The Practical Exam
Finding the hunter exam venue wasn't difficult at all. A huge crowd of people who obviously looked like they were there to take the hunter exam were all flocking toward one spot. So, all I had to do was follow the ones oozing with arrogance, and I'd find the testing ground.
Trailing after them like a lost puppy eventually led me to an open space. The practical exam area—the third-floor grand training hall. The space was incredibly spacious, like someone had transplanted an entire indoor gymnasium. There were quite a few examinees too. At a quick glance, there were well over a hundred.
Everyone's carrying weapons.
All sorts of weapons filled the hands of the people around me. Swords, spears, axes, and even massive hammers. The variety was impressive, but they all shared one common trait.
They're all warrior types.
No matter how much I looked around, I couldn't spot a single mage holding a staff or an alchemist. Guess the testing venues are separated by class. That made sense—each position would have different evaluation criteria. It would be ridiculous to throw close-combat warriors and mages into the same ring.
Anyway, because it was packed with nothing but warrior-class hunters, the atmosphere inside the exam hall felt strangely heated.
“Hup! Hup!”
In one corner, someone was swinging their weapon while letting out rough breaths. If they're going that hard already, won't they be exhausted by the time the actual test starts?
“Shuk! Shuk!”
Another guy was shadowboxing the air with serious intensity.
“Hmm.”
There was even one who had stripped off his shirt like he was at a bodybuilding competition, striking poses and flexing his chest with loud slaps. When he raised his arm, a thick tuft of armpit hair assaulted my eyes.
“Ugh.”
It was so unpleasant I had to look away. I wasn't sure why it bothered me more than watching someone slit an orc's throat, but it definitely wasn't a pretty sight.
I set down the practice sword I'd been carrying and quietly claimed a spot in the corner. That's when it happened.
Four men and women entered the training hall at the same time. They all wore name tags with the Hunter Association logo pinned to their chests. These weren't regular examinees—they were the examiners who would be judging the practical test.
The man leading the group pulled a small microphone from his pocket. He looked to be in his early thirties. He was dressed in a neat suit, but an unmistakable aura of pressure radiated from him.
“Everyone, please pay attention.”
Even though the man spoke into the mic, the hall remained noisy and chaotic. He didn't seem bothered by it and simply gave a light nod before continuing.
“Nice to meet you all. I am Choi Jungwoo, an A-rank hunter. I will be overseeing the practical examination today.”
The moment he said A-rank hunter, the previously buzzing exam hall fell completely silent. It was like someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over everyone.
“Ahem.”
The guy who had been shadowboxing politely clasped his hands together. The one who had been slapping his chest to show off his muscles quickly picked up his shirt and put it back on.
A-rank hunter. Someone who could be called one of the absolute top-tier powerhouses. To these rookie examinees who were just trying to earn their licenses, he must have seemed like an absolute giant.
Once he confirmed the room had quieted down, Choi Jungwoo spoke again.
“I'll begin explaining the test right away.”
At his gesture, the staff members behind him wheeled out a massive cart. Something on the cart was covered with a cloth.
With a dramatic flap, the staff pulled the cloth away.
“Whoa……”
Small gasps of awe rose from among the examinees.
Standing there was a giant doll that looked at least two meters tall. It had a sturdy, mannequin-like form modeled after a human.
“This is a golem specially crafted by the Hunter Association's Alchemy Department,” Choi Jungwoo said, tapping the golem's solid shoulder. “Today, all of you will be taking your test against this fellow.”
He briefly explained the test format. One person at a time would step into the center and engage in one-on-one combat with the golem.
“Attack this golem with everything you've got. You may use any means or methods necessary. Treat it like a real monster and fight accordingly.”
He said the golem had special mana circuits built into its body. The power of the strikes dealt by the examinee, their speed, and the amount of mana they used—all of it would be recorded as real-time data. The final score would be calculated by combining those objective numbers with the examiners' subjective evaluations.
“Also, before the test begins, we will be collecting consent forms from each of you.”
The staff began handing out sheets of paper to the examinees. A crisp sheet landed in my hand as well.
I will not raise any objections against the Hunter Association regarding injuries or harm sustained during the practical examination.
It was a liability waiver.
“This contract……”
“Ahem. Does this mean we could actually get hurt?”
The examinees, who had looked like Spartan warriors just moments ago, now wore tense expressions. The pressure from that single sheet of paper—stating that the association wouldn't be held responsible for any injuries—was heavier than expected.
Of course, no one refused to sign it. After all, the hunter profession itself involved risking your life by entering gates. Everyone had already mentally prepared themselves to some degree. Still, knowing something in your head and actually feeling it in reality were two very different things.
Even though they were awakened, these people had never experienced real hunter work in the field. It seemed like only now were they truly realizing what it meant to fight.
“Ah, everyone.”
