Chapter 19
After returning to the area, Sangjin's party immediately began settling their accounts. They processed all the loot obtained from hunting through their main trading partner. While they could have gotten slightly more by auctioning it on Force Life, that would have required waiting several days. Therefore, their standard practice was to dispose of everything on the same day and settle accounts immediately, even if it meant receiving slightly less.
The total settlement amount came to 130 million won. Junhyeok's share was 18% of the total, amounting to just under 24 million won. Despite applying a lower settlement ratio than usual, each person's take-home amount was actually higher this time—all thanks to the awakening stone.
“Hey, if we could earn like today every time, I’d have no regrets.”
“Exactly! Making 10 million in one go is totally worth it.”
For DPS players, each run typically earned them an average of 3–4 million. But today alone, their settlement exceeded 10 million per person—equivalent to what they’d normally earn from two or three hunting runs.
“We got lucky. Who knew we’d find an awakening stone there? Though now that I think about it, it’s a shame it wasn’t a DPS awakening stone instead of a support one.”
Both types had similar drop rates, but DPS stones were worth over ten times more.
“True. If it had been a DPS stone, it would’ve been worth at least a billion.”
As Cheolmin and Wonjin were lamenting over trivial matters, Sangjin spoke up loudly:
“Enough nonsense—everyone get some rest. Good work today, especially you, Junhyeok. Do well on your test tomorrow, and we’ll see you at the hunting grounds soon.”
Junhyeok bowed his head in response: “Ah, yes. Thanks to you all today, I gained valuable combat experience. Thank you.”
“Take care, and see you next time at the hunting grounds!”
“Sangjin-hyung, once you graduate from the beginner zone, join our party as tank! Seriously! Haha!”
“Haha, get going already.”
After parting ways with the party members, only Junhyeok and Cheolmin remained. Cheolmin approached quietly and asked in a low voice:
“Hey. You used that thing earlier, right?”
“That thing?”
“Come on—hyper sense. Hyper sense.”
Cheolmin was the only person who knew about Junhyeok’s hyper sense ability. At his insistent questioning, Junhyeok nodded in admission.
“Sigh… yeah.”
“I knew it! That movement earlier made no sense otherwise. But are you okay? Back then, using that ability would give you headaches that lasted almost a whole day.”
During high school, when he often found himself in unfavorable fights against multiple opponents, Junhyeok had frequently used hyper sense. But the ability came with severe side effects—excruciating headaches that initially lasted 5–10 minutes but gradually extended to nearly a full day. Eventually, Junhyeok couldn’t endure the pain and sealed away the ability.
“I was worried too, but there don’t seem to be any issues now. Maybe because I awakened?”
Before regression, when he awakened as a DPS and engaged in villain activities, Junhyeok had been forced to unseal his hyper sense occasionally. He’d expected terrible headaches afterward but experienced no side effects whatsoever—realizing then that awakening had eliminated hyper sense’s drawbacks.
“Wait—awakening removed the side effects?! No way! That’s completely broken! Using that insane ability without drawbacks?!”
Of course, hyper sense wasn’t omnipotent. Normal humans couldn’t hunt monsters with just hyper sense, nor could they significantly harm awakened beings. But for an awakened Junhyeok using hyper sense? It was like giving wings to a tiger.
“Guess so. Need more testing, but if side effects are truly gone, it should help quite a bit with hunter work.”
“Help?! You kidding? This isn’t just ‘help’—it’s game-breaking! Ugh, this pisses me off! You’re definitely buying me drinks tonight! Unless I get something out of you, my stomach will hurt from envy!”
Junhyeok chuckled: “Drinks next time. Tonight, I’m spending quality time with my siblings.”
Knowing how much Junhyeok cared for his siblings, Cheolmin didn’t press further: “Ah… siblings? Fine then. But next time, you’re definitely treating me!”
“You got it. I’ll treat you big time.”
The next morning at 10:30 AM on Saturday:
Despite the early hour, the Hunter Association bustled with crowds for some reason.
Hmm… unusually busy even considering my test at 11 AM… something going on?
Normally, tests were scheduled between 1–2 PM unless special circumstances existed—yet yesterday, he’d received sudden notice rescheduling his test to 11 AM without explanation.
