The Instructors Who Give Their All (1)
After the magic aptitude tests, there was only a short break. It was almost time for the skill demonstrations and training to begin, yet the instructors were in utter chaos and had no choice but to gather in the instructors' meeting room.
They had been surprised when they heard the news about Gu Min-a and Han Jun-seo receiving the magic aptitude judgment. The training center normally had fewer people, but even so, having two students pass the magic aptitude test was impressive.
Park Dong-wook was probably one of those two too, whether he was a buffer or a healer. The instructors had been buzzing with excitement over the bountiful crop of talent this year. But Do-hyeon's case had thrown everything into confusion.
Not only had he shown a monstrous talent in combat that no one had ever seen before, he had also received the magic aptitude judgment.
It was more than that.
“We have confirmed talent beyond the current level.”
“……What?!”
“Does that mean he surpasses Rin-nim’s talent?”
“But the magic association already judged that Hana Rin’s talent is on par with Magnus’s level, right?”
“Yet it’s even higher than that……”
Everyone stared at Do-hyeon’s documents with grave expressions. Chief Instructor Hwang Ha-na had the same serious look on her face as she examined the papers.
At this point, honestly…
‘Should we even bring Lee Do-hyeon into our guild?’
The Taebaek Guild was, of course, an outstanding guild. It was the number one in Korea by global standards and had already reached S-class zones.
Yet Hwang Ha-na felt that even the Taebaek Guild was too small for Do-hyeon’s talent. At the same time, her mind flashed to the various guilds and organizations inside the Black Gate and she muttered to herself.
‘He might fit in with them and reach even higher levels.’
Could the first hunter from Earth be accepted into a powerful organization inside the Black Gate? Could he perhaps achieve the unattainable dream that hunters only ever fantasized about? The thought stirred inside her.
A small guild within the nation was nothing compared to a guild that spanned across dimensions and held real power. It wasn’t even a dream to become the world’s strongest nation.
Having reached that conclusion, Hwang Ha-na made a silent vow.
‘I must teach him everything I have.’
I must pass on everything I possess.
At the same time.
“From now on, we’ll teach both combat and magic to the trainee Lee Do-hyeon. First, Instructor Hana Rin—can you take some extra time to train him one-on-one?”
Hwang Ha-na’s suggestion made Hana Rin nod with a determined look on her face.
“Yes, I can do that.”
Hearing Hana Rin’s answer, Hwang Ha-na looked around at the other instructors and continued.
“We will provide full support for Lee Do-hyeon to grow as much as possible.”
The possibility of a hunter emerging from Korea that would surpass the world caused every instructor to nod with resolute expressions.
To teach Do-hyeon with all their hearts.
* * *
The time for combat training and demonstrations had arrived. All the trainees who had received the magic aptitude judgment except Gu Min-a and Han Jun-seo gathered at the combat training field.
It was different from the sparring arena where Kang Ji-hoon had taught last time.
Although it was indoors, the space was quite vast, and just like the sparring arena, it was decorated with various terrains, giving the feeling of a training field from a comic.
The trainees looked tense and nervous as they prepared to learn the skills they would master. Do-hyeon scratched his cheek, thinking how lucky he was, while also feeling a bit bewildered.
It was because…
‘At this time, Min-a and Jun-seo are learning magic, right?’
He had been wondering when he would learn magic and had been scratching his cheek.
It didn’t matter if they told him later, but no one had explained anything so far, so he looked a bit flustered.
He had learned the basic elemental magic, but the others he still hadn’t.
While Do-hyeon was quietly troubled, the instructors arrived on time.
There were only three instructors who came here: Chief Instructor Hwang Ha-na, physical training instructor Choi Pil, and combat sparring instructor Kang Ji-hoon.
The moment the instructors entered, the trainees’ chatter died down instantly. The instructors stood in front of the trainees and looked them over.
Hwang Ha-na looked satisfied inside as she saw the disciplined group after only two days of training.
“From now on, we will conduct combat demonstrations and training. However, we will divide you into groups. Each of you will receive combat demonstrations and training from the instructor whose name you call out.”
After Hwang Ha-na’s orderly explanation, Choi Pil stepped forward.
“Trainee Park Dong-wook, trainee Kim Yong-chan, trainee Park Ye-seul, trainee Kwon Eun-chae, you will receive combat demonstrations and training with me.”
Hearing Choi Pil call out the four names, they all shivered as if they had stepped on the wrong thing, but they didn’t complain.
Kang Ji-hoon stepped forward and spoke in a voice full of annoyance.
“Trainee Jeong Min-woo, trainee Kim Yoon-jung, you will train and demonstrate with me.”
Although Jeong Min-woo and Kim Yoon-jung looked relieved, they still glanced toward Hwang Ha-na, the chief instructor.
After all, she was the most skilled among the instructors no matter what anyone said.
But they hadn’t voiced any complaints about the instructors’ arrangement.
Finally, Hwang Ha-na stepped forward again and called the last two.
“Trainee Ji Yu-chan and trainee Lee Do-hyeon will receive combat demonstrations and training from me.”
Do-hyeon and Ji Yu-chan nodded, each setting up their own area as the trainees and instructors split apart.
