Chapter 6: Promotion Test (2)
Kim Myeong-min, the examiner for the practical test, checked the profiles of the applicants he was in charge of for the day.
『Jo Won-ho D』
━Failed to respond quickly even when the opponent showed a weakness. Slow reaction speed and requires a long time and protection to deal damage. Although he dealt with all the Nols within the time limit, he would have failed the test if he had been 3 seconds late.
『Choi Si-won C-』
━Showed generally decent abilities. However, his judgment is somewhat lacking, and there is a high probability that he will not be able to respond properly if a variable occurs in the practical test. I hope you will observe this applicant carefully.
“They’re all terrible.”
Kim Myeong-min frowned.
The other applicants’ situations were no different.
Most did not exceed C-rank, and the comments attached to them were enough to make one sigh.
It’s just an E-rank test.
He couldn’t understand what kind of confidence they had in hoping for promotion when they couldn’t even pass the basic aptitude test in such an easy test. Kim Myeong-min is currently working as an examiner, but until recently, he worked in the field as a B-rank Hunter. Because he was a veteran Hunter who had overcome countless crises, he couldn’t help but feel pathetic about the ambitions of the chicks who hadn’t even learned to walk yet.
This is why there are casualties every time.
They should know their place and take the test, but these days, people often take the Hunter job lightly.
“Pathetic bastards.”
He checked a few more.
Fortunately, not all of them were disastrous.
The applicants who received A~B grades somehow soothed Kim Myeong-min’s feelings, but he was still dissatisfied.
Almost at the end of reading.
There was an applicant who caught Kim Myeong-min’s attention.
“There was an S-rank?”
『Kang San S+』
━Showed the ideal appearance of a Tanker throughout. Kang San did not allow a single enemy attack for 5 minutes, and his aggro distribution was particularly excellent. Focusing the monster’s attention on himself while staying true to the setting of having a ‘virtual ally’ behind him was the best play desired in the basic aptitude test.
Perfect.
He became interested.
Thinking that it might be the emergence of a new star, he read through the profile, but the content that followed did not meet his expectations.
‘He received the worst judgment in his late awakening at the age of 20. And seeing that he worked as an F-rank human shield for the past few years, is he the typical type who only has good basics and no talent? What a shame. Even if it’s a basic aptitude test, S+ is a realm that’s impossible without talent, but it’s a pity that he doesn’t have the most important talent as a Hunter. People like this can rise to C-rank, but they can’t help but hit a wall in any higher realm.’
He felt regretful.
B-rank.
From then on, it is called the realm of talent.
Without innate talent in addition to skill, the world above B-rank is something one cannot dare to dream of.
He lost interest.
Although the applicant named Kang San stood out, given his past track record, there would be a limit to his abilities.
A common talent found all over the streets.
Without the slightest expectation, Kim Myeong-min moved to the practical test site.
✦✦✦✦✦✦
Before starting the test.
Facing 10 applicants, Kim Myeong-min briefly explained the method of the practical test.
“From now on, you will form 2 groups of 5 people each and proceed with the practical test. When the test begins, you will be moved to an E-rank area, and the minimum requirement for passing is to completely eradicate the monsters there, just like you would on a normal raid. And among those who meet the minimum requirements, I intend to select those who have shown appropriate qualities as E-rank Hunters and give them a ‘pass’. Then, let’s divide into groups. As the leader of Team 1, Mr. Min Hyeong-mo.”
“Yes.”
“The leader of Team 2 is Mr. Jo Han-byeol.”
“Yes!”
At Kim Myeong-min’s call, two men stood up from their seats.
The rules for team selection were simple.
Currently, information about each other was not provided to the applicants. They were deliberately separated from the 1st test subjects, so they didn’t know each other at all. A situation where they had to select the necessary team members based solely on their outward appearance and intuitive judgment. Since forming a raid team is also a very important factor for a Hunter, Min Hyeong-mo and Jo Han-byeol, who showed leadership qualities, were given the authority to choose their team members.
