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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Wide-Range Aggro (1)
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A broadcasting station staffer folded down their fingers one by one.
3, 2, 1…
As the camera light flicked on, the caster with the microphone bellowed out.
"Hello, everyone!"
With veteran Hunter caster Jang Yongjun's shout, a drone shot up into the sky.
As the camera zoomed out, the full view of the artificial island hosting the Hunter License Exam came into sight at once.
Forest, desert, ruins, ocean.
This man-made island, divided into four themed zones and roughly the size of Yeouido, was the monumental result of massive investments from the nation, corporations, and guilds.
"The day we've all been waiting for—the Hunter License Exam—is finally here! Oh man, after checking the roster yesterday, I was so hyped I could barely sleep. How about you, caster Chae Siyeon?"
At Jang Yongjun's question, the stunning caster Chae Siyeon flashed a bright smile.
"Same here. And get this—don't be shocked, folks—but a whopping four applicants received A-rank preliminary evaluations!"
"Whoa! Considering there wasn't a single A-rank last year, that's incredible, right?"
"Yes, and we've got some piping hot news just in! You'll be surprised too, caster Jang Yongjun."
Jang Yongjun widened his eyes in exaggerated reaction to Chae Siyeon's cute expression.
"What?! They didn't tell me anything...! That's not fair! I'll have to file a formal complaint after the broadcast! Anyway, what's this hot news?"
"Everyone knows the Hunter License Exam is held simultaneously worldwide by each country. The stats just dropped, and guess what? Korea takes proud first place in the number of A-rank applicants!"
"No way!"
"Yes! China and the US tie for second with three each, Russia and India third with two. Japan didn't have a single A-rank this time!"
"Yeeesss!"
As Jang Yongjun pretended to chug makgeolli like he was celebrating, Chae Siyeon mimed downing a bowl herself.
"And..."
"There's more?! That's lethal dosage already! But pour it on—what is it?!"
"Our country's got the oldest applicant this year too."
"Ah, I saw that yesterday. Folks, isn't it an amazing challenge? I'm dying to know what unbreakable spirit drives that examinee!"
"If time allows, we'll try to catch them right after the promising stars' interviews."
"Yes! We'll see you again shortly!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Hunter License Exam waiting room.
The examinees watching TV buzzed with chatter.
"Whoa, four A-rank applicants?"
"Insane. Ah, I wanted to join Hero Guild, but looks tough this time."
"They don't even take below 5th place. With four A-ranks, that means topping the B-ranks... Ugh."
"Quit whining. I'd kill just to pass. If I fail, family's making me quit hunting."
"Who's the oldest applicant, though?"
"Some repeat test-taker who can't let go. Exam fees ain't cheap..."
As such talk flew around, the examinees unconsciously scanned the room.
Spotting a repeat taker for that mental boost.
But no obvious candidate stood out, so interest faded fast.
And shortly after.
Broadcasting staff entered for interviews.
As the waiting room grew rowdy, one man slipped quietly toward the bathroom.
Kim Gunja, who found an empty stall, locked the door, and finally swept his burning face with both hands.
Too focused on customizing and training, he'd forgotten.
That his awakening was late compared to other Awakeners, and that the Hunter License Exam was broadcast nationwide.
The awkwardness had hit the moment he entered the waiting room.
Like a returning student crashing clueless freshmen on their retreat.
He'd played it cool and sat quietly thanks to his youthful looks, but when the broadcast mentioned him, he couldn't stay put.
What?
Interview who?
No way in hell.
Kim Gunja resolved.
He wouldn't emerge until the interviews ended.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
While Kim Gunja hunkered down, interviews raged in the waiting room.
Prepped short captions aired with the footage.
Eyes that Pierce Mana! Demon Eye Sin Yeji (19) [Physical Lv 4] [Magic Lv 6]
Sin Yeji in skinny jeans and a white tee-shirt appeared on screen.
"Mindset for the exam? Hmm. Just wanna wrap it up quick and grab dinner with Uncle... Oh! I actually trained at Park.Chun.Duk Academy, you know? It's friend.ly and prac.ti.cal with a mod.ern..."
It was the vibe of a ventriloquist dummy reciting lines.
Park Chunduk, watching on TV, pressed his temple firmly.
Hoping that goldfish spiel would end soon.
Sin Yeji's rambling interview cut midway, switching to a massive build with slick pomade—a young man.
Not a Single Gap! Diamond Han Juyeong (21) [Physical Lv 5] [Magic Lv 5]
"I'll show what a prepared Hunter looks like."
A textbook-restrained answer.
Unlike Sin Yeji's chatter, he said little, so the screen switched fast.
A provocative woman in leggings, Cha Gangju, filled the frame.
Grows Stronger in Battle! Berserker Cha Gangju (20) [Physical Lv 6] [Magic Lv 4]
"Hope it starts soon. This is boring."
And finally, the man most watched by the Association and guilds appeared.
Chameleon-like Youth! Joker Jin Garyul (17) [Physical Lv 6] [Magic Lv 6]
"The exam itself doesn't interest me much. But I spotted someone who might be fun, so I'm a bit excited."
His slim frame, narrow eyes, and lips formed a smile that felt unnaturally mask-like.
