Huuu.

I sat cross-legged on the floor next to the bed and closed my eyes.

Slowly, I inhaled, focusing all my attention on my heart.

More precisely, on Dr. Jin's device embedded in my heart.

Toward the Circulator.

Dr. Jin gifted me three devices.

The information-providing device V1, mounted in my eye.

The combat-type device, Exa.

And the final remaining device was the Circulator.

I recalled the memory of when Dr. Jin installed (?) the Circulator.

『I think my ears are clogged from eating nothing but canned food. Where did you say you're going to stick this again?』

『Into your heart.』

Fuck.

Even thinking back now, Dr. Jin’s expression was far too nonchalant.

『I should’ve known back when you doused me in poison gas... Are you sure you aren't trying to kill me?』

『Hahaha. I suppose it's not unreasonable for you to think that. Back then, Kiril didn’t quite trust me either.』

『And what did Kiril say?』

『She said she had to see it stuck into my heart first. Then she actually picked up the Circulator and aimed it at my chest.』

What a fiery woman.

『Don’t worry. If I had no prior experience, maybe you'd have a point, but look at Kiril, walking around in one piece, isn't she? She had the same thing embedded in her heart.』

『Still... jamming this giant needle into a living heart is just……』

It was not just any needle.

At a glance, it looked like a thin piece of metal, but upon closer inspection, it was intricately assembled with tiny, detailed metal components.

Still.

Precision or whatever.

Stabbing that thing into my heart without anesthesia?

『Think back to when you had the V1 installed.』

Instead of a long explanation, Dr. Jin reminded me of the device embedded in my eye.

When I had the V1 installed.

It's true that when I switched to the new version, I didn’t feel any pain.

Like a sponge soaking up water, it entered smoothly and naturally.

As if it had always been a part of my body.

『Kiddo. Don’t let my appearance fool you. I’m a former chief researcher at the Hunter Association. Trust me.』

Mister.

It’s no use flashing a gentle smile now after you were the one who sprayed poison gas on me, you know?

Regardless of my suspicious expression, Dr. Jin gently placed the circulator on the front of my chest.

Then, the Circulator resting on his palm slowly began to burrow into my chest (!).

『Ugh... Aaaaaaaaah!』

『I told you it doesn’t hurt, so be quiet.』

『...Hm.』

No way.

It was definitely piercing through raw flesh and burrowing into my heart, but I felt absolutely no pain.

If all surgeries (?) were like this, anesthesiology would be obsolete.

Rather than saying it burrowed in, it felt more like it was slowly absorbed.

Slowly, yet naturally, the Circulator finished embedding itself into my heart.

『This little guy will fix the deadly poison raging inside you every single day. How much Black Aether you can produce from now on is all depends on you.』

Huu.

Starting from the Circulator embedded in my heart, I began circulating the poison raging inside my body

And as it spun, my body’s healing power activated, sublimating the poison into Black Aether.

It was starkly different from when I aimlessly let the poison flow around.

With the Circulator as a clear ‘milestone’ inside my body, the flow of deadly poison, healing, and Black Aether gradually became visible.

‘Indeed...’

The more I did it, the more intuitive it became.

When I first got the Circulator, the process took half a day; now, an hour or two was enough.

Compared to the poison I still have, the amount of Black Aether was insignificant.

“Show me the current status.”

[User Info]

[Black Aether: 1727BA]

[Physical Enhancement Ability: ‘D-rank’]

[Self-Healing Ability: 'S-rank']

[Available Skill: Poison Steps - Level 2]

Look.

Even with that insignificant ability, results were already showing.

“Huh? It’s D, not E?”

When did that go up?

Without me even realizing it, my physical enhancement ability had raised to ‘D.’

All this time, whenever Black Aether was produced, I’d been using it to strengthen my entire body.

Well, to be honest, I was not really sure what else I’d use it for.

Maybe it’s because I just came back from that Poison Dungeon.

Before I knew it, my physical ability had reached the level of a ‘D-rank Knight.’

"The growth rate is ridiculous….."

I rummaged through quite a lot of data at Dr. Jin’s place, but couldn’t find a single case of a rank increasing in just a few days.

Just like Kiril said, it seems Poisoners truly have limitless potential.

I uncrossed my legs and logged into the Hunter Association website on my phone.

To take the Hunter Qualification Test this quarter, I had to go to the headquarters to register by tomorrow.

“Sis, I’m going to Jongno tomorrow for a bit.”

"Jongno?"

"Yeah. The Hunter Qualification Test is due tomorrow."

Ever since the factory shut down, my sister’s been spending more time at home.

She turned her head toward me, pausing from browsing job sites on the computer.

As always, her delicate face was filled with worry.

“Are you really sure I don’t need to go with you? I heard there are a lot of strong people there... What if you get into trouble.....”

"Oh. You don't have to worry about that anymore."

My sister didn't even know how much it costs to take the test, let alone my recent physical changes.

If she found out it was fifty million won, she’d probably faint on the spot.

My body was at a level that if I got into a fight with a regular person, it’s them I’d have to worry about.

I needed to pass the qualification test as soon as possible, so my sister could finally have one less thing to worry about.

