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3.55% Dual levelling: I level up with my clones / Chapter 8: Examination

Chapter 8: Examination

"Here I am... the Hunter Centre," Lee Seung whispered, his gaze lifting to the top of the skyscraper. He clenched his backpack tightly, steeling himself as he took a deep breath and moved forward.

The lobby buzzed with activity. Just like at the Awakening Company, Hunter managers were scattered around, talking in hushed tones with prospective applicants or inspecting the array of gear displayed behind glass cases. Lee Seung's heart thudded in his chest as he stepped inside, his nerves spiking with each passing second.

'I hope I get approached by one this time,' he thought, feeling an odd mix of anxiety and excitement twist in his stomach. As he entered the gleaming atrium, a sense of panic seized him. He was only sixteen, yet here he was, attempting something that could change—or end—his life in a heartbeat.

Becoming a Hunter?!

Kids his age were either holed up in tutoring centers or helping their parents run family businesses. Meanwhile, he was about to dive headfirst into a world where life and death played a constant game of tug-of-war. The magnitude of his decision settled on his shoulders like a heavy burden.

His eyes scanned the area, pausing at a counter tagged Vanguard Venture. It was only a few meters away, surrounded by various weapons gleaming under the lights—swords, snipers, shotguns, and more. Seung's gaze lingered on the guns, watching a young woman carefully testing one with a steady hand.

'In no time, I'll actually need one of those,' he thought, sighing quietly. The mere thought of holding such a deadly tool in his hand felt surreal. He sighed again and turned his attention to the signs hanging above each section. "Where is the examination room? Oh… there it is—the waiting spot," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

A large screen above him flickered with the words For Applying Hunters, and though no one else was seated in that section, he made his way over and sat down. The minutes ticked by agonizingly slowly until one of the examiners finally appeared, beckoning him forward with a curt nod.

"The examination will begin in a few minutes. Please wait inside," the examiner said, his tone void of any warmth.

Lee Seung hesitated for a split second, his feet rooted to the floor as his mind raced. 'What if I have to fight real monsters in there? Or they shoot lasers at me to test my resistivity?' He shook his head sharply, forcing those thoughts out of his mind. 'Oh hell, let's see how it turns out in the end.'

With a surge of determination, he gripped the door handle and pushed it open with more force than necessary. The door swung inward, and he stepped into a room filled with tense silence.

His breath hitched as his eyes took in the sight before him—a sea of faces, each one more intimidating than the last. Rough-looking men with scars marring their skin, women with eyes sharp as daggers, and a few calm figures who somehow appeared the most threatening of all. They all looked like seasoned veterans, nothing like the naive, wide-eyed kid he felt like.

"Come inside, please," a deep, gravelly voice urged, snapping him out of his daze. Lee Seung swallowed hard, forcing himself to move. His legs felt like lead as he walked past the rows of fierce competitors, trying—and failing—to mask the fear bubbling in his chest.

'So many people…' he thought, shivering slightly as if their stares were knives cutting through his resolve. He mentally kicked himself. 'Taking this exam should've been the last thing I thought of. What if I have to fight one of these monsters disguised as people? I...'

"Hey, Mister! Move it!" A man in a black suit barked, slamming his hand down on the table in front of him. The loud bang made Lee Seung jump, his heart racing even faster. The man's tone softened as he forced a smile, though the sharpness in his eyes remained. "Sit down, will you?"

* * *

"Good day, everyone. I am Yoo Soohyun, a B-rank Hunter, and I'll be your examiner for today," a stern voice cut through the air as a man stepped to the front of the room. His expression was as cold as his voice, and the sharp lines of his face made him look even more unapproachable.

Beside Lee Seung, a man muttered under his breath, "Why's he so stiff and scary? I bet crybabies like you would wet their pants just hearing him talk."

Lee Seung clenched his jaw, but he couldn't deny how accurate that description was. The tension in the room thickened as Yoo Soohyun's gaze swept over the crowd, his brows furrowing.

