Ch. 21 - Chapter 21

Every time a qualification test took place, there was a place that became bustling.

The hunter-related forums on internet portal sites.

People showed great interest in the newly emerging hunters each quarter.

It was only natural, since hunters were the ones protecting their lives, but in truth, there was actually another reason.

Because they have a massive influence not only on national security but also on politics, the entertainment industry, and various other aspects of society, they were regarded as celebrities.

└Will there be an S-rank this time? There hasn’t been one in the past few years.

└Yeah, seriously. I heard Japan already had two just this year. The gap isn't narrowing but rather widening ㅡㅡ

└Let’s gooo, five this quarterrrrrrrrrrrr

└Keep dreaming. You think S-rank hunters pop out of a snack machine or something? They all got upgraded from A-rank.

└Yeah, right. I think the only person in our country who got an S-rank straight out of the exam day was ‘Saintess’ Maria herself.

└Speaking of which, the Glory Guild’s probably gonna sweep this quarter too, huh?

└Probably. Damn. Does the government really not care about monopolies?

└Monopoly my ass. The ministers are busy kissing the ass of the Glory Guild, like they’d ever try to regulate them.

└They say healer positions will be the trend this quarter too. The untouchable tankers are crying ㅠㅠㅠㅠ

└Oh right. Isn’t the Vice President’s son taking the exam this time? Didn’t that punk say he was preparing to be a celebrity or something?

└Seriously. A good-looking silver-spoon kid awakening too? Isn’t the world just way too unfair?

└He’s a healer too, apparently. Looks like we’ve got another celebrity hunter in the making, like Shin Chanki.
Damn.

‘The Vice President’s son, huh……’

While scrolling through the comments, one particular piece of information caught my eyes.

Shin Chanki was formerly an actor who worked as an action movie star.

He was an actor who drew attention by his handsome looks, but one day, after suffering from a severe cold, he began to exhibit symptoms of Awakening.

He was a knight, a type that perfectly suited his profession.

During the test he took, which was covered by countless media outlets, he received a surprising result of a ‘B’ rank.

That level of ability placed him within the top 10% of all hunters in South Korea.

With his good looks and new title as a B-rank knight, the media had no intention of leaving him alone.

There was continued criticism that he neglected his hunting activities and only appeared in movies and commercials, but regardless, he rose to become one of South Korea’s top stars with the title of Hunter to his name.

As such, becoming a hunter often brings not just wealth, but fame as well.

It was no surprise that the son of the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association, South Korea's most powerful organization, was taking the test and caught everyone's attention. 

I think his name was Yoo Jiwon.

Coincidentally, he was the same healer type as me, so there was a good chance we would run into each other during the test.

Could it be that's why the Vice President hung around with the Glory Guild people?

“What are you thinking about?”

Just as I was lost in thought, staring fixedly at the monitor, my sister’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“Ah. I was reading up on stuff about the test.”

“Hehe. Even the hard-working Chun Haesun gets nervous on test day, huh?”

“I’m not nervous.”

Even if the sky split in two, there was no way I would fail the exam.

In fact, no matter which type I chose, whether healer, knight or poisoner, I was confident enough to pass.

Of course, if I passed as a poisoner, I’d probably have to undergo an investigation before becoming a hunter.

But my sister had no idea just how unprecedented I really was.

Like a parent encouraging a child before the college entrance exam, my sister didn’t hold back her words of encouragement toward me.

“You’ll definitely pass. Our handsome Haesun.”

Our handsome Haesun.

She used to say that all the time, even back when my face was covered in blotches.

Whether I had the blotches or not, the only person in this world who treated me the same was my sister.

“Don’t worry, Sis. I’m going to pass, no matter what.”

“Ooh~ You're so confident?”

“I’ll bring back that license like it’s a gift. Just wait.”

My sister gave a big nod with a warm smile.

Hunter license.

And 750 million won.

She would be receiving those two gifts before long.

Hmm.

Suddenly, I found myself wondering.

Between the two gifts, which one would she like more?

* * *

A white shirt, jeans, and black canvas shoes.

Her outfit was incredibly simple, but it couldn’t hide the natural brilliance she carried.

A core member of the Glory Guild and an S-rank hunter who has established herself as the best healer in South Korea.

Maria.

With sparkling eyes, she asked Gu Gyeon,

“Are you sure about this?”

“Of course. You can rest easy, nothing like what you’re worried about happened.”

Gu Gyeon, the young leader of the Glory Guild, gave her a reassuring smile.

The two were riding in the company’s sedan, headed for the Hunter Association.

Today, Maria would serve as an examiner for the healer-type hunters.

After the Dual Gate incident, Maria needed a bit of a mental reset, so Gu Gyeon arranged this small event for her.

