Episode 30
The day of level measurement has arrived.
I woke up as usual, stretched, and prepared breakfast. It was just a procedure to check my skills, but Yunhee, who was sitting across from me, was half-mad.
“Oh my god, this beast is level 8…”
He’s been reacting like that ever since he heard what I said at home.
“Are you that surprised?”
“Isn’t it strange that you are so peaceful? “It’s nothing else, it’s level 8!”
The voice was loud from morning.
“Really, if you want, you can raise money with a pitchfork. No, money isn’t the problem. If you just say what you want, you can have it all? The respect of the awakened people is a bonus and the interest is also…”
Rather than that, I was more interested in the privilege of non-arrest. From then on, it starts in earnest.
“What will you do when I reach level 8?”
“Why me?”
“If attention is paid to me, you will receive attention too.”
There were several reasons for Yoonhee’s interest beyond mine.
The fact that he belongs to a sacred guild, the fact that he has already distinguished himself with his skills, etc.
She says she is an edgy and beautiful girl, but she also looks pretty, so she might get more attention than me in the future.
“I just have to enjoy it. Anyway, there’s a lot of interest just because you’re from a sacred guild, right? Why not take this opportunity to thank your brother? “Isn’t this a male idol trying to impress me?”
The dream also became really wild. It can’t be that bad.
“Wake up from your dream.”
“Ugh heung heung.”
I don’t think you can hear me.
“I got my level measured well. Even if you fail, I will always support you, so don’t be intimidated. Go for it!”
“okay.”
I arrived at the Korean Awakened Center located in Jongno, Seoul, supported by Yoonhee. This is where various events are hosted, such as national guild association meetings and exchanges of awakened people with foreign countries.
I met Jeong Da-hyeon at the main gate.
“Mr. Junho.”
“Mr. Dahyun.”
“······.”
Dahyun Jeong looks at me intently. A face that is dissatisfied with something. I was wondering if I had made a mistake, and then I remembered the last time I asked him to be comfortable with me.
“Because I’m not used to it yet. “I will try my best little by little.”
“yes.”
Dahyun Jeong and I went inside.
“Level 8 measurement checks how the force operates and how much it is mobilized. “There are minimum standards.”
Force operation and force mobilization were the areas I was most confident in. Even though it was a level 8 measurement, it didn’t seem to be any different from the previous measurements.
Until I heard the next words.
“And since you will be dealing with a level 7 awakened person, the process of subduing them is important.”
“Which part is important?”
“The less you hurt, the better.”
“yes?”
I stopped walking without realizing it. Now I doubted what I heard. In my mind, overpowering means death. Even if you give in a hundred times, it is still a slander.
Should I break his limbs, subdue him, and spray him with a healing agent like usual? My mind became dizzy.
Dahyun Jeong was also surprised by my surprised reaction.
“What if I get hurt?”
I barely got over the question of what if I kill him.
“That’s because it’s the second exam. Among those who passed the first round, no one was eliminated in the second round.”
“······.”
When I asked why there was such a test, I was told that overwhelming strength and speed control were also part of the test.
It would be easier for me to kill ten level 7 awakened people.
Jeong Da-hyun was also taken aback by my serious expression.
“Junho, you will be able to do well. “I wonder if it will work out somehow?”
“We should try it.”
This measurement may be the most difficult challenge of my life.
* * *
Level 8 measurements are conducted with only invited observers, including government officials and acquaintances of the parties concerned.
Usually, invited observers include members of the affiliated guild and foreign personnel who provide certification. Choi Jun-ho pointed to the Holy Guild even though he was not a member of the guild.
As for the foreign dignitaries, the United States, a long-time ally and one that has been watching Choi Jun-ho for a long time, sent an observer delegation.
Se-hee Lee, who can be called the face madam of the Holy Guild.
“I thought you would pay attention to Choi Jun-ho and take a look, but it’s surprising to see him at the level 8 measurement site.”
Black Dragon Baekgunseo, a member of the Holy Guild and a level 8 superhuman, participated.
Baek Kun-seo, a vassal of the Shinsung family, is a Shinsung man to his core. His contribution to the sacred guild was so great that many people commented that it was because of him that the current sacred guild could exist.
Privately, he is a sworn brother to the chairman of Shinsung Group and is called uncle by Lee Se-hee.
