Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Dragon Qualification Exam (2)
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After finishing a simple check at the entrance, Lee Ha-jun stood in line in the auditorium where the examinees had gathered.
He couldn't control the corners of his mouth turning up as he looked at the results sheet.
“Shaaak-”
And Hwaryeon, hiding in his hat, sneaked a peek at the results sheet too.
Name: Lee Ha-jun.
Age: 23 years old.
Body: 179cm, 68kg.
Mana: D
Overall Result: Mana purity is high compared to physical condition. Muscle mass is adequate, but there is nutritional imbalance. Diet needs revision. Mana growth is unlikely due to age. Combat data analysis needed for more accurate judgment.
It was a pretty accurate analysis for a short exam.
Hwaryeon fully agreed with the results sheet's opinion.
'Yeah, yeah, that's right! I'm sick of meat already. We need to revise the diet!'
Hwaryeon nodded in satisfaction at the machine's output.
All because of that one line about revising the diet.
Anyway.
'None of them look strong. This is boring!'
She had come to watch a fight.
But it seemed she wouldn't even get to see a proper one.
The condition of the humans gathered at the exam hall was dismal.
At least in the eyes of a dragon like Hwaryeon.
'About ten including the landlord. Anything less is worse than my baby's claw. Disappointing!'
She came for nothing!
In disappointment, Hwaryeon slammed her front paw down once.
“Ack!”
Lee Ha-jun's scream echoed as a claw dug into his scalp.
'Hmph, serves you right!'
This was getting off cheap, even.
Hwaryeon recalled the unpleasant incident from moments ago.
Grinning at a female like that.
'Hmph, wagging his tail the moment he sees a female. What kind of dad is that? I don't approve.'
She couldn't approve.
She couldn't call a human like that "Dad."
'Not strong at all! No qualification to be called Dad by me! Disqualified!'
Hwaryeon remembered how Lee Ha-jun had broken his promise and tried to sell the egg.
She couldn't call someone who couldn't keep a single promise "Dad."
He needed at least one outstanding quality.
So, she immediately raised her claws and attacked his scalp.
“Shaaak-!”
"Ack-! Hwaryeon, you really want to go at it with Dad today?"
"Shaaak-! Shaaak-!"
"Just wait till the exam's over. We'll settle it at home."
"Shaaak-!!”
Hmph.
Who was he to say that?
Hwaryeon gave up on jumping around and lay down on the soft hair.
'Treat it as an honor that a dragon's bed has chosen you, human!'
Just as the two stopped their bickering.
An announcement played toward the people gathered in the exam hall.
-Before we begin, thank you all for gathering here today. As guided, we will now conduct a simple test to see if you are worthy of the hero title. If anyone here does not wish to become a hero, please exit through the back door immediately.
"I'm not leaving."
Lee Ha-jun didn't budge an inch.
Neither did the others.
-Then, we will now proceed with the exam to determine who is qualified. All participants, please press against the walls.
At that, the participants quickly pressed against the walls.
Lee Ha-jun did the same.
"So many damn people."
Lee Ha-jun grumbled as he pressed his hat down firmly.
Watching him, Hwaryeon yelled loudly in her mind.
'Fight now! This is the chance! Beat them all and the landlord's the strongest human! Exam passed!'
Of course, Lee Ha-jun couldn't hear Hwaryeon's voice.
Frustrated, Hwaryeon tapped his head.
'Ughhh! Listen to me! A dragon's talking and you can't hear?! Isn't there some way?! It was definitely in my head before?!'
Tap tap-
Hwaryeon's flashy paw movements.
But Lee Ha-jun showed no reaction.
"Is this a scalp massage from Dad?"
“Shaaak-!”
He had gotten used to it by now.
Wanting to solve this frustration, Hwaryeon rummaged through the knowledge in her head for a moment.
As all participants pressed against the walls and Hwaryeon pondered.
Step step-
A woman walked out to the empty center of the auditorium.
Everyone except Lee Ha-jun knew who she was.
Anyone interested in heroes would know.
"It's Han Ji-su."
"Who's Han Ji-su?"
"You don't know? A-rank Hero. She didn't bring her weapon today. Han Ji-su's been shooting ads lately to boost her fame-"
"She must make bank then."
For some reason, Lee Ha-jun felt uncomfortable.
But unlike him, Hwaryeon was getting excited.
