Instructor's Tip? (1)
Lee Do-hyeon had brought Ji Yu-chan down, yet the trainees remained frozen in place, mouths agape as they stared at the site of the spar.__
It was no wonder. The moment their eyes blinked, they saw Ji Yu-chan sprawled on the ground.__
They had missed every single move of the fight.__
“What… what just happened?”__
“Y-You-chan lost?”__
“No way… how?”__
“D-Do-hyeon actually won?”__
“I-Is that true?”__
“Insane… I couldn’t even see it…”__
Not a single one of the eight other trainees had properly witnessed the bout.__
Lee Do-hyeon’s speed had simply been beyond anything they could track.__
At first they couldn’t believe it, but since Ji Yu-chan was down and Do-hyeon had risen, the outcome had been sealed from the start.__
Only then did the other party members finally realize. They let out a thunderous cheer.__
“Waaaaaaaah!”__
“Do-hyeon oppa is the best!”__
“That was insanely fast! I couldn’t even follow it!”__
“Hyung is truly amazing!”__
Their eyes locked on Lee Do-hyeon and erupted in cheers, but instead of joy, his expression carried clear dissatisfaction. He kept glancing at Kang Ji-hoon.__
He had analyzed the skill Kang Ji-hoon had used without spending a single AP, snatching the free basic rush. Lucky as hell.__
【『Kang Ji-hoon』’s skill 「Basic Rush [D]」 has been analyzed.】__
【100 AP gained.】__
【Skill of a target whose level gap exceeds the standard.】__
【Additional 100 AP gained.】__
【Skill exceeds standard.】__
【Attack paths predicted; evasion successful.】__
【Skill acquired without AP consumption.】__
【Basic Rush [D] acquired.】__
【Agility permanently increased by +3 due to acquired skill.】__
Gaining a skill for free was undeniably satisfying.__
But Lee Do-hyeon couldn’t shake the bitterness.__
‘Even if it’s not rush itself, couldn’t I just learn Mana Manipulation and copy something similar?’__
Basic Rush was ultimately a skill that pushed the body to its absolute limit. Applying Mana Manipulation would let anyone replicate the effect at a similar difficulty level.__
It shouldn’t have been shocking. Yet the guy called it a monster.__
‘Whatever. Let’s move on. What other skills should I pick?’__
Lee Do-hyeon was already resigned to Kang Ji-hoon’s incompetence, so he didn’t miss the opportunity to analyze the next target.__
Acquiring Basic Rush had been a desperate dodge. This time he would analyze the status window and gain something else.__
After a quick glance at Kang Ji-hoon’s status, he paused, then chose a skill.__
【『Kang Ji-hoon』’s skill 「Stealth [E]」 has been analyzed.】__
【Skill below standard.】__
【Skill acquired without AP consumption.】__
【Stealth [E] acquired.】__
【Agility permanently increased by +2 due to acquired skill.】__
‘Nice.’__
He had considered choosing Basic Counter, but since Kang Ji-hoon was just about to climb from F to E, he picked something else.__
It didn’t matter; a new skill was better than choosing an already-high tier. So he went with Stealth.__
Then an unexpected message appeared.__
【『Kang Ji-hoon』’s skill 「Basic Counter [D]」 is being analyzed.】__
‘Huh?’__
Was it a bonus? More messages followed.__
【Already owned skill’s higher tier version.】__
【Proficiency of 「Basic Counter [F]」 has increased.】__
【Proficiency of 「Basic Counter [F]」 has reached maximum.】__
【Tier has risen.】__
【「Basic Counter [F]」 → 「Basic Counter [E]」】__
【Agility permanently increased by +2 due to the upgraded skill.】__
‘Insane?’__
Higher-tier skills automatically boost proficiency? This system truly packed every essential feature of a god-tier game.__
Lee Do-hyeon blinked. Agility rose, and the world slowed around him. His body felt more precise and detailed than ever.__
Of course. The total agility he had just gained was a massive 7. Doubled from what he already possessed. The sensation was overwhelming.__
‘Insane.’__
Earlier he had muttered about Kang Ji-hoon being a monster out of resentment, but now he had no choice but to admit the truth.__
‘I really am a monster.’__
His mood flipped like a pancake, but he doubted others felt the same. Or maybe they did.__
Lee Do-hyeon smiled to himself, convinced of his monstrous nature.__
Kang Ji-hoon, on the other hand, sank into deep thought, his expression grave. Hwang Ha-na and Choi Pil had praised his potential, but this was far beyond expectations. An irregular existence.__
‘Unbelievable.’__
A talent that lets one copy a skill perfectly after seeing it once, without any textbook or guide, across the hunter world and among all species? That level of genius.__
Ji Yu-chan, watching him, thought the same. He had instinctively dodged Do-hyeon’s Basic Rush, so that alone marked him as a monster of talent.__
Perhaps another genius like Hwang Ha-na was on the horizon. But what then? They would face a monster far beyond even geniuses. Would they even grow properly?__
‘Poor kid.’__
Feeling sorry for Ji Yu-chan, Kang Ji-hoon checked him over. No serious injury, so he helped him lie down gently.__
The other members of Party 2 approached.__
“I-Instructor, is You-chan all right?”__
“Did You-chan really lose?”__
“He didn’t collapse suddenly, right?”__
“It was Do-hyeon who won, wasn’t it?”__
Kang Ji-hoon glared at them, his face filled with pity. They had only seen You-chan fall, not the actual loss.__
‘More interested in You-chan losing than in how he lost. Their teamwork is hopeless.’__
Kang Ji-hoon pitied Ji Yu-chan even more.__
Still, the spar hadn’t ended.__
