📰 Breaking NewsBut I'm Still Upset;— AnonymousThose veteran armband jerks treated us users like total pigs until now, but look at them fawning all over one single newbie.— Anonymousㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ— AnonymousYeah, that's right.⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*Jealous? Then go get yourself an armband.— Short-Eared Goblin*Hmm~ But that kid's different from you lot, isn't he~?— AnonymousWhat's so different about us!— AnonymousLook at Short-Eared Goblin discriminating just 'cause he looks like her.— AnonymousHmm? Hmm? Cool your jets with that hot air.— Short-Eared Goblin*Oh my, what cute little things we have here. Want me to play with you?— AnonymousSorry, sis.— AnonymousJust wanted to poke the bear once. Won't do it again.— AnonymousPlay with us → Feed us the banhammer— AnonymousGasp◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsHooee...! This lord here has actually been curious about the outside world all along...!— Aged Wine is...*Until now, this lord has only seen vicious people trying to kill me, but a clueless newbie like this is a first. Just watching is so entertaining...! Favoritism is only natural...!— AnonymousFor real.— AnonymousTrue lol.— AnonymousHe's my personal dopamine source these days ㅇㅇ;— AnonymousHey now. No claiming personal ownership. The newbie is public property.— AnonymousPublic property newbie ㄷㄷ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsThe newbie's definitely more decent than those other veteran hunter assholes ㅇㅇ;— AnonymousFor starters, he can actually hold a conversation.— AnonymousAgreed lol.— AnonymousShort-Eared Goblin helping out mid-way was huge too.— AnonymousFirst time seeing veterans help someone out like that lol.⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*If he does well, we get to see him longer...◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsBut how'd the newbie figure out the local exam like that?— AnonymousAgreed.⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*I just knew lol.— AnonymousNothing's off-limits.— AnonymousThat's Tower Lord experience for ya ㄷㄷ⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*ㅇㅇ Some challengers had their mana all tangled from the start and nearly suffocated.⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*That's why I was gonna teach breathing basics first.— Aged Wine is...*Hey, you naughty paper boy. Don't try to take credit for this lord's feats as your own!◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsBut that screenshot pickup thing— AnonymousNo side effects later or anything, right? If we assume he's a total fresh newbie, seeing the Tower's top authority (Wine Lord) should've made him cough up blood and drop dead on the spot, no?— Short-Eared Goblin*Just like hunters suffer entering the Tower, our power weakens outside too~⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*So a photo or two is fine.— AnonymousVeteran experience is on another level.— AnonymousWait, they were watching that closely?— AnonymousPossible to judge that quick?— AnonymousNever underestimate the Tower Lord again.— AnonymousWhen did we ever?— AnonymousFor real lol.— Aged Wine is...*Anyway...! I just wanna keep watching our newbie, like rain in a drought!◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"We will now begin the test."
A woman's dry, emotionless voice echoed through the space.
Kim Do-yoon swallowed hard.
With grim determination, he waited for the test to start.
'Come on.'
A few minutes passed like that, but Do-yoon stood there in a daze, feeling absolutely nothing.
"...?"
He truly felt nothing at all.
With a puzzled look, he glanced outside the simulation room.
The researchers were frantically staring at their monitors.
And next to them, Jo Ha-rin and three unfamiliar faces from earlier were watching him.
'Hunters over there too?'
Two women and one man.
The man's build was especially intimidating.
Then—
"D-Do-yoon-ssi."
A trembling male voice came from the speaker in the ceiling corner.
"Yes?"
"...Are you feeling absolutely nothing right now?"
Nothing at all?
Of course not. He felt zero sensations.
Did it even start?
Do-yoon felt like he was on some hidden camera prank, but the atmosphere on site was dead serious.
"Yes."
As Do-yoon replied amid his confusion, a heavy silence fell over the simulation room again.
"T-The test is over."
"...Already?"
"Yes. Good work. We'll open the door right away."
The test was over.
Do-yoon was, naturally, bewildered.
He'd heard something about fainting and vomiting earlier.
In reality, all he'd done was breathe steadily.
Memories of the past flashed through Do-yoon's mind.
Just in case, he'd gone running every morning.
Out of practice, he'd gotten winded, but it felt refreshing.
If that past self saw this, he'd probably deflate completely.
He might've stopped mid-run and gone straight for instant ramen.
It was that ridiculous.
'Did I fail?'
The Boss Mob Gallery users had insisted not to worry, but Do-yoon, just an ordinary guy, couldn't easily believe it.
"...Do-yoon-ssi."
Choi Geon-woo approached from afar.
Unlike his usual amiable expression, he now looked stone-faced, like the grim reaper himself.
"Uh..."
"Awakener Kim Do-yoon."
"...Yes."
"We've found the talent to illuminate Korea."
"Pardon?"
"What? What's going on!"
Before he could grasp the situation, the trio from earlier crowded in behind Choi Geon-woo.
"What?! How are you totally fine?"
"Have you done any hunter-like stuff before? No way, did you go to some academy?"
"First time seeing someone come out of the sim room unscathed. Fainting's the baseline."
Fainting's the baseline?
Strange. He distinctly remembered hearing it'd be fine.
"Here."
Choi Geon-woo handed him a document.
On it, a human figure model glowed with brilliant gold.
"What's this?"
"Mana adaptation rate! Do-yoon-ssi, you have virtually no mana rejection response!"
What did that mean?
