B-Rank Promotion Exam (5)
Having calmed down both me and Cha Yuri, the Association Guide immediately launched into an explanation of the hunter promotion exam process. The exam itself was simpler than I'd expected. Hunt a set number of three specific monster types designated by the Association, while they evaluated combat techniques and timing along the way. For reference, they measured time not to award bonus points for speed, but to disqualify anyone who took too long. Take the C-rank monster Infected Sewer Rat, for example. Due to their nature, they always moved in packs. A single one was just C-rank level, but a pack was treated as a B-rank threat. Could an average C-rank hunter triumph over a full pack of Infected Sewer Rats? Not every C-rank could, but to cut to the chase, it was possible.
Dodging around the dungeon to split the pack, picking off one or two when their numbers thinned temporarily. Then fleeing again when they regrouped, striking when the opportunity arose to drop another one or two... Drag it out over hours in a war of attrition, and even a lone C-rank hunter could beat a B-rank pack. Combat efficiency be damned. But no one would call that C-rank hunter qualified for B-rank just because they scraped by. Obvious, right? In other words, the time limit was there to reject hunters who cheesed it with tricks like that.
It wasn't a big deal for me since I could handle B-rank monsters head-on without issue. Still, this was the promotion exam I'd longed for, so a touch of tension was inevitable. Promotion exams carried bigger risks on failure than success. If a guild misjudged a hunter's level and promoted them anyway, that hunter might overestimate themselves and dive into deadlier dungeons. At that point, it was basically the guild throwing their lives away. That's why guilds were ultra-conservative with promotions. Companies and guild Associations even had internal rules: fail once, and you wait at least a year for the next shot.
Legally, a B-rank hunter was defined as one who could take on a B-rank monster—or equivalent threat—one-on-one and win. But the common consensus was that actual B-rankers could handle two- or three-to-one against same-rank monsters. Guilds only promoted those they were dead certain could survive the next tier's dungeons. Of course, there were C-ranks like me who frequented B-rank dungeons anyway. But there was a world of difference between a C-rank dying in a B-rank dungeon and a B-rank doing the same. The former got labeled an overconfident fool who didn't know their place; the latter sparked whispers of "maybe the exam was flawed?" To avoid backlash, guilds stayed conservative.
"As I mentioned earlier, have you heard rumors lately about monster numbers spiking inside dungeons?"
"Not really, but I've noticed packs feeling a bit thicker recently."
"On top of that, monster waves have been popping up worldwide. Some areas couldn't hold them back and fully dungeonized."
"Yeah, I've heard about that."
More like I'd lived it. My summer trip with Do Sihee had thrown us into a monster wave—and I'd even taken down the Kraken boss. No wonder I nodded along. If we hadn't stopped that Kraken in time, Do Kyung Group's island would've dungeonized too. Sure, dungeonization could turn a place profitable depending on the monster drops, but an island was trickier than mainland. Warp gates cost a fortune in manpower and resources, and islands jacked up the price even more. Even if you somehow exploited it post-dungeonization, you'd probably never recoup the investment. Which meant Do Sihee's old line—"cheaper than blowing up the whole island"—was no joke.
After covering the monster surge and waves, the guide continued with the exam details.
"Anyway, that's why the B-rank promotion bar's been raised a bit. More monsters in dungeons make it riskier, even for solid B-rankers."
"Got it."
"Frankly, for someone like Kim Sungcheol who clears B-rank dungeons routinely, it shouldn't be an issue—but please stay sharp."
"Will do."
In my case, my request logs already outpaced most fresh B-rankers, so no sweat. This guide saw my performance daily anyway. The exam was probably less a test of skill and more a check for any funny business in my requests.
"Compared to your usual requests, this should be a breeze."
Subtext: As long as you didn't cheat on those requests, the exam's easy. I nodded, reading between the lines.
"First monster's Black Slime. It's tough even for B-rankers, so it rarely shows up on exams, but..."
"No problem. Same as always."
"Alright, then. Off to the first dungeon."
With the full briefing done, we headed straight to the Tar Pit Dungeon. The real promotion exam was underway.
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To sum it up: the exam wrapped up fast and clean. I'd hunted countless B-rankers for practice, so nothing here was beyond me. Plus, I'd prepped with a week's monster grinding. Two of the three types were old hat; only the last was new.
First up: Black Slimes. No need for new strats—I'd trained specifically to cleave them with swordplay alone, anticipating this. Tricky for others, familiar to me. The guide looked shocked as I pure-sworded them without magic or buffs.
Prrrrlut...!!!
One swing, one kill. The guide asked,
"You're still C-rank, but you're already using aura-infused swordsmanship?"
"Learned from a greatsword master I know. Treated her like a master and picked it up."
"That's some compression—no aura visible at all! Normally, that intensity would have an obvious glow around the blade! I almost thought you were just swinging bare!"
"...Yeah, uh, right."
Truth was, it wasn't compression; my inner energy was just colorless and invisible. No need to correct her, though. Let her assume. Couldn't exactly advertise colorless energy anyway. Grateful for the misunderstanding, really.
While the guide geeked out like it was her win, Cha Yuri bit her lower lip, looking flustered.
"What do you think, Cha Yuri?"
"...N-not bad."
"That's it?"
"Tricking it into reading magic, then physical smash. Solid tactic."
"Doesn't this put me about on your level now?"
"D-don't get cocky."
She aimed her staff at a grazing Black Slime.
...Prrooooot?!
A sudden Wind Blade shredded it.
"Mixing physical and magic? I can do that too. Manipulate real air for impact, follow with magic shred. Easy."
A-rank for a reason—she could solo Black Slimes too. I'd hoped it'd prove my edge, but this barely scratched it.
"...N-next testing ground!"
Under the guide's watchful eye, we moved to the second dungeon.