Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Hunter (3)
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Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The pounding of his heartbeat echoed all the way to his ears.
He couldn't tell if it was because of Jin Seong-hyeok's words or the Hunter test drug.
Jin Seong-hyeok was far more impressive than he'd imagined. The thought that the power everyone knew him for might just be the tip of the iceberg sent chills down his spine even more.
And that power was now inside his own body. Goosebumps prickled across Cha Su-ho's entire body.
SSS-grade. If he truly became an SSS-grade Hunter...
'Hyung...'
'What.'
'Is it okay for my heart to be pounding like this?'
'It'll regenerate on its own if there's a problem.'
Cha Su-ho let out a hollow laugh at Jin Seong-hyeok's utterly nonchalant response.
'I shouldn't have said anything unnecessary.'
Right on cue, the examiner who had been timing them picked up a syringe.
[ "I'll draw your blood now." ]
A much thicker needle than the one used for the drug pierced into Cha Su-ho's vein. Unlike before, it dug deep into his skin, making him flinch.
Red blood began filling the tube connected below the needle. It seemed like way too much for a simple blood test.
Before long, the glass vial—about the length of a finger—was swirling with crimson blood. The thick needle embedded in his forearm slowly withdrew. The examiner pressed an alcohol swab firmly against the round drop of blood and spoke.
[ "We'll proceed with the ability test after about five minutes of hemostasis." ]
"Ability test?"
[ "Yes. Please demonstrate all the skills you can use with your current abilities." ]
At the examiner's words, Cha Su-ho turned to Jin Seong-hyeok.
'They want me to show stuff like Flame Chain, right?'
'Yeah.'
'Should I show all my skills?'
'Yes. Just skip opening gates.'
'Got it.'
Cha Su-ho checked the watch on his wrist. Exactly five minutes later, he removed the alcohol swab from his forearm and got up from the bed. The examiner spoke to him.
[ "Please enter this room." ]
He'd thought there was only one room, but there was another. When the examiner opened the door, an empty interior came into view.
[ "You'll conduct the ability test here." ]
"Understood."
Cha Su-ho followed the examiner into the room without protest and quietly scanned the space. The all-white room had white lighting as well. Scorch marks here and there and scarred floors suggested it was used mainly for ability tests.
[ "I'll come back in after the ability test is done." ]
"Okay."
The examiner gave a polite bow and closed the door behind him. Soon, Trevor's voice came through the speaker on the wall.
"Cha Su-ho Helper. Please demonstrate all the abilities you know how to use from now on."
At Trevor's words, Cha Su-ho stared straight ahead. Through the glass on the opposite wall, he could see Trevor and the examiners watching him.
He raised his right hand calmly, meeting their gazes.
Whoosh—.
The Flame Chain flickered into existence behind his back before swirling around his body.
[ "I-it's really the Flame Chain..." ]
[ "And the size is similar to Jin Seong-hyeok Hunter's... This can't be happening..." ]
The few examiners who actually witnessed the Flame Chain stepped back in shock. Even Derrick was stunned, but only Trevor remained serious, staring intently at Cha Su-ho.
"Please show the next skill."
At Trevor's prompt, Cha Su-ho kept the Flame Chain behind him and opened his palm to form an energy orb.
Fizz—. As the spherical energy orb grew larger, gasps of admiration erupted from the examiners.
[ "He's making an energy orb while keeping the Flame Chain active??" ]
[ "Look at the size of that energy orb. It's no joke." ]
They watched in a daze before pulling out notebooks and starting to jot things down. Examiners weren't the type to just gawk at something amazing.
When he felt they'd seen enough, Cha Su-ho absorbed the perfectly spherical energy orb back into his body in one go. As the orb vanished into his palm with a whirl, drawing more exclamations, Cha Su-ho focused his mind on his finger.
Crackle—. Sparks flew as a whip extended long from his index finger. Its thickness was intimidating, producing arcs visible only in high-voltage currents.
The spot where the blue whip touched began to scorch. Cha Su-ho swung it once with a flick before absorbing it back into his body.
It was the final skill. Cha Su-ho had learned it because Clark's main ability was just too cool.
Cha Su-ho extended both hands, and small sparks burst from each finger before stretching out into the air. The examiners—and even Trevor—held their breath as blue threads filled the room.
[ "It's similar to Clark Hunter's skill...?" ]
[ "Clark Hunter was amazing for making psychokinesis visible, but Cha Su-ho Helper making threads out of electrical energy... that's no joke either." ]
Trevor's expression grew grave. Derrick, watching Trevor's mood from the side, silently signaled the muttering examiner to quiet down.
"It's only been a short time since I awakened as a Hunter, so these are all the skills I have for now."
