Chapter 374 – Part 2 – Test

Kwak Min-cheol couldn’t help but sneer inside.

‘What? Combat power of 800,000? Is this bastard playing games with me?’

Kwak Min-cheol didn’t believe Choi Seong-min’s words at face value.

He would believe it if it were believable, but wasn’t this going too far?

‘A guy with 250,000 combat power became 800,000 in less than two weeks? You want me to believe this?’

It was already hard to believe he raised it from 20,000 to 250,000, but now 800,000?

It was so absurd it made him angry, but Choi Seong-min’s expression was serious.

As if it were really true.

‘Should I believe this novel bullshit? Or not?’

Objectively speaking, this level of growth didn’t make sense.

‘No matter how good an S-grade trait is, there are limits to growth. No matter how good the weapon, it can’t exceed A-grade level.’

In other words, raising it from 250,000 to 800,000 in two weeks was objectively impossible.

‘But seeing how confidently he says to test him, it doesn’t seem like a lie…’

Who would dare tell lies in front of him?

‘If I can’t believe it, I’ll just test him like the guy said.’

How should he test him?

While pondering, the corners of Kwak Min-cheol’s mouth slightly curved up.

‘Yeah, that would be good.’

* * *

A-rank Hunter Lee Geol-ryun had not been in a good mood all day.

It was because he had been scolded by Kwak Min-cheol over the phone.

‘Damn, how was I supposed to know something like that would happen?’

In just two nights, three human trafficking teams had been completely annihilated.

For Lee Geol-ryun, who was in charge of operating the human trafficking business, it was shocking news.

’31 workers and 21 hunters died. And 70 goods were freed…’

In monetary terms, it was an enormous loss.

‘If only I hadn’t been playing around with the goods at that time…’

If only he hadn’t been indulging in pleasure at the time, if only he had checked the reason for the delayed delivery, this wouldn’t have happened.

‘Whoever did this, it was definitely organized.’

Otherwise, they couldn’t have been annihilated this quickly.

‘Damn, I can’t face senior Yang Baek-du like this.’

For him, who had received business guidance from Yang Baek-du, it was truly a shameful mistake.

‘How long has it been since I took charge of operations for something like this to happen…’

Even if Kwak Min-cheol abandoned him and put someone else in his position, he would have nothing to say.

‘I can’t collapse like this. This is a position I worked so hard to get…!’

He absolutely had to make up for it with good performance and appease Kwak Min-cheol’s anger.

While he was thinking about how to make amends, the phone rang.

It was none other than Kwak Min-cheol.

“Yes, Great Hero!”

-Gather all A-rank hunters currently at the dormitory and assemble in the courtyard immediately. I’ll be arriving soon.

“I will follow your orders.”

Lee Geol-ryun tilted his head after hanging up.

‘Why the sudden assembly order?’

He didn’t know why he was told to assemble them, but when ordered, he had to comply.

Lee Geol-ryun contacted the team members who were currently resting at the dormitory.

Shortly after, team members rushed to gather in front of Lee Geol-ryun.

“Did you call us?”

“Let’s go. The Great Hero is calling.”

The team members walked with tense faces without knowing the reason.

They came out to the courtyard and lined up, waiting for Kwak Min-cheol.

Not long after, a limousine entered in front of the dormitory.

As soon as Kwak Min-cheol got out, Lee Geol-ryun bowed and shouted first.

“You have arrived, Great Hero!”

“You have arrived, Great Hero!”

The other hunters also shouted the same and bowed like folders.

It was like a scene of welcoming a gang boss.

“Oh, yeah.”

When Kwak Min-cheol lightly waved his hand, the hunters lifted their upper bodies in unison.

Lee Geol-ryun stepped forward as the representative and spoke.

“As ordered, we have assembled all A-rank hunters at the dormitory!”

“How many?”

“A total of 10 people in A1 team and A2 team.”

“So that’s 11 including you?”

“That’s correct!”

While looking around at the hunters, Kwak Min-cheol suddenly introduced the person next to him.

“This is a newcomer who joined today.”

Choi Seong-min quickly introduced himself first.

“Nice to meet you. I’m A-rank Hunter Choi Seong-min.”

