novelraw Chapter 22 : Chapter 22
Chapter 22 : Chapter 22
Chapter 22: Making an Impression (3)
“This is truly a shame! Challenger Ryu Jinwoo, who was a candidate for first place, has forfeited the simulation! Despite showing an amazing performance, he failed to pass the final hurdle. With the atmosphere heating up, I will now introduce the next challenger!”
The voice of the announcer holding the megaphone echoed through the plaza.
Leaving that sound behind, I was leaving the area with Seol Hayun and Do Haru.
The surroundings had been in an uproar ever since I forfeited the final stage.
The gazes that naturally fell on me felt a little ticklish.
“A Balrog in a simulation for freshmen. It seems they didn't intend for an all-clear from the start.”
Seol Hayun said in a chilly voice as we walked through the plaza.
“Seems like it. I hit it with all my strength, but it was perfectly fine. I couldn't see a way to win.”
I answered with a shrug of my shoulders.
To be honest, I didn’t feel particularly displeased or regretful.
I knew from the beginning that the final boss was a Balrog, and I had already achieved the goal I set out to accomplish.
If anything, the ones who were regretful and displeased were Seol Hayun and Do Haru, more so than me.
“Ah! It’s a shame! I’m so disappointed! It would’ve been a truly insane record if you’d cleared it all with full health. Don’t you think?”
“It’s impossible from the start. Putting a boss of that level in a freshman event doesn't make any sense.”
Do Haru’s whining and Seol Hayun’s cold words intertwined.
“But it was still super cool, right?”
Do Haru said, her eyes sparkling.
“Jinwoo, you should have seen the reactions around you. When you were clearing the 4th stage, everyone was going crazy, screaming and all that.”
“They were also going crazy and screaming after I gave up.”
I recalled the gazes of the crowd when I came out of the simulator.
It was quite fierce.
It was understandable, since it was like a bullfighter who had been performing just fine suddenly running away, saying he was scared of the bull.
“More importantly, are you okay? You’ve been excluded from the rankings.”
Seol Hayun asked quietly.
By forfeiting the stage, I was automatically disqualified.
As a result, the reward from Hunters was also gone.
If she was asking if that was okay.
‘Of course, it’s okay.’
The prize from Hunters was, at best, a couple of miscellaneous pieces of equipment.
The real reward for this mission was nothing like that.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just did it for fun anyway.”
“You didn’t know you’d be disqualified if you gave up, did you?”
At Do Haru’s remark, I shrugged my shoulders as if embarrassed.
From the side, it would naturally look like I gave up without knowing I would be disqualified.
But they didn’t know.
Dding-!
‘Did it come?’
It wasn't that I didn't know I would be disqualified if I gave up the simulation.
I just knew what I could only get by giving up.
[The book you reserved is ready. Please pick it up by 3 o'clock today. - Library]
A simple message popped up on my phone.
This was the real reward I wanted.
Simply put, it was a hidden route to enter a specific club.
I maintained my composure as much as possible and opened my mouth to Do Haru and Seol Hayun.
“I think I need to stop by the library for a moment.”
Do Haru tilted her head and asked.
“The library? It’s the middle of the festival, do you have to go now?”
“Yeah, there’s a book I reserved. They say I have to pick it up now.”
I held my phone so that the message was slightly visible.
“A book? That’s unexpected. Well then, go on!”
Do Haru said with a nod.
Since there was nothing more to delay, I quickly headed to the library.
When I arrived there, a man was standing at the end of the hallway.
His face was covered by a mask, but his sharp gaze was fixed on me.
He gave me a signal with a nod of his head, and I quietly followed him.
‘I’ve come this far.’
My heart began to beat faster.
[Main Quest: Which Club Is Yours?]
A quest notification popped up in my head.
My goal was clear.
To enter the most exclusive and mysterious club in Zero Academy.
[Zero Times]
On the surface, it was nothing more than the school newspaper club.
But in reality, it was a hidden information group that managed all sorts of information, both inside and outside the academy.
They do not recruit members publicly.
In other words, it was a place where only a select few could be invited.
The first thing to do, above all else, was to get noticed by them.
