Everyone stood in the vast training ground, gazes crossing and speculations colliding. Director Kang Dae-ho stepped forward, his eyes moving between Anas and Ji-won, then to little Nayun who was holding her mother's hand innocently.
Director Kang: (In a formal voice) "Mr. Anas, Mrs. Park... before we begin the power test, I must inform you that you won't be the only ones today."
Ji-won: (Looking at him in surprise) "What do you mean?"
Director Kang: (Smiling) "Two other people arrived today to take the same test. Both received 'unmeasurable' results on our devices, just like you."
Anas raised an eyebrow with slight interest, while Ji-won's eyes widened.
Anas: (Calmly) "Two others?"
Director Kang: "Yes. It's true that an 'unmeasurable' result isn't extremely rare—several cases appear every year. But for four cases to gather on the same day, in the same place... that's truly exceptional."
He raised his hand and pointed toward the other entrance of the training ground.
Director Kang: "Please, come in."
The door opened, and two people entered.
---
The first: A girl around twenty-five years old, wearing elegant traditional Korean clothes in white adorned with silver embroidery. Her beautiful face carried pure Korean features, her almond-shaped dark eyes reflecting deep calmness, and her long black hair flowing over her shoulders like silk. She stood with pride, her hand resting on the hilt of a traditional sword hanging at her waist.
The second: A young man around twenty-seven, handsome-featured, with a wide smile never leaving his face. He wore a stylish modern hunter suit, his short brown hair fluffed playfully. He was waving at everyone as if at a reception party.
The young man approached Anas and Ji-won enthusiastically, extending his hand to shake theirs.
The Young Man: (Cheerfully) "Hello! I'm Song Ji-ho! Pleased to meet you both! And this..."
He looked at Nayun, and his eyes widened.
Song Ji-ho: (In amazement) "Oh my! What is this beautiful little creature?!"
Nayun: (Hiding behind Ji-won) "Mommy... who is this strange man?"
Ji-won: (Laughing) "Don't be afraid, sweetie."
Song Ji-ho: (Bowing before Nayun) "I'm Song Ji-ho! I'm 27 years old! And I love children! You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen!"
Nayun: (Peeking out from behind her mother) "Really?"
Song Ji-ho: "Really! I promise!"
Nayun: (Laughing) "You're funny!"
Song Ji-ho: "That's the best description I've ever heard!"
The girl approached quietly, bowing slightly with politeness.
The Girl: (In a calm voice) "Hello. I'm Yoon So-ah from the Yoon family. Pleased to meet you."
Anas: (Returning the greeting) "Anas Sharif Yazeed. This is my wife Park Ji-won and my daughter Nayun."
Yoon So-ah: (Looking at Nayun) "Your daughter is very beautiful."
Ji-won: "Thank you. And you... from the Yoon family? Are you from the famous swordsman family?"
Director Kang: (Intervening) "Indeed. Yoon So-ah is the granddaughter of the legendary swordsman Yoon Tae-sung, the strongest swordsman in modern Korean history. The Yoon family is one of the six strongest families in Korea, considered a school of swordsmanship passed down through generations."
Anas: (With interest) "The legendary swordsman?"
Director Kang: "Yes. Yoon Tae-sung is an old friend of mine, and one of the strongest SS+ rank hunters in Korea. He awakened in the early days of the gates' appearance and fought countless battles. His reputation precedes him everywhere. They say his sword used to split gates before he even entered them."
Anas looked at Yoon So-ah and saw in her eyes the same ambition he had seen in many others.
Yoon So-ah: (Calmly but firmly) "My grandfather is my role model. I want to become like him one day. Actually... I want to surpass him. I want to become an unbeatable swordsman, protecting the weak and standing against oppressors."
Ji-won: (With admiration) "A beautiful ambition. And I see strong determination in your eyes."
Yoon So-ah: (Lowering her head shyly) "Thank you."
Director Kang: (Pointing to the cheerful young man) "And this is Song Ji-ho, the third son of the 'Blue Dragon Guild'."
Ji-won: (Her eyes widening) "The Blue Dragon Guild?! One of the ten strongest guilds in Korea?!"
Song Ji-ho: (Puffing out his chest jokingly) "Yes! And I'm the mischievous third son that no one takes seriously!"
Director Kang: (Laughing) "Don't be fooled by his cheerfulness. Song Ji-ho is much smarter than he appears, and in battles... he becomes a completely different person. His sharp eyes never miss a target, and his strength is formidable despite his open appearance."
