The Strongest Job Nobody Wants
Post-entrance ceremony test: Martial Artist. Among the hunter professions officially recognized by the Association, it was undoubtedly the strongest class. Even Choi Kang-cheol, the hero who shone brightest during the Outbound Incident, had been a Martial Artist.
Martial Artists were the strongest when fighting bare-handed. They sometimes equipped gauntlets and such, but most stuck to pure fists. Their creed was simple: the best weapon is your own body....
Those who clung to weapons were dismissed as heretics. And it wasn't just about beliefs.
1. Genius-level
2. Void attribute
3. Direct type
4. Growth type
All weapons inflict penalties when using any armed equipment classified as a weapon.
Massive advantages when unequipped.
• Physical durability increases.
• Can strike the physically unstrippable.
• All general stats boosted based on proficiency.
"What a scam... this thing."
Yet ironically, the top-rated profession, Martial Artist, had zero popularity. Not just unpopular—it was shunned and mocked outright.
Why? Unlike other classes, it boosted all general stats.
"...Effort's the answer again this time."
Normal talents grew specific stats based on proficiency. Sword talents, for example, prioritized strength, then stamina, with dexterity and technique at average levels. Favorable stats grew fastest, differentiating them early from other classes.
What about Martial Artist?
• All general stats boosted by proficiency.
All general stats. Meaning strength, stamina, intelligence, dexterity, and technique—all rose evenly.
"......"
Combat-related stats grew slower relative to others, putting them at a disadvantage. Without weapons, they were trash in the early game. In an era where magic weapon industries propped up hero forces, going unarmed was like digital fasting—carrying an encyclopedia instead of a smartphone.
"But... late-game, it's the strongest."
Ironically, when other classes hit growth ceilings, Martial Artist pulled ahead massively. Simple terms: sky-high peak, but floor-shatteringly low start.
One week later. Hanseong Academy auditorium, in Wonju City, Gangwon-do.
"We sincerely congratulate the incoming Reserve Hero cadets on their enrollment."
Sitting in the freshman seats, I stared blankly at the entrance ceremony. Back to dorm life.... Felt weird. A bit tense, too.
Maybe because of the class placement exam right after. Wanted to nap and stockpile stamina, but no dice. Cameras shuttering everywhere—not sleep-friendly.
True to its rep as the world's top academy, the auditorium was packed.
"That handsome kid Choi Kang-cheol's son, right?"
"This freshman lineup's insane."
"Guardian's Constellation sent a ton of people. Pre-contact's illegal, but they're going all out...."
Press, guild scouts, hero family bigwigs. Even government suits. Napping here would pierce me with glares.
"...Zzz."
But someone was sleeping through it. I turned toward the snoring.
The girl next to me was lightly snoring, head lolling. Red bob cut. Unusually long lashes. Pretty even asleep, but with a fierce edge.
"...Snrk."
She swallowed drool mid-snore. I knew her.
"Go Su-young."
"...Huh?"
Go Su-young cracked her eyes at my voice, then shut them and shook her head. Better keep distance from her. Not the drool—class exam meant physical separation post-ceremony.
"Top entrance score: Choi Ji-seong—."
The emcee on stage announced. Awards time.
"Whoa~ He's glowing. What?"
"Prettier than me...."
"Choi Ji-seong's single, right?"
True protag: talented, kind, and handsome as hell. Not just him.
"Excellent entrance score: Han Cheol-woo—."
Han Cheol-woo ascended; crowd gasped. Choi Ji-seong was warm handsome; this guy, cold handsome. Perfect mirrors in talent, personality, looks.
"...Fucking gorgeous."
Then Yoo Seong-won, Woo Yu-na, Ha Yeon-si took the stage. Cheers erupted for the girls.
"Holy shit, pretty."
"Insane. What cup's that rack? K?"
"Elf from a fantasy novel."
Choi Ji-seong, Han Cheol-woo, Yoo Seong-won, Woo Yu-na, Ha Yeon-si... They were elites. Novel protags. Even Go Su-young snoring beside me.
"......Huh."
Wait, where's the last one?
Go Su-young's here; who's missing? She should've stood out.... Scanning, I spotted her.
"...Mo Ye-ji."
Silver long hair cascading, the beauty arms-crossed, glaring at the stage dissatisfied.
"This concludes the Hanseong Academy entrance ceremony. Freshmen, cadets, and staff remain; all other guests, please exit."
People filed out orderly. Soon, only cadets and instructors left.
As cadets fidgeted, a bandit-looking guy stepped from the instructor group.
"Attention!"
Cadets snapped eyes to him.
"Welcome. I'm Park Dae-sik, your practical combat instructor briefing the schedule ahead."
A spark lit in cadets' eyes.
"World rank 730. Association rank 348. They call me Hellhound."
Hellhound Park Dae-sik. Knew the moniker. Stuck for hunting prey to hell and back. Tracked missing demons for 20 years, killed 'em. Honestly... psycho.
"Fresh into the academy, you're buzzing. Heart pounding, feeling invincible, wanna act out. Don't. Showboating gets you killed fast."
Cadets shut up.
"Class placement exam soon. Some wonder why not assign by entrance scores? Guys like Choi Ji-seong or Han Cheol-woo don't need it, right?"
Laughter rippled.
Park Dae-sik cleared his throat.
"But tradition matters. Easier to sort by scores, sure. But we uphold academy customs, properly gauge your talents—that's why the hassle."
He said that, but I knew the real reason. Not tradition or talent-scouting. To sniff out infiltrated demons.
"Heroes ain't desk mathematicians solving equations. Said it: showboat, you're done. Weak? You're done too. Physically, socially. Academy perks and systems exist for those who grind. Don't forget."
Cadets roared back.
"Class placement starts now. Stand and line up before your chosen instructor."
Cadets rose. I did too.
"...Uh, huh?"
Neighbor Go Su-young finally woke.
"Yaaawn~. Ugggh."
She stretched hugely, chick-like and cute.
"Exam starts now. You pick instructors."
Park Dae-sik said.
"Want high scores? Pick strong ones. Don't peek at others. No talking from now. Hint-giving gets you rock bottom."
I eyed the stage amid his threat. Ten instructors stood there.
...Here we go.
15 years ago, I half-assed this. No interest in Contribution Points then.
Not now. Must land with protagonists. High score essential.
"......"
Cadets moved. Most clustered by Choi Ji-seong, Han Cheol-woo, Woo Yu-na, Ha Yeon-si. Even protags split, no unease.
Wrong answers, obviously.
...Mo Ye-ji.
Only one nails this: Mo Ye-ji.
I side-eyed her. She deep-breathed, eyes widening.
Then she strode to an empty instructor—no cadets, no one.
I hustled after, queuing behind her.