

The result of that obsessive dedication was more hollow than I expected.

***

In the individual test room of the Hunter Association, a man beyond the room went berserk.

Bang.

"Damn it, what the hell is this!"

The man with a sports haircut, Hwang Man-ho, pounded the wall in anger, unable to understand what he had just seen.

Just a moment ago, Han Seong-yun, a perennial Hunter aspirant, killed a D-Rank monster, the Flamebird.

And he did it with a single strike, the moment the Flamebird was summoned.

Is that even possible?

'No, it's impossible.'

Han Seong-yun was the least capable player.

Especially in terms of anti-magic, he was a complete failure.

He couldn't master any skills and couldn't even unlock his unique trait.

That was Han Seong-yun.

'Fuck, how did this happen...?'

He couldn't understand the situation with his common sense.

Hwang Man-ho then directed his anger at the supervisor, Kim In-ho.

"Explain this, Supervisor."

"Amazing, is this really a player who hasn't even debuted?"

"Stop playing dumb and answer me. I told you to make him fail in ten seconds, not to pass him in ten seconds."

"You're making a joke."

Hwang Man-ho's words made Kim In-ho loosen his tie and respond.

"We did our best. As you said, we made it impossible for Han Seong-yun to pass this test."

Originally, regardless of the level chosen, they planned to give a monster one rank higher with an unfavorable attribute.

Hwang Man-ho had requested this from the Hunter Association, and Kim In-ho had accepted it.

Because Hwang Man-ho had introduced many players to the Hunter Association and maintained a relationship with them, the Hunter Association had to comply with his request.

But the situation changed.

"By choosing the highest level and then destroying it with his own strength, why are you blaming us?"

"..."

"Even with an unfavorable attribute, it ended up like this. Face the reality."

"Damn it. So, that guy...?"

"According to the announcement, he will receive a C-Rank Hunter license."

"No, can't you lower it a bit?"

"How much lower? He killed the monster in ten seconds in a test that starts at D-Rank. If we gave him D-Rank, he would have complained."

"Damn."

Hwang Man-ho couldn't help but stew in his anger, as Kim In-ho's words were reasonable.

'If he passes this and starts as a C-Rank Hunter...'

Hwang Man-ho had retired as a C-Rank Hunter.

He had no talent and didn't put in the effort.

That's why Han Seong-yun's obsessive dedication to becoming a Hunter annoyed him even more.

Every time he saw him, it made him feel like he hadn't put in the effort himself.

He had left Han Seong-yun alone, not teaching him properly, thinking he wouldn't really become a Hunter.

'Fuck...!'

Now, Han Seong-yun had really become a Hunter.

And he started at C-Rank, a level that marked him as a top prospect.

His position would solidify quickly.

At that moment,

"Your face doesn't look good. Is something wrong?"

Hwang Man-ho turned his head at the voice from the open glass door of the test room.

The reason he couldn't smile, the decisive factor.

"Han Seong-yun..."

Now, he was smiling down at Hwang Man-ho.