Chapter 10

Alone, Chapter 10 of S-Class Summoner

Summoner Selection Program (2)

The summoner chosen by the opponent is ‘Fire Elemental’ (★★).

It is a small, fiery ember-shaped creature that occasionally appears in dungeons to provide light.

Its average length is 10 cm.

Unlike other fire attribute monsters, it is so weak that it can be extinguished by a mere breeze.

"Huh, brings back memories."

In the early days of the dungeon, he always used this creature to make fire.

He used it to warm up the surroundings and cook during breaks.

He could have used the Phoenix, but he didn't.

The Phoenix, which made a chirping sound, really didn't like being used to cook with its own body.

As he recalled the memories of the proud Phoenix, a slight ache began to form in his heart.

"Anyway."

He had handled this creature countless times.

That means he knows its weaknesses better than anyone else.

"What are you doing, not attacking? Should I go?"

The arrogant kid, No. 37, broke Jin Do-yun's reverie.

The Fire Elemental began to charge, making a crackling sound.

Its attack method was a simple body slam.

It seemed intent on burning the firefly to a crisp.

However, just before it got close,

Hop!

The firefly leaped into the air, evading the attack.

It was a perfect control, which would have failed if it had been even 0.5 seconds late.

The firefly landed on the opposite side with a blank expression.

'No way. With such a shoddy attack.'

Whoosh!

The Fire Elemental changed direction and charged again.

Each time, the firefly narrowly evaded, running around.

'Keep attacking all day, and see if I'll let you hit me.'

Whether it shot flames or exploded at close range, the firefly's movements were peculiar.

About 5 minutes passed, but not a single attack was allowed.

"What, mister."

Finally, the No. 37 boy frowned.

He was frustrated by the continuous evasion.

"Is your answer to just run away like an eel?"

Unlike his earlier confident expression, he now looked slightly anxious.

It wasn't going as he had expected.

Jin Do-yun ignored the kid.

He just smiled and focused on controlling the firefly.

'The kid must be getting frustrated.'

The only way to catch the Fire Elemental with a firefly.

It was through the monster's endurance.

The Fire Elemental has strong attack power compared to its peers but low endurance.

The firefly has weak attack power but relatively long endurance.

And there's nothing easier than catching a monster that has run out of stamina.

'Interesting.'

Jin Do-yun was enjoying this rare situation.

Finding the weakness of a high-level summoner and exploiting it!

It was one of the games that past Summoner Masters enjoyed when they were bored.

Crackle!

Jin Do-yun smiled faintly and prepared the firefly's 'Poison Needle' attack.

* * *

Outside the examination hall.

All the applicants who were watching the match stood up from their seats.

They were excited by the unexpected performance.

"Wow, crazy. What am I seeing right now?"

"No way. Catching a Fire Elemental with a firefly?"

"It's not caught yet."

"But look. It's going to run out of stamina soon."

Run out of stamina.

It means the summoner's health is depleted.

At that point, its stats drop sharply and it no longer follows the summoner's control.

"But is the firefly's movement even possible?"

"No way. It's impossible unless you perfectly understand the angle and range of the Fire Elemental's flames and its speed."

"Even if you know that, how can you control the summoner so smoothly...?"

"It's one of the two. Either he has a lot of experience or he's just a genius."

"An applicant can't have much experience..."

"Ha, I feel so deprived. It's like he's ignoring the textbook and basic logic. How do you deal with that?"

Praises for Jin Do-yun flowed endlessly among the applicants.

A judge who was watching the scene quietly muttered.

"...Impressive."

When No. 24 chose the firefly, the judge thought it would be a boring match.

The No. 37 kid, who picked a favorable match-up according to theory, would win easily.

'The No. 37 kid did well, no doubt.'

Understanding the characteristics and match-ups of ten monsters and choosing the advantageous one.

That was the purpose of this test.

However, the result was different.

The judge never expected a match where a mere applicant would dominate the match-up with physical control.

'If I had chosen the firefly, what would the result have been?'

No matter how much he thought about it, the answer was one.

'I can't win.'

Controlling a summoner is not an easy task.

It's as sensitive and delicate as moving a sixth finger that humans don't have.

He had to admit it.

While he could have avoided some attacks, he couldn't move as smoothly as that.

Finally, the judge took out the applicant list.

And marked a red star next to No. 24.

'I need to keep a close eye on him. I should recruit him when the time comes.'

Although he was a judge affiliated with the association, he also had a guild.

The judge set his mind to recruit and observed the match more closely.

* * *

"Unbelievable. How is he dodging everything!"

Finally, the No. 37 kid grabbed his hair.

Jin Do-yun leaned against the wall of the examination hall, watching him with ease.

