Chapter 8

[Hunter Grade Evaluation Test Results]

1st Place Seorin – 1000 Points A (Perfect Score)

2nd Place Ha-su Kim – 730 Points C

3rd Place In-hye Jeong – 589 Points D

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In this world, hunters were no longer special.

Not being special meant not being unusual.

Furthermore, it implied that hunters had existed in this world for such a long time that even regular folks found them familiar.

Even in such a world, Kim Ha-su, unlike other hunters, received exceptional attention.

Before even taking the Hunter Grade Evaluation Test, she had already received offers from multiple guilds, proving to be an exceptionally promising talent.

She was evaluated as the most skilled hunter among the recent debuts. Or rather, she *had* been.

Kim Ha-su was shocked by the fact that she placed second.

Even more shocking was that the top-ranked examinee achieved a perfect score, something even S-class hunters couldn’t attain.

And when she saw that the normally empty Hunter Grade Evaluation Testing Grounds—where only scouts should’ve been present—was abnormally packed, she was utterly flabbergasted.

“Does this make any sense?”

Though each individual fact seemed absurdly chaotic, deep down she knew the first and third points were plausible. So her focus shifted entirely to the critical second point.

“… How is it even possible to get a perfect score on a hunter exam where it’s supposedly impossible?”

Strength itself is abstract and relative, so evaluating new hunters’ grades leans more toward relative than absolute assessment.

Of course, additional factors like future potential, skill value, or scalability of possessed skills do influence the scores.

But fundamentally, the most crucial aspect is determining how much stronger one is—or will become—compared to others.

That’s why a perfect score shouldn’t exist. Even if someone shows immense potential now, there’s always the possibility of an even more monstrous talent appearing in the future, necessitating room for such eventualities.

“But they still gave a perfect score… meaning…”

This expressionless person standing here named Seorin would surpass all existing hunters and no hunter stronger than her would ever appear in the distant future.

Staring at her blankly was all she could do.

Until now, she’d never doubted her own talents, but now she couldn’t help feeling meaningless.

“…So this is what people mean when they talk about ‘talent overflow.'”

For the first time, she thought she understood what others felt and bitterly smiled.

Suddenly, Seorin looked at her phone, furiously frowned, and started running off somewhere.

“Huh?”

Though the test was over, it was technically still “training time.” Moreover, this wasn’t just any training session—it was when scouts observed trainees’ performances to offer recruitment.

“Besides, Seorin is supposed to be the star here.”

The star leaving without a word, looking angry? Is this okay?

Ha-su felt reality twisting again and tightly shut her eyes.

***

I cried.

Though my mind and heart are those of an adult, I didn’t sob uncontrollably; I sniffled a little.

Correction: I kind of sobbed. Embarrassingly.

Despite trying to maintain maximum cynicism and rationality, plastering my brain with stoicism, this baby body refused to listen and escalated the crying.

At this point, I almost wanted to cry out of sheer frustration. Striking my uncooperative face with my palm to calm myself down…

“Hah, Hae-un! No!”

The counselor grabbed my hand in panic.

Realizing this might cause some misunderstanding, I quickly shook my head to indicate otherwise—but the teacher misinterpreted it as wanting to continue self-harm and hugged me tighter, saying:

“Hae-un, you’re someone who deserves love, and you’ll receive immense love in the future.”

“Ugh, that child…” (No, it’s not that.)

“Therefore, you won’t experience the kind of pain or sadness you faced before—I can guarantee it.”

I waved my hands in protest, but no one listened.

Looking at the chat window desperately, hoping they’d understand…

[JeongMinDad – Seriously… Why would she hurt herself unless she’s deeply hurt? I can’t watch this, I’m crying.]

[Munyamunya – Anyone watching with a Scouting Skill, please check the community.]

[DragonIsNotALizard – …This is serious.]

It seemed no one intended to listen to me.

Surrendering to the situation, I hung my head low.

The counselor, mistaking my submission for calming down, patted my back and said:

“So, remember, don’t harm yourself anymore. If anything sad happens, tell the teacher. I’ll bring you all the things you like.”

With my already weak body drained from crying, I nodded while feeling like seaweed soup.

‘This isn’t going to end well.’

So, I decided it’d be better to clear up the misunderstanding later and let myself be embraced.

Just then, Seorin’s urgent voice echoed as the door slammed open.

“Hae-un!”

Seeing Seorin rushing towards me, I hoped she might rescue me from this suffocating situation and called out to her.

