Chapter 9

Jin Do-yun, alone, Chapter 9 of S-Class Summoner

Summoner Selection Program (1)

In this world, everyone can summon a familiar.

There are no exceptions, not even infants or the elderly.

In other words, everyone is a summoner.

But why does the association select summoners separately?

Wouldn't it be more beneficial for more people to block the increasing number of dungeons?

At first, it was like that.

Everyone who wanted to fight entered the dungeons and dealt with the monsters.

However, things changed over time.

Some people become intoxicated with power once they have it.

Various crimes began to appear, using the characteristic of dungeons that disappear after being cleared and eject summoners.

Thefts, robberies, murders, and abandonment of bodies, among others.

It was impossible to install security measures inside the dungeons, making them increasingly vulnerable to crime.

That wasn't all.

Several upper-tier guilds started to control the dungeons and roll the snowball.

Without being part of a guild, one couldn't raise their familiar, and the rich got richer while the poor got poorer.

Without money or connections, even those with talent couldn't fight.

Only those who were well-liked by the guilds could become stronger.

Ultimately, the association's chairman, Yoo Jun-tae, judged that this was not a desirable situation and drew his sword.

He announced that the association would control all appearing dungeons.

It was natural for the upper-tier guilds to oppose this.

However, Yoo Jun-tae was not an easy person to deal with.

He had built up sufficient virtue by accompanying a Summoner Master in the past.

Guilds and summoners who usually respected the Summoner Master supported him en masse.

Naturally, summoners who had been suppressed also followed Yoo Jun-tae.

'Yoo Jun-tae's Revolt.'

The result was successful.

The association regained its strength, and dungeons were fairly distributed by taking on requests according to their level.

Yoo Jun-tae became a major figure because of this incident.

He was a person who could use his power justly.

"Ultimately, the meaning of the registration card was to divide those who could go to the dungeons from those who couldn't."

Jin Do-yun, walking with a new smartphone, muttered to himself.

He was searching for information before participating in the selection program.

In the process, he read about Yoo Jun-tae's achievements.

"Hmm, that old man must have been a headache, huh?"

Summoners without a registration card naturally became obsolete.

Without going to dungeons, one couldn't level up their familiar.

The desire to make one's familiar stronger is a summoner's nature.

Naturally, there would be resistance.

Moreover, summoners of a certain level were necessary to protect humanity from disasters.

It couldn't be controlled blindly.

Ultimately, the association announced:

Disqualification after three years of inactivity.

And the introduction of the 'Summoner Examination System' and 'Summoner Selection Program.'

They aimed to fairly grant qualifications to everyone.

That's why Jin Do-yun was here, at the examination site.

* * *

A loud commotion—

In front of the selection center, many people had gathered.

Jin Do-yun looked around with a curious expression.

"Ah, if I fail this time, it'll be my fourth failure. I'll really go to the Han River if I fail again."

"Man, that's why I told you to listen to Instructor Lee Gi-dong. His pass rate is the highest."

"Shut up, you've failed four times too, kid."

"Black... go ahead and warm up the Han River water for me."

"This test is rigged!"

Listening to them, it seemed there were also academies for aspiring summoners.

"What was the weakness of the E-class monster 'Pulttegi'?"

"Wait until the grass is done growing and attack when it starts to grow again. The best way is to use fire attributes."

"What about the D-class monster 'Harpie'?"

"Take the first move. The rule is to eliminate the buff monsters first."

"Oh, you're good?"

"Of course, I'll dominate this selection program."

Some of the aspirants were joking and studying together.

Their competitiveness and thirst for knowledge were intense, to the point where one might wonder if this was necessary to become a summoner.

Jin Do-yun looked at the scene with a indifferent expression.

'They're all just kids, aren't they?'

He felt somewhat disappointed.

He understood that they had to study for the competition, but the dungeons were a different matter.

How many of them could apply what they learned from books to reality?

How many of them could survive if they fell into a dungeon?

The most important thing Jin Do-yun considered was the eyes.

From his experience with numerous summoners and dungeons, only those with a fierce look in their eyes survived.

'After all, it's a matter of fighting for your life.'

Most beginners experience panic when they first fall into a dungeon.

They feel fear rather than determination when facing monsters that charge with a killing intent.

Jin Do-yun was the same at first.

He couldn't keep his wits about him when he saw the overwhelming commands and the dying familiars.

'But how quickly one can overcome that is the key.'

The talent to become a high-level summoner is determined there.

And based on his experience, those with a fierce look in their eyes mostly reached B-class or higher.

'That old man was like that too.'

Anyway, after a cursory look around, Jin Do-yun shook his wrist.

"At this level... I should be able to pass easily."

To fail in such a place?

The name 'Summoner Master' would weep in sorrow.

* * *

The first test was simple.

People were gathered in a large hall, and the judges walked around, throwing sharp questions.

Those who answered calmly received a first-round pass, while those who couldn't answer properly were mercilessly eliminated.

With so many applicants, it seemed to be a way to roughly filter out the extras.

A total of 100 people were selected.

Of course, Jin Do-yun was among them.

"Congratulations, first-round passers. This selection program is a three-day residential program where only 10 people will pass... You will use the latest equipment for holograms..."