Of course, Do-hyeon had no regrets. Even if he lacked some of the skills that Kang Ji-hoon or Choi Pil possessed, there was no reason to feel sorry when Hwang Ha-na showed her technique.
‘I finally get to see Extinction.’ Do-hyeon was thrilled by the thought. But Ji Yu-chan, looking at Do-hyeon, couldn’t help but have a strange expression.
They hadn’t known each other long, but Ji Yu-chan had been watching Do-hyeon closely. Every time he faced a new training or challenge, Do-hyeon would get excited like a child. Ji Yu-chan found it a bit difficult to understand.
For Ji Yu-chan, becoming a hunter had come with the weight of everyone’s expectations and pressure.
He no longer cared about the expectations and gazes around him, but he hadn’t completely let go yet, which made him secretly envious of Do-hyeon.
‘Envious.’ Ji Yu-chan knew better than anyone that talent alone didn’t guarantee happiness. That was why he found Do-hyeon even more amazing.
Looking at Do-hyeon, Ji Yu-chan also nodded and spoke.
“Thank you for saving me last time.”
Ji Yu-chan’s blunt but sincere words made Do-hyeon smile and say, “What are you talking about? And since we’re the same age, let’s be more relaxed with each other.”
“……I’ll try.”
Ji Yu-chan was a bit more at ease seeing Do-hyeon speak so casually. Do-hyeon, however, paid him no further attention.
The only thing Do-hyeon cared about was what kind of technique Hwang Ha-na would teach him and whether he would be able to copy it.
As Do-hyeon waited expectantly and Ji Yu-chan watched him with envy, they arrived at the assigned areas and followed Hwang Ha-na.
Hwang Ha-na turned toward them and said, “From now on, I will demonstrate my techniques first.”
With her commanding words, mana surged from Hwang Ha-na, unleashing a massive pressure that filled the air.
It was sudden. Once the mana suppression technique known as mana oppression among hunters was unleashed, both Do-hyeon and Ji Yu-chan felt the air grow heavy and even breathing became difficult.
Do-hyeon quickly lifted his own mana suppression in defense, and Ji Yu-chan, though not skilled at it, also raised his mana in a similar way.
Both tried to resist, but they could never overcome Hwang Ha-na’s pressure. They felt as though they were being crushed by gravity several times its normal force.
Kugong—
Kwaaaang—
Just as it seemed to confirm that this was no illusion, the ground where Do-hyeon and Ji Yu-chan had been standing was crushed, forming a deep depression around them.
If the pressure was already this immense, it was only natural that breathing became impossible.
But it wasn’t over yet.
Hwang Ha-na drew her sword while watching them and began filling it with her own mana.
Even though they watched the blade darken with their own eyes, they found it impossible to focus, and it appeared hazy.
Hwang Ha-na charged straight at Do-hyeon with the sword. Do-hyeon’s analysis skill rang its warning bell.
But.
【Threatening attack path analyzed.】
【Analysis failed.】
Do-hyeon and his analysis had missed Hwang Ha-na’s hidden movement in that split second. In that moment, her sword stopped right in front of Do-hyeon.
Swoooosh—
Black mana erupted from the sword like a violent storm, passing right by Do-hyeon and slamming into the wall behind them. The wall crumbled into dust and vanished.
It was like extinction itself.
The sight was unbelievable. Do-hyeon and Ji Yu-chan, forgetting even the fading pressure, swallowed hard.
Was this the power of a hunter who had reached B-zone?
Even though she wasn’t even an A-class hunter, her overwhelming power left both of them staring in a daze. Hwang Ha-na spoke to them.
“That was my skill, Extinction.”
Hwang Ha-na was not kind, but she had explained it. Do-hyeon stared at the sword in her hand as the belated analysis notification appeared.
【Skill “Extinction [B]” analyzed.】
【300 AP acquired.】
【Success in analyzing a skill of a higher-ranked opponent.】
【Additional 300 AP acquired.】
【Skill above standard.】
【Would you like to acquire this skill with 800 AP?】
Do-hyeon’s eyes widened at the full 600 AP deduction. It was a significant amount. He swallowed hard, still overwhelmed by the power of the Extinction he had just witnessed.
Even after investing the 600 AP he had just gained and his existing 200 AP, most of his AP would be gone, but Do-hyeon didn’t hesitate for a moment. This was worth investing.
【Skill “Extinction [B]” acquired.】
【Skill above current capabilities.】
【Power will increase slightly above original.】
【Agility permanently +5 due to acquired skill.】
【The skill cannot be used at its original power.】
Do-hyeon acquired the skill, and Hwang Ha-na asked him with a slight challenge in her voice, “Can you do this too?”
She had heard that Hana Rin had acquired basic elemental magic completely in an instant, but she doubted Do-hyeon could do the same with her Extinction.
It was a unique technique that required high points and only obtainable from the Black Gate after much effort. Even Do-hyeon couldn’t master it in one go. She would teach him, of course, but she had planned to demonstrate the power first to spark his interest.
But.
Do-hyeon answered without hesitation, “This is what it feels like?”
Do-hyeon infused black mana into the sword as he spoke, and Hwang Ha-na’s eyes shook violently.
“……Eh?”