Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Han Yoo-jung (7)
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The first test of the Hunter Qualification Exam was a point competition. Ranks were determined by the points earned from killing monsters. Naturally, stronger monsters yielded higher points.
Since it was a qualification exam, no one risked their lives. The examinees competed in a virtual reality field. The pain was real, but the worst outcome—death—could be avoided.
However, there was one condition: examinees were forbidden from harming each other.
Hunters were meant to kill monsters, not other humans. The exam hall was for selecting suitable Awakeners to become Hunters, not a Hunter suppression unit.
Thus, killing fellow examinees in the exam hall was strictly prohibited.
"...You get the idea now, right?"
"Yes."
Han Yoo-jung nodded obediently.
Just in case, I'd explained the rules again, but she seemed to grasp everything after just one go.
She was quick on the uptake, so I wasn't too worried.
Lee Ji-ah probably would've double- and triple-checked.
Man, that girl was high-maintenance. Haha.
"Uncle, but what if... in the exam hall."
Han Yoo-jung, propping her chin up thoughtfully, asked cautiously.
"What happens if you take out another examinee?"
"......Ugh."
A chill ran down my spine, and I couldn't help but wince. Han Yoo-jung stared at me with wide eyes, looking utterly confused.
She was great in every way, but sometimes she'd casually drop these brutal lines like it was nothing.
"Hey! Why are you even asking that? If the proctors say no, you don't do it."
"Huh? No, I mean..."
Han Yoo-jung trailed off, then her mouth formed a small 'ah' before she suddenly shouted.
"That!"
"That what?"
"Other examinees might attack me! To mess with my monster hunting... That could happen, right?"
Han Yoo-jung grinned sheepishly.
She had a point. Knowing the rules in detail was to her advantage. I'd told her precisely so she wouldn't go picking fights with other examinees just because they got in her way.
"You can't attack them. Unlike reality, the virtual space has no blind spots."
Points were tallied from every monster kill, so the organizers would know if you attacked or killed someone.
Attacking another examinee meant instant disqualification and expulsion from the exam hall. The victim got a retest opportunity.
It was set up so there was no gain whatsoever. Just hunt monsters and don't waste time, that was the message.
"So, if you run into other examinees in the field, pass them by like they're cows or chickens. Unless they're crazy, they won't attack you either."
"Got it."
Han Yoo-jung answered meekly and popped her ice cream back in her mouth.
With that much explanation, she'd handle it fine. I checked the time—it was about time to head in. I took Han Yoo-jung to the exam hall.
Step by step down the corridor, her head bobbed in the corner of my vision. Our shoulders nearly brushed, and suddenly nostalgia hit me.
Excluding Sundays, had we ever walked this close? We'd pass each other awkwardly at home, exchanging perfunctory greetings.
Lately, the distance between Han Yoo-jung and me had shrunk noticeably. It all started with buying her clothes and treating her to dessert.
As that thought crossed my mind, a sudden memory made me scratch my head.
Come to think of it, we never ended up playing that game we'd promised.
"Yoo-jung."
"Yes?"
"You still playing that game lately? The one you always did in the living room."
Han Yoo-jung nodded vigorously.
She must really love that game.
No wonder—it was super popular right now.
"Good for you. Hey, about that promise from before."
"Promise?"
"Yeah. I said I'd show you some games, but we went shopping, hit the dessert spot, and time slipped away."
Han Yoo-jung leaned in expectantly, as if anticipating what came next.
"It just popped into my head. Wanna play some games together after the qualification exam?"
"When?"
"Whenever we've got time?"
She really loves it.
Her steps grew light as feathers. She'd been walking side by side moments ago, but now she skipped ahead a bit, swaying happily.
If this was her faking excitement, I'd never trust anyone in this world again.
Lost in those thoughts, we turned a corner,
"Oh?"
and bumped into some unexpected people.
Han Yoo-jung's friend Lee Ji-hye and her manager.
We all froze right in front of the exam hall doors, staring awkwardly. Lee Ji-hye broke the ice first with an embarrassed smile as she approached.
