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SUMMON PROFILE
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[ Name: Water Naiad ]
[ Tier: C – Elemental Girl ]
[ Class: C-Class Support/Control Spirit ]
[ Status: Unlocked ]
[ Summon Cost: 100 Summon Energy ]
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CORE INFORMATION
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• Race: Purewater Spirit
• Body Type: Humanoid Elemental
• Element: Water
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ABILITIES
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[ Aqua Lash ]
• Forms high-pressure water whips that can cut through B-rank monster hide when focused.
(10 sec cooldown)
[ Tidal Restraint ]
• Summons serpentine water chains that immobilize enemies for up to 5 seconds.
(25 sec cooldown)
[ Healing Dew ]
• Heals cuts, bruises, and light internal strain.
• Can stop bleeding but cannot repair deep wounds or stabilize near-death conditions.
(60 sec cooldown)
[ Mist Cloak ]
• Creates a fog veil that reduces enemy vision and increases user evasion by 20%.
(30 sec cooldown)
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SYNC SKILL (Borrowable)
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[ Fluid Step ]
• Movements become smoother and quicker, increasing agility slightly for 20 seconds.
(Once per summon cycle)
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I closed the Water Naiad window and nodded to myself.
"Hmm… this seems to be another interesting one."
⟦ Isn't that obvious? ⟧ Aphrodite replied dryly.
"This one also heals… If I can dual summon the Sylph and Naiad, I'd basically have my own hunter party."
⟦ Do you have any doubts regarding her abilities? ⟧
"No, but… it's kind of amazing. Both sync skills I get from them are actually close combat-oriented. That's unexpected."
⟦ Aren't you glad? ⟧
I sighed. "Yeah, yeah… it's good. Really good, actually."
I closed the second window.
"Alright… now let's see the last one."
I tapped the third display—Light Fairy.
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SUMMON PROFILE
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[ Name: Light Fairy ]
[ Tier: C – Elemental Girl ]
[ Class: C-Class Support/Utility Spirit ]
[ Status: Unlocked ]
[ Summon Cost: 100 Summon Energy ]
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CORE INFORMATION
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• Race: Luminous Spirit
• Body Type: Humanoid Fairy
• Element: Light
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ABILITIES
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[ Light Ray ]
• Fires a concentrated beam of light that blinds enemies for 1–2 seconds.
• Deals minor burn damage — effective against dark-type monsters.
(12 sec cooldown)
[ Radiant Shield ]
• Generates a dense, glowing light barrier.
• Can block one full-power attack from a B-rank monster.
• Can block one full-power attack from a B+ ranked monster if the Light Fairy fully focuses her mana into it
(leaves her exhausted afterward).
(45 sec cooldown)
[ Fairy Flare ]
• Emits a sparkling light burst that disrupts enemy vision and concentration.
• Lowers accuracy of enemies in a 5m radius by 20%.
(30 sec cooldown)
[ Guiding Orb ]
• Creates a floating orb that illuminates dark zones, marks enemy positions,
and reveals invisible or camouflaged traps.
(Continuous until dismissed)
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SYNC SKILL (Borrowable)
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[ Lumen Eyes ]
• Grants superior vision:
– Night vision
– Motion tracking
– Better perception of fast movements
• Duration: 5 minutes
(Once per summon cycle)
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"Woah… that's insane support." I muttered. "Hey, can I triple summon them? That would be way too OP."
⟦ I don't think you should do that. ⟧
"Why not? If I allocate all those extra 39 points, I'll break 300 Summon Energy easily. They cost 100 each—so no big deal. I'll literally dogwalk the whole exam."
⟦ And after that? ⟧
"…Huh?"
⟦ They'll dogwalk you after that. Let me make this very clear—none of your summons, not even the C-ranks, go down in one round. They need at least two. Sometimes three to satisfy them and it will only increase with each class⟧
"Damn… it'll take everything just to push for round three." I rubbed my chin. "Well, honestly, I could do it if I dump into stamina."
"But I don't want to allocate before I know about what type of exam it will be."
