episode_0036

‘Star Grade’

Commonly known as the grade of characters marked with ★.

And ‘promotion’ is the test to raise that grade.

To do this, you have to make a reservation with the guild or clan, and the approved faction will gather information.

Of course, it’s not free.

Under the guise of sacred gold, the faction charges money.

And the higher the ‘star grade,’ the more they charge.

For NyanNyan, the most common 3★ promotion test cost about 50 million won.

That’s right.

Just to enter once and find out what it’s all about, they take 50 million won.

‘…Damn extortionists.’

Anyway, you probably understand the basic structure.

So what exactly is the content of this promotion test?

What do they have to do to unlock the hidden potential known as ★ in characters?

In ‘Gosla,’ they simplified it.

It’s simply through mini-games.

‘…like Tetris, Galaga, racing cars, 1v1 PVP, etc…’

Achieving mini-games that were popular in the early 90s to 2000s was the condition for promotion.

So when I first entered with Yuseha’s body, I was insanely curious.

What would the promotion test in this world where ‘Gosla’ became reality be like?

Common sense would suggest that hunters with transcendent power who fought monsters and took all kinds of wealth and honor wouldn’t be leveling up through childish mini-games.

But reality was cruel.

‘…What the hell. It’s the same.’

Unfortunately, just like the ‘backup’ that Moon Bora showed, this was also meticulously authentic.

In the end, it was still a mini-game.

But unlike Gosla, it was much more difficult than just tapping a phone screen a few times.

Each mission had to be completed according to the conditions, and there was no room for error.

After all, it had become real, so there was no choice.

If you made a mistake even once here.

All the previous tests would be in vain, and you would have to retake the promotion test.

‘The cooldown was six months.’

For six months, even if you met the conditions, you couldn’t level up.

And you had to go back to the faction, and again! Pay money and find out the conditions.

Because the test content changes…

If you get something even more difficult.

Or if you get a mini-game in a genre you’re completely unprepared for.

It’s a real pain in the ass.

So everyone did whatever it took to pass on the first try.

That’s the best story.

And thankfully, all the tests given to NyanNyan were personally the easiest ones I felt.

* * *

“So… there are only two tests?”

“Yeah… my current grade is 2 stars (★), so to go up to 3 stars, I have to take two tests.”

This part is also the same as ‘Gosla.’

If you go from 3 stars to 4 stars, you have to take three tests.

And to go from 4 stars to 5 stars, you have to take four tests.

Naturally, even if they were the same type of test, the higher the grade, the more difficult it was.

“So the first test is to win two battles against hunters of the same grade, right?”

“Yeah, the period is 10 days. Even I think this one is a sure win.”

As she said, the battle was the simplest, easiest, and most comfortable of the promotion tests.

Just fight and win.

‘Even the second test is easy.’

It’s not easy to pass all the tests even if you’re lucky.

It was my prediction that the results were influenced by her unique ability.

‘[Nekomata’s Luck].’

An ability of unknown origin.

We tried various experiments, but in the end, we both gave up on figuring out this ability.

Well, it’s all just speculation.

“Anyway, things are going well! With this, it should be easy to go up to 3 stars, right? I heard that some people couldn’t even go up after more than 5 years.”

“W-well, but, I’m not confident about the second test… And it feels too… embarrassing, you know?”

“It’s okay! I’ll help you, so just trust me!”

“Ugh…”

* * *

An hour later, we finished our work much faster than expected and returned to the guild.

Once again, the strict female employee attended to us.

Without saying a word, she simply said, “Please wait a moment,” and typed at an invisible speed, finishing the record in less than a minute.

“It worked out well.”

“Excuse me?”

“According to the results, among those who applied for the test today, there are individuals who meet the same promotion conditions as Mahan-nim. If they come, you can have a match right away… What do you think?”

Oh, that’s good news.

We can do it right away without wasting time.

“Of course, we need to check the opponent’s class.”

Meongyi’s class is a Guardian.

As a tank, facing a long-range dealer is the worst matchup.

So if the opponent’s equipment or attire suggests a long-range class, we will retreat without hesitation.

“Oh, they’re here.”

I turned my head like lightning at the employee’s words.

I quickly assessed the opponent within 5 seconds, and if it’s unfavorable, we should retreat… Huh?

“Are those two talking?”

“Yes. Both of them meet the same conditions.”

Wait, are those two the opponents we’re supposed to face?

In front of me, I see two familiar figures with green and orange hair.

The two individuals who seem exhausted from the ordeal at the guild.

“…?”

“Oh, it’s you guys!”

Continuing with third-rate villain lines.

Ignoring them, I told the employee, “We’ll have the match right away.”

“Understood. I’ll make the proposal to both of them.”

First, will you wait for us at the match arena?

* * *

The female employee, spinning a pen in her hand, wrote something on the documents while explaining the rules to Meongyi and the two thieves.

“A match against hunters of the same rank for each of you. And each needs to win twice. Is that clear?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you keep asking!”

“Let’s get started!”

“Alright. You can discuss and decide on the match order.”

As the employee finished speaking, Meongyi looked at me.

Holding the shield on his back with one hand, he smiled brightly.

Then he gestured with his mouth.

‘I’ll be back.’

I nodded vigorously, feeling moved by Meongyi’s determination.

“Hey, you two-bit. It’s good to meet you at a time like this.”

At the match arena, the two thieves were standing, and the orange-haired one seemed to be stepping forward first.

“Just when I was annoyed, today’s gonna be a-”

“-Hey, it seems like a waste of time.”

Thwack!

Meongyi brought down his shield, cutting off the speech.

“Just come at us together.”

“What?”

“What did you just say?”