"Hey, Yoo-jung."
Han Yoo-jung gave a half-hearted nod. What was up with her attitude? I nudged her side with my elbow and whispered.
"You don't have many friends—don't be so cold..."
Whoa, Han Yoo-jung's glare turned icy. I zipped my lips and stepped back.
Lee Ji-hye, gauging our reactions, asked,
"You haven't taken the exam yet?"
"Nah."
"Oh, okay?"
Her eyes, soaked in anxiety, darted side to side. She swallowed hard and asked,
"By any chance, which group are you in...?"
"Group 6."
Lee Ji-hye's face cracked like shattered glass upon hearing the answer.
Lee Ji-hye hurriedly schooled her expression.
So what if we're in the same group? No need to panic prematurely. Examinees couldn't attack each other in the exam hall anyway.
She knew that full well, yet her swollen cheek kept throbbing.
"R-Really? What a coincidence. I'm in Group 6 too."
With that, Lee Ji-hye yanked her manager's sleeve.
"Oppa! Let's go in quick—we're gonna be late!"
"Only examinees from here on. Go in alone."
"What?"
The manager pushed Lee Ji-hye's back.
Before she could react, she was inside the exam hall with Han Yoo-jung.
The massive auditorium was packed with already-arrived examinees, squeezed shoulder to shoulder.
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Then the announcement blared.
Lee Ji-hye walked while stealing glances at Han Yoo-jung, who wore her usual blank expression.
From afar, a staff member shouted,
"New arrivals, over here!"
As Lee Ji-hye and Han Yoo-jung approached, the staff flipped through the roster and checked their names.
"Lee Ji-hye, right?"
"Yes."
"Seat 66."
Lee Ji-hye let out a relieved sigh and smiled.
"See you later, Yoo-jung. Good luck on the exam."
"Han Yoo-jung, seat 67."
"......"
The capsules, wired with electrodes, had large numbers plastered on them.
66 and 67.
Lee Ji-hye and Han Yoo-jung took their places.
The proctor on stage greeted them and explained the exam rules and precautions.
Most of it was stuff she'd heard from her manager. Lee Ji-hye was relieved—Han Yoo-jung's presence kept distracting her from the proctor's words.
Then, suddenly, Han Yoo-jung reached out.
"Eek!"
Lee Ji-hye instinctively raised her arm and squeezed her eyes shut. After a long moment with no reaction, she cracked one eye open. Han Yoo-jung looked flustered, hand still extended.
Lee Ji-hye's lips trembled as she asked,
"...What's this?"
"Candy."
Han Yoo-jung offered her hand again.
'Did she lace it with something?'
Suspicious, Lee Ji-hye smacked Han Yoo-jung's hand away with a slap. Han Yoo-jung pocketed the candy and said,
"I went too far earlier. Sorry."
"What?"
"Pinching your cheek."
Lee Ji-hye rubbed her stinging cheek. Arms crossed in disbelief, she demanded,
"What are you even? You threatened to rip my mouth open, and now you're apologizing out of nowhere?"
"......"
There was no good explanation for it. Plus, if anything, Lee Ji-hye had started it by badmouthing Kim Hyun-woo. Han Yoo-jung furrowed her brows.
"You started it. Why'd you trash my manager?"
"Over something that petty, you swell my cheek like this...!"
Lee Ji-hye started to argue but stopped.
The proctor on stage was eyeing them suspiciously.
She swallowed her anger with a huff.
"You! That's it—don't talk to me anymore. I won't acknowledge you either. Got it?"
Lee Ji-hye snarled as she lay down. She caught Han Yoo-jung fiddling sullenly with the candy.
Lee Ji-hye gritted her teeth. Now was the time to focus on the exam. She closed her eyes. Soon, her consciousness flickered out.
After Han Yoo-jung went in, I exchanged awkward glances with Lee Ji-hye's manager. He cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke.
"Y-You're Han Yoo-jung's manager, right?"
