After Completing the Practical Training Translator: Xzy ***
Inside the area reached after passing through the terminal building, which could also be seen as a type of castle gate.
Upon entering the full-fledged rift zone, a very unique sight could be taken in.
The first thing that caught the eye was, of course, the sight of the rifts that had appeared here and there at considerable intervals.
They truly had the appearance of a crack in the empty air, just as their name suggested.
The faint rainbow-colored light flowing out, including the hole pierced in the center, immediately drew one's gaze.
At each of these rifts, at least four or five Hunters were stationed like garrison soldiers.
There were bound to be additional personnel inside, and bus-sized campers, trucks loaded with various equipment, and tents made the area around the rifts look like a temporary encampment.
There were a few rifts that seemed to be left unattended. These were places where a blue sign, meaning that the 'processing' was complete, was set up next to the sign indicating the rank and number, so that it was very clearly visible even from a distance.
Most of them were likely places left to disappear naturally because there was no more danger or resources to collect, or left for some kind of research and experimentation.
99.9% of rifts form on solid ground. The reason for this, which is currently accepted as the established theory, is that the inside of the rift also has land, and they have the property of trying to connect with each other.
'The remaining 0.1% are said to be created in the air or in water and then quickly collapse and disappear.'
Thinking this, Han Yu-jin surveyed the rest of the scene.
The desolate land was littered with the uneven scars of battle, presumed to be the traces of bullets, bombs, or if not, awakened abilities.
Lifting his head to look far into the distance, he could see a part of the circular barbed wire fence that must have surrounded this entire rift zone.
Even further beyond that, a part of the reinforced concrete barrier, which included watchtowers capable of spewing heavy firepower, also came into view.
"This way."
The administrative officer moved as if this scenery was familiar to him.
The place they arrived at after moving together was, of course, in front of the E-rank rift where the practical training was scheduled.
Hanseong Corporation's Hanseong Guild had the rights to clear it, and the 'Active Hunter Safety Agents' who would help with this practical training were them.
"Check your equipment one more time. While passing through the rift…"
The figure of an old man, who was clearly an instructor, was visible, standing in front of about twenty students who were seated and giving them a final admonition.
In the middle of his talk, he glanced at Han Yu-jin's group, and the gazes of the others also focused on them for a moment.
A few Hanseong Guild members who were nearby came over to greet the administrative officer, as if they were acquainted.
The Hanseong Guild's rift practical training and clearing this time was said to be conducted with a total of twelve people, excluding two scouts, with four people forming one team, for a total of three teams.
The role composition per team was one Defender, one Ranged Attacker, one Melee Attacker, and one Healer.
These were role groups also called Tanker, Ranged Dealer, Melee Dealer, and Healer.
It was an excessive force in many ways for an E-rank rift, but it could be understood as a measure for the safety of the students.
"You can store items like smartphones here. As you know, they break when you pass through a rift."
Following the dedicated officer's guidance, he organized his belongings under a tent and waited for a short while.
"Entering!"
With the Hanseong Guild's scout, who had finished all preparations, in the lead, the entry into the rift began.
It was a sight of them following the standard procedure, even though they must have already scouted it once.
'No matter how much of an E-rank rift it is, it's a real battle, so it's only natural.'
Thinking this, Han Yu-jin crossed the rift ahead of the students.
Everything, including this place, was a first for him, so it was a bit awkward, but he was sure he would get used to it quickly after going through it a few times.
<><><>
The sensation of passing through the rift could not be called comfortable, not even as an empty compliment.
It felt like forcibly pushing through a strong current, and as this supernatural impact continued for over ten seconds, the thought that it was no wonder electronic devices would break naturally came to mind.
The story that sometimes even analog watches broke didn't seem to be a complete lie.
The impact of passing through this rift not only affected electronic devices but also sensitive explosive materials like gunpowder, causing various accidents. In the case of people, it seemed that non-awakeners had a much harder time enduring this impact.
Anyway,
The scene inside was a forest where trees with an exotic appearance grew.
However, it was so shabby that it couldn't even be compared to the primeval forest Han Yu-jin had visited, so it was easy to secure a line of sight and not very inconvenient for people to move around.
The practical training was conducted strictly according to the instructions of the Hanseong Guild Hunters.
It was a very stern atmosphere, as if they would not tolerate any accidents, so the students looked quite nervous.
"But why did only about twenty students come?"
A question suddenly came to mind, and Han Yu-jin quietly asked the administrative officer.
"The rift isn't an area that can be cleared in a single day. This means the practical training can be conducted in rotations over several days. If too many come at once, control becomes difficult and it can be dangerous."
"Ah, I see."
"You don't seem nervous at all?"
At the administrative officer's smiling words, Han Yu-jin reflexively shook his head.
"Of course not. I'm a little nervous."
"A moderate amount of nervousness is good."
