IGXOS 05

chapter 05

While Ji Yuchan was still flustered—caught between Hwang Hana’s indifferent gaze and expression, along with Dohyun’s strange reaction—Hwang Hana spoke to the newly admitted trainees as if the evaluation had already concluded.

“Receive guidance from the trainees who arrived earlier. Starting today, all facilities are available for use. However, intense training begins tomorrow, so I recommend you rest as much as possible. That is all.”

It was already close to 9 p.m., so her words made sense—but with this many people gathered together, who could simply go to sleep?

It wasn’t their usual bedtime anyway, so the existing trainees volunteered to show the newcomers around the building.

At first, the new trainees had expected a competitive atmosphere, but they were moved by the warm welcome from the others. Since most of them were around the same age, they quickly grew friendly.

Everyone was in their twenties except for Park Dongwook.

Even he was only in his early thirties, so the age gap wasn’t large, and they bonded easily.

They all gathered in the lounge, buying drinks and snacks from the convenience store inside the Hunter Training Center, chatting away. Some of them wanted alcohol, but since there wasn’t any in the facility—and training began tomorrow—they decided to hold back and settle for drinks instead.

While they were talking—

“Yuchan oppa, are you the quiet type?”

“He’s probably just still feeling awkward.”

“Right, right.”

Ji Yuchan was receiving plenty of attention from the women, but his expression wasn’t particularly good.

Ever since entering the Seoul Hunter Training Center, he had unintentionally suffered a humiliation.

Hwang Hana’s mana pressure had hurt his pride considerably.

The Hunter Association had spoken of him as someone comparable to her—but upon arriving here, he had been completely overwhelmed by her presence. Naturally, his pride was wounded.

Perhaps sensing the mood—

“Ahem. Yuchan, you seem to be in a bad mood~.”

As the eldest, Park Dongwook smoothly tried to change the subject.

“Oh, by the way—wasn’t Instructor Hwang Hana’s move incredible?”

“Seriously, I thought I was going to suffocate.”

“Exactly! It felt like my breathing just stopped. Were you guys the same when you first came?”

When the later arrivals asked, the earlier trainees nodded.

“Oh yeah, we got it bad too.”

“I finally understood what ‘can’t breathe’ really means.”

“Right?”

As they were talking, one of the original trainees, Park Yesul, suddenly clapped her hands.

“Oh right! But Dohyun oppa was totally fine in the middle of all that!?”

At the mention of Dohyun—the only one who had remained composed under Hwang Hana’s mana pressure—Ji Yuchan immediately turned his head.

“…Is that true?”

Though Park Yesul had spoken, Ji Yuchan’s eyes were fixed on Dohyun. Dohyun scratched his head awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with the sudden attention.

“Rather than being fine… I just pretended to be.”

“Wow. I couldn’t even pretend. That’s impressive, kid.”

“Seriously. I almost fainted…”

“Yuchan hyung looked like he wobbled a bit too…”

Someone said it cautiously, glancing at Ji Yuchan.

Ji Yuchan didn’t respond, but he clearly looked at Dohyun with rising competitive spirit.

He himself had faltered under that mana pressure—yet this guy claimed to have acted unaffected? Was he just bluffing because he’d arrived earlier?

Maybe.

But Ji Yuchan didn’t act rashly. Instead, he stood up.

“I’ll head up first.”

“Oh wow, it’s already 11. Let’s call it a night too. Training starts tomorrow—we should sleep well to be in good condition.”

“Agreed. Let’s wrap up.”

Once Ji Yuchan stood, the group naturally dispersed.

They cleaned up quickly and returned to their respective dorms.

Even as he left, Ji Yuchan kept watching Dohyun until he disappeared into his room, silently igniting his determination.

Others hadn’t noticed—but Dohyun definitely felt different.

While everyone else still seemed tense despite their chatter, Dohyun showed none of that. He wasn’t pretending to be calm—he genuinely wasn’t nervous.

Ji Yuchan concluded that Dohyun might become his rival and headed into his own dorm.

Meanwhile, the subject of that intense gaze—Dohyun—entered his dorm and recalled the message window he had checked earlier.

Though the other four had F-rank traits, one had been a big catch.

Ji Yuchan.

『Ji Yuchan』
『Trait: Platinum Sword King [S]』
『Skills』
▶ Swordsmanship [A]
▶ Sword King’s Intuition [A]
『Stats』
▶ Strength: 7
▶ Agility: 6
▶ Stamina: 7
▶ Mana: 10

‘I can’t believe I could actually see it.’

Even though Hwang Hana also had an S-rank trait, he had failed to analyze her.

But this time, he succeeded.

If he failed before because the gap in “rank” was too large, then perhaps Ji Yuchan’s gap was small enough to bridge.

Thanks to that, Dohyun clearly saw what made an S-rank trait different.

Two A-rank skills.

‘That’s insane.’

