NOVEL WEB Chapter 38
Promotion Exam.
Every time the word comes to mind, it feels comforting. Lee Seong-han is confident. He has already accumulated plenty of real combat experience.
Moreover, with [Automatic Combat], [Super-Reconnaissance], and [Regeneration], any problem is a piece of cake!
It feels like eating Gavascon and having a stomachache.
“Ugh.”
Of course, Kang Jin-young’s face turned dark as she absentmindedly rubbed her stomach.
Wasn’t the Americano delicious?
It was overly sweet, but you can’t just ignore a drink filled with the owner’s affection. There’s Korean spirit and sentiment, after all.
They even gave us a lot of free service…
“Oh, Hunter Kang Mi-young!”
It’s definitely not because Kang Mi-young’s hood fell off.
It’s not because people took photos and posted them online, causing others to wonder “What’s this?” and flock to the scene.
It’s not because I ruined the mood by being oblivious.
It’s not because I couldn’t push away the people who were interested in me.
Anyway, it’s not!
Kang Jin-young also said, “Well, that’s not it,” so it’s clear. It’s not because of that. At least not now.
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I have to live because of my sister. Sigh.”
Kang Jin-young let out a sigh. As she walked leisurely along the path, her face looked a bit better.
Is her stomach upset? Let’s see…
“Should I rub your stomach for you?”
“Huh? No. No! No!! Really, no need.”
“Why are you reacting like that?”
Sigh. She sighed as if the sky was falling.
Even Lee Seong-han, who was far away, could hear it.
“Out of 100% of my worries, about 30% is because of my sister. That person is always like that.”
“What about the other 70%?”
Kang Jin-young glanced sideways. There was a strange mix of laughter in her expression.
“…You know.”
Lee Seong-han immediately understood.
It must be the heart that thinks of national defense and the country! As he explained it that way, Kang Jin-young’s expression changed artistically.
“What are you talking about, you crazy person.”
She kept muttering something, but honestly, it didn’t seem very useful to listen.
“?”
“You’re indeed a patriot. I’ll cheer for you!”
“…?”
Lee Seong-han nodded.
The gaze he received was a bit ambiguous, but he thought it was all the same anyway.
“Anyway, back to that 30%. It’s family, right?”
Kang Jin-young shivered all over and held her forehead.
“The only ones who hit me while I’m just sitting there are that person and my mother. They treat me like they’re going to kill me, act like they’ll give me everything, and then just throw me away after squeezing me dry.”
“Your sister?”
Lee Seong-han glanced back.
If he spoke his mind here, sparks might fly.
“…Kang Jin-young. Are you talking about that? That girl should have been nominated. What’s the National Intelligence Service? If she marries into politics, it’ll be a hundred years of harmony.”
The voice was heard.
It was Kang Mi-young. His neck instinctively stiffened. Her sharp gaze felt like a needle.
Honestly, Lee Seong-han thought he was done for. It was unexpected that she appeared like this.
She had left due to a summons from above (effectively a declaration of defeat, Kang Jin-young said, “She runs better than our ancestors”), but was it a lie?
“Seong-han. From here on out, act as usual.”
“Huh?”
Before he could even respond, Kang Jin-young suddenly crossed her arms. A natural pose.
“Someone is following us now.”
“Huh?”
“I can’t say who, but it’s a very dangerous person.”
Hmm, our main enemy is the executives, but…
That’s dangerous in a different way. They’re trying to attack me… trying to do something terrible…
Lee Seong-han’s thoughts stopped for a moment.
‘Isn’t this girl the same?’
Come to think of it, the sense of rejection suddenly disappeared. Strangely, it felt intimate. Did she use some trick?!
[The ‘■■■■ Eye (EX)’ reads your thoughts and scans the surroundings.]
[Super-Reconnaissance says it’s so hot that it’s sweating and asks to turn down the heating.]
[Block activates.]
It’s their fault. As the presence disappeared, memories came flooding back. The sisters were both crazy. Let’s quietly create some distance.
“Ugh.”
Escape failed.
“Where are you going?”
It felt like a tug-of-war. Her arms were thin and delicate like silk, but the strength was contrary to her appearance. In front of that strength, Lee Seong-han slumped.
He thought he could handle it after leveling up. But no. It seemed impossible to win.
[The ‘■■■■ Eye (EX)’ explains that Kang Jin-young is a special case.]
I know. Who wouldn’t know that?
Kang Jin-young is growing every day. Just like her sister.
Blood will tell, after all. Like father, like son.
Lee Seong-han felt like Elon ‘D’ Musk’s Dogecoin.
Seeing the red bar soar high into the sky, like that Mr. So-and-so who wants to stand in the sky.
Lee Seong-han had no eye for stocks. But he had an amazing sense for the smell of money and work. This was the time to buy low.
Especially since his growth doubled after defeating Mirginos. How much more?
I’ve also accumulated quite a bit of experience, right?─ The words he said at the time came to the surface.
It’s still hard to win by force.
What should I do?
“Bathroom.”
Lee Seong-han mumbled as if explaining.
Surely she wouldn’t follow me to the bathroom? He twisted his body to somehow break free.
Kang Jin-young looked dumbfounded and then grabbed his arm, which was wriggling like a worm.
“I’ll protect you. Shall we go together?”
“You’ll wait outside the bathroom, right?”
“……”
“You’ll stay still, right?”
“………”
Kang Jin-young silently raised the corner of her mouth. She smiled. A very artificial smile. As if holding back her true feelings.
