Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Physical Exam and the Kids
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Lee Yoo-hyun had reached level 50. Phase one of turning Lee Yoo-hyun into a "Fellow" was complete without a hitch.
"Actually, I have a physical exam at the Hunter Association today. Mind if I log out for a bit?"
"Do whatever."
Having gotten Dun's permission in advance, Lee Yoo-hyun logged out for the first time in ages. As a test subject for the hunter-use game capsule, he had to undergo regular physicals, and today was the day.
Rising from the game capsule after so long, Lee Yoo-hyun stretched languidly. Maybe it was the potions he'd drunk in-game, but his real body felt noticeably healthier too.
He loosened up his back for a moment, then clenched and unclenched his fists. Spending so much time in the game sometimes made the sensations of his actual body feel faint.
[2 New Text Messages]
While he'd been gaming, two texts had come in. One was a reminder from the Hunter Association to come in for his physical. The other was from the hospital, demanding payment for his little sister's bills.
Lee Yoo-hyun washed up quickly and changed into comfortable clothes for going out.
* * *
Arriving at the Hunter Association, Lee Yoo-hyun changed into exam clothes and ran through some basic fitness tests.
His physical abilities had improved several-fold lately. Last time they'd measured him, he'd been on death's door, but now he was mostly recovered.
On top of that, some stats had grown frighteningly. Things like 'sprinting' or 'reflexes'—anything agility-related—had shot up dramatically.
His sprint time this round was a full half better than last time.
"What's this, Yoo-hyun? You haven't awakened yet, but did you maybe class into thief or assassin or something?"
"Nah, I just pumped a ton into agility."
The examiner in scrubs scribbled down Lee Yoo-hyun's stats from the big machine and asked the question.
"Your body's looking a lot healthier lately. Anything special you've been doing?"
"You gonna give me a raise if I tell you?"
The examiner raised a syringe and injected something into Lee Yoo-hyun's arm as he quipped about a raise.
"Yeah. If the info pans out and proves effective, we can recognize it as a achievement and bump up your pay."
"Hmm... Ugh, hold on, what's that shot?"
"Nutrients and an awakening booster. It's fully clinically tested, so no worries."
It felt a little shady, but he wasn't in a position to complain—not while pulling high-paying illegal gigs.
"I'll tell the association president directly when I see him later. He'll come check on me personally anyway, since I'm the last survivor."
"Suit yourself."
The lab felt empty because Lee Yoo-hyun was the only survivor using the 'hunter game capsules.'
In the old days, the place would've been packed with test subjects swapping exaggerated tales about the game, but now it was just him.
A pang of loneliness hit him suddenly.
"Good work. Make sure to come back for the next one."
"Yes, thank you."
Finishing up, Lee Yoo-hyun grabbed his clothes and stood.
Leaving the lab, he shoved his hands in his pockets and wandered the Hunter Association building for a bit.
"Hiyah! Haaah!"
The kids' kiai shouts had been bugging him since earlier, so he wanted to see where they were coming from.
The Hunter Association building was massive. Impressive scale for an unofficial outfit.
Lee Yoo-hyun was just an alt worker using the hunter game capsules, but he was pretty well-known inside the association. Probably because he was the sole survivor.
They treated him great because of it, so he could roam most places without clearance. It was all to spark his interest in becoming a hunter, as the last survivor.
After walking a good while, Lee Yoo-hyun spotted a boy outside a window.
Pale skin that stood out, hair blacker than most—pretty and delicate enough to mistake for a girl. A short silver necklace hung around his neck. Probably an anti-kidnapping tag.
"What're you up to?"
Lee Yoo-hyun narrowed his eyes and watched the boy.
Glancing around like he was checking for watchers, the boy started climbing a tree with effortless moves. A tree no normal person could scale, but he made it up to the thick branches no problem.
Curious now, Lee Yoo-hyun kept watching.
The boy stuck his hand in a small hole in the tree and pulled out a little pouch. He dug deep into his pants pocket, fished out a ten-thousand-won bill and some coins, and stuffed them into the tree hole.
He peeked into the pouch with a faint smile, then tucked it back away.
"Hiding emergency cash?"
Pocketing the rest, the boy hopped down from the tree lightly. High drop, but he landed easy as anything. Then he headed off out of sight.
Lee Yoo-hyun was amazed the association had kids around.
'We scout homeless kids and train them as hunters. No one beats a hunter raised from childhood.'
He suddenly recalled something he'd overheard. The association was taking in strays and grooming them as hunters lately.
That boy must be one of them.
Once the kid was gone, Lee Yoo-hyun started walking again.
* * *
"Hiyah! Haap!"
The kids' shouts kept echoing around. Sounded like they were training on this floor.
Curiosity piqued, Lee Yoo-hyun strolled the hall until he spotted a group of kids through the glass.
"Eyaaah!!"
"Haaap!!"
That was the source. The kids wielded weapons, sparring each other.
Kids or not, their moves were no joke.
Safety gear was on, thank god—bare hits would've been lethal.
"Brutal..."
Lee Yoo-hyun muttered under his breath, a bit spooked.
He couldn't fathom why they'd raise hunters so desperately. He watched the kids fight blankly for a moment.
"Hey."
A soft voice came from behind as he watched. Startled, he turned to see the pretty boy from earlier. Up close, the necklace read 'Seol Do-yoon.'
"You're blocking the door."
He must've jumped up from downstairs—his pale cheeks were flushed, breath coming in pants.
Meeting the boy's eyes, Lee Yoo-hyun smiled faintly and stepped aside. The boy nodded curtly without much enthusiasm and brushed past into the room.
"Seol Do-yoon! Why are you so late? Bathroom really?"
"It was huge. Sorry."
The kid called Seol Do-yoon bowed politely.
"Ugh, filthy brat."
A girl crouched in the corner scowled at him as he approached weapon in hand.
Seol Do-yoon scowled right back.
"Not like you, the one hunting for plungers last time."
"...I'll kill you."
Remembering something, the girl grabbed her weapon and stood.
They were paired for sparring, it seemed—her partner was Seol Do-yoon. The girl with thin hair in a half-updo was called 'Lee Sae-byeok' by the supervisor.
They faced off, weapons ready, glaring.
"No hospital trips like last time. Got it?"
The supervisor spoke to the pair, who bared teeth at each other, but neither replied.
"Answer!"
"Yes."
"Yeah~"
They answered half-heartedly without breaking stares.
At the supervisor's signal, they lunged with real killing intent. Way beyond the other kids—speed especially stood out.
"Hand..."
Lee Sae-byeok flexed her hand to regrip, revealing a red, blistered palm. Blisters burst from swinging swords nonstop. Forcing the grip tore skin, blood welling up.
Her hands weren't the only mess. Seol Do-yoon's looked too brutal for a kid's.
No pain showed on their faces, though. Despite the obvious agony, they ignored it like it didn't exist—calm to pain, desperate for the foe.
'We take in homeless kids and make them hunters.'
Homeless kids.
Watching their fierce bout, Lee Yoo-hyun gave a bitter smile.
After spectating their endless-seeming fight a bit, he left the Hunter Association and headed home.
Once there, he ate, changed, and dove back into the game capsule.
He felt like he had to grind harder.
* * *
"Uwaaah! Hold on! How does 'wanna grind hard' turn into dangling off a cliff?!"
Dun dangled Lee Yoo-hyun off the cliff edge and watched.