Song Ji-ho: (Winking) "Family secret! Appearance is just a mask; the truth is in the eyes."
He looked at Anas curiously.
Song Ji-ho: "By the way... you're really strange. White hair, gray eyes, and a weird calmness. I already like you!"
Anas: (Smiling calmly) "Thanks... I think."
Song Ji-ho: (Looking at Ji-won) "And your wife... oh my! Red hair like fire! Golden eyes! You look like gods from mythology!"
Ji-won: (Laughing) "You never stop, do you?"
Song Ji-ho: "Never! Life is short, so why not enjoy every moment?"
Nayun: (Tugging her mother's hand) "Mommy, I love this man! He's funny!"
Song Ji-ho: (Placing his hand on his heart) "This is the greatest honor for me, my little princess!"
---
Director Kang stepped forward and stood in the middle of the training ground. He raised his hand, and silence fell.
Director Kang: (In a formal voice) "Now... before we begin the power test, you should all know how a person becomes a strong hunter in this world."
He looked at everyone with interest.
Director Kang: "There are four main methods."
Song Ji-ho: (Surprised) "Four? I thought there were only three!"
Director Kang: "The fourth is so rare that many don't know about it."
He raised his first finger.
Director Kang: "The first method: the traditional way. A person awakens naturally with a low rank ranging from E to C+, then starts hunting monsters inside gates. Over time and through fighting, their power gradually increases. They can also enhance their abilities using rare items or elixirs found in hidden dungeons. But this method is very difficult for people without support from major guilds, as it requires years of continuous work and sacrifice."
He raised his second finger.
Director Kang: "The second method: the strong awakening. A person suddenly awakens with tremendous latent power, usually ranking between B- and A+. This is the category most hunters aspire to, as it gives them a strong start and a prestigious position."
He looked at everyone thoughtfully.
Director Kang: "There are three sub-methods for strong awakening."
Ji-won: (With interest) "Three methods?"
Director Kang: "The first: through the 'Super Awakening Stone'. This stone is extremely rare, found only in hidden dungeons inside medium or high-level gates. Its price on the black market starts at 130 million US dollars, and can reach billions in public auctions."
Song Ji-ho: (Whistling) "130 million dollars?! Even my wealthy guild would think twice before buying that!"
Director Kang: "The second: being chosen by one of the 'Asteroids'."
Anas: (With interest) "Asteroids?"
Director Kang: "Yes. These are what you know as 'Gate Kings' or 'System Gods'. Mysterious entities claiming divinity, granting tremendous power to the humans they choose. But the price is becoming their follower and submitting to their will."
Yoon So-ah: (With slight disdain) "Worshipping false gods. My grandfather taught me that true power comes from within, not from begging at the feet of arrogant entities."
Director Kang: (Looking at her) "That's what many think. But there's no denying that those they choose become very powerful, faster than anyone can imagine."
He looked at everyone seriously.
Director Kang: "The third method... is internationally and scientifically forbidden. Joining the organization 'Servants of the Eternal Dark'."
Heavy silence fell. Even Song Ji-ho stopped laughing for a moment.
Ji-won: (Worried) "Servants of the Eternal Dark? I've heard about them in reports... a dangerous organization."
Director Kang: "Yes. An evil global organization, aiming to prepare Earth for an eternal entity coming from outside this world. They grant their followers unimaginable power, but the price is gradual madness and absolute loyalty. Their members are increasing day by day, posing an existential threat to humanity."
He looked at everyone with serious eyes.
Director Kang: "Even the Asteroids themselves... hate this organization intensely. It's said they reward their followers who eliminate members of the 'Servants of the Eternal Dark', even though they usually don't interfere in human affairs."
Anas: (To himself, with a faint smile) "Servants of the Eternal Dark... interesting. I'll add them to my future entertainment list."
Director Kang raised his fourth finger.
Director Kang: "The fourth method... is the 'Legendary Awakening'."
Everyone looked at him curiously.
Director Kang: "This method is nearly impossible. In human history since the gates opened, it has only happened five times."
Song Ji-ho: (Stunned) "Only five times?!"
Director Kang: "Yes. Two awakened at SS rank, two at SS+ rank. As for the fifth... she is the only one in the world who awakened at SSS rank through this method."
Yoon So-ah: (With intense interest) "Who is she?"
Director Kang: (In a solemn voice) "She is Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Windsor, from the British royal family. She is the newest and strangest awakening case in the world. She awakened at SSS rank without any warning, without any external intervention. She is the last of the 14 SSS-rank hunters in the world, and the only one to reach this rank through legendary awakening."