“Healers are treated well, even among hunters. They’re a friendly type. I mean, who wouldn’t like the person healing their wounds?”

"Hmm... that's probably true."

She gave me a look like looking at a helpless child left alone by the water.

And honestly, before my Awakening, that’s probably exactly what I was.

I patted my chest with my palm and told her not to worry, and my sister pursed her lips and reluctantly smiled.

* * *

No matter how far I tilted my head back, I couldn't see the top.

The most powerful institution in all of South Korea.

The proud headquarters of the Hunter Association.

Its glass-paneled walls reflected the sunlight, gleaming brilliantly.

I’ve heard buildings like that are scorching hot in summer and freezing cold in winter.

The heating bill must be insane, too.

Maybe it was the broke mindset still clinging to me, but those were the kinds of thoughts that come to mind first.

The first-floor lobby was bustling with people, probably because it was the last day to register for the Hunter Qualification Test.

— Grrr…

"Shh. Keep quiet."

Brie, now in a transparent state, let out a low growl.

It must be tense from all the hunters passing by.

I told it to stay quiet, but the truth was, my senses were on edge too.

A few of the hunters exude an overwhelming presence, enough to make it hard to breathe.

Before my Awakening, I wouldn’t have sensed anything. But now, I can vaguely tell.

There were seasoned elites all around me, the kind who could probably wipe me out in a single strike.

“Welcome.”

I received a number and headed to the registration desk, where a curly-haired female employee greeted me warmly.

And like most people do, she flinched when she saw my face.

"Oh, ahem."

The female employee tried to play it off, but it was already too late.

It was nothing new, people have always been startled by the birthmarks on my face.

Pretending not to notice, I quietly spoke.

“I’m here to take the Hunter Qualification Test.”

“Ah, I see. First, please fill out your personal information here.”

I filled out the basic personal information on the ‘Hunter Qualification Test Application Form’, including my name, resident registration number, address, and other basic details.

And most importantly, I checked the ‘Hunter Application Type’.

The Hunter Application Types were broadly categorized as ‘Knight/ Esper/ Healer/ Other.’

Naturally, there were no positions for Poisoners.

In theory, I should put the check mark in ‘Others,’ but doing that wouldn’t allow me to pursue my future plans.

"You're applying as a Healer, right?"

"Yes. That's correct."

“Have you seen the part marked with a red line at the very bottom?”

“Yes.”

[If the exam fee is not paid before the Hunter Qualification Test, the applicant will be automatically disqualified.]

That’s what the sentence marked in red said.

I felt a little annoyed.

Why did she have to ask me that again?

Was it because of my shabby appearance?

Or was it just my own insecurity?

‘Probably the former.’

The applicant sitting next to me was different.

He was wearing clothes that looked like they were from a fancy boutique, but the female employee accepted the application form and completed the process without saying much.

In short, she was double-checking with people who didn’t seem able to come up with fifty million won.

Damn you.

Don't jump to conclusions based on appearances.

“The payment deadline is two days before the exam. See you at the testing center.”

The curly-haired employee emphasized the ‘payment deadline’ once more, signaling that my registration was complete.

Yeah, sure. I’m paying, alright?

— Grrrr……

Brie growled lowly at the employee.

Hey, she’s not even a hunter, why are you acting like that?

Could it be...

You don’t like the receptionist attitude either?

‘No way.’

I let out a small chuckle and stood up.

My frail-looking frame, the birthmarks all over my body,

And my shabby clothes.

There was no reason to get mad just because I was being invisibly looked down on for those reasons.

I would just show them what I’m really about once I finish the test.

I also have what it takes to be a hunter.

“Move! I really need to see the Chairman!”

“I warned you not to do that!”

As I finished registration and headed out of the headquarters building, loud voices echoed near the entrance.

A woman who looked to be around fifty was holding a plywood sign in one hand.

I wondered what was going on.

My gaze lingered for a moment, but I soon continued on my way.

Whatever the matter, there was nothing I could do as just a Hunter test applicant.

“You people! You could’ve come to Gaebang Neighborhood! You could’ve saved my son!”

But when I heard the name ‘Gaebang Neighborhood,’ I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.

That woman.

Was she from our neighborhood?

The woman, half out of her mind, was in tears as she shouted and argued with the Association staff.

She said she’d lost her son, there’s no greater pain than that.

And besides, most of the Gaebang Neighborhood residents believed the Glory Guild had mishandled the situation.

That’s probably why she showed up with the sign like that.

“What’s going on here?”

As the commotion grew, a tall man approached the two.

The security staff bit his lip before giving his report.

“This woman insists on seeing the Chairman... She’s making a scene, so we were trying to restrain her.”

The tall man looked the woman up and down.

After reading the sign, ‘Uncover the Truth About the Glory Guild’, he gave a sharp, mocking smile.

“Restrain? That’s not what real restraint looks like.”

That guy was a hunter.

His energy was weak, but I could feel the Ether flowing through his body.

To confirm whether my instincts were right, I quietly activated V1.

