Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Tutorial
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Shin Juha's practical exam ended in just ten seconds. Naturally, in those ten seconds, he captured everyone's attention.
It was like watching a veteran—the effortless poise radiating from every part of his body, backed by genuine skill, plus a performance that wasn't flashy but intensely striking.
None of the previous passers had managed to kill a goblin, so the title of "first" made him even more unforgettable.
And it wasn't just the aspiring hunters who thought that way.
"Impressive."
"What kind of unique ability did he awaken to slice a goblin in one strike, even if it's just a hologram?"
"He hasn't leveled up, so he's at least awakened a high-grade physical stat. Incredible talent!"
"His swordsmanship looks effortless too!"
In the hidden space of the auditorium, the guild representatives watching the practical exam unanimously praised Shin Juha.
The atmosphere, which had risked turning boring due to the previous participants' dismal showings, suddenly came alive, with everyone's eyes gleaming.
No guild affiliation, outstanding skill, and apparent talent to boot!
He was a treasure that most scouts here would covet.
'If only we could recruit that guy to our guild!'
'We could skyrocket as a major guild!'
'We have to secure him no matter what!'
Not everyone viewed him favorably, though.
Especially the scouts from Star Cloud Guild, one of the only two top-five guilds participating in this exam and ranked fifth in Korea.
'Tch, that unlucky bastard.'
The guy who knocked out and humiliated Lee Ji-hyeong—the one they'd invested in with image management—in front of everyone.
'At least he has the skill to do that to Ji-hyeong.'
At minimum, it shut down any rumors that Ji-hyeong lost because he was weak. A silver lining in the misfortune.
But blocking one rumor didn't recover their losses.
The signing bonus to lure a rising celebrity into the guild, the massive ad campaigns, the funds poured into elixirs and support...
As one of the top five major guilds, it wasn't an amount they'd call a devastating loss, but it was still a huge sum—and half of it had evaporated into thin air because of Shin Juha's stunt moments ago.
'He messed with our guild, so he'll pay the price.'
Rage boiled inside, a urge to curse him out right then and there. But first, he'd approach politely and offer guild recruitment.
He was a scout and a pro—reason over emotion.
The losses were losses, but if Shin Juha joined their guild, it would more than make up for them and propel the guild forward.
If he accepted the offer, the scout planned to forgive his "mistake" with a little trickery in the contract.
'He's still just a greenhorn anyway.'
Fooling a newbie who had never signed a contract before? Easy for a pro like him.
But if he refused...!
'If we can't have him, we'll destroy him. Crush him completely!'
With that, the Star Cloud Guild scout glared sharply at Shin Juha.
"Number 200, exam start!"
-Kueeek!
"Number 200, well done. Pass!"
.
.
.
"Number 201, pass!"
As expected, both Seo Mi-na and Lee Ji-hyeong killed their goblins and passed the exam.
However, neither had a perfect run.
Seo Mi-na—whether she was conscious of me or just that confident—poured all her power into a surge of electricity the moment the exam started. Unfortunately, it didn't kill the goblin in one go, triggering its rage skill and giving her a slight struggle.
She hadn't fully awakened the unique ability that would later make her SS-rank, so it was understandable. Still, it was disappointing.
Lee Ji-hyeong seemed to learn from her, approaching it slowly over time, clearly accounting for the rage skill from the start.
For people who would one day sweep away goblins with a single breath or flick of the wrist, it was a pathetically weak debut.
'They haven't fully awakened their stats, and their main ones are still low. Of course.'
Even with elixirs and training, the gap in base ability couldn't be bridged.
The system's assigned ranks and the ones humans gave hunters differed greatly, so monsters were naturally stronger than same-rank hunters.
Typically, to be certified as an [F-] Rank Hunter, you just needed to enter the tutorial for the first time and gain even one level.
And goblins were among the strongest monsters in the tutorial.
To take one down head-on without exploits, you needed at least two or three [F-] Rank Hunters with two or more awakened stats.
Of course, later on, the exploits I'd used in my previous life became known, making it easier.
'At least those two awakened high-grade stats upon awakening, so they could manage it.'
Look at the other participants. Out of over 200, even the awakened ones couldn't kill goblins.
The 23 who barely triggered the rage skill and passed were hardly true passes.
'But that's good enough.'
Expecting them to handle goblins right away was unreasonable; it was supposed to be tough.
Soon they'd enter the tutorial, kill one monster, level up, and with talent, awaken a stat in a day's effort.
With that, all the exams ended.
The failures went home, leaving just 26 of us.
"Good work. You'll now follow me into the Abyss! Before that, the association will provide basic gear for new hunters."
No sooner had he spoken than staff entered carrying exactly 23 boxes.
"You'll receive the most basic equipment."
Boxes were handed out to everyone except me, Seo Mi-na, and Lee Ji-hyeong. They smiled gratefully, pulling out and examining their gear.
"Guild prospects will receive support items prepared by their guilds."
Boxes marked with the emblems of second-ranked Lotus Flame Guild and fifth-ranked Star Cloud Guild were placed before them.
