Chapter 433: Promotion Match (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 433: Promotion Match (3)
The Special Promotion Exam.
This test, commonly known as the ‘Promotion Match,’ was introduced following a remark made by an S-rank Hunter in the past.
What was that remark?
‘Only an S-rank Hunter can recognize another S-rank.’
This statement drew enthusiastic support from the S-rank Hunters of the time, and it soon became the core theme of the exam.
An existing S-rank Hunter would face off against a Hunter challenging for the S-rank position.
The introduction of such an exam was possible due to the unique nature of S-rank Hunters.
S-rank is not a level one can reach simply by becoming a slightly stronger A-rank Hunter.
It’s something different. To put it another way, it’s like a frog, once trapped in a well, seeing the vast world for the very first time.
To become an S-rank Hunter, one must step into this newly revealed world, realize that the world they once considered their everything was merely a small part of a whole, and seize the new, infinite possibilities that come with it.
Does that sound a bit abstract?
That’s precisely why an S-rank Hunter is needed for the promotion exam.
While those who haven’t experienced it can’t understand this feeling no matter how it’s explained, S-rank Hunters have lived it firsthand and comprehend it deeply.
And today.
The date for that Promotion Match was set.
“…Three days from now?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
I applied for the exam just yesterday, and now it’s in three days.
This was highly unusual.
“This is the fastest a promotion exam has been scheduled in the last five years, haha.”
…So unusual that it prompted such a comment.
Since the exam’s main event is a duel with an S-rank Hunter, the examiner must be an S-rank.
But as you know, there aren’t many S-rank Hunters to begin with.
On top of that, no one volunteers for a job that offers little reward for the time and effort invested. The standard procedure is to formally accept volunteers for three days, and if there are none, they go down a predetermined rotation list.
Even getting to this point usually takes about a week.
And does it end once an examiner is chosen from the rotation?
Not at all.
The exam schedule depends entirely on the S-rank Hunter’s availability.
As a result, it typically takes anywhere from two weeks to a month to set a date after the examiner is chosen. However, thanks to Kim Tae-yang volunteering, the waiting period was drastically shortened.
“It’s truly a relief. At this rate, breaking the record will be much easier. This might even become an unprecedented achievement…”
Thanks to this, the association officials and reporters were delighted, seeing it as an opportunity to shorten the record even further.
Well… if you guys are happy, I guess it’s not bad for me either.
“Hunter Kim Tae-yang volunteered to be the examiner, even calling first?”
“Yes, that’s right. He said he wanted to help a junior shorten their record. Isn’t that very gracious of him?”
“Ah, yes.”
Gracious, my ass.
Helping a junior break a record?
The Kim Tae-yang I know would never do something like that.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
“…So he’s trying to stomp on a junior who’s climbing the ranks, is that it?”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, just thinking aloud.”
That explanation was far more plausible.
His real intention was likely to put a rising junior in his place to solidify his own standing.
His methods were incredibly childish, but since it saved me from wasting time, I suppose I should thank him.
“There isn’t much time left, but I hope you prepare well and pass.”
“I will.”
As I answered in a flat tone, Director Kim Seong-tae leaned in, his gaze growing more intense.
“…I believe in you.”
I get it, already.
* * *
Three days.
For those eagerly awaiting something, it can feel like an eternity.
The anticipation of those waiting for the Promotion Match to begin and for the results to be announced grew even higher.
The reason was the star-studded list of individuals who had announced their intention to observe the exam.
Han Ju-hee, her sister, and Son Si-woo.
Three of South Korea’s six S-rank Hunters had applied to be observers.
And that wasn’t all.
The Saintess of the Vatican, known to have participated in the operation in China with him, officially wished him success in his promotion.
Furthermore, news that an American S-rank Hunter was boarding a flight to Korea solely to observe the match fanned the flames of excitement even higher.
Fitting for a promotion exam on the verge of a historic record, the list of observers was also historic.
Thanks to this, some were even voicing concerns that failing the promotion would be an international embarrassment. The world’s attention, not just Korea’s, was now focused on the Korean peninsula.
So, what was Kim Do-jin doing amidst all this?
“…Do-jin, I’m sorry, but could you get me some water?”
“Oh, yeah, just a second.”
After an intense reunion of lovemaking, I was devotedly nursing Jeong-hee, who had fallen ill and was bedridden.
This continued right up to the day of the exam.
As a result, Jeong-hee was feeling an immense burden.
“Shouldn’t you really be going now…?”
“Hmm, I guess so.”
It was about time to leave.
But my feet felt rooted to the spot.
Who would have known?
