To be precise, I kept tossing and turning, kicking off the blankets while engaging in pointless overthinking that led to insomnia. When I woke up the next morning, my face looked slightly puffy.
My luck hit rock bottom when I stepped out of my room, I ran into Oppa.
The moment he saw me, he broke into a sly grin.
"Oh? Couldn't sleep because you were too excited yesterday?"
Though the truth was I couldn't sleep from shame, I had neither the energy to talk back nor any desire to give that damn Oppa more ammunition.
I glared at him as fiercely as I could, but for some reason, he just chuckled.
Then he suddenly moved closer and patted my head, which only made me feel worse.
That attitude of his, like he knew everything, was infuriating.
"I'm heading out first."
I stayed silent but flipped off the back of Oppa's head as he went down the stairs.
Despite my exhaustion, I couldn't be late for the date, so I quickly got ready to leave.
Si-hyun was always waiting for me at our meeting spot.
"You look tired."
He must have noticed I hadn't slept well last night.
"It's nothing, just a restless night."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
I appreciated his concern, but I was more worried about giving people the wrong idea.
"Really, it's just insomnia."
"If you say so..."
I felt a bit guilty, but I thought it necessary to keep some distance from Si-hyun.
Today's training content wasn't much different from yesterday's.
We studied the Phantasmal Barrier and basic tactical theory through VR equipment.
After the VR session, we moved to the gym for group training. The trainees formed teams to practice either the Phantasmal Barrier or combat skills, but I refused to join any group.
I lacked the courage to approach the few female trainees and had no desire to interact with the male ones either.
In the end, only Si-hyun came over to check on me, but I politely declined.
I knew very well, in my current state, intense exercise would only draw attention. Today, I planned to keep a low profile and just get through the day.
"Are you really alright?"
"Yeah."
Si-hyun sighed and suddenly flicked my forehead. It hurt so much my eyes watered.
"Ouch!"
"You need to practice team hunting."
That might be true... but I really didn't want to be noticed.
"No need for big movements. Let's just work on basic tactical positioning."
Si-hyun chose to fight unarmed. Since I use a spear, we naturally fell into a formation with him as the vanguard and me as the rearguard.
As we discussed tactical arrangements, yesterday's discomfort gradually faded.
"I'll handle suppression."
"And I'll thrust?"
"Right. With full gear and my build, normal attacks won't hurt me."
"Okay. But you said we shouldn't rely too much on Abilities, so we should be careful."
"Shall we decide on the Phantasmal Barrier Incantation now?"
The Phantasmal Barrier... using it would definitely involve noticeable movements.
"No, I want to rest."
Seeing my refusal, Si-hyun looked suspicious.
"...Fine. I'll train with someone else."
"Good luck."
I finally managed to send Si-hyun away.
In the past, I wouldn't have cared about others' stares, but after yesterday's events, I observed my surroundings during training.
Sure enough, I noticed occasional glances from the group of girls, whether they were directed at me or Si-hyun, I couldn't tell, but I knew I had to be more careful.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
And so, I made it through the day without incident. Being mindful of my words and actions seemed to pay off.
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When I got home, the chest binder I ordered online had arrived. I tried it on in my room. Though designed to be worn over a bra, the initial pressure was intense, but I gradually got used to it.
I checked myself in the mirror and performed some vigorous movements. My chest really didn't bounce anymore. Could I finally be free from the trouble of my breasts?
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The next day's training brought the critical test, perhaps the most important segment of the entire training period.
The gymnasium was set up with sensor-equipped straw dummies, said to convert impact force into scores. Certain special awakened abilities required specialized equipment for detection, allowing evaluation of Hunter potential.
In other words, those with excellent base attributes or combat-suited awakened abilities would naturally score high.
All but two trainees had to undergo the impact test.
And I happened to draw the last number.
My attributes weren't impressive, and my awakened ability had nothing to do with combat, so a high score seemed unlikely. I worried about becoming a laughingstock.
I checked the scoring board beside the straw dummy.
E-Class: Below 100 points
D-Class: Below 200 points
C-Class: Below 500 points
B-Class: Above 500 points
A-Class: Above 1500 points
S-Class: Above 3000 points
My brother is S-Class. Could he score over 3000 points on that dummy?
One by one, people stepped forward to attack the dummy with their chosen weapons.
The average score hovered around 350 points. This meant everyone had at least C-Class Hunter potential. The fifteenth turn belonged to Si-hyun.
Si-hyun relaxed his fist, appearing ready to strike with his bare hand. Then he threw a straight punch.
The result was astonishing. Having never asked about his Stat Values, I only now realized how strong Si-hyun was. His strength far exceeded my imagination. The score read 832 points, the highest among all challengers so far.
"Wow..."
Speechless with amazement. The previous high was 530 points, and this shattered the record.
The spectators showed stunned expressions and began gathering around Si-hyun. This was the attention reserved for promising newcomers.
