Firepower Test and the First Wave
As he stood at the designated spot for the official firepower test, Han Yujin quickly regained his composure.
It had only been a momentary shock at suddenly becoming the protagonist of a scene he had never once imagined. He felt no surge of pride, no swelling sense of honor at the treatment.
So I've become a fairly big fish in this little pond.
Once he sorted his thoughts, that was the extent of his feelings.
He too had come from this same well, but he already understood what the outside world looked like. Once your perspective had been elevated, it was incredibly difficult for it to shrink back down.
"Please let me know when you're ready."
"Yes. Let's begin right away."
His voice as he spoke to the training ground staff member beside him had become utterly calm.
"Then... please start by destroying the nearest targets."
The staff member relayed the starting signal to the others over the radio.
The firepower test area was essentially a trench. Shallow hills stretched out ahead, with metal targets placed at regular intervals all the way out to a maximum distance of one kilometer.
Some targets were stationary while others moved. A few had been treated with special technology, blending so perfectly with their surroundings that an ordinary person would struggle to identify them even up close.
Those concealed targets had naturally been prepared specifically to test observational ability.
Creating three or four fire bullets at once in his hand, Han Yujin suddenly wondered if the number of cameras filming him right now might reach the triple digits.
With that stray thought, the high-speed fireballs he launched slammed into the nearest metal targets.
BOOM—!!
KABOOM—!!
RUMBLE...!
Flashes and explosions erupted. The ground shook with a heavy vibration, and the shockwaves carrying a clear sense of ferocity sent clouds of dirt flying, making their power unmistakably visible even from afar.
Revealing the Fire Spirit Sparrow Technique now seems like the better move.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, the fire bullets forming in his hand transformed into Fire Spirit Sparrows.
They flapped their wings as if alive, flying toward their respective targets along faster, more unpredictable trajectories than before.
Once again, flashes and explosions burst forth.
The faint tremors traveling through the ground allowed one to physically gauge the explosive force, while the massive clouds of dirt that billowed up before scattering in every direction delivered a strong visual impact.
Since I'm doing this anyway, I might as well prove it properly. So no one can bother me later.
With that thought, he created another set of Fire Spirit Sparrows, this time infusing them with proper Dharma Power. His intention was to completely obliterate every target, even the ones a full kilometer away.
In an environment completely free of obstacles or interference, it was hardly a difficult task.
The verification ended quickly. Considering the number and status of the people who had gathered, it almost seemed too fast.
But given the circumstances, the real main event had long since shifted to what would come after Han Yujin's S-class ability verification. He ended up spending quite a long time exchanging greetings with various people.
That was as far as it went.
Afterward, the banquet and interviews that someone—presumably the person in charge—had prepared did not proceed properly. Naturally, this was because Han Yujin, who was supposed to be the star of the event, rejected everything.
"I'm sorry, but I'm tired and need to rest."
He brushed off everyone trying to stop him with those half-hearted words and left immediately. He noticed quite a few people making awkward expressions, but it didn't bother him much.
He had zero interest in the power or fame he could gain by associating with them.
Getting worked up together over something so trivial would be exhausting.
If it had been a celebration for reaching Core Formation or Nascent Soul, that would be one thing. But celebrating someone who had merely reached the Dharma Soul Stage and become an S-class hunter recognized only within this small well? There was no way he could muster any excitement.
It wasn't that he particularly looked down on the people who had come, but there was simply no helping it.
I'm really glad I showed Park Seryong that illusion.
At the moment, wasn't he practically the only comrade who could look outside the well with him?
...Or not. Whatever.
With that thought, he climbed into the government official's car and let out a sigh, finally free of all the annoying tasks. The official and the duty officer in the car looked momentarily stunned.
"Here. This is my knowledge regarding mana."
"Ah."
The official reflexively accepted the USB Han Yujin handed over, regaining his senses a beat late.
"This is... you've finished organizing everything?"
"Yes. How long will it take from patent registration to actual distribution?"
The official thought for a moment before answering.
"It usually takes at least six months. It could even take over a year."
"...That's too slow. Is there any way to speed it up?"
"If you wish, it's not impossible. After all, this is the knowledge of Han Yujin, an S-class hunter in both name and reality, isn't it?"
As he spoke, the official looked down at the USB in his hand as if it were a treasure.
The knowledge contained within was half of the Hoe-won Gong—minus the method for refining the soul into a Dharma Soul—along with seven basic spell techniques.
Fire Bullet Technique, Jade Skin Technique, Wind Cloud Technique, Mystical Creature Technique, Healing Technique, Concealment Technique, Spirit Eye Technique.