"All of you should listen carefully because I won't repeat myself," he began. "This examination is divided into two sections: a written section and a speed-thinking section. The written portion will test your fighting experience and decision-making in various scenarios. The speed-thinking test will evaluate your ability to react under pressure. Your overall performance determines your rank as a Hunter. And one last thing—" Yoo Soohyun's voice dropped to a low growl, "—I have zero tolerance for cheating. Break the rules, and you'll never get a chance to become a Hunter again."

The room fell into an uneasy silence as his words sank in.

"Now, the examination will begin."

* * *

At Star High School…

The chatter in the classroom died down as Miss Kim walked to the front, her notes neatly stacked in her arms. "I hope everyone learned a lot from the excursion. Did you?" she asked, her voice bright and cheerful.

"Yes, Miss Kim!" the students chorused back, their enthusiasm filling the room.

Miss Kim smiled warmly, but her expression faltered slightly as she noticed an empty seat at the back of the class. Her eyes lingered there for a moment before she asked, "How long has it been since Seung last came to school?"

Murmurs rippled through the room. 'Who knows?' 'Why would she ask us?' 'Who cares about him?' the students whispered among themselves.

Kang Jinhu, leaning back in his seat with a smirk, called out loudly, "Miss Kim, it seems no one here has anything to say. Maybe it's because Seung practically doesn't exist in our class."

Miss Kim's smile wavered as she ignored the remark and left the room, her thoughts troubled. 'It's unlike him to skip class this often…'

* * *

Back at the Hunter Centre, Lee Seung stared blankly at his question paper, his pen rolling idly between his fingers. His mind was a total blank, no answers forming despite the questions being right in front of him.

Ten minutes had already passed, yet his sheet was still empty.

His eyes drifted back to the first question:

In a dense forest, you encounter a wounded animal. Describe your approach to assessing the situation and deciding whether to intervene, considering factors like safety, ethics, and conservation.

The words swam on the page, jumbling together as anxiety clawed at his chest. Fighting experience? Survival strategies? He had none of that.

The second question wasn't any better:

You stumble upon a hidden cave rumored to house a rare and dangerous creature. How do you proceed in investigating the cave while ensuring your safety and minimizing harm to the creature and its habitat?

Lee Seung dropped his pen with a clatter, burying his face in his hands. 'I have zero experience in this. How am I supposed to answer these?'

When the fast-thinking section began, it didn't feel any different from the written portion—just a barrage of scenarios that left him more and more clueless. His confidence crumbled with every passing minute. 'This is ridiculous. I couldn't answer a single question.'

Finally, the examination ended, and they were all guided back to the waiting room. Lee Seung's hands fidgeted in his lap as he waited, the tension gnawing at him as he glanced around at the other participants. Most of them looked unfazed, while he felt like he was on the verge of collapsing.

Eventually, the examiners returned.

"When I call your name, please step forward," Yoo Soohyun announced, scanning the list in his hand.

...

"Lee Seung."

His name echoed in the room, and his heart nearly leapt out of his chest. He forced his trembling legs to carry him to the front, where a malachite bracelet was handed to him. The digital display flickered to life, revealing his rank:

F-rank Hunter.

Lee Seung stared at the glowing letters, his thoughts swirling. 'F-rank? Well… I can't say I'm surprised,' he mused, hiding a disappointed sigh. Stuffing the bracelet into his bag, he headed back to the lobby, knowing he couldn't dwell on it for long.

Just as he was about to leave the building, a tall man with golden hair styled neatly in a chestnut hue approached him, extending a business card. "Hello, I'm Choi Minho, a Hunter manager. I noticed you're new, and I'm looking to recruit for my guild. Are you interested?"

Lee Seung blinked in surprise, staring at the card before slowly accepting it. "Ye-yes, sir. I'm interested," he stammered, bowing slightly out of habit.

Choi Minho smiled warmly, exuding a relaxed confidence that immediately put Lee Seung at ease. "Great. When would you like to meet up to discuss the contract? How about tonight?"

"Tonight works for me," Lee Seung replied, still slightly dazed by how quickly things were moving.

"Perfect. I'll text you the venue shortly," Choi Minho said as he pulled out his phone. "Mind giving me your number?"

