The Instructors Who Give Without Reserve (Part 2)
Ji-hoon and Hana Rin had both expressed a sense of emptiness after seeing Do-hyun copy their techniques and magic in a single attempt. Hwang Ha-na honestly could not fully understand that feeling.
Copying something in one go was truly impressive, but she could not imagine feeling hollow after it was stolen. Yet the moment she had actually been on the receiving end, she realized how indescribable the feeling was.
Do-hyun had infused black mana into his blade. Even though she watched it from afar, the dagger flared open and slammed into the target, its Extinction effect shattering the enemy into powder.
Watching that, Hwang Ha-na’s mind flashed back to the blood and sweat she had poured into mastering the same skill after obtaining it. She watched Do-hyun ignore everything and train with pure joy, and she had no words left.
“Whoa, that’s not even funny.”
Of course not. Even Hwang Ha-na herself had needed at least a month to learn that technique.
Its power alone was no joke. It was one of her main skills. Naturally, it was far from a mere imitation.
But why then…?
“……”
Hwang Ha-na closed her eyes tightly as she watched Do-hyun copy and use the skill instantly. The moment it was taken away, she felt truly unsettled. She slowly calmed herself and returned to teaching.
First, she decided to teach basic unarmed combat to both of them. But just like Do-hyun, Ji Yu-chan infused mana into his own sword and began using martial techniques. She clicked her tongue.
‘They haven’t even been taught the techniques yet and they’re already using them.’
Do-hyun was overshadowing him, but Ji Yu-chan was also a genius she could not even describe. She felt that all over again.
Hwang Ha-na began teaching gradually, watching the higher-potential Ji Yu-chan with a bit more care.
“You’ve mastered basic unarmed combat, but you still lack overall mana control. That’s why your movements are restricted. Watch carefully and follow— no, I’ll teach it to you directly.”
She had almost said “watch and follow like Do-hyun” in a casual remark, but she caught herself. Ji Yu-chan immediately realized she was not referring to Do-hyun and began guiding mana into his body, helping him master the Mana Manipulation method.
Of course Ji Yu-chan, a prodigy, absorbed it in no time.
Watching this absurdly talented pair, Hwang Ha-na felt a strange irritation, but she kept her eyes tightly shut and continued teaching whatever she could.
Naturally Do-hyun had already mastered everything, so there was nothing left for him to learn. Ji Yu-chan soaked up every lesson like a sponge and had nothing to complain about.
Hwang Ha-na, who had never seen anyone complain about lacking talent, stared at the two geniuses with an expression of pure astonishment.
“They’ve already mastered the basics……”
After mastering every foundational technique, Do-hyun and Ji Yu-chan were instructed to train on their own as Hwang Ha-na directed. They practiced while using their skills, growing familiar with them.
Especially Do-hyun, who was now using magic alongside his combat techniques. Watching that, Hwang Ha-na shook her head with a stunned look.
Since there was nothing left to teach in the basics, she glanced at the other instructors. Some were showing off their own skills while correcting students.
Suddenly, her gaze fixed on Choi Pil, the martial-arts instructor demonstrating his techniques. Hwang Ha-na tilted her head, then realized Do-hyun was copying the exact Boxing Art he was showing.
“……”
She was at a loss seeing him try to copy even skills from distant instructors. She simply let it go.
After all, she had been planning to push him forward. Letting him be was the right decision.
But why…?
“Haaa……”
Her chest kept tightening. She watched Ji Yu-chan and continued encouraging him, teaching him how to train more efficiently.
“You can do it too.”
“……?”
Ji Yu-chan looked confused by the sudden encouragement, but he nodded anyway. Meanwhile, Do-hyun smiled faintly while watching Choi Pil demonstrate skills from afar.
Of course he would smile.
【『Choi Pil』’s skill 「Boxing Art[C]」, 「Vitality[D]」, 「Haste[E]」 has been analyzed.】
【Skill rank exceeds standard.】
【Total 350 AP acquired.】
【Analysis of a skill from a higher-grade opponent successful.】
【Additional 350 AP acquired.】
【Do you want to acquire 「Haste[E]」 with 100 AP?】
【Do you want to acquire 「Vitality[D]」 with 150 AP?】
【Do you want to acquire 「Boxing Art[C]」 with 300 AP?】
【Acquired skills: 「Boxing Art[C]」, 「Vitality[D]」, 「Haste[E]」.】
【Skill rank exceeds current stats.】
【Cannot activate acquired skills at original power.】
【Permanent +4 Strength gained from acquired skills.】
【Permanent +3 Stamina gained from acquired skills.】
【Permanent +2 Mana gained from acquired skills.】
‘They really are giving everything without reserve.’
