The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 207

206

The practical exam venue was set up in the multipurpose training ground attached to the Support Team.

I, along with Director Lee Ah-young and Director Lee Doo-shik, as well as key figures from the Rank Assessment Committee, were in attendance to evaluate the skills of the Hunters.

“Then… Operation Team 4 will conclude here.”

Agent Song Hye-yeon from the Support Team, who was in charge of conducting the practical exam.

Her voice, once Kim Min-ju’s aide, echoed through the exam venue.

It had been quite a while since I’d seen her, and somehow, she seemed to have completely shed her rookie image in the past year. No, beyond shedding it, she looked like a 15-year veteran section chief, completely worn out by work at first glance.

I heard she was working in the Hunter Management Office, following in Lee Ah-young’s footsteps.

‘Is that job originally that tough…?’

It was then, as I was sending a pitiful gaze towards Agent Song Hye-yeon.

“The members of Team 4 have good balance.”

Director Lee Ah-young, who was checking the evaluation sheet, opened her mouth nonchalantly.

“Certainly, their positions and classes are well-balanced, but this is a place to assess individual abilities. In that regard, there are some shortcomings.”

“Well, Team 4 focuses more on backup and support subjugation than initial deployment.”

“Unless there are any special circumstances in their performance or experience, they’ll barely maintain their current rank.”

I sighed deeply and said.

In reality, it’s called a rank reassessment, but 90% of them won’t deviate significantly from their existing rank unless there’s a major upset.

Even then, the majority of the remaining 10% will see their rank drop.

Rank increases will only be possible for a very small minority.

‘It’s much worse than expected…….’

Wasn’t the purpose of the rank reorganization to elevate our affiliated Hunters to the top ranks in the world?

At this rate, there won’t be much change in the world rankings.

I can’t bring myself to commit fraud now; it’s beneath my pride…….

I clicked my tongue with a sense of disappointment.

“Next, we will proceed with the assessment of Operation Team 5.”

Agent Song Hye-yeon’s voice echoed once again.

“Hunter Choi Jong-hyuk, please come in.”

At her call, a man appeared in the middle of the training ground.

I frowned as soon as I saw his face.

Just in case, I immediately rummaged through his personal information…….

‘That bastard…….’

Sure enough, it was the guy I knew.

“What’s wrong?”

Director Lee Ah-young asked with a puzzled look as I was frowning.

“…Is there anything special about that person?”

“Hunter Choi Jong-hyuk? Well, he’s been a C-rank for 8 years, affiliated with the Seoul Headquarters since he joined… There’s nothing particularly noteworthy in his file.”

Lee Ah-young also shrugged, rummaging through the documents.

“Well, if he’s been with the headquarters for 8 years, you must have seen him at least once.”

“Seen him?”

I clicked my tongue, openly expressing my displeasure.

How could I forget?

Before the regression, he was the guy who received a prison sentence for continuously sexually assaulting an aide from the Support Team.

‘He didn’t just tarnish the reputation of Hunters; he smeared it with shit.’

The crime continued for a whopping 2 years.

Moreover, the fact that he used his position as a Hunter to threaten during the investigation process further enraged the public.

‘He said one word from him could prevent her from working in this field forever…….’

As a result of that incident, the public began to distrust Hunters more and more, and the government formed a special investigation team to conduct a full investigation of all Hunters.

That soon caused a butterfly effect throughout the association.

Small and large incidents that had been buried in the past surfaced, and numerous Hunters lost their jobs.

Of course, I couldn’t avoid that fallout either.

Abusive boss, power abuse controversy, and so on.

All sorts of sources were spread to the media, but fortunately, thanks to the association’s considerable efforts, they were able to prevent it from being broadcast.

However, it was only barely managing to shut their mouths, and they couldn’t make everything disappear.

In the end, on the day the Park Geun-tae team leader assault incident broke out, all the things I had been struggling to prevent from being known were revealed together, and my reputation, which I had built up over a lifetime, collapsed in an instant.

So, how could I look favorably upon that bastard?

‘Seeing him here, it seems like he hasn’t caused any trouble yet…….’

Just as I was glaring at him with the intent to devour him, a recent memory flashed through my mind.

It was none other than the fact that Moon So-yeon had been assigned to Team 5 as the personality assessment 담당 [in charge/responsible person].

‘Tsk, I feel a bit uneasy…….’

However, if I were to change the 담당 now, they might notice the undercover operation.

While I was racking my brain on what to do, the exam preparation was completed.

“Operation Team 5, Choi Jong-hyuk. C-rank, Magician class.”

With Choi Jong-hyuk’s brief self-introduction, the exam began.

Thud―.

Soon, a large object appeared in front of him.

It was a training dummy made of anti-magic stone, received from the International Association.

The purpose of the practical exam is to assess how effectively one can distribute and use their skills by understanding the characteristics of monsters and their own skills in actual combat situations.

The most accurate way would be to conduct it in an actual dungeon, but it was realistically impossible to evaluate all those Hunters, so they used dummies.

Due to its ability to absorb magical energy, it was perfect for training because it could withstand being hit with skills multiple times.

“Ghost-type monster. The current situation assumes that all melee positions have taken significant damage and retreated. Please begin when you are ready.”

As soon as Director Song Hye-yeon finished specifying the situation, Choi Jong-hyuk adjusted his posture.

[Unique Skill: Blizzard Phoenix]

Saaa―.

Soon, a large phoenix enveloped in cold air floated in the air.

The moment it flapped its wings greatly.

[Feather Barrage]

Kwaaa kwa kwa kwang―!!

Dozens of feathers poured down on the dummy, causing a massive explosion.

