Chapter 06 - The Test (3)

The results of the 2nd stage test were announced immediately.

[Registration Number 1183/ Pass/ 35 points]

There was no room for subjectivity in the evaluation results.

Just like the 1st stage, the 2nd stage screening was also entirely the work of artificial intelligence.

I secured my pass by defeating all the goblins that appeared in the evaluation room, and on top of the basic passing score, I was even awarded additional points.

The result was a perfect score.

It was probably because every hunt was accomplished in a single strike.

Actually, I was lucky.

A minor attempt I made to save mana had brought about a much better result than expected.

If they had been real goblins instead of holograms, the result would have been completely different.

Still, what was important right now was the fact that I had passed the 2nd stage.

“Young Master! Look at that score over there. I don’t know who it is, but they’re insane. 35 points in the 2nd stage is a perfect score, isn’t it?”

I sincerely thought that this guy, Choi Ho-joong, was the insane one.

It would have been better if he was saying this knowing it was me.

“By the way, Young Master, what was your registration number?”

“1183.”

“1183… 1183… But why can’t I see it?”

Then, Choi Ho-joong shouted.

“No way!”

“I told you not to speak in such a loud voice.”

“What in the world is going on!”

“Why? Are you unhappy that I passed?”

“It’s not that, you got a perfect score in the 2nd stage too! Could it be….”

“Could it be what?”

“It’s nothing. There’s no way the Young Master would have used such a dirty trick.”

This bastard. Just what was he thinking?

“Could it be a system error?”

“Tell me honestly. You wish I had failed, don’t you?”

“Hey! What are you saying!”

“If you’re unhappy about the long waiting time, you can go first.”

“That’s not it. I just need to organize this situation in my head for a moment! No matter how I think about it, this is a bit….”

The seat next to me finally quieted down.

Now, all that remained was the final 3rd stage.

It would be a difficult hurdle for anyone, but for me, it was bound to be an especially tough course.

The subject of the 3rd stage test was a group evaluation.

All challengers would form a group to engage in a sparring match against one established Hunter.

The problem was that my body’s condition was not sound enough to cooperate with others.

If it were an individual challenge like the 2nd stage, I could have proceeded at my own pace, but an important evaluation factor of the 3rd stage was cooperation with team members.

It was necessary to appeal to the examiner that I could fully contribute my share within the team play.

“Young Master, anyway, good luck! I’m on your side!”

I wondered why he was suddenly saying this.

Choi Ho-joong kept spouting incomprehensible words until the end before leaving for the visitor waiting room.

We will now announce the group assignments for the 3rd stage test.

It would be a difficult final hurdle, but it wasn't to the extent that I was considering failure.

I was confident of passing.

Because I believed in my numerous experiences and adaptability accumulated on the Kalia Continent.

And my genius as well.

***

Challengers assigned to Team 13, please enter Evaluation Room 301.

Following the announcement, the challengers moved from their seats.

A total of 9 people, including myself, entered Room 301.

In a moment, the nine of us would form a team and fight against an established Hunter.

It was a very unfamiliar experience for me.

I had always been in a position to fight alone against many, never having been part of a group to face a single opponent.

My pride was a little hurt, but what could I do in this situation?

For now, I had no choice but to cooperate with them and overcome this difficulty.

The evaluation will begin in 10 minutes. Until then, you are free to discuss strategies.

The challengers gathered in Room 301 looked at each other.

For now, the 9 people here were in the same boat.

Although the scores were calculated individually, the examiner was also human, so they would inevitably be influenced by the team's overall performance.

Since there were reportedly many cases where an entire team passed or failed together, the importance of cooperation was self-evident.

“Since there are 9 of us, I think it would be best to stand in a standard Five Elements Formation.”

A woman was the first to step forward and speak.

“I think so too. The standard way is the safest.”

“I agree.”

Everyone nodded.

Of course, I had no idea what a Five Elements Formation was.

Thus, I didn't particularly object.

I considered introducing the combat methods of the Kalia Continent, but it was impossible with the 10 minutes we were given.

If so, it was right to follow a method familiar to everyone.

I just needed to adapt on my own.

“Wait! By any chance, aren’t you Han Ye-ji of the Muwon Sword Family?”

“Oh! It really is her!”

Suddenly, the gazes of the people in Room 301 focused on one person.

The woman who had first mentioned the Five Elements Formation. She made an awkward expression, then soon gave a resigned smile.

“I was caught right away. I heard rumors were spreading that I was retaking the test. Yes, that’s right. I am Han Ye-ji of the Muwon Sword Family. I failed the last test because of the written exam and am challenging it again.”

Muwon Sword Family.

I remembered seeing it while doing basic research on the country called Korea.

A prestigious family included among the top 10 sword families, along with our Haewon Sword Family.

But did it make sense for everyone to recognize a mere prospect who wasn't even an active Hunter yet?

“What’s the big deal about retaking? This is why the useless written test should be abolished!”

“Since you’ve made it to the 3rd stage, your pass must already be guaranteed.”

“But with Ms. Han Ye-ji in our group, won’t we benefit as well?”

After Han Ye-ji revealed her identity, the atmosphere quickly became cheerful.

This made me interested too.

Just how skilled was she that everyone was making such a fuss?

“I heard there was a challenger who got a perfect score in both the 1st and 2nd stages, so could that be Ms. Han Ye-ji?”

“Aha! So that’s what it was. I was wondering why there was such a monster in our batch!”

“That’s not me.”

“It wasn’t Ms. Han Ye-ji?”

“No. I can’t focus on the written exam that ignorantly. I’d rather swing my sword one more time in that time.”

Ignorantly, she said.

What an interesting way of thinking this young lady had.

That ignorant challenger also received a perfect score in the 2nd stage practical test.