[Oh Jihwan

Hunter Type: Knight

Physical Enhancement: ‘E’

Affiliation: Hunter Association Security Division

#Assailant #QuickFootwork #MasterOfChaosCombat #PokerFaceOnTheBattlefield]

"What, what?"

Suddenly, a flood of information poured in.

All I wanted was to know his rank, but now I was seeing his name, affiliation, and everything.

And what’s with all those hashtags?

Wow.

Nice.

Public info, sure, I get that. But what about the hashtags?

[They’re used by hunters to register and share their own traits.]

Do they voluntarily share that kind of stuff?

But why?

[It helps hunters form teams more effectively.]

Ah, I see.

It's like, “I’m good at ambush, you’re good at defense, so let’s build our formation like this.”

Makes sense... but even so, it felt a bit over the top.

For a mere ‘E’-rank hunter, tags like ‘Assailant’ and ‘Master of Chaos Combat’ sound way too grandiose, right?

Honestly, these ‘hashtags’ seemed less about hunting and more about human nature’s flair for bragging.

While I was processing the info from V1, the tall man stepped right up to the woman’s face.

“Watch closely. This is what restraint really looks like.”

‘...That crazy bastard!’

Even without V1, I could tell.

That guy was about to use ‘Ether’ on the woman.

Grip.

“Cough, cough!!”

The tall man, towering at least two heads above her, grabbed the back of the woman's neck.

Her arms and legs flailed helplessly in midair.

But the man, as if she meant nothing to him, strode right through the main entrance like that.

Damn it.

I was going to stay out of it, but I couldn't hold back.

“Stop!”

Honestly, I wanted to use Poison Steps, but it was not a skill an ‘applicant’ is supposed to use.

Even now, the nearby CCTV cameras were glaring right at me.

“What are you?”

“Before you start wondering what I am, you should probably realize what you’re doing.”

“Me? Of course, I’m restraining her.”

The man sneered as he casually raised the arm he was holding.

The woman’s expression twisted into even more pain.

This son of a bitch.

I couldn’t hold back any longer and used ‘Poison Steps.’

Thwack!

In an instant, I moved in front of him, released his arm from the woman’s neck, and shielded her behind my back.

“Who are you? A hunter?”

“I’m an applicant.”

At the word ‘applicant,’ a vein bulged on the man’s temple.

“You damn punk. So young but already acting all high and mighty, talking down to me, and interfering with an Association staff member’s work?”

He twisted his face fiercely, but I just scoffed.

If only he knew what kind of dungeon I cleared a few days ago.

“You’re the one being arrogant. Looking at you, you seem like a hunter, but you're bowing down so easily? To an applicant?”

The man’s face suddenly flushed bright red.

He was not a tomato or anything.

But his face turned so red that I wondered if it was normal.

“If you don’t want to get beaten to death, hand the lady over.”

“Is she some kind of object? An Association member treating a civilian like that... Are you even human?”

I hadn’t realized it since I’ve always been cooped up at my home, but apparently, offending people seems to be my forte.

[T/N: Don't worry, Haesun. It's a talent. I also have it.]

Look at that guy.

Even after I told him I was just an applicant, he was gathering Ether with all his might like he was about to attack?

“You brought this on yourself.”

No wonder his hashtag says ‘Assailant’, his strike was indeed fierce.

But still, he was probably just an ‘E’ rank.

I was angry earlier, but now there was no need to use Poison Steps anymore.

Just as he reached to grab my neck, I raised my right hand and snatched his wrist.

Crack-

“????”

His face twisted into an equal mix of anger and shock.

And soon after, that expression contorted into pain.

I twisted his wrist hard enough to cause pain.

“Aaaargh!!”

“You call yourself an Association staff member? A hunter, no less? Aren’t you even ashamed?”

A knight struggling and stomping around because an applicant twisted his wrist, what a joke.

I really wished someone had added a hashtag like #ShamefulFool to this guy.

“I’m going to kill you!”

I was genuinely shocked.

Not because of his reckless stupidity.

But because, as a Hunter Association employee, he held a status equivalent to that of a government official.

How can someone like that be allowed to scream about killing people inside the headquarters?

Seeing one thing, you can guess about another ten.

What on earth does the Association think of civilians?

"Make another sound, and I'll kill you."

".....!!"

I twisted his wrist almost to the point of breaking, and he couldn’t even scream anymore.

Amidst it all, tears welled up in the man’s eyes.

To think someone like him called himself the poker face of the battlefield.

It was so ridiculous that I couldn’t help but laugh.

At that moment,

"What the hell are you guys doing!"

A tremendous roar erupted from behind.

I threw off his wrist and instinctively turned around.

‘That startled me...’

Not because of the volume of the voice.

But the massive aura of Ether contained within it halted my movements.

A drop of cold sweat trickled down my temple.

An overwhelming pressure weighed down on me, more intimidating than anything I had felt when facing the huge tarantula.

There were four people in the group, and I knew the faces of three of them.

One was Yoo Inwon, the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association.

Another was Maria, the healer hailed as the Holy Mother of Korea.

“What kind of nonsense is this?”

And the last one, the very person who had just unleashed the mighty roar at me, was Gu Gyeon, the leader of the Glory Guild.