Top scorer.
The best among those here.
The thought made Cha Yeri feel inexplicably nervous. In this place where almost anything was allowed except for illegal actions, she wondered if she could truly achieve such a feat.
Think positive. Think positive…
Just as she lightly slapped her cheeks, a low voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Well, look who it is. It’s Cha Yeri, the one carrying everyone’s expectations.”
A man emerged from the bushes.
His muscular physique, visible even through his gear, showed he had been training for a long time.
Cha Yeri frowned at the sight of the unexpected guest.
It was…
Yang Gichan…
Yes, that was the name. A former professional boxer with several titles to his name.
Before the Hunter exam started, he was the one urging people to form parties, insisting they should stick together.
Of course, she had declined.
True, she had spent much time in a hospital bed, but that didn’t mean she was ignorant of how the world worked.
She was old enough to discern right from wrong. Moreover, Yang Gichan’s proposal wasn’t for a normal party.
Applicant hunting.
She had no desire to engage in such activities unless provoked.
“If you keep making that face, even I might feel hurt.”
“Then back off.”
She skipped the formalities. She had neither the desire nor intention to be polite.
Yang Gichan smirked and crossed his arms, looking down at her arrogantly.
“I’m out of Material Cubes, you see. I think 20 should be enough.”
“What?”
“Why are you pretending you didn’t hear? You’ve already heard my offer, right? Let’s settle this peacefully. I have no desire to fight an applicant with five abilities.”
Suddenly, three bulky men appeared behind Yang Gichan. It seemed he had already recruited some like-minded thugs, and her mouth twisted in disgust. His words and actions didn’t align.
Before she could be surrounded, Cha Yeri threw herself into the bushes. She heard noises behind her but pretended not to, quickening her pace. The most crucial aspect she had focused on while preparing for the Hunter exam was her stamina.
Her hard work paid off as the sounds of pursuing footsteps gradually faded.
“Haa, haa.”
She panted heavily. As sweat dripped down to the tip of her nose, Cha Yeri let out a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, regret hit her. It was only after being chased that she realized how ridiculous she must have looked.
This wasn’t what she had signed up for. There was nothing to gain by running around like a frightened rabbit.
What am I even doing?
She didn’t need the precarious top spot she had barely earned through points. Surely, Han Taemin hadn’t permitted her to participate just to see her in this state.
You must know just how amazing and special your ability is. If you can’t claim victory with that much power, it’s better to give up being a Hunter early on.
At that moment, Cha Yeri clenched her jaw. She needed a decisive victory, one that even Han Taemin couldn’t deny. A result so absolute that no matter the scrutiny, it would be undeniable.
As she opened her palm, the space around it began to distort.
It was the same rare ability that had surprised even Han Taemin. And yet, here she was, anxious and constantly worried about others’ opinions. What had she been hesitating for?
I have to push forward.
Cha Yeri had to admit it. Her way of thinking was still confined within old boundaries.
Han Taemin probably knew this too, which was why he had discouraged her from becoming a Hunter.
If she couldn’t fully accept reality despite possessing such talent, reaching the top would be impossible.
One needed determination to be a Hunter. This place was full of people like Yang Gichan.
It was a world where the abnormal was considered normal, so she had to fully unleash her power. She also needed the resilience not to be swayed by any consequences.
Her mind was already made up. This was the position her brother, Cha Seokdae, had longed for, and it was also the position she herself desired.
The path she wanted to take.
The path she had to take.
As everything became clear, Cha Yeri strengthened her resolve. Her decision quickly translated into action.
No longer hiding, she stepped out and stood in Yang Gichan’s path. He appeared, eyeing her with interest.
“So you’ve given up on running away? But what a shame. Now I’m going to need 30 cubes instead of 20.”
If you let yourself be underestimated, you’d be devoured. It was obvious, just like how a cute puppy would bark when it sensed weakness.
Cha Yeri quickly circulated her mana.
“Thanks. I think I finally understand now.”
Even though she had gained power, she had been drawing lines and holding herself back. Now, she realized how pointless that had been.
“You’d better not come any closer. I’ll deal with you harshly.”
“What, are you trying to be some kind of big scary monster? Cute, but that’s all you’ll ever be.”
As Yang Gichan rushed forward, Cha Yeri raised her hand.
Spatial Strike.
An ability that distorts the space between the target and the caster to deliver a direct blow.
As a bonus, depending on the amount of mana used, it ignored the target’s durability and resistance.
“Ugh.”
As the strike, which disregarded elemental affinities, came crashing down, Yang Gichan quickly turned his head to dodge. Unfortunately, his desperate effort was in vain. It felt as if someone had slapped him hard across the face, bringing a sharp wave of pain.
Even though he had moved out of the attack’s range, the aftermath still followed him.
Only then did Yang Gichan realize something was wrong.
The ability wasn’t targeting him, it was targeting the very space where he stood!
Yang Gichan straightened his posture and launched a counterattack, but Cha Yeri responded as if she had anticipated it.
Her keen observation of Han Taemin had provided her with the most efficient combat strategies.
In that moment, a new ability awakened within her.
▼Golden Eye
Grade: A
Description: To see is to understand.
Ability: Reveals what others cannot see.
