Chapter 13 – Kim Jinho

“Today marks the end of the written evaluation. After tomorrow’s practical evaluation, you will be divided into those who will live as Awakened and those who will live as ordinary people.”

“Officer. Where will the practical evaluation be held?”

“The evaluation will be conducted through hunting at <Pigeon Park>. They are 1-Star Monsters that even ordinary people can hunt if they use their Skills well, but injuries and even deaths often occur during each practical evaluation, so if you want to give up, say so now.”

When the officer urged them to give up, the 1-Star Contractors, who were practically no different from ordinary people, all raised their hands in unison.

Those who, after the training period, chose to live as ordinary people rather than Awakened.

Among the 1-Star Contractors, only Lee Hanseong did not raise his hand.

“Trainee Lee Hanseong, are you not giving up?”

“Yes. I will become an Awakened.”

“Hmm, with your grades, you should be able to pass sufficiently. Do your best.”

Moreover, if it was Pigeon Park, it was a place he had planned to visit someday even if it wasn’t for the exam.

Because he could obtain the Medium to promote the Courier Spirit ‘Pheidippides’ from a 2-Star Pigeon.

If he promoted Pheidippides and gained a stake in the Spirit through Historical Alteration, the Constellation would also recover a bit more.

-Meow.

[The Nameless Constellation looks forward to hunting 2-Star Pigeons.]

The Constellation was also hoping he would hunt a 2-Star Pigeon this time.

At Lee Hanseong’s choice, the other trainees whispered among themselves.

“No matter how much his physical abilities improved through Body Reformation, they can’t be better than an Awakened’s. What confidence is that?”

“Exactly. Cooperative play is prohibited in the practical evaluation, so you can’t even get carried by promising candidates like during the Sudden Rift.”

“Anyway, he has the basic stamina and written exam grades he built up at the Training Center, so he probably just needs to avoid failing the practical.”

“Well, with a Body Reformation-enhanced physique plus Skills, he should be able to scrape together the minimum score somehow.”

The gag order on the Sudden Rift incident was surprisingly thorough. While word got around that Lee Hanseong participated in the battle, considering the level of a 1-Star Contractor, it was downplayed to ‘just participated.’ Perhaps they wanted to believe that. Still, perhaps because of the grades he showed at the Training Center, the level of criticism was lower than expected.

Compared to the verbal abuse he received before the Regression, when they said things like “How dare a 1-Star Contractor try to become an Awakened?” this level was almost cute.

Of course, back then, the reaction was compounded by the schemes of the new Association Head who pushed out his father.

‘If I hadn’t allowed the false rumors to spread, it might have been dangerous.’

Even though in their common sense, it should be impossible for a mediocre 1-Star Contractor to become an Awakened, given their current reaction,

if there had been no false rumors, the new Association Head would have definitely felt threatened by Lee Hanseong.

‘No, actually, even now I can’t be completely at ease.’

If the other side is thorough, no matter how harmless this side tries to appear, there’s still a possibility they might take action.

In preparation for that, he planned to hide 30% of his full strength during this practical evaluation.

* * *

The next day, the day of the practical evaluation.

Among the trainees of this Session, who had scattered to various Training Centers after the Spirit Contract, all those wishing to take the practical evaluation gathered at <Pigeon Park>.

This meant he would meet Kim Jinho again, who had been assigned to the Second Awakened Training Center.

“Lee Hanseong? Are you also taking the practical evaluation?”

Kim Jinho seemed surprised to discover Lee Hanseong, as if he hadn’t expected him to take the practical evaluation.

Soon, a sneer appeared on the guy’s lips.

“What are you doing here, a mere 1-Star Contractor? You’re going to fail anyway.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“Ah, perhaps that rumor is true? I heard you were promised a pass through the Association Head’s backing… But even if you pass that way, if you can’t actually hunt, what’s the point?”

Just as Lee Hanseong was about to say something to Kim Jinho’s mocking face.

