Raising A Hero – Chapter 29

Ch 29: 1st Exam

Ji-hyuk smoothly won his second match as well. Quent, Elizabeth, and Knaktul also passed this point without difficulty.

Now, the sixteen remaining after being eliminated twice were all pretty good guys in their own areas. So, from the third match, it was definitely not easy.

If he won this match, he would be among the final 8 and could secure the right to choose a mission. So, everyone was desperate to win somehow.

Ji-hyuk was called fifth and drew a number. It was number 3. Everyone seemed curious about who would be number 4.

And then, Knaktul, called tenth, went up to the platform and promptly drew number 4. He confidently held it up and then pointed at Ji-hyuk with his finger. And then, he let out a very loud roar.

Uwaaaaaaaakㅡㅡㅡ!!!

Everyone seemed curious about the result. Orc Knaktul was also the top prospect of the Arhoenteu Academyㅡ! The predictions were split in half.

Soon, the match time arrived. Everyone headed to the exam grounds as they had drawn their numbers. Naturally, the exam ground with the most spectators was the one for Gang Ji-hyuk and Knaktul.

This time, Ji-hyuk drew his sword for the first time. It wasn’t impossible to fight with his fists, but he didn’t want to keep hitting that stupidly hard body. He had already shown enough skill, so now he intended to go with thorough pragmatism.

Orc Knaktul glared at Ji-hyuk, who was standing opposite him, as if he wanted to kill him. He was holding a ridiculously large double-bladed axe, and he swung that heavy thing around freely, showing how strong he was. It was clear that just being grazed by it would cause serious injury.

Ttaengㅡ.

As soon as the starting bell rang, the orc started running like crazy. He swung his axe, intending to tear Ji-hyuk’s body in half and kill him. But, of course, it didn’t touch Ji-hyuk’s body at all.

This rat-like bastard…!

Knaktul already knew Ji-hyuk’s specialty. That agile, fast movement. The orc cleverly drove him into a corner. Because if the opponent had fewer places to dodge, it was clear that they would have a hard time.

He put all his effort into trying to land just one hit. Ji-hyuk dodged the axe with a swish and smirked crookedly.

He’s not such a dull bastard as I thought.

It wasn’t for nothing that he was called the top prospect. Just looking at his skill, he was already at the level of a Hero. …But it was unfortunate that he met Ji-hyuk.

Ji-hyuk had drawn his sword for the first time, so he intended to show a final, flashy performance.

His momentum suddenly changed. Khuㅡ! The orc couldn’t help but notice that. It was a sign that he was going to fight back.

Yeah, come on, you son of a b*tchㅡ.

Knaktul, of course, didn’t avoid a head-on confrontation. He was confident that he wouldn’t lose in terms of strength, even if he lost in speed. What effect would that flimsy-looking sword have when it hit the axeㅡ!

At the same time, an enormous energy erupted from Ji-hyuk. It was an overwhelming energy, to the point where even the examinees fighting at the other exam grounds could feel it.

Orc Knaktul also poured all his strength into this blow. Snake-like blood vessels wriggled in his mana-enhanced arm.

The orc’s blow was also not easy. Of course, it was just a child’s play for Ji-hyuk.

Cutㅡ.

Ji-hyuk’s eyes flashed. His body moved as fast as a ray of light. Ahㅡ. Even the Fairy Aizel momentarily lost sight of his movements. She was thrilled.

Knaktul swung his axe belatedly, but his weapon was already split in half.

…Ah….

The orc momentarily forgot his anger and looked at his weapon. He couldn’t understand it at all.

Surely, the sword he was holding was less than half the thickness of the huge axe. But to cut this thick iron in half….

“Be grateful it’s an exam. Or your neck would have been cut off.”

Ji-hyuk smirked like that. Of course, Knaktul was enraged. He swung the split axe wildly. But the axe he was so proud of was cut cleanly by the sword, bit by bit, until only the handle remained.

The orc felt a miserable sense of defeat as he looked at his hand holding only the handle. His body trembled. He was angry, but it was a feeling of despair that he couldn’t win.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaakㅡㅡㅡ!!!

