MDITS Chapter 9

“Seoul City Hall, Rift Management Department.”

Do-jun looked at his side.

Kang Min-hyuk continued to speak without taking his gaze off the stage

“Cha Yeji, a contracted Hunter… and Lee Do-jun, 26 years old, Male, and currently a public servant who also serves as her Manager at the same time.”

“It seems that you are well-informed.”

“You don’t seem surprised.”

Do-jun politely smiled.

They were situated at the corner-most position in the room which offered no good vantage point to watch the stage below.

That is why Do-jun wondered why the S-class Hunter Kang Min-hyuk would sit beside him. However, he could roughly tell by the words he just said.

“Well, I’ll be brief.”

“……”

“I would like to recruit Cha Yeji into our guild.”

A few hours ago.

When Cha Yeji’s stats were being measured earlier,

Even though her Strength, Agility, and Vitality were quite insignificant.

He saw that her Mana stats were ridiculously high compared to her other three main stats.

“She only got Body strengthening once upon getting her Hunter License. And during that time, only an F-class Mana Stone was given to everyone…”

Swoosh.

Kang Min-hyuk faced Do-jun.

He had a burning look in his eyes.

“One F-class Mana stone… but she instantly got 10 Mana stats after going through it just once, and I believe she hadn’t done any body strengthening since then. It’s a monstrous gift.”

Do-jun realized that Kang Min-hyuk was mistaken about something.

Cha Yeji’s increase in Mana stats was a side effect of her training her S-class skill, the Scholar’s Swordsmanship.

“The Icarus Guild will give her wings. If she joins our guild, we will provide her with an A-class suit or higher, pass on the know-hows of our senior Hunters, participate in conquering Rifts with high difficulty and of various raids, and also cultivate hands-on experience.”

“……”

“But what could the Rift Management Department possibly offer her? A pay raise?”

Kang Min-hyuk turned towards the stage again.

“Besides, I can’t believe you’re making her, who’s just in her first year being a Hunter with no experience of battling Rifts beyond D-class, challenge a C-class Rift. I’d like to ask what you guys have in mind. Do you really think it’d be possible for her to do this?”

“……”

“Hunters should be raised by their fellow Hunters. If you want her to survive in this field, it’d be best if you guys hand her over to us. Think about what she truly wants.”

Do-jun sighed.

“First of all, she’s not an object. You should know that this isn’t something I should be deciding for myself…”

[The C-class Rift has now activated.]

[Participating Hunters should defeat the Orc Warriors within the time limit.]

Upon the announcement,

The barrier which separated the Orc Warriors and Hunters began to ascend.

“Why don’t we make a bet?”

Do-jun smirked.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Whoo.”

Looking at the rising barrier, Cha Yeji took deep breaths.

There were a total of five Hunters, including herself, who challenged for the C-class Rift.

And most of them were D-class or C-class Hunters.

“Pull yourself together, Hunter Cha Yeji.”

Na Han-jung let out a wry laugh.

He then placed his axe which seemed to be 10kg on his shoulder and prepared to enter the battle.

“Arrgggh!”

Three Orc Warriors rushed in with a distinctive cry.

Na Han-jung shrank slightly at the sight of three massive giants that were over 2 meters running over with ferocious looks.

‘Damn. I shouldn’t have challenged this rank.’

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

One Orc Warrior was rushing towards Na Han-jung and on its hands was a giant club with spikes on it.

Seeing that the Orc was about to swing it towards his abdomen.

He hurriedly lifted his axe and blocked it.

Clash!

“Hngh!”

Somehow he was able to stop the club, but Na Han-jung was still pushed by the Orc Warrior and lost his grip on his axe.

After the axe spun several times in the air, it landed 7-8 meters away from him.

And Na Han-jung, who had lost his weapon, turned pale.

He quickly turned his head in search of other Hunters who could help him.

However, each Hunter had Orc Warriors to deal with, so they couldn’t help each other.

At that moment, Na Han-jung’s eyes caught sight of Cha Yeji running towards him.

Whoosh!

The Orc Warrior quickly changed its target and swung its club at Cha Yeji.

‘I see.’

The Orc’s attack pattern was clear.

Cha Yeji could predict the club’s movement that falls neatly in a parabolic line.

Her eyes could accurately mark where the club will swing as if a line was drawn in the air.

Slash!

Dodge and avoid the attacks by moving lightly.

In Cha Yeji’s head, she drew the sword path of the first form of the Scholar’s Swordsmanship.

Because of it, the Orcs were now on the verge of death.

A series of moves came into her mind as if she was watching a video in slow-motion.

However, Cha Yeji did not swing her sword immediately.

At that moment, she remembered what Do-jun said.

– I think it will look neat if you break that habit.

Her Scholar’s Swordsmanship has already reached its 3rd Phase.

In the skill description, she saw a new phrase along with it.

First form of the Scholar’s Swordsmanship.

And while swinging the sword as explained in the description, Do-jun said.

– …A habit?

– Yes. You don’t seem to notice it… but I think that’s not how you do it with the sword… Isn’t this how you do it?

Inside her head, she imagined the first form of Scholar’s Swordsmanship which has been modified by Do-jun.

And after which, she moved accordingly, as if she was possessed.

‘My stomach feels hot.’

The qi wrapped around the entire body, shook as if it were to explode.

It then soon enveloped the entirety of her Skeleton Soldier’s Sword.

Grrrahh!

As the Orc raised its club and was about to swing it, she cut its abdomen diagonally.

