Hoarding In Hell [EN]: Chapter 20

Ability User Test (3)

20. Ability User Test (3)

Many people gathered around the 3rd gymnasium of the Yongsan Ability User Management Bureau. Most were acquaintances of those taking the Hunter Ability Test.

New applicants and ordinary people couldn’t take their eyes off the rows of foreign cars that dominated the parking lot. It was like a car exhibition.

Dressed in suits, people bustled around the area.

They were high-ranking officials from clans observing the test or headhunters recruiting new talent.

The stage set by the Taesung Clan already had many experienced hunters participating, presenting some unique challenges.

Squeak.

Foreign cars were common for hunters who spent money freely, but this car was different. Those focused on making money recognized this model as one of only seven in the world.

The whispers grew louder the moment the occupant emerged.

“It’s Lee Ji-tae….”

The sound was mixed with awe and admiration. The public often criticized hunters for being money-grabbing, and hunters grumbled that the public didn’t appreciate their protection.

But even among them, Lee Ji-tae was well-regarded by both hunters and the public.

Among hunters, he was a pioneer in exploring the most dangerous dungeons. To the public, he was a powerful hero who practiced noblesse oblige [the responsibility of privileged people to act with generosity and nobility].

Of course, he had enemies, but a significant number of people admired him.

“To think I’d see Lee Ji-tae in person… What’s going on? Could he be scouting new recruits himself?”

“I heard there’s a noteworthy rookie. Is that why Lee Ji-tae came himself?”

Lee Ji-tae, moving with his security personnel, overheard the murmurs. As a Special A-class hunter operating globally, not just in Korea, and the head of an organization, he had many resources.

However, this test was to select rookies to be personally trained to conquer the Baekdu Dungeon. He wanted to see them himself.

Lee Ji-tae entered the 3rd test site and soon met the person he was waiting for.

“Mr. Tae Min-soo.”

The heavily built man, Tae Min-soo, bowed to Lee Ji-tae. He looked like a charge captain but was the head of the Taesung Clan’s administrative team and the chief manager of this test.

“How is it going? Is the preparation going well?”

“The new recruits this time are quite good. I think the results will be very promising.”

“Did the people I mentioned participate?”

Tae Min-soo nodded.

“The Red Butterfly Team arrived much earlier than the other applicants. Their enthusiasm is great. As expected, many clans are targeting them because they are noteworthy rookies… I suspect they’re aiming for Taesung.”

“Their goal isn’t Taesung, but the Northern Expedition. I know Red Butterfly is only interested in that.”

Red Butterfly and her three teammates were collectively called the ‘Red Butterfly Team,’ a nickname based on the red trail left when she used her skills.

Red Butterfly was often described as a genius with innate talent, intuition, and rare skills. Her striking appearance and red gradient hair were secondary.

Her growth rate was reminiscent of Lee Ji-tae’s early days, when he was considered the best in the country.

Although there was a 3-star limit [referring to the maximum rank achievable at this stage], it was clear she would soon make waves in the domestic hunter world.

Despite this, she didn’t belong to any clan, worrying many headhunters. She was likely to remain a freelancer, but as soon as Taesung announced the Baekdu Dungeon conquest, she immediately applied for the test.

Lee Ji-tae smiled wryly.

“If it’s Red Butterfly, I would have accepted her application regardless.”

“It seems she doesn’t want special treatment. Anyway, it’s almost certain she’ll get first place.”

Lee Ji-tae nodded. Red Butterfly had already surpassed the level of a new hunter. With systematic management and support, she would grow rapidly. Lee Ji-tae thought that even if he only got Red Butterfly, this test would be a success.

“Are there any other noteworthy rookies?”

“Hmm, yes. There are hunters with experience, but no one stands out more than Red Butterfly. They are all below level 20.”

“Exclude those with too much experience. We need blank slates that we can train into elite members. We will contact experienced people separately if necessary.”

“Yes, I understand. Oh, there was an ability user with a slightly unusual ability this time.”

“Unusual?”

Lee Ji-tae showed interest. If Tae Min-soo, the head of the administrative team, called it unusual, it must be significant.

“Yes. He was an ability user with the rare skill ‘Poison Blood.'”

“Poison Blood?”

Lee Ji-tae was disappointed. Poison Blood was useful for attacking, but had too many disadvantages. Blood could splatter on allies during battle, and blood transfusions were impossible if injured.

It was an undesirable skill for hunters who had to work together in a closed dungeon for extended periods, let alone solo.

“But the toxicity is on a different level. I’ve secured a sample, and it was definitely surprising. The ability evaluation is on hold.”

Lee Ji-tae seemed to understand why Tae Min-soo found it unusual.

“Hmm. It’s worth noting. If the poison is that strong, even if he can’t participate in the dungeon conquest, he could be useful in other ways. Let’s keep an eye on him.”

***

Hyunwoo entered the 3rd gymnasium. Applicants were gathered and buzzing in the long corridor, and staff were handing something out. A staff member approached Hyunwoo.

“Please take it.”

Hyunwoo received a long metal tag, about the length of a finger joint, with a pin. It had no name or number to prove identity, so it wasn’t a name tag. As a dubious atmosphere spread, the sound of a microphone echoed.

[Applicants, please enter now.]

As the door at the end of the corridor slowly opened, the applicants entered with nervous expressions. Hyunwoo walked along the line, recalling the information about the Hunter Ability Test he had learned.