Each time she fiercely waved her hand, the space vibrated.
The strikes, which ignored durability and resistance, left Yang Gichan unable to put up any meaningful defense as he was knocked back.
There was nothing he could do. It was like trying to stop a rampaging bulldozer with just a shovel.
The three bulky men who charged after him also collapsed helplessly.
Though they moved swiftly, as if trained in some form of systematic combat, to Cha Yeri, they were nothing more than prey.
She could see everything.
The relaxation and contraction of muscles.
The beginning and end of the struggle.
The flow and circulation of mana.
In an instant, a monster came rushing from a distance. Its sharp, gleaming fangs were striking, but it was impossible to stop Cha Yeri, who was now unleashed.
Spatial Destruction.
Like a direct punch, she extended her arm, and the space split open.
Boom.
A sound like clashing cymbals echoed, and the monster’s head was brutally crushed.
Other monsters, drawn by the noise, charged forward with sharp claws, but it was all in vain.
Mana barriers surrounded her on all sides, completely repelling any external attacks.
Boom.
With a single wave of her hand, a sinister sound rang out, and the monsters lost their heads, collapsing in unison.
This was just the beginning. Cha Yeri, who had fully grasped her power, roamed the dungeon as if it were her own. Every monster in her sight was obliterated and crushed.
If they got too close, she shattered their bones with Spatial Strike. If they kept their distance, she shattered the space with Spatial Destruction to exploit any gaps. Her transitions between melee-range and long-range attacks were seamless, leaving no blind spots.
Though her techniques seemed too refined and precise for someone who had just awakened, Cha Yeri performed them effortlessly.
And as if this wasn’t enough, she continued to grow stronger with every passing moment.
With each minute, her flow of mana evolved, and with every second, her stance was corrected.
Everyone who had come to the Hunter exam to scout new talent was struck with awe.
Demonic talent. Those words captured the feelings of all who witnessed her.
By the time Cha Yeri finally stopped moving, there were no monsters left in Nidia’s jungle.
A super rookie had been born.
By the time Han Taemin arrived, the victor had already been decided. While the term “victor” might seem unfitting in the context of an exam, there was no denying the outcome.
Out of 1,968 monsters, 1,811 were slain. A contribution rate of 92%. An unprecedented record. She had single-handedly wiped out nearly all the monsters. That was the problem. Even though there were still 10 hours left in the Hunter exam, no monsters remained in Nidia’s Jungle.
This could have led to an overheated competition among the remaining participants.
With limited resources and a finite number of people, the result would have been predictable.
Caught off guard by this unexpected situation, the association quickly convened a meeting.
Even the association president, Jin Mansu, became involved, but no one raised any objections.
It was an unusual circumstance in every way.
Who could have predicted that all the monsters would be wiped out so early? The spectators were just as bewildered. Fortunately, the association took the matter seriously, and the Hunter exam was swiftly concluded.
Thanks to this, Han Taemin was able to see Cha Yeri’s face sooner than expected.
“You’re here.”
“Luckily, everything worked out well.”
There had been some interesting developments with the Hunter Control Unit along the way, but now wasn’t the time to mention them. Gently patting Cha Yeri’s back, Han Taemin softly murmured,
“You did well.”
“So, does that mean I passed?”
There was no need to ask.
Her performance had exceeded expectations. Han Taemin, having witnessed how she overcame the challenges, nodded in agreement.
There was nothing to criticize. She had clearly demonstrated her potential as a Hunter. Given that the exam had been concluded early, there was no question of deducting points.
The fact that she became more aggressive while fighting was surprising but not a flaw. If anything, her decisive approach warranted additional praise.
“You know there’s still a long way to go, right?”
“Of course.”
Cha Yeri smiled brightly as she took Han Taemin’s outstretched hand.
“Please take care of me moving forward.”
[ Genius Recognizes Genius? ]
[ New Rookie, Cha Yeri, Joins the Overlord Guild ]
[ Cha Yeri: The Power She Showed ]
[ Her Feats That Even Changed the Hunter Exam Rules ]
The HunterNet was already buzzing with activity. For those hungry for new developments, Cha Yeri’s appearance was like a fresh spring.
News about Han Taemin potentially becoming an SSS-rank Hunter occasionally surfaced but never fully made headlines. SSS-rank Hunters were a serious matter for the association, so it was an unspoken rule not to mention it unless it was confirmed.
Amidst this chaotic buzz, Han Taemin invited Cha Yeri to the guild house.
She was now the fourth member of Overlord as the mage. Given her ability to manipulate space, she was likely to become a dark horse for the guild.
“This is Cha Yeri, who has newly joined our guild. As you probably know, she’s someone I’ve taken under my wing. But that doesn’t mean I’ll be showing her any favoritism. So, there’s no need to mind my opinion. If she makes a mistake, correct her, and if she does something praiseworthy, give her honest praise.”
“I’m Cha Yeri, and I’ve just joined the Overlord Guild. I look forward to working with you all.”
“I’m Finn Chandler. Call me either Finn or Chandler, whichever you prefer.”
“I’m Gi Siwoo. You can even call me ‘oppa.’ Go ahead, say it. Oppa.”
As expected, the most enthusiastic one was Gi Siwoo.