Life Reversal With Random Skills - c7

Title: Life Turnaround with Random Skills! Episode 7

 

To obtain a Hunter license, one must pass two tests.

 

The first is the ‘Awakening’ ability certification exam.

 

The second is the ‘Combat’ ability certification exam.

 

These were the two tests.

 

“Wow, there are so many people.”

 

I arrived at the floor where the exam room was located to take the first test, the ‘Awakening Ability Certification Exam.’

 

A lobby as spacious as a gymnasium.

 

People were coming and going.

 

Are there really so many awakened individuals in the world?

 

I was a little surprised as I looked at more people than I had expected.

 

That was when it happened.

 

Thunk.

 

Just as I finished registering for the exam and was about to take my seat, a woman walking ahead of me dropped her wallet.

 

“Excuse me, you dropped this.”

 

I immediately picked up the wallet and handed it back to the woman.

 

“Oh! I dropped it again absentmindedly. Thank you!”

 

The woman, with her long hair tied tightly, thanked me.

 

She had large and clear pupils, and she was quite beautiful, but she didn’t catch my interest.

 

No matter how much Sonia is to blame, I’m not the kind of guy who would pursue another woman so soon after breaking up.

 

“Thank you, then.”

 

So I just nodded politely and tried to find a suitable seat.

 

I intended to search more about the exam on my phone.

 

“Excuse me, are you here to take the Hunter qualification exam?”

 

However, the woman, whom I thought would just take the wallet and leave, spoke to me.

 

Hmm, I wonder why.

 

As I was about to move on, I answered her question.

 

“Oh, yes. Why?”

 

“Really? This must be fate. Would you like to accompany me to take the test today? My older brother, who was supposed to come with me, is busy and couldn’t make it…”

 

The woman looked crestfallen.

 

I hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.

 

“Well, sure.”

 

“Wow! Really?”

 

“Yes. But I don’t know much about the Hunter world. So, can you give me some advice on that? Let’s say it’s the fee for picking up your wallet.”

 

“Of course! What’s so difficult about that? Ask me anything. If I know, I’ll tell you everything!”

 

The woman grabbed my hand enthusiastically and smiled brightly.

 

What’s up with this woman?

 

Why is she so sociable?

 

I was a little taken aback by the woman’s reaction, but I just chuckled and went along.

 

Talking with cheerful people is always pleasant.

 

Once we found a suitable place to sit down, we talked about various things related to the Hunter world.

 

There was definitely a qualitative difference between the information found on the internet and the real-world information.

 

We quickly became friendly, asking and answering each other’s curious questions, even delving into personal matters.

 

The woman’s name was Heo Ye-eun.

 

She was twenty-two years old this year, eight years older than me.

 

Wow.

 

When I was twenty, she was in fifth grade…

 

I was a little surprised by the significant age difference.

 

“Wow, you were the manager of a hotel? That’s amazing! You must be quite capable, big brother!”

 

But Heo Ye-eun addressed me as “big brother” without hesitation.

 

It was slightly awkward, but I didn’t feel bad.

 

Chatting with the stunning Heo Ye-eun, who caught the attention of those around us, was enjoyable.

 

“What’s so great about it? The boss was just someone with a good heart who entrusted me with it.”

 

“Oh, please. Who entrusts hotel management due to kindness? And for five whole years?”

 

“Well, is that so?”

 

“Yes. Wow, big brother, you’re really impressive. Managing a hotel since your mid-twenties!”

 

Heo Ye-eun sent me admiration with sparkling eyes.

 

Receiving her praise made me feel somewhat embarrassed.

 

Being praised as capable for something trivial made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

 

“But why did you decide to become a Hunter, Ye-eun? You’re only twenty-two, not even old enough to graduate from college.”

 

“Oh, me? I didn’t go to college.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. Even though I don’t look it, I’ve been working since my teens.”

 

“I see. You don’t look like you’ve ever struggled. You must have grown up nicely in a wealthy family.”

 

“Hehe, is that so? Is that a compliment?”

 

Heo Ye-eun asked with a pretty smile.

 

“Of course. Naturally, it’s a compliment. By the way, there must have been some special circumstances, right? Since you’ve been working since you were young.”

 

“No. I didn’t do it to make money. Actually, I was an idol trainee.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

It was my first time meeting an idol trainee, so I found it quite fascinating.

