Item Rentals Aren't Easy Either
“Test complete. Good work.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Is this what a hunter rank test is normally like? Since it's my first time ever becoming a hunter, watching it with the mindset of a fresh newbie...
It just feels kinda suspicious, you know? Or rather, not exactly suspicious, but it gives off this super awkward, subtly off vibe that makes you uneasy.
The people who were acting all stiff and awkward suddenly step out for a bit, then come back looking all polished and professional, guiding us along peacefully like nothing happened. And during the tests in the testing area, every single one of them is cranked up to 200% friendliness mode. It was giving me the weirdest feeling.
The silver lining? I casually posted my doubts on the hunter community via my phone...
“Ah, so that's how it is!”
Ignoring all the useless info, the conclusion was 'that's just how it is there.' So I pocketed my phone and got back to the tests I needed to do.
And yeah, due to the nature of my traits, the explanations were pretty half-assed, but like in games, simple descriptions often mean OP performance.
“...Test complete.”
“......Oh.”
Just pouring out firepower non-stop for the firepower test, of course. And other simple action tests utilizing the trait's abilities...
“Overall result: You've been ranked B-rank, hunter.”
“Oh? Already B-rank?”
Hitting my initial goal of B-rank in less than half a day left me feeling good, bad, whatever—mostly just dazed.
Plus, while I was dazed but taking it positively inside, the clerk lady in front of me seemed to interpret it negatively or something.
“Of course, your pure combat power could handle A-rank right now, but since you just awakened with no track record...”
“Aha.”
“Once you build up achievements or record some in the Tower, you could jump to A-rank or higher in no time.”
“Aha.”
Just like at the community center, they were at 200% friendliness here too. Realizing everyone was just like this, I nodded and accepted it.
Anyway, mission accomplished: B-rank hunter achieved right away.
So I immediately moved to the real goal—renting accuracy-related items or artifacts for B-ranks.
But the moment the Busan Hunter Testing Center civil servant uncle showed me the items in response...
I finally got why hunters back when I was a normie didn't use state rentals much and bought or scavenged their own...
Just checking a few of the items he brought...
◈ Item shaped after Horus's Eye, another name for the great sun god Ra.
◈ Increases projectile accuracy by 0.1% for the first 10 shots in battle.
◈ Accuracy rises 0.1% per shot.
◈ +0.5% accuracy for all weapons.
◈ Per shot...
◈ On use: +1% accuracy for one attack.
◈ Note: Single-use.
“Is this really the best for B-rank?”
“Of course. These are decent enough. We're even servicing you a bit since you might hit A-rank soon.”
“Government service... service?”
“...”
“Almost said it.”
Even as a total newbie with no item knowledge, these looked iffy as hell. Stuff with 'durability' that you'd never check in a chaotic fight? Single-use consumables you buy instead of rent, gone after one shot?
It just screamed 'is this for real?'
At least the hunter-civil servant uncle laughed it off casually, like this reaction was normal.
“Hey, mind if I take pics and show others?”
“Hunter community? Go ahead. Better than us explaining one by one.”
“Aha.”
“Just don't get me or the facility in the shots.”
“Obviously.”
And they even OK'd posting to the community. 'Are these really civil servants? Where's the lazy, everything's-a-hassle type I knew?' I wondered as I snapped pics with my phone to tap the community's wisdom.
But with a sliver of hope—maybe hidden OP effects, or combos for great efficiency—I posted anyway...
“Everyone's reaction sucks, huh?”
“Yeeeeah... pretty much.”
“Can't be helped. Useful stuff's already rented by other hunters. These are just emergency reserves.”
“Aha.”
“Want the good stuff? Wait till tomorrow morning at earliest—when rented gear auto-returns via magic.”
“Oh? Thanks.”
The community vets and the civil servant uncle all shook their heads. No point forcing it now with no money—better wait and hit the Tower with proper gear tomorrow.