First Broadcast: The Audition Program
Song, dance, and rap audition shows had flickered briefly on the scene, but the longest-running competitive audition program by far was undoubtedly the Hunters League's Hunters, The Next Generation. It stood out from regular hunter matches with its unique format and endless spectacle. Promising rookies locked in intriguing rivalries and rank battles. Trash talk led into random mission challenges. It was hell for the participants, but viewers couldn't look away.
Having experienced it firsthand now, I could see why. Though it wasn't that bad for me...
"Ugh... even answering the interview questions was torture."
If that attention-whore Kim Do-jun found it torture, what the hell had they asked him?
"What'd they ask in your interview?"
"Man, it was awkward as hell—they kept linking me with Senior Han Ji-su. What're they trying to pull?"
...Yeah, definitely.
That topic would make anyone squirm. If it were me, I'd have trash-talked right back at a senior who'd only ever ragged on me, but Do-jun wasn't the type.
"That's why I told 'em. My real rival ain't Senior Han Ji-su—it's Lee Chang-hyun from the same school. Like that."
Aigoo. Talk about stepping into a trap while backing away. Han Ji-su would've been preferable to me, someone who'd already tasted the top.
...Still, he seemed to genuinely believe it.
"So what'd they ask you in your interview?"
Kim Do-jun paused, turning back with a grin.
"Y'know, who I thought would win? Obviously, I said me, lol."
"Oh... they asked me too. I went with Yoon Han-gyeol or Yoo Hye-ju. You're doing great, Chang-hyun, but those two who took 1st and 2nd? Even Academy Team 1 treats 'em like monsters."
"You seen 'em play?"
"Those two are on another level in Team 1. They could jump straight to pro Hunter League no problem. If you'd watched 'em at the municipal academy, you'd get it."
Well... Yoon Han-gyeol's skills from earlier were impressive—quick thinking, raw power, all solid. Compared to me fresh off regression with a body still tuning up, he was more polished...
But talent or experience? I didn't feel outclassed. Couldn't afford to think that way. And I sure as hell wasn't letting a friend buy into it.
"Hey. Kim Do-jun. You really think that way?"
"Huh? Think what?"
"That those two are a whole tier above you? That mindset'll hold you back from what you could do. Snap out of it."
"..."
The tone was harsh for a kid, but I stood by it. Pros climbing the ladder were mostly similar in talent—barring outliers. What separated the stars? Laser focus on the peak. In arenas where victory hinged on a hair's breadth, mindset made or broke you. Entering as the underdog was fatal.
Do-jun seemed to reflect, a rare serious glint in his eye.
Meanwhile, Jin Han and Yoon Han-gyeol were chattering away in the waiting room corner.
Same academy, huh? Guess they're tight.
Korean League was a backwater now, but these kids had top-tier potential later. Perfect chance to scout—I activated Piercing Eye.
Swift: A
Impressively high across the board.
Without Bloom unlocked, some stats are 1.5x—nearly 2x—mine...
Not just polished physiques—their skills hinted at endless team synergy potential. No hidden pieces right now, and the physical gap made melee a tough sell.
I landed a solid hit in the survival game thanks to the Ether from that hidden dungeon... but next round might not be so easy.
As I glanced over, Jin Han met my eyes. I kept cool—he was a nobody pre-regression—but something felt off as he approached.
Turned out to be nothing.
"Hello there!"
"..."
"Name's Jin Han! You fought Han-gyeol sunbae earlier, right? How was it? Tough fight? We always spar at the academy, but I've never beaten him once! That last clash looked intense—first time I've seen someone your age go toe-to-toe with sunbae like that!! Wait, am I rambling? What's your name, sunbae?!"
"...Name? Lee Chang-hyun. So, what's the point?"
Guy's got zero chill.
It was like a sonic assault. Harmless content, sure, but deafening.
"Han-gyeol sunbae was super pissed after that survival game!"
"Hey! Jin Han! Quit yapping and get over here!"
No time to respond—Yoon Han-gyeol's call cut him off.
"Ah, sunbae! Catch you next time—promise!"
Promise what? The guy was a whirlwind. Brain-fog set in as he blew past.
Then Kim Do-jun waved me over, Nettube stream on his phone.
"Yo, Chang-hyun, show's starting. You're in it too—c'mon."
The audition program's first episode kicked off.
Tech advancements had evolved broadcasting too. Hunters, The Next Generation wrapped editing right after docs and survival game, airing almost live.
Pre-regression, they were prepping holographic viewing...
I rarely watched Nettube back then or now—first time in ages.
The broadcast opened with a dazzling stage, then judge intros. All familiar faces from this era's stars.
Post-intros, round 1 doc reviews began.
Didn't expect my bit to air...
Curious, though. I'd half-assed it—what'd they think?
Yoon Han-gyeol first. Some judges knew him pre-review.
"This kid's the super rookie Seoul Municipal Academy's grooming..."
"Yeah, this gen's standout."
Jo Ah-ra and Jin Su-hyuk.
"Shall we take a look?"
A holographic Jin Su-hyuk materialized—like a real interview. Fancy CG spend.
They shelled out big...
"Han-gyeol, what hardships did you face chasing your hunter dream, and how'd you overcome them?"
"Hunting's been my dream since childhood—transcending human limits in blood-pumping duels. That's all I ever wanted. But the path wasn't easy. Seoul Municipal Academy exam was a huge wall—failed twice. Those rejections hurt, lonely as hell. But I didn't quit; I learned. Effort doesn't betray; it pushes you forward, one step at a time. I kept going, facing myself, growing. Overcoming adversity? Endless effort and self-discipline, that's it."
Damn... textbook perfection.
Solid, yawn-worthy textbook. Not wrong, but...
Viewers echoed it.
"...Good resolve. Now, a conflict experience? Hunters don't solo. Tower raids were team efforts; clashes with foes or allies are inevitable. Tell us about one."
He paused, steadying his breath.
"Whew... Tough one. Situation was rough—I barely passed after two fails, and teammates knew. In team games, my input got ignored, right or wrong. Hurt at first; blending in was the barrier. But day in, day out, I endured silently, held my spot. Gradually, respect grew. Personal hurdles or team friction? Same fix: silent persistence. Fastest path. That's my take."
"Hm..."
Jo Ah-ra eyes closed; Lee Min-seok and Jin Su-hyuk pondered quietly.
Just a model student, huh.
Nothing special to me—pros overflowed with them. His edge? That special ability.
Next: my surprise third question.
[Clone 3-Minute Time Attack]
"Third eval—go!"
The interview setup flipped to a circular arena on a judge's palm. Yoon startled—landscape shift, no judges.
Even battle-hardened me jumped...
Clones spawned; his response was sharp. Summoned his signature blade per manual, wielded like an extension.
Impressive—but the killer? Seven Flying Swords.
Swords transcended thrusts—alive, detaching to slice clones while his body smashed others barehanded.
Judges raved.
"Flawless."
"Weapon control and body mastery—simultaneously. In League, foes'll feel like fighting two."
Quick huddle: unanimous pass.
Waiting room erupted in gasps/cheers via Nettube. Enviable power for contestants.
"Meanwhile, one rejected the textbook."
Nettube cut to me post-Yoon.