“It’s noisy. Can’t you be quiet?”

“You seem quite relaxed before an exam. You even have time to chatter.”

“Move.”

The promising candidates stepped forward first and took turns shutting him down.

“Who do you think you are…? Uh…”

True to his nature of being strong against the weak and weak against the strong, Kim Jinho flared up but then recognized the promising candidates and groveled.

“Sorry, sorry. You’re all right. My mistake.”

Especially towards Jin Yuseong, who had contracted with a Spirit belonging to the same Heavenly Slaughter Constellation, he flattered him as if dealing with the old Lee Hanseong.

“But since this is also fate, could we talk about party matters later?”

“……?”

“I’m ranked first at the Second Training Center. Of course, there aren’t any Contractors of 5-Star or above like you there, but among the 4-Stars, I’m probably the best? Anyway, when you join the Heavenly Slaughter Guild, you’ll form a party with me, so it’s good to get friendly in advance.”

“Hmm. My party is already full.”

Jin Yuseong glanced at Lee Hanseong and then firmly cut off Kim Jinho’s words and walked past.

While someone of Kim Jinho’s caliber wouldn’t be a bad talent to recruit into a party, since he had already decided to recruit Lee Hanseong into his party, he was showing that he would cut off Kim Jinho, who was in a conflictual relationship with Lee Hanseong, to score points with Lee Hanseong.

“Huh…? Uh.”

Kim Jinho’s face turned red after being rejected for the party proposal.

But it was quite amusing to see him unable to argue back because the other party was a promising candidate.

Lee Hanseong gave a slight smile while looking at Kim Jinho suppressing his emotions.

For him now, this one smile would be a more effective provocation than a hundred insults.

As expected, upon seeing his smile, Kim Jinho gritted his teeth.

Grind.

His tightly clenched fist, trying to contain the boiling anger inside, trembled.

He wanted to get angry, but since he had just been called out by the promising candidates, he seemed to be holding back.

However, it seemed he didn’t plan to just let it go, as Kim Jinho approached closely and whispered quietly.

“I’ll let it slide for now because of the promising candidates, but just wait inside. I don’t know what tricks you’re trying to use to pass this practical, but I’ll expose them all.”

Lee Hanseong chuckled at the threat to thoroughly interfere if he tried to obtain an Awakened License through unfair means.

Since he planned to take the exam legitimately anyway, it was no threat at all.

“As you wish.”

“You seem to think I’m joking, but look forward to it. There’s absolutely no way someone unqualified will obtain a license during this exam.”

Tap.

Watching Kim Jinho, who brushed shoulders with him as he left, Lee Hanseong brushed off his shoulder as if it had gotten dirty.

The cat, which had been sleeping in a loaf position on the Projection created above Lee Hanseong’s head, seemed to wake up from the bump and squirmed.

-Meow?

“It’s nothing, please sleep a bit more.”

Lee Hanseong set aside his feelings about Kim Jinho and gently patted the awakened cat.

The Constellation was far more important than a guy who would end up wasting his efforts.

* * *

“I will now begin the practical evaluation of the 2025 Awakened Qualification Ability Test. Points will be awarded based on the strength and number of Awakened Monsters hunted by the trainee themselves, so please do your best in the hunt.”

The Chief Examiner presiding over the practical evaluation stepped in front of the gathered trainees and announced the start of the exam.

Whoosh!

As soon as his words ended, an intangible wave spread from the Chief Examiner.

Flutter flutter flutter.

The flock of 1-Star Pigeons flying over Pigeon Park descended into the interior of the park.

The pigeons, sensing a threat, achieved 1-Star Awakening and hid themselves, using the lush trees of the park as cover.

“Begin.”

That was the starting signal.

Tatadatadat!

The trainees rushed into the park, no one wanting to be left behind.

After glancing at the three promising candidates leading the pack and then averting his gaze, Lee Hanseong quietly began moving from around the middle.

With the Constellation’s Projection leading the way.