“Sehee, haven’t you ever been interested in men?”
“If you say that, people will misunderstand?”
“It’s time to be interested in men.”
“Oh, you don’t want to listen.”
Baek Gun-seo, who was smiling, looked down at the measuring station and erased his smile.
“However, the rumors I heard were unusual. It is said that his personality is quite strong. “The fact that it has only recently appeared means that there are many things that remain unknown.”
“Yes, but the skills are real. “My younger brother is also incredibly talented.”
“Did you say Choi Yun-hee? I heard it too. “They are clearly talented siblings.”
“Please stop by often. “If we get the momentum, we will grow rapidly.”
“Of course.”
Lee Se-hee’s expression brightened because Baek Kun-seo was not a person who spoke in vain. Then, I saw Jeong Da-hyeon coming up after picking up Choi Jun-ho and raised her hand.
“Dahyun, here!”
As she approached, she gave Lee Se-hee a quick greeting and then bowed her head to Baek Gun-seo.
“Hello, Director.”
“It’s been a while, Dahyun. You’ve been training hard all this time. I’ve grown a lot. Still, let’s contact each other often. “I almost forgot your face.”
“sorry.”
“no. He’s trying to establish his own will, and I can’t interfere with that. However, since Shinseong is also your home, don’t feel pressured and come visit us anytime.”
“···thank you.”
“Instead of nagging me like that, my uncle should have gone to visit me first.”
“Then wouldn’t it seem too prudent?”
Lee Se-hee and Jeong Da-hyeon burst out laughing at Baek Gun-seo’s words.
The friendly atmosphere of conversation was broken when another guest appeared.
“excuse me.”
Sehee Lee pointed to a group of foreigners approaching from far away. It was the American observer group that was scheduled to observe today. The three people’s eyes were fixed on the blonde woman in the lead.
“Anna Christine.”
With a lovely appearance and voluptuous body, she is a headhunting expert who specializes in bewitching male awakeners.
Not only was she beautiful, but she also had great resourcefulness.
Anna Christine, who was facing Sehee Lee, smiled and greeted her in English.
“Hi Princess Lee, how are you?”
“Anna too. “I didn’t know you would come in person.”
“Of course you should come. “It’s a historic moment.”
“Aren’t you thinking about something else?”
“well? “What kind of thoughts are you talking about?”
Lee Se-hee looked into the eyes of Anna Christine, who smiled meaningfully. Anna Christine also did not avoid that gaze. A spark flew between the two.
The fierce battle of nerves ended with the announcement that measurement would begin.
“We want to see it from a closer location. then.”
Anna Christine slightly lowered her head and walked away from the group. Lee Se-hee, who was quietly watching the scene, muttered.
“I feel a bit bad.”
“me too.”
“Hehe, isn’t this the time to be like this? “Anna Christine’s magic is not normal.”
Baekgunseo expressed his concern.
Anna Christine’s beauty is especially fatal to young men. Choi Jun-ho is in his mid-20s. I am at an age when my blood is boiling. Unfortunately, the newly appeared level 8 superhuman could be taken over by the United States.
Anna Christine’s nickname is Succubus. It’s not called that for nothing. The moment you let down your guard, you are captivated.
However, Lee Se-hee’s reaction was different from Baekgunseo’s expectations.
“uncle. Do you know what one of the most useless worries in the world is? “I’m worried that Choi Jun-ho will fall for a woman.”
“what?”
“You’ll know when you see it. “What kind of person is that person?”
Lee Se-hee smiled forlornly, recalling the moment when her confidence in her beauty went from sky-high to falling into the gutter overnight.
Choi Jun-ho is fair to everyone. Anna Christine will go through what she went through.
After a while, level 8 measurement began.
* * *
Among the level 8 measurements, the first thing to start was force operation.
[The force operation test will begin.]
With a voice guiding me, what appeared in front of me were five blue stones the size of ping-pong balls.
Opposite magic stone.
Although it is a stone that possesses force, it has the property of repelling force when it comes into contact with it. Just as like poles of magnets repel each other, forces exert a repulsive force.
It is widely used for force detection and is also used as a distance-maintaining weapon for hunters who attack from a distance using the repulsion of opposite poles.
[If you hit the opposing magic stone with the Force within the 5-minute time limit, you will pass.]