"Amazing. How can you not land a single hit? I could do better controlling it with my feet."

"Shut up!"

The kid tried to control the summoner again with all his might.

However, the Fire Elemental's flame was getting weaker.

Its speed was also clearly slowing down.

Naturally, dodging became easier and easier.

'Fortunately, they implemented this well.'

He was worried that the hologram might have incorrectly implemented the summoner's characteristics, but it didn't.

"Is the attack over now?"

Soon, the firefly's counterattack began.

Pew! Pew!

It shot small poison needles from its mouth while keeping its distance.

Although the weak attacks melted before reaching the target, the attacks were relentless.

Some hits landed, and each time, the flame became weaker.

The firefly, with a blank expression, fought like a seasoned veteran.

It was hard to believe it was an F-class summoner.

Crackle!

Finally, the last poison needle was shot from the firefly's mouth.

The Fire Elemental tried to muster its strength to shoot flames again, but it was already exhausted.

"No, no!"

The kid screamed, but Jin Do-yun's movements were relentless.

A Summoner's match is always cold and calculated.

Pew!

The poison needle flew in a parabolic arc and hit the Fire Elemental precisely.

At the same time, the summoner faded away like a candle in a strong wind.

"How...?"

Thud!

The kid knelt and screamed.

It must have been a rare opportunity, and he must have felt disappointed.

Especially in a highly competitive selection program nationwide.

'He really picked the wrong opponent.'

If he were a kid who had just touched a basketball, his opponent was Jordan.

Looking at the kid, he felt an urge to give advice.

A desire to teach something to a much younger junior.

It was a sense of ease that comes from long experience.

"Hey, kid."

"What."

"You seem to have studied, but your control level is too low. You don't usually use summoners, do you?"

Anyone can tame summoners.

Even if you can't register with the association, you can still raise summoners freely.

There's no way an applicant for a Summoner would not have a summoner.

Especially F-class summoners, which can be bought for 100,000 to 500,000 won.

"It's not me who's weird, it's you, mister!"

To a statement that anyone could relate to, Jin Do-yun raised his hand.

"Hey, answer the question. Kid!"

"What, what... This old man."

"Anyway, you don't usually control summoners, do you? You don't even summon them, right? Am I wrong?"

It was obvious.

The way he controlled the summoner showed the answer.

Such theoretical kids die in dungeons without even being able to cook.

Knowing something and not being able to execute it is useless.

"The summoner is just F-class! I planned to raise a better one after my sensitivity increased after registering as a Summoner!"

"Tsk, tsk. Look at you. You have no affection for summoners."

Jin Do-yun clicked his tongue.

"In my time, we controlled F-class summoners with care, fed them, and so on. Then, E-class and D-class summoners would appear. You have to follow the steps. Don't be greedy from the start."

To become a skilled Summoner, you need to control your summoner multiple times to get a feel for it.

Match-ups and levels are secondary issues.

How can you call yourself a Summoner if you can't control your own summoner properly?

"What are you talking about? You're an applicant too."

"Then why couldn't you catch a firefly with a Fire Elemental?"

"Well, that's true... But just now, that wasn't a firefly..."

"Enough. If you can't feel anything after all this, you'll die in a dungeon later."

"..."

The kid was speechless at Jin Do-yun's harsh words.

But unlike his arrogance, he seemed to feel something.

His expression had changed...

After a brief silence, the kid nodded.

"You're right, mister. Watching today's match, I realized that control is more important than match-ups."

"Yeah, you have more potential than I thought."

Quickly admitting it.

Accepting the result and analyzing the reasons for his failure.

That is the shortcut to becoming a skilled Summoner.

"What's your name, mister?"

The kid asked again.

"Why?"

"I want to challenge you again later."

"Ooh, you have some guts, I see."

Jin Do-yun curled his lips.

When Yoo Jun-tae asked him to participate, he thought it would be boring, but he met a surprisingly interesting kid.

Actually, talking informally from the start was his style.

'Maybe I was feeling lonely.'

Would the past him have given such advice?

Probably not.

He was too busy raising summoners and clearing dungeons.

He didn't interfere with anyone except Yoo Jun-tae.

"Jin Do-yun."

"...Jin Do-yun."

"Yeah, come find me when you're ready."

"We'll see. I'll pay back this humiliation someday."

The kid's eyes began to fill with venom as he glared at Jin Do-yun.

'Oh?'

Jin Do-yun was impressed.

He felt a change in the kid just from a single piece of advice.

With that level of determination, he would grow into a quite capable Summoner in the future.

"Sure, anytime."

Jin Do-yun answered with a smile, enjoying the kid's determination.