The administrative officer said so, even though he didn't seem to believe him.
It also felt like he was very gently giving the advice that carelessness is forbidden in a real battle.
"Three small wolves ahead! Team 2, forward!"
At that moment, a warning from a Hanseong Guild member with a moderately tense voice was heard from the front, and everyone's gaze was drawn there.
As if they intended to have the students watch a few battles before sending them out, three monsters that looked like hairless wolves the size of large dogs were baring their teeth and approaching the front where Hanseong Guild's Clearing Team 2 was stepping forward.
The principle that a beast whose territory has been invaded becomes very ferocious seemed to apply here in the space inside the rift as well.
Despite being clearly outnumbered, the creatures bravely charged forward instead of running away.
And so, the creatures were brutally slaughtered by Hanseong Guild's Team 2.
A streak of light, accompanied by a flash, was shot out and tore one wolf monster apart, another was blocked by a special material shield and then had its head turned to mush by a mace, and the last one was beheaded as if in a painting by a longsword.
The streak of light was one thing, but the battles of the Hunters wielding the shield and mace, and the longsword, immediately drew Han Yu-jin's interest.
To him, who was accustomed to Dharma spells, the physical combat of those two felt very exhilarating and dynamic.
'It seems they have physical enhancement abilities, and also acceleration-type abilities.'
Below a certain stage, fast and strong physical abilities are also a very threatening power.
Especially in the case of the Hunter using the longsword, the sharpness of the blade was unusual, and it didn't seem to be just because the weapon was good.
"What is the rank of that Melee Dealer Hunter over there?"
When he asked, lowering his voice as much as possible in case he was overheard, the administrative officer glanced at the Hunter holding the longsword and replied.
"He's a B-rank. He's Hunter Shin Han-cheol, a person famous as a master of swordsmanship."
"Ah, that explains it."
After that, a similar battle took place one more time. He didn't know about the entire rift, but at least in this forest, it seemed that most of the monsters were wolf-types.
Only after that did the students finally step forward, and while they seemed very nervous, they didn't show any signs of being intimidated or fazed by the monsters aiming for their lives.
Han Yu-jin was impressed by the appearance of the Hunter specialized school students, but on the other hand, he felt a little disappointed.
It wasn't that their skills were disappointing, but he was pointlessly disappointed that he couldn't examine their Spiritual Roots because he hadn't yet reached the Dharma Soul Stage and lacked Divine Sense.
Meanwhile, one student, said to have a B-rank awakened ability, shot out several black auras in the shape of what looked vaguely like hands and single-handedly turned three charging wolf monsters into a bloody mess. The ground being gouged out and a tree being broken and knocked over were a bonus.
He seemed to be the most promising top student among the students, and the gazes directed at him felt a little different.
'Perhaps they are more sensitive to hierarchy.'
From their mid-to-late teens, they would have abilities that were clearly distinguished by rank and would be treated in proportion to them, so he didn't know whether that would be good or bad for student education.
Of course, for the purpose of raising outstanding Hunters, there would be no major problems.
Then, finally.
Han Yu-jin's turn came.
As he stepped forward, he could see a healer from the Hanseong Guild extending a hand and preparing for any unforeseen circumstances, just as before.
She was a Hunter who had defensive abilities along with healing abilities, and it seemed she could cast a transparent shield on a target.
Considering that other Hunters would intervene in an emergency, it meant there was little worry of getting hurt.
Of course, Han Yu-jin was fine even without their help.
"Two small wolves ahead!"
Han Yu-jin, who had been aware of their approach with the Spirit Eye Spell even before that shout, cast and threw the Fire Bullet Spell as soon as they were at a suitable distance.
It was described as throwing, but the flame body, which was shot out at a much faster speed than the movement of his hand, created a flash and an explosion before the creatures could even react.
KGWAGWANG—!!
A fierce flame soared up, mixed with a powerful explosion.
The sight of the nearby trees turning to ash in an instant and collapsing one after another visually revealed its terrifying destructive power a little more.
"Woah…"
A Hunter in the back let out such a sound without realizing it.
While everyone was surprised and impressed, looking at Han Yu-jin.
The one who had caused the incident, rather than enjoying the gazes of the people, was concentrating on a faint feeling he had captured by killing the wolf-type monster.
'Karma.'
That was certain. An extremely abstract and profound energy that he felt connected to his awakened ability.
Certainly, killing other living beings was a good way to accumulate Karma quickly.
This was because living beings and Karma had a relationship that could not be separated from each other.
Of course, if the act of killing was good for accumulating Karma, it meant that, conversely, the act of saving could also accumulate similar Karma.
However, in modern society, there were not many cases where one could completely save another living being with their own power.
It was unlikely that such a critically ill patient would easily fall into Han Yu-jin's hands. Also, if the opponent was that critical, it might be difficult to save them with his healing spell, which was only judged as C-rank.
