I Became a Mythical Hunter After Killing the Golden Goblin - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 10. Tutorial
Shin Ju-ha’s practical examination ended in merely ten seconds. Naturally, in those ten seconds alone, he captivated everyone’s attention.
The composure radiating from his entire being, as if watching a seasoned veteran; the skill backing that composure; and beyond that, a performance that lacked flashiness yet struck with undeniable intensity.
Among those who had passed before him, not a single one had slain a goblin, so the title of “first” seared his image into their memories all the more vividly.
And this sentiment was far from limited to the aspirants alone.
“Remarkable.”
“What unique ability could he have awakened to slice a goblin in one stroke, even if it were merely a holographic manifestation?”
“Since he hasn’t raised his level, he must have at minimum awakened high-grade physical-type stats. Extraordinary talent!”
“His swordsmanship is nothing short of exceptional!”
In the hidden chamber of the Grand Hall, the guild representatives observing the practical examination spoke in unison, lavishing praise upon Shin Ju-ha.
The atmosphere, which had threatened to grow tedious amid the utterly disappointing performances of the previous participants, suddenly came alive, and everyone’s eyes began to gleam with interest.
An aspirant with no guild affiliation, exceptional skill, and seemingly abundant talent!
He was quite literally a treasure that most of the scouts present would covet.
‘If only we could bring him into our guild!’
‘We could soar to become a major guild!’
‘We must secure him at all costs!’
Yet not everyone viewed him favorably.
In particular, the Seongun Guild—one of the five major guilds and ranked fifth in Korea—which uniquely participated in this examination, was a prime example.
‘Tch, what an irritating bastard.’
The one who had knocked Lee Ji-hyung unconscious and humiliated him before everyone, despite all the effort they’d invested in his image-building and cultivation.
‘Still, he does possess the skill to reduce Lee Ji-hyung to such a state.’
At the very least, they’d managed to suppress the rumor that Lee Ji-hyung had lost because of weakness—a small mercy.
But suppressing that single rumor did nothing to restore the losses they’d suffered.
From the signing bonus used to lure the rising celebrity into the guild, to the money spent on massive advertising campaigns, to the support costs including contracts and provisions.
Though the sum wasn’t something the five major guilds would consider a true loss, considerable funds had been invested, and half of that money had evaporated into thin air thanks to the incident with Shin Ju-ha moments ago.
‘He touched our guild, so he’ll have to pay the price.’
Fury burned within, and he wanted nothing more than to hurl curses at the boy. But for now, he would approach him with courtesy and extend an invitation to join the guild.
He was a scout and a professional—one whose reason superseded emotion.
A loss was a loss, and if Shin Ju-ha were to join his guild, it was certain that not only would the damages be recovered, but the guild would gain momentum for even greater development.
If Shin Ju-ha accepted his proposal, he would forgive the transgression by playing a few tricks with the contract.
‘He’s still just a greenhorn, after all.’
Deceiving a greenhorn who’d never signed a contract before was child’s play for a professional like himself.
But if he refused the offer!
‘If I can’t have him, I’ll destroy him. I’ll tear him down completely and utterly!’
Thus, the scout from the Seongun Guild fixed Shin Ju-ha with a sharp, predatory gaze.
***
“Examinee 200, begin your test!”
Crackle!
-Screech!
“Examinee 200, well done. You pass!”
.
.
.
“Examinee 201, you pass!”
As expected, both Seo Mi-na and Lee Ji-hyung slew their goblins and passed the examination.
Yet even they had not conquered the trial flawlessly.
Whether Seo Mi-na was conscious of my presence or genuinely confident, I couldn’t say.
The moment the test began, she unleashed every ounce of her electrical power upon the goblin, but unfortunately failed to kill it in a single strike—and the Rage skill activated, forcing her to struggle slightly.
Given that her unique ability, which had elevated her to SS-rank, remained incompletely awakened, such a thing was possible. Yet honestly, it was a disappointing display.
Observing her performance, Lee Ji-hyung either learned a lesson or had anticipated the Rage skill from the start, methodically subduing the creature over a prolonged engagement.
These were the future sovereigns who would sweep aside goblins with a single breath and gesture—yet their beginning was far too feeble.
‘It’s only natural. Their stats haven’t fully awakened, and their primary attributes remain low.’
Even after consuming elixirs and undergoing training, the fundamental gap in base attributes could not be overcome.
Since the system-determined rank and the rank assigned by humans to Hunters differed greatly, monsters were naturally stronger than same-rank Hunters.
