Crimson's Explosive Debut
I've got a ton of baggage, you know? Even a total loser like me changes after living for 200 years. Back when I was a guy, I proudly called myself a loner hikikomori, but now I hate being alone. That's thanks to all that time. But there's one thing that never changed: this damn "berserk switch." I hold it all in until the fuse blows, and then it explodes like a Spirit Bomb, unleashing every bit of pent-up rage at once.
Back in school, those typical bullies would poke at me now and then. One day I snapped and gifted one of them a two-week hospital stay. The school blew up over it, of course. I'd been playing the "bad at studies but good at listening to teachers" good kid role, so when I pulled that stunt, suddenly everyone was calling out the bullies' usual crap. In the end, my unintended rampage wiped out the bully clique at our school~ Good riddance, yeah? ......Fuck, that's not the point? I accidentally reminisced about the best episode from my berserk switch. Anyway, yeah, there were upsides, but it's not a personality I'm proud of.
Stuff like that could be nipped in the bud if I'd vent a little at a time, but this was unavoidable. "It's gotten worse since becoming a witch...... Maybe I should start exercising with Ra-yoon next time."
We hit Seoul Station right at 3 p.m. sharp. A taxi to the Hunter Management Bureau put us around 3:20, and after seeing the sign saying to pull a number ticket for business, I've been waiting in the lobby ever since. It didn't matter since it was a self-scheduled day anyway......but I really need to fix this berserk switch......sigh......
I pulled out my smartphone, switched to selfie mode, and checked for anything off. A black-haired girl in a hat and mask stared back—my disguised self. I knew it already, but my looks are way too standout. Same deal in Triia, so outside Nihilum, I'd use magic tools to dye my hair black like this all the time. Still, the stares? Gotta be my killer figure. Hurry up and call my number so I can escape these creepy gazes......
I was radiating "back off" vibes, but some guy ignored it and shuffled over hesitantly. "Um, excuse me, are you a hunter? If it's okay, wanna party up with me...?"
"No. Just here to register."
"Oh, gotcha! Then after you're done, maybe with me...?"
"Sorry, I've got plans already."
"Ah...... O-okay then. Good luck with the test......"
One of the lingering stares around me vanished after over ten minutes of hovering. At least that guy's decent—most times, fists would fly. Ding-dong! A massive chime echoed through the lobby as a new number lit up on the board. Mine. I jumped up and headed to the counter.
At the counter, a female staffer greeted me warmly. "Welcome! What can I do for you?"
She looked beat from the grind, with that fake service-industry smile plastered on.
"Here to register as a hunter."
"Sure thing! Have you already filled out the registration form?"
"Yeah, here."
I handed over the papers I'd prepped at a corner table while waiting. She scanned them, then slid them back. "You left the personal info section blank?"
"Yep! Wanna stay anonymous. Any issue?"
"Nope, totally fine if that's what you want. But troubles can pop up during activities, so we need basic info filled out."
"Ah...... Got it."
Not full anonymity, huh...... She caught my lukewarm reaction and added, "Don't worry—your anonymity is fully protected, so feel free to fill it out."
Sounded like scammer talk, but this is a globally trusted org. No crooks here. "Can I do it now?"
"Of course, take your time. Oh, and add an 'activity name' too."
I grabbed the pen and filled it without hesitation per her guidance. After a quick five-minute rundown, I headed underground for the ability test—mandatory for registration.
Following her directions downstairs, I saw a sci-fi white corridor and pushed open the door marked "Ability Test Room." A huge space unfolded. As the door shut, a man's voice boomed from the ceiling speakers.
Ah, can you hear me?
I wasn't fazed and shouted back, "Yes!" loud and clear.
We'll start the test right away. Please move to the center.
I stepped to the center as instructed. A faint vibration hummed from the floor, and a hexagonal iron pillar rose before me.
Place your hand on the pillar. Don't remove it until I say it's okay.
I slapped my hand on without a second thought. It looked smooth from afar, but up close, the palm felt bumpy with intricate geometric patterns etched in. "Huh? This...... isn't this 'conduction stone'? Why's it here......"
The familiar material slipped out loud—then it hit. ".....?!!!!!" A weird sensation crawled up from my palm, and I yanked my hand away on instinct.
Crackle! Static hissed from the speakers like it was trying to speak, then the man's voice returned.
Um...... Awakener?
"Ah...... Sorry! Didn't expect mana flowing in......got startled. Can we try again?"
Yes? You felt that......?
His words cut off, muffled chatter from others leaked through. Then:
Ahem! Sorry about that. Do you know how to emit mana?
"Huh? Oh, yeah! I do."
Then we'll switch methods. Pour as much mana as you can into the pillar this time.
"Got it."
Thud! Hand back on. Full power? Perfect—I've been pent up anyway! I gathered every drop of mana in my body to my palm, just like when I let Ra-yoon feel mana before. Shhhhr! Unleashed it all.
Kim Min-su, seven years in the Hunter Management Bureau's Ability Research Division, was on awakener testing duty as usual. Rookies normally handled it, but he'd inherited the role after the last newbie got transferred out of nowhere.
"Do I look like I have time for this, Yong-gu?"
"Prez, drop the grin first. You're loving it inside......"
"Heh, that obvious? Man~ Sweet gig today too!"
Kim stretched back in his chair, earning an eye-roll from junior Park Yong-gu. For their always-busy department, test room shifts were prime honey duty—pure downtime.
Fiddling with his phone idly, Park said, "Another slow day. Clock out like this? Best."
"You idiot, don't jinx—!"
Ding! "Hunter Registration Applicant Reserved" popped on the monitor before he finished. The duo stared blankly. Kim dry-washed his face at Park's flag-plant-and-yank.
"Haa......"
"Uh......sorry, prez."
"......Prep quick."
They straightened up and waited. Three minutes later, a woman entered—clearly the testee. Kim spoke into the mic.
Ah, can you hear me?
[Yes!] She replied energetically. Kim followed the manual.
"We'll start right away. Move to the center."
They watched her go, dumbfounded. Kim muted the mic and nudged system-controlling Park. "Yong-gu, that girl's a total babe, right?"
"Whoa......yeah. But the mask—mana addict?"
"Nah, even if, I'd hit that."
Half her face masked, but magnetic. Model-level curves, tiny waist, rare rack—Kim mentally set tonight's side dish as "glamour girl."
Prep done, Kim unmuted. "Hand on the pillar. Don't remove till I say."
She complied. He hit start—then she yanked away suddenly. Stunned, he stared, then powered the mic.
Um...... Awakener?
[Ah...... Sorry! Didn't expect mana flowing in......got startled. Can we try again?]
Yes? You felt that......?
'No way......' Normally, they pumped trace mana in to force out a sample since newbies struggled to emit it. The amount was tiny—even A-ranks barely noticed. Park prodded his lost-in-thought senior. "Prez, what now? Retry?"
"......Hold up."
Kim cleared his throat into the mic. "Ahem! Sorry. Do you know how to emit mana?"
[Huh? Oh, yeah! I do.]
"Switching methods. Pour max mana into the pillar."
[Got it.] Kim muted and turned to Park. "Heard that?"
"Mana output test, right?" Kim nodded; Park typed. Vitals for mana flow appeared. Signal sent—she placed her hand again.
'She looks hyped—nah, imagination?' As Kim spaced out:
BOOM―――――――――!!
"Wh-what?!" The building shook like an earthquake; Kim lost balance. Vitals spiked vertically onscreen.
The mysterious hunter "Crimson"'s flashy debut.