Chapter 10: Tutorial
Shin Juha’s practical exam ended in just 10 seconds. Naturally, in that brief moment, he captured everyone’s attention.
With an aura that exuded confidence, reminiscent of a veteran, his performance was supported by undeniable skill, paired with a striking yet not overly flashy display.
Among those who had passed before him, there had been no one who had killed a goblin, making his title of “first” all the more impactful.
And it wasn’t just the aspiring hunters who thought so.
—”Impressive.”
—”What kind of unique ability did he awaken to be able to slice through a goblin in one stroke, even if it was just a hologram?”
—”It seems that since he couldn’t level up, he must have at least awakened high-grade physical stats. He has incredible talent!”
—”His swordsmanship is no joke either!”
In a hidden space of the auditorium, the guild officials watching the practical exam unanimously praised Shin Juha.
The atmosphere, which could have easily turned dull due to the disappointing performances of the earlier participants, was now vibrant, with everyone’s eyes sparkling.
A candidate with no guild affiliation, exceptional skill, and apparent talent—truly a treasure that most scouts present would covet!
—”If we could recruit that guy into our guild!”
—”We might be able to rise to become a major guild!”
—”We absolutely have to secure him!”
However, not everyone looked upon him favorably.
In particular, the prestigious Seongun Guild, one of the top five guilds in Korea and ranked fifth, was a prime example.
—”Tch, that annoying brat.”
The one who humiliated and disregarded Lee Ji-hyung, whom they had painstakingly cultivated and image-crafted, right in front of everyone.
—”Still, he has the ability to make Lee Ji-hyung look that way.”
At least, he managed to block the rumor that Lee Ji-hyung lost because he was weak, which was a small silver lining.
But blocking that one rumor didn’t compensate for the losses incurred.
From the signing bonus used to lure a rising star to the huge amounts spent on advertising, support including elixirs, and more.
While they were one of the top five major guilds and didn’t feel the financial impact as severely, it still cost a lot of money, and half of that money had just evaporated into thin air because of the earlier incident with Shin Juha.
“Since he touched our guild, he’ll have to pay the price.”
Anger surged within him, and he felt like cursing at any moment. However, he decided to approach him politely and propose joining their guild.
He was a scout and a professional; rationality overshadowed emotion.
The losses were losses, but if Shin Juha joined his guild, it was certain that not only would the losses be recovered, but the guild would also see new growth.
If Shin Juha accepted his offer, he thought he might be able to play with the contract a little to forgive the previous offense.
“After all, he’s just a rookie.”
Deceiving a rookie who had never signed a contract before was a simple task for a professional like him.
But what if he refused the offer?
“If I can’t have him, I’ll just crush him. I’ll make sure he is completely destroyed!”
With that thought, the scout from Seongun Guild narrowed his eyes at Shin Juha.
***
“Number 200, start the exam!”
Crackle!
Grrraah!
“Number 200, well done. You pass!”
.
.
.
“Number 201, you pass!”
As expected, Seo-mina and Lee Ji-hyung also killed the goblins and passed the exam.
However, even they couldn’t perfectly conquer their opponents.
Seo-mina, whether conscious of me or genuinely confident, unleashed all her power the moment the exam started, shooting electricity at the goblin. Unfortunately, she couldn’t kill it in one go, and as a result, rage skill activated, causing her some trouble.
It was understandable since she had yet to fully awaken her unique ability that had made her an SS-rank hunter, but it was still a disappointing performance.
Lee Ji-hyung seemed to learn a lesson from her, approaching the battle cautiously and methodically, taking a long time to tackle the goblin.
It was far too weak a beginning for someone who would eventually sweep away goblins with a mere breath or gesture.
“Of course, he hasn’t completely awakened his stats yet, and his main stats are still low.”
Even though he had consumed elixirs and trained, the difference in basic abilities was inevitable.
The difference in ranks set by the system and the ranks assigned to hunters by humans meant that monsters were naturally stronger than hunters of the same rank.
Usually, to be appointed as an [F-] rank hunter, one simply needed to enter the tutorial for the first time and level up even once.
And goblins are known to be one of the strongest monsters in the tutorial.
To confront it through conventional means, at least 2 or 3 [F-] rank hunters with awakened stats would be needed.
