Chapter 38: The Hunter Test (1)

The Hunter Test (1)

"You look too young... did you come to take the exam right after graduating from the academy?"

Lee Kyung-min, a 23-year old applicant, asked the cadet in front of him.

This was going to be his third attempt, having failed the exam twice. The cadet in front of him seemed to be below his level, so he caught his attention. If he found the exam difficult, it would be more so for this kid.

The cadet seemed to be a little less than 20-years-old, and he was in a solitary corner, reading a notebook.

"Excuse me? Why don't you answer?" He prodded politely.

"Oh, sorry. I'm so focused," the cadet laughed.

Lee Kyung-min burst out laughing too.

Is there anyone in the world who wouldn't hear someone talking to him just because he is reading something from his notebook? He's trying to pretend, but the truth is, he probably didn't hear it because of the tension he feels.

"Don't be too nervous," Lee Kyung-min advised the cadet. "Anyway, at that age, you must have applied for the test to gain experience, right?"

"..."

"Even if you fail, it would be a good experience. I learned a lot when I failed in the examinations." He smiled and touched the young man's shoulder.

Then, he paused in surprise.

The cadet looked small, but his muscles felt surprisingly strong.

It feels like it's made of stone. Maybe, on top of training in the academy, he had been exercising steadily.

"Ah, right. Experience." Lee Kyung-min caught himself.

"..."

"But you'd want to gain other experiences, too. So, I hope you don't fail and pass right away."

When the cadet's eyes met his, Lee Kyung-min felt strange.

Those were not the eyes of a freshly graduated cadet.

It did not suit his youthful appearance.

Do they look like an active hunter's? No... Those eyes were like those of the old professors I saw in my academy days.

Those eyes seemed as if they could see through a person.

"I hope you'll pass this time, too," the cadet answered.

"Huh?"

"If you fail once, it's an experience. Fail two or more times, that's a different story."

Lee Kyung-min's face turned red. Just before he was able to respond, they heard an announcement.

-Applicant 628, Jeong Si-woo, come in.

The young man got up.

"Ah, it's my turn. I have to go. Please try hard on the test this time. Good luck."

Lee Kyung-min stared at Jeong Si-woo's back for a long time.

* * *

"Whoa, you're not a joke!"

Physical measurement room. When I took off my coat, the evaluator spat out words of admirations at my exposed body.

My physical form vastly improved as a result of the increase in overall stats and steady training.

My body, which was previously no different from ordinary people, has now reached a level superior to other cadets as well as hunter applicants. When it comes to pure stats, I know I could compare to third-class hunters at this point.

"What, do you have any characteristics or skills that improve your physique? Surely this body could not be made just by staying in the academy."

"If you're concerned about drugs, I'll take a blood test right away," I offered.

"Ha ha ha ha... No, I was just a little worried, but now I'm relieved."

The evaluator laughed. He's probably convinced that I didn't use steroids. These evaluators weren't sloppy. They could look at a bare body and find flaws at one glance.

[What, they think your body looks good? In Moorim, the village workers would laugh at you.]

I snorted at the Traveler's words. I wasn't sure if it was an exaggeration or not.

"Well... Oh, and you passed the first exam with a perfect score?"

"Yes."

"The youngest candidate. The only perfect score and the shortest test duration. You seem to be a great talent, ha ha ha ha!"

The evaluator was in a good mood.

The first test was a written test. It was not very difficult, so most of those who graduated from the academy tend to pass.

Of course, some analysts put in a few high-level problems that couldn't be solved easily and takes up much time to solve, so it was hard for anyone to answer all the questions completely, let alone get a perfect score.

But it wasn't that difficult for me.

The evaluator continued our conversation, asking questions covering several topics. My attitude about hunting, questions about cracks, my views on phenomena analysis. It was the usual interview.

[You speak very well. Look at that evaluator's expression. It was as if you were giving him honey.]

It was very easy to answer because I was also an evaluator in the past. I knew the answers they are looking for, and I gave it to them without much thought.

When I was an evaluator, a lot of applicants didn't get past me.

There were some who collapsed and cried; there were others who quit the interview halfway. The other evaluators thought I was too strict, and since then, I wasn't placed in the interview position again.

"You seem like a talented person that we'd really like. Ha ha ha ha. Top-class physique, skills that are suited in front, center, and rear, an extraordinary brain that has 'Excellent Insight' that can quickly judge the situation... It was as if you fell from the sky, ha ha ha ha!"

"Thank you."

The evaluator nodded his head vigorously as he wrote down my marks.

"I can't find any fault, so let's move on to the final part of the exam. Do you know what it is?"

"Yeah, I know."

The first two parts were the written exam and the interview.

Those two were my main strengths. I would probably pass those two easily in my previous life.

The last part is where a lot of applicants fail.

The hunting test.

Now, it's my turn to prove that the word 'hunter' fits me.

"I ready to proceed."

"You can get your suit in the waiting room and enter the field right away."

* * *

The suit prepared by the organizers was very comfortable to wear.

It was a premium product that was comparable to hunting suits worn by hunters when they enter actual cracks. It was made a requirement to prevent casualties during the examination, where there is a real possibility of being killed or crippled for life.