Subsequent challengers failed to generate interest. No, it was more than disinterest, their performances drew disappointed looks. Then came my turn as the final participant. The crowd started dispersing. They held no expectations for me.
I gripped the practice spear tightly and stood before the dummy. All I could do... was recall the basic spear techniques Mom taught me. What I needed was one full-powered thrust... Adjusting my distance, planting my feet firmly in stance, shifting my weight. Then extending my arms for the thrust!
Thud!
My all-out thrust struck the target. It was the most focused thrust I had ever performed.
It probably wasn't perfect. Without sufficient practice, it couldn't be called flawless. But I still held hope.
The displayed score was 99 points.
"Ah..."
A sigh escaped my lips. I had hoped for at least 150 points. But the actual score was devastatingly low. This practically declared me unfit to be a Hunter.
E-Class Hunter level, without combat-suited abilities, you end up as baggage hauling labor.
As I despaired over the score, mocking laughter rose behind me.
They weren't far, so I heard every word clearly:
"Pfft... What was that?"
"So weak."
Chattering comments drifted over.
So humiliating. And so pathetic. Why am I so useless? Feelings of inferiority and helplessness began swallowing me whole.
Among this batch of trainees, my friend Si-hyun showed the strongest performance, while I displayed the worst...
"Ha..."
Complete emptiness. It was already too much. Having a gifted friend with outstanding abilities, what does that make me? My jealousy toward my friend only made me seem more pitiful.
No Ability yet jealous of my friend? Hah, I'm such trash...
Though I saw Si-hyun trying to approach me, I avoided him and went elsewhere.
What's happening? My vision suddenly blurs and my emotions feel uncontrollable.
Still, I managed to hold back my tears.
The following training was divided by Ability levels, so I received special instruction alone. Though lonely, at least I didn't have to face others.
The training content explained that since my Ability was mediocre, I should learn various ways to contribute to the team. Then they began detailing specific methods.
Like being a porter, preparing meals, processing Monster corpses for materials - basically teaching low-Ability Hunters to endure humiliation.
Someone with a quick temper or too much confidence might have fought the instructor during this training.
This training meant nothing to me. The real question was what I could actually do.
Si-hyun, being stronger, would never let me carry things. I can't even cook, so meals are out. At best I could handle Monster corpses, but low-level Monster materials are nearly worthless, so few bother collecting byproducts.
The more I thought, the more frustrated I became. Am I really this useless? Do I have to cling to someone strong like Si-hyun?
After all training ended, I went to catch a ride home with Si-hyun and found him waiting by the car. But he didn't look well.
"What's wrong?"
"Huh? What?"
"Why are you avoiding me?"
Si-hyun pressed the issue.
"Avoiding you? I'm not."
Seeing my reaction, Si-hyun seemed to give up, temporarily backing off.
"Never mind. Let's just go home."
Not a word was spoken during the drive back, the silence continuing until we reached home.
The car stopped at my door. When I moved to get out, Si-hyun kept the doors locked. As I reached to unlock it, he grabbed my wrist.
"Something happened, right?"
Si-hyun's gaze burned today, determined to uncover something.
It seemed he hadn't given up after all.
"Nothing happened. I'm just pathetic."
"Really? That's all?"
"What else? You saw my score too. They said 99 points. Ha, only 99 points! They said that's E-level Hunter standard!"
I unintentionally raised my voice, emotions rising.
"It's fine. I can handle things."
"That's the problem! How can I let you carry me as your friend? Even if we're not equal, I want... I want to help too!My uncontrollable emotions couldn't be contained. Suddenly, feelings ran wild.
I began pouring out my willfulness filled with jealousy and irritation, my vision growing blurry.
"I can't even do proper work! But you have the car ready! You do the driving! Why are you so kind! What am I! I get scolded for knowing nothing, men look at me strangely!"
Now I didn't even know what I was saying.
All those emotions I'd suppressed came bursting out with my tears.
"I can't even study! What have I been doing living as a jobless person until now! Why! When I finally got this Ability! I don't understand! I don't understand! I said I don't understand!"
After dumping everything on Si-hyun like this and crying uncontrollably, those wild emotions somehow subsided.
Calming down slightly, I felt terrible toward Si-hyun. What had I said to my only kind friend...
A wave of self-loathing washed over me.
"Sorry... I need to go."
Si-hyun didn't try to stop me as I walked home.
Tears kept falling during that short walk.
After drying my eyes at home, I checked outside to see if Si-hyun had left, his car remained parked in the same spot.
Had he not gone home?
I pulled out my phone.
=Si-hyun, let's forget today happened. Sorry, I didn't mean any of it.
I sent the message, but got no reply.
=Sorry for taking my anger out on you
=It's really okay
=See you tomorrow
I'm sorry. For snapping at kind Si-hyun, for acting jealous, for making that face... all of it... I'm sorry for everything.
After sending those messages, I smashed my phone in a surge of self-directed rage.
Crash! The sound of shattering glass echoed through the room.
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