episode_0004

“Hannah Bang… . Is shielding your specialty?”

“That’s right!”

I glanced at Bang Han-na, who answered energetically while holding a small shield.

Bright golden hair that naturally falls down to the chest, slightly droopy eyes, and rare green eyes.

She had a simple and gentle appearance, but unlike her delicate appearance, she was quite tall… .

Even though she was wearing a loose-fitting dress that covered her body, the slightly exposed body was truly surprising.

‘I think it’s bigger than Yura… .’

It felt similar to Hong Yu-ra, who is known for her unrealistic body, so you can roughly imagine how impressive it is.

“… … .”

I quietly looked away and looked at her resume again.

‘Bang Hanna… . 21 years old… . After graduating from the academy, while attending Seoul National University… . ‘

It was written that Hanna Bang was a college student currently attending university and received higher education at a compulsory education institution called ‘Academy’.

“Are you from the academy?”

“Yes! Graduated from the Seoul branch!”

He was a direct junior of mine who went to the same place as me.

‘Well, there are more than one or two people graduating from Seoul… .’

I brushed it off without thinking about it, so I put down my pen and looked at her for a detailed interview.

“Hmm… .”

In fact, shielding itself is not such a rare specialty.

There are often people who use swords, spears, or even magic and shields at the same time, and there are also hunters who are famous only for their shield skills.

but.

I’ve never seen someone use only a shield like she did.

“I’ve seen it used as a shield technique, but using only a shield is quite unfamiliar. Are there any special benefits?”

“Yes!”

Hannah Bang seemed to have anticipated my question and answered immediately.

“You can focus on tanking!”

“… If you say tanking… ?”

“You can focus only on blocking, so you can block more!”

I was slightly taken aback by her confident words and blinked, but unconsciously stroked my chin and asked a question.

“You seem confident in tanking?”

“Yes!”

Hannah Bang met my eyes directly and confidently revealed her aspirations.

“I am prepared to protect the team, even if it means dying!”

‘oh… .’

I could tell that her determination was sincere.

Because human eyes do not lie, they become blurry when anxious and shake when nervous.

But Bang Hannah’s eyes were shining straight.

And above all… .

Her specialty of handling only shields made her sincerity shine even more.

‘They say that ability follows its owner… .’

Although it is a little-known ‘strongest expert’ setting, abilities are usually awakened according to the user’s tendencies.

The fact that Bang Han-na has no other special skills and can only use shield techniques… .

‘It means that they are so selfless and dedicated.’

*

After the first interview is over.

Of the 52 candidates, 20 who did not meet the standards went straight home, and the remaining 32 candidates took the final test, the practical test.

Kim Jun-hyung and I, along with Choi Gap-gyu, another person in charge who joined us midway, headed to a hunter-only training center rented near City Hall… .

“… . I never dreamed that our Junhyung would be close to such an amazing person.”

As if he wanted something from me, Choi Gap-gyu continued to flirt with me, using polite words even though I was much younger than him.

“If you are the general producer of Queens… . Aren’t you part of the Cheonhwa Guild?”

“That’s right.”

“Hya… . Cheonhwa Guild, under the Cheonhwa Group! The name is truly unique! Haha!”

Choi Gap-gyu was a man who did not hide his greed.

No, it seemed like he had no intention of hiding it from the beginning.

“This is also fate, how about having a drink after work today?”

These people usually invite you to a drinking party for an impure reason.

There is no need to get involved.

“Thank you for your words, but I have some work to do in the evening, so it might be difficult this time.”

“Ah… . You must be very busy, so it makes sense. Then, let’s do it together next time.”

Was he simply looking at me? Choi Gap-gyu resigned more easily than expected and promised his next move.

“Let’s go this way.”

After arriving at the training center, the actual test began immediately.

“As previously announced, the actual test will be conducted in a mock training format. It will be conducted one by one, and the results will be announced later, so those who have completed the test can return immediately.”

The actual test is conducted through mock training against a training robot according to each specialty.

Training robots, which have been greatly developed in recent years, are very similar to monsters of the same class, and are one of the favorite training methods used by many hunter teams.

Cheaeng—! Chaae-ae-!

A candidate’s sword and a training robot collide through a transparent glass window.

Chaae-ae–! Chaeaeaeang───!

The robot, which had been fighting back little by little, began to gradually slow down under her onslaught.

“The attack is pretty sharp, right?”

“I think there is a high possibility of being promoted to C level in the future.”

Choi Gap-gyu and Kim Jun-hyung seemed to see potential in her and left quite generous reviews.

however… .

‘The swing is thin. ‘I have bad habits.’

To me, it seemed infinitely lacking.

