Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Exam
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The written exam scores were revealed right there on the spot. Since it was taken on computers, the rankings appeared in order on the massive screen up front.
Just one written exam, and nearly a hundred people had already been eliminated.
I had to admit, it was that tough. Even I, who had studied monsters bit by bit every day before my regression—driven by the conviction that I'd graduate the tutorial and head into the Abyss someday—had nearly missed a perfect score.
"Oho! It's been a while since we had a perfect score. Congratulations! You 211 survivors passed the written exam with flying colors. The 92 who failed, pack your bags and head home immediately. The rest of you, move to the 10th floor and grab lunch at the cafeteria there! Finish by 1 p.m. and assemble in the underground third-floor auditorium! Get to it!"
The examiner shouted that and left the testing hall. The aspiring hunters gathered in small groups and started heading out.
"Man... I could never skip the association's food just because of an exam!"
"You crazy bastard, practice more instead of stuffing your face!"
"Still, their food is damn good. That's why they serve it to exam-takers."
Some headed to the cafeteria with light steps, buzzing with the joy of passing and their hunger.
"Damn it, one more right answer and I'd have scraped by!"
"Sigh, another month of studying. Good luck, everyone. See you next month."
"Yeah, let's make next time the last. I'm off."
Others swallowed their failure, pretending to be nonchalant as they headed downward instead.
And someone else...
"There you are, you bastard! Shit, do you know how long I looked for you, you psycho?!"
Spotted me and started kicking up a fuss.
"Lee Ji-hyeong? Damn it, I was trying to dodge you because you're annoying, and we still run into each other."
Did that Misfortune bastard meddle again?
But no message from Misfortune, so probably not.
Which meant he must have been grinding his teeth, hunting me down on purpose.
'What now?'
Honestly, I was the one at fault with that Yama wannabe. I bumped into him out of nowhere, and when he swung at me, I countered and knocked him out.
"Ignoring me again! You trying to die?!"
He looked like he'd harass me endlessly if I didn't vent his rage. Should I just take a hit?
A punch from a former celebrity mage awakener wouldn't hurt that bad.
But the moment I saw that slow, sloppy fist flying at me, my body reacted faster than my brain.
I caught it with one hand, yanked him toward me to unbalance him, then hooked his leg to topple him.
Thud!
Lee Ji-hyeong face-planted again because of me. Shame and pain kept him twitching on the ground, unable to get up easily.
At least this time he didn't pass out—a silver lining for him.
Too bad. If he fainted, I could eat in peace.
'Ah, damn it. Couldn't hold back.'
Seeing that annoyingly handsome face twisted in rage brought back everything he'd done before my regression. Suddenly, taking the hit didn't appeal.
'He'd bitch no matter what anyway.'
A promising prospect from the massive Star Cloud Guild—top five in talent—drawing huge expectations in the hunter exam. But knowing his future, he was trash I couldn't overlook even if I wanted to.
Showing weakness might just make him more arrogant.
"Agh! My nose!"
Unable to bear the pain, he shot up, clutching his nose and glaring daggers at me.
"Hey... you're bleeding from your nose!"
A double nostril gusher. Red liquid streamed down his pale skin. Feeling it, he glared one last time and bolted for the bathroom.
"Ugh, what a hassle. Hope he drops out for good."
But no such luck. Even looking like a thug, he's a talented mage.
Sighing, I fervently wished for the exam to end soon, shook off the stares, and left the written exam hall.
Once I and the remaining onlookers cleared out, a woman at the very back finally stood from her seat and walked forward slowly.
"...Entertaining?"
The woman, Seo Mi-na, overlooked the scene of Shin Juha and Lee Ji-hyeong's clash, her signature golden eyes flashing.
It was flawless suppression, smooth as flowing water. Even accounting for him being a mage, she'd humiliated the guild prospect—who'd likely taken elixirs—twice without breaking a sweat.
That's right. She'd witnessed the whole thing from the start, when Shin Juha first knocked him out. Not a lucky coincidence—she'd deliberately drawn eyes to herself to help him.
'Gave that annoying pest a proper thrashing.'
The thug who'd clung to her since before the exam, using their shared intake as an excuse for the [Guild Union Prospect Program], hadn't sat well with her either.
"Not a guild prospect, that's for sure."
Prospects had to attend programs like mock battles and monster experience drills for guild rivalries, so they inevitably crossed paths and knew each other.
But among this intake's guild-backed aspirants, it was just her and Lee Ji-hyeong.
She'd never seen that guy before. Even a small guild would register prospects for the union program...
"A natural awakener with that level of skill? What ability did he even awaken?"
Truth be told, she didn't think she'd win if she'd been in Lee Ji-hyeong's place.
She'd have been crushed just as overwhelmingly.
"This is fun!"
Somehow, she figured the guy who'd stolen her first place—Shin Juha—was him.
The casual confidence radiating from him, like he knew everything, was plenty to pique her interest. And so, the future SS-rank hunter began watching Shin Juha closely.
After devouring a buffet that rivaled the association's hotel spread, I headed straight to the grand auditorium.
To dodge the annoying Lee Ji-hyeong, and to loosen up beforehand, I was sprinting there.
Crackle!
Suddenly, someone overtook me.
"Huh?"
Just brushing past sent static jolting through my body, goosebumps rising in an instant.
I regulated my breathing and checked who it was.
'Seo Mi-na?'
There she went, fine golden currents flickering across her body from the intense motion.
More exaggerated than a mere warm-up, though.
'What's her deal?'