A typical ability test was said to be conducted like an athletic competition where teams achieved a goal. The method changed each time to prevent leaks, so no one knew what to expect.

[Welcome to the 3rd Gymnasium Dungeon of the Yongsan Ability User Management Bureau, new hunters.]

The applicants’ murmurs grew louder as they entered.

This test was different. It was designed to select Taesung’s new elite and screen candidates for the Northern Expedition, which involved numerous stakeholders.

[Since its establishment, the Ability User Management Bureau has produced numerous hunters and ability users, greatly contributing to the military and the public. However, as the threat of monsters increases daily and the number of victims rises, there are concerns about whether the standards should be more stringent.]

Taesung wanted talent that could adapt to the dungeon itself, not just monster experience and athletic ability.

However, they couldn’t just throw a newly minted ability user into a dungeon.

So Taesung and the Ability User Management Bureau decided to bring the dungeon to the hunters.

[This space recreates the internal appearance of a 2-star dungeon in Ukraine. It looks simple, but the atmosphere is realistically reproduced.]

The applicants faced irregularly arranged walls, some toweringly high, others low enough to cross. Steel frames protruded, as if construction had been abandoned.

Of course, it wasn’t just the background that was plausible.

[And of course, there are monsters in the dungeon.]

Tension ran through the applicants at the mention of monsters.

Low-level monsters were generally not a big threat, but could still be deadly. Most of those who had lived normal lives, even if they were ability users, had never fought for their lives.

Of course, some were familiar with it.

Hyunwoo was one of them.

‘It seems there are people with dungeon experience.’

Hyunwoo noticed people maintaining their composure. A red-haired woman silently staring at the dungeon caught his eye.

‘I don’t know why they’re putting rookies and experienced people together. But this test seems focused on selecting promising rookies with little experience.’

[When you entered, you each received a tag from the staff. The monsters inside also have between one and three metal tags. The purpose of this test is simple: collect as many metal tags as possible. A separate reward will be prepared for the person who collects the most.]

The applicants understood the distributed metal tag was not just for show.

[The theme of this test is ‘Dungeon.’ For the next three hours, experience the dungeon.]

It meant that monsters weren’t the only targets in the dungeon.

***

All applicants entered through separate entrances to avoid chaos. Hyunwoo entered the artificial dungeon, which resembled ruins. The four people who came in with him looked at each other nervously.

Their eyes naturally searched for the metal tag. Only Hyunwoo proudly wore his. But Hyunwoo was thinking differently.

‘Let’s see. Five people per entrance.’

He had heard there were about 300 applicants, meaning about 60 entrances.

Since the goal was to spread out, the distance between entrances could be estimated. Hyunwoo roughly guessed the size of the artificial dungeon.

‘How much can I collect in three hours?’

Fighting people was new. Monsters were also a variable.

“Hey!”

Hyunwoo turned at the voice. The four people who came in with him stood with anxious faces. A man with glasses cautiously approached.

“Um, my name is Ahn Hyun-soo. You look like you’ve been working out….”

Ahn Hyun-soo examined Hyunwoo, paying close attention. Wearing the metal tag proudly meant he was either confident or stupid, but he didn’t look weak.

“Why don’t we work together to conserve energy from the start?”

Hyunwoo glanced at Ahn Hyun-soo and the others. They seemed to agree with Ahn Hyun-soo and decided to form a team.

‘Hmm, as expected.’

Although it felt like a battle royale, dungeons were fundamentally about team play.

As Ahn Hyun-soo said, it was reasonable to cooperate, allocate roles, and aim for rewards, rather than wasting energy.

“Excuse me, can you tell me what your skill is?”

“Ah, it’s Poison Blood.”

For now, Hyunwoo only said that. Ahn Hyun-soo looked relieved.

“Then you’ll be in the attack or support force. That’s great. We also have a defense skill holder and a healing skill holder, so the balance is right.”

Indeed. The personnel weren’t randomly mixed, but put together with appropriate standards to encourage party play.

Perhaps most applicants would follow that intention.

Forming a combination with strangers and completing missions without conflict. Maybe that’s what they were trying to observe.

Then joining this party wasn’t a bad choice.

“I refuse.”

“Yes?”

But Hyunwoo had no reason to follow the examiner’s intentions. Playing in a party meant sharing.

There was no reason to share when he could have it all.

Hyunwoo ignored Ahn Hyun-soo and walked past. He considered taking the metal tags from the four, but attacking someone who approached with goodwill didn’t feel right.

Besides, he would eventually meet them again. Hyunwoo thought he wouldn’t have to wait long.

“Hey! If you leave, we’ll have to fight you four!”

Because if there are five people, one is bound to be trash.

Ahn Hyun-soo tried to stop him, but another man shook him off, approached Hyunwoo, and grabbed his shoulder.

“Rather than have that metal tag taken away, leave it here!”

“Thank you.”

“What?”

No further explanation was needed. With a sound of cutting through the air, the man’s jawbone shattered.

Hoarding In Hell [EN]

Hoarding In Hell [EN]

지옥에서 독식
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
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[English Translation] Kang Hyunmoo's hunter dreams were shattered by poverty. But fate takes a twisted turn when a chilling message appears: [Difficulty: Hell. You are entering the Star of Apocalypse.] Thrust into a monster-ridden future Earth, Hyunmoo faces impossible odds. But he's not just surviving; he's monopolizing! Witness his rise as he claims the most coveted items and skills in a world teetering on the brink. Will he become the savior, or will the allure of power corrupt him in this apocalyptic landscape?

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