Chapter 19: A Rookie’s Awakening and the Aftermath

Shin Ji-ho surveyed his surroundings. The sudden appearance of the monster had trapped the residents of the nearby housing area, forcing them to extinguish their lights and hide inside their homes. Engaging the monster recklessly would be catastrophic if it were to use a skill on a nearby building.

At this moment, the best course of action was to evacuate the panicked student and lure the monster to a less populated area.

Shin Ji-ho knew that even if he were injured by a monster of this caliber, it wouldn’t be to a fatal extent. Fortunately, the enemy was exceptionally slow.

“Hey, get out of the way!”

“Aargh, no!”

The terrified student merely shrieked. He thrashed desperately, yet his inability to move from his spot felt strangely unnatural.

Upon closer inspection, Shin Ji-ho noticed a thick, sticky, dark green bodily fluid clinging to the ground where the student sat. This fluid was likely restricting his movement.

Amidst the student’s screams, a faint flow of mana, much weaker than that emanating from the rift, could be felt around him.

Simultaneously, Shin Ji-ho witnessed small pebbles near the student launch into the air and strike the monster.

Though the stones were too tiny to inflict any significant damage, it was undeniably a skill.

Shin Ji-ho immediately opened the student’s status window.

[Status]

‘F-rank…….’

Normally, an F-rank would be deemed incapable of combat. Nevertheless, an awakened individual was still an awakened individual.

Shin Ji-ho pulled a one-time use item from his pocket and tossed it.

As the item activated, reacting to the mana, a vivid blue mana barrier materialized before the monster, a Liquel.

The Liquel mindlessly charged forward, slamming its body against the wall. Whether it possessed low intelligence or was simply aggressive, it continued to relentlessly rush towards them, ignoring the barrier. Shin Ji-ho felt relieved that it wasn’t veering off course.

Shin Ji-ho approached Kim Dong-su and crouched beside him. Kim Dong-su, startled by the sudden grip on his shoulder, spun around in surprise.

“Sh-Shin Ji-ho?”

‘How dare this young kid speak informally to me?’ Instead of acting like a boomer, Shin Ji-ho posed a question.

“Didn’t you receive awakened training?”

“I-I just… just awakened…”

“Ah, I see.”

‘So, a rookie who can’t even properly gauge his own strength tried to do something rash. That explains it.’

“What good will attacking like that do? You’ll only provoke it.”

“B-But I can’t escape…”

“It’s alright, you don’t need to escape.”

Shin Ji-ho smiled calmly, even as he watched the mana barrier slowly dim.

“Because now, you’ll be able to kill it.”

“No, I can’t. With my strength, I can only lift small stones.”

Despite his despair, Kim Dong-su managed to grasp the situation to some extent in that short time, muttering his protest. Shin Ji-ho firmly clasped Kim Dong-su’s trembling hand.

“It’s okay. You can do it.”

“No, um…”

Kim Dong-su’s face flushed crimson, clearly flustered. He seemed too agitated and nervous. In such a state, even achievable tasks would become impossible.

Though time was of the essence, Shin Ji-ho did not rush. The power of a newly awakened individual was indeed unstable. Calming Kim Dong-su was the immediate priority.

“There’s no need to be nervous. Have you heard Guild Leader Apollo’s press conference?”

“I did hear it, but… I’m weaker than him…”

“I know. But I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t think you could do it.”

“M-Me?”

“Yes. The boss monster Seon Tae-woong killed was at least S-rank. This one is only D-rank. It’s a much weaker enemy, isn’t it?”

“That’s true, but…”

“It’s okay, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. I’m just asking you to try once. If it doesn’t work, I’ll stop it. I’m B-rank, so I can kill an enemy of this level.”

Kim Dong-su stared at Shin Ji-ho. His eyes seemed to ask, ‘If you can kill it, why aren’t you?’ Shin Ji-ho chuckled, shaking his head.

“I’m alone. If I were to kill them one by one, and they attacked a nearby house, someone could get hurt. That’s too risky. But with your ability, when it’s amplified, you can wipe them out in one go, which is much more efficient.”

“……”

“I’m saying this because I believe you can do it. Don’t worry too much, just try it once. No one will blame you if you fail.”

Kim Dong-su, who had been dazed, eventually nodded at the calm whisper.

“Yes. Th-Then, I’ll try.”

He still seemed unsure, but the willingness to try was enough. It was better to be tense than to act cocky and make a mistake.

Having received Kim Dong-su’s consent, Shin Ji-ho looked around. He then picked up a fallen leaf from the ground and handed it to Kim Dong-su.

“Your power seems to be psychokinesis.”

“Yes, I think so too…”

“Can you try to tear this leaf with your ability? Exactly in half.”

“I-I’ll try.”

Kim Dong-su squeezed his eyes shut and used his skill. Though clumsy, the leaf tore into two pieces.

“Ah…”

Contrary to the request to tear it in half, it was roughly a 7:3 split. Still, for a first attempt, it was excellent.

