The muted hum of conversations, a constant murmur of ambition and anxiety, vibrated through the cavernous hall of the National Hunter Association. Kim Hyu-Gi stood for a moment just inside the main entrance, observing. High ceilings soared above, supported by polished chrome pillars that reflected the controlled chaos of hundreds of hunters moving with purpose. F-Class applicants, their faces etched with a mixture of hope and fear, clutched worn folders. E-Class and D-Class hunters, easily identifiable by the subtle confidence in their strides and the distinct insignias on their gear, strode past with a casual air of belonging. He felt like an anomaly, a ghost walking among the living. His E-Class license, a stark reality in his pocket, felt almost too heavy. It was a tangible mark of his advancement, yet it highlighted the chasm between his current self and the naive F-Class Hunter he’d been with the Three Flowers Guild. The names of his former guild members, their faces etched in his memory, flickered across his mind. Kang Hwok, his bully and later his reluctant savior, still haunted his thoughts. He pushed the familiar ache down, a practiced suppression. Today wasn't about the past. Today was about cementing his future, about proving that the Hell Simulation had forged something real within him. He strode towards the registration counter for Hunter examinations, his steps more assured than he remembered them ever being. “Name and purpose?” a young clerk asked, not looking up from her holographic display. “Kim Hyu-Gi. E-Class promotion exam.” His voice was steady, devoid of the tremor it once held. Her fingers danced across the console, a few blips and flashes, and then her eyes widened slightly as she glanced at him. “Ah, yes, Mr. Kim. Your system update has been… rather dramatic. Confirmed E-Class eligibility. Please wait a moment while I confirm your new skills.” She typed again, a low whistle escaping her lips. “Basic Swordsmanship: Mastered. Battlefield Adaptation: Proficient. Incredible. These are high-level aptitudes for a fresh E-Class.” Kim Hyu-Gi offered a tight nod. He didn’t need her confirmation; he felt the changes in every fiber of his being. The phantom weight of a sword, an extension of his arm, was ever-present. The ability to parse a chaotic environment, to anticipate the ebb and flow of conflict, had become second nature. These weren’t just words on a screen; they were ingrained reflexes, honed through countless deaths and rebirths in a place far worse than any F-Class Gate. “Alright, Mr. Kim. Your examination is assigned to Gate 3B, a standard F-Class goblin clear. Solo operation, as per E-Class promotion protocol. Your objective is complete neutralization of all hostile entities within the dungeon. The proctors will observe your performance from outside. Good luck.” She handed him a small, sealed packet containing his access credentials and a map of the examination area. He took the packet, the cool, sterile paper a stark contrast to the heat that seemed to hum beneath his skin. “Thank you.” --- Gate 3B was unassuming, a swirling vortex of purple energy nestled in a reinforced concrete chamber. Two proctors, their faces stern and unyielding, stood by a console near the entrance. They gave him a cursory glance, their expressions betraying no hint of expectation. To them, he was just another aspiring E-Class Hunter, likely to struggle, perhaps even fail. He didn’t mind; their skepticism was a familiar companion. “Ready, Hunter Kim?” one of them asked, his voice flat. “Ready.” He felt no nervousness, only a quiet focus. The Gate shimmered, pulling at the edges of reality. He stepped through, the world twisting into a sudden, oppressive darkness. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, decay, and something else—a faint, feral stench he now recognized as goblin. His senses immediately sharpened. The low growls, the scurrying sounds, the rhythmic drip of unseen water—all formed a tapestry of information. His eyes adjusted quickly to the gloom, picking out the rough-hewn cavern walls, the scattered bones, and the crude torches flickering in the distance. The F-Class dungeon was exactly as advertised: a simple, confined space, perfect for testing basic combat proficiency. For him, it was a stage. A quartet of goblins emerged from a side tunnel, their leathery green skin and crude spears visible in the dim light. They chittered, their small, beady eyes glinting with malice. In his past life, these creatures would have sent a jolt of fear through him. Now, they were merely obstacles. He didn't draw a weapon. There was no need. He moved, a blur of motion, closing the distance before they could react. His right foot lashed out, a precise kick to the chest of the lead goblin, sending it sprawling back into its companions. As the others stumbled, he followed up, a whirlwind of fists and elbows. The Basic Swordsmanship he’d mastered wasn’t just about the blade; it was about