That someone could be sick in bed for a full five days after having sex.
Her symptoms showed little sign of improvement, so we even went to the hospital.
“Are you sure the hospital said there’s nothing wrong…?”
“That’s what they said.”
They said it was just a common flu-like fatigue, with nothing particularly wrong with her body.
That was a relief, but I was still worried.
“Hmm… maybe I should just postpone the promotion exam.”
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
Jeong-hee, startled by Kim Do-jin’s muttered words, quickly tried to stop him.
Even though she was sick in bed, she knew what was happening in the world.
She knew just how much attention was focused on Kim Do-jin’s promotion exam.
To suddenly postpone it now?
“Don’t say such ridiculous things and hurry up and go. I’m really fine, okay?”
Thinking that must never happen, Jeong-hee forced herself to push him towards the door.
At her touch, Kim Do-jin hesitated before finally getting up.
He knew it too.
Postponing the exam when the world’s eyes were on him was impossible.
He just wanted to tell her.
That she was far more important than any promotion exam.
“I’ll be back, then.”
“Go on, and be safe.”
As she managed to sit up and see him off, she added.
“You don’t have to pass. Just do your best so you have no regrets, alright?”
“I know.”
Kim Do-jin looked down at Jeong-hee with eyes full of affection.
While everyone else was clamoring that he absolutely had to pass, that it would be a national disgrace otherwise, she was the only one who put his well-being before the country’s pride.
How could he not love a woman like this?
Smooch!
He placed a light kiss on her flushed forehead and turned away.
As Seo Jeong-hee quietly watched Kim Do-jin’s back recede with confident strides, she had a sudden realization.
The man she had happened to meet had grown so immense that she could barely hold all of him in her arms.
She was proud, yet it also felt a little burdensome.
Then, a thought suddenly struck her, and she covered her mouth with her hand.
“…Oh my, is that why this happened?”
Perhaps, she thought, those feelings were what had created her current situation.
* * *
Click!
Click! Click!
Flash!
The moment I stepped out of the car, the sound of camera shutters filled the air, and a barrage of flashes blinded me.
Simultaneously, bodyguards who had been on standby swarmed around me, forming a wall between me and them.
They were personnel assigned by the Association to block the reporters’ indiscriminate physical press.
But their presence seemed unnecessary. The reporters only clicked their shutters from a distance, not even trying to rush forward or shout questions.
I listened closely.
“Ah… can’t I just ask one question?”
“Be quiet. We have to be really careful this time.”
“What if he fails the exam? If things go wrong, we could get caught in the crossfire. You think you can handle that?”
They were whispering things like that.
In short, they were already hedging their bets in case I failed the promotion exam.
Well… it was a rational choice, in its own way.
While many had high hopes for my promotion, there were also many who thought it was too soon.
With the stakes higher than ever and the outcome uncertain, they must have judged that even a small spark could lead to an uncontrollable fire.
I walked past the timid reporters and entered the Association building.
An elevator took me to a training hall located deep underground.
The area was packed with defensive magic barriers; it looked like it wouldn’t collapse easily even if two S-rank Hunters fought at full power.
Since there was no reason to go all out for a mere promotion exam, this was more than enough.
After waiting in the designated room, I entered the training hall at the scheduled time. A familiar face was standing there, waving a hand.
“Yo.”
Dull blond hair and tanned skin.
“Long time no see, junior. Is this the first time since the Kraken raid?”
The guy greeted me in a surprisingly straightforward tone.
“It’s been a while, senior.”
I took his outstretched hand and returned the greeting. Suddenly, his expression changed.
“Hehe… don’t be nervous, okay?”
A sinister smile spread across his face.
At the same time, a faint pain began to radiate from our clasped hands.
Oh?
Look at this guy.
Trying to show off his strength against a mage to break my spirit.
In that case, I have no choice but to respond like a mage.
「Burning Hand.」
Literally, a flaming hand.
True to its name, it was one of the few close-combat spells that generated heat in the caster’s hand.
A spell that had become all but obsolete due to the inherent weakness of mages in close quarters now heated my palm.
Sizzzle…!
“Ugh…?!”
Startled by the sound of his own flesh searing, the guy yanked his hand away.
Having made a fool of himself in front of the observers watching from above, he began to glare at me with a menacing look.
What a ridiculous bastard.
He’s the one who started this little game and lost, so why is he glaring at me like it’s my fault?
I was originally planning to just play along with his childish antics and get the exam over with, but I’ve changed my mind.
I’m going to have to loosen up that stiff neck of his.
“Let’s get started.”
Just like old times.