The Final Threshold
The entrance exam was nearing its end.
Only two things remained: willpower and luck.
Luck wasn't a skill a candidate could train or measure, so once willpower was tested, the exam would conclude.
"Before the final test, the proctor will explain the testing method."
The atmosphere of the final inspection differed markedly from the previous ones.
The assistants stood at regular intervals, encircling the testing hall like guardians, while several doctors in white coats waited nearby, and the proctor himself wore protective gear.
"This is a test that uses hallucination artifacts, so any mishap could lead to serious accidents. Therefore, cooperation from all candidates is crucial."
The proctor conveyed the test format and contingency procedures with a grave expression.
Kang Seojun listened intently, wondering if any details differed from his knowledge, but nothing new stood out.
The method was straightforward.
Candidates would enter the glass enclosure housing the hallucination artifact and simply endure.
Once the test began, the artifact would trigger trauma and trigger points through sensory overload, plunging participants into agony.
The mental and physical torment would intensify over time. When a candidate believed they had reached their limit, they were to press the red button provided by the proctor.
However, a few candidates each year panicked and failed to press the button, triggering seizures.
Among them, some had been seen vomiting or attacking staff members, which explained the instructors' vigilant stance.
"I'm so tense..."
"They said your nose and eyes would run dry..."
"The aftereffects last a long time, I heard. Apparently, some people can't even sleep properly for weeks because the hallucinations keep haunting them."
"The pain isn't just mental—it's brutal on the body too."
"Apparently, quite a few people inside the artifact throw up and have accidents. And if they can't endure it, their willpower is locked at F-rank, right?"
Given the infamy, the candidates were clearly on edge.
"Huff... huff..."
Only Kang Seojun, his willpower at thirty, radiated quiet excitement as he waited for the limit to be tested.
"Very well. Then, the first group, enter!"
The proctor announced the start.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"Ugh... uwek..."
The candidates who had completed the willpower measurement sat clustered on one side, retching.
"Ugh..."
Those who were still standing swayed with pale faces.
"Assistant. Clean the artifact and prepare the next group."
The proctor inspected each candidate's condition and spoke.
"Yes."
- Swaaaaa!
The assistant pulled the lever. Viscera and various fluids were flushed down the drain by the cleaning solution inside the glass enclosure.
Finally, warm air blew through and dried the moisture, restoring the glass to its pristine state.
"Next group. Enter!"
The test was now at its final stage.
"This batch has many notable figures."
The proctor scanned the candidate list.
Jin Serin. Park Sinhu.
Heirs to the country's top two chaebols.
Rivals, as the saying went—met on a narrow bridge.
Unsurprisingly, the two of them had been placed in the same batch to compete for the Fruit of the Sun.
"Overall ability is higher for Park Sinhu. But no matter how strong the stats, without willpower, it's all meaningless."
The proctor reviewed their records and thought.
"If Park Sinhu also outranks Jin Serin in willpower, the outcome would be decided."
The proctor, back turned, observed each candidate entering the enclosure.
"The rest..."
His gaze landed on one figure.
A candidate with twisted limbs staggered forward, barely able to walk, breathing ragged as if he might collapse at any moment.
Skin, bones, body—all seemed anything but normal.
It was Kang Seojun.
"Most of his stats are F-rank. His intelligence is the only exception at eight, still E-rank. Not high."
The proctor looked at him with a bitter smile.
"The passing threshold is an average of six or higher, or possession of at least one A-rank stat above twenty-six."
The proctor shook his head.
"A-rank is elite even among active hunters. It's impossible for a low-ranked candidate with an average F-rank to hold A-rank willpower."
The proctor clicked his tongue.
"Pitiable. He must have come here with the tiniest hope."
While the proctor pondered, each candidate entered their assigned enclosure and prepared.
"Everyone ready? When ready, raise your hands."
The candidates in the enclosures raised their hands without exception.
Kang Seojun did the same.
The proctor stared at him with worry before saying, "Good. Test begins."
- Uwoong!
The glass enclosure glowed red as the test commenced.
"This feeling..."
Kang Seojun savored the tingling pain creeping from his fingertips.
The world spun when he opened his eyes. When he closed them, obscene images replayed like videos.
Sound grew louder—drills, screams.
Smell, taste, skin. Every sense twisted into agony.
But the stimulation wasn't only sensory.
"This..."
The visions before his eyes were his past.
Memories he wanted to forget.
School trauma. Family trauma. Military trauma. Social trauma.
They flashed before him, vivid and exaggerated.
