Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Area-Wide Aggro (2)
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ZZZIIING!
In stark contrast to Kim Gunja staggering back from the impact of the clash, Jin Garyul hadn't budged a single step.
Anyone could see who had won and lost.
But ironically, the one with the twisted face was Jin Garyul.
Drip—
A single drop of blood trickled down his finger, staining the tiled floor.
His yellowish vertical pupils contracted in disbelief.
"M-Me? Injured? By a failure like you? Me?"
Jin Garyul had clearly overwhelmed Kim Gunja.
With his superior physical and mana levels, there was no way he could've been pushed back.
Just look at Kim Gunja—he couldn't even steady himself after one collision.
But just one thread.
The mana compressed to its limits using the essence of Heaven-Shattering Sword and Ma Ilcheon's right arm had pierced through Jin Garyul's mana barrier and tough skin, drawing blood.
It was a tiny wound, like the prick of a needle, but Jin Garyul couldn't accept even that.
"You damn pest!"
Jin Garyul's yellowish eyes turned bloodshot.
He radiated a savage aura, like he was ready to crush everything right then and there, exam be damned.
His hair and clothes fluttered as he maxed out his mana circuits.
Even though this was no level he could possibly handle, Kim Gunja's lips were curling upward.
Because he could see her.
Over Jin Garyul's shoulder—the number one stalker fan who'd trailed him for three months straight.
"Hey!"
Woooong—!
The room lights flickered rapidly from the mana-charged shout.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
It was Sin Yeji.
Kim Gunja had gone to the bathroom and hadn't come back, so she'd come looking—and sensed the mana clash on her way.
Sin Yeji's dense, net-like pressure clashed fiercely with Jin Garyul's beastly ferocity, each staking claim to their territory.
Jin Garyul's brow furrowed.
He stared at the new interloper for a moment, then muttered,
"Eh... spoilsport."
as he withdrew his mana.
His reptilian eyes had already returned to normal.
He glanced at Kim Gunja, and that mask-like smile crept back onto his face.
He'd only meant to quietly check the guy's origins, but that unexpected counterattack had escalated things a bit.
'If he hadn't resisted needlessly...'
Regrettable, but he had to back off here.
His goal was the Hunter license, after all.
Locking his fingers above his head, Jin Garyul gave a playful farewell.
"Nice meeting you, bro. Your girlfriend's a cutie. Good luck on the exam."
Jin Garyul backed off, spouting nonsense.
"Wh-Wh-Who're you calling girlfriend?! Hey! Stop right there! What the hell were you doing?!"
Sin Yeji's face flushed red as she tried to grab him.
"Sin Yeji, examinee. No causing a disturbance."
A staff member who'd rushed over at the shouting urged her to calm down.
"No, that jerk was just about to do something weird to my uncle!"
"...Pardon? Uncle... do you mean this gentleman? And what exactly do you mean by 'something weird'?"
"...!"
Sin Yeji was at a loss for words.
She hadn't seen it herself, and there were no CCTV cameras in the bathroom.
Just circumstantial evidence.
All she knew was that Jin Garyul had clashed with her uncle once.
Kim Gunja stepped forward as Sin Yeji floundered.
"...It's nothing. Just a minor misunderstanding that got cleared up nicely."
Making a big deal out of it here wouldn't help. No evidence, after all.
Besides, judging purely by results, it looked like Kim Gunja had injured Jin Garyul.
"Ah, I see..."
The staff member sighed, glancing between the retreating Jin Garyul, the nonchalant Kim Gunja, and the fuming Sin Yeji.
Even adults in their prime could get rowdy, especially in a place full of young Awakeners—incidents were common.
"If there's any issue, please come straight to me. And... everyone's nerves are on edge before the exam, so please try to be mindful."
With that, the staff left, and Kim Gunja thanked Yeji.
If she'd been even a little later, who knows what that creep might've done.
Her expression softening at his gratitude, Yeji started grumbling and about to lecture him—but Kim Gunja cut her off.
"Yeji."
"Yeah?"
"This is the men's room, though..."
"...I-I'll head out first!"
She'd stormed in all bold, but now she bolted in a panic. Kim Gunja let out a soft chuckle at the sight.
Stepping outside, he drew stares from examinees who'd gathered at the commotion.
"Uncle?"
"So that old guy's... the oldest examinee?"
"He knows Sin Yeji? Lucky bastard."
Yeji's voice must've carried—everyone had heard.
Who'd have thought he'd hear "old guy" and "oldest" at 29.
"Haa..."
It felt like nothing but tiring crap was happening before the exam even started.
Of course, it wasn't all bad.
A blessing in disguise, you might say.
The unexpected incident had unlocked the quest's key.
It was the quest alert that rang as Jin Garyul retreated.
Kim Gunja immediately checked the quest window.
As expected, some conditions were complete.
From the recent encounter, he could infer a few things.
"New powerhouses."
Probably meant first-time encounters with A-rank or higher.
And "show your presence."
'Leave a strong impression.'
He hadn't countered with that intent against Jin Garyul, but the result wasn't bad.
Back in the waiting room, Kim Gunja's gaze shifted to the other two.
Diamond Han Juyeong.
Berserker Cha Gangju.
Recalling the abilities from the Customizing Room, he brainstormed ways to make a strong impression and nodded.
He knew exactly what to do first.
Rest.
