Chapter 6
The VIP counter stood out immediately, far more ornate than the others. Passing through its entrance flanked by two massive pillars revealed a vast space reminiscent of a temple. Cube-shaped private consultation rooms dotted the area. I headed toward the one marked with a "1," as Seo Harin had instructed. Pressing the bell, the cube's door slid open promptly. A young male staff member rose to greet me.
"Welcome."
He bowed slightly before stepping out, then guided me further, as if this wasn't my final destination.
"This way."
I wondered if they skipped ID checks, but his expression suggested seeing my face was verification enough. Not to brag, but I was something of a celebrity these days, even on the news.
Without asking questions, he led me to a room labeled "Testing Chamber." It was enormous, its walls forged from special alloy. Glancing around, I noticed glass windows high up on the walls, crowded with researchers in white coats peering in.
"Everyone's curious about your abilities, Kim Siwoo-ssi."
The staff member who escorted me asked,
"We've heard you consented, but if there's any discomfort, please let us know."
"I'm fine."
From the start, I'd wanted to use the testing chamber, and in exchange for my cooperation, the Hunter Association had promised massive support—both material and personnel. Right after negotiations began, 5 billion won hit my account as a lump sum. Not even a down payment; just a "small gesture" for agreeing to talk.
Since all eyes are on me anyway, sharing what's mutually beneficial isn't a bad idea.
I told the staff member,
"Just don't get in my way, and we're good."
"Understood. We'll begin the test. Please step into the circular area inside."
He gave his final instructions and exited the chamber. The door I'd entered through sealed shut behind him.
From now on, all monsters appearing are real entities, not holograms.
If danger arises, we will intervene.
I nodded. A warning tone blared, and text appeared electronically above the door opposite the entrance.
Skeleton (1)
Hiss! Hydraulic systems whirred, opening the door below the text.
Skeletons are the most basic monsters among the undead classification.
No hunter attributes have reacted to them thus far.
Based on your explanation, Kim Siwoo-ssi, we'll first check if 'holy' power affects them.
Clack-clack. From the open door emerged a humanoid monster made of bones. It wielded a wooden shield and a rusty sword missing a few teeth—fragile enough to shatter with a tap.
Well, skeletons existed in that other world too.
The dark fantasy world I'd been in had monsters nearly identical to Earth's, including these skeletons.
Clack. Spotting me, the skeleton charged without hesitation, intent on attack.
I glanced at my empty hands. In that world, I'd had a holy sword, but it hadn't come with me to Earth. Fighting unarmed felt off, but no worries.
If this skeleton matched the ones from there...
Whoosh! I wasn't entirely without weapons.
Huh?
A question mark laced with dismay leaked from the speakers, and researchers pressed against the glass.
Light. Dodging the swung rusty sword, I touched the skeleton's skull, and the air around us turned golden.
Clack-clack-clack-clatter-rattle-shatter! The light seeped into its head, making the jaw chatter wildly. Dropping its shield and sword, the skeleton convulsed like it was electrocuted.
I-Incredible!
A stun?!
Without even activating a skill...!
Voices erupted over the speakers at the mere touch triggering holy power. But the real shock was yet to come.
Flash! The light spread through its entire body, veins glowing despite no flesh. The skeleton froze, then collapsed.
What...!
No, it wasn't collapsing. Its legs shattered first, then the whole thing crumbled into dust scattering everywhere.
Extinguished. The holy light from my hand winked out, as if its work was done.
It broke just from a touch? Nothing else?
Even for a low-grade skeleton, like that?
That's not just attribute repulsion—it's a hard counter! No, more than that!
Hard counter? Naturally not.
Purification. That's what they called it in that world—cleansing corrupted beings with holy power. Unless it was a strong monster, that alone pulverized them.
N-Next!
Next monster, quick!
Urgent prodding from the observers. The facilitator, mic in hand, fumbled amid the chaos before regaining composure.
W-We’ll raise the grade!
Stronger monsters followed in sequence. After skeletons came ghouls—ten of them.
"Bones first, then rotting corpses, huh."
Decaying but swift humanoid monsters, they lunged at me with more agility than the skeletons.
Tap. But I was a master at channeling holy power into any form. Bouncing off the floor like adjusting stance, hum! Light radiated in a circle from that point.
Kyaaak! Kyaaaah! The ghouls, seconds from biting, shrank back like startled animals from flames.
Of course, it didn't end there.
Fwoosh! They actually ignited, charring instantly, hardening, then crumbling into ash.
…….
Silence. The onlookers hadn't anticipated such potency.
Understandable. Attribute advantages usually meant 1.5x damage—like water beating fire. But this holy power nearly nullified undead.
Next!
Soul Lich. A robed skull tried casting magic; I smashed it with a holy-infused fist.
Next!
Wraith. A translucent, curtain-like spirit immune to physical grabs, forcing magical counters—except I just seized and tore it apart.
Next...!
The finale wasn't undead.
Snort! Snort! A bipedal cow-like monster pawing the ground.
Minotaur.
But corrupted—skin bubbling like diseased, eyes mashed to pulp. "Degenerated" prefixed such twisted forms.
They wanted to test if my power worked on these too.
Well... I was testing to confirm, but I had a hunch.
Crack! Before it could swing its axe, I struck its shin. It buckled like a bomb blast.
Crack! Craaack! Bent over, it became my punching bag. A few glowing fists later, unable to land a single hit, it was done. Excited voices burst from the speakers.
K-Kim Siwoo-ssi! That's enough!
With this alone, we could handle Abyssal spawns or Fallen Angels...!
Korea could clear its first impossible dungeon!
I wished the facilitator and observers wouldn't mix like that. Sighing,
At least it's a relief.
I'd worried my otherworld powers might not function here.
Hm? Glancing at the glass, a man in loose researcher garb caught my eye.
What the? He vanished from the window instantly; I could only tilt my head.
Does my stare make him uncomfortable?
Dismissing it, I didn't yet know the public's fascination with me exceeded my expectations.