Chapter 08
For an average E-rank, reaction time usually took at least 40 seconds.
But Hajun’s movements just now were far faster and more precise than that.
‘…Is that guy really E-rank?’
While the staff member muttered absentmindedly, Hajun tapped the final blue light and finished the test.
Beep—
The staff member checked the result and swallowed hard.
‘My god… 25.72 seconds? That’s almost C-rank level…?’
In the tests that followed, Hajun consistently recorded results far above the E-rank average.
After checking the records over and over, the staff member made a troubled expression.
“How is it?”
When Hajun asked calmly, the staff hesitated for a moment before carefully suggesting,
“Your overall stats are almost at D-rank hunter level. It seems like there might have been an error in your mana measurement… Would you like to be retested?”
“That’s fine.”
“…Pardon?”
The staff was momentarily speechless at Hajun’s firm response.
If it were a measurement error, this could be a chance for his hunter rank to increase.
Considering how much better treatment even a single rank increase brought, it was no small matter.
And yet, he was refusing a retest…?
Feeling genuinely regretful, the staff urged him again.
“But… your mana rank and physical abilities differ too much. There’s a possibility it’s a measurement error—”
“No, I’ll do the retest next time.”
Caught off guard, the staff couldn’t hide their confusion.
It would clearly benefit him, yet he was rejecting the chance to raise his rank himself…
But since he was so adamant, they couldn’t force him.
In the end, the association staff reluctantly nodded.
“Understood. Then we’ll record Kang Hajun’s results as they are.”
“Yes, please do.”
The reason Hajun refused the retest was simple.
Raising his rank wouldn’t be bad for him either.
However, his mana was undeniably E-rank.
That was something Hajun himself knew better than anyone.
No matter how many times he retested, if the result would be the same, there was no point wasting time.
‘Well, in a few years, the system will probably change to reflect overall ability anyway.’
For now, hunter ranks were determined solely based on mana.
The reason this system remained in place was simple.
Cases like Hajun’s—where physical ability far exceeded mana rank—were extremely rare.
New hunters were always watched.
In the monitor room, where guild scouts could observe hunter tests in real time—
Guilds could quickly identify and recruit promising talent, while the Association earned fees in return.
A system where guilds gained talent, and the Association gained revenue.
It benefited both sides.
However, in reality, almost no scouts bothered watching E-rank tests.
“Was that guy C-rank?”
“Yeah, C-rank.”
In the spacious monitor room, over a dozen large screens displayed different testing areas, while scouts casually exchanged evaluations.
“Nothing useful today.”
“Exactly. That last one had decent awakening rank, but his combat sense was terrible.”
“Well, he’s still C-rank. With proper guild training, he might become somewhat usable.”
The scouts chatted leisurely while reviewing data.
But that only applied to C-rank and above.
D-rank and below—especially E-rank rookies—didn’t even attract their attention.
At that moment, an Association staff member introduced the next applicant.
“Next is the final applicant of this morning.”
The main screen changed, revealing the face of a young man.
[New Hunter Information]
Name: Kang Hajun
Age: 21
Mana: E-rank
Various details appeared alongside his basic information—
“E-rank? No need to watch.”
No one showed interest.
Because he was E-rank.
There was no value in investing guild resources into someone practically useless in a dungeon.
The scouts began to stand up as if there was nothing more to see.
“Let’s go eat. I heard there’s a new Korean restaurant nearby that’s pretty good.”
Paying attention to an E-rank was nothing but a waste of time.
However—
Among those leaving the monitor room, one person remained still, watching the screen with a subtle expression.
“Team Leader Baek, aren’t you coming to eat?”
One of the scouts stopped and asked her.
The one staring intently at the monitor was Baek Yujin, the recruitment team leader of the Baekhwa Guild.
“Oh, I’ll eat later. You go ahead.”
“Ah, alright. Then we’ll go first. Enjoy your meal, Team Leader Baek.”
“You too, Team Leader Choi.”
After all the other scouts left, the monitor room fell silent—
Only Baek Yujin remained, watching the screen.
As the recruitment team leader of Baekhwa, the 9th-ranked guild in the country, and an A-rank hunter herself—
Normally, she wouldn’t spare a glance at an E-rank.
But for some reason, this time, she couldn’t take her eyes off the data.
‘What is this…? His mana is definitely E-rank, but the data is strange.’
Usually, a hunter’s physical abilities were proportional to their mana.
While there were minor individual differences, surpassing one’s rank was rare.
But Kang Hajun’s physical stats exceeded even most D-ranks.
‘A measurement error…?’
This was the first time she’d seen something like this.
Frowning, Yujin rechecked the data.
It could just be an error…
But what if it was talent she couldn’t afford to miss?