'Fight! Landlord, fight her now! That'd be fun! Rush in and hit her weak spot, the stomach first!!'
Swish swish-
Excited, Hwaryeon flailed her front paws wildly.
She just wanted to see a fight.
***
Practical combat.
The exam's true nature was a mock battle with A-rank Hero Han Ji-su.
"Number 190, failed."
Thud-!
Without a change in expression, Han Ji-su threw the already unconscious Number 190 out of the battleground.
Zero passers so far.
The exam's difficulty was higher than expected.
"What if I fail too? She's not holding back at all."
Han Ji-su.
The A-rank Hero who sent most applicants flying with a single bare fist.
I'd never heard of her, but apparently a rising star gaining fame.
'Looks younger than me. Must rake in the cash.'
Pretty too.
She'd sweep it up for real.
I felt inferiority wriggling inside me.
A natural reaction to big earners.
But you can't act ugly in front of your daughter.
"Jealousy's jealousy. I'll earn more later."
With that thought, I stood up.
"Number 192, step forward."
It was my turn.
Hiding my tension, I walked toward Han Ji-su.
The other participants looked at me with pity.
"How many seconds? I bet 10."
"Look at his gear. Nothing. Probably 5 seconds."
"Yeah, even the ones who splurged got tossed. No way this guy in a weird hat with no gear is strong."
These bastards.
Mocking me for being broke?
My rage button was properly pressed.
'I'll last over 10 seconds no matter what. And pass for sure.'
Got my pride up now.
I stood before Han Ji-su for the exam.
'Oh, right. The hat.'
First, I decided to set the hat down.
But for some reason, it wouldn't come off.
Due to physical force.
"N-, you little... Hwaryeon... you lied..."
“Shaaak-!”
"I said you'd wait quietly during the exam..."
“Shaaak-!!”
I was the fool for trusting a dragon.
Hwaryeon tugged the hat stubbornly, refusing.
Sadly, Han Ji-su didn't wait.
"Number 192. If you're not ready soon, disqualified."
"Sigh..."
No choice.
Had to go with the hat on.
"...You're really in for it from Dad later."
I'm dead today for real.
I sighed and stood before Han Ji-su.
No gear, so bare-handed.
I lightly bowed my head in greeting.
"Number 192. Exam start."
Han Ji-su didn't even properly receive the greeting and started the exam right away.
The sudden pressure was different.
'No wonder everyone falls in one hit.'
Good thing I watched the exams.
As analyzed, I quickly rolled to the side.
Where I'd stood, her fist had landed.
"Almost failed right away."
“...”
Han Ji-su swung her fist at me lying down again.
The mana-clad fist smashed the floor.
Boom-!!
"Crazy. That would've killed him."
A huge hole formed in the floor.
Not an A-rank for nothing.
I quickly leaped far away.
Escape first.
"Is this an exam meant to pass? How do you beat that?"
Becoming a hero's tough.
Han Ji-su looked at me and spoke.
"Number 192. Mana's listed as D-rank. What was that clumsy mana use when you jumped?"
"Never properly used mana. How should I know?"
"...Disappointing. Better than others, but. Starting with that flippant speech. Far from hero material."
What's wrong with my speech?
And what qualifications?
'I need to pass this exam to earn money and feed those kids.'
How to pass this impossible exam.
Frustrated, I bit my lip hard and clenched my fist.
I wanted to win somehow.
No backing down.
At that moment, a high-tension voice rang in my head.
'You dumb landlord!! Cloak your whole body in mana!! Makes moving easier!!'
"Hwaryeon? What, talking to me now?"
'I'm a dragon! Dragons can do anything! Always find a way! Focus more! Win the fight first!! I hate losing most in the world! Hate losers even more!!'
"How do I beat her?"
I'm D-rank mana, unemployed bum.
She's A-rank Hero, mana way higher.
Want to win, but realistically tough.
But Hwaryeon thought differently.
'Dragon says you can win! So you can! Just do as I say!'
"Fine, no answers anyway, so I'll listen. But why help me suddenly?"
'T-that's...! Just my whim! Hmph!'
Hwaryeon dodged shyly.
Better to follow her for now.
I raised my fists and faced Han Ji-su.
"Come on."
"Fine, here I go."
"...Slowly."
Han Ji-su rushed at a speed hard to track with eyes.
'Shift body left!'
Grip-!
Hwaryeon pulled my hair left.
My body leaned left accordingly.