However, Kim Dong-su wore a crestfallen expression, having failed to meet the request.

“I-I didn’t tear it well.”

“Of course, it’s your first time. You did well enough.”

“Th-Thank you.”

“This is good enough. Recall that sensation from a moment ago. Focus as much as you can.”

Kim Dong-su nodded.

Shin Ji-ho decided to trust this middle school student before him. Now, it was Shin Ji-ho’s role to support him in killing the monsters.

In truth, this was also Shin Ji-ho’s first time truly using his skill. Inside the dungeon, he had been too broken and injured to fully grasp it.

Furthermore, this particular skill was one he had truly never used before.

[Sphere of Absorption.]

When [Sphere of Absorption] is used, mana can be absorbed from entities originating from Earth.

As soon as the skill activated, mana converged towards Shin Ji-ho. From the asphalt road, from the trees planted for landscaping, from the indiscriminately flowing wind, from the buildings densely packed on all sides, from parked cars—from everywhere imaginable.

Even from entities not usually thought to contain mana, a significant amount was absorbed. Shin Ji-ho was inwardly flustered.

‘This hurts more than I expected.’

Had he drawn in too much mana? Drawing mana itself wasn’t difficult. However, the moment mana entered Shin Ji-ho’s body, a heavy burden fell upon him. Shin Ji-ho cast aside his greed and dispersed the remaining mana.

But even this much was sufficient.

The mana gathered in a short time reached 2,000, exceeding Shin Ji-ho’s maximum mana. Though this skill could only be used outside dungeons due to its conditions, its performance was so excellent that the penalty was easily forgotten.

[Star’s Blessing.]

As the skill was used, the mana drawn from all directions converged on Kim Dong-su. Just in case, Shin Ji-ho only transferred half of the gathered mana.

Even with just half, it was enough. Kim Dong-su became exhilarated with the immense power, much like Seon Tae-woong had been. Shin Ji-ho shook the enraptured Kim Dong-su, who wore an ecstatic expression, vigorously.

“Kim Dong-su. Dong-su!”

“Ah…”

Only when his name was called did Kim Dong-su finally turn to Shin Ji-ho with a bewildered expression. It would be awkward if he asked how Shin Ji-ho knew his name, but given his state of confusion, Shin Ji-ho could probably bluff his way out.

Kim Dong-su’s unfocused eyes slowly regained clarity.

Shin Ji-ho deliberately raised his index finger and pointed forward.

Now, the Liquel was on the verge of breaking through the nearly vanished mana barrier and charging. However, the fear that had previously clouded Kim Dong-su’s eyes when looking at the Liquel was gone.

“Can you do it?”

“Yes, yes!”

Just as Seon Tae-woong had, Kim Dong-su shouted with conviction. While Seon Tae-woong, an A-rank hunter skilled in combat, was no cause for concern, a newly awakened F-rank hunter was a bit unsettling. Shin Ji-ho calmly whispered to the excited Dong-su.

“Don’t get too excited. Gather the monsters, and tear them apart like that leaf.”

“Yes!”

Kim Dong-su confidently shouted and immediately activated his skill.

A moment ago, when he used his skill, there had been no physical change in Kim Dong-su. However, with the immense mana granted by [Star’s Blessing], Kim Dong-su’s eyes blazed with a clear, sapphire-blue light, like a pristine ocean.

Kim Dong-su’s mana, which had only been capable of throwing small pebbles moments before, now swelled dozens of times in magnitude, engulfing the monsters in an instant.

Kwaaaang!

The colossal sound swept away all the surrounding minor noises.

A powerful blow, struck with an intense surge of mana that made the surrounding air tingle.

The might of the skill Kim Dong-su unleashed with such vigor was tremendous.

The monsters, not of a particularly high rank, were utterly shredded, not just torn in two, but completely pulverized by Kim Dong-su’s single skill, unable to even resist. The fact that the aim was slightly off due to the sheer intensity of the blow was no issue.

All ten monsters, including those that had just crawled out of the rift, were dead. With a single strike.

It was a triumphant feat that must have brought immense relief to the terrified residents watching.

However, Shin Ji-ho and Kim Dong-su themselves could not fully celebrate their victory.

“Uh…”

“Hmph.”

Kim Dong-su’s strike was powerful. Far too powerful.

The immense blow had not only obliterated the monsters but also deeply gouged the road. He even saw a commercial building at the end of the alley split apart. Fortunately, being a commercial area, it seemed to be unoccupied at this hour, but still…

Shin Ji-ho felt dizzy looking at the road, which was damaged beyond easy repair.

He had, in fact, intentionally poured an excessive amount of mana into Kim Dong-su. The residents who hadn’t evacuated were watching. If an F-rank awakened individual, directly empowered by Shin Ji-ho, used such immense strength, everyone present would learn about Shin Ji-ho’s abilities.