The force was so great that the impact was felt even by us, who were standing far away.

[Acquired Skill: Summon – Wailing Wall]

[Acquired Skill: Anti-Phasing]

[Unique Skill: Blizzard Phoenix]

[Rapid Freezing]

Jjeo jjeo jjeok―!

Kwaaa kwang―!!

Choi Jong-hyuk then naturally linked several skills together.

“Hmm…….”

I stroked my chin, carefully observing the scene.

After attracting the monster’s attention with one large attack, he sets up a wall to block its movement.

Then, he blocks the ghost-type monster’s phasing skill for the melee positions and attacks again using his unique skill.

Director Lee Doo-shik, who was watching the sequence, opened his mouth quietly.

“He’s quite decent for a C-rank? His skill distribution isn’t bad, and he seems to understand the characteristics of his own skills well.”

“Above all, his power is quite strong.”

Director Lee Ah-young also added a word.

I certainly couldn’t deny it.

Accurate situation assessment ability, high understanding of his class, and reliable firepower.

In every aspect, he far exceeded the C-rank level.

There are no problems with his career evaluation yet, and his performance isn’t bad either.

‘He’s not someone I like, but…….’

Still, an evaluation is an evaluation.

If there are no major problems with his personality assessment during the remaining evaluation period, he will probably be promoted this time.

“The exam is over. Please have the next person enter.”

Soon, Choi Jong-hyuk, who had successfully completed his turn, exited with a light bow.

I watched his back and carefully opened my mouth.

“Please… contact Moon So-yeon and ask her to report immediately if anything happens. Especially, tell her not to get close to that guy.”

“Yes? Why?”

“Just please do that.”

Because he’s not someone you want to get involved with.

Director Lee Ah-young looked puzzled but nodded without asking further.

After that, the practical exam continued.

We focused on scoring the evaluation sheets, and about an hour later, Team 5’s exam was coming to an end.

“I’m sorry. There was an urgent subjugation, so I was a bit late.”

Operation Team Leader Kim Min-ju appeared at the exam venue.

As it was supposed to be the very first order, it seems she came straight here after finishing the subjugation.

“How about we proceed with Hunter Kim Min-ju before starting Team 6?”

Director Song Hye-yeon asked me.

We exchanged glances and then nodded in unison.

“Then please come forward.”

Kim Min-ju moved to the center of the training ground according to the guidance.

Soon, she grabbed the scabbard and stood in front of the training dummy.

At the same time, the gazes of the Hunters watching from the second floor were focused on her all at once.

It was a golden opportunity to see the skills of someone who had been promoted from a mediocre B-rank Hunter to an A-rank in just one year, and at the same time, had risen to the position of Operation Team Leader at an unbelievable speed.

“Golem-type monster. The situation assumes that all personnel capable of subjugation besides yourself have been annihilated. Please be prepared…….”

Before the situation specification was even finished.

[Unique Skill: Thousand-Armed Guanyin – Awakening]

[Six Guanyin Inside and Out (六觀音中外)]

[Spirit Possession – Guanshiyin (觀世音)]

A blue aura burst out throughout the training ground.

All the other Hunters watching turned their heads at the intense energy.

Soon, she drew her sword.

[Zhengfa Mingwang Tathagata (正法明王如來)]

“Hey, hey…! Wait…!”

───!

A flash of blue light stole the vision of everyone there.

I also hurriedly covered my eyes with my sleeve.

A few seconds passed before silence fell.

When I carefully opened my closed eyes, the first thing I saw was.

“Oh dear…….”

The training ground was split exactly diagonally.

“……What the hell is that?”

“Is that even possible…?”

“Wow… a Team Leader is a Team Leader for a reason.”
The exam venue was buzzing with the shocking sight.

But what was even more absurd than that sight was.

“…….”

The fact that she was more embarrassed than anyone else.

‘Didn’t she realize she had grown this much…….’

Too much, too much.

I slowly shook my head.

“You must be proud?”

Director Lee Ah-young nudged me with her shoulder and joked.

“……I didn’t teach her anything.”

“Modesty.”

No, really.

Well, that’s beside the point for now…….

‘At this rate, she’s as good as guaranteed an S-rank.’

I nodded, watching Kim Min-ju, who was hurriedly leaving.

Just as we were about to continue the exam.

“How about the CEO try it too?”

A Hunter who had been watching from the second floor suddenly blurted out.

I raised my head and looked at that place.

“Isn’t the CEO also an ability user? He’s even the Team Leader’s mentor.”

It was Hunter Choi Jong-hyuk.

“Seeing her rise from a janitor to that position in just one year, he must be even more amazing than the Team Leader, right?”

“…….”

“Let’s see a demonstration, thinking of it as a showcase. I won’t mention who, but there are people who think the media has exaggerated a bit.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of him openly raising the corners of his mouth at me.

“You’re not going to refuse, are you…….”

“I refuse.”

I cut off his words and answered briefly.

“I am not a registered Hunter. I am not subject to evaluation, and I don’t know why I should take the time to do something meaningless. Above all, I have no reason to follow your orders.”

“We need to know how skilled the CEO is to have faith in…….”

“Choi Jong-hyuk.”

I smiled and continued.

“Know your place.”

“…….”

He stared at me silently with a stiff expression.

“Well… don’t be too disappointed. I’ll show you my skills someday if I get the chance.”

With those words, I didn’t want to talk anymore, so I gestured to Director Song Hye-yeon.

“Then continue with the exam.”

“Yes, yes……. We will start with Operation Team 6.”

The exam resumed.

I crossed my arms and glanced at Choi Jong-hyuk, and he was still glaring at me.