Blah, blah, blah.

The judge came out and explained a few precautions and the selection process.

Jin Do-yun, sitting in a chair in the hall, yawned as he waited.

The whole process was annoying, but he had to endure it to legally enter the dungeons.

After some time had passed—

"Then, let's start the second test... the familiar battle."

Finally, the next test began.

'Is it finally starting?'

Jin Do-yun, who had been waiting for a long time, stretched.

The familiar battle was a 1-on-1 battle between summoners using holographic equipment.

Choose one F-class familiar out of ten and battle the opponent!

It could be a difficult test if you didn't know the characteristics and weaknesses of the randomly appearing familiars.

'Wow, this is amazing.'

Jin Do-yun marveled inwardly.

It had only been five years since he entered the labyrinth, yet they already had this level of equipment.

Certainly, there was no better way to gain practical experience before entering the dungeons.

"Then, please come out in the order we call. Only 50 people who win the battles will advance to the third test... Please note. Hmm... first."

The judge put his hand into the lottery ball in front of him.

After a while, the ball that came out had the numbers '37' and '24' written on it.

"37 and 24, please come forward."

Jin Do-yun looked at the sign on his chest.

The number written on it was 24.

'What, me from the start?'

Following the judge's instructions, Jin Do-yun and 37 moved to the holographic equipment set up in the center.

Jin Do-yun to the left.

37 to the right.

"24, is that Jin Do-yun?"

There was an association staff member at each position.

"Yes."

"Ahem, since the judge has already explained how to use the equipment, please enter immediately."

Clunk!

The door of the equipment immediately opened.

When he entered, he could see the opponent on the opposite side.

A boy who looked to be in his late teens.

And on both sides, ten familiars appeared as holograms.

'Here, I have to choose one and fight this guy, right?'

He felt like a gladiator in a coliseum.

It was even more so because he could feel the gazes of the remaining applicants outside.

- Please choose a monster first.

The judge's voice echoed.

- There is no limit to the order of selection. If you choose first, you can select a more advantageous familiar. If you choose later, you can select a familiar that counters the opponent's. However, if both of you do not choose within one minute, a random selection will be made.

'What, are we supposed to play a game of wits?'

Jin Do-yun looked at the familiars indifferently.

However, the characteristics, weaknesses, and compatibilities of the familiars were already vividly in his mind.

"Sir."

The opponent spoke at that moment.

It was possible because they were quite close.

"Huh?"

"Sorry... for you."

"Hmm?"

"Unfortunately, I'm the strong candidate from the start. You must have prepared a lot."

37 rubbed his hands with a sinister smile.

'What, suddenly?'

Jin Do-yun was slightly taken aback by the sudden conversation.

'Is he just a middle schooler or something?'

If it was a psychological tactic, it was quite impressive for someone so young.

"Whatever, are you not going to choose first?"

The boy spoke boldly.

But to Jin Do-yun, he just looked cute.

"Sure, I'll choose for you."

Jin Do-yun casually chose the closest familiar.

It was the F-class familiar 'Pul Frog' (★★).

A grass-type familiar that jumps and attacks, not known for its good reputation.

"Ha ha ha, Sir, are you stupid?"

When Jin Do-yun made his choice, the boy burst into laughter.

"At least if you want to become a summoner, you should have studied the basics. What are you going to do by choosing a Pul Frog here? Haha, it's so funny."

After laughing for a while, the boy chose the 'Fire Elemental' (★★).

A fire-type lower elemental with decent stats for an F-class familiar.

Jin Do-yun smiled at the boy who was gloating as if he had already won.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yeah, Sir, you're done for now. A Pul Frog can never beat a fire-type."

The boy spoke firmly.

Jin Do-yun smiled at the boy and asked.

"Hey, kid."

"What?"

"By any chance, are you not the Summoner Master?"

"What, are you joking? Who in this world doesn't know him?"

"Of course, right?"

Jin Do-yun felt good about the boy's answer.

So, he decided to give him a lesson.

"Then, do you know what the basic stance of a summoner is, according to him?"

"What is it?"

"A summoner fights with their familiar, not with their mouth."

Wooh!

The sensitivity in Jin Do-yun's chest vibrated slightly.

"Remember that deeply."

* * *

Meanwhile—

Outside the examination site.

The applicants waiting for the battles were also buzzing.

"Hey, 24. Looks like he chose the Pul Frog."

"Unfortunately, he chose the weakest of the ten, tsk tsk."

"But if he made it into the top 100, he must have studied to some extent..."

"Maybe he made a mistake?"

"No, it looked like he chose confidently."

"Ah, 37 will definitely win, no doubt."

"An older man, losing to a kid... His pride must be hurt."

Most people predicted 37's victory.

They couldn't help it.

The compatibility between grass and fire types was that significant.

It was almost like fighting a higher-level monster.

But what if there was a summoner who could control that compatibility gap?

"Phew, is that even possible?"

One of the applicants shook his head.

If such a person existed, they would be a legendary hero, a genius who could follow in the footsteps of the Summoner Master.

"Hey, the match is starting!"

The first match of the second test.

The applicants, who had been chatting, now focused on the match.