Ch.21Hunter Registration Is Dangerous (3)

Murmurs.

Murmurs and whispers.

“What’s going on?”

“What just happened?”

“What in the world…?”

That strike was intense.

Even those who had been impressed by Choi Seongcheol’s forceful attack could tell.

That attack just now was somehow different.

Amid the commotion, someone pointed at the girl and exclaimed in a surprised voice.

“That—that was a sword aura! It was definitely a sword aura!”

At those words, everyone fell into confusion.

“Sword aura?”

“It did look similar, but…”

“But that’s a skill that requires a magic power level of at least 2,000…”

The man who was speaking suddenly stopped, rolling his eyes in panic.

The answer had been in his own words all along.

‘Good heavens, does that mean her magic power exceeds 2,000?’

‘A hunter who hasn’t even been ranked yet?’

‘That’s impossible!’

People searched their memories for information that might help them understand the current situation.

“I’m sure Russia’s S-rank Ivan recorded over 1,600 magic power from level 1…”

“France’s Yesiel also exceeded 1,400.”

“But even so, someone reaching 2,000 is…”

As far as they knew, not a single person had ever achieved that. If this was true, it would be the first case ever.

Choi Seongcheol, who was equally aware of this fact, stared at Baek Eunha’s back with confused eyes.

‘That can’t be. Such a small person?’

But Choi Seongcheol also remembered what had happened during the dungeon tour not long ago.

‘…That lizard boss was definitely strong. Not an opponent that a mere apprentice hunter could defeat.’

Yet when Choi Seongcheol regained consciousness, everything was already over.

The boss had been defeated, and the dungeon cleared.

He’d heard that the person who played the central role in that was Baek Eunha, who stood before him now.

‘Damn it.’

Choi Seongcheol didn’t want to admit it.

Ever since he received the title of Guardian of the Earth, he had always been the best among the hunter candidates of his class.

He couldn’t let someone like this kid, who couldn’t even properly talk to people, take that away from him.

“W-wait. Isn’t something strange here?”

As everyone was in turmoil, one of the apprentice hunters raised a question.

“Wasn’t her title Lord of Death or something? It’s definitely not a sword-based class. How can she use a sword aura skill?”

“Besides, using skills during the first measurement is against the rules. What happens with that?”

That was certainly true. However, after checking the analysis results, the examiner spoke.

“…According to the device records, no skill usage was detected.”

People became even more confused after hearing the examiner’s words.

‘Then what was that?’

‘Are you saying it was pure technique, not a skill?’

‘What kind of nonsense is that?’

The questions remained unanswered, leading to even more confusion. But for hunters, such matters were private—not something one could freely ask about.

“Are you… not going to attack anymore?”

“…That’s enough.”

In the first test, Baek Eunha didn’t touch any other targets except for that one strike.

While it might have seemed arrogant at first glance, the results were astonishing.

“W-what is this? Combat proficiency 2192 points?”

At the examiner’s shocked words, everyone fell into complete confusion. It was truly an unprecedented score.

But that wasn’t the end. Baek Eunha still had the most important second test remaining—measuring maximum firepower.

“……”

While people were still in shock, Baek Eunha didn’t wait for them and strode forward to stand in front of a magic stone surrounded by a defensive barrier.

Then, muttering some kind of incantation, she raised her right hand.

Whoosh.

‘What on earth is that?’

‘Black eyes? Black haze?’

It was a sight that these apprentice hunters had never seen before. In fact, even the examiner who had worked here for years felt the same way.

From Baek Eunha’s hand, something formless began to flow out.

It was like a black haze, or from another perspective, like a faint fog.

One thing was certain—it all felt extremely unsettling.

Rumble.

‘My body is trembling for some reason.’

‘It feels like I shouldn’t get close…’

‘It’s somehow ominous.’

What they felt was an instinctive sensation as living beings.

That black haze naturally evoked the survival instinct that all humans possess.

And for good reason—though faint, it was none other than Baek Eunha’s death energy.

Swish.

The ominous energy was somehow gathered above Baek Eunha’s palm.