"So what?"
To him, they caused no impact.
He had entered the game and begun a new life. Those memories were now just someone else's videos.
"This should go smoothly."
Kang Seojun felt almost carefree enough to whistle.
The others, however...
"Ugh..."
"Huh... huh..."
"Gruk..."
Their faces darkened in real time.
"Uwek..."
One finally retched inside the enclosure.
"Tsk..."
"Huek..."
Jin Serin and Park Sinhu were in the same state.
- Beep!
"Ugh... uwek..."
The first dropout appeared instantly.
The moment the door opened, he vomited on the floor and knelt.
"Assistant! Tend to the candidate!"
The proctor controlled the situation calmly.
"He is enduring better than expected..."
The proctor watched Kang Seojun and thought.
Even though he had passed from F-rank to E-rank, his appearance was completely calm.
As if he had simply fallen asleep.
Yet the subtle moistening of his lips betrayed that he was still conscious.
- Beep!
- Beep!
- Beep!
"Puaak..."
"Uuwuk..."
"Kwaak..."
As the artifact strength crossed into the D-rank range, more dropouts followed.
"Assistant!"
The assistants rushed to help under the proctor's orders.
Only Jin Serin, Park Sinhu, and Kang Seojun remained.
The recovered candidates watched the trio with envy.
"Indeed, those two have exceptional willpower. It's obvious they'll get at least C-rank."
"But who is this third one?"
"Who was he?"
The candidates stared at Kang Seojun.
"Whoa. He's in the same group. I never imagined."
"This combination is impossible."
"His F-rank is real."
"Intelligence is supposedly E-rank?"
"Then the rest are all F-rank. Legend."
"He'll drop soon."
Yet, contrary to expectation, Kang Seojun remained composed as time passed.
The artifact strength had now reached the mid-C-rank range, requiring willpower around eighteen.
At this point, Jin Serin and Park Sinhu began to show signs of strain—furrowed brows, clenched fists.
Kang Seojun showed no discomfort whatsoever.
In fact, his expression was as serene as lying in a flower field.
He even stretched lazily within the enclosure.
"Is the artifact working properly?"
"The red light is on. It's activated."
"Seriously? Then we're just enduring?"
"It was hell the moment I entered D-rank..."
"How is he so calm? With that body, standing would be hard enough."
While the waiting candidates marveled at Kang Seojun,
- Beep!
The dropout alarm sounded and Jin Serin's door opened.
"Kuek... huek..."
Jin Serin didn't vomit or faint like the others, but her legs gave out. She staggered, took only a few steps, and collapsed.
She bit her lower lip in frustration, watching the remaining two.
"Finally, Jin Serin has dropped out."
The proctor recorded C-rank on her form and thought.
"This batch's top spot is likely Park Sinhu."
The proctor observed the last two.
The artifact strength had now entered the B-rank range.
Enduring this meant their willpower was above twenty-one.
Park Sinhu was clearly struggling—teeth gritted, face twisted.
"Hmm..."
Kang Seojun's expression, however, remained unchanged.
The proctor frowned in bewilderment.
"At first it makes sense, but how can he stay this calm even in B-rank? With such a body?"
Willpower wasn't an independent stat one could train.
Strong will was only possible in a strong body.
That was one of the many doctrines the proctor believed.
The proctor approached Kang Seojun to verify the artifact.
"The artifact is functioning normally. Mana flow is stable. Not a resistance trait..."
He drew closer but confirmed it was running perfectly.
What kind of student was this?
Despite a body so pitiful it might as well be dead tomorrow, he endured the B-rank willpower range that even active heroes struggled with.
The proctor's long-held faith was shaken.
- Beep!
Then the alarm rang again. Park Sinhu's door opened.
"Huu... shit..."
Park Sinhu staggered out, drenched in sweat, but didn't collapse.
He slowly opened his eyes and scanned his surroundings as if dazed.
His gaze fell on Jin Serin sitting weakly against the wall, and a faint smile touched his lips.
"I was last."
Thinking this, Park Sinhu turned around.
But...
"Who the hell is that?"
One more candidate was still inside.
"Enduring the late B-rank range?"
Park Sinhu had pushed and pushed until the absolute limit before pressing the button.
Yet this one still showed a completely calm expression.
"Unbelievable."
Enduring this range with such composure.
He couldn't believe it.
How much hellish training had he endured to raise his willpower?
He had only reached twenty-three.
Yet this guy...
The artifact strength had now crossed into the A-rank range.