Chapter 39: The Hunter Test (2)

The Hunter Test (2)

“That’s an applicant taking the hunter test, right?”

One evaluator exclaimed. The other evaluators felt the same.

They couldn’t tell if the scenes in front of their screens were a hunter’s demonstration or an applicant taking an examination.

No… the sophistication and calmness of the executions were even superior to many currently active hunters.

“Have they lowered the level of the Lizardmen on the field without my knowledge? They shouldn’t suffer that many injuries from an applicant…”

“Are there any new features added to the test suit? No matter how much you look at it, he’s not like an applicant…”

Some even doubted the quality of the test.

Jeong Si-woo’s movements were outstanding, and at times, fantastic scenes surprised the evaluators to the point of admiration.

“Wow!”

The evaluator’s room didn’t look like such. It looked like a movie theater, with people immersed at the movements of Jeong Si-woo unfolding on their screens. The evaluators didn’t even think about marking their scorecards in fear of missing a move.

“What reaction rate is that?”

A black object, which must be some kind of an artifact, constantly transforms into numerous forms. Sometimes, it was a sword, sometimes a spear, sometimes a longbow.

Some may complain that it was the artifact that was producing an excellent performance, but the evaluators knew enough. It’s the person wielding it that makes it look like a scam.

“From the sword to the bow… Wow, even I can’t aim that well.”

“He seemed to have a sniper-specific trait that is at least C-class or higher.”

“His ability to fight in the close-range is equally remarkable. He’s an all-around guy. He would be able to perform excellently in both the front and in the rear positions.”

“In addition, he has a brain that a center should have. He was the candidate who submitted the goblin analysis journal that turned the analytic scene upside down before. That level of hunting ability, combined with the potential to become a chief analyst… wow. He’s perfect.”

Several evaluators expressed their opinions on Jeong Si-woo. All were complimenting him.

Even the strictest evaluators could not find fault at his performance.

They had never seen a hunter closer to perfection.

“Well, we’re almost at the end…” An evaluator raised his ballpoint pen.

“He’s already caught nine, right? The shortest time among the candidates, so far.”

“I don’t think he’ll have problems catching the last one. I’ll give him a perfect score now.”

The sound of pens scratching paper filled the evaluators’ room.

Suddenly, one of them noticed something strange unfolding on the screen.

“What… but where is he going now?”

“The last Lizardman is right in front of him; why did he pass by it?”

“Just kill it and end the test!”

Jeong Si-woo eluded the last Lizardman easily and walked deeper into the field.

The evaluators saw the direction he was going and looked at each other with disbelief.

“Surely…”

“What is he thinking…”

“Catching the boss in the final ten minutes? Ridiculous.”

* * *

The hunting went smoothly.

I knew the structure of the field thanks to <View Information>.

With Nightmare and my repeated training, the Lizardmen posed no problems.

I just need one more.

Tuk-!

I kicked the corpse of the ninth Lizardman. Various monsters appeared in the field.

In addition to the Lizardmen, which was the requirement for the exam, there were also high-intelligence monsters such as High Orcs, and flying monsters that were difficult for hunters who were trained to be in the front position to catch.

Of course, with Nightmare and the skills I have, they would all be too easy to catch.

[… Well, this is even easier than your usual training.]

The Traveler’s impression was the same as mine. The hunter’s exam was of a lower difficulty than my daily ‘image training.’

I pursued a route while walking in the midst of the bushes.

The monsters would not be able to find my scent hidden against the strong smell of grass.

Rather, I was able to find the monsters easily from my position.

“Kreuk…”

The last Lizardman.

It was within my range. One swing of the sword and the test will be over.

I stared at Nightmare, which was in the form of a dagger, in my hand.

I felt lacking. As if I wasn’t able to show everything that I could.

I have to leave an impact.

In order to participate in the Busan Crack attack, I must become a Rookie that attracted attention. Anyway, since Kim Min-jae, the president of the Association, has already found me, there was no reason to keep hiding. Now, I’m in a situation where there’s more to gain in showing off.

Okay, let’s throw them off a little, I thought of the evaluators watching.

I eluded the Lizardman and left him alone.

Then, after a quick <View Information>, I walked deeper into the field.

Into the deepest point.

The place considered the most dangerous even in real cracks, but at the same time, a space that hunters should unconditionally attack.

The nucleus.

* * *

There are still 10 minutes left…

The path to the nucleus was pretty treacherous. Without <View Information>, I wouldn’t even be able to reach it at that time. Fortunately, I was able to walk up to it at a leisurely pace.