the economy of movement, the most efficient way to disable and destroy. His fists were just as effective, striking vital points, snapping bones with sickening efficiency. The goblins, small and weak as they were, were swiftly dispatched. The brief skirmish was over in seconds, leaving three unmoving bodies and one whimpering in a corner, its spear discarded. Kim Hyu-Gi didn't hesitate, ending its suffering with a swift, decisive strike. He moved deeper into the dungeon, a predator in a familiar hunting ground. The 'Battlefield Adaptation' skill wasn't just about reading enemies; it was about reading the environment itself. He spotted tripwires made of dried sinew, crude traps designed to ensnare. He noted the choke points, the elevated positions, the blind corners. He didn't avoid them; he used them. He herded groups of goblins into narrow passages, then burst upon them, striking from unexpected angles. His movements were fluid, almost like a dance of death, each strike perfectly placed, each dodge instinctual. He moved with a speed and grace that belied his previous F-Class status. A single swing of a goblin’s rusty axe was easily parried with an arm, the impact barely registering. He retaliated with a brutal thrust, piercing straight through its crude armor and emerging from its back. There was no hesitation, no wasted energy. The Hell Simulation had taught him that survival depended on absolute ruthlessness, on ending the threat before it could even begin to register as such. Dozens fell. He lost count after a while, the rhythmic clang of his strikes and the guttural cries of the goblins blurring into a continuous, brutal symphony. He sustained a few minor nicks from stray spears, but his increased durability rendered them superficial, healing almost as quickly as they appeared. Finally, he reached the largest chamber, where a hulking, scarred goblin, clearly the chieftain, stood guard. It was bigger, stronger, its eyes burning with a desperate intelligence. It roared, brandishing a massive, notched club. This was the closest thing to a challenge the F-Class dungeon offered. Kim Hyu-Gi met its charge head-on. The chieftain swung its club in a wide, powerful arc, intending to crush him. He ducked under it, moving inside its guard, his fist a blur as it smashed into the goblin’s jaw. The creature reeled, its head snapping back. Before it could recover, Kim Hyu-Gi followed with a barrage of rapid-fire strikes, targeting its joints, its exposed neck. He finished it with an upward thrust directly to its heart, tearing through its leathery hide with ease. The chieftain slumped, its club clattering to the ground. Silence descended upon the chamber, broken only by his own steady breathing. He stood amidst the carnage, not a drop of sweat on his brow, his heart rate barely elevated. --- When he emerged from Gate 3B, the proctors stared at him with wide eyes, their usual detached professionalism replaced by undisguised shock. The digital timer on their console flashed a remarkably low number: seven minutes and twelve seconds. An F-Class dungeon, cleared solo, in just over seven minutes. It was unheard of. “Hunter Kim… that was…” The first proctor trailed off, searching for words. “Remarkable. Exceptional speed and efficiency. Flawless execution. There were… no errors.” Kim Hyu-Gi simply nodded, his gaze distant, already recalling the precise angles of his attacks, the optimal movements. There was no joy in the ease of the victory, only the cold satisfaction of a task perfectly executed. “Your E-Class Hunter License,” the second proctor said, recovering his composure and extending a sleek, metallic card. It shimmered faintly, a digital E-Class insignia embossed on its surface. “It’s official. Congratulations, Hunter Kim Hyu-Gi.” He took the card. The metal was cool against his fingers, its weight surprisingly substantial. This was it. The first tangible step upward, away from the bottom rung of the hunter hierarchy. It was a testament to his suffering, to the hell he had endured. He was E-Class. He had earned it. But as he walked out of the National Hunter Association, the bustling hall now feeling less significant than the card in his hand, a familiar hollowness echoed within him. He was stronger, yes, undeniably so. His path was clearer. Yet, the victory felt incomplete. He imagined showing this license to Kang Hwok, to the other guild members. What would they say? Would they be proud? Or would their faces simply fade into the darkness, reminding him of the unanswered questions, the guilt that still clung to him like a shroud? He still didn't know why Kang Hwok had chosen him, why he had given him the Awakened Stone. These questions remained, stark and unanswered, even with his new rank. The world might see an E-Class Hunter, but he still felt like a man haunted, walking a solitary road, powered by the ghosts of his past and the terrifying strength forged in hell.

Chapter 23: The Goblin's Last Breath