Rival? (Part 3)
During breakfast time for the trainees, the instructors had to eat their morning meal as well. But because of one specific matter, they were all summoned without having a chance to eat.
Led by the chief instructor Hwang Ha-na, along with the physical training instructor Choi Pil, a total of six instructors gathered in the Seoul Hunter Training Center cafeteria. Although it had been Choi Pil who issued the summons, no one complained.
Unlike appearances, Choi Pil was actually the association’s dedicated healer, and he commanded quite a bit of respect. Every instructor present had either received help from Choi Pil or knew someone who had.
It wasn’t just his towering muscles that made them swallow their objections. The way his hunter uniform strained and trembled around his frame was enough to keep any grumbling in check.
Ddu-dug, dduk—!
Some of the instructors jumped. It wasn’t supposed to be that loud. Yet before anyone could recover, Choi Pil stepped forward and began to speak.
“First of all, I want to thank you all for gathering here during your busy schedules and hearing me out.”
Unlike his usual intimidating presence, Choi Pil looked gentle today. Several instructors secretly let out relieved sighs and focused intently on his words.
The reason he had called them here was straightforward. “Normally, no more than five new trainees should be arriving today. But for some unusual reason, we currently have ten trainees entering the Seoul Hunter Training Center. That means we’ll need to run two separate groups of five.”
The polite announcement made a few instructors tilt their heads. Ten was still only ten. If the instructors taught them all at once, it should have been fine, and several raised their hands in agreement. But Hwang Ha-na, who had already seen the trainees in action, could only nod.
“It’s about stoking competition.”
“That’s exactly right. Even during today’s morning training, five who arrived earlier competed against the five who came later. It looks like they’ve already split into factions centered around Lee Do-hyeon and Ji Yu-chan.”
Choi Pil nodded immediately in agreement. The other instructors did the same. Competition had always been the best way to make everyone stronger.
Yet some instructors still looked doubtful. Ji Yu-chan was a known talent, so no one questioned that. But what about Lee Do-hyeon?
This was the first time they’d even heard the name. On paper he had looked ordinary, and that only deepened their confusion.
One instructor, still clearly puzzled, asked directly. “Is Lee Do-hyeon truly on par with Ji Yu-chan? His file looks completely average compared to the others.”
The small female instructor responsible for information education right after breakfast was Kim Ar-eum. Her question echoed the doubts of the others, and several nodded. Competition only worked if there was real strength behind it. They had asked Choi Pil about it, but the answer came from elsewhere. “I believe he has enough competitiveness. Ji Yu-chan seems to be taking Lee Do-hyeon seriously.”
“Oh? If the chief instructor says so, then it must be true.”
Hwang Ha-na’s words made Kim Ar-eum’s eyes widen in surprise before she nodded. In reality, Kim Ar-eum had been a hunter and instructor longer than everyone else present. Yet no one in this room could match Hwang Ha-na’s skill, so her statement carried immense weight. In the hunter world, nothing outweighed raw ability. Even survival mattered little for those below C-rank. Hwang Ha-na had been the fastest to reach B-rank in Korea, and even after slipping from first to second place two months ago, no one had surpassed her. Her opinion on Lee Do-hyeon therefore carried special importance. Moreover, Choi Pil added, “I also agree with Chief Instructor Hwang Ha-na. During morning training, Lee Do-hyeon pulled ahead of Ji Yu-chan and showed the highest physical stats.”
The instructors stirred in shock. Ji Yu-chan had actually lost. Not one of them in the room had missed the results. “What?! Ji Yu-chan lost?” “Seriously? Ji Yu-chan’s physical stats were already exceptional.” “Lee Do-hyeon is too weak by comparison! Wait, I mean… his physical stats were even lower than the female trainees’.” “That’s right.” “Hmm?” Everyone’s faces showed clear surprise, so they pulled out their files and began rechecking Lee Do-hyeon’s details. The revelation was that shocking. Even Hwang Ha-na, who had recommended him, looked stunned. “He’s already ahead of Ji Yu-chan?” Reading books to learn basic skills had seemed impressive, but physical talent was something you couldn’t just reverse with talent alone. She had expected Ji Yu-chan to stay ahead for days. Yet he was already being overtaken on the very first morning. Hwang Ha-na muttered to herself as she stared at the file. “What on earth is his real identity?” Someone who mastered basic skills and magic from a single book, then instantly raised their physical stats… that was not the kind of person anyone could understand. If even Hwang Ha-na thought so, what about the others? The news of a new genius sent the instructors into an excited buzz. Trainees were generally eager to learn, and they all wanted to discuss how best to make the training even more effective. “We’ll divide them into groups and add competition right away.” “Hmm, the shop system sounds convenient.” “Changing to a group shop system from the current ranking system is no big deal.” “We’ll adjust starting from the next lesson.” “This is getting exciting.” Watching the instructors grow even more enthusiastic, Hwang Ha-na quietly wondered if this semester would break all records. She couldn’t wait to see how the first day would turn out. ***
As a result, the 201st lecture hall. The moment the instructor entered, Do-hyeon panicked. He hadn’t expected them to split into groups on the spot. It was all because of her status window.
