Chapter 18 - Rank Assessment (2)
The preparations for the sparring match carried a hint of tension.
In the old days, they had verified ranks through brutal, blood-soaked fights, resulting in no small number of casualties.
Accidents often happened when tempers flared during the matches, or when someone harbored a grudge and deliberately harmed their opponent for some reason.
But the damages grew too severe, so they implemented various countermeasures. After several trials and errors, they collaborated with the Magic Tower to create something called the Illusion Field.
It was a system that converted physical damage into mental damage.
You could fight as if it were real combat, but no matter where you were slashed or stabbed, it all turned into mental damage—enough to knock you out at worst.
After introducing the Illusion Field, accidents during rank assessments plummeted, and more precise evaluations became possible.
Now, it wasn't just for rank assessments; it had been adopted by guilds, academies, and various training facilities, becoming an indispensable element.
Kim Sun-woo changed into his gear in the changing room for the sparring assessment and returned to the waiting room.
"……?"
For some reason, the atmosphere inside wasn't great.
Kim Jin-cheol was frowning unpleasantly, while Section Chief Park In-su and Han Su-ah looked awkward, glancing between both sides.
Kim Sun-woo quickly figured out why.
"Come on, I'm not even trying to scout you or anything. I just thought young hunters could hang out and bond a bit. Isn't this a place where everyone gathers?"
"You should pay more attention to your behavior. Actions like this are disrespectful not just to her, but to the guild you're affiliated with."
"I don't think I'm some greenhorn who needs advice from others."
A young man who looked to be in his late twenties scratched his ear irritably.
From the situation, Kim Sun-woo could guess what had happened.
He must've been hitting on Han Su-ah.
Young, promising rookie hunter with outstanding looks—it'd be weirder if he didn't attract attention.
Rumors even said he came from a good family, so it was inevitable that eyes would be on him.
"Ah, Oppa!"
Han Su-ah spotted Kim Sun-woo returning to the waiting room and instantly brightened up.
The young hunter, seeing that, twitched one eye and turned his gaze toward Kim Sun-woo.
"...So you're the one all the rumors have been about lately? The guy who took down the Black Knight solo."
"This is Hunter Lee Kyung-won, here to serve as the examiner for this rank assessment. He's a C-rank hunter from Line Guild."
"I'm Kim Sun-woo."
Kim Sun-woo gave a light bow in greeting, and Lee Kyung-won grinned, extending his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I heard you're thirty-two. Makes you my hyung."
Kim Sun-woo took the outstretched hand without much thought.
Do we really need a handshake? Sure enough, a childish power struggle ensued.
Kwak.
It was tremendous grip strength.
Any ordinary F-rank hunter's hand would have been crushed in an instant.
But Kim Sun-woo didn't budge, calmly matching the force.
"...Huh. No wonder you're applying for assessment. Heard you've been F-rank for nearly ten years. Must've trained hard."
Seeing no reaction from Kim Sun-woo, Lee Kyung-won released the grip with shining eyes.
Kim Sun-woo did the same.
The assessment spar hadn't even started—why waste energy?
"Alright, let's do this. I'll grab my gear, and we'll start in ten minutes. That cool, Section Chief?"
"Ah, yes. Please."
Section Chief Park In-su nodded, and Lee Kyung-won waved casually as he sauntered out.
"Section Chief Park. Why him, of all people?"
"We scheduled it so suddenly, it was hard to find someone. Association hunters were out of the question, so we had to go external. Hunter Lee Kyung-won was on standby for community service, so we could bring him right away. He won't get too nasty with that hanging over him."
"Community service?"
Han Su-ah voiced her doubt, and Section Chief Park In-su chuckled awkwardly.
"Yeah, got booked for a drunken brawl. Cumulative warnings landed him service duty. If he causes trouble now, it'll turn into a criminal case for real. No need to worry too much."
"That type ruins the hunter reputation single-handedly. Both of you, remember that. You'll meet plenty of hunters ahead, but he's not the kind to keep close."
Kim Jin-cheol clicked his tongue, still displeased.
There were no shortage of young hunters causing social issues.
With great power comes great responsibility—that was common sense.
That's why hunters faced harsher penalties than civilians for misconduct.
Lee Kyung-won, out here on cumulative warnings for community service, was walking a razor's edge.
"Anyway, you okay?"
"Yeah. He just showed up out of nowhere saying we should grab a drink if I had time."
Han Su-ah frowned, crumpling the business card in her hand.
She tossed it straight into the trash without hesitation, brushing off her hands.
"I can't stand rude people."
"Hm."
Kim Sun-woo glanced at the spot where Lee Kyung-won had left.
To think someone with such trash personality could gain real power.
It really made him realize the world was unfair.
Not that I should talk, climbing this far on talent.
"No direct harm thanks to the Illusion Field, but still be careful. His mouth is foul, but his skills are legit."
"Got it. Any tips for impressing the examiners?"
"Probably something with impact. It's human judgment, after all—showy matters."
"Impact. Understood."
"And don't worry if issues arise. I'll step in myself if needed."
Kim Jin-cheol narrowed his eyes, lightly rolling his wrist.
A clear sign he'd intervene and thrash Lee Kyung-won if he went wild.
