Chapter 433 – Promotion Battle (3)
Special promotion test.
This test, commonly called the ‘promotion battle’, was introduced from the remarks of an S-class hunter in the past.
What does that mean?
‘An S-class hunter can only be recognized by those of the same S-class.’
This drew an enthusiastic response from S-class hunters at the time, and it soon became a test topic.
An existing S-class hunter faces a new S-class challenger.
The reason why this test was possible to introduce is due to the special characteristics of S-class hunters.
This is because S-class is not a level that A-class hunters can reach simply by becoming a little stronger.
Rather, if I had to express it, it felt like a frog trapped in a well encountering the world for the first time.
You can only become an S-class hunter by stepping into a newly revealed world, realizing that the world you previously thought was all, is only a part of it, and grasping new and infinite possibilities.
Are you saying you can’t really get a feel for it when you hear it in words?
That’s why an S-class hunter is needed for the promotion test.
S-class hunters have a deep understanding of this sensation, which cannot be explained to those who have not experienced it, through first-hand experience.
And today.
The schedule for the promotion match has been set.
“… “In three days?”
“Yes that’s right.”
I applied for the test yesterday, but three days later.
This was a very unusual thing.
“It’s the fastest promotion exam I’ve taken in the last 5 years, haha.”
… So much so that the saying goes.
Since the subject of the promotion test is sparring with S-class hunters, the examiner must be an S-class hunter.
But as you know, the number of S-class hunters is rather small.
In addition, since there is no gain compared to the time and energy invested, no one volunteers, so the basic rule is to formally accept volunteers for three days, and if there are none, to run in circles in a pre-determined order.
It usually takes about a week to get to this point.
Is it the end just because the test tubes are decided on a sequential basis?
That’s not it either.
The exam schedule depends solely on the schedule of the S-class hunter.
As a result, it usually takes about 15 days to a month from the time an examiner is selected until the test date is set, but thanks to Kim Tae-yang’s volunteering, the waiting time was significantly shortened.
“I’m so glad. If things continue like this, it will be easier to shorten the record, so maybe it will remain as an unprecedented record…”
Thanks to this, association officials and reporters were happy, saying they had the opportunity to shorten the record even further.
What… Well, since you guys like it, I’m not bad either.
“Hunter Taeyang Kim even called first and volunteered to be a test tube?”
“Yes, that’s right. He said he wanted to help shorten his junior’s record. “Aren’t you really thankful?”
“Oh, yes.”
Thank you so much.
Help your junior shorten his record?
The Kim Taeyang I know is absolutely not that type of person.
Rather, it’s the opposite.
“… “I’m going to step on a junior who is trying to come up, is this it?”
“Yes?”
“Oh, I’m just talking to myself.”
This side would be more appropriate.
His intention may be to further solidify his position by catching the discipline of his rising juniors.
Although the level of behavior is very childish, I should be grateful because it saved me from wasting my time.
“There is not much time left, but I hope you prepare well and pass.”
“All right.”
When I answered in a simple tone, Director Seongtae Kim gave me a deeper look and clung to me.
“… “I believe it.”
I got it, kinda.
* * *
Three days.
For those who are eagerly waiting for something, it feels like a very long time.
The promotion battle began quickly, raising the expectations of those waiting for the results to come out.
The reason is that the faces of those who expressed their intention to attend the test were all gorgeous.
Joohee Han, Jooyeon Han, and Siwoo Son.
Of the six S-class hunters in Korea, three applied to observe.
It wasn’t even just that.
A Vatican saint who is known to have participated in operations in China together officially prayed for his promotion.
In addition, the excitement grew even stronger as news spread that an American S-class hunter boarded a plane to Korea just for observation.
As the promotion exam was about to break the record, the number of observers was at an all-time high.
Thanks to this, some are even raising concerns that if they fail to be promoted, it will be an international disgrace, and the world’s attention beyond Korea is focused on the Korean Peninsula.
In the meantime, what is Kim Do-jin doing?
“… “Dojin, I’m sorry, but I need some water.”
“Uh, wait a minute.”
He was taking great care of Jeong-hee, who was lying down after having sex, violently expressing the joy of their reunion.
Even on test day.
Thanks to this, Jeonghee’s burden was not so great.
“I really have to go now, don’t I… ?”
“Hmm, that’s right.”
It’s time to leave soon.
But she never lost her footing.
Who knew?
Who would have thought that someone who lay down after having sex would be in pain for up to five days?
Her symptoms did not improve so she went to the hospital.
“The hospital said there was absolutely nothing wrong, right… ?”
