Chapter 8

[I wish to purchase. I will complete the transaction in two days.]

Kang Yuseong sent a blanket message to all sellers who had placed bids.

He had enough money, but there was something he needed to do first.

Though he had stayed up all night, he didn’t leave his computer until dawn.

He re-checked the items posted by Porters and Hunters, placing bids on several more. Since there was still about a day until the bidding ended, it didn’t matter that he didn’t have the money at that very moment.

Dawn broke, and morning arrived.

Kang Yuseong packed a jungle machete into his backpack and left the motel again.

This task was also part of his plan.

The place he headed to was none other than the Hunter License Issuing Office.

Specifically, it was the main license issuing headquarters located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

He came directly here because he couldn’t get a license immediately at a branch office.

It was early morning, but people were already lined up, waiting to receive their Hunter licenses.

There was a time when it was said that a dragon could no longer rise from a small stream.

But now, that proverb had once again found its place.

An era where a dragon could rise from a small stream.

This became possible with the emergence of the “Hunter” profession.

Hunters could earn immense wealth depending on their potential and the results of their hunts.

If they succeeded in powerful monster subjugation battles, known as ‘Raids,’ rather than just ordinary D- or C-rank dungeons, their value would skyrocket.

That’s why people flocked to it.

Kang Yuseong also came to obtain a license for various reasons.

The most urgent matter, for now, was a bank loan.

“Are you here to register?”

A beautiful young lady at the reception desk smiled and asked Kang Yuseong.

Kang Yuseong nodded.

“Yes.”

“Please write down your name and resident registration number.”

She handed him a brief registration form, and Kang Yuseong immediately filled it out and returned it.

“Mr. Kang Yuseong, please have a seat, and we’ll call you shortly.”

“Understood.”

The method for obtaining a Hunter license was simple.

Awaken your Chakra Force, and then open it.

Then, come here, undergo a test, and receive a license according to your rank.

Among the people here, some might have awakened their Chakra Force by joining a Guild through luck or connections, while others might have endured immense hardships to awaken it.

But no matter how they got here, they would soon be fairly ranked.

The strong would receive a high rank, others a low rank.

The ranking assessment was conducted very strictly, so shortcuts wouldn’t work.

Three Guild-dispatched examiners judged based on a combination of factors, including physical ability, combat sense, situational judgment, and fighting spirit.

Connections and money held no sway here.

It was proof of how much influence a Hunter’s license held.

People were continuously called and entered somewhere, and finally, it was Kang Yuseong’s turn.

“Mr. Kang Yuseong! Please enter Test Room 10. That’s room number 10.”

When the lady’s voice reached him, Kang Yuseong nodded.

Standing before the door to Test Room 10, Kang Yuseong felt a fresh wave of emotion.

‘It’s been a long time.’

Two years ago, when he had just turned twenty-one, he had knocked on this very door. Back then, he had coincidentally connected with a Guild, and senior Guild members, who had noticed his potential, recommended him to come.

But now, it was different.

He had walked here on his own two feet, and he would prove himself, by himself.

*Creak—*

As he opened the test room door and stepped inside, a large open space came into view.

And through the transparent glass window ahead, he could see the faces of three examiners seated.

[Number 56, Mr. Kang Yuseong.]

“Yes.”

[Did you bring your weapon?]

“Yes.”

Kang Yuseong pulled out a jungle machete from his backpack.

A cheap knife he had bought at a hunting supplies store.

Upon seeing the knife, the three examiners exchanged glances and cleared their throats.

This was not a place just anyone could come to.

And people didn’t come unprepared.

Since their rank would be determined by a single opportunity, it was an unwritten rule to come with the best possible weapon.

But such a low-grade jungle machete…

[Understood. Before we begin the test, we will offer you a chance to withdraw.]

“I wish to proceed.”

One of the examiners nodded and put his mouth to the microphone.

[So, you agree to the test even if any mishap occurs during it? For example… death?]

“It doesn’t matter.”

After a brief silence, a voice came through the speaker.

[This conversation is being recorded, and your recent answer can be used as legal evidence. We will now begin the test.]

Kang Yuseong nodded without a reply.

The test was about to begin.

He gripped the jungle machete tightly with both hands.

The door visible in the distance.

A monster would burst out from there.

It was a monster specially captured for the test.

Approximately Level 2 to 4.

Since the test was conducted on the premise that one had awakened their Chakra Force, formidable opponents would appear.

*Clang—*

“Grrr—”

The door opened, and one creature emerged.

A massive body, covered in jet-black fur.

Hard, bulging muscles in its upper body.

And long fangs.

Kang Yuseong gazed at the creature, his eyes glinting coldly.

‘Level 3, Big Konga.’

It was a monster that looked like a gorilla, but despite its appearance, it possessed entirely different characteristics.

Its speed, capable of instantly pouncing, was exceptional, and its grip, which never let go once it seized something, was truly a nightmare.

In some ways, for Kang Yuseong, who had just awakened his Chakra Force, it was the worst possible opponent.

