Chapter 132
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Entry Evaluation (2)
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After all the evaluations were finished, Han Jiwon stared at the console's records for a long while.
A subtle expression mixing satisfaction and regret appeared on her face.
"The results are... very interesting."
She turned the console screen toward me.
"The hardware is close to active-duty level. In terms of total mana alone, you could slot right in among A-rank hunters without issue. Reaction speed is top-notch too. Might even surpass your average combat-track graduate."
Despite her praise, I couldn't lift my head.
The line about endurance flaws stood out glaringly.
"But the problem is the software."
She had nailed the core issue exactly.
"The body's specs are excellent, but you don't know how to utilize them at 100%. It's like a beginner driver behind the wheel of a top-tier sports car. Every movement has excess baggage, and mana operation is inefficient. Lack of real combat experience just screams out from the data. Well, that's what being a student means, I suppose."
An accurate assessment.
The abilities I'd gained from sharing experiences with my clones.
I knew them in my head, but my body hadn't fully caught up yet.
In the end, I'd just fucked like crazy without properly training for real combat.
"It's really strange... With physical specs like that, you should've been flying high in the academy. Why were you stuck in D-Class all this time?"
To Han Jiwon's puzzled question, I could only give an awkward smile.
I couldn't exactly say, 'No, even lower than that...!'
"By the way, what's with that freezing magic? I heard you were a Maker Hunter."
"Ah, this."
I casually raised my hand and brushed it off.
Plain-looking worn leather gloves.
They'd gathered a lot of dust since I made them and never used them.
"I'm a Maker, so of course I can craft and use specialized magic tools."
"Hmm, I see..."
Unlike when I first learned magic, the skills I could use now weren't limited to freezing magic.
Taking this chance to recheck my status window, I saw that along with freezing magic, several other skills had been added.
Not anything else, but skills gained from sharing experience points with my clones.
Especially eye-catching was Miyazaki Rena's Slime Form skill.
Maybe because she'd been sticking to me as my bodyguard, melting her entire body into liquid whenever she had the chance—the experience had somehow flowed over to me.
But such a unique, strongly individualistic skill was hard to pass off as 'I made a magic tool.' Even if I used it, I wouldn't know how.
In the end, this slime form skill had to stay sealed for the time being.
"Considering you're a Maker, combat might not suit you, but based on these measurements, it's not something we can dismiss outright... Huh?"
It was right then.
While I was lost in various thoughts, something was off about Han Jiwon sitting across from me.
Her face, which had been sharply analyzing me moments ago, had somehow flushed red. Beads of sweat dotted her nose bridge.
Her mumbling, her gaze flickering unsteadily.
...What's this, my skill's effect?
Sniff sniff.
Was natural essence leaking from my sweat-drenched body?
It had been a really long time since I'd seen an immediate reaction from a woman I was meeting for the first time.
Not bad. As the leader of a pioneer team, her figure under those clothes probably looked pretty good.
"Team Leader, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
"Huh? No... Just a bit hot, that's all."
Hot?
I smirked inwardly and stared straight at her face.
Desperately pretending nothing was wrong, she turned her gaze back to the console. But her fingers trembled faintly, and I could see a bead of sweat trickling down her nape, disappearing into the stiff collar of her tight office suit.
Works great.
The essence I exuded was paralyzing her reason like pheromones.
She tried to defuse the situation by bringing up paperwork.
"Anyway... You'll probably be assigned to a combat team. Specific squad placement will be decided later. Lack of real combat experience... well, rolling around in that hellhole will fix it quick enough. If you survive, that is."
She stood from her seat and extended her hand to me.
A perfunctory handshake. The signal that the interview was over.
"You've worked hard today. Looking forward to working with you, Mr. Kang Ihyeon."
Her palm was hot and damp.
I gripped it in return. And in that brief moment of shaking hands, I channeled just a tiny bit of pleasure essence through her hand.
"Eek...!"
A jolt like static electricity.
She flinched in surprise and yanked her hand away as if burned.
"S-Sorry. Static electricity..."
She backed away hurriedly, her face flushed.
Now, her body was reacting so honestly she couldn't hide it anymore.
"Th-The rest of the procedures... We'll notify you separately! So, that's it!"
She practically fled the training ground.
Watching her retreating figure, I fanned my sweat-soaked shirt.
Ah, another one added to the list.
A woman to fuck.
"But... what about me?"
Everything was fine, but that woman just ditched me here.
I was left all alone in the empty training ground.
The military here's a total mess.
Normally, after an interview, they'd guide you to the next step or at least point out the exit.
I grumbled and retraced my steps from earlier. Luckily, I didn't get lost and made it safely to the lobby information desk.
"Excuse me, I'm the new recruit who just finished the interview. What do I do next?"
"Pardon? Oh... Was there an interview today?"
"Yes, just ended. What about enlistment procedures, gear issuance... When's check-in day? Where's the training camp?"
I rattled off questions based on my memories of real-world military experience.
The staffer looked at me like I was some weirdo.
"Check-in? Training camp?"
"Yes. Basic military training for recruits, that kind of thing."