When you included the Purification and Clear Mind techniques from the Hoe-won Gong, it covered nearly every aspect necessary for survival—attack, defense, evasion, healing, and utility.
"How quickly can it be done?"
"It should take three to four months."
"Can it be done even faster?"
"Even faster... is there a particular reason? Depending on the reason, we could omit quite a few procedures."
By now the official must have realized that Han Yujin wasn't distributing this knowledge simply for money or fame.
If that had been his goal, he wouldn't have refused the banquet and interviews like this and climbed straight into the car.
"If Park Seryong also strongly pushes for this, how much faster could it get?"
Instead of explaining his reason, Han Yujin asked this.
"Uh... well... it could probably be done within two months."
"That sounds good."
That was a wait he could endure. There was no point in rushing them further when it likely wouldn't help anyway.
He immediately took out his smartphone, sent a message to Park Seryong, and said,
"Let's head home now. If we stay here any longer, those reporters will probably swarm us."
"Understood."
"Oh, right. I don't think I've mentioned it yet, but I plan to head to the Great Rift as soon as possible."
"Pardon?"
"It ended up that Park Seryong heard about it first, but there are probably procedures I need to handle on my end, right? Things like filling out documents, and it would be good to sign that management support contract you mentioned last time as well."
"I'll explain it to you."
The duty officer spoke up in place of the official who was driving. The official glanced at Han Yujin with a slightly dazed look before starting the car.
Today's events had surely caused a significant shift in how the official viewed him.
Two days.
That was how much time Han Yujin spent before heading to the Great Rift.
Receiving his S-class hunter license, obtaining his Great Rift pass, filling out various consent forms, signing the management support contract with the Ability Management Bureau, and so on.
It had been an incredibly busy two days.
As a side note, even amid that busyness he had taken care of the contacts from his acquaintances that he had put off.
From his college friend Park Heewon to high school and middle school classmates, even elementary school friends whose names he barely remembered had reached out. Interestingly enough, among those who contacted him was the very person who could be considered the trigger for his own awakening—that guy.
Yoo Junseok.
They had lost contact around the time they entered high school when the other boy went to a hunter specialized school, and Han Yujin had even forgotten his number. Yet somehow the other party had kept his number all this time.
Or maybe he asked his girlfriend for it? Surely not.
While naturally recalling the memories from his awakening, Han Yujin chose not to reply to him. He simply didn't feel like it.
Additionally, handling his acquaintances' messages naturally let him see the public's reaction. To summarize it briefly, it could only be described as passionate nationalistic fervor.
If you went on MyTube, you could immediately find videos of his firepower test. Actually, you didn't even need to search—the algorithm recommended them on the main page.
Nor were they only available on official government or news channels. There were quite a few videos made by self-proclaimed "fans" who had added all sorts of flashy effects and grand background music.
Some of them used the kind of cringeworthy music that made Han Yujin's skin crawl.
These aren't fans, they're antis...
If he could, he would report and take them down immediately.
Still, thanks to that, he had been able to spend the two busy days without getting bored.
And so the day he was scheduled to head to the Great Rift arrived.
Originally, he would have taken the official's car again and headed to the forward Great Rift without incident.
But at the crack of dawn, Park Seryong called him.
"Yes, speaking."
The moment he picked up, Park Seryong spoke in a slightly urgent tone.
- Is today the day you're coming?
"Yes. Is something wrong?"
- I've sent a helicopter to that safe house apartment. There's a heliport on the roof. Could you wait there and take it?
"A helicopter...? What's going on?"
- Signs of a sudden wave have been detected. All personnel here have been urgently mobilized.
A wave.
It referred to the phenomenon where monsters from within the rifts formed large groups for unknown reasons and launched attacks. It was an extremely rare occurrence not found in ordinary rifts, and just as dangerous.
- If you could come early, we might be able to hold the inner defensive line. Even if we can't, the damage should be greatly reduced.
"I'll wait on the roof."
Park Seryong expressed his gratitude and immediately hung up. The background noise during the call suggested the situation was indeed very urgent.
A wave, huh.
Looked like he would be doing a proper baptism by fire on his very first day.
It's good that I'll be able to obtain Karma, but... will it be dangerous?
Though slightly concerned, he quickly finished preparing to go out and headed to the roof. He made sure not to leave Mu-yong behind.
One might wonder why he would bring a pet to a battlefield, but he couldn't forget that she possessed strength roughly equivalent to a B-class hunter.
Besides, once he entered the Great Rift he wouldn't be commuting daily but staying at the lodgings there. He couldn't just leave her alone in the safe house.
Any questions people might have about an S-class hunter carrying around a rabbit-weasel could simply be suppressed with the authority of his rank.