It’s not because I’m the producer of Queens, which is said to be the world’s strongest, but I really didn’t see any potential in her.

Because my ability [The Envious One] does not lie.

[ Name: Kim Ji-min / Potential Rank: D / Ability: Basic Swordsmanship Lv2 ]

Her current rank is D rank.

She had already reached the highest rank and had no room to grow further.

Suk─ Suk─

I quietly wrote an

And after a while.

Finally it was her turn.

‘You’re here.’

It was Bang Han-na’s turn to live a life of one shield.

Unlike the previous interview, Bang Han-na, who had changed into a tight-fitting combat uniform, entered the training booth with stiff, slightly nervous steps and stood in front of the robot, tightly clutching her shield.

Then, he put his hands together in front of his large chest and took a deep breath… .

Kuuk-!

Without hesitation, I stepped on the button protruding at my feet and activated the training robot.

Kiiing──

The robot, which has changed into the form of a four-legged monster according to its characteristics, makes a sound and raises its head.

‘How good are you trying to do… .’

Training for defense, such as shielding, is very simple compared to other specialties.

All you have to do is block the opponent from attacking.

Skills vary depending on how effectively you block it.

Keying… Taaaat───!

The robot runs towards Bang Hanna.

She seemed to pause for a moment, then quickly raised her shield to block the robot’s front paws.

Kaaa!

A loud noise comes from beyond the booth.

As I was watching her closely, I was slightly impressed by the sight of Bang Han-na, who was not pushed back at all.

Kaaa! Kaaa!

The robot attempted a sharp attack once in a while to match Hanna Bang’s level, but Hanna Bang blocked all of them, showing outstanding skills that did not match her rank.

“I can’t counterattack at all.”

“Umm… .”

However, Choi Gap-gyu and Kim Jun-hyung did not seem to like it very much and showed a lukewarm response.

Kaaa! Kaaa!

The training ended after a few exchanges of attack and defense.

“Hanna Bang. Thank you for your effort The results will be announced later.”

“Thank you!”

After Bang Hanna’s turn was over.

While the next candidate was preparing for the test, Choi Gap-gyu spoke about his evaluation of Bang Han-na.

“It will be difficult for the kid who just left to live as a hunter. Still, it doesn’t look bad… Well, I won’t starve to death.”

When Kim Jun-hyung did not strongly deny Choi Gap-gyu’s words and let out a low, wry smile, Choi Gap-gyu craned his head and asked me for my evaluation.

“How are you?”

“Well… .”

To be honest, Hannah Bang’s skills were the best among the candidates gathered here.

Although it was not polished, it did not show any bad habits, and above all, it possessed the most important elements as a tank that had to fight at the forefront.

Don’t run away right away.

Even though the opponent was a training robot, Bang Han-na showed that she did not back down at all.

This is something that many people usually overlook, but it is the most basic element and the most important element as a tank.

Tanks are usually tasked with attracting the attention of monsters.

The tactics that can be deployed vary depending on the capabilities of the tank performing the role of holding on, but what happens if the tank is afraid of taking the lead?

In that sense, Bang Han-na can be seen as a talent very suitable for a tank role.

“I thought it was good. I really hope I pass.”

“… Yes?”

“Jo, did you think it was good?”

As if to show off, I drew an O on the evaluation paper, meaning I passed.

Then the two people reacted in disbelief and looked at me blankly… .

Actually, there was another reason why I thought so positively of Hannah Bang other than her skills.

[ Name: Bang Hanna / Potential Rank: A / Possessed Ability: Basic Shield Skill Lv1 ]

Bang Han-na’s potential rank, as confirmed by my abilities, is A rank.

Even the shield skill level is only 1.

Level 1 means that you only know how to hold a shield, but it is literally close to impossible for a beginner who can barely hold the handle to deal with a D-class monster.

but.

Hannah Bang took all the robot’s attacks right before my eyes.

Holding an unsuitable shield and without any special skills.

This means that she simply withstood the attack ignorantly… .

This means that it falls into my favorite category, ‘muscular insects.’

*

After all interviews are over and a brief evaluation of the successful candidates is completed.

“If possible, go together.”

“Sorry. I have some work left to do, so I think I should go right away.”

“… Umm… . Then there’s nothing we can do… .”

“Next time we get a chance, let’s eat together. Thank you for your hard work today. Junhyung, I go first.”

“I had a hard time. I’ll contact you.”

I broke up with the two people and was on my way back home… .

Wooung─ Wooung─

The vibrating sound of the cell phone echoed inside the car.

Thinking that there was a message from Kim Jun-hyung, I stopped the car at a signal and took a quick look at my phone screen… .

“!”

It was a message not from Kim Jun-hyung, but from Gook-il.