I remembered a story where the protagonist took a group test with dozens of applicants when joining.
But contrary to my expectations, the response was the complete opposite.
"Haha, you haven't watched too many old Earth movies, have you? Who does that nowadays?"
"Pardon?"
"This is technically an Association military unit, but it's not the rigid kind you're imagining. There's no 'enlistment' concept at all. You just sign the contract and get thrown into the field right away. Gear? Apply and pick it up yourself if needed. No training camps either. Training's done individually or by team as you see fit."
"...What about ranks and such?"
"Those exist, for convenience. But unless you're close, most people use polite speech with each other. Think of it less like the military and more like a tough company. Of course, when new rifts pop up, it might resemble what you're describing a bit."
Completely different from the military I knew. Total free-for-all.
Seeing my dazed expression, she smiled understandingly and offered advice.
"I get it's your first time, but you don't have to try so hard. The pioneer unit's real firepower comes from guild combat hunters the Association calls up, not the main force. Don't overwork yourself like some others."
"...Thanks for the advice. So, what should I do now?"
"Hmm... Probably just go home and wait for contact from your assigned unit? Come back then, and your ID should soon show pioneer unit affiliation."
"Thank you."
I gave a hollow laugh and left the information desk.
"The academy felt more like the military."
Academy Principal Rene Moro, who turned the place into a Spartan hell, would probably flip the whole operation if she saw this mess.
With those thoughts, I exited the pioneer unit building.
The crisp morning air cooled my heated body from the training.
This loose system relying on individual prowess is probably why the unit gets practically wiped out before the protagonist joins.
But I had no intention of just freeloading here.
Might be biting off more than I can chew, but I'd aim for A-rank.
Meanwhile, Han Jiwon hurriedly left the training ground and walked down the corridor toward her office.
Her heart was still pounding wildly.
Her face burned like fire, and her legs felt weak, making her stumble.
What's wrong with me, Han Jiwon?
The moment she'd faced that student, Kang Ihyeon, kept replaying in her mind.
His sweat scent. That solid body. And... that thrilling shiver piercing her whole body when they shook hands.
It was definitely from Kang Ihyeon's essence, the incubus magic, but Han Jiwon thought differently.
Just because he's young, fit, and handsome—no way I'd react like this...!
She easily convinced herself.
She'd just met a guy she liked, that was all.
"I'm such a mess... Maybe it's time to pick a man and grab him."
After pacing the corridor for a while, she finally composed herself and opened her office door.
Inside her office, a commotion was unfolding right then.
Jake had grabbed a young intern who looked like a newbie and was chewing him out harshly.
"How many times have I told you? It's New Rift 107, not Baekdasiil!"
"S-Sorry! I'm still not used to it..."
"The nomenclature was legally changed ages ago—why are you still using outdated notation? It's because of screw-ups like you that paperwork doubles or triples!"
"...S-Sorry!"
"Especially New Rift 107, which just got cleared— the Association's strongly recommending raids. The name alone tells you it has unique rules! Come on, what's the spatial rule for New Rift 107?"
The intern sweated bullets, unable to answer.
"Haa, listen up. 107 is the rift where combat aftereffects 'split off' and return to your body. Idiots who don't know the gimmick end up in group suicide!"
"Enough."
Han Jiwon stepped between them and pulled Jake's arm down.
"Don't be too hard on the newbie. Everyone messes up at first."
"Hoo, got it... But you know I'm not chewing him out just for one mistake today."
"You gonna yell at everyone every day? If combat suits him better, send him there."
At those words, the intern's face paled, and he shouted.
"N-No! I can memorize it! I'll work hard!"
Jake smirked at the attitude, waved him off, and sent the intern back to work.
"Team Leader, what about that guy?"
"He's a pass for sure. Probably heading to combat team. He applied for dual studies, so maybe attach him to one of his seniors' teams."
"Those kids have been suffering lately. Good for them. But personally, how was he? Really D-Class level?"
To Jake's question, Han Jiwon pondered briefly.
She recalled Kang Ihyeon's figure from the training ground.
Overwhelming mana reserves. Animalistic senses. And... above all, that toned body glistening with sweat.
That thought made her face heat up again.
Han Jiwon cleared her throat, pretending nonchalance, and answered.
"No, not at all. Actually... quite usable. Physically, he could deploy to the field right now. Frame's solid... body... very..."
Her trailing words and face looked utterly perverted to anyone watching.
Jake grimaced like he might puke.
"...Even though the vice commander herself took interest, that's all you noticed? Into younger guys?"
"What? What're you saying!"
"Nothing. Sorry."
To Jake, married to his childhood friend they'd trained with since kids—with two kids already—that pathetic spinster team leader was incomprehensible.
She has such great abilities too...
She had a powerful weapon that meant she never needed to fall for some guy's looks or physique.
Skill: Wikitoki.
Registers and stores the target's 'unknown information' in her brain based on conversation time.
Though it carried the risk of forcibly 'exchanging' information, its versatility allowed info theft from humans or high-rank beasts alike.
That was the true power letting Han Jiwon, still in her early thirties, rise to information team leader of the pioneer unit.