⟦ And when will it be announced?⟧
"From what I know the Exam's type is explained at the venue, so we won't know till the very end."
⟦... I see⟧ she sighed as she replied.
I closed the status window and stood up, pulling out the old book—
Shadow Claw Doctrine.
Aphrodite's voice echoed softly.
⟦ Are you going to start practicing already? ⟧
"Yeah. My goal is to become proficient in at least three forms before the exam. Can't let you guys do all the work."
⟦ How sweet~. By the way, how many forms are there in total? ⟧
"Twelve. Though Dad only mastered nine."
⟦ How long did he take? ⟧
"His whole life."
⟦ What? ⟧
"I mean… his life was pretty short." I forced a small laugh.
"He awakened at twenty-seven… and died at thirty-three.
So technically? Six years."
There was a brief silence.
⟦ …And you want to master three forms in five days? ⟧
"I didn't say master. I said "proficient" I just want them usable in battle. The first three forms are basics anyway."
I slid on my father's raven battle-claws—the cold metal fitting perfectly around my fingers.
"Alright," I whispered. "Let's get to work."
---
It had been four days since the system awakened.
Just one day left until the Hunter Rank Exams.
I exhaled, tightening my grip on the black steel claws.
The inn's back area wasn't big, but the flat packed dirt made it perfect for training.
I'd been grinding here every single day since we moved in.
I shifted my weight and moved diagonally—waist twisting, right arm sweeping in a sharp crescent.
My wrist completed a perfect full circle, slicing the air.
Crescent Slash — First Form.
I took a breath.
Then another.
Time for the second form.
I lowered my stance, took a wide, quiet step, then another, barely disturbing the dust beneath my boots.
Ghost Step.
A movement meant to close distance or slip under an opponent's guard.
It still didn't feel… right.
"It's not enough," I muttered.
⟦It's pretty good for four days, you know.⟧ Aphrodite chimed in.
"Well, I can't exactly ask the exam monsters to go easy on me because I've only had four days."
⟦…Hey! Are you insulting me again?⟧
I waved my hand dismissively. Arguing with her was just asking for a headache.
"Alright… next."
I stepped forward, boots digging slightly into the dirt.
Using that leverage, I leapt upward and tightened my grip on the claws.
My body spun—one rotation, then another—claws slicing through the air in full, moon-like arcs until I crashed down, both blades stabbing into the soil like twin fangs.
I gasped for breath.
"Even this one barely qualifies…"
⟦Your greed is ridiculous. With the time you had, you should definitely be satisfied. Your talent in close combat is actually impressive, okay?⟧
"It's fine. I'm not doing it for motivation," I said with a small smile.
I raised a hand and waved as Hana approached, a water bottle held against her chest.
She'd been watching the whole time—quiet, focused.
"Brother, that was really good," she said with a bright smile, handing me the bottle.
"I'm sure you'll master them in no time."
I took a sip. "…Thanks."
"Should I come with you to the exam venue?" she asked. "I even have a Master Ticket. I'll redeem it for this event."
"It's okay, you don't have to—"
"But I really want to."
"Then… come. But you should save that ticket for something bigger. It's just a test."
She puffed her cheeks. "What are you even saying, idiot brother? It's your test. It decides your rank! Of course it's important."
She crossed her arms stubbornly.
"I'm coming. That's final."
I chuckled. "…Alright, as you wish."
She returned to the inn with a satisfied little smile.
⟦She's so quietly fierce. I like her.⟧ Aphrodite mused.
I shook my head, still smiling.
⟦By the way… what's a 'Master Ticket'?⟧
"Oh. It's a special card you can exchange for entry into any Hunter Association program. Even the Grand Hunter Summit."
⟦Oh? How did she get that?⟧
"I gave it to her. Originally I wanted it to be her eighteenth birthday gift, but… I managed to save enough earlier, so I gave it two months ahead."
⟦…Hmm. I see.⟧
Her voice softened slightly—rare for her. Not teasing, not mocking.
Just… warm.
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