Based on the Sword Arts of the Three Entities, the first form of the Scholar’s Swordsmanship is called Heaven.

Plop.

The dead Orcs were scattered on the floor.

＊ ＊ ＊

[The Hunter Assessment exam has now concluded.]

Na Han-jung’s eyes trembled in disbelief.

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing was true.

The scoreboard on the stage then displayed the results that they got.

[Cha Yeji: 8]

[Yang Seung-ho: 4]

[Kim Hee-soo: 3]

[Park Chan-il: 2]

[Na Han-jung: 0]

The other Hunters somewhat got the same score as the Orc Warriors are known to be quite difficult to deal with among C-class monsters.

However, although she fought them one by one, Cha Yeji was able to kill 8 Orcs all by herself.

“That F-class Hunter got the highest score…”

“Is that a lie? F-class Hunters are rather like him.”

After which the Hunter glanced at Na Han-jung.

Na Han-jung turned red, feeling embarrassed.

‘That Cha Yeji got the highest score?’

She only got 0 Mana when she first got her Mana Injection.

And during the Hunter exam, she wasn’t able to show any skills.

What he thought of of Cha Yeji was someone who is a complete idiot, and would be an F-class for the rest of her life.

‘What the hell did you do!?’

[Hunters who are on the stage, please return to the waiting room.]

 ＊ ＊ ＊

Kang Min-hyuk trembled in shock.

In handling Mana, there are three ways in which a Hunter can do so.

First is by imbuing it to a weapon, Shik (Form).

Second is by releasing it, Chul (Discharge).

And lastly is through substitution which replaces Mana with another attribute, Yeom (Thought).

“I can’t believe she executed Shik so well…”

Imbuing Mana to a weapon isn’t that difficult.

But controlling it was a different story.

In general, utilizing Shik was also known as ‘pouring water in a bowl’ among Hunters.

Distributing limited Mana evenly in combat.

That feeling was similar to pouring water in a bowl since one should be able to control it wherein it would not be overflowing or lacking.

In Cha Yeji’s case, she was able to defeat 8 Orcs with only a Mana of 10.

That was an impossible feat without perfect Mana control.

Jiiing.

The automatic door of the waiting room opened, and Cha Yeji entered behind it.

When she found Do-jun, she immediately ran towards him.

“Good job.”

“Manager, I-I really did it!”

“Yes. It’s all thanks to your hard work.”

Cha Yeji shook her head.

There was no way she could have gotten stronger like this by herself, it was entirely thanks to Do-jun. After getting her license, she was stuck as an F-class Hunter for more than a year.

But in less than 10 days after she met Do-jun, she was able to reach this far.

“…Huh? …!!!”

Cha Yeji was surprised to see the man standing next to Do-jun.

The S-class Hunter who was ranked 7th in the Hunter Ranking, Kang Min-hyuk.

Kang Min-hyuk looked at Cha Yeji and said.

“That was an incredible fight.”

“Ah, no! In the eyes of an S-class Hunter…” 

“You handled Shik perfectly. Do you have an instructor?”

Kang Min-hyuk thought there was someone who looked after Cha Yeji.

But he never once thought that it was Do-jun.

According to his intel, Do-jun was just a simple civil servant. No more no less.

‘Is it Lee Kang-hyun?’

The Hunter nicknamed as the Sword Emperor, Lee Kang-hyun.

The founder of the three Mana control methods that are currently established: Shik, Chul, and Yeom.

 

He was also 1st in the Hunter Ranking.

“That’s…”

“Ms. Yeji has been training by herself.”

“…What?”

Cha Yeji looked at Do-jun in confusion.

At those words, Kang Min-hyuk was surprised and turned his head to Cha Yeji.

“Is that true?”

“…Ah, haha. I-I guess?”

“Hunter Cha Yeji.”

“Ye-Yes?!”

“Let me be blunt. I want you to join the Icarus Guild.”

Cha Yeji’s eyes opened wide.

The Icarus Guild has 3 S-class Hunters, and it is one of the best guilds in Korea.

“If you join, we will give you plenty of support, and if there’s something that you want, I will do my best to provide it within my reach. Plus…”

“I’m extremely grateful for the offer… but I’m not going.”

“…Eh?”

Kang Min-hyuk doubted what he just heard.

Every Hunter wants to join the best guild in Korea.

So why did she refuse?!

“Right, Manager?”

Cha Yeji smiled and looked up at Do-jun.

Kang Min-hyuk then shouted in disbelief.

“W-Why don’t you think about this some more. Opportunities like this don’t come everyday! And you can get a way better treatment and growth than remaining as a contracted Hunter for the government!”

Kang Min-hyuk was seriously irritated.

Why did someone with such a low profile like her refuse his offer?

He had never felt this much resentment before.

‘Tsk. Why couldn’t she just…?!’

Kang Min-hyuk’s face contorted in anger.

At that sight, Cha Yeji slightly stepped back and hid behind Do-jun.

Do-jun then grinned.

“Don’t forget to contact me.”

Looking at the two of them leave the room, Kang Min-hyuk smiled dejectedly.

Since he knew what he meant by contacting him.

It was about a bet that they made earlier.

Then, Kang Min-hyuk recalled what Do-jun said.

– I bet Ms. Yeji will be able to defeat more than 5 Orc Warriors. But if I lose, I will do my best to convince her to join the Icarus Guild.

Of course, he readily accepted it.

He thought she certainly wouldn’t be able to do it.

– However, if I win, please give me an A-class suit.

Kang Min-hyuk took out his smartphone and made a phone call.