HWM 07

Chapter – 07

What kind of reward would he receive?

Taewoon forgot all the hardship he had endured and felt his heart swell with anticipation at the fruits of his effort now laid before him.

His “Theater of All Things” was fundamentally different from the innate traits other Hunters possessed.

It tested its owner.
It imposed trials and suffering.

But precisely because of that, didn’t it make sense that it would grant rewards worthy of those trials?

【You have acquired the Cinema Skill, “The Red Man.”】

“Cinema Skill?”

It wasn’t what he had expected, but just the name alone stirred excitement within him.

And when Taewoon checked the details—

he couldn’t help but gasp in delight.

【Condition 1: You must be wearing the Red Wax Mask】
【Condition 2: There must be at least some darkness within an eight-pyeong area】
【Condition 3: A sufficient offering must be given to the Red Wax Mask】

【When all conditions are met, the Cinema Skill “The Red Man” can be activated】

▶ 【Cinema Skill: The Red Man】

• Upon activation: Level-2 stealth suppression effect
• While worn: Level-1 intimidation effect
• Upon activation: Level-1 mental destruction effect

“T-This is insane…”

The activation conditions were strict, but the effects were nothing short of extraordinary.

No—perhaps they had already crossed into the realm of the absurd.

“Do these effect levels correspond to Hunter ranking levels in the real world?”

There were eleven official Hunter tiers.

If the scale matched, then Taewoon had essentially obtained an ability equivalent to a Level-2 Hunter’s innate trait.

“That’s… actually possible?”

Of course, there were still questions.

Was the skill usable infinitely?
What exactly did “offering” mean?

But those weren’t the important parts right now.

What truly mattered was the potential of the Theater of All Things itself.

From everything he’d experienced so far—

it was clearly something beyond imagination.

If he kept clearing theaters…

there was a chance he could keep obtaining new abilities like this.

“At first I thought it was ridiculous…”

But now he knew.

The Theater of All Things was an absurdly powerful trait.

And unbelievably—

the rewards weren’t over yet.

【You have acquired the Artifact, “Red Wax Mask.”】

▶ 【Red Wax Mask】

• While worn: Level-1 agility enhancement
• Upon activation: Level-1 bodily regeneration
• When specific conditions are met: activates a Level-3 “Miracle”

“This one’s incredible too!”

Even at a glance, the effects were impressive—and it paired perfectly with the Red Man skill.

At the same time, Taewoon realized something.

“Considering the circumstances… one of these was probably a first-clear bonus.”

Originally, clearing a theater likely allowed you to obtain either a Cinema Skill or an Artifact—not both.

Each reward was powerful enough on its own.

From a balance standpoint, that made far more sense.

“The Red Man requires the mask, but that’s just perspective.”

Even if it wouldn’t have the artifact’s special effects, crafting a red wax mask in the real world wouldn’t be difficult.

With that in mind, Taewoon finally understood the Theater’s reward system.

“The harder the theater, the stronger the skills and artifacts you get.”

Just what kind of monstrous trait was this?

Taewoon had never imagined he’d gain something like this.

And for the first time—

becoming a successful Hunter no longer felt like a delusion.

“I can do it. I really can.”

How much humiliation had he endured?

Everyone told him to give up.

But for Taewoon, who had drifted through life without direction, becoming a Hunter was the first dream he had ever pursued with sincerity.

When he realized it was impossible—

his world had collapsed like a natural disaster.

“I gave up everything else to chase this… only to reach a dead end.”

But now, it felt as though all those painful years were finally being repaid.

Ding—!

Fireworks burst before his eyes as another message appeared.

【You are the first to complete a theater viewing!】
【You have received a “Viewing Privilege” reward!】

“…What’s this?”

Reading the message, Taewoon broke into a bright smile.

They had parted with flair—

but it seemed their reunion wouldn’t be far off.

***

After everything ended, Taewoon learned that the Theater of All Things had an entry cooldown.

“One normal-grade ticket generated once per week.”

Only with that ticket could he enter a theater and receive rewards.

Meaning—no matter how badly he wanted to go back, he’d have to wait until next week.

“But honestly… that’s fine.”

There was something he needed to do now.

And at last, he was ready to begin.

The day after clearing the Red Man Theater, Taewoon dressed lightly and headed toward the Hunter Association building he had always avoided.

To register his awakened trait.

And to apply for official Hunter status.

Clink!
Slide!

The building was still filled with Hunters of all kinds.

Whenever he’d come before to submit paperwork, their presence had always made him shrink back.

But now—

there wasn’t a trace of hesitation in him.

“Hmm? Your apprentice registration date is… wait, what have you been doing all this time?”

“I hadn’t awakened my trait. Until a week ago.”

The clerk froze.

“Oh my… you’re that one from the Hongshim Hall, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Good heavens. This is incredible! Congratulations!”

Though his reaction was dramatic, it was sincere enough that Taewoon felt no discomfort.

The man patted his shoulder warmly and rushed through the paperwork.

“Everyone told you to give up… and yet here you are. Truly the fruit of perseverance.”

“…Thank you.”

“Since you’ve applied, you can take the test this morning.”

While intrusive, trait classification tests were mandatory for all awakened individuals.

There had once been massive privacy debates—

but ultimately society accepted it.

Crimes committed by unregulated awakeners were far too dangerous.

“Hunter Seo Taewoon! Please proceed to Special Purpose Room 3!”

“Yes.”

It was his first time here since his basic aptitude test five years ago.

Emotion welled up inside him.

Soon, three Association supervisors entered.

“Nice to meet you, Hunter Seo. Could you briefly explain your trait once more?”

“Of course.”

Trait disclosure was sensitive, so most Hunters revealed only broad functions while hiding key details.

Taewoon did the same.

He described it as creating mystical items tied to legends.

“Think of things like the Monkey’s Paw or a magic lamp.”

“I see. Could you demonstrate?”

Taewoon summoned the Red Wax Mask and put it on.

The supervisors gasped.

He bit his finger and smeared blood onto the mask.

【Conditions fulfilled】

【Cinema Skill: The Red Man】

An icy presence flooded the room.

Mist wrapped around Taewoon’s body—

transforming him into the Red Man itself.

“G-Good lord…”

“I can feel the cold from here…”

“Can others use the item?”

Taewoon shook his head.

The mask vanished, and he returned to normal.

“That’s sufficient,” one supervisor said.
“You’ll be recognized as an official Hunter starting tomorrow.”

After he left, the supervisors whispered among themselves.

“That wasn’t the power of a newly awakened Hunter.”

“More like Level 2.”

“Many guilds will want him.”

“He was once monitored by the top three guilds, you know.”

The legendary giants of Korea.

“…We really need talents like him right now.”

They spoke of the world’s instability.

Of France’s Level-8 Hunter, Saint Qurich, preparing missionary expansion.

A single transcendent could destabilize nations.

Korea only had two Level-7 Hunters.

If even one Level-8 emerged—

the balance would change.

And so they could only hope.

That someday—

someone would break through those limits.

Or perhaps…

a monster beyond all precedent would be born.