Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Harsh Conditions Training - 2
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The moment the target rose up, Kim Min-jun had already swung his gun barrel toward it and pulled the trigger.
“Just... speechless.”
“Didn’t you say you got perfect scores on shooting back when you were a private?”
“There’s a world of difference between perfect scores on harsh conditions shooting and regular shooting. This guy’s no joke.”
The instructors didn’t even get a chance to fire before the shooting drill ended.
That was how overwhelming his shooting accuracy and reaction speed were.
“Sergeant Kim Min-jun.”
“Sergeant Kim Min-jun.”
“Even in a state of physical exhaustion, you demonstrated excellent focus and reflexes. Keep up that performance in the next drills.”
“Thank you, sir!”
Even the training officer, notorious for being strict about drills, was praising him.
‘Oh right, this was harsh conditions shooting. If I actually exhausted my stamina, my skills might improve.’
Kim Min-jun himself felt a bit disappointed, unable to fully enjoy the training.
‘If I completely drained the demonic energy inside me, it’d be possible.’
Even as a black mage who reached the pinnacle in that other world, he was still human.
If he fully released the demonic energy that was the foundation of a black mage’s power, even he would have no choice but to weaken.
‘Of course, even then, I could take down most monsters barehanded.’
But more importantly, if he expelled the demonic energy from his body, every living creature within a 10 km radius would die.
That was because he harbored demonic energy far denser than any other black mage.
“Sergeant Kim Min-jun, why the long face after nailing perfect scores on harsh conditions shooting?”
“You look dissatisfied.”
After the shooting drill ended, a short break was given.
Kim Kwang-sik, the corporal, and Lee Dong-jin, the corporal, had approached him before he knew it.
“I really want to experience this training properly, but I just won’t get tired. Feels like I’m the only one cheating.”
“…You’re really not affected at all? You were crawling for so long.”
“You must’ve crawled over 3 km just on your belly.”
At his curt response, Kim Kwang-sik and Lee Dong-jin laughed as if they were done for.
He was fresh as ever even after crawling for so long in that heavy power suit and full gear.
They couldn’t help but wonder where that insane stamina came from.
“Anyway, you guys did pretty well on shooting too? Over 70% of our squad passed.”
“Yeah. It was more bearable than I thought.”
“Now that you mention it, it’s not much different from that insane combat swimming we did at the resort.”
“Took you long enough to figure it out?”
Kim Min-jun teased that it was all thanks to his planning, so they owed him a meal later.
Of course, the squad members shot back that he was pushing it.
**
“Argh, damn it. Udon for special lunch today, and I ate too much for nothing.”
“You puke, and I’ll smack the back of your head.”
“Told you the training wasn’t over. Eat in moderation.”
Lunchtime passed, and it was 1 p.m. in the afternoon.
The hunters gathered inside the training facility for harsh conditions monster combat drills.
The aftereffects of the morning training lingered; fatigue was etched on their faces.
“Alright, everyone worked hard on the drills. This is the last one for harsh conditions training, so let’s push through.”
“Yes, sir….”
“Understood….”
Of course, the training schedule ended in a single day.
However.
Just like the earlier shooting, failing to meet the criteria meant retraining.
‘Please, we have to pass this one.’
‘We can handle shooting again, but twice at this? We’d die!’
The hunters gritted their teeth, vowing to pass this drill no matter what.
“You’ll enter the special training facility in pairs of two from now on. Various situations will occur inside, and we’ll evaluate how well you cope with each.”
The training officer pointed to the glass-walled training facility.
A vast space used for harsh conditions training and honing situational judgment.
Commonly known as the “Panic Room.”
“Ah… damn. Last year I puked in there and got reamed out by the seniors….”
Corporal Kim Kwang-sik made a bitter face at the sight of the Panic Room.
“…I experienced hell in there too.”
The other hunters were no different.
Most of them swallowed dryly at the transparent interior.
“What’s got you all like that?”
Seeing their reactions, Kim Min-jun asked about the training facility.
“Once you go in, the temperature inside fluctuates wildly every set interval. That’s bad enough, but then there’s this vomit-inducing stench and ear-splitting noise… ugh….”
Kim Kwang-sik shook his head while explaining.
Kim Min-jun patted the guy’s shoulder.
‘So that room is designed to shake not just the hunters’ bodies, but their minds too.’
They had to endure about 10 minutes in there.
Only then could they face the monster that appeared afterward to pass the training.
‘Must be pretty tough.’
According to the training officer’s follow-up explanation, this drill was originally meant to be done solo.
However.
Since most hunters dropped out, they lowered the intensity and switched to pairs—that was the current version.
“If you can’t take it anymore and feel like you’re dying, raise your right hand high! Medical hunters will rush in immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood!”
“Then Pair 1, head in right away!”
The harsh conditions monster combat training began.
The hunters, in protective suits, entered the facility.
Beep.
The training officer pressed a button, and red lights came on inside the facility.
The signal that training had started.