Thanks to that damn Jin Garyul, his mana was drained.
Kim Gunja slumped into his chair like a sticker and focused on recovery with Heaven-Shattering Divine Art.
Sin Yeji watched him intently, then scooted closer to his shoulder.
Like a mother bird shielding her chick.
#
The purpose of the Hunter License Exam was clear.
"We evaluate whether you possess the minimum qualifications to hunt monsters. That's our top priority."
The proctor announced as they moved outdoors.
Drones buzzed overhead for comprehensive evaluations and live broadcasts.
"The first exam is pure practical—hunting only."
Hunting monsters.
The be-all and end-all of being a Hunter.
"The rules are simple. Forest, desert, ruins, or ocean. Pick one theme and hunt monsters within the time limit."
Higher scores for riskier, higher-quantity hunts. Fail the minimum, and you're out.
"Fields are stocked randomly with E- to C-rank monsters suited to each theme."
Captured from barren zones, monsters were used for bio-research, gear development, training—or exams like this.
"For minimum safety, you'll go in teams of 4 or 5. B-rank safety personnel are stationed per zone. But given the exam's nature, we can't guarantee 100% safety. So..."
The proctor scanned the examinees before continuing.
"Anyone who wants to withdraw now, speak up."
That moment.
Kieeeek!
BOOM! Crash!
The roars of mid-sized monsters clashing echoed from afar.
One fidgety guy shot his hand up.
"N-Not that I'm scared or anything, but I've realized hunting's not for me. Can I go?"
The proctor nodded impassively.
It happened every year.
First face-to-face with monsters you'd only seen on TV or online—always a couple got cold feet.
"Withdrawers, line up with the red-hatted staff over there."
The guy headed over, and a few others slunk after him.
Once they were gone, the proctor spoke again.
"Collect your smartwatches and requested primary weapons in the order called. Hunting scores update live on your smartwatches."
As weapons were distributed, one man approached Kim Gunja.
"You okay? You look pale..."
He wore a black training suit.
As the man said, Kim Gunja's recovery wasn't complete—his face showed it.
"Ah, I'm fine."
"Name's Han Jihan. First Hunter exam?"
"Kim Gunja. Yeah."
Hearing "first," Han Jihan grinned.
He mistook Kim Gunja's stiffness for nerves.
"Not bragging, but I'm on my fourth try. Pro tip: monsters just roar loud. Up close, they're not that tough. No need to tense up."
Then why four tries? The question crossed his mind, but he didn't ask.
He could tell it was well-meant.
"If you feel off during the exam, call safety via smartwatch right away. Exam matters, but safety first."
Kim Gunja eyed Han Jihan steadily.
"Ah, haha, was that too forward? Sorry if—"
"Not at all. Thanks for the advice."
Kim Gunja shook his head, expressing genuine gratitude.
...Yeah. Not every Awakener was a Kang Inhyeok or Jin Garyul type.
There were folks like this.
Kind to total strangers.
"Examinee Kim Gunja."
Kim Gunja stood at the proctor's call and bowed.
"Han Jihan. Good luck—I hope you get great results."
Han Jihan beamed at the words.
"You too, Kim Gunja."
Kim Gunja had requested standard Hunter gear: a mana-stone hunting gun and hunting sword.
The gun could fire mana bullets or signal flares.
Once smartwatches and weapons were issued, teams formed via smartwatch.
Kim Gunja was in a five-man team.
"Teams, gather by designation."
Everyone shifted to their spots.
"Monster Uncle, good luck on the exam."
"You too."
Parting from Yeji, he joined his team.
Checking the lineup, Kim Gunja thought it was a solid start.
Berserker Cha Gangju.
Teammate. Perfect quest opportunity.
And,
"Oh? Kim Gunja! Haha, fate, huh?"
The warm Han Jihan too.
Good vibes all around.
Until the sleazy one opened his mouth.
"Old fart on his fourth try? Tsk, embarrassing."
That type existed.
Trampling others to shine.
Like cockroaches—in schools, military, offices, exam halls. Everywhere.
Especially amped up around attractive opposites.
Like this guy posturing for Cha Gangju.
"Cha Gangju, right? I'm Geum Jinung of Geum산 Group."
One of Korea's top three conglomerates.
Rich kid.
"Ignore the trash. Let's duo it."
The chaebol smirked oily, offering his hand to Cha Gangju.
Her thick lips parted as she sat with legs crossed.
"What the hell's this butterball?"
Wow...
This girl's a total likeable type?
Fiery personality under that haughty vixen vibe.
Geum Jinung's face twisted.
"...Guess you didn't hear me. I'm from Geum산 Group—"
"So? How old are you?"
"...Huh?"
"Age."
"19..."
"Then why the casual talk? I look easy to you?"
Cha Gangju's aggressive aura pressed down on Geum Jinung.
He held against the level 6 physical pressure, but bit his lip and bowed eventually.
"S-Sorry..."
"No interest in dating. Focus on the exam, 'kay?"
Her straightforward style drew a whistle from Han Jihan beside her.
'With a personality like that...'
Maybe the quest would clear easier than expected.
"Cha Gangju."
Her gaze turned to Kim Gunja.
Now what? it said, but he spoke without hesitation.
He was certain.
Her type would bite.
"Top score on the first exam. Interested?"
And as predicted.
Her bored expression shifted at his words.
Utterly intrigued.