#51: Hunter Academy Entrance Exam (1) — Starborn Cheat Character

The match started immediately.

Although gathering the participants took some time, it seemed that all preparations had been made beforehand.

Thus, without any delay, the match commenced.

“Please don’t be too surprised, okay~?”

With a warm smile, the female professor waved her hand, and the entire arena was filled with a blue light.

Minute and intricate magic spread out.

It seems that she was the one responsible for maintaining the barrier here.

Moon Bora let out a brief exclamation.

“Even seeing it again, Miss Amelia’s magic is amazing.”
“Is that person Amelia?”
“Oh, no. Let me explain since you wouldn’t know.”

Great Mage Amelia.
A woman with the nickname ‘Magic Emperor.’

Her unique ability had an unbelievable performance of turning what she imagined into reality.

“Of course, there are many restrictions… such as the fact that these illusions cannot cause actual harm. But still, it is an incredible power.”

Amelia, before she died, donated her power to the Academy in some manner.

Engraving a ‘vow’ that it could only be used for public purposes.

“Oh, so what’s unfolding now…”

“Yes, that’s correct. This is the [Illusion Formation Phantasma], said to be the ultimate art that other academies cannot rival.”

According to Moon Bora, the ‘Virtual Training’ seen at the Academy and elsewhere were all imitations created by researching Amelia’s power.

Though they were said to be inferior to the original.
Despite the various praises showered by Moon Bora.
I only half-listened.

To put it simply, it involved summoning an imaginary enemy that would effectively demonstrate the test taker’s strength.
Then, after weakening it compared to the original, they would fight it.

‘It’s practically a golden rule for academy genres.’

And now, the power of that [Illusion Formation Phantasma] was unfolding.

Bang!

A small explosion.
Following that, swirling smoke spread out.

The one who emerged from there was a woman with her hair tied in two pigtails.

A woman who didn’t seem much older than Meowi was also a test taker like us.

‘She must be a [Swordsman] class.’

The sword she wielded emitted a distinctive ‘Whoong!’ noise, like a chainsaw.

As she cut the enemy, the scratch-like icon left subtly indicated a decrease in the enemy’s defense.

Commonly known as [Defense Break].

It was a staple CC skill for the [Swordsman] class.

Swordsmen were usually classified as a main dealer class.
However, due to that effect, they were often employed as supporters as well.

Additionally, if the enemy was in a [Defense Break] state, it possessed a trait called [Barrier Shatterer] that amplified all damage, making its own DPS quite decent.

However, the opponent wasn’t favorable.

The enemy that young one was facing was a walking, human-sized purple mushroom.

It was a C-rank mid-boss called <Mushroomber>.

When the woman’s sword slashed through the Mushroomber’s torso, ‘Pshoo!’ a burst of purple, toxic gas was released.

It was the derivative skill [Poison Gas] of [Poison].

A technique known as the nightmare of close-range dealers.
Its duration was long, leaving a poison cloud for an extended period.

As if this wasn’t challenging enough, the severed body of the Mushroomber was slowly regenerating.

It was a unique recovery skill of the mushroom species like [Mushroomber] called [Mushroom Regeneration].

‘What a filthy combination.’

The combination was so extreme that it would make you want to curse out loud.

For a Swordsman class with inadequate basic stats and high-powered skills in exchange for [Defense Break], overcoming this situation was nearly impossible.

As time passed, the arena filled with poison, and Yang Gal-rae, the one fighting it, grew more and more exhausted.

Her skin turned purple, indicating she was poisoned up to her chin, and eventually, she dropped her sword and collapsed to the ground.

“The match is over~ Good job~”

As the Professor gestured, the poison cloud and Mushroomber disappeared in an instant.

At the same time, Yang Gal-rae, who was gasping from the poison, returned to a normal state.

Even seeing it again, it was a magical situation.

But the lack of surprise from the surroundings indicated that it was normal.

“That was a good move.”
“It wasn’t bad. Keep improving, though.”
“Just the [Defense Break] was enough to show your potential. Be proud of it.”