‘They’ll probably do well on their own without any particular worry.’

The moment he entered the shaded boundary of the park, where dense branches cast shadows, following the cat only he could see.

Smoothly.

He activated <Stealth Walk>, whose activation condition was met by the tree shadows, securing stealth.

Using the Herbalist’s <Pathfinding> to determine the optimal path on the uneven ground with protruding tree roots.

Zing.

Heading towards the path displayed as green arrow-shaped markers in his vision, he activated the Courier’s <High-Speed Dash>, consuming only the optimal amount of stamina manageable with the Serf’s <Stamina Enhancement>.

Sssssss!

He increased his speed.

It was a stable posture and speed, as if running on a flat track.

A movement made possible by three or four Skills meshing like precise gears, unfolding like a single Skill.

Yet, the cat was always running a few steps ahead of him.

‘If I could use the Gluttonous Demon Sword, I wouldn’t have needed to avoid them and could have smashed through the trees blocking the path while moving.’

Even if using the demon sword had been possible during the practical evaluation, he had no intention of using it.

Showing off his strength would only raise suspicion, and passing the exam was sufficiently possible even without the demon sword.

Instead, hanging at his waist was a standard-grade iron sword, issued as basic equipment upon completion of the Training Center.

-Coo coo coo.

Focusing his hearing, enhanced along with the Primitive’s <Physical Enhancement>, he confirmed the presence of pigeons through distant cooing sounds.

The cat, whose ears perked up and found prey before him, dashed towards the pigeon.

Ssssh.

Following the cat, which closed the distance in an instant and caught up to the pigeon from behind.

Swipe- Slash!

He seamlessly linked the motion of drawing the sword with the slashing motion, unleashing the Swordsman’s <Slash>.

It wasn’t the basic form of <Slash>, the ‘Downward Slash’, but an ‘Upward Slash’. However, perhaps due to his experience of unleashing Single Flash, the extreme of slashing, it succeeded cleanly.

Splurt!

A 1-Star Pigeon spurting blood as its vital point, where the carotid artery was located, was slashed.

The cat, with a triumphant attitude, perched on top of the fallen pigeon.

It was a clean hunt utilizing surprise.

-Coo coo coo coo?

The pigeons, reacting belatedly to the death of their kin, simultaneously turned their heads towards Lee Hanseong, but.

Groooowl!

Henrietta’s <Monster Affinity> soothed their hostility and released the drawn aggro.

Smoothly.

He melted back into the darkness of the shadows with the cat using <Stealth Walk>.

-Meow? Meow meow meow!

[The Nameless Constellation awakens your dormant hunting instinct with your seasoned hunt.]

[The Nameless Constellation urges the selection of the next prey.]

Perhaps because pigeons were the opponent, stimulating the cat’s instincts, the Constellation’s excitement was conveyed.

A feeling of his senses sharpening a bit more, his body responding more flexibly.

A subtle smile also appeared on Lee Hanseong’s lips, infected by the Constellation’s excitement.

Before he knew it, the cat, already running towards the next prey, looked back as if telling him to hurry up.

‘Yes, yes. I’ll be right there, Lord of the Throne.’

Thus, Lee Hanseong hunted the pigeons one by one, repeating concealment and surprise attacks.

There were two gazes watching him from afar.

One was the gaze of the Examiner in charge of evaluating the exam, but the other was not an Examiner but a fellow trainee.

<Thousand-League Eye>.

Kim Jinho, who had contracted with a 4-Star Sniper Spirit, was watching Lee Hanseong from afar using his First Awakening Skill.

* * *

‘Is that Lee Hanseong? Is he really a 1-Star Contractor?’

Kim Jinho’s eyes widened as he watched Lee Hanseong, who had already hunted his third pigeon.

Contrary to his expectations, Lee Hanseong was continuing the hunt with skillful Skill usage, without any unfair means.

If this continued, his passing was a foregone conclusion.