And finally, the last box arrived.
"The top scorer receives support items personally prepared by the association president and the five guild masters. Congratulations!"
I carefully opened the largest box aimed my way.
'Oh ho~!'
It was worlds apart from the basic gear—several tiers above even the guild support items.
But what caught my eye first was, as expected...
'Got this again.'
A hunter license, standing out alone at the top of the box.
The rank field was blank since I hadn't entered the tutorial yet, but just holding this card again felt great.
I tucked the card back into the box and checked the gear. I grabbed what I needed and changed in the locker room.
All the support items were [Common-F Rank]. And it included three set items.
I'd thought the suit-style items might be uncomfortable, but no—they were lighter and more comfortable than the combat gear from my previous life.
The shoes, Shadow that Tramples Death, granted minor stealth effects, while Obsessive Black Hand ensured I'd never drop my weapon.
And finally, the star of the show... the weapon!
'Perfect!'
The paradoxical blade, blending chill and warmth, settled comfortably in my hand, radiating its presence.
I read the appraisal scroll beside it.
It was gear so good the term "support item" felt off. The abilities were perfect for the current situation too.
I gripped the sword and headed out, boarding the waiting bus.
"We're heading straight to the Abyss entrance. As first-timers, you'll go to the tutorial. There are 15 tutorials total—hope you've chosen yours."
After the brief explanation, I turned back and mouthed to Seo Mi-na behind me.
My... bet... reward.
She'd confidently made the bet, but now that she'd lost, she was speechless. I smirked at her.
'Thanks to that, I've got another free item coming.'
A chaebol third-gen's personal collection? Bound to have something decent.
Seo Mi-na looked upset, but whatever. She'd started the bet and chosen the reward.
It was her mistake judging I couldn't catch a monster—now she pays up.
'She won't welsh on it, right?'
No way. A chaebol third-gen drowning in cash wouldn't do that!
The bus soon arrived at a massive black vortex.
The Abyss portal—one of seven nationwide gateways to the Abyss.
We approached, showed our licenses to the inspecting staff, and got right up to it.
"Alright! Get tense! The moment you pass through this portal, your body's on you to protect. Inside are vast riches and treasures you imagine, but also monsters and villains out to kill you!"
The examiner implored us sincerely.
"Today, you have just two tasks: Get first-entry permission from the Abyss, access the portal, choose your tutorial! Then kill at least one monster in the tutorial to level up!"
Breathless, he steadied himself for one last plea.
"One more time: The Abyss isn't kind to you. Don't overdo it—return early! I'll wait here till all 26 of you come out. Enter!"
With that, the examiner stepped aside from the portal and us.
"Let's go!"
"Finally a hunter!"
"Mom, Dad! Time to filial piety!"
The aspiring—no, now official—hunters vanished into the Abyss portal one by one with cheers.
As I moved to follow, a hand grabbed my arm.
"Hey, you!"
"What?"
I scowled at the owner of the hand grabbing me, shaking it off like it was filthy.
"This is real!"
"What? If it's not important, scram."
"Kuh...! Which tutorial are you heading to!?"
Why ask that?
"Why? Gonna follow me?"
"Yeah! This time, I'll prove I didn't lose to you! And...!"
Lee Ji-hyeong's gaze flicked sideways briefly before returning.
I followed it and understood.
'This punk wants to flirt in the life-risking Abyss.'
He confirmed Seo Mi-na staring intently at me and realized why a guy who'd beaten him twice was so confident.
Pathetic posturing in front of his crush.
I wanted to curse him out and ignore him, but seeing them both fixated on my mouth, I paused.
'Wait... why not just tell them?'
Lee Ji-hyeong would definitely enter with me and pull some revenge or bullshit.
Couldn't I use that as an excuse to legally deal with him?
More importantly, Seo Mi-na.
'What if I force her ability to awaken right beside me?'
In my previous life, she fully awakened her unique ability after nearly five years. She wasn't weak before, but awakened? True SS-rank power.
A mythic-grade stat awakening, no less.
Plus, she'd feel indebted to me—solid backing secured.
'If needed, drag her to the hidden stage I was gonna hit and make good use of her.'
Grab rewards, save effort, trigger her awakening. Promise her the entry fee as compensation for her share.
'She'd prefer the hidden stage experience and basic gains anyway.'
Decision made, I smirked and tossed at him.
"I'm going to Zone 7."
"What? Did I hear wrong? Zone 7? That insane place? Barely any monsters, just scorching desert?"
"Butt out! Why fuss where I'm going? Hope I never see you again."
I brushed past him.
"You lost the bet—prep the reward!"
I shouted at Seo Mi-na and entered the portal.
A strange floating sensation hit, and messages appeared before me.
"Zone 7."
"Yes."
The floating sensation and messages melted away, vision shifting.
"Finally here!"
Before me: a blazing sun, vast desert, and...
"Damn it! Why Zone 7 of all places!"
"...Since we're here, let's stick together. I'll pay the reward today."
Sure enough, Lee Ji-hyeong and Seo Mi-na had followed me in.