I tilted my head, refocusing on my run, but she overtook me again in a flash—static sparking like she'd used her power—drawing an incredulous scoff from me.
'What the hell? Fresh provocation? This is a challenge.'
Her eyes locked on me, like she was saying, "That all you got?"
'Out of nowhere?'
Why are these prospects all so nuts?
But I've got pride too. Can't ignore a blatant call-out.
'Plus, I want to test it once.'
Whether I could beat that powerhouse Seo Mi-na.
Power surged into my body as I picked up the pace, my speed exploding beyond before.
"Hmph!"
I overtook her in a blink, tapping her shoulder.
2-1. One more payback left.
Thinking she'd gotten me, she amped up her currents and accelerated.
Tap!
"2-2."
But my Infinite-stat-enhanced body wasn't frail enough to lose to unawakened power.
Tap!
"3-2."
I overtook her once more, sealing the win, then stopped.
"So, what's this about?"
I asked, meeting the gaze of those golden eyes now fixed on me.
"Shin Juha?"
"Yeah?"
"So you were the perfect score. And the one who crushed Lee Ji-hyeong."
Ah... that explained it. I'd stood out too much. Guess quietly taking top spot was too much to ask.
Had I bruised her pride? Stoked her competitive fire?
I wasn't sure, but she definitely saw me as a rival.
"This practical exam's hologram monster extermination. You can't beat me at that. The gap between someone who's never seen a monster and someone who has is huge."
What was this girl on about?
I've slain thousands, maybe millions more than her.
"That so? Confident?"
"Very. I'll win practicals. Not because you're weak—just don't be too disappointed."
Her utter certainty that I'd lose fired up my own competitive spirit.
"What if I win?"
"Hm? You won't."
"Still, if I do?"
Seo Mi-na stared blankly for a while, then nodded and spoke.
"I'll give you one from my collection. Whatever you want."
"Oho! Heiress collection, huh? Deal."
"But you stake something too."
"Uh...? Got nothing."
Lower-class life, dirt poor.
"You do. Right here."
She pointed at me, smirking for the first time—like she'd been waiting for this.
"If I win, you join our guild. I know you're capable, so top-tier contract terms!"
I burst out laughing at her bold con.
Because...
"Deal!"
Just like her, I'm dead certain I'll win.
"This practical exam is hologram monster extermination!"
Right at 1:30 p.m., the examiner locked the auditorium doors and dove into the practical explanation.
Seo Mi-na was right. This month's practical was hologram-based monster slaying.
A test recreating and killing monsters via association hologram machines...
"Damn, drew it again this month!"
"Ptooey, another month gone. Shit!"
"Fucking awful luck. Monster kill test? Damn it!"
Among countless practicals, it had the worst reputation for difficulty.
Of course, being holograms and for aspirants, they'd be weakened versions.
But killing monsters is harder than it sounds.
You endure the grossness of slicing flesh and spurting blood, the pain of cuts and stabs.
And conquer the instinctive terror their presence exudes.
"This month's monster is Goblin. Prep now—test starts immediately!"
Goblin as the monster? Any lingering tension vanished.
I couldn't lose this bet.
I could confidently say no one here—examiner, instructors included—topped me at killing goblins.
How many had I butchered to earn the Goblin Slayer title?
The examiner activated the holograms, and practicals began in number order from the pre-distributed tags.
-Kyaaak!
"Kyaaah! Spare me!"
"Candidate 17, failed! With that weak mind, buy food with your exam fee instead! Next!"
The test flew by. Nearly half quit before it even started, screaming at the first sight.
About an hour's wait later, my number was called.
"Candidate 165. Step up!"
I walked out, gripping the provided sword.
"Not forfeiting?"
"No!"
"Begin!"
The hologram booted. The stationary goblin's eyes moved, locking on me.
-Kyaaak!
That tiresomely familiar screech, and it charged with its sharp dagger, recognizing prey.
Left foot first, head dip...
'Left thigh!'
Obvious. Goblin patterns were etched in my brain. Spot the moves, know the attack spot and style.
Pure experience-honed prediction.
'No blood-soaked chicken this time, sadly.'
I'm no weakling needing exploits anymore.
I dodged the wild-yet-patterned strikes effortlessly, then tensed my body.
'Won't even give it Rage Burst time!'
No dragging—end it in one blow!
Infinite stats empowered my flesh; Fortune opened the chance.
'Now!'
The hologram training sword slashed left to right.
-Ki... eek.
The goblin's blank expression at realizing the attack was its end. Green blood sprayed from its neck as it died.
"Excellent! Haven't seen talent like that in ages. Well done. Dismissed."
Praise came as expected. Applause from the candidates, too.
I mouthed at Seo Mi-na, staring in shock amid them.
Saw. That?
Teasing her lightly, I bowed slightly and returned to my seat. The examiner's eyes followed me as he casually noted the score.
'Perfect takedown.'
The examiner thought as he jotted the evaluation. Moves and strategy like he'd slain thousands—no, tens of thousands—of goblins.
'Didn't even let it use Rage Burst.'
He knew hologram monster tests were brutal. Even simulated, the fear and pain terrified normals.
This one's difficulty was historic.
Orders from above specified goblins—one of the tutorial's endgame bosses. He'd protested the newbie slaughter. He'd even planned to pass anyone forcing Rage Burst.
But Candidate 165 one-shot it. With leisure to dodge first, like testing himself.
'Some guild's hidden prospect?'
But today's prospects were just two, untested yet.
'A hidden gem!'
Convinced, the examiner awarded Candidate 165 a perfect score without hesitation.