Chapter 6. Exam Preparation.
Gid scratched his shiny bald head vigorously with his fingers, his eyes flicking back and forth between the paper and the signboard. He was double-checking if the writing matched. Fucking hell, I can't read, you bastards—
He trudged into a shadowy alley, pausing at every sign to repeat the ritual. Being illiterate was driving him insane. If not for that, he'd have gotten there ages ago. And now dusk was falling, making the letters even harder to see. He fought the urge to rip the paper to shreds and stomp on it a dozen times. For a pittance, he would've done it without a second thought. But this contract was worth dozens of gold coins. Hell, if they told him to strip naked, swing his dick around, and circle the capital, he'd seriously consider it for that kind of money. Tear up the paper in a fit of rage, and finding the place would be impossible. There went the gold. After all that tearful effort, he finally spotted a signboard matching the paper exactly. A thrill shot through him like blowing a load in a whore's pussy.
"This motherfucker—!!"
He let out a satisfying curse and pounded on the door. Habitually, he glanced around, checking if anyone was watching—or not.
"Who is it?"
A deep, heavy voice rumbled from inside. The bald guy said he'd come for the appointment. The door creaked open soon after. A calm-faced orc poked his head out.
"Why're you so late?"
"Fuck, you think I wanted to be late? Took forever to find this place. ...Fucking hell, how'm I supposed to get here quick when I can't read?"
"Doesn't sound like a brag."
"Sorry for being illiterate, asshole."
"Get your ass in here."
Ptui. Gid spat a thick glob of phlegm by the door and stepped inside. Creeeak, creeeak. In the quiet stillness, only the sound of their footsteps on the wooden floor echoed. They soon stopped before a door. Light flickered through the crack. The orc creaked it open.
The room was fairly spacious, and a few others were already there. Gid counted with his eyes. Including himself, five in total.
A handsome young man sitting with his legs crossed on a chair glanced at the latecomer and said, "Why're you so late?"
"Ah, uh, got a bit lost."
"Why?"
"Can't read."
"Ah, didn't think of that. My bad, sorry."
"Nah, it's not somethin' to brag about anyway."
Gid was a bit more polite to the boss. No point pissing off a big client.
The young man—Ji-hyuk—quickly scanned everyone who'd arrived. Three humans, one orc, one lizardman. And one human woman. He clapped his palms lightly once and rubbed them together briskly. All eyes turned to him.
"As I said before, I called you all here today to check out your future teammates. Good to know who's who."
They gave each other a quick once-over. Gid paid special attention to the woman. She was pretty enough to catch his eye.
"Let me introduce again. I'm Kang Ji-hyuk. About to take the hero exam soon."
Ji-hyuk nodded his chin toward the human woman beside him, signaling it was her turn.
"Yael Evor. Mage."
Her expression wasn't great, but she gave a curt introduction and clammed up. Next was the lizardman's turn.
"Kayak."
He flicked out his long tongue once and spat out just his name. The sharp mace hanging from his belt suggested close-range dealer. Then the orc introduced himself.
"Grendal. Healer."
"...Healer?"
Gid looked shocked, like he'd never imagined an orc as a healer. Yael and Kayak seemed surprised too. It was as absurd as a goblin mage. But Grendal was unfazed.
"What's wrong with being a healer?"
"...Fuck, you look like you could smash monsters barehanded."
"Don't judge by appearances. Remember that."
Well, damn. Gid was seeing for the first time how composed an orc could be. Weren't they the type to charge at a glance?
Now it was the bald brute's turn. He thumped his chest with his fist and bellowed confidently.
"Name's Gid. Tank. Fuck, ain't a soul in the mercenary world who don't know my name."
The reaction was lukewarm at best. It irked him, but he let it slide.
"Anyway, boss. We didn't gather just to swap names, right? Got somethin' else to say?"
Gid's question drew the others' eyes to Ji-hyuk.
"Nothing super important. Just gonna brief you on the plan ahead. Prep accordingly."
"What's the plan?"
The hot-headed bald guy jumped in. Ji-hyuk scanned their faces again.
"In two weeks, we're heading to the western continent. Get ready."
"Western continent?"
"Climate's similar to here, so gear, food, and sleep stuff can match what you'd prep locally."
"Exactly where?"
"Western demon realm."
"Fuck, starting off brutal."
