Swish! CLANG!
A clear, resonant metallic sound echoed as a blade struck true.
"Wow... you're just... so amazing, oppa!!!"
The youthful voice boomed from the speakers.
On the wall-mounted screen, Yuhana appeared, her sparkling eyes full of admiration, clapping fervently as she watched Kang Hyunsoo defeat the Great Yeti in the 3rd Rookie Hunter Selection Tournament.
The highlight reel of Hyunsoo’s incredible feats concluded, and the screen faded to black.
The room fell silent.
It wasn’t empty, though.
Beneath a nameplate reading Hunter Bureau Chief Go Kyungseok, the man himself sat on a sofa, his graying hair adding a sense of gravitas. Beside him was Choi Jiwoo, seated upright with a laptop on her knees.
The silence didn’t last long.
“So... you’re telling me this hunter, capable of such feats, is officially categorized as a low-tier hunter?”
Breaking the quiet, Go Kyungseok leaned forward, folding his arms as he posed the question.
“Yes, Chief. His last recorded level was 50, but according to recent reports, he’s now level 185. It seems he’s about to surpass level 200 soon,” Choi Jiwoo replied, her tone crisp and disciplined.
Click.
With a tap of her mouse, a projection of Kang Hyunsoo’s Hunter ID appeared on the wall.
Go Kyungseok’s expression turned contemplative. Stroking his chin, he muttered, “He’s progressing at a remarkable pace. What’s his secret?”
“We haven’t been able to uncover that yet, sir. He declined to provide details, citing personal privacy.”
“Privacy, huh? That usually means there’s something unusual... something they don’t want exposed.”
“Indeed, Chief. That appears to be the case.”
“Hmm. A private reassessment, then...”
Choi Jiwoo, sensing his deliberation, tightened her grip on the laptop.
She had come to the Hunter Bureau Chief’s office after gathering data following her meal with Kang Hyunsoo. Her proposal? To conduct a private level reassessment for Hyunsoo.
It wasn’t a simple task.
The Bureau Chief’s schedule was notoriously packed, organized down to the minute. For her to request an unscheduled session, the matter had to be of utmost importance—typically involving life-or-death emergencies impacting multiple lives.
However, Jiwoo pushed forward, believing that publicizing Hyunsoo’s reassessment could lead to unwanted media attention and potentially jeopardize his safety.
The odds weren’t in her favor.
Kyungseok’s furrowed brow and his habitual chin-stroking suggested hesitation—a negative sign in Jiwoo’s experience.
Yet, beneath his reserved exterior, Go Kyungseok found himself deeply intrigued.
‘His growth rate is exceptional. Taking down Babylon’s stronghold and rescuing captives... Has there ever been a hunter this extraordinary?’
Kyungseok thought back to Hyunsoo’s exploits: the Daechi Station incident, where Hyunsoo saved hunters from the Samcheon Guild; his record-breaking performance in the rookie tournament; and the unraveling of Babylon’s operations at Jaewon University.
‘There’s no precedent for a low-level hunter pulling off such remarkable achievements.’
Though he acknowledged Hyunsoo’s potential as a future star representing Korea, Kyungseok remained skeptical about one thing:
‘He won’t make it as a public figure.’
Hyunsoo’s Hunter ID photo was far from charismatic or photogenic.
‘He lacks the kind of appeal that draws the masses.’
In today’s era, being a skilled hunter wasn’t enough. The world had transitioned from survival-driven dungeon clearing to one dominated by entertainment and branding.
For hunters to thrive in this competitive field, appearance and public appeal were crucial. They were no longer just warriors but entertainers [N O V E L I G H T] who marketed themselves through advertisements, merchandise, and media appearances.
Unfortunately, Hyunsoo’s looks didn’t meet those standards.
‘Well, at least his eyes are sharp.’
Kyungseok noted that Hyunsoo’s piercing gaze was his one redeeming physical trait.
But beyond appearances, Kyungseok’s curiosity was piqued.
‘How exactly did he manage to defeat Babylon? What kind of power is he hiding?’
Based on reports, Babylon’s operatives were formidable enough to overwhelm Jiwoo, yet Hyunsoo—under level 200 at the time—had triumphed.
The more Kyungseok thought about it, the more he understood why Jiwoo had rushed to escalate the matter.
After stroking his chin one final time, Kyungseok stood up, his decision made.
“Kang Hyunsoo... I’d like to meet him in person. Proceed with the private reassessment immediately,” he ordered.
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“Really? Thank you, Chief!”
Jiwoo’s eyes widened in surprise, and she stood up, bowing deeply as Kyungseok left the office.
As soon as the door closed, she whipped out her phone. It was time to notify Hyunsoo.
***
BOOM! KRRSH! CLANG!