However, Lee Geol-ryun’s expression wasn’t very good.

‘What? Did he call us just to introduce this nobody?’

Kwak Min-cheol would introduce newcomers when they joined, but this was the first time he had lined up hunters like this for an introduction.

Just as he was looking back and forth between Kwak Min-cheol and Choi Seong-min with puzzled eyes, Kwak Min-cheol cleared up the question.

“The reason I called you isn’t anything special. I want you to test this guy.”

“Test, you mean…?”

“A skill test. All eleven of you, including you, will face this guy one by one.”

“Pardon?”

Lee Geol-ryun thought he had misheard for a moment.

“So you’re saying we should spar one-on-one?”

“Yeah. In a way, it’s like 11 against 1.”

’11 against 1?’

Lee Geol-ryun, who was making a dumbfounded expression, looked at Choi Seong-min again.

‘Is that newcomer that strong?’

He had occasionally made them spar to see their skills, but this was the first time he had ordered an 11 against 1.

‘Of course, since it’s one-on-one spars in sequence, it’s better than ganging up on him all at once…’

From the newcomer’s perspective, having to face eleven people was harsh treatment.

“Excuse me… Great Hero? Are we really supposed to fight? The balance seems off…”

The hunter team that was called consisted of top-tier A-ranks.

All ten had combat power between 400,000 and 500,000.

Lee Geol-ryun’s combat power was 550,000, the highest among the direct subordinates.

No matter how strong the newcomer in front of them was, he couldn’t be a match.

‘No matter how it’s one-on-one, there are eleven people. There’s no way he can win.’

He was worried it might actually break the newcomer’s spirit.

But Kwak Min-cheol looked like there was nothing to worry about.

“Don’t worry. Considering this guy’s combat power, the balance is right.”

“How high is his combat power…”

“He claims it’s 800,000.”

“8, 800,000…!?”

At the shocking number, the hunters began murmuring.

‘800,000 would be overwhelming even among us?’

It was a figure that surpassed not only the direct subordinates but even the current Great Hero Song Chi-hyeon, so they couldn’t help but be surprised.

But that was only brief.

Snickers began appearing on the hunters’ faces.

Lee Geol-ryun also smiled along.

Because he had searched the name in the rankings.

‘A guy who shows 250,000 in the rankings claims 800,000? Ridiculous.’

It was an absurd growth rate to claim he raised it in such a short time, less than two weeks.

‘He lied because we can’t verify it.’

It was unprecedented growth, so it was natural they couldn’t believe it.

‘Besides, the Great Hero said he “claims” it.’ That meant Kwak Min-cheol was also suspicious of the guy’s combat power.

‘So he’s trying to test him using us.’

A sneer appeared on Lee Geol-ryun’s lips.

Finally, an opportunity to make up for his mistake had come.

‘If I properly beat this bastard and reveal it’s a lie, the Great Hero will be satisfied.’

It was a chance to score points with Kwak Min-cheol.

The other hunters were thinking the same thing.

“I was worried for nothing. If it’s around 800,000, it’s enough to face eleven of us.”

He said that, but clear mockery was evident on the faces of Lee Geol-ryun and the hunters.

‘Fucking bastard. What? 800,000?’

‘He’s bullshitting! Fuck.’

‘Where does a newcomer bastard get the nerve.’

‘Let’s beat the shit out of him this time.’

Everyone was waiting with eyes eager for the sparring to start quickly.

“Then let’s spar right here. However, since I don’t want to see anyone die, equipment and skill use are strictly forbidden.”

It meant taking off all items and sparring using only pure physical strength.

“Understood.”

Lee Geol-ryun and the hunters nodded in agreement.

“You’re okay with it too?”

At Kwak Min-cheol’s question, Choi Seong-min also nodded.

“It’s fine. However, I’d like to change the conditions. Because the balance is off.”

At those words, Kwak Min-cheol chuckled.

“True, it would be hard to face eleven people alone.”

“That’s not it. It’s too easy.”

“What? Easy?”

“Yes. One-on-one is too easy. I’d rather face all eleven at the same time.”

At the spirited words, the hunters were all surprised.

Kwak Min-cheol also asked again with surprised eyes.

