TOP 54

Chapter 54

Total Chaos

“Hmm.”

I pondered for a moment.

“Shall I wrap this up soon?”

I evaluated how long I could maintain the Aura Thread.

Honestly, if I really wanted to, I could keep it going indefinitely.

Because my mana was overflowing due to “Mana Overload.”

But if I maintained it truly endlessly, that would be a problem.

“Just enough. This is perfect.”

I wasn’t trying to disguise myself as an ordinary hunter, but it would be troublesome to be rated as an extreme irregular.

“Fuuu…”

I turned off the Aura Thread with a slight sense of exertion.

“Ha… one hour, sixteen minutes, thirty-eight seconds.”

The examiner, who had been fading away all this time, suddenly brightened up.

Why is that guy acting like that?

【Seems like he wants Yujin’s record to be short, huh?】

“Really? Hmm… why, though?”

I thought about it briefly, but I couldn’t figure out why.

It wasn’t too early, so it wasn’t like I was interfering with a quick finish.

“Please wait a moment! We’ll quickly process this and guide you to the second evaluation!”

The examiner babbled like a machine gun and left to handle paperwork.

I waited with Yoon Ji-ho.

“Hyung! Are you insane!?”

“What is?”

“It’s been over an hour!”

Yoon Ji-ho was overreacting.

“I’m not insane. I just have a lot of mana.”

“Still…”

“It’s not unprecedented, you know?”

And that was true.

I could’ve continued, but I stopped here intentionally.

“Joo Chang-ik and Gu Eun-tak, both 8-star hunters, went over an hour, right? And even though Kim Yu-gang is still 7-star, he hit an hour too.”

“They were rankers, though.”

“I’m talking about when those rankers were 5-star.”

“Oh…!”

So yes, this had historical precedent.

Though all the people who set that precedent eventually became rankers.

“So… does that mean hyung might also become a ranker someday…?”

“You’ll see when it happens.”

I said casually, but honestly, I intended it.

Growth and revenge.

To chase both rabbits, I needed to be regarded with this level of expectation.

“At first, I thought about hiding my ability.”

I even considered deliberately taking a lower rating.

But after much thought, I concluded that I should be recognized for my abilities to some extent.

“Hiding strength isn’t always the right answer.”

Being recognized made it easier to enter a gate that matched my level.

I could team up with higher-level hunters and defeat stronger monsters.

And naturally, growth would accelerate.

“If growth is faster, revenge comes sooner.”

Most importantly…

“Nangong Myung. That bastard—revenge plan.”

To execute that plan, I had to get a high rating in this evaluation.

Only then would the plan proceed smoothly.

“Of course, there’s always some risk.”

If I drew too much attention, someone might investigate me and question my identity.

That information could reach Nangong Myung or the Gaia Church.

But…

“That risk is bearable.”

Rather than fear uncertain risks, I chose to take a clear step toward revenge.

If I worried about every minor risk, I’d never move forward.

“Hyung, I’ll do my best too!”

Yoon Ji-ho declared his resolve.

I softened my expression, no longer fixed on revenge, and encouraged him a little.

“Yeah. You’ll manage it.”

“Hyung…!”

He looked at me with a grateful expression.

“I’ll get strong and repay you!”

“Repay me?”

“No. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably still be a 2-star hunter, barely working as a pack mule.”

“Maybe that’s true.”

I chuckled.

Honestly, it wasn’t anything remarkable for me.

I had just suggested that he needed to grow to uphold justice, and he made his own decision from that.

Still, I didn’t entirely deny his gratitude.

“This guy… his potential is insane.”

He had just realized how to utilize his traits and became a 4-star hunter, but that wasn’t the end of Yoon Ji-ho’s potential.

His trait, “Hero of Justice.”

He said that whenever he resolves himself righteously, his stats multiply by five.

Assuming he could activate it constantly, in other words…

“Growth rate ×5.”

He could grow five times faster than ordinary hunters.

With the same effort to advance from 2-star to 3-star, he could go from 4-star to 5-star—a huge advantage.

There was no reason to stop someone like him from helping me.