Of course the instructors had intended to teach, but Do-hyun had already received everything before they even began.
After the technique and demonstration time ended, lunch break arrived. Everyone ate and then collapsed, having no choice but to rest in their rooms.
Physical training had been tough, but the technique sessions had been far harder. There was nothing to do but rest.
When the trainees entered their dorms to sleep, Do-hyun returned to his room, took a quick shower, and opened his status window for a mid-check.
P: 230 | AP: 230
‘Whoa.’
Now the list of skills was so long that even glancing at them felt overwhelming.
All the skills available in the training center had already been obtained. If he mastered the basic elemental magic, there was nothing else left to learn here. Do-hyun fell into deep thought.
The only thing left was to enter the Black Gate and fight. He felt a mix of trembling excitement.
If he was going to live as a hunter, entering the Black Gate was inevitable. He had no choice but to prepare.
Especially after entering this center, he had only watched YouTube casually as a regular person, so he had missed a lot of information back then. That made him more serious now.
‘They say there are species and factions inside the Black Gate too.’
The thought that the Black Gate was almost finished naturally brought tension.
Hwang Ha-na alone was an opponent he could not even compare to.
Even though she had only just entered B-rank, Do-hyun could not touch her. He had every right to be tense.
The instructors praised him and the other trainees, but he did not get arrogant.
‘I’ve gotten stronger… but I’m still far from enough.’
When various grades of people gathered inside the Black Gate, there might even be EX-rank or higher than S-rank opponents.
EX-rank was not common, but he could not afford to get complacent.
He was not scared either. If he had to go, scaring himself would do no good.
Besides.
‘There is still almost a month until graduation. No need to be scared yet.’
With a cheat skill like Analysis, there was no reason to run away in the first place.
While Do-hyun was lost in thought, the sound of someone knocking at his door came.
Knock—knock—knock.
“Who is it?”
The trainees, having eaten and collapsed after lunch, were probably all in their rooms. Who would come? Do-hyun went to the door. To his surprise, the visitor was someone he had not expected.
Meanwhile, as the trainees were finishing lunch and stretching.
The instructors gathered again and began discussing.
Only two days into training and two students had already mastered all techniques. Since the hunter training center had opened, this was an unprecedented event. They had gathered for the same reason.
“Not only Lee Do-hyun, but also Ji Yu-chan?”
“He’s insanely fast.”
“Ji Yu-chan also began infusing mana into his sword and learning martial arts after sparring.”
“Yes, he even used it in real training.”
“Haaa… What do we even do about this?”
The hunter training center existed to nurture hunters, and the one-month course was designed to master every technique.
But what were they supposed to do with students who had already mastered the basics?
The instructors could not help but feel troubled by it.
It was too fast.
Do-hyun was only expected because he moved like a regular person. But seeing Ji Yu-chan chase him so quickly, it was time to take action.
“Ji Yu-chan still has a little lack of real experience, but that should be filled in two or three days.”
“It might not even happen.”
“But Do-hyun is the real problem compared to Yu-chan.”
“Exactly. Lee Do-hyun honestly has nothing left to teach in this center.”
From a certain perspective, it was even a happy problem. How many outstanding talents had appeared in Korea? However, from the instructors’ perspective, it was a difficult decision.
After a long discussion, Hwang Ha-na stepped forward and asked Kim A-rin.
“How is the Black Gate information class going?”
“……Both students are excelling, so it should finish by next week at the latest.”
Hwang Ha-na nodded and said, “I’ll speak to the Hunter Association on your behalf. It would be best for Do-hyun and Ji Yu-chan to apply for early graduation next week.”
Unprecedented as it was, everyone nodded.
Holding them any longer would be a waste. After deciding, Hwang Ha-na went to report to the Association before heading somewhere else.
“Who is it?”
At the door of Do-hyun’s room, she asked, “May I have a word with you?”