“Phew. Let’s tough it out as best we can. We won’t die, so don’t raise your hand unless you absolutely have to.”
“You focus on yourself. If I see you about to raise it, I’ll force your hand down.”
Pair 1 felt the temperature inside slowly rising and exchanged glances.
Mental fortitude was key in this training above all else.
Wooooong.
The heat inside rivaled a brutal sauna.
That would’ve been manageable, but a foul stench invaded their nostrils too.
“Urk!”
“Argh! What’s this rotten smell! It’s worse than last year!”
They pinched their noses, but it only made it harder.
The hunters grimaced, scanning for other changes.
“Whoa….”
“Even watching is tough….”
Meanwhile.
The hunters watching from outside shuddered at the intensity of the harsh conditions combat training.
Not content with battering body and mind with successive ordeals, it even threw in a monster at the end.
It was a miracle how anyone survived it last year.
“Pair 1. Fail.”
Around 7 minutes in.
The two in Pair 1 couldn’t endure the chilling sound of nails on a chalkboard and gave up.
“Build up some mental toughness. Medical hunters are waiting over there—go get checked out.”
Unlike other drills, the training officer didn’t berate the failed hunters.
That was how vicious and grueling it was.
“Ah….”
“We have to do it again tomorrow… just kill me….”
Pair 1 slumped their shoulders as they approached the medical hunters for basic checks.
“Next! Pair 2! Hurry up and enter!”
“Yes, sir!”
The training proceeded starting with Pair 1.
Pair 2, 3… 4.
Most hunters tapped out before 7 minutes.
“Next! Pair 15!”
Pair 15’s turn came before long.
Pair 15 was Sergeant Kim Min-jun and Corporal Lee Dong-jin.
“Lee Dong-jin.”
“Corporal Lee Dong-jin.”
Kim Min-jun gave a smack to Lee Dong-jin’s stiff back.
“What, scared?”
“N-no, sir. It’s just… I don’t want to drag you down, Sergeant Kim Min-jun.”
“If you really can’t take it, give up. No one’s passed so far—that’s how tough it is.”
“I’ll tough it out somehow.”
Lee Dong-jin nodded, as if resolved.
Kim Min-jun gave the guy a light smile.
“Yeah. You just got promoted to corporal—show me that corporal spirit.”
Woooong.
No sooner had Pair 15 entered than the temperature began to rise.
“Remember taking down that Red Arm last time? This is nothing compared to that.”
“Yes, sir. I remember. It’s definitely bearable.”
Lee Dong-jin replied with a calm face.
But that lasted only a moment.
Kreeeeeech!
“Argh!”
A metallic screech like nails on eardrums rang out, and he clutched his ears, collapsing.
‘Hmm. Yeah, it’s pretty intense.’
Kim Min-jun’s eyebrow twitched.
As expected from frontline training—the intensity was no joke.
Even he, unmoved by most things, found that screech grating.
“Lee Dong-jin!”
“C-Cor… Corporal Lee Dong-jin.”
“Look me straight in the eyes!”
Lee Dong-jin had already crumpled to the floor.
Kim Min-jun hauled him up and locked eyes with his wavering gaze.
‘Everyone’s dropping from that creepy noise, but if you hold onto your sanity, you can push through.’
“You won’t die. It’ll feel like it, but hang on three more minutes and it’s over. How many years you been in the service?”
“Four… over four years.”
“Yeah! Four-plus years in the Hunter Army, and you just got specially promoted to corporal! Show those hunters outside your new side!”
“Urgh… yes, sir!”
Kim Min-jun naturally drew him into conversation, pumping him up.
Thanks to that, Lee Dong-jin, who’d nearly quit, regained his resolve.
“Hmm. Good. He’s got the knack.”
Outside, the training officer watched Pair 15 approvingly, lips curling up.
‘Harsh conditions adaptation training isn’t paired for nothing.’
Overcoming what you couldn’t alone, with your comrade at your side.
That deepened camaraderie and boosted adaptation to even worse scenarios.
Pair 15 was adapting perfectly, just as he liked.
“Damn, they’re powering through that crap.”
“Since when was Dong-jin that mentally tough?”
“Hey, it’s Sergeant Kim Min-jun coaching him that’s doing it. Big difference with or without that.”
“Look at Sergeant Kim Min-jun’s face. Not a hint of bother. Just stone-faced?”
“Has any pair passed so far?”
“Maybe one a year, if that.”
The other hunters watching were equally impressed.
They gawked as Pair 15 endured the various ordeals with ease.
“Lee Dong-jin.”
“Corporal Lee Dong-jin.”
Meanwhile.
Inside the training room.
After 10 minutes, the scraping metal stopped, and the ceiling opened.
The signal that a monster was about to be released.
“You did well. I’ll handle that thing, so just stay on your feet.”
“Sergeant Kim Min-jun, I can fight too!”
Lee Dong-jin struggled to stand.
Kim Min-jun smirked at him.
“Can’t yield training points.”