“Can an ordinary person even become an instructor?”
At first he thought so, but the moment Kim Ar-eum introduced herself, he understood. “Hello. From now on I will be responsible for information education for all of you. My name is Kim Ar-eum, a Ph.D. in the Black Gate ecosystem.”
Black Gate ecology Ph.D. That was more than enough to qualify as an instructor. The only thing that disappointed him was the lack of hunter skills or AP acquisition. But since they were only attending a lecture, he didn’t mind. Meanwhile, Kim Ar-eum continued speaking to the trainees. “First, before we begin, I have a final announcement. Because we have many people, we will be dividing into groups.”
“Groups?”
“Ah, group assignments?”
Several trainees showed their usual bad memories on their faces. Kim Ar-eum’s expression then turned strangely warm. “That’s right. Groups. For the next month, while living at the training center, we will evaluate all courses—including my lectures and every training—based on group performance. The group that performs best will receive higher scores through the shop system.”
The sudden notification made everyone confused, but their faces turned strangely bright. It was as if they had been waiting for exactly this. The atmosphere became even clearer because they had already started clustering together. Kim Ar-eum watched and couldn’t help smiling inwardly. The mood was already formed. It was real. “It’s even quite tense, isn’t it? Ji Yu-chan’s reaction was similar. But…”
Kim Ar-eum had liked Ji Yu-chan’s burning response, but Do-hyeon’s side felt uncertain. There was no visible emotion on his face except mild confusion. At the same time, he scratched his head as if thinking it was troublesome. “Do I dislike group activities?”
Whether he liked it or not, he had to move as a party inside the Black Gate. There was no other choice. Group training was part of the training center’s purpose anyway. Kim Ar-eum decided to add more fuel by calling out names. “Group one consists of Kwon Eun-chae, Kim Yoon-jeong, Park Dong-wook, Ji Yu-chan, and Han Jun-seo. Group two consists of Gu Min-a, Kim Yong-chan, Park Ye-seul, Lee Do-hyeon, and Jeong Min-woo.”
Placing the group that arrived first into the second group was clearly designed to stir up competition. In reality, the first group reacted immediately. “Ah, we came first but we’re in the second group?” “Shouldn’t groups be based on arrival order?” “Exactly.” “Well, that’s unfair.” “…”
Except for the confused Do-hyeon, everyone in the second group complained. The first group, watching them, looked genuinely puzzled. “Huh? We awakened earlier?” “Yeah, we’re the seniors, right?” “That’s right! The instructor gave us an equal assignment~!” “The instructor’s words are being twisted?” “…”
Ji Yu-chan said nothing, but he looked quite satisfied compared to Do-hyeon. Kim Ar-eum smiled as if she had planned it all along, then pretended to mediate while adding one more opinion. “Hmm, the resistance seems stronger than I expected. What if we did this instead?”
The sudden suggestion made everyone focus on Kim Ar-eum. It was an effective way to grab attention. Once they were all listening, she continued. “In the hunter world, strength comes first. After this lecture, we’ll have a written test. The group that answers the most questions correctly will take Group One.”
Normally, this would be the part everyone hated. In their late twenties, suddenly facing a test? No one would enjoy it. But if they did it this way…? “I’m fine with it. Strength first.” “We should show them how it’s done.” “We should prove which awakening was better~!” “Haha, so that’s how it is.” “……”
The first group spoke as if it had worked out well. Ji Yu-chan spoke calmly. “Huh, we arrived first and even checked the records first. How big is the gap?” “Exactly.” “We should show them.” “We’ll definitely show you.” “……”
The second group looked as if it had won. Do-hyeon just stood there completely lost. Once everyone’s opinions were decided, Kim Ar-eum smiled quietly, as if everything had gone according to plan, and began the lecture. “Alright, since it’s the first day, let’s start by explaining the Black Gate.”
As she explained the Black Gate, Kim Ar-eum began with one of its most basic laws. Something every normal person already knew. “You already know that anywhere you see a Black Gate, you can enter if you want to. But you can never enter alone. The party system you see in games is also applied inside the Black Gate.”
The party system inside the Black Gate was well-known among hunters. In reality, the system didn’t appear, but it forced you into a party if you wanted to enter. The minimum was three people, maximum five. “So by dividing us into groups, it will also be useful when we are dispatched to the Black Gate after training, right?”
Though the situation was sudden, the trainees couldn’t tear their eyes away from Kim Ar-eum’s lecture. Do-hyeon was only half-listening, but he worried inwardly. “I don’t know about the test…”
Even if Group Two was okay, he didn’t want to be a bother by not concentrating. Yet… “Once you enter the Black Gate with your party, the first area you reach is always F-rank. From there, when you reach the end of the F-rank area, you enter a dungeon and advance…”
It was boring. What should he do? While Do-hyeon was forcing himself to listen, something suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Analyzing Black Gate information…
Recording information…
Do-hyeon felt as if the analysis itself had spoken. A test? Then I’ll help. Truly, the generous and helpful nature of the analysis made him think sincerely. “Thanks, Analysis.”
The lecture dragged on for two hours, and the results were…