Hunter Academy Entrance Exam (3)

Kugugu!

A fierce contest of strength unfolded with neither side yielding an inch.

Maintaining the taut string of tension were the over 5 m tall Iron Rhino and a small-framed girl, Ma Hana, who was only 155 cm tall.

In terms of stats and weight class, Ma Hana was naturally at a disadvantage.
It was normal for her to be pushed back.

“Meeeooow!”

But Ma Hana did not crumble.

This was possible because the [Shield Lv. 5] trait, which had advanced one step further from the battle with Pyo Dok-ju, bestowed her a rock-like solidity.

Moreover, her unique ability, whose nature even she did not fully understand, [Nekomata’s Luck], provided her with [Stamina], which became the endurance to sustain her without wasting a single ounce of strength.

What shone even more thanks to these two sturdy abilities was the [Raise Shield].

As expected of a highly efficient skill, [Guardian], it granted her defensive power that blocked the threatening attack of [Reckless Charge].

‘Do not… lose…!’

Finally, there was one thing above all that made her unbeatable.

The determination not to betray Yu Seha’s faith in her, who was watching over her, granted Ma Hana superhuman strength.

“Meeeoow… Meeeoow!”

In the end, as the power struggle continued, it began to take an unexpected turn over time.

“Meow?!”

The ‘Iron Rhino’ unknowingly took a step back.

In this clearly losing situation, eyes filled with bewilderment burst forth from its large pupils.

“Muuuu!!!”

Was it wounded pride?
Or perhaps, even though it was a conjured illusion, the implanted drive to ‘kill’ triggered the hunter’s sense of duty.

The Iron Rhino used a [Skill] notorious enough to make everyone who knew it shudder.

“Is it starting now?”

Professor Bong Mi-chun clicked her tongue.

Before she even finished her sentence, gray magic began to spread around the Iron Rhino’s body.

Dudududuk!

“…Meow?!”

Ma Hana flinched at the sudden impact on her shield.

It sounded like dozens of fists pounding on the shield.

However, this didn’t mean that the power struggle from the [Reckless Charge] was over.

While the charge continued, Ma Hana was bewildered by the additional rapid attacks.

Logically, it wasn’t like the Iron Rhino had multiple arms, and it wouldn’t punch like this.

‘…What?’

Ma Hana infused magic into the [Rune] on her shield.

When [Transparent Sight] was activated right away, everything shone brightly like a transparent mirror.

Only then could Ma Hana clearly understand how the situation was unfolding.

Metal.

It was literally metal, but…

Metal pieces almost the size of an adult’s fist were whirling around the Iron Rhino’s body, drawing a circular pattern.

“…A sustained dealing skill?!”
“Muuuu!!!”

[Sustained Dealing].

Among the skills that accumulate damage, it was considered one of the most efficient categories.

While most skills ended with a single blow, this category was particularly difficult to deal with during the duration due to its consistent damage output.

Among them, the Hero-grade, [Circle of Steel], currently activated by the ‘Iron Rhino’…
Was a notoriously tricky skill known to those familiar with it.

The Iron Rhino summoned 5 to 6 pieces of metal, which rotated around it like satellites, forming a circle and exerting direct physical force.

As time passed, not only did the rotational force increase, but the number and range of metal shards also grew.

Moreover, while this skill was active, the Iron Rhino’s defense increased.

Literally, it was a high-efficiency cheat skill equipped with damage, area attack, and survival.

Kagagak!!
Puh!

“Kreuuk!”

One of the metal pieces skillfully avoided the shield and struck her side.

Ma Hana momentarily lost her breath from the impact, as if someone had clenched their fist and struck her ribs.

“Mwoooo!”

The excited Iron Rhino sent her flying backward.

Fortunately, she quickly twisted her body in midair and successfully landed safely.

“…Hoo.”
“Mwoooo!”

The Iron Rhino charged towards Ma Hana, who was catching her breath, once again with [Reckless Charge].

A shockwave spread.

Moon Bora, who was watching the scene, shook her head.

“…It’s going to be tough.”

Ma Hana’s growth was astonishing every time.
But this was it.
As the [Circle of Steel] unfolded, the previously advantageous situation was instantly overwhelmed.

At this rate, the damage would keep coming.

In the end, the Iron Rhino would win.

Kagagak!

Ma Hana’s shield spewed out sparks as if it were being ground in a mixer.

“From the start, the class is a pure tank with no proper attack skills. The opponent was just too strong.”

But it’s okay.