Knaktul roared wildly on the spot. He shouted and shouted again. Until his voice was hoarse.

Then he turned and walked out of the exam ground. Of course, he was still roaring. Ji-hyuk looked at Knaktul’s retreating back with a cold expression.

He had talent, but he lacked the character to support it. Even if he became a Hero, he would end up at best being a B-class. If he didn’t know his own shortcomings, his skills would eventually stagnate.

Ttaeng Ttaengㅡ.

The bell signaling the end of the match rang belatedly. Ji-hyuk turned around and came out of the exam ground. The fairy patted his back, saying he did well.

And so, Ji-hyuk was among the final 8, and Knaktul, who had been the academy’s top prospect, failed spectacularly.

Princess Elizabeth and Quent won after a close match and eventually rose to be Hero candidates. Elizabeth heard the news that Ji-hyuk had drawn his sword and was curious about the match.

“Knaktul was completely toyed with. Who would have known that his huge axe would be cut so cleanly by the sword?”

The personal instructor shook his head, saying it was hard to believe even after seeing it. He was already praising Gang Ji-hyuk. As someone who walked the same path of swordsmanship, he couldn’t help but be excited that someone with overwhelming talent had appeared.

Elizabeth didn’t like her personal instructor’s behavior, but she pretended not to notice. She also acknowledged that Gang Ji-hyuk was great.

“Anyway, congratulations, Princess.”

“…Well, for something like this. It was a natural result, wasn’t it?”

Of course, she said that, but the princess was also a little happy inside. Of course, the ranking match was still left, but she had overcome a big hurdle.

“And it’s not over yet.”

“The princess will be ranked high.”

The princess also wasn’t without confidence. If she was lucky enough to avoid that damn guy, she could aim for second place.

Yeah, second place. Just avoid that guy until the final. Just that guy….

…But two days later, in the first ranking match, she was matched against that guy.

This damn…. D*mn itㅡ!

Elizabeth hesitated in front of the exam ground. She really felt like she was going crazy. Of all the bad luck, why thisㅡ!

She knew too well that she couldn’t win against him. She would surely be miserably toyed with and only earn the spectators’ laughter.

If she lost here, even if she won the rest, she would only be fifth. Naturally, the difficulty of the 2nd exam mission would also increase.

But what could she do? It was obvious she would lose even if she fought. She vacillated and eventually gave up the match. Her pride, which had recovered a bit during that time, was shattered again.

“I… will forfeit.”

Ji-hyuk, who was already inside the exam ground and waiting for her to enter, heard that and smirked crookedly.

No guts.

Before, she was making such a fuss, saying she would kill him, but it seemed she finally knew her place.

Quent, who met Ji-hyuk in the semi-finals, also forfeited like Elizabeth. It seemed he judged that it would be better to conserve his strength here and win the 3rd and 4th place match. Certainly, that was a more rational judgment.

So, Ji-hyuk won the final match easily and took first place. Of course, he and the fairy thought it was a natural result. His skills were no longer at a level that could be contained within the confines of a candidate.

The 1st exam ended, and two days later was the 2nd exam day. Of course, even before the ranking match started, the candidates quickly began to form teams.

As expected, the most glamorous team was the one that Princess Elizabeth candidate belonged to. With money and power firmly supporting her, the best guys flocked to her. Among them were mercenaries whose names Ji-hyuk had heard a few times.

Now, the public’s interest was focused on the mission that would come out this time. Historically, all 8 candidates had never passed at once. The most was 6. There was even a time when only 1 person passed.

And even if you were first, you didn’t always pass. It was highly likely, but if you were unlucky, you could fail. After all, a mission required more than just skill. The leadership and skill of the candidate leading the team, and even luck, all had to be properly combined.

“You will do well.”

The Fairy Aizel believed in Ji-hyuk. From the 2nd exam onwards, she could no longer follow him.

Of course, there were times when she secretly followed and helped, but she didn’t want to do such a thing to save face. She intended to return to the Crescent Lake’s nest and quietly live there while waiting for him.

“Don’t worry. I’ll complete it safely and go.”

“Yeah….”