And Baek Eunha, very leisurely, placed her right hand on the magic stone’s defensive barrier.

With just that, everything in front of her collapsed.

Crack!

Crumble—!

“Impossible!”

“The m-magic stone.”

“…Could that even be broken?”

Things they had never seen or heard of continued to happen. People found it difficult to accept the reality before their eyes.

Even amid all this, the examiner somehow managed to fulfill his duty.

“M-maximum firepower measurement result… 2500 points.”

The targets for the first test and the defensive barrier magic stone for the second test were both beginner specifications.

Naturally, their limits weren’t that high.

But until now, no apprentice hunter anywhere on Earth had achieved that maximum with their abilities.

“A new record has been set.”

The audience fell silent, and the examiner stared blankly into space, thinking.

The lineage of hunters that had continued from the first generation.

In the third generation, an unbelievable mutation had appeared.

And the being who had done all this slightly raised the corner of her mouth and turned to look in the direction of the dazed Choi Seongcheol.

“…Amateur.”

No one could challenge those smug words.

#

After the test ended, it was quite a commotion.

The apprentice hunters who took the test together gossiped freely, while guild scouts and journalists waiting for coverage immediately began moving toward the center of the disturbance.

If I hadn’t anticipated this and quickly left, I would have surely experienced hell trapped among the crowd.

“…Home really is the best.”

This unbearable comfort. The rising sense of stability. It simply can’t be replaced by anything else.

I took a sip of cola and continued moving the mouse.

Gulp. Gulp.

Click.

【Who is this rookie hunter who suddenly appeared and recorded unprecedented scores?】

【Multiple world records set in measurements. The bud of an S-rank is visible.】

【Hunter Kim, who took the test together, says, “The level was clearly different.”】

These were truly sensational articles.

Fortunately, my specific information hadn’t leaked, but given my distinctive appearance, rumors would spread quickly.

‘…Just thinking about it is troublesome.’

But it couldn’t be helped. If I truly wanted to regain my power, this was something I would have to face eventually.

I picked up a potato chip and continued observing people’s reactions.

– A single-digit level hunter setting such records?

– Another fake news, right? I don’t believe it. Last time they also claimed measurement errors and whatnot.

– For real, media exaggeration and hype. World records is going too far lol

The general atmosphere was one of disbelief, but there were also those who made a fuss trying to guess my identity. Honestly, seeing such reactions was quite entertaining.

– From my perspective, rather than a measurement error, they probably lied about their level. The center hasn’t messed up in 3 years, so I doubt they’d do it again now. It’s probably someone who awakened before, got caught in a dungeon creation, or illegally hunted to level up before taking the test.

└ Evidence?

└ If the numbers were just moderately high, I wouldn’t know, but they’re too high. There’s quite a difference even compared to current S-ranks in their early days. What, should we give them an SS-rank later?

Occasionally, some quite plausible opinions popped up, but unfortunately, they were all far from the truth.

While I was spending time ego-searching, I heard hurried footsteps from the direction of the front door.

It was Seoha returning home from work.

Slam!

“Oppa, I heard you got a D-rank rating?”

“That’s what they say.”

“Starting with D-rank is rare…”

Seoha seemed unsure how to process the current situation.

“What’s so strange about it? I told you I was the Lord of Death.”

“…Y-yeah, I know.”

She said that, but she still didn’t seem to believe it. I pouted in dissatisfaction and continued.

“I smell something delicious from outside.”

“Since it’s your test day, just as a celebration. Have you eaten yet?”

“I’ll wash my hands and come.”

At the table I arrived at, there was an appetizing lobster set.

It looked expensive just by its appearance.

When I gave a questioning look at this unusual choice, Seoha returned a somewhat expectant gaze.

Noticing her intention, I reluctantly opened my mouth.

“I-I haven’t tried this before, so I’m not sure if I can do it well.”

“Oh… really?”

Seeing her disappointed face, I couldn’t just give up because it was bothersome. I reluctantly raised my hand and concentrated.

“…I’ll give it a try.”

Whoosh.

Crack.

Crack.

Contrary to my worries, the lobster shell peeled off very well.