If handled properly, Yoon Ji-ho could definitely be an asset.

Moreover, he had experienced the inner workings of the Gaia Church alongside me.

Having a comrade who harbored animosity toward Gaia was essential for revenge.

“Anyway, I’m looking forward to it. A day will come when you’re truly helpful to me.”

“I hope so.”

As I chatted briefly with Yoon Ji-ho, the examiner returned.

“Temporary certification has been issued. Please take it for now.”

He handed over a small card-like certificate.

Mine read 5++, Yoon Ji-ho’s 4-.

“You understand that hunter ratings aren’t based purely on specs, right?”

“Yes.”

“For now, the temporary certificate only displays specs. You’ll form a party with similar-ranked hunters and enter dungeon-type gates.”

The examiner mechanically explained.

“In the dungeon, your practical combat ability, judgment, and strategy execution will be evaluated to determine your final rating. You’ll have to do your best.”

“When is the dungeon evaluation?”

“Yoon Ji-ho, tomorrow. Kim Yu-jin… is today possible?”

Today, huh.

Normally, after using up all my mana for the Aura maintenance evaluation, doing the second evaluation the same day would be difficult.

But for me, it was no problem.

I had more than enough mana.

“Possible.”

“Good. Then arrive here by 2 PM. One 6-star hunter will accompany you for evaluation, just for your reference.”

“Yes.”

“Finally… um, good work today!”

1:30 PM

The warm sun shone down.

I arrived at a bustling road closed off to traffic.

“Kim Yu-jin, hunter?”

“Yes.”

“May I see your temporary certificate?”

“Here.”

“Confirmed.”

The official in charge guided me inside.

Inside the restricted area, two hunters awaited near a clear gate.

They seemed to be the party members entering the dungeon with me.

“Hello.”

I greeted them lightly.

“I’m Han Jun-pyung from the Royal Guard.”

“Oh, Royal Guard! Nice to meet you.”

One was a 5-star hunter from a familiar guild, a tank.

He carried a gun and shield—a fitting Royal Guard appearance.

“I’m Choi Hyuk-soo, 6-star dealer. I had a guild, but I left.”

The other was a 6-star DPS, wielding a sword.

I wondered why they arranged the party this way, but when Choi Hyuk-soo proudly showed his temporary certificate—6-—it made sense.

I had been evaluated as top-tier 5-star in the first assessment.

“Recently, I can use Aura Blade! And since my contract almost ended, I left the guild immediately. I should’ve photographed the guild master’s pissed-off face!”

He rambled without being asked.

“That guild had many hunter casualties during dungeon runs. No reason to stay in a failing guild, right?”

“…Ah, I see.”

“Once you get a 6-star certificate, big corporations want you too! No reason to linger in a small guild.”

My one-line impression of Choi Hyuk-soo: ‘Lightweight.’

In speech and personality, he didn’t seem serious.

Still, his decision to leave the guild wasn’t bad.

A 6-star hunter is a highly sought-after talent, even for large companies.

“No need to stay for loyalty, true.”

However…

【I don’t like this guy!】

“I agree.”

He left his guild before the contract ended and bragged about it.

If I were in charge of hiring, I’d never pick him.

Also, he gave off a slightly suspicious vibe.

“Pril.”

【Why?】

“Is that all that’s strange about him?”

【Hmm? Oh! Now that you mention it…】

I sighed softly.

Damn. This is troublesome.

“Have you heard about the dungeon?”

“Briefly. 5-star lava terrain.”

“Hehe… this will be a piece of cake for a 6-star like me!”

“….”

“Also, a party needs a leader, right? Naturally, the strongest person should lead.”

“Hmm… I suppose so.”

Han Jun-pyung, speaking to Choi Hyuk-soo, smiled awkwardly at me.

Choi Hyuk-soo was loud and boastful, wanting to take charge.

‘The biggest issue is that this is all a disguise.’

No solution for that now. I just had to keep it in mind.

If nothing special happens, it likely won’t cause problems.

We chatted (or listened to Choi Hyuk-soo) while waiting for the last party member.

‘Who will it be?’