Typically, one need only raise their level by a single point after first entering the Tutorial to be appointed an [F-] rank Hunter.
And goblins were among the monsters called the Tutorial’s strongest.
To defeat one through straightforward methods alone required at least two or three [F-] rank Hunters with two or more awakened stats.
Of course, later on, the exploits I had used before my regression became known, and hunting became easier.
‘At least those two awakened high-tier stats, so they can manage to capture one.’
Look at the other participants. Among over two hundred people, even those who awakened couldn’t defeat the goblin, could they?
Of the twenty-three who merely triggered the Rage skill and received passing marks, they had barely scraped by.
‘But that much is sufficient.’
Being asked to face a goblin from the start—of course it would be difficult and grueling.
Soon enough, upon entering the Tutorial and slaying even a single monster, their level would rise, and with talent, a single day of effort could awaken one stat.
In any case, thus ended all the examinations.
The failures departed for home, leaving only twenty-six of us.
“You’ve all done well. You will now follow me to the Abyss! But first, the Association will distribute basic equipment provided to all new Hunters!”
Before the words had even finished, staff members entered carrying precisely twenty-three boxes.
“You will be issued the most fundamental equipment.”
Boxes were distributed to everyone except me, Seo Mi-na, and Lee Ji-hyung. They smiled gratefully and began examining their gear.
“And for the guild prospects, each will receive support items prepared by their respective guilds.”
Boxes bearing the emblems of Seonhwa Guild, ranked second, and Seongun Guild, ranked fifth, were placed before the two of them.
And finally, the last box arrived.
“And for the top-ranked examinee, the Association Director and the five guild masters have personally prepared support items. Congratulations!”
I carefully opened the largest box presented to me.
‘Oho~!’
The equipment before my eyes was worlds apart from the standard-issue gear—several tiers above even what the guild provided.
But the first thing that captured my attention was, unsurprisingly, something else entirely.
‘I’ve received this again.’
A Hunter License card stood alone at the top of the box, commanding attention.
The rank field remained empty since I hadn’t entered the Tutorial yet, but simply receiving this card again filled me with satisfaction.
I placed the card back in the box, reviewed the issued equipment, gathered what I needed, and changed into everything in the dressing room.
〚Item: Black Crocodile Leather Top〛
〚Item: Black Crocodile Leather Bottom〛
〚Item: Black Crocodile Leather Belt〛
〚Item: Shadow Treading Death〛
〚Item: Obsessive Black Hand〛
All the support items had a [Rarity-Grade] of [Common-F Grade], and three of them were set items.
〚Set Effect Activated!〛
〚Premium Effect (3/3): The item automatically adjusts its movement to match the user’s motions!〛
I’d expected formal attire to be cumbersome, but this was nothing like that. It was incomparably lighter and more comfortable than the combat gear I’d worn before regression.
The shoes, Shadow Treading Death, granted me a subtle stealth effect, while Obsessive Black Hand ensured my weapon would never slip from my grasp.
And finally… the weapon itself!
〚Item: Flame Sword Infused with Chill〛
‘Perfect!’
A paradoxical blade that harmonized cold and warmth radiated its presence as it settled into my hand.
I read the appraisal document placed beside the sword.
〚Item: Flame Sword Infused with Chill
Rarity: Uncommon
Grade: C-
Description: A sword crafted by a nameless master artisan, forged by combining Flame Stone that burned within fire for 100 years with Frost Liquid that froze within ice for 100 years. A successful creation of exceptional quality.
Abilities
-Weak resistance to flame and frost attributes
-10% chance to inflict burn and freeze status effects on each attack〛
It was a blade that made the word “support equipment” seem absurdly inadequate. The abilities were precisely what I needed in this situation.
I left the room with the sword in hand and boarded the waiting bus.
“We’ll be heading directly to the Abyss entrance. Since this is your first time entering the Abyss, you’ll be going to the Tutorial instead. There are 15 Tutorials in total, and I trust you’ve each decided which one you’ll enter.”
After the brief explanation ended, I turned my head back toward Seo Mi-na sitting behind me and puckered my lips.
Bet. Reward.
Pffft!
She’d confidently placed the wager, but upon losing, I watched her fall silent—and I couldn’t help but laugh.
‘Thanks to this, I’ll be getting one more free item.’
From a collection worthy of a third-generation chaebol heiress, I’d definitely be able to pick something decent.
Seo Mi-na looked displeased, but what did I care? She started the bet, she chose the stakes—it was her own doing.
It was foolish of her to assume I wouldn’t be able to hunt monsters. She was simply paying the price for her miscalculation.
