episode_0054

Mahana returned to applause from everyone.

Yuseha embraced Mahana and praised, “Well done~,” while patting his back.

Even Mahana, who was being praised, was touched by his touch.

Watching the warm scene between the two, Moonbora thought to herself.

“This is truly surprising.”

On the other side of the arena, Iron Rhino’s body was shattered into pieces.

The skull was sunken in and twisted.

It looked like a mark left by a giant hammer strike.

Despite Mahana’s thoughts that it wouldn’t be enough, he attacked the vital area with his dagger several times.

In Moonbora’s eyes, the outcome was already decided once that blow landed.

“It’s hard to believe.”

Most Guardians do not have attack skills; they are pure tanks.

Roles like Gladiator or Lancer are impossible for them.

Therefore, the evaluation of Guardian candidates often relied on unexpected variables, determining their success in the exam.

This was a part that Yuseha had explained directly.

However, as far as Moonbora knew, there had never been a display of solo boss defeat by a Guardian.

“Of course, since it’s a boss created from fantasy, it’s significantly weaker than the original.”

Even considering that, it was still impressive.

“Did he call it ‘Shield Push’?”

It was a skill Moonbora had never heard of.

It was probably a derivative skill that only some Guardians could learn.

But just that alone couldn’t explain his power.

“The power of runes.”

It was probably the unfamiliar energy Moonbora felt when she first saw Mahana.

In other words, the probability of a rare boss’s rune was high.

“…Thank goodness, Mahana.”

Moonbora looked at Mahana with a small smile.

This confirmed it.

She was wrong.

She didn’t lack talent.

It would be appropriate for the doubting Seolbing to bow their heads.

There was no shame in being wrong or feeling jealous of growth.

Instead, Moonbora was genuinely happy that Mahana had come this far.

Surely, her journey would continue.

“Thank goodness.”

But with that, a different sense of foreboding grew.

…

What Moonbora was thinking was the seed of suspicion, also known as malicious feelings.

The target was not Mahana but Yuseha, who she liked.

“…It must be because of his wholehearted help that Mahana has grown this much.”

The ‘rune of the rare boss’ seemed to have been given to her by him.

Indeed, such growth.

And all within just one month?

“It’s unbelievable.”

Putting aside all personal emotions, Moonbora looked at it from an objective third party perspective.

Considering the hunter lifestyle so far and the growth of hunters shown in high statistics.

The result was impossible.

For Mahana, who was full of impurities, to grow so much in a limited time was like a miracle lower than the sky falling.

If Yuseha was the child or descendant of a large clan master like the ‘Four Great Clans,’ it might be possible.

If he bought all kinds of elixirs with money and fed them appropriately and trained, it might be possible.

But Moonbora knew.

He had nothing to do with such things.

That’s why it was generally impossible.

However, there was one thing.

There was one exception that could overturn everything.

Opening her eyes that had been closed, Moonbora recalled that ominous word.

“…Mine.”

Beings from a completely different dimension than here.

Those commonly known as ‘demons’ who contract with them to gain a mysterious power called ‘magic.’

If it was a ‘Mine,’ it was possible.

A contract with a demon always required a price.

But in her view, Mahana showed no signs of paying such a price.

So logically, it led to the assumption that Yuseha had contracted with a demon and paid the price for Mahana’s growth.

“And once you make a contract, whether you like it or not, you become a Mine. Regardless of your own will…”

According to Moon Bora’s prediction, it seemed likely that a member of the clan approached him, staging a scam under the pretext of a contract with a demon.

In the end, he became a and played the role of their lackey.

“The reason why there was no sign of magic leaking out must have been due to the significant support from the [Crime Clan].”

In reality, the or who infiltrated as a spy would be somewhere in the entrance exam hall of this place.

It was understandable why Yoo Seha insisted on entering the , as it was probably an order from above.

Moon Bora considered this to be a fairly accurate explanation.

The day they first encountered each other in the .

If one were to consider from the beginning that Yoo Seha was a Mage.

All the doubts he had felt about her were instantly resolved.

“The chilling sensation he showed when he first stepped forward, the overwhelming presence, the unbelievable strength for a man.”

If all of that was the power of ‘Magic’?

And if it was a mistake because he had not yet become accustomed to the power he obtained shortly after the contract?

In fact, in the case of ‘Kappa Rhino’, whom he faced after ‘Silverback’.

Even though they were both [Beasts], the amount of flesh was not as extensive.

Regardless of their power.

Of course, Moon Bora was not a patient with a terminal illness who was spinning such imaginative tales.

It was because there was someone who amplified her subtle suspicions and brought them to life.

Pang Jina.

The female professor who deliberately sat in the last seat without telling Yoo Seha.

She was a Hunter who had reached the top of the A rank.

She was also the second most powerful figure in the Academy after the Chairman.

About a month ago.

A few days after successfully preventing the ‘Breakout’ incident.

There was a personal contact.

They found suspicious evidence, so they asked for cooperation.

“That was the first time we met.”

The thick beast fur that Pang Jina, who introduced herself as an Academy professor, pulled out.

To Moon Bora, they were familiar items.

“Silverback’s fur.”

To be precise, it was only the part that Yoo Seha had shaved off and brought back.

According to her, it was originally imported materials for items to be used in the Academy, but they found it.

Without easing her guard against her, Moon Bora asked.

“…What is the intention behind showing this to me?”