Even calling them "this much" felt impressive. Just manifesting the Flame Chain was unbelievable to begin with.
"Cha Su-ho Helper. How is your body feeling right now?"
"My body?"
"I mean, do you feel any buildup inside you? Usually, there's headaches or nausea..."
"Ah."
Cha Su-ho smiled and continued.
"No need to worry about that."
"...Pardon?"
Cha Su-ho spoke calmly to the baffled Trevor.
"I don't have to worry about Clean."
No need to worry about Clean?
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. Probably because I have a Helper's body, it purifies automatically inside me."
"Hold on."
Trevor rubbed his forehead in confusion and asked.
"So, you're saying Cha Su-ho Helper doesn't need Clean?"
"Yes, precisely."
It made no sense. Hunters accumulated power buildup as a penalty for using their abilities. Without Helpers to purify it, they'd go berserk and self-destruct.
Even if Cha Su-ho was a Helper, auto-purifying the buildup in his body?
"Ha."
Trevor let out a disbelieving laugh, as if it was still unbelievable.
"Then what caused the rampage at the beginning?"
The reason Cha Su-ho had rampaged when Tae-il died.
"That was probably my first awakening as a Hunter. Seeing Tae-il die ignited rage I couldn't handle."
"So, after that, you've used your power but never once received Clean?"
"Yes."
Even Jin Seong-hyeok, an SSS-grade, couldn't avoid power buildup. The stronger the power, the greater the accumulation. And since he fought every boss himself, even five Helpers couldn't fully Clean him. That's why he suffered daily headaches.
Yet Cha Su-ho had used Jin Seong-hyeok's skills without a single Clean.
"...Understood for now. We'll re-examine that part later..."
Cha Su-ho asked Trevor, who was too shocked to continue.
"So, is today's test over?"
"...For now, yes. If additional tests are needed, we'll let you know."
The half-day exam ended anticlimactically, leaving Cha Su-ho puzzled, but he soon shrugged it off.
"It seems you've acknowledged me as a Hunter to some extent."
Trevor and the other examiners perked up at his words. Cha Su-ho paused dramatically before grinning sheepishly.
"The Hunter-exclusive testing room."
"...Hunter-exclusive testing room?"
"Yes. Can I start using it now?"
The Hunter-exclusive testing room. A place where mental-type Hunters went for mental training.
"Is there a reason you need to go?"
"Yes."
Cha Su-ho continued matter-of-factly.
"Because I need to get stronger."
He could get even stronger there? Trevor asked with a stiff expression.
"By any chance... Cha Su-ho Helper, do you have more abilities you can use?"
"Probably."
"Probably? What do you mean?"
"I don't know exactly either. That's why I want to train. Can you cooperate?"
The purpose of mental training was to control power. To wield abilities freely required mental strength, and the fastest way to raise it was using the Hunter-exclusive testing room.
If Cha Su-ho had hidden power but lacked the mental strength to use it, they needed to help immediately.
If he truly had untapped potential as he claimed, today's test was just scratching the surface.
"Understood. We'll not only provide the Hunter-exclusive testing room but also have examiners assist in boosting your mental strength."
There was no downside to examiners helping. For Cha Su-ho, raising his mental strength quickly to harness his power was crucial.
He needed to wield power as freely as Jin Seong-hyeok to face both monsters and Association members.
"Yes, can I go now?"
At Cha Su-ho's question, Trevor nodded to Derrick nearby.
[ "I-I'll guide you!" ]
Derrick jumped up and headed to Cha Su-ho's room. Watching him go, Trevor massaged his temples and sighed.
He pondered how to report this to the Association. Cha Su-ho's abilities exceeded expectations—beyond imagination.
They weren't as destructively powerful as Jin Seong-hyeok's, and his mental strength was below SS-grade. But factoring in his potential and lack of need for Clean...
"We'll know from the blood test, but... maybe SS-grade."
If the blood test showed high potential stats too, denying SS-grade Hunter status for an A-grade Helper like Cha Su-ho would be impossible.
Yet strangely, Trevor's nerves were on edge. Cha Su-ho's words about having more abilities kept echoing in his mind.
No way. What if Cha Su-ho not only had Jin Seong-hyeok's power but could wield it to the same extent?
Trevor chuckled disbelievingly.
"Must be crazy."
Trevor stared at the midterm evaluation sheet from the exam. Next to Cha Su-ho's name was an empty blank. He began writing in it.
[ SS ]
After writing 'SS', Trevor set down his pen and muttered.
"Even 'SS' might be generous for his current state."
He stood and addressed the examiner who had handled Cha Su-ho's blood test.
"Once Cha Su-ho Helper's blood test results are out, bring them to me immediately."