As Junhyeok pushed through crowds toward the reception desk, clerk Joohee greeted him first:
“Welcome!”
Junhyeok nodded lightly: “Ah, yes… what’s happening? The association seems unusually chaotic today.”
Joohee replied casually: “Oh! It’s return day for hunters dispatched to Thailand.”
Junhyeok’s expression showed realization: “Thailand dispatch… Ah, right! I remember news about C-rank monsters appearing from sudden gates in the Bangkok area, prompting our country to send hunters too!”
The incident had been widely covered in the news, and even before regression, it had caused quite a stir. South Korea’s hunter forces were ranked third in Asia, behind China and Japan. However, during this Thailand dispatch, they’d achieved the second-highest contribution rate after China, surpassing Japan and securing significant loot distribution rights. Naturally, the media had been noisy about it, and public interest had soared.
At Junhyeok’s mention of the news, Joohee nodded:
“That’s right. Not just our country—Japan, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines also sent their top hunters. Thanks to that, they managed to quickly subdue the C-rank monster classified as calamity-level. Of course, Thai hunters suffered considerable casualties in the process.”
Gates were divided into two types: fixed and sudden. Fixed gates opened every two months, appearing in roughly the same locations each time. Sudden gates, however, had no fixed schedule or location, emerging unpredictably. While most sudden gates formed outside defensive barriers, occasional ones appeared inside, causing significant damage to their respective areas.
If lower-grade monsters emerged, defenses could manage with minimal losses. But when calamity-class C-rank or higher monsters burst forth—like in the Bangkok incident—the devastation became catastrophic. Governments worldwide agonized over countermeasures for these unpredictable events.
“So today’s the day the Thailand-dispatched hunters return?”
“Yes. Upon returning, they must report to the Association before rejoining their guilds. Since they’re coming back from a successful C-rank hunt, press and spectators wanting to see top hunters have crowded the place. That’s actually why your test was moved up, too.”
Junhyeok inwardly cheered.
Oh-ho! So top hunters are coming here? If I play this right, I might hit the jackpot!
This was a golden opportunity to meet elite hunters directly—not through media. If he could copy even one person’s skills regardless of class, it’d be a jackpot in itself.
“I see. But how does their return affect my test timing?”
“The hunters are scheduled to arrive around 1 PM. The Association needs to focus on that, so your test had to be rescheduled earlier.”
“Ah…”
As Junhyeok nodded in understanding, Joohee stepped out from behind the desk.
“Anyway, it’s almost time. You’ll need to change into test equipment—please follow me.”
The test involved virtual combat via simulation, requiring specialized gear like suits and shields. Junhyeok had arrived in casual clothes, as expected.
Following Joohee to the elevator, Junhyeok descended to the basement. The test chamber appeared empty at first glance, but invisible to the eye, its walls and floors were embedded with cutting-edge virtual reality tech.
Hmm, similar to simulation rooms.
For Junhyeok, this third-stage test was his first official registration as an awakened. Though he’d used simulation rooms pre-regression, taking the actual test felt unfamiliar.
As he positioned himself, a male voice echoed through speakers:
“Junhyeok Choi. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Your assigned monster is an F-rank Jerus. The test lasts one hour, though most finish sooner. Lasting longer earns higher scores—do your best.”
“Understood.”
“Beginning test now.”
The environment shifted instantly.
Vrrrrm—!
The empty space transformed into a city center. Before him materialized an F-rank Jerus.
Jerus… Hyper sense alone should handle this. Let’s charge from the start.
Junhyeok had deliberately removed his bracelet beforehand. Virtual combat recorded all data—using the bracelet would spike aggro values, creating discrepancies between his Phase 2 results and now. While revealing the Twilight Bracelet’s existence could explain it, he deemed it too early to expose such a trump card.
As the saying went: Treasures beyond one’s capability invite disaster.
Still, he had no intention of holding back his tanking skills. What needed hiding was his copy ability, not hyper sense.
When the Jerus fully materialized, Junhyeok smirked and stepped forward, awakening his hyper sense.
Zzzzzzt—!
A faint throbbing accompanied the surge—his body felt weightless, as if flooded with adrenaline.
“Haaah.”
Exhaling deeply, Junhyeok raised his shield and charged.