As Kim Sun-woo nodded with a small chuckle, Section Chief Park In-su, checking his phone, spoke up.
"They're ready over there. Heading to the assessment arena now."
"See you later then."
Kim Sun-woo followed Section Chief Park In-su to the arena, while Kim Jin-cheol and Han Su-ah headed to the stands.
Kang! Kang!
The assessment arena was divided into multiple sections.
Hunters were sparring chaotically on stages in different areas, handling multiple assessments at once.
The clear divisions prevented interference between sections.
Section Chief Park In-su led him to a stage where Lee Kyung-won was already warming up lightly.
"Hop up quick. Been a while since I loosened up."
Lee Kyung-won wore a skin-tight racing suit-like outfit blending white and blue, accentuating his muscular build.
Even before stepping onto the stage, the fierce aura he exuded hinted at his accumulated strength.
"……."
Kim Sun-woo nodded and climbed onto the stage.
Section Chief Park In-su, following behind, explained the rules.
"I'll step down, and the buzzer sounds—start sparring then. Continue until Hunter Lee Kyung-won, the examiner, or other supervisors call it."
"Got it."
Section Chief Park In-su descended, leaving Kim Sun-woo and Lee Kyung-won facing off, waiting for the buzzer.
Kim Sun-woo eyed Lee Kyung-won.
He was a martial arts hunter.
No weapons—just red gauntlets on his hands.
He tapped the ground, jogging in place...
Beep!
The instant the buzzer rang, he exploded forward, charging at Kim Sun-woo with a surprise attack.
Shyaaak!
A streak of gale pierced the air.
Clean, lightning-fast movement worthy of admiration.
Closing the distance in the shortest path, Lee Kyung-won narrowed his eyes, sizing up Kim Sun-woo.
Sloppy.
The guy still stared ahead with a dumb expression.
As if only now realizing the attack, he shifted his feet and turned his head—but so slow it was yawn-worthy.
Not just anyone climbs to C-rank.
No plans to drag this out.
Kim Jin-cheol annoyed him, Kim Sun-woo annoyed him.
Knock this punk out in one hit and watch Kim Jin-cheol's sour face—sounds fun.
Han Su-ah was to his taste, though. Invite her to dinner after?
Shyaaak!
Lee Kyung-won drove his fist straight at Kim Sun-woo's face center.
In reality, the head would've exploded, blood and brains splattering.
But this was inside the Illusion Field.
Even lethal wounds converted to mental damage—knockout at most.
Crime of challenging the C-rank wall.
Feel it with that body.
Thwuck!
The gauntlet-wrapped fist cleanly pierced Kim Sun-woo's head.
...But Lee Kyung-won's expression soured.
The feel.
No impact.
Like punching a phantom—nothing there.
Even in the Illusion Field, feedback should be real. Why?
"Huh?!"
Then, Kim Sun-woo's form shimmered and vanished like a mirage. Lee Kyung-won gasped.
An illusion?
Heard he trained martial arts—using illusions too?
Flash!
A brilliant white flash and deafening thunderclap exploded in his face.
No chance to react.
Kudangtangtang!
Lee Kyung-won tumbled spectacularly across the stage, drawing all eyes.
"Hm."
Kim Sun-woo, who had evaded the ambush with Flash Flow Step and countered with Flying Thunder Flash, looked puzzled instead.
"Too weak? You really C-rank?"
Words that would've enraged any recipient to the core.
But Lee Kyung-won had taken a decapitating blow and been out cold for ages.
As Kim Sun-woo scratched his head, the stunned staff below snapped to action.
"Check him first!"
"Out cold! Overflow! Can't wake him—get the stretcher!"
The medic assessed Lee Kyung-won as staff loaded him onto the stretcher and carried him off the stage.
"Does this mean it's over?"
"……."
Section Chief Park In-su had no words for Kim Sun-woo's question.
He himself was a D-rank Association hunter.
Obliged to score the spar with supervisors, he'd focused—then flash, and Lee Kyung-won was down.
I saw the opener ambush...
But how Kim Sun-woo dodged and countered to knock him out? No clue.
Glancing up, Association staff and supervisors shook their heads awkwardly too.
Even their gear couldn't analyze it.
Our equipment handles C-rank fine.
...Beyond that?
"Section Chief?"
"Ah, sorry. It ended too fast for us to confirm. Even observation gear struggled to analyze..."
Section Chief Park In-su bowed politely.
Either way, it was beyond their judgment.
Lee Kyung-won's personality was trash, but his skills were solid.
"We'll report up and reassess another way..."
"Interesting."
"……!"
Section Chief Park In-su flinched at the voice behind him, and Kim Sun-woo narrowed his eyes.
A middle-aged man in flowing martial robes appeared as if rising from behind the stage.
Only sensed right before he spoke.
Top-tier hunter.
Kim Sun-woo eyed him carefully—then startled.
"Plum blossoms?"
Clear plum blossom emblems stood out on sleeves, chest, and robes.
The Huashan expert grinned at Kim Sun-woo's reaction and offered a light fist salute.
"I am Baek San-hu, Plum Blossom Sword Saint of Huashan. Seems you're short an opponent, junior. Mind if I assist?"