ch41-ch60 · 049-ch49

Chapter 49: Hunter Exam 1

After parting with my sister, I headed straight to the training ground and faced Lumiel.

"Lumiel. I'll buy you whatever you want if you help me with secret training."

At my proposal, her expression didn't change, but her nostrils flared.

"Anything?"

"A man never goes back on his word."

"Okay. Then fine."

Alright, my partner's cooperation is secured.

Now it's just a matter of whether this is possible.

If it's theoretically possible — then it's all about the number of attempts.

'If I had been stronger — there are "if onlys," but I still regret it. I live carrying the weight of the life I couldn't save.'

My sister's past, and the wounds in her heart.

The reason she's been protecting me almost obsessively is surely related to the Tsubaki incident too.

She gave up her days off to spar with me, asked Momose-san to let me into the guild, and even quit being a Hunter.

"All of it... was for me."

As long as I'm weak, my sister will keep babysitting me forever.

To ease my sister's burdens, I have to get stronger.

"The exam is just a bonus at this point."

I can't afford to mark time.

I'm done training just for the exam.

If I get stronger, passing the exam will follow naturally.

It's not enough that Lumiel is strong.

I have to become strong enough myself that the government can't interfere.

I stared at my own palm as I continued.

"Lumiel. I need your help."

"With what?"

"I want to test how strong I am right now. There's something I want to try..."

◇◆◇◆◇

Hunter Exam — the day.

We were in the exam venue, surrounded by throngs of applicants.

"Hey, look at that guy."

"Looks nervous, head all down. Maybe she doesn't have confidence?"

For some reason, my rivals are gunning for me.

Hmph... Say what you will. Hope you don't get caught off guard.

I've gotten even stronger.

Koh, why doesn't anyone know who you are?

"Kids these days probably don't watch TV..."

I'm sure I was shown on the broadcast.

If Lumiel was next to me it'd be different, but I'm the "other guy" in the duo, and people don't notice what's right under their noses.

Well, whatever. It doesn't matter.

Thank you all for gathering. We will now begin the 12th Hunter Exam. All applicants, please proceed to the first training ground.

The impersonal announcement echoed through the facility, and the air tensed up all at once.

"The World Clock appeared 5 years ago, so twice a year... someone said the frequency was increasing this year..." Thinking about things like that, I mixed in with the line of other examinees and passed through the heavy doors.

◇◆◇◆◇

A vast training ground divided into about 20 sections, lined with rows of complex-looking equipment. Beside them, examiners operating terminals, and Hunters in the spectator seats evaluating us.

Tension was visible on the examinees' faces.

Before long, an examiner appeared at the front and announced coldly while operating a terminal.

"We will now begin the first test. The content is a 'combat test against monsters.'"

Tension ran through the examinees around me.

Murmurs of whether actual monsters would appear were cut off as the examiner continued.

"We will use the latest virtual system. Each of you, stand at your designated position, and a virtual space will be constructed. You will fight virtual enemies within it. You may bring weapons that you declared in advance."

The scenery of the training ground dissolved, painted over into a devastated town.

"The enemy that will appear is a representative low-class monster — a goblin. Though virtual, its aggression and reactions are comparable to the real thing. Time limit is three minutes. Method is unrestricted. Just neutralize the enemy in front of you."

From beyond a ruined building, a green-skinned monster with a twisted smile and a rusty knife slowly emerged. Some examinees let out short screams.

"Then, the exam — begin."

At the signal, metallic clangs and magical explosions began echoing all around.

As the goblin charged recklessly, I simply and quietly extended my right hand forward.

◇◆◇◆◇

Spectator seats — VIP private room.

In that room reserved for government VIPs and high-rank Hunters, Shiki Mitsumune was observing the Hunter Exam.

In addition to the examiners, selected Hunters also participate as graders and can influence pass/fail decisions. However, they cannot grade their own guild members.

"Now then, let's see how Hagane-san is doing."

While checking all 20 section monitors, he searched for his guild member and found him just as the battle was starting.

He found himself staring intently.

The goblin began to run, and Hagane's right hand went up.

"Huh."

The goblin fell to the floor, battle over.

The distance between them was over 10 meters.

Several seconds of silence, then —

"What just happened!"

"There was no magic release reaction either."

"Is it some kind of accident?"

"It's that cheat bastard after all!!"

"No..."

How many people in this venue could understand the phenomenon that just occurred?

Shiki gave a small laugh and rubbed his goosebumped skin.

That was neither an accident nor magic.

It was a phenomenon caused by Hagane.

We were unable to measure the combat in Section 18. Please bear with us, examinee, as we ask you to perform the combat again. Please raise your right hand when you are ready.

Unfazed by the flustered announcement, Hagane immediately raised his right hand.

A goblin was deployed again.

It charged the same way, and fell at the same distance.

As the goblin disappeared in a flash of light, the venue fell silent once more.

"How terrifying..."

Shiki's eyes glittered as he watched Hagane leave the section. If he could grade him, he would undoubtedly give full marks.

"(The question is, how many of the examiners understood what just happened —)"

As could be seen from the re-examination being conducted, there were certainly those who couldn't follow the series of events. He was only worried that they might not understand until the end and give low scores.

And then came the next exercise — multi-enemy combat training.

This time, three goblins appeared.

"(Even just running around for three minutes drawing this many goblins makes other fronts easier. In other words, buying time without focusing on defeating them is also worth points. It's more a test of positioning than combat ability.)"

Of course, those who can defeat them would get additional points, but three goblins are too much for a freshly Awakened examinee. Keeping that in mind, Shiki assigned points.

Then in Section 14, Hagane's test was about to begin. Combined with his previous result, it was clear the attention on him was rising. Examinees who'd finished, those yet to start, and even examiners and observing Hunters — all eyes gathered on him.

Three goblins were teleported around Hagane.

This time, unlike before, the three coordinated, spreading out in a fan formation as they closed in. Three shadows raised grating voices and lunged with murderous intent.

What Hagane did was the same.

He held his right hand toward the three directions in a flowing motion.

All three goblins stopped moving in midair simultaneously, as if they'd crashed into an invisible wall.

Thud, thud — three lumps of flesh fell unevenly to the ground.

Same as before. Without time to grimace in agony, they rolled in the virtual space's dust.

Battle, over.

"This is — I might finally..."

The emotions budding in Shiki were anxiety, and excitement.

It's scary. But that's precisely why he wanted to try it.

Between himself and Hagane, which one was superior.

He too was a Hunter, competing for the same goal.

○○○○○○○

That's the end of the guerrilla updates!

I plan to update at least once a day during Golden Week.

Volume 1 is out now, thanks to all of you! Thank you so much.

If you could follow, leave a review, or rate the story, I'd really appreciate it!