After exchanging contact information, Lee Seung bid him farewell and walked out of the building, his thoughts a jumbled mess. He decided to walk home, letting the cool evening breeze calm his nerves. This was just the beginning, he reminded himself. If he couldn't handle the weight of being a Hunter now, what would he do when faced with real monsters?

His steps grew steadier with each stride. 'Whether I like it or not, I've chosen this path. No more being a crybaby, no more getting bullied. I've become a... HUNTER.'


CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Kutley Kutley

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Chapter 9: Hunter Manager

The sun hung high in the sky, pouring golden rays over the bustling city. The hum of cars blended with distant chatter and the clatter of footsteps—typical afternoon noise in a place that never seemed to rest. Lee Seung entered his small, dimly lit apartment, the door clicking shut behind him. Dropping his bag onto the worn-out couch, he let out a deep breath and headed straight for his gaming setup.

'A few rounds won't hurt,' he thought, powering up his computer. The screen flickered to life, bathing his face in a cool blue glow as the familiar game menu appeared.

He leaned back in his chair, fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard and mouse. In minutes, he was absorbed in the virtual world, where winning came as naturally as breathing. Hours slipped by unnoticed, and it wasn't until he let out a tired yawn that he checked the time.

"Already two hours?" he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "Time flies, huh?"

Pushing his chair back, he cracked his knuckles and got up from his desk. He had other things to prepare for tonight—something far more important than his usual gaming sessions. But before that, there was one more thing he needed to do.

"Next target is warming up," he mumbled with a smirk.

Closing his eyes, he whispered, "Resummon Clone."

A shimmer of light flickered before him, and his clone materialized, dressed in the casual outfit Seung had given him a day ago—a simple hoodie and jeans. The clone stared back at him with the same unreadable expression.

"Long time no see, little guy," Seung greeted with a grin. "We're going to start making real progress today. First up, you and I will be working out."

"Okay, master. What do you need me to do?" the clone replied, his tone flat and obedient.

"Go for a jog on your own until evening," Seung ordered, adjusting his watch. "Then, we'll both hit the gym and push ourselves hard."

Without a word, the clone turned and left the apartment, the door closing quietly behind him. Seung watched him disappear down the stairs before heading to the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets for something to eat. An hour later, the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in soft oranges and purples.

By the time his clone returned, Seung could see exhaustion etched into its features. Sweat soaked through its clothes, and its chest heaved with labored breaths. Curious, Seung glanced at the clone's energy level.

[24/100]

"Not bad for a warm-up," Seung said nonchalantly, grabbing a towel from the couch. "Let's get moving. We've got a gym to find."

Changing into his workout gear, Seung led the way down the stairs, his clone following closely behind, its hood pulled low to conceal its identity. As they walked through the busy streets, Seung's thoughts drifted to his sister—his real motivation for getting stronger. He couldn't rely solely on his clone's abilities. To face what lay ahead, he had to push his limits, train relentlessly, and test himself in the heat of battle.

His jaw tightened. 'If I'm going to save her, I need to surpass my own potential. I'll have to train like my clone, and hunt like there's no tomorrow. That's the only way I'll reach the level I need in the next few months.'

Soon, they reached a modest-looking gym tucked between a row of shops. The neon sign buzzed overhead, casting a faint glow across the entrance. Pushing open the glass door, they stepped inside, greeted by the clanging of weights and the rhythmic pounding of running machines.

A young man with a strong, muscular build noticed them from across the room and walked over with a friendly smile. "Hey there, looking to sign up for some training?"

Seung nodded. "Yeah, we're here to get stronger."

The man led them to a table near the reception desk, handing them forms to fill out. When it came time for the clone's registration, Seung paused, realizing he couldn't just write 'Clone' on the sheet. After a moment's thought, he scribbled down the name 'Lee Quinn'—it was the first thing that came to mind.

Once the paperwork was done, the instructor offered, "Need help with the equipment? I can give you a quick run-through."

"Thanks, but we'll figure it out ourselves. Just stick around in case we need guidance," Seung replied with a confident grin.