‘I hope she doesn’t try to back out of it.’
As if she would. A chaebol heiress drowning in wealth wouldn’t do something like that!
Before long, the bus arrived before a colossal black vortex.
An Abyss Portal—a gateway and passage to one of the seven Abysses that existed across the nation.
We approached the portal, showed our credentials to an Association staff member who inspected our licenses, and drew close to the portal’s entrance.
“Listen up! The moment you pass through this portal, you must protect yourselves with your own strength. Within lies vast wealth and treasures beyond your imagination, but it will also be teeming with monsters and villains intent on killing you!”
The Examiner spoke to us with genuine earnestness.
“Your tasks today are simple. First, obtain permission for your initial entry into the Abyss and authorization to use the portal. Second, choose your desired Tutorial. Third, defeat even a single monster within the Tutorial and level up!”
He caught his breath, composing himself before delivering his final words.
“I say this again—the Abyss is not a kind place. Never overextend yourselves, and return early if you must. I will wait here until all twenty-six of you emerge. Now, enter!”
With those words, the Examiner stepped aside from the portal and us.
“Let’s go!”
“Finally, we’re Hunters!”
“Mom, Dad! Now I can be filial!”
The aspirants—no, now officially Hunters—disappeared one by one into the Abyss Portal with cries of excitement.
As I moved to follow them, a hand seized my arm.
“Hey, you!”
“What?”
Tch!
The moment I saw who had grabbed me, I scowled and brushed his hand away as though something filthy had touched me.
“Seriously!”
“If it’s not important, get lost.”
“Tsk…! Which Tutorial are you heading to!?”
Why was he asking that?
“Why? Planning to follow me wherever I go?”
“That’s right! This time I’ll prove to you that I didn’t lose! And…!”
Lee Ji-hyung’s gaze flickered sideways before returning to me.
I followed where his eyes had lingered and understood the situation.
‘This bastard is trying to flirt in the Abyss where we’re risking our lives.’
He had noticed Seo Mi-na staring intently at me, and suddenly understood why someone who had lost to me twice was acting so confident.
It was the pathetic, desperate bravado of a man trying to impress a woman he liked.
I was about to hurl curses and ignore him, but seeing the two of them watching my mouth, I fell into thought.
‘Wait… should I just tell him?’
Lee Ji-hyung would definitely enter alongside me and attempt some form of revenge or confrontation.
Couldn’t I use that as an excuse to legitimately deal with him?
And more importantly, there was Seo Mi-na.
‘What if I forced her to awaken her unique ability right beside me?’
Before my regression, she didn’t properly awaken her unique ability until nearly five years later. Even without awakening, she wasn’t weak, but if she did awaken, she’d gain an ability befitting an SS-rank Hunter.
A mythic-grade stat awakening, no less.
Moreover, she would at least feel indebted to me, and I’d gain a reliable backer.
‘If needed, I can even take her to the hidden stage I was planning to visit and put her to good use.’
I could secure the rewards, avoid exerting myself, and still grant her an awakening. All I needed to do was promise to hand over the compensation in exchange for entering the Hidden Stage.
‘Someone like her would benefit far more from experiencing a Hidden Stage and gaining the basic rewards anyway.’
Having settled on this plan, I let out a soft chuckle and threw a comment toward him.
“I’m heading to Zone 7.”
“What? Did I mishear you? Zone 7? That insane region? That scorching desert where there are barely any monsters?”
“Stop asking questions! I’m going, so deal with it. And I’d prefer never to see you again.”
With that, I brushed past him.
“You lost, so prepare the compensation!”
I shouted toward Seo Mi-na and stepped directly into the portal.
Whoooosh!
Along with an inexplicable sensation of weightlessness, messages began to materialize before my eyes.
〚You have entered the Abyss for the first time!〛
〚This is the period for recruiting new players! Your qualifications are verified!〛
〚The Abyss System and your personal system have been synchronized!〛
〚Please select which Tutorial you wish to enter!〛
〚Once a Tutorial is selected, it cannot be changed!〛
“I choose Zone 7.”
〚Tutorial – Zone 7. The Scorched Lands. Is this your selection?〛
“Yes.”
〚Transferring!〛
The weightlessness and messages melted away like snow, and my vision transformed.
“Finally, I’m here!”
Before my eyes stretched a brilliantly blazing sun, an endless desert, and…
“Damn it! Why Zone 7 of all places!”
“…Well, since we’re here together, let’s proceed. I’ll provide your compensation immediately.”
Lee Ji-hyung and Seo Mi-na, who had followed me through the portal, came into view.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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