“Seorina!” (Seorin!)

Though my pronunciation got all mangled due to crying, I believed I called out clearly enough.

Looking at her with somewhat hopeful eyes, Seorin picked me up and asked,

“Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

Shaking my head to indicate no, Seorin visibly relaxed and collapsed onto the floor.

As I patted her shoulder to calm her down, the chat window flooded with “ㅠㅠ” messages.

I had no idea how to resolve this misunderstanding.

While pondering, exhaustion from earlier crying made me drowsy, and my body grew limp.

‘Hmm.’

If I fall asleep now, this misunderstanding might solidify.

Thinking I’d probably inconvenience everyone around me if I did, I briefly gathered my wits and closed my eyes…then opened them again.

“Ing.”

When I woke up, I saw an unfamiliar ceiling—no, a bed.

Looking at the darkened room, I wore a confused expression.

It was definitely bright before, so why is it dark now?

Checking the nearby phone, I noticed it read “1 AM.”

Realizing something was seriously wrong, I stared blankly.

*

Chomp chomp.

Things got tangled, but first, I need to fill my hunger.

I was munching on a chocolate bar I found amidst the pile of gifts that hadn’t been there during lunch.

Every bite revealed a strange green jam-like substance inside and bits resembling ramen crumbs—a very unique chocolate indeed.

Thinking this chocolate tasted amazing, I gazed at the gift pile.

‘Who brought this?’

My guess was either Seorin, Suspicious Viewer, or Han Arin.

Since 90% of the chocolate remained, I carefully wrapped it and placed it under the bed.

‘Considering Rare broke apart, someone might mistake leftover chocolate for trash, so better prevent that beforehand.’

To avoid any misunderstandings, I nodded and resolved to address it early.

Now that my stomach was full, I glanced around for something to do, but nothing caught my interest.

‘The only thing worth doing is checking the phone.’

But after broadcasting, I feel drained and reluctant.

Deciding to rest tonight and explore tomorrow, I wandered around the hospital room instead.

Spotting something intriguing, I noticed the teddy bear gifted by Han Arin had a torn side.

‘I don’t recall tearing it, so it must’ve happened when Rare fell apart.’

Though tempted to leave it as is, abandoning it felt disrespectful to the giver.

Thus, I decided to take some action.

‘Sewing… I’m bad at it, and besides, I don’t have a needle or thread, so pass.’

What else? Maybe patch it up with tape?

Searching the room for tape, I only found pens, notebooks, and band-aids.

‘Hmm.’

This complicates things further.

Almost giving up, a brilliant idea struck me.

‘Why not use a band-aid instead of tape?’

Both stick well, so applying it to the toy should work.

Pleased with my decision, I stuck a band-aid on the teddy bear’s head.

“Hehe.”

Feeling satisfied seeing the injury patched, I looked down at the bear’s side.

‘Hmm, this won’t work.’

The stuffing bulged out too much, and sticking a band-aid here might mix with the stuffing and worsen things.

Deciding to ask Seorin or the teacher to mend it later, I prepared to return to bed.

‘…Come to think of it, if I’ll fix it anyway, do I really need to stick the band-aid?’

Huh?

Realizing I’d eaten a red pill I shouldn’t have, I avoided the bear’s gaze and awkwardly chuckled.

‘Am I stupid?’

Feeling my thoughts grow sluggish as my body weakened, I instinctively reached to pull my hair.

But remembering scattered hair strands might cause unnecessary misunderstandings, I quickly withdrew my hand.

‘This is getting complicated.’

Shaking my tangled mind left and right, I sighed deeply when suddenly a knock came from the window.

‘What is it?’

Finding it odd for someone to tap on the window this late, I hesitated to approach.

Then I realized something.

‘This is the third floor…how can someone tap from outside?’

The realization sent shivers down my spine, making my tail stand straight.

Deciding to escape, I remembered the doorknob was too high for me to reach.

Clutching my trembling tail, I panicked as an eerie figure broke through the window.

Startled, I nearly screamed—but froze when I saw how adorable the intruder was.

“Eh…?”

Inside came a girl around five years old with long pink hair reaching her waist.

Ignoring how she entered a third-floor hospital room, I focused on her appearance.

With a gentle voice, she greeted me.

“…Wow! So glad to see you!”

Such high energy in the dead silence of a 1 AM hospital room was hard to process.

Confused by the bouncing girl hugging me, I wondered why she asked for a hug after already embracing me.

Not knowing her identity, I began to cringe awkwardly.

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