The order was decided by rock-paper-scissors.
The victorious Min Hyeong-mo looked over the applicants.
‘The Tanker comes first.’
It was an essential element when forming a raid team.
If you form a solid front line, there’s no big problem with the raid as long as everyone behind does their part, no matter who you place them with.
There was someone who caught his eye.
A bald man with a strong build.
Just by looking at the giant shield strapped to his back, he exuded a sense of reliability as a Tanker.
“I’ll choose him.”
“Mr. Park Jeong-su is on Team 1.”
“Yes.”
At the sight of Park Jeong-su getting up from his seat, Jo Han-byeol, the leader of Team 2, frowned.
‘Ah, I’m screwed.’
This test.
To ensure proper position distribution, only two applicants who wanted the Tanker position were assigned.
That meant.
‘I have no choice now.’
If it wasn’t Park Jeong-su.
There was only one Tanker left.
Looking at the man with the Tanker tag on his chest, Jo Han-byeol couldn’t bring himself to speak.
‘He looks weak no matter how I look at him.’
An average build with a friendly impression.
It would have been a welcome sight if it were any other position, but the problem was that he was the only Tanker left. Usually, Tankers have a certain image, don’t they? Since muscular bodybuilders often apply for the Tanker position, his outward appearance lacked credibility to the point where it was doubtful that he was a Tanker.
But there was no other choice.
Still, it was better to have someone who at least pretended to be a Tanker than to have none.
“I’ll choose him.”
“Mr. Kang San is on Team 2.”
The team selection continued.
Perhaps because of the presence of the reliable Park Jeong-su, the people called to Team 1 moved to their team’s position with bright faces.
The atmosphere of Team 2 was the opposite.
Everyone’s expressions hardened.
But they couldn’t say anything.
As the saying goes, 70% luck, 30% skill , the lack of luck was a trial they had to endure.
Kim Myeong-min said.
“The team selection is complete. Then, after 30 minutes of strategy meeting time, we will proceed with the test immediately. Remember. The practical test is a fight where your life is at stake. I hope you will achieve the best results in this test where even a moment of carelessness can lead to death. I’ll see you in 30 minutes.”
✦✦✦✦✦✦
The strategy meeting was nothing special.
They decided on their positions and agreed to act according to their general roles.
The 30 minutes passed quickly.
Guided by examiner Kim Myeong-min, Team 1 first entered the gate leading to the Other World for the practical test.
『We will now begin the test.』
Beyond the screen.
Team 1’s situation was visible.
The E-rank area chosen as the test site was a place with dense vegetation, and as soon as the signal was given, there were monstrous creatures rushing towards the Team 1 applicants. Monsters that walked on two legs like humans and were armed with crude weapons. In particular, their flat noses and large, protruding teeth proved that they were Orcs.
“Orcs!”
“Form a formation!”
Orcs are representative E-rank monsters.
They were not easy opponents for F-rank Hunters yet, so they quickly formed a battle formation at team leader Min Hyeong-mo’s shout.
At the forefront.
Tanker Park Jeong-su stepped forward.
He held his giant shield close to his body and used a skill to prepare for the enemy’s attack.
‘Iron Man.’
Flash.
The shield glowed with light.
Iron Man is a skill that temporarily increases defense by 5%.
When he was fully prepared, the Orcs, who had reached close range, snorted hot air and swung their axes powerfully.
Swish!
Crack!
“Ugh.”
Park Jeong-su’s body shook greatly.
Although he had increased his defense with Iron Man, the Orc’s attack power was strong enough to be transmitted beyond the shield. Fortunately, only three Orcs were visible. Park Jeong-su pushed forward, knocking the Orc back, and then stably blocked the attacks of the other Orcs that followed.
Thanks to that, the rear was safe.
Now the rest was up to the Dealers and Supporters in the back.
“Now!”
Whoosh!