Seeming to sense the heavy atmosphere, Choi Jungwoo smiled slightly while holding the microphone.
“There's no need to be so nervous. This is simply a formal legal document required by procedure.”
He gestured toward the golem and added, “Most importantly, this golem is safely programmed not to inflict fatal injuries on examinees. Think of it as a punching bag designed to draw out your true abilities. That should make things easier.”
Only then did the examinees' expressions relax. The assurance of safety measures seemed to restore their confidence.
“Whew. Well, I guess getting hurt is always a possibility.”
“Heh heh. What kind of hunter aspirant fears getting hurt?”
Voices full of bravado started popping up again from all over.
Still……
I let out a deep sigh. There was something that worried me more than the consent form.
Do I really have to fight in front of all these people?
I looked around. More than a hundred examinees stood in a circle around the area, and right in the middle sat that massive golem. Each person had to step into the center and fight.
This feels like an elementary school talent show or something. It was incredibly nerve-wracking. Couldn't they have just let us fight in front of the examiners privately?
At least there was one silver lining.
I wasn't examinee number one.
“Examinee number one. Please step forward.”
At the examiner's call, the first examinee walked out, dragging a large battle axe behind him. Maybe because he was first, his face looked tense. He glanced at the examiners and asked,
“Can I start right away?”
“Yes. The test has begun.”
The test was already underway. Confirming that, examinee number one raised his axe with a determined expression.
“Haaah!”
With a battle cry, he charged at the golem.
“Ohh.”
A few of the watching examinees let out sounds of admiration. Even with that huge axe, his speed was impressive. It looked like he'd strengthened his physical abilities with mana.
He swung the axe with full power.
Whoosh.
A loud rush of wind followed. But the golem dodged the axe with surprisingly nimble movements that didn't match its size.
“Huh?”
The examinee swung his weapon again and again in confusion, but the result was the same.
That golem is ridiculously fast.
Despite appearances, it was clearly an awakened being that could handle mana. Even when the examinee poured out all the techniques he'd practiced, the golem dodged most of them.
“Hup!”
He did manage to land a few hits, but—
The golem slowed down.
It felt like the golem was deliberately lowering the difficulty after taking a few attacks. Since this was a test, it probably adjusted automatically to match the examinee's level.
“Haaah!”
Once his attacks started landing, examinee number one swung his axe with a triumphant look. A big swing.
Clang—!
It struck the golem squarely. But—
“Huh?”
There wasn't even a scratch on the golem's body. Instead—
“W-wait, what?”
The golem stretched out its massive arms and grabbed the examinee in a bear hug. The examinee tried to counter, but he could only flail helplessly. The golem used its steady strength to slightly twist the examinee's joints.
“Aaaagh! I surrender! I surrender!”
Examinee number one slapped the floor and screamed. Only then did the golem release the joint lock and step back.
“Huff! Huff!”
The examinee, who had been screaming, jumped up and checked his arm. It moved perfectly fine. It really hadn't inflicted any actual injury. The movements were strictly focused on suppression.
“Next examinee, please step forward.”
The next examinee.
“Heh. Guess I'll show off some footwork today.”
It was the guy who had been shadowboxing the air earlier. He put on metal gauntlets with sharp edges and approached with flashy steps, but—
“Gack!”
He was caught by the golem's long arms and had his waist bent backward.
“I'll show you what overwhelming strength looks like.”
The next one was the guy who had been showing off his muscles. Instead of a weapon, he tried to wrestle the golem with his bare body. But he couldn't last more than a few seconds before his arm was twisted.
Tap tap tap!
With a face pale as a ghost, he frantically tapped the floor in submission.
……This is actually pretty entertaining.
I should've brought popcorn. There's nothing more fun than watching a fight. It was surprisingly enjoyable to watch.
But as time passed, it became harder to enjoy myself.
Because my turn was getting closer and closer.
“Examinee number 31. Please step forward.”
I checked my exam ticket.
Examinee Number: 32
I was next. The thought of fighting in front of all these people made my heart pound.
“Examinee number 31?”
“Huu.”
A man suddenly stood up from among the examinees. He must be number 31. He looked around with a relaxed expression, then smoothly drew a weapon from his waist.
“Ooh……”
Small gasps of admiration came from the crowd.
The blade gave off a faint blue glow. I didn't know much about weapons, but even I could tell this sword looked incredibly high quality.
The man seemed to be enjoying the attention. The corners of his mouth curled up, and his shoulders were puffed with pride. Filled with maximum swagger, he walked toward the center of the training hall.
Standing boldly in front of the golem, he spoke to the examiners.
“By the way, is it okay if I break this golem? I don't think it'll be able to handle my power.”
It was an overwhelming display of confidence in both his weapon and his own skill. All eyes in the hall turned to the examiner.
Examiner Choi Jungwoo answered in a dry, expressionless tone without the slightest change in his face.
“Yes. Do as you wish.”