Caster Jang Yongjun found the unease creepy but hid it, about to ask who Jin Garyul meant.
Staff signaled.
— Time's up. Wrap it.
Jang Yongjun signaled back and closed out.
"Aw, time's up! Shame, but the oldest applicant's interview will have to wait."
"But folks! You know, right? Active Hunters will provide commentary during the exam! Stay tuned!"
"That's all from us!"
Broadcast staff ended interviews and left the waiting room.
Meanwhile, Kim Gunja sat on the toilet lid, checking himself for the exam.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 叮! ⚔ STATUS ⚔ Kim Gunja Abilities: [Physical Lv 3] [Magic Lv 3] Unique Trait: [Customizing Room Lv 1] Sync Rate: [Ma Ilcheon's Right Arm Lv 5] Special: [Heaven-Shattering Sword 3★], [Heaven-Shattering Divine Art 3★] Fusion Tissues: [Old Orc's Sinew], [Thief Goblin's Forearm], [Cave Gremlin's Eye]
Not bad.
Kim Gunja thought so.
— Jumping from E-rank to C-rank in just three months? No one would believe it.
Park Chunduk had marveled, tongue clicking.
One step from gaining the right arm, another through three months of training and customizing.
Compared to Park Chunduk's five-year grind for one step, it was absurdly fast.
And moreover.
Woooong—
A faint blue light flickered around Kim Gunja's right hand.
Other parts were still impossible, but for the right arm, he could now handle mana to some degree.
A feat from rising Sync Rate, Heaven-Shattering Sword, and Heaven-Shattering Divine Art levels.
Even with Ma Ilcheon's right arm and customizing's aid.
Without Kim Gunja's grit and effort, reaching mana emission in months would've been impossible.
For three months straight, he'd obsessed over training and customizing, barely sleeping or eating otherwise.
Late starter meant desperate daily pushes, and the results weren't small.
"Hoo... Let's do this."
He'd prepped his best—no regrets, just unleash it all.
— The exam begins shortly. All examinees, gather in the waiting room.
Hearing the announcement, Kim Gunja stood.
Opening the door, he bumped into a young man.
Joker Jin Garyul.
"Ah, there you are. Wondered where you'd vanished. Perfect timing—I was curious."
Jin Garyul beamed happily at spotting Kim Gunja.
"...?"
Kim Gunja eyed him puzzled.
Suspicious as hell—someone he'd never spoken to acting chummy.
And that smile... It grated, made your skin crawl.
"Didn't expect to run into my kind here."
My kind?
Jin Garyul approached.
"Where you from, bro? Russia? Japan?"
Kim Gunja's brow furrowed.
"What're you on about?"
Jin Garyul tilted his head.
"Nah? Feels off, but fits. How else you get that patchwork body?"
Patchwork stung a bit, but with cases like Sin Yeji's Demon Eye, he stayed composed.
"Wrong guy. Later."
"C'mon, it fits. Embarrassed 'cause you're a failed experiment? Ah!"
Jin Garyul grinned wide.
Like he'd figured it out.
"Your right arm—mind if I peek under the shoulder? Might tell me your origin."
Ridiculous.
"Hey. You've been spouting nonsense since—"
"Just a peek. Failed ones usually get scrapped, so seeing you walking around's intriguing. Okay?"
About to tell him to shut it.
'...?'
Like out-of-body.
World isolating, body paralyzing instantly.
Jin Garyul's pupils had turned reptilian yellow.
Then it hit.
'That voice...'
An eerie echo laced Jin Garyul's words.
"Okay, right? Knew it."
Jin Garyul's eyes curved creepily.
His approaching fingertips gleamed with honed mana.
Kim Gunja, frog before snake, could only watch.
Powerless.
...Just like that night.
Watching friends fall pathetically, helpless.
Three months.
Thought he'd changed enough.
Delusion?
'...No.'
Months of sweat and puke couldn't be fake.
Crunch—biting his tongue, bitter blood cleared the haze.
Powerlessness filled with rage.
Why?
Why always crush the opponent?
Kang Inhyeok, and this bastard!
Something exploded inside Kim Gunja.
Boiling emotions synced with Ma Ilcheon's right arm, trembling.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Sync Rate explosively increases!]
Opponent wielded Qin Na grappling arts.
Mana circuits drained entirely into the right arm.
Not enough.
Sucked in even the dantian mana built by Heaven-Shattering Divine Art.
Not enough.
Volume short? Compress. To the limit.
Tzzzzzzt.
Overloaded circuits screamed, ignored.
Then,
Woooong—
Mana compressed to extremes solidified into an awl at his right fingertips.
Like Sin Yeji's construct—but more intensely condensed.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Heaven-Shattering Sword Second Form: Sky Piercer
The long blue awl surged toward Jin Garyul with sky-piercing momentum.
"...?!"
Faint surprise crossed Jin Garyul's face.
He'd dialed down his Fear, but breaking it was unexpected.
Surprise faded to annoyance quick.
"Scrap like you...!"
Mana on Jin Garyul's fingers thickened.
The two mana clusters clashed fiercely midair.
Kaaaaaaaang—!