The day of the level asurent arrived.
I woke up as usual, did so stretching, and had breakfast. It was just a procedure to check my skills, but Yoon-hee, sitting across from , seed to be going out of her mind.
I cant believe youre a level 8
She had been reacting like that ever since she heard about it when we went back ho the last ti.
Is it that surprising?
Isnt it weirder that youre so calm? Its not like youre anything else, youre a level 8!
Her voice had been quite loud since morning.
You could rake in all the money if you really wanted to. No, money isnt the issue. Just say what you want and youll have it all. The respect of other Awakened people is a bonus, and the attention
But I was more interested in the non-arrest privilege. Its what started all this.
What will you do if I beco level 8?
Why are you asking ?
If people start paying attention to , youll get attention too.
There were a few reasons why Yoon-hee would get attention, other than because shes my sister.
The fact that she belonged to the Sacred Guild, and shes already distinguished herself from others with her skills.
She called herself an ultra beauty, but she was indeed pretty enough to attract more attention than later on.
Ill just have to enjoy it. Im already getting quite a bit of attention just for being from the Sacred Guild, so Ill take this opportunity to show off my brothers skills. Isnt this just like being impress with a male idol?
What a dream. Its not like that would happen.
Wake up.
Hmp.
Its like she couldnt hear .
Do well in the level asurent. Even if you dont do well, Ill always cheer you on, so dont be discouraged. Fighting!
Yeah.
With Yoon-hee cheering on, I arrived at the Korean Awakeners Central Center in Jongno, Seoul. This place hosted various events, including nationwide guild union etings and exchanges with awakened individuals from other countries.
I t Jung Da-hyun at the main entrance.
Mr. Jun-ho.
Miss Da-hyun.
Jung Da-hyun looked at intently, wearing a sowhat dissatisfied expression. I wonder what mistake I made, and then I recalled her request to treat her more casually last ti.
Its because Im still not used to it. Ill try to make an effort gradually.
Yes.
Da-hyun and I entered inside.
Level 8 asurent checks the manipulation thod and mobilization of Force. So, theres a minimum standard.
Force manipulation and Force mobilization were the areas I was most confident in. The Level 8 asurent didnt seem much different from the previous one I did.
Until I heard the next part.
Moreover, youll be facing a Level 7 awakened individual, so the process of suppression is crucial.
What part is essential?
The less you cause injuries, the better.
Excuse ?
Without realizing it, I stopped in my tracks. I doubted what I just heard. In my mind, suppression equates to death. No matter how much one tried to compromise, it would still result in severe injuries.
Should I break their arms and legs as usual to suppress them and then use recovery potions? My head felt like its spinning.
My surprised reaction startled Jung Da-hyun, too.
Kil what if I injured them?
I barely managed to contain the word kill.
Thats because its the second test, and none of the people who passed the first failed the second.
I asked why there was such a test, and was told that overwhelming strength and control were part of the test.
Its easier for to kill ten level 7 Awakeners.
My serious expression puzzled Jung Da-hyun.
If its Junho, Im sure you will do well. Uhm, right?
Ill give it a try.
This asurent might be the most challenging obstacle in my life.
***
The Level 8 asurent was conducted only with governnt officials, acquaintances of the examinee, and invited observers.
Typically, invited observers included guild mbers and foreign dignitaries who would provide certification. Even though Choi Jun-ho was not part of any guild, the Sacred Guild was appointed to him.
As a foreign dignitary, the United States, a long-ti ally who had been observing Choi Jun-ho, also sent a delegation.
From the Sacred Guild, Lee Se-hee, who could be called the face of the guild, was present.
I thought I should take a look at Choi Jun-ho since you paid attention to him. But to see you at the Level 8 asurent site, its surprising.
The Black Dragon, Baek Gun-seo, a Level 8 Superhuman and a mber of the Sacred Guild, also participated.
A forr vassal of the Sacred Group, Baek Gun-seo, was a person of the Sacred Guild to the bone. His contributions to the Sacred Guild had been so great that it was often said that the guild could not exist without him.
Privately, he was a sword brother to the Chairman of the Sacred Group, and was referred to as an uncle by Lee Se-hee.
