Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: 5. Stat Training Facility (1)
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Hunters grow in two main ways.
The first is raids.
Heading into the Backside World to gain real combat experience and secure rewards—this is the standard choice most people make.
The second is training.
Training methods vary widely.
Just as there were diverse martial arts and training regimens even before special abilities emerged, people now pair their training with their unique powers. Some focus purely on honing their bodies to boost their stats, while others repeatedly use their skills to maximize their strength. That said, most opt for the first method. Training is safe but offers limited growth potential, whereas raids promise explosive gains from rewards in a single go.
Kang San's growth had been a jackpot case.
Exceptional rewards.
Two growth skills and three skills at two stars or higher.
Typical E-Rank Hunters only had one-star skills, but Kang San's were all two stars or above, excluding Iron Body.
Based on his experience, raids were clearly the better way to farm rewards over training. But Kang San chose training first as part of his broader plan.
'I've grown explosively in a short time. Just a month ago, I was nothing but an F-Rank arrow sponge without a single skill. Now I have seven. Getting stronger is great, but this kind of rushed growth with low proficiency won't hold up against sudden variables. With Azmun liable to drop trials at any moment, blindly chasing growth would just hasten my doom.'
His own power.
It was still like a sandcastle.
Built hastily, it could crumble at any time—which meant he absolutely needed to solidify its foundations.
That held true in the past as much as now.
Handing a famous sword to a novice who'd barely trained for a year wouldn't let them beat a master wielding a rusty iron blade. Sure, the system let you boost your power like in a game, but unlike games, hitting a vital spot here meant death. The world's strongest weren't just defined by amazing skills or high stats—they knew how to wield their power effectively.
Haste ruins growth.
In this phase where rapid progress could blind him to reality, Kang San calmed his excitement and faced facts head-on.
'I'm an unlucky guy. Don't rely on fortune.'
Repeated misfortunes.
Each moment had been a brutal ordeal for Kang San, but looking back, they'd left valuable lessons.
What mistakes to avoid.
What decisions led straight to disaster.
Through those hardships, Kang San had strived to navigate life correctly.
Thus.
'Solidify the foundation first.'
Kang San's destination was set.
The Stat Training Facility.
The mecca of training.
A vast plot of land in Gangbuk spanning thousands of pyeong.
The former park had been bulldozed entirely, and with government backing, the Stat Training Facility was born.
It was designed to provide hunters with dedicated training spaces. Real combat-only training often claimed the lives of novice hunters just starting out, so an efficient solo training environment was essential. From the start, the facility drew massive attention. The fees were steep, but for those seeking strength, it was a worthwhile investment.
"Name of the reservation holder?"
"Kang San."
"...You're the one who booked the reaction speed stat and skill proficiency courses, right? That's two courses, so five million each—total of ten million won. Cash or card?"
"Card."
"I'll process that for you."
Beep.
The staff swiped the card.
Watching his balance hit rock bottom made Kang San's stomach churn a bit.
He'd complained about being broke before, but now he truly had no spare cash left—not even for scrolls.
But it was a necessary expense.
Kang San swallowed the bitterness and signed the terminal handed over by the staffer.
"Payment complete. To recap, you've selected the normal course, granting one month of facility access. Inside, you'll find a schedule based on the training system—follow that for optimal results."
"Got it."
"I'll show you to the training room."
He already knew all this.
Having used the facility before, Kang San followed the staff with familiar steps.
[E-8 Training Room]
E for rank.
The number was the room ID.
Training room 8, for E-Rank hunters.
Kang San entered as guided, and the door locked with a click from outside.
'Gonna be stuck here for a whole month.'
He surveyed the space.
The dimly lit training room centered around a roughly 15-pyeong circular area, flanked by two doors. One for [Reaction Speed], the other for [Skill Proficiency].
He read the guide first.
It explained:
"It's been a while."
Back when he first became a hunter.
Rather than jumping straight into combat blindly, the clueless Kang San had checked in here to build his strength.
Thanks to that, he'd boosted his stats a bit and leveraged the practical experience to work as an F-Rank arrow sponge. He'd deemed F-Rank training pointless later on, but his rank-up gave him reason to return.
The Stat Training Facility's system was solid.
The enforced, efficient setup undeniably aided growth.
Ten million wasn't cheap, but the gains made it worth every won.
'Last time in F-Rank reaction training, I barely cleared stage 7. Stage 5 is average for the rank; 7 requires standout talent. Stage 8 and up demand super-rank ability.'
That training had raised his agility.
Exploration done.
Kang San decided to start with reaction speed.
Testing Blood Demon Art's effects in skill proficiency was crucial, but unlike the flexible skill training, reaction sessions were time-locked. Missing one mid-session would be a waste, so he prioritized.
He headed to the reaction room.
As he stepped in, a familiar voice greeted him.
Ding!
'So that's why it was quiet.'
He'd half-expected it.
Trials struck without regard for time or place.
And their effects were immediate.
"...Huff, huff."
His breath came ragged.
Once the trial activated.
Sudden gravitational force crushed him, choking his lungs and making it hard to stand.
The trial's doing.
It hadn't just stretched time—it shackled his ankles with heavy weights.
'Adapt to the gravity first.'
He needed time.
But Luca Bellino offered none.
"Commence reaction speed training within 10 minutes. Fail, and this trial ends in failure."
The voice echoed from somewhere.
He could practically see the devilish grin.
No choice—Kang San forced himself up. Fortunately, provisions were ample. Adapt to gravity and complete training, and he'd clear this trial smoothly.
'But it won't be easy.'
An ominous feeling stirred.
Stepping into the reaction room, all light vanished, swallowed by pitch darkness.
Beep.
[Stage 1 training begins. 10, 9, 8... Start!]
Fwosh!
'Right!'
He heard it.
Couldn't see it, but something targeted his head.
Thud.
Kang San dodged sideways in a hurry.
Too slow.
The object slicing through the dark was faster than expected. He thought he'd evaded, but it grazed his cheek by a hair. A sharp sting followed—his cheek burned, blood trickling down.
"Figured it wasn't a normal training."
An arrow.
Undeniably sharp-tipped, lethal on direct hit.
His premonition proved true.
Azmun hadn't just warped time for 300 days' survival—it packed lethal threats. That grazing arrow was proof. Even forewarned, his heart pounded.
No time to think.
Training was underway; another arrow launched.
Splat!
Both sides this time.
Kang San reacted instantly to the sound. Arrows missed entirely. He slipped perfectly between them, but arrow barrages didn't end after one or two.
Whoosh!
"...!"
Right in front.
Kang San jerked his head back, dodging.
Overexertion made him miss the next sound.
Chaos ensued.
Off-timing, Kang San dodged on instinct alone. Arrows grazed skin, drawing blood all over, but he kept cool eyes amid the assault. No vision meant no room for panic—excitement dulling other senses spelled death.
Yet.
Thwack!
"Urk."
Not perfect yet.
If this were effortless for his level, training would've lost meaning from the start.
Arrow through his thigh.
Kang San grimaced.
Swallowing pain, he barely evaded the next.
'And this is just stage 1.'
Insane difficulty from the get-go.
He yanked the arrow out.
Aura of Recovery soothed the burning pain. Suddenly, the Blood Demon's image flashed—massacring humans like a monster.
It ignited his will.
'Can't die to trash like that.'
He gritted his teeth.
This was the new normal he had to adapt to.
Trials threatened his life anytime, anywhere.
No more flailing in panic—he needed calm solutions.
Day 1 of 300.
Thus began the grueling day.