"Thought I hit..."
Han Ji-su's face colored with surprise.
Not stopping there, Hwaryeon pulled my hair again.
'Bend waist forward! Then dodge the knee strike!'
Swish- swish-
As Hwaryeon said, following her hair pulls.
I moved my body freely.
Each time, Han Ji-su's attacks missed by 1cm.
"Movement changed suddenly. Dodging like a rat."
As that went on, impatience showed on Han Ji-su's face.
Natural, an applicant dodging an A-rank Hero's attacks.
And it was Hwaryeon's guided result.
'Big attack coming! Right hook wide! Dive in then!'
Like controlling a gamepad, Hwaryeon yanked my hair.
I moved my body to match.
Result: dove into Han Ji-su as Hwaryeon wanted.
Then, Hwaryeon yanked my hair forward and yelled.
'Thrust fist straight ahead and smash!!'
Smack-!!
I smashed my fist forward as told.
"Hngh-"
Han Ji-su's pained breath sounded.
And I checked where my fist landed.
"Uh... um..."
Perfect vital spot: the stomach.
The infamous gut punch.
In this awkward situation, I made a slight excuse.
"Didn't aim for this..."
Unemployed bum Lee Ha-jun.
Punched A-rank Hero Han Ji-su's stomach in front of everyone.
The victim glared resentfully at me and said.
"...Perfectly tricked, so you pass. But next time we meet, no mercy. I'll have my weapon then."
“...”
Passed hero exam, great.
But got on a senior's bad side.
'Whatevs, da... I mean, landlord! Good job! Fights are fun when you win!'
Hwaryeon, oblivious to the mood, was thrilled.
That was so Hwaryeon.
***
On the way home after the exam.
I clutched the pass notice.
FYI, only three passers including me.
Hard to believe, feels unreal.
"Did I really pass...?"
'Passed! I saw!'
"Right? I passed, right, Hwaryeon?"
'Passed! Stop saying it! Heard it five times!!'
Chomp chomp-
Hwaryeon smacked my head with her paw.
That didn't anger me anymore.
"Hwaryeon."
'Hm?'
"Thanks. Passed thanks to you."
'Huh, of course my doing! Be more grateful!'
Even hidden in the hat.
I pictured Hwaryeon shrugging smugly.
"So, anything you wanna eat?"
'Wanna eat?'
"Yeah, today I'll buy what you want. None, I'll pick."
'Then that! Pizza! Saw on TV, looked yummy! Want pizza!'
"Big heart, spaghetti too."
'Yay!'
Hwaryeon hopped excitedly on my head.
I got pepperoni pizza and spaghetti to-go from 05 District in Seoul and headed home.
"Kids, Dad's home. And passed the exam! Come eat yummy stuff!"
"...Congrats."
"Yay, Father! Congratulations!"
Suryeon with indifferent congrats.
Choryeon beaming happily.
Proud, I petted their heads.
Then Hwaryeon, back to human form, in a white tee, plopped at the table fast.
"Pizza! Want pizza!"
So pushy.
I opened the pizza box and plated slices.
"That's expensive, can't eat much. Eat tasty."
"Gonna eat tasty anyway!"
Nom-
Hwaryeon grabbed pizza by hand, stretching cheese into her mouth.
Suryeon used a fork to cut and eat.
Choryeon removed all pepperonis from hers.
'Nice seeing them eat well.'
This the feeling of getting full watching them eat?
Understood parental hearts.
I ate one slice, gave my last to Hwaryeon.
"Yay!"
Liking the taste, Hwaryeon inhaled it with upturned lips.
After pizza and spaghetti.
She blushed, averted eyes, and said.
"...W-well, landlord wasn't bad today. Wasn't gonna help. But you dodged well and wanted to win! Just helped 'cause I didn't like her!"
"Yeah?"
"N-not fully approved yet...! Just helped temp Dad...!"
Temp Dad.
"So don't get ideas if I call you Dad! Still not approved! Just temp! Got it...!?"
Hmph-
Hwaryeon said that and turned away.
Watching, I thought.
'Took the picky dragon calling me Dad, even temp.'
Felt pretty good.
"Hwaryeon. Since Dad-approved, wanna airplane ride from Dad?"
"No!
"Hwaryeon come here!"
"Don't comeee!"
Chase after Hwaryeon began.
"Hmm..."
Suryeon watched us with a complicated expression.