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Chapter 7
Rival? (3)
It was breakfast time for the trainees.
The instructors should have been eating as well, but due to a particular agenda, they had all been called together without touching their meals.
Led by the head instructor of the Seoul Hunter Training Center, Hwang Hana, a total of six instructors had gathered, including Choi Pil, who was in charge of physical training. Since it was Choi Pil—not Hwang Hana—who had summoned them, no one voiced any complaints.
Despite appearances, Choi Pil was a highly respected healer affiliated with the Hunter Association. In fact, there wasn’t a single instructor present who hadn’t received his help inside the Black Gate.
It wasn’t simply because of his massive, intimidating muscles—bulging so fiercely they looked ready to tear through his uniform—that no one complained.
Crack, crack—
Flinch!
…Probably not, anyway.
While a few instructors were subtly shrinking back at Choi Pil’s otherworldly physique, he stepped forward and spoke.
“First of all, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to gather here at my request.”
Contrary to his appearance, he was surprisingly gentle. A few instructors quietly sighed in relief and focused on his words.
The reason he had called them together was simple.
“Normally, at most five trainees enroll at a time. However, we currently have an unusual ten trainees enrolled at the Seoul Hunter Training Center. Therefore, I propose we divide them into two teams of five.”
At his polite explanation, several instructors tilted their heads.
Ten trainees was certainly more than usual—but it was still just ten. Even if they taught them all at once, there shouldn’t be any issue. Some expressed doubt, but Hwang Hana, who had already observed the trainees, could only nod.
“You’re trying to encourage rivalry.”
“Yes, exactly. Even during this morning’s physical training, a competitive dynamic had already formed between the first five trainees and the five who enrolled later. They seem to be splitting into factions centered around Trainee Lee Do-hyun and Trainee Ji Yu-chan.”
At Hwang Hana’s words, Choi Pil nodded immediately in agreement.
The other instructors followed suit.
Since ancient times, competition had been a catalyst that made people stronger.
Still, a few remained puzzled.
Ji Yu-chan, they had heard of.
But Lee Do-hyun?
The name was unfamiliar.
More precisely, they had seen it on paper, but nothing about him had stood out.
One instructor finally voiced the lingering doubt.
“Does Trainee Lee Do-hyun really have the competitiveness to rival Ji Yu-chan? Based on his documents, he doesn’t appear particularly different from the others.”
It was Instructor Kim Ah-reum—a petite woman who handled morning information classes after breakfast.
Her question echoed the unspoken doubts of several others, who nodded in agreement.
After all, competition only works if both sides are evenly matched.
However, the response didn’t come from Choi Pil.
“I believe he is more than competitive enough. It seems Ji Yu-chan is conscious of Lee Do-hyun as well.”
“If the head instructor says so, then it must be true.”
Kim Ah-reum startled slightly at Hwang Hana’s answer and quickly nodded.
In truth, Kim Ah-reum had been an instructor longer. In fact, in terms of career length, no one there had less experience than Hwang Hana.
As both instructor and hunter.
But no one in that room possessed greater skill than Hwang Hana. So when those words came from her, doubts naturally disappeared.
In the hunter industry, nothing outweighed ability.
Longevity might mean something—but not to instructors ranked C-grade or below.
Hwang Hana, on the other hand, was the fastest person in Korea to reach the B-grade zone.
Though according to Korean Hunter Training Center records she had been pushed from first to second place two months ago, no one had yet reached the B-grade zone faster than her.
Her words carried weight.
And then—
“I also agree with Head Instructor Hwang Hana. During this morning’s physical training, Trainee Lee Do-hyun surpassed Ji Yu-chan and displayed the best physical performance.”
Choi Pil’s statement caused a stir.
Ji Yu-chan had lost?
Everyone there had reviewed the trainees’ files.
“What?! Ji Yu-chan lost?”
“His physical stats were considered top-tier historically.”
“Compared to him, wasn’t Lee Do-hyun’s physical ability quite low? Frankly, wasn’t it even below some of the female trainees?”
“Exactly.”
“Incredible…”
They immediately reopened Do-hyun’s file and began scribbling new notes.
It was that shocking.
Even Hwang Hana, who had recommended Do-hyun, was surprised.
‘Already surpassed Ji Yu-chan?’
Learning basic techniques from just reading a book had been impressive—but physical ability was hard to overturn through luck or talent alone. She had expected Ji Yu-chan to hold the advantage for at least a few days.
Yet Do-hyun reversed it on the very first morning.
Looking at his file, she muttered inwardly.
‘Just what is he?’