“The spar isn’t over yet. Move to the next round. I didn’t say anything earlier, but you may choose any weapon from over there. Since we haven’t distinguished specialties yet, pick freely.”__
Parties 1 and 2 looked vastly different from the others in skill and stats, so Kang Ji-hoon hadn’t forced them to pick weapons. The others were weaker and had little combat experience.__
But Kang Ji-hoon’s words silenced them all. They swallowed hard.__
Of course it wasn’t iron weapons, but wooden ones. Still, swinging them felt dangerous. A perfectly normal reaction for someone from modern life, but utterly inappropriate for hunters. Kang Ji-hoon was about to frown when…__
“Th-Then I’ll use this…”__
“Hah! Men use spears!”__
“I’ll take a longsword.”__
“I… a one-handed sword and shield?”__
Party 1 members quickly picked their weapons. Lee Do-hyeon had won with speed; their hearts had ignited with something fierce. Kang Ji-hoon watched them and nodded without realizing it.__
‘Effective. Of course.’__
Their leader was Do-hyeon. He had walked away with victory, so of course his team wouldn’t back down. Even the once-unstoppable Ji Yu-chan had fallen disgracefully, yet they still wanted to fight.__
Party 2 finally moved.__
“I-I’ll pick too.”__
“M-Me too…”__
“Hmph, I’ll take a sword…”__
“Hah, then I’ll use a shield…”__
Party 1 and 2 rushed to choose weapons. Kang Ji-hoon set the matchups without much thought and the fight resumed. Only Lee Do-hyeon kept staring at his party with obvious displeasure.__
‘Why are they all picking swords?’__
Frustrating from his analytical standpoint, but without a system his teammates had simply picked what they liked.__
Park Ye-seul, a F-rank Warrior, chose a mace and shield. Kim Yong-chan, F-rank Swordsman, chose a spear instead of a sword. Gu Min-a, F-rank Mage, chose a shield and one-handed sword for defense and casting. Jeong Min-woo, E-rank Assassin, was also holding a longsword.__
Without Gu Min-a, it looked like a total mess. Still, they were holding their own.__
‘Party 2 has a buffer and a mage, so they’re doing okay… but without the system, they have no choice.’__
Every hunter would have to trial and error through different weapons to find their perfect fit. At least it wasn’t bad.__
But to Lee Do-hyeon it was maddening. He debated for a moment.__
‘Should I tell them?’__
His teammates were already fawning over him, so he had no desire to burst their bubble. But this… he couldn’t hold back.__
He was blatantly wrong and couldn’t remain silent.__
“Wait a second.”__
“…What is it?”__
Kang Ji-hoon tensed instinctively.__
Lee Do-hyeon asked cautiously, “Can I give you guys some advice?”__
“Advice?”__
“Yeah.”__
“Hmm…”__
Kang Ji-hoon looked at him strangely. Objectively, Lee Do-hyeon was a monster beyond genius. But even monsters don’t teach ordinary people well. Their instincts were too sharp.__
Still, he nodded. “Go ahead.”__
He didn’t expect anything useful. The gap between geniuses and ordinary people was like heaven and earth. Kang Ji-hoon had never tried teaching and had simply allowed it.__
“Thank you.”__
Lee Do-hyeon moved toward his party, talking animatedly. Kang Ji-hoon, uninterested at first, suddenly grew curious and strengthened his hearing.__
“Yong-chan hyung, you should use a sword instead of a spear. A spear is easier and usable by anyone, but looking at your body, your arms are a bit thicker than the rest, so balancing it out, a sword would suit you better. Min-a, pick a shield and one-handed sword and focus on defense while attacking. Ye-seul, you’re short, so avoid a longsword and go with a short blunt weapon and shield. Block with the shield and counter with heavy blunt strikes. Lastly, Min-woo, try a dagger instead of a longsword. Your movements are fast, so a dagger like an outboxer style would fit you perfectly.”__
“…?”__
Kang Ji-hoon watched in total disbelief. The advice sounded thin, but he looked at the others. Most of it was spot on. The weapon choices were perfect matches, and the advice hit exactly where it mattered. Not one single fact was wrong.__
As if he had read the answer sheet.__
Kang Ji-hoon stared at Lee Do-hyeon with utter confusion.__
‘Can a beginner give advice like this?’__
No matter how sharp his instincts, he couldn’t imagine someone speaking like they had seen the test. Kang Ji-hoon still had no idea what kind of monster this was.__
“Eh? What is it?”__
“…The advice just now… no, never mind.”__
He had almost asked how, but stopped himself.__
‘Isn’t it just advice based on what you see?’__
Lee Do-hyeon tilted his head in confusion before letting it go.__
From Kang Ji-hoon’s perspective, the tip was useless and he sighed in boredom.__
The spar resumed. Kang Ji-hoon played as if he already knew everything and the match unfolded exactly as expected.__
Party 1 won decisively.__
“Wow! Insane! Do-hyeon’s advice about switching weapons made me feel like I’m fighting with my own body?”__
“R-Really? At first I thought it was weird because it said blunt weapon, but it fits my hand perfectly!”__
“I’m glad we all won.”__
“…Hyung, you’re really the best. I’ll follow you forever.”__
“…Haha.”__
Party 1 celebrated wildly while Party 2 lay slumped in despair.__
But Party 2’s misfortune wasn’t over.__
“Party 1 gets free time. Party 2 gets extra training.”__
“Uwaaah!”__
“P-Please spare us!”__
“Y-You-chan isn’t even up yet, so just wait a little…”__
“Sob sob.”__
Kang Ji-hoon’s words split the two parties’ fortunes.