After thinking this and waiting for a short while.
Less than ten minutes later, the shape of a helicopter appeared from one side of the sky.
The helicopter that quickly approached began landing on the roof heliport. Seeing a scene he had only witnessed in movies in real life gave him a rather novel feeling.
"Hunter Han Yujin—!!"
Someone called out to him from inside the open helicopter door, their voice cutting through the roar of the propellers. Without a word, Han Yujin walked over and boarded.
The gaze of the male hunter in his thirties who had called him suddenly shifted to Mu-yong in Han Yujin's arms. His expression immediately turned strange, but he didn't dare comment.
"Please fasten your seatbelt!"
Even if the helicopter crashed, Han Yujin could fly on his own, but he obediently followed the instruction and buckled up. Meanwhile, the helicopter took off almost impatiently, turning in the desired direction.
His impressions of riding in a helicopter for the first time could be summarized briefly.
It vibrated intensely and was incredibly loud.
He immediately understood why people in videos always wore headsets, and he found himself reaching for one without anyone telling him to.
To elaborate, he also felt quite a thrill whenever the speed changed or the direction shifted. It probably had something to do with the vivid view of open sky right beside the window.
Han Yujin was personally covering Mu-yong's ears with his hands. The expression on the hunter guide sitting across from him while watching this was quite something to behold. Though his position prevented him from saying anything, his face suggested he had plenty he wanted to say.
This is kind of funny.
If the situation hadn't been so urgent, he might have actually laughed.
About fifteen minutes later.
Just as he was thinking they must be about halfway there, the helicopter began a sharp descent, clearly preparing to land.
"We're already there?!"
When Han Yujin raised his voice to ask the hunter across from him, the man somehow understood and nodded.
What followed was simple.
He got off the helicopter and, following the guide, ran along the well-paved road without even having time to look around.
That was when he spotted the Great Rift—a supernatural 'tear' roughly the height of a large commercial building and over a hundred meters wide, radiating rainbow-colored light. It was impossible to miss.
The feeling was completely different from seeing it in photos or videos.
So this is the Great Rift.
As that thought crossed his mind.
The guide entered the rift without even checking if Han Yujin was following properly from behind. Everyone around them was moving with such urgency that he followed without hesitation.
The familiar unpleasant sensation he had experienced once before washed over him.
It felt like forcing his way through a powerful current. All the surrounding scenery distorted dreamily, and his sense of direction vanished.
Only after more than ten seconds did he escape that unpleasant feeling and set foot on solid ground.
Jjik!Jjijik!
Mu-yong, still in his arms, let out a startled cry and squirmed slightly.
"This way!"
The waiting guide turned and began running again. His speed far exceeded a normal person's full sprint, but Han Yujin followed with ease.
The surroundings were mostly dense forest. It wasn't as good as the Primordial Forest where he had trained, but it was about half as potent.
The path they were currently running on was a temporarily cleared dirt road, and on both sides were wide stretches filled with the traces of felled trees. In those cleared spaces, a considerable number of hunters were moving busily to handle the situation.
But while they were moving like this.
KYYYYAAAAK—!!
A sudden roar erupted from the forest on the left, accompanied by considerable commotion. The presence of something dangerous approaching made everyone nearby jump in alarm.
From what Han Yujin could see, the hunters here were rear support personnel who weren't particularly strong.
"Wh-what is that? Why here...?!"
"Tanker! Get the tankers up front—!"
"Help move this over here! Hurry!"
Seeing them shout different things and panic, it didn't seem like they had much combat experience.
The guide seemed to realize this as well. He stopped for a moment, clearly conflicted about whether he should prioritize his mission or help stop the monsters here.
"Is the situation here more urgent, or is reaching our original destination more urgent?"
At Han Yujin's question—which sounded calm to the point of sounding carefree—the guide regained some composure.
"If we don't block this place... there will be quite a bit of damage..."
"Then please wait a moment."
The moment he spoke, Han Yujin moved toward the commotion that was growing clearer as it approached.
The instant a gust of wind seemed to swirl, his figure shot forward at a speed that left afterimages. The guide's eyes widened as he reacted belatedly to that speed.
It was the Wind Movement Technique.
While the Lightning Movement Technique was faster over short distances, it was too flashy. The Earth Movement Technique would also be extremely noticeable since it made him sink into the ground and disappear.
Above all, the Wind Movement Technique was more than enough.
Passing through the cleared area like a fired arrow and entering the untouched forest, he spotted a group of monsters charging toward him before even ten more seconds had passed.
The moment he saw them, his hand moved. Six Fire Spirit Sparrows were created and shot forward along different trajectories, striking the creatures directly.
It was the beginning of a massacre.