‘That can’t happen.’
She focused even more, analyzing each piece of data.
His mana level was unquestionably E-rank.
But his physical abilities were beyond D-rank—some even close to C-rank.
And that wasn’t the only strange thing.
‘This guy… what’s with his mana fluctuations…?’
Hunters, after all, were human.
Their mana naturally fluctuated slightly depending on physical condition or emotional state.
But Kang Hajun’s mana showed no variation at all.
Like—
The surface of a perfectly still lake.
A flawless, unbroken horizontal line.
‘…How is that even possible?’
At that moment, a possibility crossed her mind.
‘Could it be… he’s controlling his mana artificially?’
It sounded plausible, but she quickly shook her head.
‘No way…’
No matter how skilled someone was at controlling mana, maintaining it perfectly constant without even the slightest deviation was an entirely different matter.
A hunter’s mana was like waves in the sea, constantly shifting with breath, heartbeat, and emotions.
Controlling it perfectly—down to the last drop—was impossible.
After a brief moment of thought, Yujin approached a staff member.
“Could you zoom in further on this applicant’s mana fluctuations?”
“Ah, yes. One moment…”
As the staff adjusted the panel, the graph enlarged—
But nothing changed.
Still a perfectly smooth, unwavering straight line.
“…Zoom in more.”
“Yes.”
“More. As much as possible.”
The graph thickened as it zoomed in further.
Yet it remained perfectly still—like a dead, unmoving surface.
Only then did Yujin realize.
‘M-My god…’
A measurement error?
All other applicants’ data were normal.
This had never happened before.
What were the chances that only Kang Hajun’s data would be faulty?
This wasn’t an error.
‘This is insane… Then this is real… He’s actually controlling his mana…?’
A chill ran down her spine.
Gulp—
Just how incredible would someone’s control have to be to achieve this?
She couldn’t even imagine.
This went beyond control—
It was complete domination of mana.
“Team Leader Baek… are you alright?”
The staff member asked cautiously, noticing her serious expression.
Yujin quickly composed herself and forced a small smile.
“Ah, sorry.”
Outwardly, she appeared calm—
But her mind was still in turmoil.
Even she, an A-rank hunter—
Not even S-rank hunters could achieve this level of precision.
‘This man… just who is he? He’s only twenty-one… how can he have this level of control…?’
Lost in thought, Yujin tapped her arm with her fingers.
At that moment—
“Next applicant, number 73, Kang Hajun. Combat evaluation will begin.”
The screen changed, showing Hajun standing in the test room.
After basic physical tests, the final test was combat evaluation.
The method was simple: defeat a hologram monster generated in the center of the test room.
Since the monster was assigned based on the applicant’s mana level, Hajun’s opponent was an E-rank monster—a goblin.
The goblin gripped a crude club, glaring at Hajun as if ready to attack at any moment.
“Are you ready?”
At the staff’s question, Hajun drew the dagger at his waist and replied,
“Yes, I’m ready.”
It was just a single goblin.
No special preparation was needed.
“Then begin.”
The moment the staff finished speaking—
Whoosh!
The goblin lunged forward.
“Kieeeek—!”
Most applicants had no dungeon experience.
So when a monster attacked suddenly, they would panic and fumble.
Especially E-ranks like Hajun.
But Hajun remained completely calm.
Swish—
He slightly twisted his body, effortlessly dodging the goblin’s attack.
His dagger traced a small arc—
And cleanly slit the goblin’s throat.
It happened in an instant.
As the goblin turned to dust and disappeared, the signal marking the end of the test sounded.
Beeeeep!
“Test complete.”
At the mechanical announcement, Hajun sheathed his dagger and turned away.
Despite its grand name, the combat evaluation simply checked whether the applicant could defeat a monster matching their rank.
For E-rank, defeating a single goblin was sufficient.
Normally, the test would end there.
However—
—Bzzzzt!
“…?”
The hologram device suddenly activated again.
Hajun looked puzzled, and even the staff couldn’t hide their confusion.
“Huh? That’s strange. A system error?”
“No, the test is over—why is another monster spawning…?”
What appeared this time wasn’t the goblin from before.
Instead—
Three red-eyed wolves, D-rank monsters.
The staff shouted in shock.
“Red-eyed wolves!? Those are D-rank monsters—three of them!?”
“This… this is way too difficult for an E-rank test…!”
“Even one D-rank monster would be hard to handle…!”
While the staff panicked, Hajun himself remained calm.
He pointed his dagger toward the wolves and said,
“I’ll just do it.”
“…Pardon?”
“I said I’ll do it.”
Before they could react—
Whoosh!
The wolves’ red eyes burned as all three charged at him simultaneously.