Currently, the party: 1 tank, 2 melee DPS.

Not a bad combination, but ideally, I hoped for a ranged DPS.

Then the composition would be perfect.

‘Healer… impossible.’

Even if it were possible, I wouldn’t want one.

Because in this world, only Gaia Church had healers.

Ordinary awakened humans had no healing traits or skills.

Hence why everyone carried potions like extra lives.

‘Fine. They won’t come anyway.’

Gaia Church hunters don’t undergo the standard rating system.

They rate internally, and nobody interferes.

‘Hmm.’

I almost got lost in revenge thoughts again.

Not good to do that right before a dungeon evaluation.

Focused back on the conversation.

“So, who will be the last member?”

“Doesn’t matter! Just trust me! I’ll carry the party!”

“…Haha.”

Choi Hyuk-soo had relaxed his tone.

I chimed in casually.

“Hope it’s a ranged DPS.”

“True. Three melee DPS would be a problem.”

“Two tanks, two DPS too.”

Terrible combinations.

I suggested a positive alternative.

“Well, if it’s a mage, nothing more to ask for.”

Mages are always rare.

Among hunters, maybe 1% are mages.

Their talent is essential, and entering the astronomical-cost Magic Tower reduces the number further.

Beyond rarity, their tactical value is immense.

If I could team up with a mage, this evaluation alone would be worthwhile.

‘Though, highly unlikely.’

Even I didn’t consider it realistic.

Just said to keep a pleasant atmosphere.

The other two felt the same.

“Eh, there aren’t many mages.”

“Yu-jin, first evaluation? Then it’s fine to hope for such a thing.”

“I know. I just… wished for it.”

“Why?”

I stopped, fixing my gaze.

They naturally followed my eyes.

“Wow.”

“…Yu-jin? Did you know something?”

“No.”

A pure-looking woman in a robe approached.

A mage.

“Hello. Are you the ones taking the evaluation today?”

“Yes, yes! This way…”

“Beautiful mage! Nice to meet you. 6-star hunter, Choi Hyuk-soo!”

Han Jun-pyung froze, and Choi Hyuk-soo became exaggeratedly excited.

The mage smiled faintly.

“I’m Yoo Seol-ah. 5-star mage.”

“Your voice is lovely too!”

“Ah… Han Jun-pyung. Nice to meet you!”

Yoo Seol-ah, the mage, was visually stunning.

Elegant jawline, moist lips, flawless smooth skin, sharp nose, expressive eyes, and flowing hair.

Her refined robe accentuated her managed charm.

‘Damn, she’s ridiculously beautiful.’

Even I momentarily saw her as a woman, not a mage.

But only for a second.

Appearance is just appearance.

“5-star, Kim Yu-jin.”

After I introduced myself, an elderly man, standing quietly, approached.

Gray-haired, around 60 years old, a hunter.

“I’m Kim Jin-nam, 6-star hunter evaluating you today. Unless it’s serious, I won’t intervene, so proceed freely with the dungeon.”

“Understood.”

“Yes!”

After a brief greeting with our evaluator and anchor, our party stood at the dungeon gate.

Choi Hyuk-soo took the lead.

“Everyone, let me introduce myself again! 6-star hunter, Choi Hyuk-soo!”

We looked at him, and he spoke confidently.

“Trust me today! I, a 6-star hunter, will lead the party and carry you all! Hahaha!”

“Is he going to lead?”

Yoo Seol-ah quietly asked me.

Before I could answer, Choi Hyuk-soo boomed.

“If not me, a 6-star, then who else? Hahaha. Seol-ah, just trust me!”

He pounded his chest proudly.

‘Hmm.’

I wanted to object, but a high-ranked hunter claiming leadership left no grounds to oppose.

“Then… let’s enter.”

So we did, ready to assess as we proceeded.

“Move out! Follow me!”

With Choi Hyuk-soo’s booming voice, our party began entering the dungeon.

Before entry, I checked dungeon info via the Tenauges System.

A habitual act by now.

“Ugh, damn it.”

I thought.

‘You said 5-star dungeon, damn management bureau!’

Truly a chaotic, total mess.