 

But considering Heo Ye-eun’s beauty, it wasn’t such a strange thing.

 

She was so beautiful that she could have been an active member of a girl group.

 

“Yes. In fact, I even debuted with a girl group. But we only performed on television once, and the company went bankrupt, so we disbanded.”

 

“I see. That must have been quite an experience. You must have gone through a lot because of that.”

 

“Yes. But in the entertainment industry, it’s common.”

 

“I see. But why didn’t other entertainment companies recognize you? You’re only twenty-two; it’s still a young age.”

 

“From a societal perspective, yes. But not in the girl group world. If you’re twenty-two, you’re considered a grandma.”

 

“Hahaha, a grandma, really? That’s an exaggeration.”

 

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

 

It was amusing to hear a high school graduate like me being called a grandma.

 

“It’s true. If you’re not pretty enough, they won’t pick you at this age. If you join a new company, you have to start from scratch again, and before you know it, you’re old.”

 

“Ah, I see.”

 

“Yes. So, I didn’t consider joining another company. I was just wondering whether to go to college or get a job. But that’s when I awakened.”

 

“Timing was perfect.”

 

“Yes. Although I awakened as a rather ordinary warrior, I was happy. Being a Hunter, isn’t it cool? They’re so strong that dozens of adult men can be subdued in an instant.”

 

“But Hunter activities are dangerous, especially for women.”

 

“Oh, come on. Where does gender matter for awakened individuals? It’s about being a Hunter before anything else, isn’t it?”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

I nodded in agreement.

 

From what I heard, there were quite a few women in the Hunter world.

 

Of course, they were a minority, but once awakened, there was no distinction between men and women in Hunter activities.

 

Monsters didn’t care about a Hunter’s gender as they charged at them.

 

“By the way, what’s your profession as a Hunter?”

 

“I’m a wizard.”

 

“Oh, a wizard! That suits you well.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. Intellectuals like you are a perfect match for wizards. So, what about your skills? When you awaken, you get one skill as a bonus. What did you receive? Mine is Swift Blade, hehe.”

 

Heo Ye-eun asked me about my skill’s name.

 

I hesitated for a moment at her question.

 

“Is it okay to tell her the name of my skill?”

 

My skill’s name was ‘Random Skill Draw.’

 

Upon researching this skill, I found that no one else had the same skill.

 

So, I hesitated about whether to tell Heo Ye-eun the name of my skill.

 

It felt somehow risky to reveal that I had a rare skill.

 

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Is it difficult to disclose?”

 

“Well, a little. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’m still not very familiar with the Hunter world, so I’m not sure how much I should reveal.”

 

“Oh, I see. Well, if it’s sensitive, it might be sensitive information. Even if I have a skill, it’s quite common.”

 

Heo Ye-eun nodded.

 

However, I could detect a slightly troubled expression fleeting across her face.

 

I felt a bit sorry.

 

Heo Ye-eun had openly revealed her skill without any hesitation.

 

“Applicant number 119, please come to the examination room.”

 

That was when it happened.

 

Lost in thought, I heard my number being called.

 

119.

 

That was my number.

 

As I heard that number, a way to alleviate my guilt came to mind.

 

“Ye-eun.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I’m number 119. Would you like to go to the examination room with me?”

 

“Huh? With me?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“While going together is fine, are you sure? To prove your Awakening Ability, you’ll have to show your skill. Is that alright?”

 

“It’s fine. Even if I can’t say the skill’s name, I can still show it. So, what do you say? Shall we go together?”

 

Upon my question, Heo Ye-eun blinked her pretty eyes and pondered.

 

“Yes, okay. I’m curious about your skill, too, so I’ll go with you.”

 

She stood up from her seat with a smile.

 

She agreed to go together.

 

“That’s fortunate. I felt a bit uneasy about only knowing your skill and not sharing mine.”

 

“Oh, come on. You felt uneasy? Why would a man be so soft-hearted? Anyway, let’s go quickly. The examiners are waiting.”

 

Heo Ye-eun smiled happily and linked her arm with mine.

 

It wasn’t just a simple gesture; it felt awkward as she hugged my arm with her whole body.

 

Through our touching arms, I could distinctly feel her figure.

 

“Uh, yeah. Let’s go.”

