episode_0052

“Alright~ Where is it, next is participant number 323, Mahana Yang~ Please come up~”

At the professor’s words, Mahana clenched her fist tightly, determined.

‘So it’s my turn.’

Finally, it was time for our Meow to prove everything she had built up until now.

“I’ll be back.”

Mahana smiled brightly, without a trace of nervousness.

Ugh…! In her heart, she wanted to say ‘Impressive~’ and give her a hug, but it was impossible in this situation where everyone was watching.

“Stay strong!”

“Yes!”

Mahana, with her fists clenched tightly, glanced briefly at the person next to her.

“……”

When her eyes met Munbora’s, she quickly averted her gaze.

Munbora noticed the subtle drooping of Mahana’s tail.

But soon, Mahana brightened up with her following words.

“…Stay strong.”

“……Yes!”

Step by step, Mahana walked forward.

Munbora, watching her back, furrowed her brows at the words that soon reached her ears.

It wasn’t much.

There were probably no more than 10 exam participants gathered here.

But like a single water drop clouding the water, the contagious nature of the words was strong.

– Hey, hey, I remember. Have I not mentioned it before? The dropout from .

– Ah…that trash?

– That’s right, that’s right. Hey, somehow she passed the first test.

– Most likely because she’s a . They probably overestimated her. Will she lose embarrassingly?

– Hey, but her equipment looks good. Did she borrow money to buy it…?

– Then what~ Even if the owner is trash. Tsk tsk.

Munbora involuntarily clicked her tongue at the words filled with clear malice.

‘…They really don’t know anything.’

They really have no sense.

Does that girl still look pathetic in their eyes?

Or do they refuse to acknowledge it even though they see it?

‘…It’s obvious.’

Mahana.

She has grown significantly different from two months ago.

The flashy equipment on the outside?

It’s important, but it’s not everything.

Just like they whispered, in the end, the owner’s abilities must be the true value.

And now, Mahana has shown that true value and grown enough to impress others.

Munbora was once again convinced.

‘She’s no longer small.’

Mahana’s back is no longer insignificant.

She’s not as weak as before, feeling anxious.

Her unwavering strength was palpable.

The dignity befitting a ‘Main Tanker’ who could take on the role of a leader.

In other words, she was like Mount Tai.

However…

‘…I’m not sure if she can pass.’

It’s true that Mahana has grown a lot.

But the status window and performance in real combat that a Hunter possesses are different.

Especially being a class, which focuses solely on defense.

The unique ability of the class to almost completely neglect offensive capabilities.

Of course, one might say that as long as the tank does well in defense, that’s enough.

‘But just focusing on that won’t be enough to overcome the high walls of the .’

The who have passed here have all shown something special.

Such as a ‘Shield’ that allows free movement during its duration.

Or a powerful ‘Taunt’ that even attracts the attention of bosses.

Or ‘Self-healing’ that greatly reduces the burden on healers.

‘She hasn’t learned Taunt. Just having decent stats alone…’

Munbora thought that it might not be enough to catch the professors’ eyes.

Sigh…

Munbora took a short breath. Besides this, thoughts related to Yuseha kept creeping into her mind.

‘…It’s complicated.’

Just then, as Munbora raised her gaze, she noticed something.

“……?”

She turned her head at the belated gesture, and was shocked.

Yuseha was looking straight at her.

‘…Gulp-!’

Wait, could it be…?

‘…Have we been caught?’

“Why are you sighing so much?”

Ah, thankfully it seems that’s not the case.

“Oh, um…I have something on my mind…”

In response, Yuseha smiled proudly and looked ahead with a confident gaze.

“You need to focus.”

“Huh?”

“You haven’t forgotten, have you? The promise to do your best. So please watch over me.”

Ah…right.

Having replied to his words, she felt the obligation to keep Mahana in her sight.

She had said harsh words to her…

She had a responsibility to see her growth through to the end.

Moon Bora cleared her mind of all the complicated thoughts.

She focused solely on Mahana, raising her shield on the arena.

‘…Show me. Mahana.’

And prove it.

‘That I was wrong…’

That you were right.

*

Mahana took a slow breath.

Voices murmured from all around.

– Why is that loser here?

– Claiming to seek trials? Did he find a good man and pick up some courage?

– He’s nothing special anyway, right? And so on.

Not many, but the voices of those who knew her well were clear.

Mahana didn’t waver.

Because it was a fact.

She was someone who had no words even when she heard such things.

What worried her was Yuseha.

Beyond being indifferent to her own affairs, he strangely got worked up easily when it came to matters related to her.

And sure enough.

In the stands.