Gid tilted his head but didn't complain. He hadn't expected easy money anyway. Fair enough, gotta be that tough for the payout.
"You've all got your advances. Should be plenty to prep with."
"No worries. Same old routine."
"That's all from me. Anything to add?"
They exchanged glances but said nothing. No big issues, then.
"Would love to grab a drink, but seems more of you don't than do. Skipping it."
"Who said no booze? Huh?"
"Kayak drinks, right? You two hit a tavern then."
Ji-hyuk jabbed his fingers at Gid and Kayak. Gid immediately made a fuss.
"Aw, fuck, booze is best with fun company. Not some stoic type. ...Pretty girl might change my mind, though."
Gid shot Yael a sly look. The mage shut it down coldly.
"I don't drink."
"...Fuck it, guess I'm drinking solo."
Ji-hyuk called it and dismissed them. They filed out one by one. Everyone except the junkie mage Yael. ...She looked distinctly uncomfortable.
"What? Something to say?"
"Um... Ji-hyuk."
"Call me boss from now on."
"Boss."
The mage glanced behind her before speaking. They were all gone.
"This... is it really okay?"
"What?"
"I mean, I... kinda pictured a more normal team."
"Normal team?"
"Yeah."
Ji-hyuk chuckled dryly.
"So this is abnormal?"
"Not abnormal exactly, but... yeah... kinda abnormal."
"Where?"
"Everyone's a bit off. Orc, humans, lizardman..."
"Expecting nobles, then?"
"No, not that, but I thought better people would show. ...Didn't expect this mess."
She seemed genuinely dissatisfied.
"I picked the best available. ...Doubting my eye?"
"No, it's just... kinda crude."
Meaning, hard to gel with mercenaries. ...Fair, for a delicately raised girl suddenly thrown in with roughnecks.
Ji-hyuk grinned wide.
"Yael."
"...Yes."
"Gonna have to adapt."
He patted her shoulder and brushed past. Before leaving the room, he turned back with a tch.
"Take care of yourself. Prep well. Don't wanna deal with any bullshit out there."
Ji-hyuk left. Alone now, Yael let out a long sigh.
· · ·
The day of the hero exam's first round dawned at last. Ji-hyuk rose early, bathed thoroughly, then meditated. After a light session, he shared breakfast with Eizel. The fairy showed zero doubt he'd pass. His skills were far beyond these rookies anyway.
"Don't overdo it. Go easy. Got it?"
"Yes, don't worry."
Eizel smiled warmly at her disciple. Breakfast done, dawn broke. They prepared to leave the inn. Ji-hyuk gave his sword a final check. Heading out, they made for the central exam hall. The rising sun chased away the darkness from the horizon.
The venue already had a crowd. Orc Knacktool was among them, glaring fiercely at Kang Ji-hyuk. Hope that prick draws me first— Ji-hyuk wished the arrogant orc would be his opener. He could smash him early and make him a laughingstock for months. But with 63 others, the odds were slim.
Ji-hyuk and Eizel took their assigned seats, waiting for the start. More examinees trickled in. Top talents from the continent's hero academies gathered. He spotted that noblewoman from before entering; she recognized him, shot a sharp glare, then sat. Soon, seats filled—63 out of 64, minus one no-show. The arrivals sized each other up in fierce staring contests.
Eight arenas total. First round was tournament-style; last eight standing advanced to round two. Time to draw numbers. They redrew per match, so opponents stayed secret till the last second.
The academy head appeared. After a long-winded speech, he began calling names to draw. Soon, Kang Ji-hyuk's turn came. Eyes locked on him—Eizel's disciple, who was he?
"A real human."
"Strong as they say? Or just hype?"
Whispers grew. Ji-hyuk ignored them, climbed the podium, and drew from the urn. Number 9. His foe would be 10. Not drawn yet.
Halfway through, 10 emerged. All eyes on Ji-hyuk, the 9.
"Luca from Heinz Academy—!"
Heinz was the capital's second-biggest hero academy after Arhobent. Luca seemed their star. A hulking lizardman wielding a massive club. Descending, Luca glared murderously at Ji-hyuk and mimed slitting his throat.
His master Eizel smirked sourly.
"Don't kill him. You'd get disqualified."
Like Ji-hyuk didn't know.
"Don't worry. I won't."
No killing meant limbs were fair game. Healers would fix it quick anyway.
Numbers set, brackets locked. The first round began.