The sound of relentless clashes and shattering echoes filled the lofty training ground inside the towering castle.
Blades infused with aura collided, creating explosive bursts of power.
The spectacle wasn’t just a battle; it was a symphony of war.
Kang Hyunsoo, his summoned Wraith Knights, the Master of the Sword Clan, and the clan’s Captain and Knights, all wielded weapons enveloped in brilliant, lethal energy.
The battlefield was a maelstrom of clashing steel and searing explosions.
The Sword Clan Knights, outnumbered yet higher in level, were locked in an even match against the ten Wraith Knights Hyunsoo had summoned.
On one side, the Wraith Knights’ numerical advantage slowly wore down their opponents. On the other, the clan knights held their ground through sheer skill and resilience.
Meanwhile, the duel between Hyunsoo and the Sword Clan’s Master was a completely different story.
“Wow! You’re absolutely overwhelming them, Master!”
From above, Swallow flitted through the air, marveling at Hyunsoo’s dominance.
The Sword Clan Master gripped his greatsword and a cracked shield, desperately fighting to keep up.
“You’re going for an overhead strike followed by a shield bash? How predictable,” Hyunsoo taunted, effortlessly parrying the attack and countering in one fluid motion.
CLANG!
He fought with an ease that bordered on arrogance, breaking down the Master's every move.
From the very beginning, Hyunsoo had seized control of the battle.
With his summoned knights holding off the other enemies, the fight had become a one-on-one duel.
Despite the Master’s seasoned techniques and overwhelming aura, Hyunsoo dismantled his every attack as though he had studied them for years.
And he had.
“Trying advanced techniques now? Sorry, I’ve seen it all before,” Hyunsoo smirked, sidestepping another strike.
He slipped past the Master’s guard, dodged a slash with ease, and planted a solid kick into the Master’s midsection.
BAM! THUD! CRASH!
The force sent the Master tumbling across the training ground, his massive frame leaving a trail of destruction as he rolled to a halt.
“Let’s wrap this up.”
Hyunsoo didn’t miss a beat.
【Activate】
[Blazing Aura (B)] [Sky’s Blade (B)]
As the Master scrambled to recover, Hyunsoo unleashed a barrage of fiery aura-laden blades.
SWOOSH! BOOM!
Explosions tore through the air, engulfing the Master in flames.
When the smoke cleared, the Sword Clan Master was on one knee, his armor charred, and his shield shattered.
All that remained intact was the greatsword he used to prop himself up.
The end seemed inevitable.
Yet, despite his battered state, the Master’s resolve burned brighter than ever.
He planted his sword firmly into the ground and steadied himself, drawing on every ounce of his strength for a final stand.
“Still standing, huh?” Hyunsoo muttered, tightening his grip on his twin swords.
Swallow, observing from above, chimed in. “Are you planning to face him head-on now, Master?”
“Of course,” Hyunsoo replied, his tone firm. “He’s putting everything he has into this. It’d be rude not to respond in kind.”
The Master didn’t speak, but his actions spoke volumes.
His stance, his aura, and his unwavering gaze—all declared his intent to showcase the culmination of his life’s work.
Hyunsoo, as someone who had once reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship as the Sword Emperor, couldn’t ignore such passion.
“Alright. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
With that, Hyunsoo raised his blades, mirroring the Master’s stance.
The air grew heavy as both combatants gathered their power.
The Master, his hands gripping his greatsword tightly, poured every ounce of his aura into a devastating overhead strike.
WHOOSH! BOOM!
The ground split beneath his feet as the sword cleaved the air, a force of destruction surging toward Hyunsoo.
It was the Sword Clan’s famed Shattering Aura—a technique designed to obliterate everything in its path.
But Hyunsoo stood firm.
【Activate】
[Sky’s Cleave (S)]
With a single swing, he met the Master’s devastating attack head-on.
CRACK! BOOOOOM!
The two techniques collided, sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield.
The Master’s attack faltered for just a moment, and that was all Hyunsoo needed.
【Activate】
[Eminent Arrival (A)]
Hyunsoo vanished, reappearing in an instant right before the Master.
“Take this!”
【Activate】
[Black Sun Burst (Incomplete)]
Crossing his swords, Hyunsoo unleashed a blinding burst of energy, forming a miniature sun between the blades.
The Master, caught off guard, tried to defend himself, but it was too late.
The searing orb erupted, consuming everything in its path.
BOOM!
[Lv 330 Sword Clan Master defeated.]
[Experience gained.]
[Level up!]
[Rewards: +3 Stamina, +2 Magic Power.]
[You have inherited the Sword Clan’s Legacy.]
[Sword Mastery Title upgraded to Sword Practitioner.]
As the energy subsided, the once-proud Master was no more.