I said I would watch the operation of the Force, but there was a clever trap hidden inside. This meant that when the opposing magic stone was pushed out, the path would be predicted and the repulsion force calculated would be observed. It will also include controlling those variables.
You must be able to handle the Force as if it were your own body, and you must control the space in which the opposing magic stone moves, so quite a few things are required.
But is this difficult?
I’m easy.
In the end, what is needed is time to react, both because it is an opposing magic stone and because it pushes the force.
If you take the shortest route at an overwhelming speed that surpasses even that, it becomes the easiest thing in the world.
[Measurement begins.]
As soon as I heard those words, I activated the mine and launched it with an opposing magic stone.
The clear conditions are simple.
It just needs to be fast enough for the opposing magic stone to not react.
Plop! puck! Plop!
In an instant, five opposing magic stones were hit by the mine and rolled around on the floor. The timer was set at 4:59.
One second has passed. I think I reacted a bit bluntly, perhaps because there was no threat to my life.
[I passed. Congratulations. The next test will measure the amount of force.]
The next test measures the amount of force and is divided into two parts. One is to prove the minimum amount of force that a level 8 superhuman must possess.
If this standard is not met, it will be deemed unsustainable to fight as a level 8 superhuman and will not be recognized as level 8.
The next step is force mobilization, which measures how much force can be used in a short period of time. It was safe to say that it was some kind of output test.
This is an item that is judged to be effective as level 8 only if it meets the minimum output standard.
What lies before me is the spent and empty heart of a monster.
Filling it up to the size equivalent to level 7 of harmfulness means that you have surpassed the limit of level 7. Also, how long it takes will determine the output standard.
[Measurement begins.]
I used the force and pushed it into the monster’s heart in one go.
Beep beep beep!
As soon as the 70% mark was exceeded, a loud alarm sounded, and it succeeded in reaching 100% by surpassing 80% and 90%. I stopped using the Force, but the force that was pushed in during that time caused a crack in the monster’s heart and completely destroyed it.
Kwasik!
My courage was destroyed and I reached out my hand towards the force that was about to run wild, with nowhere to go. The force that was about to run away came within my control, spun around gently, and then disappeared as it seeped into my fingertips.
[An error occurred! An error has occurred!]
A murmur spread along with the notification voice. We are now discussing the situation that has occurred.
The reason this happened was simple.
It’s just that my force amount was greater than expected and my output was stronger. It’s so vicious that it drinks blood. The monster’s heart was too weak to withstand it.
[I passed. Congratulations.]
After a while, it was announced that I had passed both subjects.
I passed the first test.
* * *
A measurement test that was expected to be difficult.
Choi Jun-ho is expected to be level 8, but Baekgunseo predicted that the first measurement would not be easy.
As if mocking such expectations, Choi Jun-ho passed easily.
“I can’t believe it.”
Baek Gun-seo, who was watching, looked embarrassed as he recalled the measurements he had seen before.
“Using the magic power stone in 1 second? “How fast is it…”
It took him a full 5 minutes to touch those 5 things.
What was even more surprising was what happened next.
As the monster’s heart could not hold on and broke, Baekgunseo shook his head.
“You move an absurd amount of money with ease. “Just looking at the amount of force and operational ability, it’s already at level 8.”
Both speed and power were at the highest level. I can’t believe I’m finally seeing such a talented person.
What would happen if you faced Choi Jun-ho?
The thought that it wouldn’t be easy filled my head. It is the appearance of a monster.
The negative perception before the start of measurement had long since disappeared.
The second measurement began soon after.
“Ham Ik-cheol.”
The selection of candidates for the second round of battle in the level 8 measurement goes through fierce competition behind the scenes. The reason is that level 8 and combat experience are a great source of nourishment for reaching a higher level.
Therefore, in most cases, people from the same guild or supported by the government are selected.
Ham Ik-cheol is the second-in-command of the next Awakened Security Office, and because he is relatively young in his early 40s, he was considered a strong candidate to become the next Level 8.
Using a gift called magic bullet as a gun, he possesses excellent long-distance attack methods and compensates for his short-range weakness with a 12th level martial arts skill.
The battle lasted for about 5 minutes.
Baekgunseo, who was watching this, wrinkled his eyebrows.