Se-hee, youve never been interested in n.
If you put it that way, people will misunderstand.
There is a ti and a place for being interested in n.
Oh, co on. You have no intention of listening.
Baek Gun-seo smiled, then wiped the smile off his face as he looked down at the asuring station.
The rumors I heard were quite concerning. They say his personality is quite strong. The fact that he recently appeared ans there are still many things unknown about him.
Yes, but his skills are real. His younger sister has incredible talent too.
Wasnt she nad Choi Yoon-hee? I heard about her too. It seems they are a talented sibling duo.
Please et her soti. If she gets the opportunity, shell grow rapidly.
I will.
Baek Gun-seo was not one to waste words, so Lee Se-hees expression brightened. Then she spotted Jung Da-hyun coming up the stairs after dropping off Choi Jun-ho and raised her hand.
Da-hyun, over here!
Coming closer, she gave Lee Se-hee a glance and then bowed to Baek Gun-seo.
Hello, Director.
Its been a while, Da-hyun. Youve been training hard during that ti. Youve grown a lot. But still, you should contact more often. I almost forgot your face.
Im sorry.
No, its just that youre determined to follow your own path, and I cant interfere with that. But rember, the Sacred Guild is also your ho, so dont hesitate to co by anyti.
Thank you.
Instead of nagging like that, it would have been better if Uncle just said that you wanted her to visit you first.
Then wouldnt I look too eager?
Baek Gun-seos words made Lee Se-hee and Jung Da-hyun burst out laughing.
The cheerful conversation was interrupted by the arrival of another guest.
Excuse .
Lee Se-hee pointed to a group of foreigners approaching from the distance. It was a delegation of Arican observers. Their eyes locked on the blonde woman in the lead.
Anna Christine.
A headhunting specialist who specialized in seducing males with her lovely looks and voluptuous body.
Not only did she have beauty but also impeccable skills.
When Anna Christine faced Lee Se-hee, she smiled and greeted in English.
Hi, Princess Lee. How have you been?
You as well, Anna. I didnt expect you to co in person.
Of course, I had to co. Its a historic mont.
Are you sure you dont have sothing else on your mind?
Well, who knows what kind of thoughts youre referring to?
Lee Se-hee gazed deeply into Anna Christines aningful smile. Anna Christine didnt avoid that gaze either. Sparks flew between the two.
The fierce war of words ended with the announcent that the asurents would begin.
Well watch from a closer place. See you.
Anna Christine, who slightly lowered her head, moved away from the group. Lee Se-hee, quietly observing her back, muttered.
It feels uncomfortable in a subtle way.
too.
Haha, shouldnt we worry about another thing? Anna Christines charisma is extraordinary.
Baek Gun-seo expressed concern.
Especially for young n, Anna Christines beauty was lethal. Choi Jun-ho was in his mid-20s, the pri age when ones blood was boiling. A newly erged Level 8 Superhuman could easily fall into the hands of the United States.
Anna Christines nickna was succubus, and its not for no reason. She could enchant soone when they least expect it.
However, Lee Se-hees reaction was different from what Baek Gun-seo had expected.
Uncle, do you know one of the most useless worries in the world? Its worrying that Choi Jun-ho might fall for a woman.
What?
Youll know when you see it. Youll find out what kind of person that man is.
Rembering the mont when her confidence in her looks, which had pierced the sky, plumted overnight, Lee Se-hee smiled bitterly.
Choi Jun-ho believed in fairness for everyone. Whatever she experienced, Anna Christine would experience it too.
After a while, the Level 8 asurent began.
***
The first of the Level 8 asurent to be tested was the Force Manipulation.
[The Force Manipulation test will begin.]
With the guidance voice, five blue stones the size of ping-pong balls appeared in front of .
Polar Magic Stones.
Although they possessed Force, they had a repelling nature when coming into contact with other Force. Similar to how the sa poles of magnets repelled each other.
It was often used to detect the Force, and it was also used as a ranged weapon for hunters who use the repulsion of the opposite pole to attack from a distance.
[If you hit the polar magic stones with Force within the ti limit of 5 minutes, you pass.]