The instructor nodded and left them to explore. But before they could settle in, Seung's clone spotted a particularly heavy barbell resting on a rack. Without hesitation, it walked over and attempted to lift it. Muscles strained and veins bulged as the clone gripped the metal bar, sweat beading on its brow. But despite the effort, the barbell barely budged.

The instructor burst out laughing from across the room. "No way your buddy's lifting that! That's the personal barbell of Kim Eunji, one of the strongest female Hunters around. It weighs over four hundred pounds, and she handles it like it's nothing! Nobody else here can touch it!"

Seung's eyes narrowed as he watched his clone struggle. A new determination sparked within him. 'If I can lift that thing one day, I'll be on my way to becoming the strongest.'

He walked over, rolling his shoulders before wrapping his hands around the barbell. Gritting his teeth, he pulled with all his might, muscles trembling as he strained against the impossible weight. But the bar didn't move an inch, its mass stubbornly anchored to the ground.

"Give it up, dude!" the instructor called out with a smirk. "It's not a tissue paper. Even with concentrated effort, you'll hurt yourself trying."

Seung released the barbell with a frustrated groan, slumping down onto the floor, breathless and drenched in sweat. "Damn thing's glued to the ground…" he muttered, wiping his forehead.

Time passed, and the sky outside grew dark. Seung and his clone left the gym, their muscles sore and spirits bruised. "I need to clear my head," Seung said, stretching his arms as they walked. But then, a realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.

"The meeting!" he blurted out, face-palming. "I would've called if I hadn't left the business card at home…"

Before he could panic further, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, and to his relief, it was the manager, Choi Minho. The message was short and to the point—the meeting was set at a nearby restaurant.

Minutes later, a taxi dropped them off at the venue. Seung left his clone outside, instructing it to wait in the shadows. Inside, the restaurant was almost eerily quiet, with only a few dim lights casting a warm glow over the empty tables. He spotted the manager sitting at the back, a cup of steaming coffee in front of him.

"Good evening," Seung greeted, taking a seat across from him. "Sorry for keeping you waiting."

Choi Minho waved it off with a casual smile. "No problem at all. Let's order something to drink first."

Soon, two cups of hot coffee were placed between them, the steam curling lazily in the air. The atmosphere grew more serious as the conversation began.

"So," Choi Minho started, leaning forward slightly, "I assume you want to know more about my guild?"

Seung nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes, tell me about it."

"It's only been a month since we got registered. Right now, I'm building it up from scratch, doing everything alone," Minho admitted, his tone laced with both pride and weariness.

"How many Hunters have you recruited so far?" Seung asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

The man's confident demeanor wavered for a split second. He cleared his throat before answering. "You're actually the first to accept my card. Why do you ask?"

Seung shrugged, brushing it off. "Just curious."

Minho sighed and took a sip of his coffee, the warmth soothing his nerves. "May I ask what your ability is?"

"Just cloning," Seung replied, letting a mischievous grin spread across his face.

The response drew an immediate reaction from Minho. His eyebrows furrowed in disappointment as he leaned back in his chair. "Cloning? That's dangerously close to Ghost Cloning—the worst ability of its kind. If you're not careful, those clones can turn on you, and you'll end up killed by your own shadows."

Seung's smile never wavered. "I know all about the risks, but I'm still alive, aren't I?" He casually motioned toward the entrance. "Come in, little guy."

The clone stepped out of the shadows and walked toward them, its presence silent and unnervingly smooth. Minho stiffened, eyes widening in disbelief as he turned to see what approached him—a mirror image of Seung, down to the last detail.

"This… this is your clone?" Minho stammered, his voice tinged with awe and fear.

Seung casually stood up and walked over to stand beside his clone, draping an arm around its shoulder. "I knew saying 'just cloning' would get that kind of reaction, given what most people assume about it. But what I've got here is more than just a shadow."

The manager's stunned silence spoke volumes. He finally composed himself, wiping his brow as he realized the potential standing before him. "Incredible… I didn't expect this at all."

Seung's grin widened as he returned to his seat. "Now, Mr. Choi, can I see the contract?"


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Kutley Kutley

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