“You’re crazy.”
* * *
The second measurement was ranked among the top five most difficult battles of my life.
Subdue your opponent without hurting him.
Is there any battle in the world without injuries?
For me, who was best at killing, this was a disaster and an ordeal. Making sure no one gets hurt was a very difficult request for me.
I felt like I would die if I hit even one hit, so I concentrated more than ever.
Every time a gap was found, the mine exploded in the wrong place without using any hands. He died once.
Five minutes, longer than an eon, passed.
Even though I was able to kill Ham Ik-cheol 27 times in 5 minutes, I succeeded in not inflicting a single wound and was able to get him to surrender.
The guy, completely entranced, lowered his head, losing his will to fight.
As he left the place after saying hello to me, I didn’t feel the slightest bit of vitality. Still, it’s better to buy it.
After a while, a notification voice rang out.
[I passed. Congratulations.]
It’s over now.
I could see why people said measuring level 8 was difficult.
After all, it’s easy to kill.
As I was waiting for the remaining procedures to be completed, a group of foreigners who had come as observers approached me.
The woman in front of them smiled brightly and raised her hand to me.
“high.”
* * *
For Anna Christine, the appearance of a new level 8 is not that new. We are concentrating our efforts to raise Level 8s all over the world, and several people are born every year.
She has met some of the best awakeners in her career. So I was unimpressed by being called a genius or a monster.
But this time was different. She couldn’t escape the shiver that ran through her body.
“···under!”
Anna Christine exclaimed and shook her head. The lingering feelings from before still haven’t subsided.
The superhuman born today was special. He is only in his mid-20s. Young age meant potential. Potential is development and high skill.
The number of cases Choi Jun-ho handled in a short period of time was incredible. The number of incidents along with the 100% success rate meant combat experience.
In particular, the fighting power he showed in the last measurement was powerful enough to make the hair stand on end.
He’s in his 20s, but he’s level 8 and has a lot of combat experience? And a sense of justice that firmly suppresses the villain?
If a Hollywood movie was made like this, it would be criticized for being improbable.
‘There’s nothing more to say. He is the greatest person who will never appear in my life again.’
However, the difficulty is that since Choi Jun-ho belongs to a government agency and has reached level 8, priority negotiation rights remain with the Republic of Korea for three years.
Nevertheless, what is surprising is that even after three years, Choi Jun-ho is still 28 years old. 27 years old in American age. It was an incredible talent of all time. Even if he wastes three years without signing a contract with the government, Choi Jun-ho’s value is still the highest of all time.
Anna Christine believed in the word seal of the heart.
To do that, you must definitely steal Choi Jun-ho’s heart.
If he decides to join us, the government of the Republic of Korea will have no choice but to release him.
Even though the United States is a large country and is called the worst hunting environment for awakened people, the treatment is among the best in the world. I was confident enough to persuade him.
Persuasion was the field she was most confident in.
After finishing the calculation, she stretched out her body and smiled confidently. Her cleavage highlighted between the black two-piece, slim waist, voluptuous pelvic line, and straight legs were her pride and the best weapon that had captivated countless male awakeners.
“high.”
As I got closer, I could see Choi Jun-ho in detail.
If he wasn’t level 8, he had such a handsome appearance that one would have thought he was an actor. The more I looked at him, the more attractive and handsome I felt.
“Jun Ho! Congratulations on reaching level 8. “I wish you all the best in your future.”
So close that their bodies almost touch each other. He spoke in a whisper, touching so much that he could even feel his breath.
A combination of sweet perfume and female pheromones. In addition, she has a sexy appeal with her rich blonde hair and voluptuous body that men admire.
After making sure that he was invisible, I took a step back and looked at Choi Jun-ho’s face.
Normally, at this point, a man’s score would be over 99 out of 100.
She thought she would 100% come over, but when she saw Choi Jun-ho with his eyebrows pressed together, she sensed an abnormal air current.
“Hey Junho?”
“If you come to Korea, you have to speak Korean.”
“yes?”
“I don’t think you’re swearing, so I’ll let you know.”
Choi Jun-ho clicked his tongue lightly and turned and walked away.
“······.”
Anna Christine was at a loss for words as she was met with a harsh look away for the first time in her life.
Lee Se-hee, who was watching the scene, grabbed her stomach.