“Even so.”
It’s just normal body aches, there’s nothing wrong with my body.
Thanks to you, it saved me a bit of time, but I still worry about it.
“Umm… , Should I just postpone the promotion test?”
“W-what do you mean?”
Jeong-hee is startled by Kim Do-jin’s words, which he spoke as if he were talking to himself, and tries to dissuade him.
No matter how sick I am, I know what’s going on in the world.
Also, how much attention is being paid to Kim Do-jin’s promotion test.
In the meantime, the exam schedule is suddenly postponed?
“Stop talking nonsense and go home quickly. “She’s really fine, huh?”
Jeong-hee forces herself to turn away, thinking that something like that should never happen.
Kim Do-jin hesitated at her touch and lifted her body up.
He knows too.
In a situation where the world’s attention is so focused, it is impossible to postpone the schedule.
She just wanted to tell her.
That she was much more important than her promotion exams and such.
“Then I’ll come back.”
“Have a nice trip.”
She continues her words as she barely manages to get her body up and see him off.
“You don’t have to pass. Just do your best so you don’t have any regrets, okay?”
“Know.”
Kim Do-jin looks down at Jeong-hee with eyes full of affection.
While everyone is talking about how we must get promoted or we will disgrace our country, she is the only one who puts my concerns above the country.
How can you not love something like this?
Side!
I lightly kiss my reddened forehead and turn around.
Seo Jeong-hee, who was watching Kim Do-jin walking away with her confident steps, realized something again.
That the man she ended up with had become so big that it was difficult for her to contain it all in her small arms.
Although I was proud of it, it was a little burdensome.
Then, a thought suddenly occurred to Seo Jeong-hee, who covered her mouth with her hand.
“… Oh my, is that why?”
Maybe that kind of thinking is what created the current situation.
She thought.
* * *
Snap!
Click click!
Flash!
As soon as you get out of the car, you hear the sound of the shutter and a barrage of flashes brightens up your eyes.
At the same time, the waiting security guards rush in and build a wall against them.
Personnel deployed by the association to prevent indiscriminate hand-to-hand attacks by reporters.
However, despite their presence, the reporters only pressed the camera shutters from afar and did not ask any questions, let alone rush in.
So I quietly listened.
“Ah… “Can’t I just ask one question?”
“Quiet. “I really need to be more careful this time.”
“If you keep doing this, you’ll fail the promotion test. “If we do something wrong, it will hit us all the time, can you handle that?”
These stories are being whispered.
In short, you’ve put one foot in the door in case I fail the promotion test.
What… , It is a reasonable choice in its own way.
In fact, while there are many people who have high expectations for my promotion test, there are also many who think it is too early.
In a situation where one cannot be sure of winning or losing, the stakes have grown to an all-time high, so they must have judged that it would not be easy to handle even a small spark.
I pass by the reporters who show a passive attitude and enter the association.
The place we arrived by taking the elevator was the sparring hall located deep underground.
Looking at the surrounding area full of defensive magic, it doesn’t seem like it will fall easily even if two S-class hunters fight with all their might.
Since you won’t have to give your all for the promotion test, you’ll have plenty to spare.
As I waited in the waiting room and entered the sparring hall on time, a familiar face stood there waving his hand.
“Howdy.”
Dull blonde hair and dark skin.
“It’s been a while, junior. “Is this the first time you saw it during the Kraken raid?”
A guy who greets me in an unexpectedly calm tone.
“It’s been a while, senior.”
When I hold his outstretched hand and say hello, his expression suddenly changes.
“Hehe… , Don’t be nervous, okay?”
A laugh that is extremely sinister.
At the same time, a slight pain begins to rise from the grips held against each other.
Wow.
Look at this guy.
It looks like he’s trying to break the wizard’s momentum by showing off his strength.
In that case, I have no choice but to respond like a wizard.
「Burning Hand.」
Literally translated: burning hands.
True to its name, it is one of the few melee spells that generates heat in the caster’s hand.
Magic, which had been abandoned due to the characteristics of wizards who were vulnerable to close combat, heated my palms.
Chii Iik… !
“Ugh… !?”
He was startled by the sound of my skin burning and shook my hand away.
The guy who arrived earlier and made a funny face in front of the observers who were looking down on us started glaring at me with an evil gaze.
He’s a very funny guy.
Why is he glaring at me as if it’s my fault when he tried his best and failed.
Originally, I was going to just accept the fuss and finish the exam, but I changed my mind.
I need to make those stiff bristles flexible.
“Let’s start slowly.”
As before.