Eventually, the excited Yuseha and Moon Bora’s voice shouting, ‘Don’t fall for this cheap provocation!’ were heard.

In a moment of laughter between the two.

Whoosh!

An intangible energy spread like waves through the stands.

A charisma that captivated the audience.

And within that, the noisy onlookers all fell silent.

‘…Who is that…’

The center of the energy was a professor sitting for judgment.

More precisely, it was a beautiful female professor who was seated in the last row.

Her name was…

Unknown.

Moon Bora didn’t know either.

Their eyes met.

Her gaze said.

‘If you don’t want to be treated like this, prove yourself.’

Unconsciously, Mahana bowed her head.

‘…Prove it.’

It was truly a difficult and challenging word.

Did she really have the right to say such a thing?

Ironically, Mahana thought that she was more familiar with the jeers around her than the gaze of the professor.

Because her life had always been a world full of eyes that saw her as someone who couldn’t meet expectations.

‘…I admit.’

She had no talent.

She was nothing more than a rough stone rolling on the ground.

She knew that.

Even if she worked hard all her life, that rough stone would never turn into a brilliant gem.

No, she corrected herself.

‘It wouldn’t have.’

One day, a nobleman suddenly appeared and led her.

He beautifully crafted her.

Thanks to him, she was able to emit a brilliant light.

It was a dream she had always wanted.

She had always wanted to be like this.

Therefore, she should be happy, but ironically, she didn’t feel anything special.

Because shining herself was no longer the goal.

‘…Yuseha.’

There was only one thing Mahana wanted.

To repay his faith that brought her this far.

And to follow him to the bright future he would ascend to, no matter what.

For that, she couldn’t afford to lose.

‘Losing would…’

Tarnish Yuseha’s pride.

“Well then, let’s start the test~ Fighting~”

Zap!

Just as the warm words of the female professor ended, a powerful wave of magic surged.

Something formed with a blue flash.

Thud!

Appeared a muscular rhinoceros with metallic armor.

Undoubtedly a monster of the [Metal Rhino] lineage.

“Moo!”

The metal adorning his body was not a rusty color, but rather the characteristic gray color of iron.

It was the appearance of the [Iron Rhino], a superior species that had made Mahana’s life difficult.

“…How cruel.”

Watching from a distance, Moonbora clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“Hmm?”

“Surely you don’t think this is a coincidence, do you?”

“…Uh, no?”

“Of course not.”

Moonbora explained.

Although the relationship between the Association and the Academy was not as strong as before, they were still the closest allies among the four factions.

Naturally, some information from the guild would have made its way to the Academy.

“Information on classes and status windows, including stats, is classified as Level 1 Confidential [Oath of Secrecy], so you wouldn’t know, but we have a good idea about the rest.”

“Oh, so…”

“I’m sure our report on stopping the ‘Breakout’ incident was also included.”

“So, intentionally targeting the Rhino lineage…?”

“You should have noticed from the start when I mentioned the appearance of the [Silverback] and [Redback].”

“I see…”

Moooom―!

As if cutting off their conversation, the roar of the [Iron Rhino] echoed through the air.

Raising its front legs as if to smash the ground, a mass of energy gathered.

Mahana knew exactly what it was.

“…[Reckless Charge]!”

A derivative skill of [Charge], requiring a specific stance, but with increased power and speed.

It was the same ‘strike’ that Mahana had failed to block and was defeated by.

Kugugugu―!

The Iron Rhino charged towards Mahana with the intention of crushing her just like the Kappa Rhino did.

‘…It’s fast!’

Clearly surpassing Mahana’s speed stat.

There was no option to evade halfway.

Mahana ran forward.

“Moooa…! [Raise Shield]!”

“Moooom!”

Bang―!

A shockwave spread in all directions.

Most people thought it was over at this point.

A boss species, with a skill from the [Charge] lineage known for its instantaneous destructive power, blocking it head-on?

It was no easy task, even for a sturdy .

But amidst the dissipating smoke, the intense struggle between the two became more pronounced.

Even the professors watching were taken aback.

“…This is amazing. I never expected her to block that head-on.”

The one praising her was an elderly woman who seemed to be well over 60.

Professor Bong Michun, in charge of [Monster Information and Ancient History].

She turned to the female professor sitting next to her, who had maintained a cold attitude since earlier.

“…You could at least give her a word of praise, couldn’t you, Pangjin? I saw you were expecting her to do well. Isn’t that why you helped her?”

“…You’re mistaken. And it’s a premature judgment. It’s just a charge skill.”

The last professor referred to as Pangjin.

The one who locked eyes with Moonbora earlier.

Her eyes gleamed coldly.

“The test is not over yet.”

.

His true strength will be revealed now.