Chapter 20: Passed
“Grrr.”
What an ugly fucking thing.
I glared at the goblin that had been summoned right in front of me. It really looked like some cartoonist with a massive nose—just straight-up hideous.
Maybe because it was summoned via summoning magic, it didn't give off any real killing intent. It felt less like a wild beast and more like some pathetic loser punk I just wanted to smack around.
Monster. The creatures that appeared during the Great Cataclysm. In the modern era, monsters were defined as 'lifeforms made of mana.'
Mana was a force superior to physical power, so no matter what you did, you could never kill a monster with purely physical means—not with guns, not even with a nuke.
The goblin charging at me right now was the weakest of monsters, with strength on par with a middle school bully at best. Even it wouldn't die from bullets or nukes. But things changed if you used mana.
“Kieeeek!!”
The goblin lunged at me. I panicked for a split second but quickly steadied myself and activated Pummeling (D).
Pummeling (D)
As the skill kicked in, mana naturally circulated through my body. I let myself flow with it, hammering the goblin with Pummeling.
Papapapak.
“Kieeeek!”
“Ugh, fuck.”
My fists slammed into the goblin's face, torso, and limbs. The struck areas caved in, blood spraying out. Even a monster that could tank a nuke was just cannon fodder against fists infused with mana.
Hunters didn't make bank for nothing. Only those who could wield mana could take down monsters.
Of course, that was old news. In the modern era, mana-based weapons had been developed, so you could bomb most monsters from afar—but that shit wasn't cost-effective. Hunters were still invincible.
This feels fucking gross for real.
I shook my hand to get rid of the nasty sensation. The feeling of bone and flesh crushing wasn't something you could call 'pleasant' even as a white lie. No wonder people used weapons. I should buy a sword or something. Bare-handed monster hunting seemed physiologically impossible.
But buying one felt like a waste of cash, so I'd spin the gacha when I got home. Hopefully no more staffs or broomsticks. If it had any conscience, anyway.
“Kirrruk.”
“What, you still alive?”
Thwack!
“Argh! Fuck!”
I kicked the downed goblin. Kicking bare-handed without a skill just made my foot hurt like hell. Pissed off, I used Heavy Strike to stomp its groin.
Heavy Strike
Something popped, and the goblin went limp. Easy.
“Oh, pretty quick, huh? Congrats on passing the first exam!”
“That's it?”
What, just one goblin? They said the hunter exam was easier than eating cake for Awakeners, and it looked like that was true. Way simpler than I'd thought.
“Heh, if you can't properly wield mana, no amount of human training lets you kill a goblin. Think about how that bare kick felt without a skill.”
“Uh... But isn't it similar once you train your mana?”
“No way. The difference between system assistance and not is surprisingly huge.”
Is that so? I didn't know much about monsters before awakening—just memes. Anyway, passing was a relief. I'd been a bit nervous. Failing would've wasted the 140,000 won fee on top of no karma farming. Massive loss.
Unlike the written exam, practical fail certs were worthless on forums. They fell flat—no upvote nukes, just mockery.
“So, wanna take the second exam? You look plenty capable. Note it costs another 120,000 won.”
“Here?”
I eyed the proctor's huge tits as I asked. If she was proctoring the second round too, fuck it, I'd do it.
“Nah... Sign the consent form first, then head to the dedicated exam room.”
“Ah... Pass.”
Guess not. No point bothering without a hot chick overseeing it.
“Alright, head to the auditorium first. There's about an hour of orientation. Here's your pass cert.”
“Yep.”
I stepped out. Others were waiting like I had been. I flashed a victor's smirk and pushed past them, heading to the auditorium.
- Examinees numbered 16501 to 17000, please proceed to the practical exam room now.
The announcement blared every 2-3 minutes. So Eun-byeol perked up her ears, listening intently, then jumped up when her number was called.
“Ahem.”
She'd stood too fast; the chair scraped loudly. Eyes turned her way briefly. Blushing, she fake-coughed, pretended to check her phone, and slipped out.
Gotta tell the Constellation.
She opened KakaoTalk and messaged him. He might not be online, but sending it couldn't hurt.
It's exam day, so maybe he's watching me...
Daydreaming, she fired off messages.
Not read.
As expected, the Constellation hadn't checked. The messages from 2 hours ago still showed 1.
A bit disappointing, but whatever. He was busy. No time for a mere mortal.
She was about to close the app when—
“Ah?”
The 1 in the bottom right vanished with a shot. He'd read them.
Excitement bubbling, she peeked again. Soon, his reply popped up.
Seizing the connection, So Eun-byeol bombarded him happily. Then her face soured.
“Argh, seriously...”
A message from Lee Hyun. Distracted chatting with the Constellation, she'd seen it. Ignoring unread was one thing, but now it bound her actions.
Ugh, why me...
What nasty shit would he pull sitting her next to him? No need to guess—shoving hands up her skirt or forcing her hand on his crotch. Obvious pervert crap.
That filthy freak groped without shame in public. Fucking dog... One day, she'd kill him...
So Eun-byeol startled at the Constellation's message. Desperate not to let him know about Lee Hyun, she lied frantically. She hated worrying him or seeming like a dirty slut.
Not that he'd judge her just for losing her virginity... but still, she fretted.
“Number 16974, come in.”
“Y-yes!”
Daydreaming about the Constellation finding out she was a slave to trash, So Eun-byeol snapped to and hurried inside.
“Kerrruk...”
The proctor explained lightly and summoned the goblin. Green-skinned, big-nosed monster—a goblin. Seeing one in person for the first time, after only YouTube vids, was intriguing.
Not that scary-looking though.
Were monsters always like this? YouTube clips made them scarier.
“Heh, exam ones have the killing intent removed, so that's why. Like zoo beasts—not frightening.”
“Ah, got it.”
The proctor smiled and explained. So Eun-byeol nodded.
“Ready to start?”
“W-wait a sec.”
“Can't drag too long—others waiting.”
Huuu.
So Eun-byeol took a deep breath to shake off the practical exam nerves. Easy for Awakeners, sure, but what if? Failing meant no face for her parents or Constellation.
Shing.
She drew the rental basic sword and aimed at the goblin, glaring.
“Here I go.”
“Kerrruk.”
The goblin stared blankly back, emotionless. On the proctor's signal, it grabbed its club and charged.
But the club never touched her.
Slash (F)
Slash! Mana from her sword tip cleaved the club and bisected the goblin. Red blood gushed as its body dissolved back into mana.