 

Feeling flustered by the sudden physical contact, I walked a bit briskly towards the examination room.

 

—

 

The interior of the examination room was quite spacious.

 

Another peculiar aspect was that everything around was pure white.

 

It was as if I had entered a mental hospital, impeccably white without a single stain.

 

“I feel like I’m a test subject.”

 

On one side of the space, there was a glass wall.

 

Behind the glass, people dressed in white coats like doctors were visible.

 

They were the examiners for the Awakening Ability Test, supervising me using my skill.

 

Heo Ye-eun, who came as my guardian, stood behind the examiners.

 

As I looked at her, she raised her fist and made a ‘fighting’ gesture with her mouth.

 

That was when it happened.

 

Zing!

 

The ceiling opposite to where I stood opened, and something slowly descended.

 

With a soft mechanical sound, it landed on the ground.

 

It was none other than a ‘target.’

 

Of course, it wasn’t a target used in archery.

 

Although the shape was similar, it had mysterious mechanical devices attached all over it, and above all, it emitted a blue glow.

 

– Ah, applicant number 119. Do you hear me?

 

“Yes, I hear you.”

 

– Excellent. You probably already know the test method, but let me explain it again.

 

The examiner kindly explained the test method to me, standing in the examination room.

 

The method was simple.

 

To cast my magic on the specially made target.

 

In this process, they would confirm whether I could use my Awakening Ability, and the target’s machinery would measure the magic’s damage.

 

The passing criteria were straightforward.

 

To exceed 50 points with the magic’s damage.

 

And if I couldn’t reach 50 points, even if I knew how to use magic, I would be disqualified.

 

– Do you need any additional explanation?

 

“Um, I have one question.”

 

– Please feel free to ask.

 

At the examiner’s invitation, I spoke up.

 

“If the damage exceeds 50 points, it’s okay, right?”

 

– That’s correct.

 

“But what if the target is destroyed? How will the score be calculated then?”

 

– Excuse me?

 

“Because if my magic destroys the machine, it won’t be able to measure the score. I’m asking about that scenario.”

 

– No, applicant number 119. Are you joking right now?

 

The examiner asked, seeming bewildered.

 

“Are you joking right now?”

 

“No, I’m not.”

 

– But why are you asking such a question?

 

“If you said to ask if I had any questions.”

 

– No, that’s… Just don’t worry about unnecessary concerns and just take the exam, alright? Even if you tried a hundred or a thousand times as an applicant, you wouldn’t even leave a scratch on the target, let alone destroy it.

 

The examiner said, trying to suppress his anger.

 

Yeah.

 

I understand.

 

It would be strange if countless Hunter applicants asked what would happen if they destroyed the target with their magic.

 

It could be a frivolous question.

 

But from my perspective, I couldn’t help but worry.

 

“I’ve broken walls made of magic stones right after Awakening. Dozens of them.”

 

After Awakening, I tried testing my skill and ended up breaking walls made of magic stones.

 

Dozens of them.

 

It was natural for me to worry like this.

 

“Sir Inspector, I understand what you’re saying. However, could you please talk about the scores first? Just to satisfy the curiosity of the applicants.”

 

“Ugh, you’re really making this tedious until the end. Yes, I understand. If you manage to destroy the target, I will assign a score of 100 at the discretion of the inspector. Is that clear?”

 

The inspector said irritably as if he were about to explode.

 

“Alright. Thank you for your understanding.”

 

“Yes, yes. Now that I’ve done as you wished, let’s start the test.”

 

The inspector finished speaking nervously.

 

At the same time, a beep sounded, and light shone on the target.

 

A light that seemed to be urging me to shoot right away.

 

I looked at it and regulated my breathing.

 

Then I activated my skill immediately.

 

‘Random skill draw!’

 

As I shouted the skill’s name, a bright slot machine appeared above my head.

 

The machine I had seen at Hunter Hospital.

 

It was quite nice to see that machine again after a long time.

 

Beep beep beep beep!

 

The multicolored machine rotated numerous characters.

 

Now, which skill will come out this time?

 

Will it be a jackpot or a dud?

 

I swallowed dryly.

 

After a few seconds passed like that.

 

Ding!

 

With a clear sound effect, the machine stopped, revealing one skill name.

 

At the same time, the winning skill was activated.

 

“…!”

 

The result was truly astonishing.