Tomorrow was the day to decide the 2nd exam mission. The fairy started packing her bags from the evening, intending to leave the academy after seeing only that. Ji-hyuk quietly visited his teacher’s room.

“Teacher.”

“What is it?”

“No, just…, thank you. For taking care of me.”

Ji-hyuk was sincere. At first, he thought she was a nasty and mean fairy, but now he had changed his mind a lot. She was putting in so much sincerity, and he couldn’t help but feel grateful.

The fairy smiled brightly. It was a truly beautiful smile.

“You don’t have to be grateful. I just did what I should have done as a teacher.”

“Still…, I won’t forget the teacher’s kindness.”

“…Yeah, then I’m grateful.”

Ji-hyuk slowly approached Aizel. She was shy. They hugged tightly. She felt a subtle emotion in his arms, which had grown so much.

Yeah, you had to leave someday. It’s natural. It’s natural.

The fairy’s days with her disciple flashed through her mind. From when they first met until now.

…It was really happy. It was the first time she had truly felt happiness since she had fallen into this strange world.

Aizel hugged Ji-hyuk tightly. …She didn’t want to leave. She didn’t want to let him go. She wanted to watch him grow until the end. She wanted to confirm it with her own eyes.

…But, she let him go.

Because that’s natural.

Because he had to become a Hero.

She… was now an obstacle to him.

That was a teacher. It was also a teacher’s job to let go of a grown disciple without regret.

“Yeah, go get some sleep.”

“Teacher…, have a peaceful night as well.”

“Yeah, you too.”

The decisive day dawned.

The 8 candidates gathered in one place early in the morning.

A figure from the Imperial Family came to the Arhoenteu Academy in person. The mysterious silver-haired young man was the 15th Prince.

The candidates knelt on one knee to the prince, expressing their respect. He smiled kindly and praised them for becoming candidates.

“You’ve worked hard to get here. Of course, the exam isn’t over yet, but I believe without a doubt that you will complete the mission admirably and all become Heroes.”

“It is a great honor, Your Highness.”

“Now…, the time has come. Let’s begin.”

Gang Ji-hyuk stood up abruptly. The prince’s eyes were a bit surprised. Could a human have really taken first place?

“You?”

“I am Gang Ji-hyuk.”

“Yes, Candidate Gang Ji-hyuk. Choose what you want.”

He looked at the various scrolls piled up on the wide table. The contents of the mission and the contribution were briefly written there. This contribution was a score that could be promoted if a certain value was achieved.

In this 2nd exam, no matter which mission he chose, he could become a Hero if he completed it. So, there was no need to choose a difficult one.

…But not for Ji-hyuk.

In order to be promoted to S-class as quickly as possible, he couldn’t just think about completing the mission. He needed a higher score.

He had already made up his mind. He didn’t even glance at the 10-point missions, which had the lowest contribution.

The contribution needed to be promoted from D-class to C-class was 100 points. In other words, he had to do a 10-point mission ten times to be promoted to C-class.

He passed 20 points, 30 points as well. The murmuring of the spectators grew louder. Usually, it was common to choose a 10-point or 20-point mission. So, it was common for a candidate with a low rank to choose a 30-point mission.

The highest contribution passed during the 2nd exam so far was 50 points. And that person was currently an S-class Hero.

Ji-hyuk passed 40 points, 50 points, and 60 points as well. He didn’t stop. Everyone was surprised.

Uh, uhㅡ.

The prince, who had been smiling faintly, gradually hardened his face.

Ji-hyuk was clearly approaching a certain goal.

70 points, 80 points,

And 90 points…,

Ji-hyuk’s feet stopped abruptly.

He picked up the scroll with the mission written on it.

Actually, it was only placed there to make up the numbers. A kind of show.

It was a mission that had already been attempted and failed several times by C-class Heroes, so the contribution had risen vertically.

“…Is he serious?”

The prince asked seriously. Ji-hyuk nodded with unwavering eyes.

“Yes, I will choose this.”

ㅡㅡㅡ!!!

Everyone was astonished. It was something impossible.

What Ji-hyuk held was,

A 100-point mission.