He didn't know how it would be later, but for now, conducting rift clearing activities through Hunter activities like this was the fastest and most certain way.
"It's okay to continue like this, right?"
"Of course."
When Han Yu-jin quietly asked a Hunter standing nearby, the man, who was both the leader of Team 1 and the leader of the clearing party, immediately nodded his head.
After that, whenever they encountered a monster, Han Yu-jin's Fire Bullet Spell was shot out and completely annihilated the creatures.
KWANG—!!
KWARRRRUNG—!!
Flashes and explosions erupted, and the monsters that came died as if they were evaporating without leaving a trace.
He could faintly hear the clearing party leader, who had briefly stepped back, talking with the administrative officer.
"There's no point in practical training for that person, is there? It seems it would be the same even if he entered a D-rank rift."
"He's a preliminary A-rank, that person."
On the other side, the old man who was the students' instructor and leader did not hide his admiration.
He didn't just admire, but even came over and asked a question.
"Excuse me, but how many more times can you use that attack?"
"In my current state, roughly… being conservative, about forty times should be no problem."
"Huh… Another A-rank Hunter will emerge in the Republic of Korea. Perhaps you might even grow to S-rank. I am Kim Hak-man. Your name?"
He didn't know why he was suddenly trying to socialize, abandoning the leadership of the students, but Han Yu-jin just felt good and satisfied, so he obediently answered and got acquainted.
It wasn't just the Hunter specialized school teacher who came over to try and talk.
Rather, the gazes of the Hanseong Guild Hunters were unusual.
If they could draw a powerful Hunter, and a super rookie at the stage of just going through practical training at that, into their guild, it would be a huge gain in many ways.
Just going on a clearing together would be that reassuring.
"Crazy, just crazy…"
"If I got hit by that, I'd die instantly, right?"
"Even the instructor would just be gone, I bet."
In the meantime, the whispers of the students, filled with admiration, that he could faintly hear, made Han Yu-jin even more smug.
He had to try quite hard not to show it on the outside.
Just then.
"Ahead… one medium-sized boar!"
That slightly tense shout drew everyone's attention.
Of course, Han Yu-jin, who had unfolded his Spirit Eye Spell, had been watching the creature approaching from a distance for a while.
The creature, which was huffing and puffing as if stimulated by the noise that had been made so far, honestly resembled a rhinoceros more than a boar.
It was like that from its size, but it still had a fur hide and tusk-like horns, so it did have a boar-like feel.
KWEEEEEEEEK…!!
With a sharp shriek that echoed resoundingly through the forest, it began to charge, and the sight of the ground shaking slightly and the obstructing trees breaking like straws was quite threatening.
And so, the moment the Hanseong Guild Hunters were naturally about to step forward.
Han Yu-jin had already shot out the Fire Bullet Spell that he had completed by infusing a little more power into it.
What was clearly shining more brilliantly than before directly hit the head of the creature that was charging, a creature that was confusing whether it was a boar or a rhinoceros.
PUKWAKWANG—!!
An explosion that was a little different from before erupted.
It was because it was obstructed by the Spiritual Energy the creature had in its body, but of course, that was far from enough to withstand Han Yu-jin's Dharma spell.
The flame exploded, and in the swirling blaze, the monster, whose head to upper chest had been literally shattered, collapsed and rolled over.
Because it was such a large creature, even the sight of it rolling over was spectacular.
CHIIJIIK…!
The sound of blood evaporating in the heat subsided, and the boiling heat quickly scattered and disappeared in the form of a haze.
As the creature was large, the cross-section of its wound, burnt black, was also very clearly visible.
He could faintly smell the scent of meat being cooked, no, burnt.
Han Yu-jin smiled as he felt the Karma that was accumulating much more than from the wolf-type monsters.
<><><>
Naturally, the practical training ended safely without any particular accidents.
The administrative officer gave him the evaluation that he no longer needed to go through practical training, just as Han Yu-jin had secretly hoped.
But Han Yu-jin wanted to go to the next practical training as well.
When he roughly calculated the time, he wouldn't be able to do Hunter activities until he completed the pre-training anyway, and the next practical training was scheduled within the period of receiving that pre-training.
Even if it's like collecting dust to make dust, if it's a period where he has to be idle anyway, it's better to kill a few more monsters and accumulate Karma.
The administrative officer naturally accepted such a 'humble' request.
There was an additional factor as well.
The next practical training would be conducted with the help of another famous guild, not Hanseong Guild like this time.
So, if he could get acquainted with them in advance and show his skills, it would be more advantageous when he came out to the market and made a contract later.
That wasn't just a delusion, as in Han Yu-jin's pocket on his way back was a business card given to him by the Hanseong Guild's clearing party leader.
It was a business card he had received along with the sincere words that he would definitely like to work with him in the future.
