Hunter Registration
I came to the Hunter Association to register as a hunter. As soon as I walked in, people were bustling about everywhere. I grabbed a number ticket first and sat in an empty chair. Glancing at the ticket, there were 13 people ahead of me, so I killed time playing a mobile game.
Ding.
My number popped up on the monitor.
"What can I help you with?"
"I'm here for hunter registration."
"Hunter registration? Did you make a reservation?"
"No reservation."
"Alright, same-day processing it is."
The woman in front of me tapped away at her keyboard.
"Take this and head to the elevator up ahead—go to Basement 2."
"Thanks."
I took the paper she handed me, got on the elevator she'd pointed out, and rode down to B2. When the doors opened, there were way more people than on the first floor. It wasn't just folks registering—plenty of what looked like guild scouts were milling around too.
The moment I arrived, people gave me a quick glance before turning back to the massive screen they were watching. I checked it out myself: it was broadcasting the exam that everyone takes for hunter registration—someone else in the middle of theirs right now.
The guild scouts were all clutching sheets of paper. I snuck a peek; looked like data on today's promising registrants.
Come to think of it, most people register after graduating from the Hunter Academy. I'm a pretty unusual case.
Normal awakenings make it hard to fully grasp or manifest your ability. Mine's more like stealing, so I can use it without any issues.
"Whoa, that's a beast. At least D-rank base, easy."
"Yeah, guilds must be drooling."
"Pfft, forget it—word is [Extreme] Guild already locked 'em down from the Academy."
"Figures they'd snag promising talents early. Sigh."
On screen, a woman was sparring with a guy who looked like the supervisor. She wasn't my type, so I tuned it out and went back to my game.
"Huh? Isn't that guy the last one?"
"On-site registrant, maybe? Kwon Yong-jin? Never heard the name."
"Yeah, probably not a Hunter Academy grad."
I stepped into the room, and a guy in his thirties was standing there.
Different supervisor from the one on screen.
"Kwon Yong-jin, correct?"
"Yes, that's me."
"First, please demonstrate your ability. If it's an attack, hit that target over there."
While devouring the Chae-yeon and Chae-rim sisters, their powers merged and I realized something new: the light born from emotions is part of me. Meaning I can combine other abilities. And unlike before, when it was just wings, now I can shape it however I want.
Two branch-like strands sprouted from my wing bones, like tree limbs. Unlike plain black wings, they shimmered with a mix of complex colors, giving off an ominous vibe. Even I thought they looked creepy—wonder how they look to others.
The supervisor's face in front of me twisted in disgust.
Yeah, thought so.
Anyway, time to attack. Round fruits formed on the branches protruding from my back.
I'd agonized a lot over how to use my growing arsenal of abilities efficiently. The answer: fruits.
Load abilities into fruits ahead of time, like prepping ammo. Then deploy the right one at the right moment.
First up, the basics from the Chae sisters. A black beam shot toward the target. A black line connected us, followed by a massive boom.
KABOOM!!!
A clean hole punched right through the target's center.
"Ho. So you can attack in different ways?"
"Yes."
"Target this one now."
This new one was thicker, tougher-looking sphere.
Time for the technique Chae-yeon once used on me. I split the branches on my back and slammed them into the floor. Once they were solidly anchored, I formed fruits on every branch. Focused, and detonated them all.
Black lights burst out, converging and compressing into a single point. This energy felt different—shaky, like it'd explode at the slightest touch.
I unleashed the compressed light. Unlike before, this massive black beam swallowed the target whole, space itself warping around it. The resulting shockwave rocked my body hard, but the branches pinned me in place.
"Hoo..."
Stronger than I expected. As the dust cleared, the target was gone—only the pole it'd been mounted on remained.
"Impressive."
Clapping from behind. The supervisor stared at me, eyes wide with shock.
"Thank you. Practice combat next?"
"Uh... I don't think I can handle that. One moment."
He pondered briefly, then left the room. Soon after, an older guy with a seasoned look entered. Short hair mostly white, long beard—gave off serious intimidation.
This guy's my sparring partner?
"Nice to meet you, Kwon Yong-jin. I'm Kim Seok-won, team leader in the Hunter Association's Hunter Management Division."
"Hello. Kwon Yong-jin."
"Your ability's exceptional, so I'd like to spar personally if that's alright?"
"No problem on my end."
"Appreciate it. Let's move to another room."
I followed Kim Seok-won to a much larger space. Walls and floor looked insanely reinforced. I could tell at a glance.
"You can go all out here—no issues. Ready for practice combat now?"
"Yes, good to go."
Kim Seok-won ahead of me assumed a stance. Legs spread slow and steady, hands rising to guard as his narrowed eyes snapped open, locking onto me.
I drew my branches and posed—then a fist filled my vision. No wasted motion, blinding speed. I jammed a branch between the fist and my face; it collided on impact.
Blocked, he leaped, raising both arms high for a crushing overhead smash.
BOOM!!
His fists cratered the floor inches from my feet. I countered with fruits from my branches. Still on the ground, he shouldered me back. I stabbed branches into the floor to brace, then charged—he met me head-on.
That punch earlier? Physical fights with him would be a loss for now.
But...
Branches on my back split and swarmed him. His eyes widened at the onslaught, batting them away one by one, advancing step by step.
Growing branches, all blocked as he closed in. He shattered the last ones, lunging for the kill—but now I was behind him.
He sensed it instantly, whipping around. Too late. Branches on the verge of touching him...
"Haaah!!"
Massive mana erupted from his body, shielding him like a barrier, repelling every branch.
"Supervisor, is this room broadcasting like the last one?"
"Hm? No, this one's private."
"Then this stays secret."
I hadn't planned to reveal other abilities. But I wanted to land one solid hit on this strong old man.
Fruits on the branches began vanishing one by one. His intrigued expression at my question turned puzzled as they disappeared.
BAM!!!
His head snapped back violently.
"Wha...?"
BAM!! BAM!! BAM!! BAM!!
Brutal impacts hammered his body. A degraded version of magical girl Mia's ability: simplified Perception Reduction, applied only to the fruits to hide the attacks.
Despite escalating blows, he adapted, blocking more and more.
What's this guy's deal? Defending only vitals, tanking hits to non-critical spots without flinching. No sound, presence, or wind—how's he sensing it?
All fruits gone, assault ended. He raised a hand, waving it.
"I surrender. Well fought, Kwon Yong-jin."
Surrender, sure—but not a scratch after all that? Body of steel.
"Good fight."
I bowed politely.
"Truly impressive. Any guilds you're eyeing?"
He rolled his neck, clapping as he approached.
"Nah, no guilds."
"Then perhaps...?"
"Thinking of helping out magical girls."
"Excellent choice."
Planning to fuck both hunters and magical girls, but sure.
"We assign managers to independents working with magical girls. Interested?"
"Hell yeah."
He grinned wide and led me out of the room.