However, he hadn’t realized that a thousand units of mana could be so devastating. After all, his own mana was 1400.

“Next time, I’ll need to adjust it a bit…”

Shin Ji-ho’s murmured voice held a faint hint of a smile.

And a moment later, the sound of nearby hunters, having detected the rift, rushing towards them, could be heard.

****

[News Report 1] Gate Appears in Seocho-dong… Emergency Alert Issued

[News Report 3] Estimated Class 6 Single-Occurrence Gate Appears in Seocho-dong… Monsters Suppressed

Around 10:12 PM on April 20th, an unforecasted single-occurrence gate appeared in Seocho-dong, resulting in seven injured pedestrians. The injured are currently being transported to the hospital, and their lives are reportedly not in danger.

Investigations indicate that a B-rank hunter passing nearby and an awakened individual of unknown rank who awakened at the scene suppressed the monsters.

A fire broke out during the monster suppression but was extinguished by subsequently dispatched hunters. Fire authorities are currently handling residual fire operations.

****

Hunter Space

Title: Awakened of Unknown Rank Estimated to Be S-rank

(Photo of a street split in half.jpg)

(Photo of a collapsed building.jpg)

Look at that collapsed building, they say it was one skill!

We’ll only know for sure after measurement, but with this power, there’s no way it’s below A-rank.

Comments

– Wow, that’s insane, I just changed my pants.

– So, are we actually going to have six S-ranks, SSS-ranks, in Korea now?

➥ My chest swells with pride. Our neighbor, with twice the population, only has three.

****

Hunter Space

Title: The New S-rank is a Middle Schooler

(Video of an awakened using a skill.mp4)

They’re wearing a school uniform.

Comments

– If they’re a middle schooler, they won’t be a hunter. What’s the minimum age for hunters?

➥ You need to have your resident registration card.

➥➥ When do you get your resident registration card? Eighteen?

➥➥➥ At 17 years old.

– They can just drop out of college prep, easy money.

****

Hunter Space

Title: That B-rank Hunter Passing By Is Shin Ji-ho, Right?

Just as the title says.

Comments

– Didn’t ask.

➥ ?? It’s all in the title, just scroll past if you’re not interested, old man.

➥ Did anyone here ask if this guy was curious?

– Shin Ji-ho’s new skill is enhancement, they say… So the new awakened might not be S-rank after all.

➥ No matter how much enhancement, it’s impossible to enhance to S-rank level.

➥ Do you believe Seon Tae-woong’s media play?

➥➥ Some people still believe it’s media play, how pathetic.

➥➥ It’s more likely that Shin Ji-ho’s skill is good than another S-rank appearing in Hell Joseon.

****

Hunter Space

Title: They Say The New Awakened Is F-rank

Does it make sense for an F-rank skill to have this much power?

Comments

– Something smells suspicious again.

➥ Stop with the conspiracy theories; think rationally. If he cleared an S-rank dungeon safely, he must have enhanced his skills to that extent.

****

Hunter Space

Title: Proof That The Hunter Association Is Manipulating F-rankers

(https://www.metube.com/watch?v=RkdlA3293xxx)

Comments

– For hunters, to believe such rumors… Please don’t tell anyone you’re a hunter, it’s embarrassing.

– How can this guy be a hunter in Korea if he distrusts the Hunter Association so much? Go abroad.

– This is the Metube where they seriously believe Joo Yi-won absorbs S-rank power to maintain SS-rank, right?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

➥ Tell them to dig up the absorption secret already, pleaseㅠㅠ I’ll believe it if I become SSS-rank.

****

Hunter Space

Title: Shin Ji-ho, who manipulated an S-rank into an F-rank, should awaken.

Did you come in believing the title?

Then go to the hospital LOL. Mental illness is best treated early LOL.

These corrupt bastards at the Hunter Association used to rant about them over-evaluating low ranks for their achievements, and now these corrupt bastards at the Hunter Association are ranting about them being controlled by a single hunter to classify an S-rank as an F-rank.

Damn it, please be consistent with your opinions! Why would the Hunter Association, are they out of their minds, downgrade an S-rank to an F-rank?ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Comments

– I came in to curse, but I’ll just pass by.

– When I see these guys still pushing conspiracy theories, it’s like Shin Ji-ho is the President of the United States or something.

➥ Shin Ji-ho in their minds: ‘Declare the new S-rank an F-rank!’

Hunter Association: ‘Sob sob, yes.’

****

Hunter Space

Title: Shin Ji-ho is getting his rank reevaluated, S-rank on the cards?

If enhancing an F-rank to S-rank level, isn’t he definitely S-rank?

Comments

– We’ll have to see. If that power is only possible once or twice, it’s not S-rank, maybe A-rank.

➥ What if it’s continuously possible?

➥➥ SSS-rank is totally possible… Of course, for SSS-rank, you need to be recognized for your contributions like Joo Yi-won, so he wouldn’t be promoted immediately.