‘Is Lee Hanseong really going to make a comeback like this?’

No, for a 12-Star Vessel to Awaken, no matter how many 1-Star Monsters he hunts, it’s useless.

Unless he achieves a Feat like hunting a 3-Star Grade Monster or Awakened Monster alone, he wouldn’t be able to Awaken.

‘Right. Just being good at using General Skills doesn’t mean he can Awaken.’

Anyway, without Awakening Skills, hunting a 3-Star Grade is impossible.

Even if he receives help from others, the distribution of Achievement is based on contribution to the Feat, so it would take a long time to reach Awakening.

‘Well, even if he wanted help, there wouldn’t be anyone to help him.’

According to what his older brother, who works as a secretary for a high-ranking Association official, told him, the Elder his brother serves would thoroughly hinder Lee Hanseong’s Awakening once he becomes the next Association Head.

To completely erase any chance of the current Association Head, Lee Hyeonseong, making a comeback.

Remembering that fact, he felt a bit relieved.

“But that aside.”

Anyway, the plan to expose Lee Hanseong’s cheating and get his pass revoked had become useless.

Kim Jinho changed his goal.

“I’ll make you realize the difference between you and me. That no matter how hard a mediocre person struggles, they can’t beat a Contractor with Awakening Skills.”

He planned to crush Lee Hanseong’s spirit with an overwhelming score difference.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Arrows were fired in succession, targeting pigeons whose locations were identified through Thousand-League Eye.

The General Skill <Trajectory Prediction> showed the arrow’s path in advance, and <Precise Aim> precisely fixed the trajectory and target, making Kim Jinho’s arrows hit every time.

Thud thud thud thud!

Moreover, with the addition of the Rare Skills <Expression Designation> and <Weakness Detection>, the pigeons hit by his arrows always died with their vitals pierced.

Even pigeons located outside the range were no exception.

With the addition of the Rare Skills <Range Extension> and <Magic Arrow>, he could fire arrows far beyond the performance limits of a standard-grade bow.

Since a 4-Star Vessel accumulates sufficient Achievement for Awakening by hunting about thirty 1-Star Monsters, Awakening was imminent.

Ping- Thud!

[Feat, ‘Pigeon Slayer’ achieved.]

[Sufficient Achievement for Awakening acquired. Awakening to 1-Star.]

[New General Skills <Surveillance>, <???> are formed.]

Just as he hunted his thirtieth pigeon, a System Message appeared.

The reason the new <Surveillance> Skill Bloomed was probably because, even while hunting pigeons, he kept a part of Thousand-League Eye on Lee Hanseong, just in case.

While Kim Jinho was examining the changes from his Awakening.

Coo coo coo coo coo!

Suddenly, an anomaly occurred throughout Pigeon Park.

“What’s this?”

Confused and not knowing what was happening, an Examiner stepped forward in front of Kim Jinho.

“It seems a 2-Star Monster is about to appear. Will you evacuate?”

“It’s not mandatory?”

“If you hadn’t Awakened yet, I would have forced you to evacuate, but now you also have the qualification to participate in hunting a 2-Star Monster.”

At the Examiner’s explanation, Kim Jinho nodded.

Certainly, with this Awakening, he now had the leeway to increase his Synchronization Rate with the Spirit further.

If he unlocked his Second Awakening Skill, he should be able to handle even a 2-Star Monster.

“Then please wait a moment.”

Kim Jinho temporarily halted the activation of Thousand-League Eye and focused his consciousness inward.

To increase his Synchronization Rate with the Sniper Spirit.

11%… 12%… 13%…

The gradually increasing Synchronization Rate.

Meanwhile, unaware that Lee Hanseong was approaching the 2-Star Pigeon, Kim Jinho only focused on raising his own Synchronization Rate.

19%… 20%!

By the time Kim Jinho’s Synchronization Rate reached a level where he could unlock his second Awakening Skill, the 2-Star Pigeon had already been dealt with.