Chapter 63 (1/2)
When Su-hyeun entered the building and began to move separately for reexamination, everyone who waiting for Su-hyeun lost their purpose. Kim Seok-jin just smoked a cigar since there was nothing he could do.
“Working as an independent…”
“It’s surprising,” his attendant said.
In response to the attendant, Kim Seok-jin shook his head. “No. This makes more sense for him.”
“Yes?”
“He is the guy who hasn’t shown his face in two years. It would be a funny thing if he wanted to join the guild now. Many S-Rank awakeners are actually working as mercenaries or focusing on climbing the tower.”
It was the same for their guild master, Park Ji-yeon. She only had a title but devoted most of her time to climbing the tower, except when completing dungeon attacks. Not only her but also other S-rank awakeners were similar. People could not reach S-Rank without climbing the tower with such hard work.
“I am sure he is the same.”
“Then why is he taking the rank reexamination?” the attendant asked.
“Well. There are many benefits… Money can be one of the reasons…”
“So, it means you don’t know exactly?”
“In fact, yes.” Kim Seok-jin nodded and took the phone out of his pocket. But it was that time.
The phone started to ring, and a familiar name popped on the screen. Kim Seok-jin thought the situation was funny. He smirked a little. Soon, he picked up the phone.
“Yes, Guild Master.”
***
Su-hyeun came to the basement of the Authority building for the reexamination. The basement was made of special materials that prevented magic from leaking outward. More exactly, it would prevent the impact of the underground from spreading upward.
There were a total of five examiners who followed Su-hyeun and his party. As they set up various devices throughout the void of the basement, the examiner who looked the highest among them opened his mouth.
“First of all, let me explain the agreement you will make after you pass the S-Rank examination. First, S-rank awakeners receive a certain amount of money on the 1st of every month. Additionally, they regularly take turns with other S-rank awakeners and engage in a special dungeon attack…”
Su-hyeun was familiar with that agreement. He did not pay attention to the explanation and just watched the devices.
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There was more than one test. S-Rank awakeners were tested for not only the factor and level of the magic but also overall stats as well as other qualities related to other battles. Only the ones who passed all of that could be S-Rank awakeners.
“…about the rights are in this document, so please read it later.”
The examiner said so and handed a document to Suhyun. The cover of the document was colorfully embroidered in gold. There were several rights that S-rank awakeners received. Su-hyeun glanced over the contents and signed below.
“Well. Let’s take the test quickly,” Su-hyeun said.
“We are preparing now. Please wait for a moment.”
After a moment, all the devices were ready. There were some small platforms, a magic tester, and some devices to verify physical performances.
“First, we will check your magic level and factor. Second, we will check your magic control ability. Third, we will check your overall physical ability. What do you usually use for a weapon?”
“I use a sword and spear.” Su-hyeun showed his sword at his waist area and the spear on his back.
“The sword and spear…All right. Close combat tactics and long-distance throwing statics. What about your unique skill?”
“For the skill…”
Several questions followed, and when all questions were answered, the examiner nodded. In fact, just listening to those questions could not give them anything special. Most skills were to be evaluated during the exam.
“Please walk in front of the platform. The first test will be taken under an illusion.”
“What are the detailed rules?” Su-hyeun asked.
“You have to figure it out yourself. Just keep in your mind that the time limit is key.”
They didn’t explain the rules but expected him to realize the rules on his own.
<>
In the case of advanced rank screening, most countries had a system like the Tower of Trials. This method was quite discriminatory, so the people who were more than A-Rank got their grade after such an examination.
“Please step on the platform.”
Su-hyeun stepped on the round-shaped platform as the examiner said. The devices were made of several intermediate Ether stones and one higher Ether stone. The stones also had a role.
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There was a man named Johnny Brad. He was one of the highest-ranked awakeners and he was known for his hallucination skills. His work was high-quality and used in world-wide awakeners’ agencies. This device was also one of his works. Of course, it was not as powerful as what he could use in person. It might have worked better for regular people, but it was impossible to show hallucinations that were threatening enough to S-Rank awakeners.
“Don’t reject the magic from the device. If you accept the magic, the test will start soon.”
Su-hyeun nodded at the examiner’s advice. If he wanted to resist, he was able to do that. To him, it was possible not to hallucinate in the first place.
Whirl, whirl—
Soon, the device was activated, and a lot of magic power was released from the Ether stone. That magic was sucked into Su-hyeun’s head in a moment. He did not resist it and closed his eyes. Then, he could feel a cool breeze with his skin. When he opened his eyes, there was a completely different landscape.
Caw, caw, caw—!
He could hear something sounding like loud crows. There were black spears on the ground, hundreds of and thousands of them. Above, he could see a black sky. No, it merely looked like a black sky. Birds that looked like crows filled the sky.
“They don’t look like crows… Are they Blackbirds?”
A Blackbird was a monster that looked like a giant crow. There was nothing, in particular, that said it was a monster. Blackbirds had a strong desire for survival rather than fighting. So, it usually was not threatening. Those were the Blackbirds that Su-hyeun knew.
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It was not difficult to figure out what the subject of the test was.
<>
He recalled the hint that the examiner said. He said the time limit was key. So, that meant they were testing how fast he could handle the birds above the sky. There were many spears on the ground and many birds in the sky.