Of course, later on, it became easier to hunt as the tricks I had used before my regression were revealed.
‘At least those two have awakened and developed high-grade stats, so they can catch something.’
Looking at the other participants. Among the more than 200 of them, even those who have awakened couldn’t catch a goblin.
Even the 23 who barely passed by using their rage skills really just scraped by.
‘But that’s enough.’
It’s natural for it to be difficult and hard when told to face goblins from the start.
Just a little while later, by entering the tutorial and killing just one monster, they will level up, and if they have talent, they can even unlock one stat after a day of effort.
Anyway, that’s how all the exams ended.
All the failures returned home, leaving only 26 of us.
“Good job. You will now follow me to the Abyss! Before that, I will distribute the basic equipment provided to new hunters by the association!”
As soon as the words finished, employees came in carrying exactly 23 boxes.
“You will receive the most basic equipment.”
Boxes were given to everyone except me, Seo-mina, and Lee Ji-hyuk. They seemed grateful, smiling as they opened the boxes to check the gear inside.
“And promising guild members will receive supplies prepared by their respective guilds.”
Boxes marked with the insignia of the 2nd-ranked Seonhwa Guild and the 5th-ranked Seongun Guild were placed in front of the two.
Finally, the last box arrived.
“And to the top performer, supplies prepared directly by the association president and the leaders of the five guilds will be given. Congratulations!”
I carefully opened the largest box intended for me.
‘Oh ho~!’
The equipment inside was worlds apart from what was provided as the base gear, appearing several levels higher than the guild supplies.
But the first thing I picked up was, of course.
‘Receiving this again.’
The hunter license stood out prominently at the top of the box.
Although the field marked for the rank was still empty since I hadn’t entered the tutorial yet, I felt good just to have received this card again.
I placed the card back into the box and checked the supplied equipment, quickly changing into it in the changing room.
〚Item: Black Crocodile Leather Upper〛
〚Item: Black Crocodile Leather Lower〛
〚Item: Black Crocodile Leather Belt〛
〚Item: Shadow of Death〛
〚Item: Obsessive Black Hand〛
All the support items were [Grade-F] common rank. They even included three set items.
〚Set Effect Activated!〛
〚Luxury Effect (3/3): The item automatically assists in the user’s movements!〛
I had thought the formal-looking items would be uncomfortable, but surprisingly, they were much lighter and more comfortable than the battle gear I wore before my regression.
The shoes, Shadow of Death, granted me a slight stealth effect, while the Obsessive Black Hand ensured I would never drop my weapon.
Finally, the long-awaited… weapon!
〚Item: Flame Sword with Frost〛
‘Perfect!’
The paradoxical sword, containing both cold and warmth, radiated its presence as it settled into my hand.
I read the information sheet beside the sword.
〚Item: Flame Sword with Frost
Grade: Uncommon
Rank: C-
Description: A sword created by mixing Ember Stone, which has burned for 100 years in flames, and Frozen Liquid, which has been frozen for 100 years. This successful work was crafted by an unnamed master.
Abilities:
—Minor resistance to fire and ice attributes.
—Grants a 10% chance to inflict burn and freeze status effects upon attack.〛
It was a sword whose quality seemed strange to even refer to as a support item. The abilities were just what I needed for the current situation.
I gripped the sword and stepped outside, boarding the bus waiting for us.
“We will head straight to the entrance of the Abyss. Since this is your first time entering, you will proceed to the tutorial. There are a total of 15 tutorials, so I hope you all decide where to enter.”
After the brief explanation, I turned my head back and opened my mouth towards Seo-mina, who was sitting behind me.
My. Gift. Box.
Chirp!
Seeing her fall silent after confidently betting and then losing, I couldn’t help but laugh.
‘Thanks to her, I’ll end up with another free item.’
If it’s a collection that even a third-generation chaebol would be eager to gather, I’d definitely be able to choose a decent item.
Seo-mina seemed in a bad mood, but what did it matter? The bet was initiated by her, and the reward was also chosen by her.
It was just her foolish mistake to have judged that I wouldn’t be able to catch a monster, so it was only fitting she pay the price.
‘She wouldn’t dare try to back out, right?’
There’s no way. She’s a third-generation chaebol who’s swimming in money!