“Right! A perfect score on the written exam. There’s nothing more inefficient in the world!”

“Hahaha!”

The interest in the person with perfect scores in the 1st and 2nd stages quickly died down.

They believed that Han Ye-ji, who was right in front of them, was the real monster of this batch.

“If everyone agrees, may I stand at the forefront of the Five Elements Formation?”

Not a single person raised an objection.

“I agree. Of course, I’m in favor of you willingly taking on the most difficult and burdensome position.”

“Me too. It’s natural for the strong person to stand in that spot.”

On the contrary, an atmosphere supporting Han Ye-ji was immediately created.

“Then, as everyone wishes, I will stand at the very front.”

Han Ye-ji. It seemed she had no intention of hiding her identity from the start.

If no one had recognized her, she probably would have outed herself.

Well, it wasn't like I found this kind of cunning annoying.

It was also a skill to make good use of one's status and situation.

A short while later, our opponent and an examiner entered one by one, and the 3rd stage test began.

***

“The name’s Hwang Tae-hoon. We’ll be meeting in the industry soon, so it’s okay if I speak casually, right?”

But everyone’s response was mumbled.

“Yes.”

The cheerful atmosphere from just a moment ago had instantly frozen over.

“You all must be unhappy that I’m your opponent. They’re just rumors, rumors! I’m not that harsh of a person!”

Hwang Tae-hoon said affably, but people’s expressions were still frozen.

I could roughly guess what was going on.

It seemed this Hunter named Hwang Tae-hoon was quite infamous among the aspirants.

“Ooh! We have the young lady of a noble house here too? We’ve met before, right?”

“Yes. Greetings, senior. I am Han Ye-ji of the Muwon Sword Family.”

To be recognized by everyone like this, Han Ye-ji must be quite the celebrity.

“You might have heard things about me, but I don’t go easy on anyone, even if they’re the president’s daughter.”

“I am aware.”

“I’ll go easy if you promise to join our Phoenix Guild.”

“If I did that, I’d be disowned from my family.”

“That’s even better! Since you’d have nowhere to return to.”

“Hmph!”

Han Ye-ji showed Hwang Tae-hoon a foxy smile.

Though in the end, it didn't work at all.

“Alright! Well then, since my scouting offer was rejected, shall we start right away?”

Hwang Tae-hoon’s voice boomed throughout Room 301.

Knowing how to infuse mana into his voice, he had decent skills.

However, it was a bit disappointing that the reverberation of his voice didn't spread evenly at the end. The management of mana infused into his vocal cords must have been slightly unstable.

At times like this, my mouth itched with the urge to point it out.

“We’ll be in your care, senior!”

The people in our group bowed their heads once and immediately began to form up.

The Five Elements Formation.

As previously agreed, I took the right wing.

Although it was the first time I was using this formation, it wouldn't be too difficult to move tactfully and coordinate with them.

I had my years of experience rolling around on battlefields.

However, if there was one thing that bothered me, it was that my mana capacity was too weak.

If I maintained the formation with these eight people and balanced the formation, there was a high probability that the mana in my dantian would be depleted before I knew it.

But if I moved half-heartedly, it would be immediately obvious.

I wouldn't be able to escape the eyes of the examiner watching us from a corner of Room 301.

In the end, I had no choice but to do my best every moment and look for an opportunity to appeal myself.

After all, defeating that Hwang Tae-hoon was not our goal.

Shwaaak!

As Hwang Tae-hoon drew a sparring sword from his inventory, the aura he emitted immediately changed.

“From now on, I will yield 10 seconds. You all will have to make good use of this opportunity.”

An announcement sound rang out immediately, and the sparring began.

The numbers on the digital clock began to tick by in hundredths of a second.

With Han Ye-ji in the lead, we began to pressure Hwang Tae-hoon.

As promised, we wouldn't be counter-attacked for 10 seconds.

It meant we could attack without worry.

Whoooosh!

The first attack was, of course, from Han Ye-ji at the forefront.

Her sword and body became one as she lunged at Hwang Tae-hoon.

Despite the sudden attack, Hwang Tae-hoon twisted his body slightly and dodged with ease.

But Han Ye-ji's second attack also followed smoothly.

Saaaaak!

This time, a diagonal slash.

Her swift sword, pushed up diagonally, created an elegant sword path.

But Hwang Tae-hoon lightly dodged her attack again and moved to the side.

His expression overflowed with composure.

The difference in class was clear.

“Keep coming!”

We immediately folded the wings of the Five Elements Formation and began to encircle him.

Since the space was narrow, there were not many options Hwang Tae-hoon could take.

Either block the nine swords in succession while surrounded, or slip through the gaps below the knees like an eel.

Or else, launch his body into the air and leisurely disappear behind the formation.

All three options were possible for Hwang Tae-hoon.

If so, the action I should take was to predict his choice one step ahead and block his path in advance.

It wasn't that difficult for me.

All that was needed to see the next scene was a small movement from the opponent. That was enough.

Although my mana was weak due to this damn body, my past life's insights hadn't disappeared.

Swish.

Hwang Tae-hoon’s ankle turned slightly.

And the place where his gaze lingered for a fleeting moment was.

‘The air.’

A good judgment.

Looking down from up there would be the perfect picture to intimidate the nine of us.

In that moment, my brain went into full operation and began to calculate Hwang Tae-hoon’s expected movement point.

‘Nine times out of ten, it’s there.’

Now all preparations were complete.

My predictions weren't always right, but it was also true that they were mostly right.

Moreover, if the opponent wasn't a supreme master of the Sword Master class, that probability became even higher.

Then, it was now time to interfere with the splendid aerial flight he was planning.

I absolutely can't stand anyone showing off in front of me.