They said this should demonstrate my use of Force, but there was a cunning trap hidden within it. It ant that even if the polar magic stone was repelled, the people in charge would observe everything, including predicting the path and calculating the counterforce. This test would likely include controlling those variables as well.
It required quite a few skills since one had to control the Force as if it were part of their body and place the polar magic stone under their control to manipulate its movent.
But was this difficult?
For , its easy.
The fact that they were polar magic stones and that they repel Force ultimately required nothing but reaction ti.
Even that could be easily surpassed with overwhelming speed. When one occupied the shortest path, everything beca the easiest in the world.
[We will begin the asurent.]
Upon hearing those words, I activated the landmine and fired them at the polar magic stones.
The clear condition was simple.
I just had to be fast enough that the polar magic stones couldnt react.
Thump! Thud! Thump!
In an instant, the five polar magic stones were hit by the landmines and scattered to the ground. The tir was set at 4:59.
One second reaction ti. It seed like the lack of a life-threatening threat made react a bit sluggishly.
[Congratulations, you passed. The next test will asure the amount of Force.]
The next test asures the amount of Force, and its divided into two main parts. First was proving that one possessed the minimum required Force to be recognized as a Level 8.
If one failed to et this standard, they would be deed unable to sustain combat as a Level 8 and wouldnt be recognized as such.
The second part was the Force mobilization, where they asured how much Force one could wield in a short period. Its almost like an output test.
One must et the minimum output criteria to be recognized as a Level 8 with significant power.
What I had before was a spent and hollowed-out demon heart.
Its equivalent to a level 7 danger level, aning that filling this would signify surpassing the limits of level 7. The ti it would take would probably determine the output criteria.
[asurent begins.]
I moved the Force and pushed it into the creatures heart in one go.
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
In an instant, the loud alert sound rang out as it surpassed 70%, then 80%, and finally broke through 90% to fill it to 100%. I stopped manipulating the Force, but in the anti, the Force that had been pushed in caused cracks in the creatures heart and shattered it.
Crack!
With it destroyed, I reached out for the rampaging Force. The rampaging Force ca under my control, spinning gently in a circle before disappearing into my fingertips.
[Error Occurred! Error Occurred!]
A chorus of voices chid in with the notification. They were discussing what had just happened.
The reason for this happening was simple.
My force capacity turned out to be greater than they had thought, and the output was strong as well. It was so fierce, almost bloodthirsty. The demon heart was too weak to withstand it.
[You passed. Congratulations.]
A mont later, the announcent of my success ca, and I passed both events.
I passed the first round of the asurent test.
***
The asurent test was expected to be challenging.
Although Choi Jun-ho was expected to be at level 8, Baek Gun-seo thought that the first asurent wouldnt be easy.
As if to ridicule those expectations, Choi Jun-ho easily passed.
Its unbelievable.
Baek Gun-seo looked puzzled as he recalled the test he had seen just now.
Handling polar magic stones in just one second? How fast can he be?
It took him five minutes just to touch five of them.
What was even more astonishing ca next.
When the demon heart couldnt withstand the pressure and broke, Baek Gun-seo shook his head.
Thats a ridiculous amount of power. Just by looking at the amount of Force and the ability to maneuver it, hes already at level 8.
Quantity, speed, and power were all top-notch. It was the first ti he had seen such talent.
If he was to face Choi Jun-ho, what would happen?
The thought that it wouldnt be easy filled my head. A monster had appeared.
The negative perception before the start of the asurent had long vanished.
Shortly after, the second round of asurents began.
Ham Ik-cheol.
The selection of combatants for the second round following the Level 8 asurent involved intense competition behind the scenes. The reason was that Level 8 and combat experience lead to a higher realm, making them significant sources of nourishnt.
As a result, most of the candidates were either from the sa guild or backed by the governnt.
Ham Ik-chul was the second-in-command of the Awakened Security Office, and him, being in his early 40s, made him a strong candidate to beco the next Level 8.
Known for utilizing a Gift called Magical Bullet with his gun, he was an excellent long-range attacker and had compensated his close combat weaknesses with a 12th-degree black belt in martial arts.
The battle lasted for an astonishing 5 minutes.
