013. Evaluation
Hunters, The Next Generation had become one of the many competition shows popping up lately. But it stood out from the others in one key way: every season featured a notably aggressive challenger. That might have been due to the inherently combative nature of the hunter industry.
And in this season, that challenger was Lee Chang-hyun.
The judges' panel reformed as a hologram once more. Lee Chang-hyun stood before it. Just like with Yoon Han-gyeol, it wasn't a separate shoot—they'd used digital effects to stage it this way.
"Chang-hyun, could you tell us about the hardships you faced on your path to becoming a hunter and how you overcame them?"
"Hm... Well, I haven't really faced any real hardships."
The judges' faces stiffened beyond description. Jo Ah-ra even grimaced.
"I see... Then how about this hypothetical? The Hunters League is ultimately a team game. If conflict arises, how would you handle it?"
"I'd make all the final decisions myself."
"Pardon?"
"I'd make all the final decisions myself."
Jo Ah-ra's grimace twisted into something grotesque. Meanwhile, Lee Min-seok seemed faintly intrigued. Of course, the direct confrontation editing didn't sit well with viewers.
The judges weren't thrilled either.
"It doesn't feel like you're taking this seriously, and that doesn't sit well with me."
"If he's got the skills, it's confidence. Otherwise, it's just arrogance. Lee Chang-hyun, why don't you show us that skill of yours."
"Third evaluation. Begin."
Just like with Yoon Han-gyeol, the scenery shifted in an instant. But he showed no surprise, adapting immediately.
'He didn't waver as much as I thought...'
I'd figured he'd be shocked, but seeing it on screen was different.
Next came the gun creation scene, as expected. The chat exploded, and even Kim Do-jun right beside him was losing it.
"What the hell? Even if it's free weapons, guns are allowed? They're basically obsolete in the Hunters League."
"Dude, didn't you watch me in the survival game?"
"..."
Kim Do-jun tilted his head.
Ah... Come to think of it, we hadn't crossed paths in the survival game.
The NutTube footage had been edited into a full action movie blockbuster. Close-ups and pull-backs, fast-forwarding then slowing down. It masterfully captured him taking down each clone with a single, precise shot, varying pace for maximum impact. Every hit cleanly struck the clones' integrated circuit weak points.
Meanwhile, the respawning clones grew tougher and more numerous, but Lee Chang-hyun's method stayed consistent—simply more powerful.
Soon, the three-minute clone time attack ended.
"..."
The judges didn't speak right away. Jo Ah-ra still grimaced, but Lee Min-seok beamed with rapture. No one opened first, but they huddled, whispering among themselves.
A little judges-only conference.
"What'd you think?"
Jin Su-hyuk spoke first, his expression odd.
"Impressive. Using a gun is unprecedented, but it's not against the rules, and it wasn't spray-and-pray. The accuracy is insane. Plus, his movements were flawless."
Lee Min-seok's high praise continued in whispers. But Jo Ah-ra disagreed, snapping back quietly.
"This is an insult to the evaluation. Guns? In Korean Hunter League or even overseas, almost no one uses them. Consensus is they're useless in the league. Was using one really right, just because he cleared the clone three-minute easily?"
Lee Min-seok pushed back sharply.
"But look at that shooting stance and fluid motion. He's not a novice. Unless he's some secret government agent we don't know about, he must have an ability tied to guns."
"..."
'Sharp guy... As expected from someone who shone in foreign leagues when Korea was treated like a backwater.'
His insight stood out.
"Juniors. I want to believe in him. In this player's future potential. We don't judge on how diligent or upright they are. Just whether they can become an 'exceptional' hunter. I'll vouch for him."
Jo Ah-ra relented at Lee Min-seok's words.
"I agree too. Above all, he's someone I want to see advance to the next stage."
Jin Su-hyuk chimed in.
Interestingly, viewer reactions weren't much different.
Some viewers stayed negative after the casual answers, but plenty were buzzing with anticipation.
After my segment, Han Ji-su methodically took out clones one by one with gravity fields and long-range weapons. Yoo Hye-ju laid down wide healing fields for self-sustain while smashing heads with her ohamma. Everyone had flair, but viewers fixated most on Yoon Han-gyeol and me.
Even pre-regression, I'd drawn attention in matches, but exposing "me" like this felt oddly novel.
The broadcast rolled straight into the next game: the survival game.
The broadcast editing focused on two scenes. First: [Lee Chang-hyun stumbles on a hidden piece zone by sheer luck! Can he breach the Keeper like the first-gen hunters?]
Second: [100 rookies drafted and redrafted, all brimming with potential—who will survive?]
During the Keeper hype, the waiting room applicants buzzed.
"Whoa... Even VR dungeons have hidden pieces?"
"They must've copied a real hidden dungeon."
"Never even heard of hidden dungeons, let alone pieces—how'd he know?"
Most were baffled, not digging deeper. Lee Min-seok addressed it.
"Seems like some special skill, right?"
"Yeah. Not full dungeon detection, but probable. Finding that in this vast map by chance? Impossible."
'Of course, if he knew the location beforehand... But that's unlikely.'
Lee Min-seok's eyes gleamed.
The buzz didn't stop—Keepers were rare even in Hunters League.
"Whoa... He must've snagged it solo. How?"
"With that detection power... Another multi-ability freak like Ethan Hawke?"
The chat was on fire.
...Anyway, the attention wasn't bad. It meant the Hunter League was watching.
'Boosts my value and chances for higher leagues faster.'
Age limits would slow the climb, though.
Next scene: Lee Chang-hyun switches to a pickaxe mid-fight, pries off a cube Keeper fragment, and uses it to topple the boss. Then Ether acquisition, teaming with Han Ji-su against Yoon Han-gyeol...
Reactions were electric. But soon, interviews—edited ones.
"What made you apply to the Hunters League?"
Split-screen like rivals, alternating answers.
"To grow further and hone myself."
"Who else would apply if not someone like me?"
Blatant contrast. One judge burst out laughing.
Netizens mirrored it.
"You've seen many applicants—any worthy rivals?"
"No."
"Nope. None."
Same answer. But ranks differed, so questions did too.
Yoon Han-gyeol first.
"You topped, but struggled a bit against Lee Chang-hyun at the end. One word of resolve for next time!"
"Next time, I won't lose."
His usual resolute vibe.
'So serious about everything... Must be exhausting.'
"No rivals, yet only fifth? Why?"
"I'll bury them all anyway."
Stark contrast to Lee Chang-hyun's casual quip.
The broadcast ended there. Applicants in the waiting room gathered in groups, sizing each other up based on what they'd seen and chatting.