“You’re saying you’ll face eleven people all at once?”

“That’s right.”

“Overconfident, that one.”

Someone muttered like that.

Though they didn’t say it, everyone was thinking the same.

No matter how high his combat power was at 800,000, facing eleven people with 400,000-500,000 simultaneously was unreasonable.

You’d need to be at least S-rank to have a fighting chance.

It was natural for mockery to appear on the hunters’ faces.

‘A newborn puppy doesn’t know to fear a tiger…’

‘With around 800,000 combat power, he thinks he can win even facing them simultaneously?’

‘Arrogant bastard. Let’s make him experience firsthand how scary a gang-up is.’

Everyone was grinding their teeth like that, but Choi Seong-min’s words weren’t finished yet.

“As you said, I won’t use any items or skills. However, please allow all eleven people facing me to use everything.”

“What?”

Kwak Min-cheol was surprised again and asked back.

“Are you saying you’ll take on a penalty by yourself right now?”

“Yes. The others can freely use weapons and skills. I think I’ll win easily even so.”

The moment they heard those words, the smiles disappeared from the hunters’ faces.

What took the place of smiles was none other than anger.

‘Has that bastard gone crazy?’

‘How dare he look down on us?’

‘He’s really dying to get killed?’

No matter how good he was, saying he’d face them unarmed.

At the absurd condition, the hunters’ reaction was cold.

Kwak Min-cheol also thought this wasn’t right.

“Using weapons and even skills while facing them simultaneously? You could die if you’re not careful.”

“It’s fine. I’m confident not a drop of blood will be shed.”

“You don’t know because you’re ignorant, but the guys here are counted among the top of my direct subordinates. Their combat power all approaches 500,000. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it, so withdraw even now.”

“I think this level is necessary to properly test my skills.”

He didn’t listen even after being warned twice.

Kwak Min-cheol, thinking he had done enough, threw up his hands.

“Fine. If you really want it, let’s change the conditions as you said. You all heard, right? You can wear equipment.”

As if they had been waiting, the hunters put on armor.

Various weapons were held in their hands.

“Prepare for sparring.”

Eleven hunters surrounded Choi Seong-min in a circle.

As promised, Choi Seong-min wasn’t wearing a single piece of armor.

He had no weapon in his hands either.

He planned to face the hunters with pure physical ability alone.

‘Stupid bastard. Why did he needlessly provoke anger.’

Kwak Min-cheol felt somewhat sorry for Choi Seong-min.

Lee Geol-ryun felt the same, as he spoke before the sparring.

“Don’t be too scared. I won’t kill you.”

“I’m not scared though? And you should do your best without holding back. I’m stronger than I look.”

Veins bulged on Lee Geol-ryun’s forehead.

“Arrogant bastard. Don’t complain later.”

The hunters aimed their weapons with menacing eyes.

Even if they didn’t kill him, they planned to take at least one limb.

Surrounding him without gaps, there seemed no way to escape.

Kwak Min-cheol silently shook his head.

The result wasn’t out yet, but it was obvious.

‘He won’t last even 1 second before his limbs get cut off.’

From the look in his subordinates’ eyes, they weren’t in a mood to hold back.

‘That’s what happens when you needlessly scratch at pride. Tsk.’

He said he didn’t want to see anyone die, so his subordinates wouldn’t kill him.

‘Still, it’s a waste. The subordinate I finally discovered turns out to be such a guy full of bluff.’

Anticipating Choi Seong-min’s defeat, Kwak Min-cheol shouted.

“Sparring begin!”

It was hardly worthy of being called sparring.

There was no way eleven armed people could lose to one unarmed person.

No matter how high his combat power was at 800,000, without equipment, the limits of stats would be clear.

It was obvious it would be a one-sided fight.

However.

The situation flowed differently from Kwak Min-cheol’s expectation.

Thud thud thud thud thud thud-!

With screams, the hunters fell like autumn leaves in the wind.

It didn’t take long for Kwak Min-cheol’s eyes to widen.

“…How, how?”

As expected, the fight ended one-sidedly.

Though the person standing was different from expectations.

“This should be sufficient for the test, right?”

Among the groaning hunters, only Choi Seong-min was standing.