-Applicant 628, please enter the field.

After hearing the voice from my earpiece, I got out of the waiting room, and into the field.

It was unbelievable that it was a man-made, artificial crack.

There were thick grass and tall trees inside, like a forest. The rich smell of plants filled the air, and there were occasional rustling sounds from the bushes, bound to make people nervous about what's hiding behind them.

It felt exactly like being inside a crack.

-The test itself is simple.

In the waiting room, the rules have been discussed, but I listened through the earpiece once more in case I missed anything.

-Either kill ten monsters placed on the field or destroy the nucleus. If the durability of the suit runs out, or if the time limit ends, you will be disqualified.

The durability of the suit was enough to be hit by an Ogre's attack twice. It was weaker compared to actual hunting suits, but it was enough for testing purposes. Someone who would allow himself to be hit twice by a monster will likely die in a real crack.

The suit also prevents damage to some extent. It does not have a feature that blocks all attacks or dulls the pain.

The organizers had the pain perception feature activated. This would help them remove inexperienced people who can't withstand pain.

I held my hand in front of me and flexed my fingers. The suit allows for free movement. It's as if I was not wearing it.

"Okay."

Most applicants aim to destroy the nucleus. Killing ten monsters sounds easier than it actually is. The monsters featured inside this artificial crack were not basic monsters like goblins or orcs.

The priority of a good hunter would be the quick suppression of cracks. Greatness in killing monsters could be learned later.

If the crack is suppressed quickly, the risk of the civilians getting caught up in the dimensional distortion is lessened. Also, it removes the danger of monsters coming out of the cracks.

Therefore, the ability to block cracks rather than the ability to kill monsters could be said as the main priority of a hunter.

I will focus on breaking the nucleus first.

However, the rustling on the bushes I heard earlier is getting closer.

Kkreuuk-!

Kkreuuk-!

Soon, the source of the sounds was revealed. Three monsters surrounded me as soon as I entered the field.

I don't think I could avoid these monsters while I aim for the nucleus.

Nightmare quickly transformed into a sword.

The monsters from the bush were similar to reptiles. Lizard-like appearances, with huge, sharp claws.

Lizardman.

They have excellent intelligence, trickier than goblins or ogres. Their physical abilities were not overwhelming, but it was terrifying because they work in groups.

"Kreuk-"

They seemed wary of the sword I was holding as they slowly formed a circle around me.

There were only three, but each of them was near twice my size.

I gripped my sword tightly. It would be nice to give them time to complete their trap.

They were slowly narrowing their distance, closing the gap.

Tadat-!

I ran towards the one closest to me.

"Kreuk-!"

Lizardmen have unique, quick movements. It immediately lowered its posture and dodged my sword, then jumped in to bite my neck.

Whilik-!

The form of Nightmare instantly changed into an ax.

Kwaak-!

The Lizardman's jaws snapped, but only caught air.

The next instant, I placed my feet on its chest, using it to boost my jump high above its head.

Lizardmen have a habit of using their jaws for their first attack. Their jaws were similar to that of a crocodile, and several times more powerful. But if you don't get caught in its fangs, it was the best time to counter-attack.

I struck the ax down without hesitation.

Quadduk-!

Its tough leather hide was torn, and blood spurted out like a fountain.

It was as if firewood was split in half.

I kicked the corpse of the Lizardman, and immediately transformed Nightmare into a spear.

Another Lizardman was rushing at me, infuriated by the death of his colleague.

As if he learned from the first one's mistake, it was using his sharp claws to attack instead of its jaws.

However, his claws couldn't be longer than my spear.

Fuwook-!

The tip of my spear pierced the Lizardman's chest. Then, another, and another.

The spear moved like a flash, avoiding the claws that tried to catch it. The metal tip continued to stab holes into its chest. They have tough leather hides, so they won't die from a single blow unless you cut their head off.

It does not matter. I could stab it until it dies.

Its blood spilled over the mud and the weeds. The strong smell of blood filled the air. Then, I felt the other Lizardman charging at me from behind.

The second Lizardman, whom I stabbed countless times, collapsed lifelessly. But I have to make sure that it stops breathing. When dealing with monsters, it's good to be sure.

I quickly rolled to the side, avoiding the Lizardman charging behind me, and pierced the skull of the Lizardman that collapsed.

Then, I threw the spear at the Lizardman that just ran by me.

A spear is an excellent weapon for in-fighting and holding an enemy at a distance. However, it was also designed to be thrown like a javelin.

Fuwook-!

The spear flew and struck the head of the third Lizardman, who was running with momentum with its back behind me.

I ran after it and pushed the spear deeper with my palm.

Only

It fell to its knees, seemingly dead.

However, I wasn't done. I changed the shape of Nightmare back into an ax and completely chopped off its head.

"Done."

Three.

I started my test by killing three monsters. It was a pretty good achievement.

I wiped my sweat and saw a camera lens among the bushes.

This would surely be satisfactory to the evaluators' eyes.

With a little smile aimed at the camera, I went further into the field.