Before long, the bus arrived at a gigantic black vortex.
The Abyss portal, a passageway to the Abyss that exists in seven locations nationwide.
We moved toward the portal, showing our licenses to the association staff inspecting them, and approached the portal.
“Alright! Get ready! The moment you step through this portal, your bodies will be your own to protect. Inside, immense wealth and treasures lie in wait, but it is also filled with monsters and evildoers that will try to kill you!”
The examiner earnestly cautioned us.
“Today, your tasks are only two: obtain permission for initial entry into the Abyss through the portal and choose your desired tutorial! You must slay at least one monster in the tutorial to level up!”
He seemed out of breath, steadying his breathing for his final warning.
“Once again, the Abyss is not a kind place. Do not push yourselves too hard and return early if you must! I will wait here until all 26 of you come back out! Now, enter!”
With that, the examiner stepped aside from the portal, allowing us to proceed.
— “Let’s go!”
— “Finally, we’re hunters!”
— “Mom, Dad! I’ll make you proud now!”
The aspirants—now officially hunters—cheered as they vanished one by one into the Abyss portal.
As I was about to step forward as well, a hand grabbed my arm.
— “Hey, you!”
“What?”
Chirp!
I grimaced as I looked at the owner of the hand that grabbed me, brushing off his hand as if it were something dirty.
— “This bastard!”
“What? If it’s not important, then get lost.”
— “Ugh…! Which tutorial are you heading to!?”
Why is he asking that?
“Why? Are you trying to follow me wherever I go?”
— “Exactly! This time, I’ll prove that I didn’t lose to you!”
Lee Ji-hyung’s gaze shifted sideways for a moment before returning.
I realized where his gaze lingered.
‘This guy is trying to flirt in the Abyss, where our lives are on the line.’
His look confirmed that he was looking at Seo Mina, and it dawned on me why he was so confident despite losing to me twice.
It was a pathetic and desperate show in front of a girl he liked.
I thought about cursing him and ignoring him, but as I looked at both of them focused on me, a thought struck me.
‘Wait… should I just tell him?’
Lee Ji-hyung would definitely do something—revenge or confrontation—if I entered alongside him.
If so, I could use that as an excuse to legally deal with him.
More importantly, there was Seo Mina.
‘What if I forcibly awaken her abilities from the sidelines?’
Before my regression, it took her nearly five years to awaken her unique abilities. Even when she didn’t awaken, she wasn’t weak, but if she did, she could obtain powers befitting an SS-rank hunter.
She would be able to bloom with mythical stats.
Additionally, she would at least feel indebted to me, and I’d have a solid backing.
‘If necessary, I could take her to the hidden stage I was planning on going to and make good use of her there.’
I could reap rewards while exerting no effort, and awaken her abilities at the same time. It would suffice to promise to hand over rewards in exchange for entering the hidden stage.
‘She would benefit more from experiencing the hidden stage and obtaining basic gains.’
With that thought settled, I smirked and said to him, “I’m going to Zone 7.”
— “What? Did I hear that wrong? Zone 7? You’re going to that crazy area? There are barely any monsters, just a hot desert!”
“Mind your own business! Why are you making a fuss about where I’m going? I’d rather not see you again.”
I said this while brushing past him.
“You’ve lost, so prepare for my reward!”
I shouted towards Seo Mina and stepped into the portal.
Whoosh!
With an unknown sense of weightlessness, messages began to appear in front of me.
〚You have entered the Abyss for the first time!〛
〚The period for recruiting new players is underway! Your qualifications are being verified!〛
〚The Abyss system and your personal system are linked!〛
〚Please select the tutorial you wish to enter!〛
〚Once the tutorial is chosen, it cannot be changed!〛
“I choose Zone 7.”
〚Tutorial – Zone 7. Do you wish to proceed to the Blazing Land?〛
“Yes.”
〚Moving now!〛
The sense of weightlessness and the messages faded like melting snow, and my vision shifted.
“Finally here!”
Before me was a bright blazing sun, an expansive desert, and…
— “Damn it! Why did it have to be Zone 7!”
— “…Since it’s come to this, let’s stick together. The rewards will be given today.”
As expected, Lee Ji-hyung and Seo Mina followed me in.
—
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