The Archer’s arrow attack and the Warrior’s attack with a greatsword were unleashed simultaneously. The Archer’s One Point skill was aimed precisely at the Orc’s forehead, but the Orc, sensing it beforehand, raised his arm to block the arrow. But that was the intended situation. The greatsword slashed right through the Orc’s chest, which was wide open.
Slash!
Spurt!
Blood splattered.
With a proper combination attack, one Orc received a critical hit.
Instantly, the Orcs’ gazes turned towards the Dealers. They tried to change their target because their attacks were fatal, but that’s what the Tanker’s ‘Guardian Shield’ was for. With Park Jeong-su’s Guardian Shield, the Orcs’ ankles were bound to the front.
There was no difficulty in holding on.
Team 1 included two Priests as Supporters, and their heals and buffs became Park Jeong-su’s support.
A very smooth situation.
At this rate, defeating the Orcs was only a matter of time.
But there was something they overlooked.
The Orcs they faced were just a scouting party, and there was a separate rearguard.
At the sight of other Orcs rushing from afar, Park Jeong-su’s face, which had been relaxed until just now, turned pale.
“Oh dear.”
It seemed like there were about 7 or 8 of them.
That meant Team 1 was facing about 10 Orcs.
It was a considerably high level of difficulty.
It meant that those who hadn’t fully adapted to E-rank yet had to deal with more than two Orcs per person.
From then on, the battle became drastically more difficult.
It was impossible for Park Jeong-su to block the Orcs’ attacks alone, and despite the support of the two Priests, one Dealer had to help defend the front line. Nevertheless, Park Jeong-su’s body accumulated more and more wounds as time passed. The areas hit by the Orcs were bruised blue, and his thigh was deeply cut, bleeding.
But he didn’t back down.
The fate of a Tanker is to hold their ground even if it means death.
There’s a reason why they have the highest mortality rate. At that moment, Kim Myeong-min, who was observing the situation from the scene, added an explanation while looking at the monitor.
『There’s something that applicants taking the test always overlook. This rank designated by the government doesn’t simply exist for your honor. It means that your skills can be trusted at that rank. Therefore, to pass the promotion test, you must have the appropriate skills. As you can see now, the Tanker is struggling, right? This is a natural consequence. If the Tanker could handle that many Orcs alone, he would be taking the D-rank test, not the E-rank test. So, to safely pass the practical test, everyone’s skills must be up to par, not just one person’s.』
As Kim Myeong-min explained.
This wasn’t a problem that could be solved alone.
Park Jeong-su looked like he was about to die any minute, but he was able to buy some time to breathe thanks to the Dealers’ proper aggro distribution and the Priests’ healing magic. The members of Team 1 knew it well too. The moment Park Jeong-su collapsed, they would also be finished right there. They had no choice but to join forces.
Fortunately, Team 1’s teamwork was quite good.
At first, it seemed like they couldn’t get themselves together, but as time passed, they gradually began to push back the Orcs.
Eventually.
Thud!
『Team 1 has succeeded in clearing the E-rank area.』
The last Orc fell.
At the sight of the Orc collapsing backward with a sword embedded in its heart, the members of Team 1 collapsed on the spot, exhausted.
With that, the test was over.
Team 1 returned to reality, and before they could even savor the joy of success, they had to watch Park Jeong-su being carried away. He had endured until the end with proper treatment, but Park Jeong-su complained of pain due to the aftereffects of the battle.
Then the members of Team 2 froze.
The burly Park Jeong-su ended up like that, and they were anxious about whether the Tanker of Team 2 would be able to hold on properly.
Jo Han-byeol, the leader of Team 2, said.
“……Are you going to be okay?”
A cautious question.
Kang San realized that all eyes were on him.
He knew.
What they were worried about.
Park Jeong-su was a Tanker with basic skills, so he held on well, but if he couldn’t even do that much, there was a high chance that Team 2 would collapse on the spot.
However.
“Yes, no problem.”
In Kang San’s eyes, there was nothing particularly difficult about this test.