A total newbie to the industry, he had no clue.
"...In simple terms, S-rank potential."
Jo Ha-rin stepped forward to explain.
"Ah... Me?"
"Yes. Sheesh. You're so nonchalant, it's throwing me off now."
"Do-yoon-ssi?!"
Suddenly, the bear-like man widened his eyes and called out to Do-yoon.
"Y-Yes."
"Did you get any special training somewhere?! No, wait! Who are your parents? No way one of my senior—"
"I don't have parents."
"Ah."
The building excitement froze solid.
In the frozen moment, like time had stopped, Do-yoon gave a wry internal smile and continued.
"Gate Break, right? They all passed then."
"S-Sorry."
"Ji-hyeok oppa! I'd be done for without you! I told you to stay quiet!"
A woman with an unfamiliar face smacked the man called Han Ji-hyeok on the back.
"N-No... You were all curious too—"
"Apologize! Apologize! How can you be so tactless?!"
"...Sorry. No, I apologize."
Han Ji-hyeok made the most wronged face, then bowed deeply to Do-yoon.
"It's fine. I'm used to it now."
Do-yoon had lived alone since childhood.
Revealing this much was nothing to him anymore.
"Uh... Um."
Even the cool Jo Ha-rin was at a loss, her eyes wandering awkwardly.
Unable to let the ice linger, Do-yoon shot a pleading glance at Choi Geon-woo beside him.
'Save me.'
"...Ah."
Choi Geon-woo finally snapped to and stepped in to calm things.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The situation boiled down to this.
The awakener test was a resounding success.
Diagnosed with the highest mana resistance among all awakeners to date.
Stats good enough to enter the Tower interior right now without issue.
"...Me?"
"Absolutely. The Association's research institute is top-tier in Korea."
Choi Geon-woo assured the skeptical Do-yoon confidently.
Several documents were placed before Do-yoon.
"This is...?"
"Essential paperwork for Awakener Kim Do-yoon to officially join the Association and hunter activities."
Official from Korea's Hunter Association—no scam likely.
Even with safety assured, Do-yoon couldn't help swallowing.
'Dream or reality?'
Boss Mob Gallery memories flashed in his mind.
Earlier, the hunters including Jo Ha-rin had asked.
What skill did he have to show this talent?
Couldn't exactly brag, 'Who do you think we are? Boss Mob Gallery.'
Best to vaguely say Tower-related skill.
"...One moment."
Tactical retreat.
Do-yoon ducked into the bathroom again and hurriedly opened the gallery.
📰 Breaking News(My Post) Newbie Latest Update!!!— (Screenshot of the adaptation stats I got earlier)They're calling me top-tier talent??? Damn, what is this help...! My body, my body's heating up— AnonymousLmaoooo!— AnonymousDamn newbie, I like you...⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*O. So what's happening?— MeThey want me to sign hunter papers, came back before signing— Anonymous? Why— Short-Eared Goblin*Hmm... Is there something bothering him?— MeBefore making the 'big decision', seeking advice from you guys ㅇㅇ— AnonymousFrom us?— AnonymousHuman asking boss mobs for advice?— Short-Eared Goblin*What's wrong with that~? Much cuter than those mute beasts anyway.— AnonymousTrue ㅇㅇ;— AnonymousBoss mobs crave conversation...— AnonymousWe're babies...◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsBut that results screenshot the newbie posted— AnonymousHe hasn't even been active straight in the Tower Just indirectly saw a few screenshots, and S-rank potential? Even hunters who boast inside the Tower can't pull that off easy, right?— AnonymousOh yeah?— AnonymousFor real.— AnonymousNewbie, you got other skills besides us?— AnonymousWhat? Cheating on us?— AnonymousAdultery!!!⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*Probably his innate aptitude synergizing with our help this time.— AnonymousVeterans can't even explain properly.— AnonymousWhat the hell is this.
Comments kept pouring in after that.
— MeWhat. Am I gonna die soon?— AnonymousNah, it's good actually.— AnonymousWhy die with S-rank potential lol.— AnonymousCute af;◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsI may not know much, but I know hunters make bank...— AnonymousWhy? Look at those smug grins on the hunters I run into lately—price tag right there. So newbie, don't worry, just go hunter... ㅇㅇ;— MeTbh I was gonna hunter anyway lol.— AnonymousPardon?— AnonymousTeacher why ask then...— OPDumbass why'd you ask then.— MeTo see your reactions lol. This is why I Bitchute.
Korea's hunters get auto-assigned to government agencies the moment their path is set.
The question was pointless to begin with.
📰 Breaking News(My Post) Anyway, thanks...— MeDoes this mean I can hunter now? Climb the Tower, rise to glory, yeah? Rake in cash, chicken every day! Kya~ Epic;— AnonymousWhy bittersweet?— AnonymousNo idea. Why pitiful?— AnonymousEat lots. Don't let our newbie starve..⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*Take care of yourself. Don't forget to keep us updated.⭐ Top Comment— Paper Enthusiast*We don't know much about the outside world either, so if you don't tell us, we won't know how to help.— Meㅇㅇ; No plans to ditch you guys either.— Short-Eared Goblin*Oh my, a confession?— AnonymousGranny...— AnonymousWhy'd the guy above get banned?— AnonymousNever mention Short-Eared Goblin's age.
"Time to go sign the rest."
After basking in the gallery reactions a few more times, Kim Do-yoon left the bathroom and headed back to the group.
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