"Thank you both again today."
"Not at all, this is my job."
"Go in and get some good rest!"
He expressed his gratitude to the administrative officer who had given him a ride home by car this time as well, and after saying goodbye to the dedicated officer, he parted ways with a light heart and headed to his one-room apartment.
After arriving, he substituted washing with the Purification Spell, changed his clothes, and sat down at his computer desk chair out of habit, and he still felt half-dazed.
'The time to really start Hunter activities is not far off now.'
What he could only consider a dream until just a short while ago was now within his grasp.
If he didn't get excited about this, he wouldn't be human.
After enjoying the pleasant feeling for a little longer, he finally calmed down and remembered the last thing he had to do today.
It was to receive the investigation request report.
The report that came by email had a considerable volume and was more substantial than he had expected.
Of course, since it was only the first day, there wasn't any particularly important information.
After spending a little more time reading the report, he finally finished all his tasks and lay down on the bed.
'Now I should probably start looking for a world for Dharma spell training.'
Even if it wasn't necessarily for Dharma spell training, a world where he could learn Formation Arts, Alchemy Arts, or Talisman Arts would also be good.
It would be difficult to succeed right away, but he planned to try consistently and find a suitable world.
'I don't plan to stay for too long. Just enough not to create a sense of disconnect with reality… I'd be satisfied if I could stay for just a week to a fortnight…'
He fell asleep while pondering what kind of wish he should use to fix the door.
Soon.
He came to his senses in the dark void of the Waiting Area and, quite familiarly, packed all the necessary items such as the Five Elements Sword, the Spirit Liquid Gourd, and the storage pouch.
Afterward, he went in front of the ever-changing door and stood for quite a long time with his eyes closed, lost in thought.
Then, at some point.
The finally extended hand touched the door, and its form was fixed.
It was an iron door that gave a very sturdy feeling, with various Dharma scripts shining.
[Tianyuan Star Frontline World.]
'A Frontline World?'
It was interpreted to mean a world that served as the frontline in a war, with a fortress named Tianyuan Star.
Judging by the format of the name, it seemed to be a cultivation civilization world.
In addition, one could guess that the war would be unimaginably dangerous, enough to use an entire world as a frontline.
'Since I wished to learn Dharma spell training and Alchemy Arts and such… of course, the door would be fixed to a cultivation civilization world.'
And if it was a place that served as a frontline, there might be opportunities proportional to the danger.
Anyway, he couldn't judge without going. Han Yu-jin, having steeled his resolve, pushed the iron door and stepped inside.
"Aaaack…!"
"Here…! Help me here…!"
Without even a moment to glance at the door he had passed through disappearing, the smell of burning and heat were felt from all directions, a faint smell of blood wafted over, and the place was filled with pained screams.
It seemed there had been a large and fierce battle just before.
The huge and magnificent castle walls, to the extent that one might wonder if they were made by a race of giants, were broken in various places, and it was not difficult to find the figures of people crushed under various debris and the corpses of terrifyingly large monsters.
Judging by their attire and the aura they exuded, they were all clearly cultivators.
It was the first time he had seen other cultivators besides himself.
At the same time, it was also the first time he had seen cultivators like himself lying dead and scattered like trash on the roadside.
"Hey, you!"
Suddenly, someone called out to Han Yu-jin, who was blankly surveying his surroundings, in an angry voice.
When he turned his head, a middle-aged cultivator with glaring eyes and a bushy beard was staring at him fiercely.
"Get a move on, now!"
"Ah, yes…!"
The momentum felt from the middle-aged man was at least the Dharma Soul Stage.
This meant he was a strong person who could slaughter more than ten Entry Stage cultivators like himself like a flock of sheep.
Han Yu-jin moved without even knowing what he had to do.
Fortunately, thanks to the quick wits he had developed during his military service, he was able to quickly participate in the rescue efforts and avoid the sharp glares.
Then, he happened to discover the corpse of a cultivator who had died with his entire upper body blown away.
There was no sign of items like a storage pouch, as if someone had already swept them away.
However, the jade plaque that served as an identification card hanging on his belt was intact.
'Soldier of the 127th Squad, Yeon Bi-won of the Yeon Family from Dong-eun Province.'
It seemed he was a cultivator named Yeon Bi-won from the Yeon family of the Dong-eun Province area.
Seeing that he was a soldier, his stage must not have been very high.
Thinking that it was an identity that suited him perfectly, Han Yu-jin naturally took the jade plaque and attached it to his own waist.
Of course, since his clothes had changed to be like the other cultivators' when he crossed over to this world, there was no awkwardness.
'From now on, I am Yeon Bi-won.'
Thinking this, he secretly made a plan.
He didn't know what or how much he could learn on this terrifying battlefield that felt extremely dangerous, but there was bound to be an opportunity proportional to this danger.
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