But in truth, Maria’s expression wasn’t all that bright.

Discovering new promising talents was always a pleasant task, but Maria had recently come across some suspicious news.

The son of the Vice President of the Hunter Association.

There was information that Yoo Jiwon had visited the ‘Glory Guild Research Institute’ multiple times.

‘There’s no way he would... I hope not.’

Hunters improve their stats in various ways.

They absorb cores obtained from monsters by converting them into Aether, or equipping themselves with the latest gear.

Or training hard.

The most effective method, of course, was absorbing cores.

When a hunter acquires a core and brings it to the research institute, the institute converts it into Aether material and returns it to the hunter.

Sometimes, hunters in need of money entrust their cores to the institute, and wealthy hunters buy them.

Since cores were essentially the currency of the present era, this kind of transaction was not exactly illegal.

However,

That deal would be a different story if it involved an ‘Awakened’ before they became a Hunter.

‘That was definitely not a normal growth trajectory..…’

Yoo Jiwon was someone she had met several times even before taking the hunter test.

With the backing of the Vice President of the Association, he walked a different path from the other applicants right from the start.

They shared friendly talks over dinner and even consulted about the profession of being a hunter.

So far, everything was fine.

However, every time Maria met Yoo Jiwon again, his condition would change dramatically.

As if someone had experienced multiple awakenings, the amount of Aether accumulated in his body would increase dramatically. 

Initially, it was questionable whether Yoo Jiwon could even pass the Hunter Qualification Test.

He was barely an 'E-rank’ healer.

However, the last time they met, Yoo Jiwon's Aether level had risen to a level exceeding a 'B-rank’.

Maria, who was exceptionally sensitive to Aether, could clearly sense this change, and through a staff member, she learned that Yoo Jiwon had been visiting the Glory Hunter Research Institute quite frequently.

Injecting Aether into an Awakened individual who hadn't yet been granted hunter qualification was clearly illegal and extremely dangerous.

It was no different from administering a new drug without clinical trials.

‘I need to check it out myself.’

Maria steeled herself inwardly, and Gu Gyeon, noticing the look on her face, spoke as if doing her a favor.

“Just because you know Yoo Jiwon doesn’t mean you need to give him any special treatment. Just evaluate exactly what you see.”

"Understood."

It was something that would be confirmed soon anyway. 

Maria threw her complex thoughts out the window, and another person popped into her mind.

‘He said... he would take the test as a healer type.’

The area they failed to protect when the Dual Gate exploded.

The man with blotches all over his face, who claimed that he came from Gaebang Neighborhood.

Just as that man's sharp gaze was about to flash through her mind, their car arrived at the Hunter Association.

* * *

"Wow….."

-Kkuwang!

I couldn't help but exclaim along with Brie.

What the heck, such a massive crowd.

It wasn’t my first time visiting the Hunter Association, but before, it had been quiet or at most moderately busy.

But now, in front of the Hunter Association headquarters, people were packed tightly like bean sprouts in a container.

Reporters lined up in a long row, wielding cameras as large as cannons, and scouts watching the applicants with eagle eyes.

Various onlookers and families of the applicants.

There were so many people that even passing through the entrance was a struggle.

[Hunter applicants, please proceed to the designated area.]

An announcement voice flowed through the speakers.

The main auditorium on the first basement floor of the headquarters.

Four large display boards were visible right in front of the stage.

Knight.

Healer.

Esper.

Other.

Aside from the top three types, there were hardly any people taking the test in the Other section.

This is because if you don't meet the prescribed criteria (?), you'll be at a disadvantage when forming a team or signing a contract.

Even the unique types that can mutate parts of their bodies take the exam as Knight types.

‘Knight types are the most common. Next is Esper, I guess…..’

Compared to the swarming Knight applicants, those in the 'Other' category seem like a drop in the bucket.

Perhaps because the qualification test was just around the corner, tension was clearly visible on the applicants’ faces.

It's time, I have to pass no matter what.

I hope I get a high rank.

Words like that drifted through my ears.

But unlike the others, my attention was focused elsewhere.

Fifty million won per person, how much does that add up to?

I guess I took it from my older sister in this regard.

I was estimating the number of people and ended up at the back of the healer line.

Click, click, click.

As I was standing in line, doing some light stretching, a commotion could be heard from the entrance.

The sound of footsteps, and the click of a shutter.

Then a boisterous laughter.

“Wow~ This shot’s composition is pretty good. We’ll use this one. Hunter Yoo Jiwon, how about the title ‘The Next Savior Following in the Footsteps of the Saintess Maria’?”

"Good idea. Haha."

I heard the basement level was usually off-limits to reporters. But the man appearing now seemed to be an exception.