Ignoring their blatant disrespect, the two thieves were infuriated.

Meongyi nonchalantly looked at them, then turned to the employee.

“Is that okay?”

“If it’s agreed upon, it’s allowed.”

“Hey, hey! This damn two-bit! Found one trial and now thinks we’re easy targets…-”

“-Scared? Why are you so tongue-tied?”

Meongyi’s strong provocation made the orange-haired thief flustered.

On the other hand, my face was filled with admiration.

‘…I did well to teach him.’

As the main tank, it’s important to learn aggro-inducing lines!

I had subtly implanted them in Meongyi’s innocent and kind mind…

And now that he’s using them so well, I’m filled with admiration.

I even showcased the best finishing move I taught him.

“Don’t tell me you’re scared?”

“……!!!”

“Y-you, you damn furball!”

Haha! This is it!

At least, there is no stronger challenge than the word “Jol” limited to “Gosra.”

But as expected.

The duo immediately drew their weapons and took their stances.

“Today, I’ll finish you off!”

“You bitch!”

“It seems like we’ve come to an agreement.”

The staff member raised the signal flare in his hand.

“I believe you are familiar with the rules of the duel. Skills and equipment are allowed, but any illegal consumables and potions are strictly prohibited. Additionally, attacking the groin or persistently striking the same spot will result in an immediate loss.”

With those words, the staff member, with his characteristic expressionless face, pulled the trigger.

Bang!

“Then, please begin.”

*

“Hmm.”

With crossed arms, I watched the duel in front of me.

The duo attacking skillfully and the sturdy Mahana holding her ground.

The intense duel continued.

“…Alright. They’re fighting better than I expected.”

I forced myself to focus on the fight, even though it was like pulling teeth.

Managing my condition had proven effective.

“…The green-haired one is Shif, and the orange-haired one is Rog.”

Both classes are in the Assassin lineage.

Among them, they focused more on offensive skills like [Trap Detection], [Scouting], and [Lockpicking] rather than utility skills.

Although they were minor classes, being Assassins meant their single attack power was decent.

A green glow enveloped the dagger wielded by Shif.

It was a bothersome buff called [Poison Coating] from Shif’s ‘Skill Tree.’

On the other hand, the orange-haired one rushed forward and unleashed a series of punches towards Mahana.

The faint orange aura emanating from them created a powerful and swift fist strike.

It was a derived skill from the [Fighting] attribute.

There was no doubt it was [Combo].

It was foolish.

Rog excelled in mid-range combat, although they could fight in close quarters too.

Their basic nature was to throw daggers using the [Dagger Throw] skill.

The fact that they were charging in with punches showed how excited the orange-haired one was.

“It should have ended earlier.”

What was unexpected was the green-haired one.

I thought they would charge recklessly, but they were handling the situation quite well.

“They’re trying to stack poison as much as possible by observing and reacting.”

When at a disadvantage, they immediately covered for the orange-haired one.

Mahana knew this and didn’t continue the attack.

It was a 2v1 fight from the start.

Although it was disadvantageous, I wasn’t too worried.

I knew better than anyone how hard she had worked.

*

“[Poison Stab]!”

The green-haired one, who had been circling for an opportunity, gripped the dagger tightly.

As they shouted the skill, the dagger exuded a green aura from the blade to the hilt.

A compound skill that inflicts physical damage and a small amount of poisoning on a single target.

Thud!

It was undoubtedly a fast attack, but Mahana blocked it with her shield without leaving any gaps.

Slowly, the green poison spread over Mahana’s body.

Even though she blocked it with her shield, the evidence of the [Poison] status was clear.

However, the spreading poison quickly disappeared.

Mahana’s durability stat was ’14.’

And her [Poison Resistance: 5] immediately blocked the effect.

“…!”

In an instant, Mahana sensed danger behind her.

While the green-haired one caught her attention, the quietly approaching orange-haired one closed the distance in an instant.

“Die!!!”

The fist extended towards the front created three afterimages.

[Continuous Attack] It was a phenomenon that was shown due to the skill’s unique fast attack speed.

Kagang―!

However, for Mahana, who could clearly see the movements beyond the shield with [Transparent Vision], the attacks were not particularly threatening.

As the attacks failed to land, the defiant orange-haired individual grumbled.

“…So what! Did you think the sandbag would change just because you’ve grown a bit?”

It was a provocative remark, but a valid one.

The class was known for its focus on defense, lacking offensive capabilities.

Therefore, in PVP battles like this, it was the most disadvantageous class.

“It was a mistake to say you would face both of us at once, you brat!!!”

“Die!!”

Bang―!

Mahana, quietly blocking their attacks while hiding behind the shield, glanced at the two with a calm expression.

With arms crossed, he looked at her with unwavering eyes.

The faint smile on his lips seemed to say, ‘You can do it.’

“…Hah.”

Mahana took a slow breath.

Infusing mana into the power called [Skill] engraved deep within her body, the force surged through her entire body, coloring her hands and even causing the shield to tremble.

“What… What is this!?”

Pushing the shield forward towards the bewildered duo, she exclaimed, “[Shield Push]!”

Bang―!

A shockwave erupted in all directions, causing blood to burst from the duo who were hit.

“Great!”

Watching, Yuseh clenched his fist tightly.

However, the match was not over yet.

Mahana’s attack power was slightly lacking to deliver the finishing blow.

‘…But thanks to this, I’ve mastered the technique.’

The shield she held was emitting a new power that Mahana had not shown before.

“This… Damn it…!”

“Kwak… Th-this can’t be. Th-that fallen one… has such a powerful attack skill…?”

The duo staggered from the shockwave.

Without hesitation, Mahana rushed forward, observing the situation.