“If a SSS-rank monster suddenly appears in the stall, I can’t protect you. I have no choice but to follow you in.”
He was startled. For the first time by this girl. What should I call it? Madness?
“Follow me in and check just once.”
No.
I don’t want to.
Please don’t.
“Why?”
Just don’t.
“I’ll kill you.”
The person behind me is trying to kill me.
* * *
Active Awakened Ones are promoted through civilian exams.
The Hunter Management Bureau, Hunter Association, and other organizations are intertwined. As a highly credible exam necessary for social advancement, the Hunter Association lobby was bustling with people.
“By the way, everyone.”
“It’s strange, right? Those are all equipment made in workshops. Or imported.”
Lee Seong-han awkwardly looked around.
All around were people wearing all sorts of fantasy equipment.
Not many people were dressed neatly in suits like him.
To an outsider, it would look like an MMORPG game plaza.
Swords, shields, spears.
All medieval cold weapons.
If you’re a man, you’d need a gun. But of course, you can’t catch monsters with a rubber gun.
Lee Seong-han scratched his chin.
Even with [Automatic Combat], which allowed him to master all sorts of weapons, he felt a bit ambiguous.
‘This world is really strange, no matter how you look at it.’
Lee Seong-han looked around. Then he finally saw people dressed similarly to him.
To be precise… they looked like they had just finished a fierce battle, covered in soot?
As he made a troubled expression, Kang Jin-young added a note.
“Ah, they’re also taking the rank exam. Freelancers often participate. Especially in summer. It’s when monsters are less active.”
Summer.
Winter.
The promotion exam is held twice a year.
It boasts a scale comparable to Korea’s annual college entrance exam─ hearing such a rumor, the scale made sense. By the way, where did Kang Mi-young go again?
Lee Seong-han looked around and then headed to the reception desk. It would be a disaster if more people crowded in.
“Here for the promotion exam?”
“Yes.”
The staff quietly responded. It was the same staff from the last visit.
The day he came to get his license but got caught up in Hong Seo-min’s scheme!
A smile appeared on the receptionist’s face.
“Uh, didn’t you come last time…?”
“I did come.”
“You left too early last time and missed some documents.”
The staff approached hesitantly.
“She has ulterior motives.”
Kang Jin-young’s one-line review was heard as she stepped between Lee Seong-han and the staff.
“Sorry, but I’ll handle it from here.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m the bodyguard. Male hunters are legally required to be protected.”
“Ah, I’ll register you first. Do you have a hunter license? If you do, priority─”
Before the words could finish, Lee Seong-han’s hand moved quickly.
“I have it.”
Lee Seong-han took out his license. The F-rank from when he first got it. He deliberately reverted his rank to the original.
If there’s a discrepancy, it would be a big problem.
“I’ll─”
“It’s dangerous.”
As he tried to hand it over, a large arrow embedded itself in the wall.
The reinforced glass of the reception desk cracked from the impact.
If Kang Jin-young hadn’t pulled him, Lee Seong-han could have been injured.
“Hey, what’s that? We were about to do it first. Hehe.”
Someone walked over from a distance.
Lee Seong-han turned his head nervously.
‘What’s this?’
It was a guild member.
And not just any guild, but one of Korea’s top four guilds, the Blue Dragon.
Known for their violent nature.
The guild members giggled as they looked at Lee Seong-han.
“Damn it.”
“Why are the Blue Dragons here?”
“Probably here to take our spots. Here we go again.”
Non-guild hunters whispered and stepped back.
They were outnumbered, and fights in the Hunter Association were common, but this was unexpected.
“Get out of the way, punk.”
“This is our area.”
“Yeah, get lost now!”
The sound of snickering echoed.
Navy blue windbreakers, blue dragon badges. It was indeed the Blue Dragon. Lee Seong-han clicked his tongue, thinking it wouldn’t be easy.
By the way, are those guys… Defias?
I don’t like rogues. Lee Seong-han glanced sideways.
Rogues usually need to be beaten by a strong paladin to be satisfied.
Looking at the opponents, they didn’t seem to have even 2/1 stats. They were just a bunch of amateurs.
[The ‘■■■■ Eye (EX)’ says it’s a sure win even without looking.]
‘Right, I can probably win against that level.’
Lee Seong-han glared sharply.
Common sense says male Awakened Ones can never beat females.
Generally true.
But who am I?
[Automatic Combat hopes for a quick normalization with a critical hit.]
[Super-Reconnaissance says those… criminals are just trying to get numbers, showing its insight.]
[The Real Capable Hunter guarantees it can live up to its name after being promoted for catching a dragon!]
As Lee Seong-han reached for his sword…
“Pillar of Fire.”
“Sword Energy.”
Boom───!
A scream erupted from the ground where the Blue Dragon members were. The Blue Dragon guild members were instantly sent flying and retreated.
“Who, who is it!”
The knight who looked like the leader shouted. Tanned skin with blonde hair. A Golden Sun-style hunter. The raid leader.
“You, bastards. How dare you.”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?”
The Kang sisters behind Lee Seong-han spoke simultaneously.
“Huh?”
“Huh.”
They glared at each other for a moment, then quickly rushed forward to finish it.
Um.
“F, fight!”
“……”
“……”
Lee Seong-han shouted softly.
[‘Kang Mi-young’s combat power greatly increases.]
[‘Kang Jin-young’s combat power greatly increases.]
Wow, cheering as a man is this effective.
Lee Seong-han seriously considered becoming a supporter.