Yoo Jiwon, the son of the Vice President of the Hunter Association. He had been treated like a star even before becoming a hunter.

“Wait. Look at my stupidity. If he gets the highest score in the awakening stats, how about we go with that for the title?”

“That sounds more dramatic and fitting.”

Yoo Jiwon gave a slight smile and walked over to the healer section. He had a delicate, almost pretty face. Though his narrow jaw gave him a slightly rat-like impression. At a glance, his outfit looked expensive, and he was even wearing sunglasses tilted slightly down.

It was an outfit more suited to a red carpet than the Hunter Qualification Test.

Why wear sunglasses when the test would be conducted indoors, anyway?

Yoo Jiwon casually brushed off the sharp gazes from the surrounding applicants and stood behind me.

“A few more steps to the side...!”

“Right here?”

Did you come here for a photo shoot, you punk?

As Yoo Jiwon moved in response to the reporters’ requests, he bumped into me.

Thump.

“Ah, shit.”

Yoo Jiwon glanced at my face once, then suddenly tensed up.

This guy.

For someone claiming to be a healer, he sure seemed to know how to enhance his physique. He probably could’ve shown off his strength against regular people.

But even so, that level wouldn’t qualify him as an E-rank Knight.

Thump.

A heavy impact sound echoed from the collision of two bodies.

The guy smirked as he slammed his shoulder into my forearm, while I simply stood there.

As usual.

Meaning, while maintaining the reinforced body of a D-rank Knight.

“Argh!!”

Yoo Jiwon let out a scream and stumbled back a few steps. Judging by the sound, it must have been a crushing impact.

He probably assumed everyone in the healer group would be weaklings, huh?

"Hey! What the hell. Who the hell are you?"

"Applicant."

“The Knight section is over there, why are you standing here like a pole?”

“I’m a healer type.”

Yoo Jiwon’s eyes widened at the indifferent reply.

I understood the confusion simmering within him.

There are only a few people in the entire country who have a ‘D-rank’ reinforced body as a healer type.

“What kind of nonsense is that..…”

Yoo Jiwon clenched his teeth and glared at me, then, seemingly aware of the reporters positioned around, he forced an awkward smile.

“I need to take photos, so move aside a bit. All these people are here to see me, so I can’t just kick them out.”

Better to keep things peaceful.

He meant something like that.

But I had no reason to give him the answer he wanted.

“Exactly. You should’ve come earlier.”

I’ve felt this way for a while, I seem to have a knack for getting under people’s skin.

Yoo Jiwon’s thin earlobes flushed bright red in an instant.

“You, do you know who I am?”

Of course I do.

The noble scion of the Hunter Association who gave interviews to every media outlet even before taking the test. But the answer fitting the situation was this:

“Applicant.”

"......?!"

I turned my head after that.

If you have a problem, try bumping into my shoulder again.

[In a moment, we will begin measuring the Awakening levels. Applicants, please come forward one by one to the record device.]

“Wow... it’s finally starting.”

“Please…..!!”

“If I don’t pass this time, it’s straight to the Han River…..!!”

The announcement signaling the start of the Hunter Test echoed through the speakers.

The Record Device measures the awakening state and potential abilities.

When you stand inside that square-shaped device, the machine reveals your Awakening level.

If you’re not confirmed as an Awakened one or fall below a certain threshold, you’re immediately disqualified.

Despite the fifty million won application fee, the dreams and hopes of the Awakeners vanish into thin air like this.

“Hey, let’s make a bet.”

A sly voice came from behind me.

A bet?

When I looked at Yoo Jiwon, he unexpectedly made the offer. I turned around fully intrigued by it. He seemed quite upset about bumping me earlier.

“Let’s see whose Awakening level comes out higher. How about it? For fun, let’s bet ten million won.”

...I really didn’t know how to take that.

Is ten million won some kid’s game?

I’ve made decent money recently, but that’s equivalent to two years’ worth of my family’s expenses.

Since he couldn't beat me physically, I guess he was trying to dampen my spirit with money?

Ten million won was just a single meal for me, he meant something like that.

He looked about my age, but his behavior was no different from a nouveau-rich old man.

After all, he was the son of the Hunter Association's Vice President, so ten million won might be nothing to him.

But unfortunately, he didn't know I was confident.

Confident that I wouldn't lose this bet.

"Fine."

".....??"

Did he really think I’d just tuck my tail and whimper away?

Well, even I’d admit my outfit wasn’t exactly one that screams wealth.

When I readily accepted, Yoo Jiwon’s facial muscles twitched strangely.

I continued, delivering what felt like a death sentence to him.

“But if you back out later, you will have to live with the fact that a nobody beat you.”

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