The only problem would be…

I don’t know if I can’t catch the boss monster in ten minutes.

I stared at the giant tree that was so high that it seemed to touch the sky. A red jewel the size of a fist glowed at the center of the tree. Perhaps, that is the nucleus.

In front of it was a large monster made of rocks. Its appearance blended in the forest as if it was a natural part of it. It was of a race that everyone evaluates as difficult.

A Golem.

The standard way to attack a Golem is to break it down little by little or damage its interior through magical means.

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Unlike the other monsters that I have met so far, it was impossible to kill it in one blow. It does not have any weak spots. It was an extremely durable monster.

Only a veteran second-class wizard could destroy it in one attack.

It took two full minutes to organize my thoughts. Now, there are only 8 minutes left.

Alone, it would take me at least twenty minutes to break down a Golem using physical attacks.

The Nightmare changed shape into an ax. I grasped it tight before charging.

“Well…”

It swung its arm one beat late. It was typical of large species. They always move one beat late. I avoided the heavy arm trying to crush my body and swung my ax at one of its massive pillar-like legs.

Caang-!

But the ax bounced off it. The leg was made of solid rock. Instead of damaging it, I felt a pain in my wrist from the impact. This won’t work.

Huoung-!

Its massive arm hit the ground, and dirt and dust exploded around me. If it hits me, the suit I was wearing for the examination will get destroyed in one blow, and I’ll fail the examination.

I jumped back, and the ax returned to the back of my hand. That body is not something that can be destroyed in such a short amount of time with any physical weapon.

[You should use it.]

I nodded to the Traveler’s words. It’s time to use what I had learned.

Thump.

Thump.

My heart started to beat faster and faster.

Louder. To the extent that no other sounds can be heard.

My heart was pumping so loudly that I wondered if it would burst.

I felt my head spinning, and my body heating up.

Mana rotation inside my body is starting to become unbearable.

The sensations I experienced in the image training began to come to life.

『To handle my magic, you should be able to survive the lightning strikes inside your head. 』

I stretched out my hand.

The Golem is slowly approaching me.

Whenever it takes a step, the ground shook, and the vibration it makes made me dizzier.

I closed my eyes. I could see numerous magic formulas floating and spinning in the darkness.

[Excellent Insight is activated.]

[View Information is activated.]

I activated the traits that will aid me to solve the formulas step by step. Whenever I solve a formula, the path my magic will take becomes clearer. Slowly, I began to visualize the attack that would bring that damn rock down.

『If you can handle it, the power that you’ll be able to do… Ha ha ha ha! 』

My fingertips trembled slightly. Around me, it seemed that mana sprang up randomly. My knees felt weak.

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『In my heyday, I used to burn dragons. 』

The Golem raised its arm, threatening to crush me at any second.

『If mastered properly, you can turn anything under the sky to ashes. 』

A sudden, blinding flash!

Kwarreung-!

A roaring sound quickly followed it, so loud as if it would burst my eardrums.

Lightning and thunder.

The Golem suddenly stumbled, then slowly burned to ashes. As I looked at the burnt, melting rock, I realized how powerful this new magic was.

The rock, which could not even be scratched with an ax, melted from the extreme heat of the lightning bolt.

It was extinguished in a flash.

“Hoo.”

I sat down, still staring at the Golem that died a gruesome death. It was almost difficult to recognize its shape. The nucleus it was trying to protect was also smashed by lightning.

[You have used mana excessively.]

[Mana nerves are overloaded.]

[For three days, the power of your magic is decreased by 20%.]

[When all overload is recovered, the total amount of mana will increase by 20%.]

“I think… I made quite an impression.”

* * *

Of course, I passed the test. I topped it, in fact.

It felt better than I expected.

I had a big smile on as they took my photo for the license card.

Now, I am not a cadet anymore. I was officially a hunter.

Not an analyst, but a hunter.

But it’s not over yet.

I haven’t fulfilled the minimum requirements for the Busan Crack attack.

To survive alone in a third-class crack. To have skills that could be recognized by second-class hunters.

I need to finish those.

Only

I placed the hunter license in my wallet and walked slowly towards an appointment.

He seemed surprise to see me.

“Cadet Jeong Si-woo!”

“Instructor Park…”

Instructor Park Hyun-seok. He has been a second-class hunter before he retired, and he is considered one of the best talents in Hwayeon Choin Academy.

“I came because I have something to ask of you,” I said slowly.

His eyes looked at me sharply.

“How can I help?”

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