In Moon Bora’s eyes, this was more than enough to fulfill the role of the main tank.

In reality, not only the audience but also most of the professors were astonished, thinking, ‘I can’t believe she held out this long…’

“Even if you lose, you have a good chance of passing–”
“Open your eyes and watch closely.”

Yu Seha interrupted Moon Bora.

“…What?”
“It’s just beginning.”
“What do you mean…?”

At his smile, Moon Bora looked forward again.

Only then did she notice.

Beyond the sparks flying, Ma Hana’s shield was gradually taking on a crimson hue.

No, it was turning redder, as if it were being heated by fire.

“…Phew!”

Shoulder, side, thigh.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

This time, the temple.

This was a bit dangerous.
Ma Hana almost dropped the shield for a moment due to the shock resonating through her brain.

‘…Get a grip.’

This was nothing.
Wasn’t it just physical pain?
Compared to the agony of a dying spirit, it was a mere trifle.

‘Meow!’

You can do it.
If it’s you, you can do it.

‘Seha is watching me.’

Even without looking, she could feel it on her back.
She knew he was silently watching over her, as always.

That will soon flowed through Ma Hana’s body, reaching the [Rune of the Earthen Lord] deep inside her.

She felt the numbers engraved in her mind steadily rising.

The numbers eventually reached 8.
Then 9.
Finally, she succeeded in reaching 10.

The reward for her patience seeped into the shield, exerting its unique, intense power.

Bang!

Ma Hana stomped the ground.
She delved into the Iron Rhino.

The resistance of the [Circle of Steel] grew even stronger than before, but she forced her way through, finally succeeding in reaching the creature’s head with her shield.

She poured out everything she had built up until now onto the bastard.

“[Push Shield Enhanced Energy]!!!”

Kwaang!

A loud roar echoed.
The formation made of [Strong Iron] was swept away by a massive red shockwave.

“…Muu.”

The Iron Rhino took a direct hit from the tremendous shockwave to its brain.

Its pupils wavered, and blood trickled down.

“Meeeeooow!”

Ma Hana did not stop there.
No matter how much weaker this illusion was compared to the original, a boss was still a boss.
The thought of winning with just one skill was foolish.

She grasped the dagger at her waist in a reverse grip.
The [Dagger] that reached level 3 imbued her with a blue magical power.

Stab, stab, stab!

She focused her attacks on the creature’s fragile eyes.
Suddenly, the Iron Rhino, now completely blinded, staggered.

Thud! Eventually, it collapsed in front of Ma Hana and began to revert to data fragments.

“…Huff, huff.”

Ma Hana’s rough breathing unfolded.
An information window notifying the level-up of [Push Shield] and [Dagger] skills rang in her ears.

Each had a durability and speed increase of 1.

Normally, she should be happy, but perhaps she exerted too much strength.

Ma Hana only exhaled rising breaths.

“……”
“……”

No one made a sound for quite a long time.

There was no applause or astonishment as there had been for , where it was expected.

Just astonishment.
Most of them looked at the test results as if they couldn’t believe it.
Simultaneously, strong looks of ‘distrust’ matched their shock.

Ma Hana was used to it.
Even if they had seen it with their own eyes, those who do not recognize her would never acknowledge her.
Especially if it was a matter of their pride.

But it didn’t matter.
Even if everyone in the world denied her, there was one person who she knew would always believe in her.

Clap, clap, clap!!!

Sure enough.
The silence was broken by the sound of loud applause.

“Meowiii!!!”

Yu Seha.
Her savior and benefactor.
He was clapping his hands until his palms burst.

Then, the sound of applause began to spread from various corners.

I see her differently now.
Amazing! Or something like that.
Various compliments could be heard.

Next, a professor’s words of praise could be heard.

Ma Hana, who was listening silently, couldn’t hide her surprise at the last professor’s words.

The female professor with her characteristic cold expression.
The person who had helped her.
A faint smile spread across her usually expressionless face.

The proud look in her eyes reminded Ma Hana strangely of Yu Seha.

“You did great. You succeeded in proving it.”
“…Th-thank you.”

Ma Hana bowed her head slightly and stepped up.

Moon Bora, clapped softly with a look of amazement.

And then…

“As expected of our Meowi!”

Yu Seha ruffled her hair affectionately.

“Meow~”

Ma Hana, for the first time in a while, let out a sincere ‘Meow~’ with a happy expression.

“Next~ Participant number 324~”

Mr. Yu Seha.
Please step forward.