Simply put, you had to become a ‘subject of their coverage.’
Whether it was by performing an amazing feat, or by being worthy of an interview in and of yourself, or by committing an ‘eccentric act.’
Of course, that didn't mean you could become a club member just by doing that.
And I knew the specific method.
Because in the original work, there was a separate hidden route to enter Zero Times.
That’s why in the original work, I had to go through countless trials and errors to get into Zero Times.
That was what I had just done.
Participating in the Hunters’ event, reaching the 5th stage without a single mistake, and then cleanly giving up the challenge at the end.
In other words, performing a feat and an eccentric act at the same time.
This route was still valid even now that the original work had become reality.
Because the hidden quest had activated properly.
This masked man was probably going to invite me to the Zero Times’ hideout.
‘It’s not over yet. Let’s stay focused.’
I had only taken the first step; there was no guarantee that I would get into the club yet.
As I walked, maintaining my tension, the man suddenly stopped, and a large door appeared before me.
And above it, a shiny metal sign was hung.
The moment I saw that sign, a chill ran down my spine.
[Hunters]
‘……Why are you guys showing up here?’
***
The heavy door opened.
The first thing I saw was a wall filled with weapons and equipment.
From state-of-the-art lasers to swords and bladed weapons, and even an old-fashioned crossbow.
It didn't discriminate by era or type.
On the opposite side, a large monitor with real-time data flowing across it caught my eye.
It seemed to be showing the data from the hunting missions.
Information about me, who had been disqualified, was also displayed.
The room was filled with a mixture of the distinct smells of leather and metal, and overall, it was a subtle blend of modern technology and traditional hunting elements.
So, in the end, this was, to anyone's eyes, the ‘Hunters’ hideout.
Hunters, those among the heroes who focus on monster extermination.
And ‘Hunters’ was the most influential club among the school organizations that aspired to be hunters.
I had been dragged to such a place.
“Oh! Are you Ryu Jinwoo?”
As I entered the club room, a low, firm voice greeted me.
A man with a large build and formal attire was standing there.
Like a bodyguard protecting some celebrity.
His bulging forearms, broad shoulders, and the sunglasses perched on his nose further enhanced his presence.
“I’m Gu Sanghyeok. I’m the president of ‘Hunters’.”
A rough hand was extended in front of me.
When I shook his hand, a powerful force was transmitted.
As his appearance suggested, he was a person who had few equals in the academy when it came to strength.
And he was the one who had called me to the club room.
Gu Sanghyeok pointed to the sofa that occupied one side of the room.
“You probably got a rough idea on your way here, right? I don’t really like long talks. Let’s sit down first.”
The man, who looked like a bandit chief, led the situation with a carefree attitude that suited him.
‘Where am I, and who is this?’
I sat on the sofa, half dazed.
Where did my plan go wrong?
“Ryu Jinwoo, you have to join Hunters.”
“Pardon?”
“Here, just sign here. You’ll be a member of Hunters from now on.”
Is this guy’s brain made of muscle too?
My vision started to blur at Gu Sanghyeok's simple and ignorant way of speaking, which skipped all the build-up and went straight to the conclusion.
“I don’t quite understand the situation-.”
“Hmm? You don’t understand the situation? Why?”
Gu Sanghyeok picked up a 5L bottle of coke next to him and chugged it down.
After letting out a light burp, he spoke again.
“Hunters has decided to recruit you, and you are joining. Is there anything difficult about that?”
“I don’t know why you want me.”
“Ah, so that’s what it was.”
He laughed heartily.
Gu Sanghyeok picked up the remote control and pressed a button, and scenes from the simulator I had gone through appeared on the large monitor.
The scenes of me breaking through the 4th stage by mobilizing all my minor skills and facing the Balrog were played in fast-forward.
“You finished the mission without allowing a single hit until the end. It took some time, but it wasn't particularly slow. In the end, you gave up as soon as the Balrog's 2nd phase started. As a result, you were disqualified, but.”
He turned to me and started laughing with his mouth wide open.
“This kid, after doing all this, you don’t know why we want you? You’re perfect for a hunter! I felt it as soon as I saw you. That you have to be with us!”