“Th-thank you…”

She listened to the words of the professor and then immediately left.
Then the name of the next test taker rang out.

“Participant number 322, Moon Bora, would you please come forward?“

Moon Bora stood up as soon as the words were uttered.

‘Phew…’ she calmed herself down with a short, deep breath and then raised her head up.

The sight of her walking gracefully, flipping her hair with her right hand, was enough to captivate the audience.

Well, surely…

“Miss Bora~ Fighting!”
“Bore, Bora, cheer up!”
“……”

The haughty atmosphere was slightly broken by the cheers of her two companions.

Moon Bora, standing on the stage, nodded briefly.

“I am ready.”
“Okay then, let us get started.”

Pajijik!

As soon as the professor’s words ended, a blue light source spread out.

Right in front of Moon Bora, a large amount of data gathered.

It soon formed a shape.

“Kwaooorrr!!!”

A deafening, loud sound.

What appeared in front of her was a gigantic gorilla, easily over 4 meters tall.

Strangely, the gorilla’s fur was blood-red, and it glared at Moon Bora with a vicious look.

[Redback].

Two months ago, it was an offshoot of [Silverback] that had troubled Moon Bora.

“Kwaooorrr!!”

The fur on the Redback’s chest began to turn crimson red.

Simultaneously, flames erupted from it.

If the Silverback was a boss focused on damage reduction with the [Stone Skin] trait, the Redback was a creature with the [Flame Body] trait that added elemental type damage.

Logically, enveloping oneself in flames would cause self-harm, akin to a suicidal move.

However, the flame-clad Redback charged forward as if completely unaffected.

The reason this was possible was not only because the Redback itself had a high [Fire Resistance] stat.
It was also due to the Uncommon-grade durability trait called [Fireproof Leather].

‘Fast.’

The Redback, being a typical dealer type, was faster than the Silverback.

Therefore, Moon Bora focused on defending with ice rather than dodging awkwardly.

With a snap of her fingers, a transparent ice pillar erupted with a bang.

It was the same [Ice Pillar] as before, but its power and range were on a different level.

It was the moment when Moon Bora’s true skills, freed from the shackles of <Backup>, were revealed.

Bang!

“Grrr!”

Moon Bora successfully blocked the Redback’s attack.

She then reached into her chest to start her counterattack.

And Yu Seha, who was watching the scene, clenched his fists.

‘…! It has finally come!’

Moon Bora.

She wasn’t merely an ordinary 4★ character; she was exceptionally popular among ‘supervisors.’

Outstanding beauty and an excellent figure.
Well-drawn illustration.
A hearty appetite, like a golden retriever, despite being a lady from a noble family.
A kind and gullible personality, despite appearing cold-hearted.

Various factors contribute to her popularity, but this was the main reason Moon Bora had become a scene-stealer.

Something long protruded from Moon Bora’s chest.

It was a staff.

However, it had a very unique shape for a staff.

A handle and a barrel.
Even a cartridge for loading.
It almost resembled a firearm.

‘Moon Bora’s unique ability.’

[Guns Weapon.]

An innate ability that allowed her to store her staff like a pocket dimension and transform its shape to receive ‘gun’ adjustments.

The initial military enthusiasts cheered at this sight.

A gun in a fantasy world without firearms?!

However, soon, a wave of disappointment spread.

‘…Range increase.’

The performance of [Guns Weapon] had nothing else but that.

It didn’t increase the power of the staff.
Nor the range of magic.
Nor did it improve casting speed.

Anyway, even with little mana, staffs could shoot long-range basic attacks.

There was no merit in increasing the range with a gun.

Upon reflection, it was obvious. ‘GAL’ was a world where firearms like guns didn’t exist at all.

It was a place where swords, spears, bows, and staffs were the main weapons, so such a thing would be absurdly out of place.

Thus, Moon Bora was considered a character without a [Unique Ability].

This resulted in her being unable to perform as a dealer, even though she was a dealer class [Mage].

But, all of this didn’t matter.