Baek Gun-seo, who was watching the battle, furrowed his brow.
This is insane.
***
The second asurent was in the top five most difficult battles of my life.
To subdue the opponent without inflicting injuries.
There was no such thing as a battle without injury.
To , who was best at killing, this was a disaster and a trial. It was a demanding task not to hurt soone when fighting them.
I focused more than ever, afraid that even one strike could be fatal.
Every ti I exploited a gap, I detonated landmines in the wrong place without using my hands. I
The five minutes, which felt longer than eternity, passed.
I could have killed Ham Ik-cheol 27 tis in those five minutes, yet I managed to succeed in subduing him without inflicting a single wound.
The completely disoriented guy bowed his head, having lost his will.
He left without leaving any presence. Still, its better than losing his life.
After a mont, the notification voice echoed and spread out.
[You have passed. Congratulations.]
Its finally over.
Now I understood why people say Level 8 asurents were difficult.
Indeed, killing was easier.
While waiting for the remaining procedures to finish, a group of foreign spectators approached .
Among them, a woman at the front smiled brightly and raised her hand towards .
Hi.
***
For Anna Christine, the arrival of the new Level 8 was nothing new. There were Level 8s all over the world, and several appeared every year.
She had t the best Awakeners in her profession, so terms like genius or monster did not impress her anymore.
However, this ti was different. She couldnt shake off the excitent that ran through her body.
Ha!
Anna Christine shook her head after her exclamation. She was still reeling from what had just happened.
The Superhuman born today was special. He was in his mid-20s, which ant young age, and young age ant potential. Potential led to progress and high skills.
The number of cases handled by Choi Jun-ho in a short period was astounding. A 100% success rate in cases ant a wealth of combat experience.
Especially in the last asurent, the power he displayed was so strong that it was beyond belief.
Being in his 20s and possessing such a rich combat experience? Moreover, he had a firm sense of justice, firmly suppressing villains?
If Hollywood made a movie like this, it would be criticized for lack of plausibility.
Theres no need to say more. He is the greatest that will never appear again in my life.
However, the obstacle was that Choi Jun-ho was affiliated with a governnt agency, and once he beca Level 8, the priority negotiation rights would belong to South Korea for three years.
Nevertheless, what was astonishing was that even after three years, Choi Jun-hos age was 28 years old. In Arican age, he was 27. It was an unbelievable level of talent. Despite wasting three years with a governnt contract, Choi Jun-hos value was still unmatched in history.
Anna Christine believed in the word stamp of the heart.
For that, she must unquestionably steal Choi Jun-hos heart.
If he had the willingness to join her, the South Korean governnt would inevitably release him.
Although the vast territory of the United States was called an extrely harsh hunting environnt for Awakeners, the treatnt there was at the worlds highest level. She was confident she could persuade him enough.
Persuasion was, indeed, her most confident area.
After completing her calculations, she stretched her body and put on a confident smile. Her black two-piece emphasized her cleavage, her small waist, her voluptuous pelvis, and her shapely curves were her pride and her best weapon that had enchanted countless Awakened n.
Hi.
As she approached, Choi Jun-hos appearance beca clearer.
If he wasnt a level 8, youd think he was an actor. The more I looked at him, the more charming and handso he seed.
Jun-ho! Congratulations on becoming a Level 8, and may your future be blessed.
Close enough that their bodies almost touched, she spoke in a whisper-like manner, so close that even their breaths could mingle.
A blend of sweet perfu and feminine pheromones, complented by the appeal of a rich blonde hair and voluptuous figure that n yearn for.
After she appealed to the other, she took a step back and gazed fixedly at Choi Jun-hos face.
Usually, at this point, 99 out of 100 tis, a man would co closer. But seeing Choi Jun-ho frowning, she sensed sothing unusual.
Hey, Jun-ho?
If you ca to Korea, you should speak Korean.
What?
I dont think youre swearing, so Ill let you off the hook.
With a light click of his tongue, Choi Jun-ho turned and walked away.
Anna Christine, faced with such a cold shoulder for the first ti in her life, was at a loss for words.
Lee Se-hee, watching the scene, grabbed her stomach, stopping herself from laughing.
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