Slap-!
A high, sharp sound was engraved on my back.
‘Kuhk-.’
I reacted instinctively and reduced the impact, but it still hurt like hell.
I summed up the situation.
So, the route that was chosen to enter ‘Zero Times’ in the original work has, now that it has become reality, instead provoked ‘Hunters’, and Hunters approached me before Zero Times could.
To use a soccer analogy, it was a situation where I was planning to go to a big club, but another team hijacked the deal.
‘I’m fucked.’
A conclusion was quickly drawn.
“Let me tell you, we don't let go of the prey we've caught. That's the motto of Hunters. Now, just sign here.”
Gu Sanghyeok, as if sensing my discomfort, lowered his voice and held out the ‘Club Membership Completion Form.’
Just as I took the pen and was faced with the dilemma of a lifetime, a Hunters club member spoke to Gu Sanghyeok.
With a slightly perplexed attitude.
“Excuse me, President?”
“Hmm? Is there a problem?”
“Well, we have a visitor outside.”
“Who is it?”
“Well, that’s.”
There was no need to say who it was.
Because the person I was originally supposed to meet appeared soon after.
The person who greeted us when we went outside was wearing a blue hood.
“Jin Cheonglim, what the hell do you want now?”
The atmosphere instantly turned hostile, and an uncomfortable current began to flow.
“It’s been a while, Gu Sanghyeok-sunbae. I have an interview appointment with the friend next to you.”
He said nonchalantly and took off his hood.
Blue eyes and blue eyebrows, and similarly, bright blue hair were revealed in the air.
Dark circles that were emphasized by his pale skin.
Overall, he had a strange yet mysterious impression.
“What? An interview? Did that bastard tell you to bring him?”
“The editor-in-chief is busy. So I’m in charge of the interview this time.”
“Damn it, an interview, my ass. It’s another damn scouting trip.”
Gu Sanghyeok’s face contorted.
“Why are you trying to poach a freshman using the event that we, Hunters, hosted?”
“I think there’s some misunderstanding. I just came because I smelled a scoop.”
Jin Cheonglim shrugged and continued.
“You saw his performance in the simulation, didn’t you? Just an interview alone would be a scoop. Besides...... he’s already famous for beating ‘Jin Cheongha’.”
As Jin Cheonglim said with a grin, Gu Sanghyeok’s brow narrowed.
He stood up and stood between Jin Cheonglim and me.
“Scoop or not, Ryu Jinwoo is already a member of Hunters. He doesn't need an interview or anything.”
Jin Cheonglim said, still maintaining a calm expression.
“He hasn’t signed yet. Then Cadet Ryu Jinwoo has the right to choose.”
At those words, Gu Sanghyeok looked back at me.
Displeasure and expectation were mixed in his eyes.
But, why is he expecting something?
“Ah, I have no intention of joining Hunters.”
“Wha-, what!”
As I simply dismissed it, an astonished cry erupted from Gu Sanghyeok.
“No, you just suddenly brought me here in the first place. I never said I would join Hunters.”
“Damn it! You have to be a Hunter! I’ll make you the strongest hunter! How about it? Just trust me and follow me!”
Gu Sanghyeok rushed at me, grabbed my shoulders, and shook them.
My body swayed helplessly according to his strength.
Just as I was about to feel nauseous.
“Now, President Gu.”
Jin Cheonglim’s low, languid voice cut in.
“We recently acquired something very valuable.”
He took out his smartphone from his pocket and held it out.
In the photo on the screen, someone’s face was smiling, adorned with a flamboyant wig and makeup.
A thick neck and broad shoulders visible below the face.
Just as I felt a sense of familiarity.
Gu Sanghyeok’s grip loosened for a moment.
“Y-, you crazy bastards……. Where did you get this……”
His face instantly turned red, then deathly pale.
“Isn’t it a good story for an article? Something like ‘A Hunters’ executive’s hidden hobby’……. Should we leave the headline to our rookie reporter friends?”
Jin Cheonglim smiled nonchalantly.
“……”
At that moment, the strength in Gu Sanghyeok’s grip on my shoulders disappeared in an instant.
It was summer.