“……”

Moon Bora pulled the cartridge of the staff that had transformed into a gun.

Then, she took out a magazine made of magic from between her large breasts and loaded it.

Yes, that’s it.

‘Breast Loading.’

Also known as [Mid Loading], this unique, bouncy bust morphing and the exclusive illustration that blatantly shows it off were an evil and terrifying finishing move that captivated the instructors.

There was one sentence that received countless recommendations from ‘GAL’.

[The reason we raise Moon Bora is because of her breasts. If you object, you’re not a real man.]
└I agree.
└I agree.
└I agree.

Anyway, she was a character who had built a sort of legendary monument.

“Keuk. This is it.”
“…Meow?”

To see this with my own eyes.
Of course, it was merely a moment of excitement as a supervisor.
Don’t misunderstand it.

Bang!

While thinking, the battle proceeded step by step.

“Kwoarrr!”

The Redback was engulfed in flames all over its body, and Moon Bora was moving nimbly while appropriately firing her staff gun.

In an instant, the firepower surrounding the Redback’s body intensified.

Judging that this wasn’t going to work, it further increased the firepower of [Flame Body].

The Redback pushed its shoulder forward, aiming precisely at Moon Bora.

Immediately after, with a bang, the Redback charged towards her.

The derivative skill of [Rush], [Charge Crush], caused a menacing noise.

Upon impact, it would deal not only powerful physical damage.
It was a technique that included a powerful status ailment that could cause fainting for up to five seconds.

“……”

However, Moon Bora calmly surveyed the battlefield without showing any signs of panic.

She flicked her fingers to create an ice pillar beneath her feet.

The pillars connected like dominos, allowing Moon Bora to escape the range of [Charge Crush] like a living snake.

Bang!

In the end, the ice was the only thing that [Charge Crush] collided with.

‘…As expected of Moon Bora.’

She fought well.

She wasn’t called a promising rookie with the nickname <Snow Ice> for nothing.

Seeing her skillfully widen the distance.
It seemed she clearly understood the [Redback]’s weaknesses.

The Redback could spew flames, but it lacked the ability to manipulate them.

This meant it couldn’t mold the flames into balls or shoot fire from its mouth like the [Pearl Spitting Tortoise].

Here, due to its low durability, it was impossible to set the entire stadium on fire.

In the end, as time went by, the Redback accumulated damage from the [Ice Pillar] and normal attacks.

“Kwe… Krweck…!”
“Let’s end this now.”

The staff in her hand spinned elegantly.

*Click! *With a sound, Moon Bora aimed at the Redback.

“[Icicle].”

Bang!

The magic, flying like a bullet, hit the Redback.

The freezing cold that enveloped its entire body bloomed ice crystals everywhere like sharp thorns.

‘As expected…’

[Icicle]. A Rare grade skill.

It was a derivative skill of Moon Bora’s Hero grade ability, [Frozen Tundra], which she had from the beginning.

It was something one had to work hard to learn.
It seemed she hadn’t been just playing around during the two months we were apart.

With a cracking sound, the Redback’s body shattered into pieces and disappeared.

Moon Bora briefly looked at it and then turned her gaze towards the professors.

“Indeed, it’s amazing.”
“Excellent.”
“…Hmm.”

Moon Bora received a much better response than the other candidates.

She bowed her head slightly and turned back.

Sounds of murmuring could be heard here and there.

―Wow, as expected, [Snow Ice] is different… [Ice Pillar] has weak firepower, but she handles it calmly and methodically.
―Would she be a C-rank prospect for nothing? Her footwork is different from ours.

Moon Bora thought after hearing that.

‘…Different.’

Was it really different?

Moon Bora didn’t think she was born with something special.

It might sound annoying to others, but it was a sincere thought.

‘Truly, if someone was born with it.’

It would have been her real sister.

And also.

It would be this man in front of her, Yu Seha.

“Smile.”
“…?”

Returning to his seat, Yu Seha immediately gave a thumbs-up.

With a pure smile devoid of personal motives, jealousy, or awe, Moon Bora felt slightly relieved at this.