But Kang Yuseong smirked.

‘This will be interesting.’

He strode forward without hesitation.

The examiners frowned slightly at his demeanor.

Composed of renowned Hunters from various Guilds, they could instantly grasp the movements and combat sense of those taking the test.

And being in this position, they had seen all sorts of people.

Those who boasted loudly but then desperately fled when the fight began, those who said nothing and then fainted and were carried out…

Among them, there were also those who possessed the qualities of an outstanding Hunter.

And as expected, they grew into Hunters of considerable skill.

However, those who advanced so boldly, like this man, were extremely rare.

Most would circle around first to assess the monster’s movements, but the test-taker, Kang Yuseong, was adopting a very aggressive stance.

Heo Yoon-hwan, one of the examiners, furrowed his brows, lost in thought.

‘Someone like him is one of two things: a show-off or a lunatic.’

But then, he suddenly leaned forward towards the glass.

His eyes were wide with surprise.

“…!”

To be a show-off, his steps were too calm.

And to be a lunatic, his steps were far from ordinary.

‘No way!’

As the examiners watched the scene beyond the glass, each with their own thoughts, the test-taker, Kang Yuseong, began to sprint forward.

It was in that instant that the examiners’ expressions stiffened in shock.

Outside the window, a sight unfolded that they had not anticipated at all.

* * * * *

*Whoosh—*

Kang Yuseong swiftly charged towards the Big Konga.

There was no reason to hesitate once he knew his opponent.

“Kwooargh—”

The Big Konga let out a frantic roar and lunged forward on all fours.

*CRUNCH!*

Then, it swept the ground with its massive fist and brought it up.

It had instantly closed the distance with Kang Yuseong and launched an attack.

*BOOM—*

The monster’s fist, imbued with tremendous power, tore through the air.

Kang Yuseong, as if he had already expected it, immediately rolled his body.

*CRASH—*

The sound of an explosion echoed in the air, a testament to the sheer force.

The terror of the Big Konga lay in its tremendous speed and power.

Its speed was terrifyingly fast, and its strength, well, that went without saying.

It was a monster with a grip strong enough to tear an ox apart with its bare hands.

Of course, there were safety devices in the test room in case of an emergency, but one could be turned into minced meat in an instant if careless.

Kang Yuseong dashed past the monster, brushing by its side.

“Kwooargh!”

The monster threw another punch.

Its right fist!

*CRACK!*

As the monster’s fist struck the ground, Kang Yuseong moved to the side. And without delay, he moved again.

Following the right fist with a downward left punch was the monster’s pattern.

Sure enough, its left fist struck the ground.

But in that instant, Kang Yuseong, gripping his jungle machete tightly, swiftly ran past, slashing the monster’s forearm.

*Slish!*

Blood oozed from the monster’s forearm, which was encased in thick muscle.

‘It’s shallow!’

As expected, his Chakra Force was insufficient.

But Kang Yuseong quickly shifted his stance.

Since it had been attacked, the monster would become faster.

He needed to focus.

*CRASH! CRASH!*

Sure enough, the monster’s barrage of punches erupted frantically.

The fists, striking down from above, boasted terrifying destructive power, almost giving the illusion of falling artillery shells.

The deeply cratered ground was proof of this.

Amidst it, Kang Yuseong moved erratically, deflecting the monster’s attacks.

Such movements would have been utterly impossible without an awakened Chakra Force.

His agility had increased considerably, allowing him to fight the monster on equal terms.

Even under attacks that would have pulverized an ordinary person or halted the test, Kang Yuseong responded calmly.

While dodging the Big Konga’s flurry of punches, he didn’t forget to occasionally strike with his jungle machete, accumulating damage on the monster.

The three examiners watching this scene found themselves leaning close to the glass without realizing it and exchanged awkward glances.

But the surprise on their faces hadn’t faded.

“Isn’t he amazing?”

Examiner Seong Je-yoon said, shaking his head in amazement.

“Indeed. I’ve seen countless people, but this kind of movement is new to me. It’s like…”

“Like a seasoned Hunter with tremendous experience.”

Heo Yoon-hwan quietly finished the sentence for Kim Ji-hyeok, another examiner.

“A seasoned Hunter… I suppose that’s accurate. He seems to be someone who just barely managed to awaken his Chakra Force… How can he do that!”

Heo Yoon-hwan realized he had no choice but to correct the words he had thought to himself earlier.

His assessment when he first saw Kang Yuseong.

‘He wasn’t a show-off or a lunatic! This… this is real!’

Could he himself, without Chakra Force, engage in such a fight with a Big Konga?

He briefly considered the hypothetical before shaking his head.

Wielding only such a crude jungle machete and fighting a Big Konga like that was not something he could confidently claim to do, even at his level.

‘Who on earth is this person?’

This transcended the level of an examination.

It was as if they had become spectators.

Spectators watching the hunt of a peerless expert from a distance.

It was a feeling they had never experienced before, despite having assessed countless individuals.

All the while, the battle between Kang Yuseong and the Big Konga continued.