Ji-won: (Amazed) "A British princess with that power?!"
Director Kang: "Yes. They say her power is rare and unique, connected to ancient royal blood. But she remains a mystery to everyone."
Anas: (To himself) "Interesting... maybe I'll visit Britain someday."
Director Kang: (Sighing) "Fortunately, all of you are here through natural methods or legitimate strong awakening. This makes your test more credible and transparent."
He looked at the five opponents standing on the other side of the training ground.
Director Kang: "Now... it's time for the real test."
He raised his hand, and other doors in the training ground opened. Five people entered, wearing intricate combat gear and carrying various weapons. They stood in a row, varying in height and build, but their eyes all carried the same confidence.
Director Kang: "These are your opponents today. Five of the strongest S-rank hunters in Korea. Each of you will face one or more opponents depending on how the battle develops."
The first stepped forward, a massive man over two meters tall, with arms thick as tree trunks, carrying a gigantic axe almost as tall as an average man.
The Massive Man: (In a hoarse voice that shook the place) "My name is Kang Chul-soo, rank S-, nicknamed 'Wall Breaker'. I've participated in most red gate raids since the first year of their appearance. Specialized in breaking armor and destroying fortresses. In my battles, no stone remains upon another."
The second stepped forward, a woman in her thirties, agile as a panther, moving lightly even while standing, carrying two shining short swords.
The Agile Woman: (In a voice sharp as a blade) "I'm Han Bo-bae, rank S-, nicknamed 'Shadow Ghost'. Specialized in quick assassinations and ambushes. Since I awakened three years ago, I've single-handedly killed S-rank monsters within minutes. You won't see me until you lose your life."
The third stepped forward, a man in his forties, with calm features, wearing a long robe hiding most of his body.
The Calm Man: (In a low but penetrating voice) "My name is Moon Jae-won, rank S. Nicknamed 'Shadow Mage'. Specialized in black magic and energy control. Over the past four years, I've developed my abilities to paralyze opponents before they realize what happened."
The fourth stepped forward, a young man in his late twenties, athletic build, carrying a long bow made of white crystal.
The Archer: (With a confident smile) "I'm Choi Min-ho, rank S. Nicknamed 'Eagle Eye'. A marksman who never misses. Since the gates first appeared, I've trained with the bow until my arrows pierce any defense. I can hit ten targets simultaneously. Distance is just a number to me."
The fifth and last stepped forward, a man in his fifties, graying hair, but his eyes were the sharpest of all. He carried no visible weapon, just stood with absolute confidence.
The Veteran: (In a deep voice) "My name is Park Jun-ho, rank S+. Nicknamed 'Iron Fist'. I was among the first to awaken right after the Day of End. My experience spans four full years of the fiercest battles. I need no weapons; my body is my weapon. I've fought SS-rank monsters and survived. If you can match me, know that you've reached the peak."
Everyone looked at these five with appreciation and focus. It was clear they were the elite of the elite.
Director Kang: (Stepping forward) "Now, listen carefully. These are the test rules."
He looked at the four examinees: Anas, Ji-won, Yoon So-ah, and Song Ji-ho.
Director Kang: "Whenever you defeat one of these opponents, the chance that your rank is higher than theirs increases. If you defeat an S- rank opponent, it means you're at least at the S- level. If you defeat an S rank opponent, your rank is S or higher. And so on."
He looked at them seriously.
Director Kang: "If you draw with an opponent, your rank will be considered equal to theirs. A draw here means the fight continues for two minutes without resolution, or mutual withdrawal."
Song Ji-ho: (Rubbing his hands) "Excellent! I love challenges!"
Yoon So-ah: (Placing her hand on her sword) "Today I'll prove I deserve to be my grandfather's successor."
Ji-won: (Looking at Anas with confidence) "Ready?"
Anas: (Smiling calmly, saying to himself) "Finally... time for fun."
He looked at the five opponents, then at his wife and daughter, then at the sky above the open training ground.
The scene was set for the first real test of the Absolute Manipulator before the eyes of the association.
And the fun was about to begin.
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╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: Test Begins] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════╣
║ [Location: Association Training Ground] ║
║ [Opponents: 5 S-rank Hunters] ║
║ [Examinees: Anas, Ji-won, So-ah, Ji-ho] ║
║ ║
║ [The fun... begins now] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════╝
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