"Yes."
"I've heard all about Han Yoo-jung from Ji-hye. Sorry for treating you like a scammer earlier. I thought you were some kid-tricking punk messing around, promising to make a child a Hunter..."
"Pardon?"
What was this guy on about? I stared puzzled, and he grinned, showing teeth.
"Lately, all these thug types strut around calling themselves managers. Stuff like this happens. Right?"
"...?"
"I heard Han Yoo-jung awakened less than a month ago, but turning Ji-hye like that? You've got talent already showing."
"Lee Ji-hye?"
"Hard for someone who just awakened. If I may ask... physical enhancement ability?"
"Yes."
The manager nodded to himself at my answer.
His initially hostile gaze had softened into outright friendliness.
Curious, I asked,
"By the way, what happened between Lee Ji-hye and Yoo-jung?"
"Huh?"
"I have no clue."
"You didn't hear?"
"No."
"You saw how red and swollen Ji-hye's cheek was, right?"
"Yes."
"Han Yoo-jung pinched her. That's what did it."
"Pardon?"
I blinked, not comprehending for a second, and asked again.
So Han Yoo-jung did that to Lee Ji-hye? By hitting her?
"You're kidding."
"No, I thought it was a joke too, but Ji-hye clearly said..."
The manager rambled on, but it wasn't sinking in.
Though brief, Lee Ji-hye's fiery personality had burned into my mind in that short time.
I'd believe the trustworthy one.
"Anyway, seeing Han Yoo-jung, I get it now. Ghost Guild's the real deal. Sorry about earlier."
The manager bowed his head.
I didn't know what changed his mind, but it didn't feel bad.
His subtle condescension still grated a bit.
Still, it wasn't worth lording over—I accepted his apology moderately.
"We've got time left. Wanna grab coffee while we wait?"
Han Ye-rim had drilled it into me: unlike Hunters, managers' worth was their connections and skills. Contacts in your phone were your biggest weapon, not guns or knives.
Networking over coffee sounded good.
As I suggested it, a confident smile spread across the manager's face.
"I'll buy."
"If it's about feeling bad, really, it's fine."
"No, not that."
The manager pulled out his card with flair and declared,
"I've got the company card."
Company card? Now that's different.
Kieeeek!
The monster let out a shrill screech. Saliva dripped from its sharp fangs. Monsters lurking in the bushes slithered out and charged at Han Yoo-jung.
Han Yoo-jung swung her hand like a blade.
Slash!
The monsters shattered into pieces and collapsed. Blood sprayed everywhere.
A window popped up in the corner of her vision. Her score had risen. Han Yoo-jung frowned and shook her hand out.
'Weird.'
She clenched and unclenched her fist, feeling the exact same sensation as reality. Even the earthy scent at the tip of her nose was vivid.
She'd started out enjoying the game-like vibe, but Han Ye-rim's request came to mind.
Debut with an overwhelming skill gap. Make the new guild draw public attention. Nothing more, nothing less—just match Lee Ji-ah's record.
Easy enough.
"Huh...?"
As she moved to step forward, Han Yoo-jung crumpled to the ground. Her chest suddenly boiled over. A familiar sensation. Her dormant killing intent surged like a tidal wave. It usually happened when Kim Hyun-woo wasn't nearby.
Why? Was Peace of Mind out of range here? Even so, she'd never felt her bloodlust this intense before...
Hey, your manager's so incompetent. Bread and milk before an exam?
Ask the guild to switch managers. Looks fine but no sense—bread? At least get coffee.
Ghost Guild sticks some no-name scrub as manager. And 'uncle'? You into cradle-robbing or what?
Lee Ji-hye's mocking words flashed through her mind.
Han Yoo-jung swept back her sweat-dampened hair, scowling.
Her eyes gleamed faintly, thick with sticky malice.
The exam was already forgotten. She kicked off the ground and leaped into the sky.
A vast forest filled her view.
Scanning quickly, Han Yoo-jung kicked the air. Her body shot forward like an arrow.