It made sense—Jung Minwoo, who had an E-rank trait, possessed an F-rank Dagger Technique. So an S-rank trait having A-rank skills was only natural.

Still—two of them?

‘Well… it is S-rank.’

Dohyun smiled faintly as he reopened the message he had previously dismissed.

[『Analysis』 succeeded.]
[The target’s rank is still weak.]
[You gain reduced AP due to insufficient original rank.]
[You have gained 500 AP.]
[Analyzed Ji Yuchan’s skills: Swordsmanship [A], Sword King’s Intuition [A].]
[Skill level exceeds standard threshold.]
[You may spend AP to acquire a skill.]
[Target’s rank is currently weak.]
[Condition met: Skill can be acquired at half AP cost.]
[1000 AP ▶ 500 AP to acquire one skill?]
[Proceed?]

Since Ji Yuchan was still relatively weak, analysis succeeded. He gained 500 AP—and with that, he could obtain one of the skills.

A difficult choice.

He read both descriptions carefully.

『Swordsmanship [A]』
▶ Slightly infuses mana into the sword when performing sword techniques.
▶ Easier mastery of sword techniques.

『Sword King’s Intuition [A]』
▶ All instincts are heightened.
▶ Especially enhances sensations related to the sword and the body.

‘Swordsmanship is like Dagger Technique—a weapon skill. Sword King’s Intuition is passive.’

The choice, however, was obvious.

Dohyun played plenty of games.

He chose instantly.

[Acquired skill: Sword King’s Intuition [A].]
[Skill exceeds current stat level.]
[Stats increase slightly.]
[Strength, Agility, and Stamina permanently +2.]
[Cannot activate skill at full original power.]

‘Wow.’

Was it really okay to profit this much?

Still, Ji Yuchan didn’t lose anything from it. So wasn’t this a win-win?

Maybe.

After acquiring the skill, Dohyun opened his status window.

『Lee Dohyun』
『Trait: Analysis [Ex]』
『Skills』
▶ Sword King’s Intuition [A]
▶ Intimidation [B]
▶ Fire [F]
▶ Mana Control [F]
▶ Dagger Technique [F] (2 / 3)
『Stats』
▶ Strength: 5
▶ Agility: 7
▶ Stamina: 5
▶ Mana: 8
『Points』
▶ P: 100
▶ AP (Analysis Points): 150

‘Wow.’

In less than half a day, his stats and skills had changed dramatically.

Compared to Ji Yuchan, he lagged slightly in Mana, Strength, and Stamina—but excluding Ji Yuchan, his stats were the best among them.

He shook his head, muttering,

“Even I’m scared of my own growth. Thanks, Yuchan.”

With that absurd thought, he smiled gratefully.

‘Though… I don’t think Yuchan likes me very much. Oh well.’

He had benefited. If he ever had the chance, he’d return the favor.

With that light thought, Dohyun lay down, looking forward to tomorrow’s training. Perhaps a new instructor would make him even stronger.

Satisfied, he fell into a deep sleep.

5:30 a.m.

Normally, everyone would still be asleep—but not at the Seoul Hunter Training Center.

WEEEEE—

A siren blared throughout the dormitory.

Startled awake, the trainees panicked. Then a now-familiar voice followed.

—All trainees, wake up. Assemble at the outdoor training ground within 30 minutes.

When the mic clicked off and the siren resumed, they realized where they were.

Most modern adults would never imagine waking at 5:30 a.m., so they groggily shuffled about.

But Dohyun moved quickly—showered, changed into the training uniform received yesterday, and headed outside.

It wasn’t because he had completed military service.

If that were the case, most of the men would have been equally fast.

He was just quick.

Soon after Dohyun arrived at the outdoor training ground, Ji Yuchan appeared slightly later. Seeing Dohyun already there, Ji Yuchan frowned slightly.

Dohyun didn’t care.

‘Guess he’s competitive.’

That was all.

At exactly 6 a.m., all trainees were assembled without a single absence.

“Fortunately, no one is late,” Hwang Hana muttered with a faint smile.

Then she shouted,

“Let me introduce an instructor you’ll see often if you’re late like this!”

Another instructor stepped onto the platform.

The trainees’ faces immediately turned pale.

The man looked almost inhuman—muscles bulging to the point of bursting through his uniform, even his face seemed made of muscle. He appeared to belong to an entirely different universe.

“I am Instructor Choi Pil, in charge of physical training! From now on, I will remodel your minds!”

Everyone trembled at the overwhelming pressure.

Dohyun swallowed hard.

『Choi Pil』
『Trait: Muscle Artist [C]』
『Skills』
▶ Muscle Healing [C]
▶ Martial Arts [C]
▶ Intimidation [D]
▶ Vitality [D]
▶ Mana Control [D]
▶ Haste [E]
『Stats』
▶ Strength: 65
▶ Agility: 43
▶ Stamina: 59
▶ Mana: 61
[Analysis succeeded due to effect of Sword King’s Intuition [A].]
[150 AP gained.]