Someone who learned foundational skills instantly from books and suddenly improved physically beyond reason—it defied common sense.
If even Hwang Hana thought so, what about the others?
The appearance of a new “catfish” to stir the waters excited them all. As instructors, they were passionate about teaching. They eagerly discussed how to maximize effectiveness.
“Then we’ll divide them into teams and foster competition.”
“A point-based shop system would be convenient.”
“Switching from individual rankings to team-based points is simple.”
“Let’s implement it starting next class.”
“Competition… thrilling.”
Watching their enthusiasm, Hwang Hana dared to wonder if this batch might produce record-breaking results.
What would happen starting from day one?
* * *
Classroom 201.
As soon as the instructor entered, Do-hyun couldn’t help but feel confused.
It wasn’t because of the sudden team announcement.
It was because of her status window.
『Kim Ah-reum』
Trait: ×
Skills
▶「×」
Stats
▶ Strength: 2
▶ Agility: 3
▶ Stamina: 3
▶ Mana: 0
‘Can an ordinary person be an instructor?’
At first, he thought so.
But after hearing her introduction, he understood.
“Hello. For the next month, I will be in charge of your information education. I’m Kim Ah-reum, PhD in Black Gate Ecology.”
A Black Gate ecology PhD.
That was certainly sufficient credentials.
It was a bit unfortunate she wasn’t a hunter and couldn’t acquire skills—or generate AP—but since he was just attending class, he didn’t dwell on it.
Kim Ah-reum continued.
“Before we begin, an announcement. Due to the increased number of trainees, we’ll be dividing you into teams.”
“Teams?”
“Group assignments?”
Some trainees paled at the thought, but her next words shifted their expressions.
“Yes. Teams of five. For the next month, all evaluations—including my lectures and physical training—will be conducted by team. A point-based system. The better-performing team earns higher points.”
Though caught off guard, the trainees’ expressions turned strange.
Almost as if they had been hoping for this.
Since they were already seated in their respective clusters, the atmosphere made it obvious.
Kim Ah-reum smirked internally.
‘The tension is real. Ji Yu-chan’s reaction is strong. But…’
She glanced at Do-hyun.
Unlike Ji Yu-chan’s burning competitiveness, Do-hyun simply looked confused—and slightly annoyed, scratching his head.
‘Does he dislike group activity?’
Regardless, parties were mandatory inside the Black Gate. Party training was part of the center’s role.
She decided to fan the flames.
“Kwon Eun-chae, Kim Yoon-jung, Park Dong-wook, Ji Yu-chan, Han Jun-seo—Team 1. Gu Min-ah, Kim Yong-chan, Park Ye-seul, Lee Do-hyun, Jung Min-woo—Team 2.”
It was intentional—placing Do-hyun’s earlier-arrived group as Team 2 to spark rivalry.
And it worked.
“What? We came first and we’re Team 2?”
“Shouldn’t it be by enrollment order?”
“That’s right!”
But Team 1 scoffed.
“Huh? We awakened first.”
“If anything, we’re the seniors.”
“The instructor assigned it fairly~.”
“You questioning her decision?”
Ji Yu-chan remained silent—but clearly satisfied.
Kim Ah-reum smiled and added fuel.
“If there are objections, how about this? In the hunter world, skill comes first. After this lecture, we’ll have a quiz. The team with the highest score becomes Team 1.”
Normally, no one liked quizzes.
But framed like this—
“Sounds good. Skill first.”
“We’ll show you the difference.”
“Let’s prove it.”
Both teams eagerly accepted.
Do-hyun alone remained bewildered.
Kim Ah-reum, pleased, began the lecture.
“Since it’s the first day, I’ll explain the Black Gate.”
She explained fundamental rules.
“You can enter any visible Black Gate—but never alone. Like a game’s party system, entry requires a party. Minimum three, maximum five.”
The trainees listened intensely, unwilling to lose.
Do-hyun tried to focus too.
‘I’m not confident about the test…’
He didn’t mind staying Team 2—but he didn’t want to drag his teammates down.
Unfortunately, the lecture was incredibly dull.
Just as he struggled—
[Analyzing information about the Black Gate.]
[Recording data.]
A short message appeared before his eyes.
It felt as though “Analysis” was saying:
Test difficult? I’ll help.
Truly a generous ability.
‘Thanks, Analysis.’
Two hours later, the results were in.
“Wahaha! Do-hyun is the best!”
“A perfect score?!”
“No way!”
“Yu-chan, how many did you miss?”
“…One.”
“…Ah.”
It was Do-hyun’s overwhelming victory.
And just like that—
Do-hyun’s team became Team 1.