“It’s suspicious, isn’t it, Hunter Moon Bora?”

“What…”

“Look at this cut edge here.”

Pang Jina explained.

The unbelievable cutting force and precision.

There was something chilling left behind beyond the concept of being cut sharply by something sharp.

“I am a person who has dedicated 20 years to the martial art called the Sword. As much as my bones are thick, the level of skill can be determined by the majority of swordsmen.”

“So?”

“This is simply unbelievable. It’s not about hiding power or deliberately restraining it. It’s an item that has been around for over a month. Yet there is something chilling left behind, which is beyond the normal range. And as far as I know, only those who use power beyond this concept are those bastards.”

“…No way.”

“ .”

I suspect that Yoo Seha might be a Mage.

Moon Bora denied it.

It couldn’t be true.

Someone as kind as Yoo Seha couldn’t be a Mage.

“…Have you reported to the organization?”

“Of course I did. But, Hunter Moon Bora, you should know well. ‘Sacred Power’ is the ability to release power only through ‘Magic’. In the first place, also possess [Sacredness].”

They are also worshippers who worship the ‘Gods of Magic’.

“ can also be considered ‘clerics’ in a broad sense. Even if you ask for their cooperation, it won’t help. They are not the kind of people who would help in the first place.”

“…Even if I am caught for blasphemy, I do not know. Ah, anyway, I cannot agree. Yoo Se-ha cannot have such a personality…-”

“-That’s why it’s even more suspicious.”

“…Excuse me?”

“ are those who become so by their own will, but there are also many who become so without knowing what it is. I think Yoo Se-ha Hunter belongs to the latter.”

At first, Moon Bora did not cooperate.

However, seeing the unbelievable growth in a short period of time in ‘Sadan’ recently, she imagined the worst scenario.

‘…What should I do.’

In fact, there is already an easy, sure, and fast way.

Calling the monitors of the and .

With their technical skills, they can immediately determine whether Yoo Se-ha is a Mine or not.

However, it is based on the premise that he is cooperative.

‘…If he really is a Mine.’

Most of the people here might die on the spot.

No, they will definitely die.

Thinking back to the aura she felt at that time, perhaps his strength when he went berserk might be comparable to that of an A-rank Hunter, even if only temporarily.

He might just be an A-rank, but there was no other choice but to treat an unpredictable A-rank like a walking time bomb.

Therefore, both Moon Bora and Baek Jin-ah decided to try to prevent the situation as much as possible within their limits rather than hastily calling for help.

Because it might not be decisive.

‘…Sigh.’

Moon Bora raised her head at the signal coming from the ring she was wearing.

Baek Jin-ah looked at her as if waiting for her.

The determination to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances could be seen in her eyes.

Baek Jin-ah said.

He would do whatever it takes to reveal the truth if he were to take the test.

At the same time, if he really is a Mine, he would subdue him on the spot.

He didn’t specify exactly how, but he said there was a way to do it.

And Moon Bora had a rough idea of what that was.

“[Pasa’s Sword].”

An unknown power that materializes the ‘White Flame’ within oneself into reality.

It is a different kind of realm from the sacred laws used by the class.

For , it was a power even more terrifying than death.

A Mine hit by [Pasa’s Sword] would experience extreme pain.

They would not be able to properly use most of the magic and power they possessed.

Moreover, it was a truly unbelievable power that could detect and mitigate the distortion of evil in a who had strayed onto the path of evil.

Ultimately, could never learn this.

Therefore, just the fact that it existed was evidence that they did not submit to evil.

‘If that’s really it, we can make a judgment.’

But Moon Bora didn’t want to believe it.

So she prayed again.

She hoped it was just a foolish delusion of her own, and that it would end as just a paranoid woman who doubted an innocent person.

‘Phew…’

While taking a breath, she heard Yoo Se-ha’s voice.

He had been saying something since earlier, and he was looking at her with a puzzled expression.

“Excuse me? Are you listening to me?”

“…Ah, I’m sorry. What did you say?”

Looking at Mahana, who seemed to have fallen asleep due to exhaustion, sitting next to Yoo Se-ha, she smiled.

“If you apologize, it’ll be fine.”

“…What?”

“You’re wondering what to say to our Meonyangi, right?”

“……”

“Oh, isn’t it a bit embarrassing for someone like to bow their head?”

What is he saying…

He’s really rude.

“…It’s not like that. I’ll…of course apologize. Because I was wrong.”

“Hehe.”

“…What?”

“I feel it again.”

“…What?”

“You’re a really cute person.”

Moon Bora’s face gradually turned red at Yoo Se-ha’s words.

This damn man!

She’s in a serious situation and could die!

He shouldn’t say that!

And he casually throws out those words again!?

“I told you not to wag your tail!”

Patting her shoulder lightly, she stood up from her seat.

Clutching the sword at her waist, she walked towards the distant calling number.

“Well then, I’ll be off. Please cheer for me?”

“…I don’t know!”

Seeing Yuseha smile once again, Moonbora rolled her eyes.

Yuseha walked slowly forward.

Pulling the sword at her waist, ready to draw it at any moment, she stepped onto the arena.

“Participant number 324, Yuseha~ Please come forward. Oh my, you’re already here. Are you ready?”

“Yes!”

“Great~ Let’s begin~”

Zap―!

As the words of the referee ended, a bluish light spread in all directions.