Chapter 38

Chapter 38

The test results were quickly compiled less than an hour after the 1st test.

A total of 48,947 applicants took the exam in Korea this time, 1.5 times higher than last year’s.

However, out of everyone, only one person had gotten a perfect score.

And the person in question was…A 13-year-old boy who was taking the exam at the Hero Association’s Pyongyang branch.

Choi Noah.

“…Yes, that’s right. I checked several times, but no signs of cheating were found during the test. Yes, yes…”

Pyongyang branch’s briefing room.

Employees who were in charge of managing and supervising the exam were suffering from calls by the higher ups due to the perfect score crisis.

If this was any other time, a perfect score on the written test wouldn’t be that surprising, however, the significance of the Hero License Exam conducted this time was slightly different.

All because of the massacre of civilians that occurred in Jonggak Pyongyang earlier this year.

After the incident, one uncertain future was predicted concerning the force of the demon army.

And that is, in this year’s Hero License Exam, there may be spies from the demons.

Therefore, after the World Hero Association was given this information, they had decided to significantly increase the difficulty of this year’s exam.

The plan was to narrow down the range of suspects in the prediction by reducing the number of successful applicants.

They purposely wanted to weed out the candidates with tough questions, but even with that, a perfect score had suddenly come out.

And coincidentally, the place where the perfect score had come from was Pyongyang, the site of the terrorist attack, so the Hero Association had every reason to be restless.

Amidst the hectic environment, someone opened the door of the briefing room and entered.

It was a woman in a black clergy uniform whose thighs were barely exposed.

“Oh, what brings Saintess here? We plan on meeting the candidate and investigating it, so please wait a little bit more…”

A staff member, who was busy directing the situation, jumped up from his seat and said.

However, Samaria stopped him.

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

“What?”

“Our anti-cheating system is perfect. It was designed by a S-Rank hero.”

“B-but…It’s inconceivable that a 13-year-old child could even answer questions at the university level no matter how much you think about it.”

As the man said, the test wasn’t at a level that a 13-year-old child could solve.

Contents that even those who majored in related laws would only know by searching through their books.

There wouldn’t have been enough time for a child to study all of those books.

However, at the man’s words, Samaria tilted her head.

“Hmm…Isn’t it just that the candidate is a genius? There are many people in the world who have talents that are inconceivable. Also, even if he really did cheat, to avoid our surveillance network, we must accept that it’s also a talent.”

“Ah, I see. Then, what should we do now?”

The Saintess, who was smiling, hardened her expression.

“Are you really asking me that? Of course, we have to submit it as a grade.”

“B-but…It’s a different result from the Hero Association’s expectation, so there could be a spark…”

“Whether it’s in line with their expectation or not, the result is the result. Don’t try to be overly loyal in a place like this for no reason and pay more attention to your work.”

“S-sorry.”

At her words, the man bowed his head. Then she continued.

“And, on the contrary, you have to think about taking advantage of this opportunity.”

“What do you mean?”

“Spill the results to the media in a little while.”

“What? B-but it’s only been the first day. If the test results are leaked…”

“Why are you worried about that? Honestly, it’s not even the first time, right? Did you think I wouldn’t know that you’ve been selling information on candidates while taking bribes?”

“N-no…T-that’s…Ha, I understand.”

The man eventually gave up and nodded. He soon sent the information regarding Choi Noah to a newspaper in downtown Pyongyang.

Samaria smiled inside as she saw it.

‘To think he had such a gifted intellect…’

The boy was definitely cut out to be a star. After all, recognition and reputation were the most important aspects to being a hero.

At this rate, if the boy can make a splendid hero debut, he may even become a world-famous figure beyond Pyongyang in the future.

Until now, the Hero Association had deliberately worked behind the scenes to not reveal the boy’s face or detailed personal information, but now was the perfect time to solve everyone’s curiosity.

In the most difficult exam ever, the only perfect score was achieved by the young hero who had prevented the terrorist attack!

‘A coincidence or inevitable…Thanks to him, the picture came out well.’

Samaria unknowingly licked her lips with her tongue.

And for a while, the male employees in the briefing room who saw it were unable to look away.

* * *

The Hero License Exam lasted for a week.

So accommodations for the candidates were also prepared in advance.

After the 1st test, candidates unpacked their luggage in their respective assigned rooms according to the supervisor’s guidance.

Then in the free time that came afterwards, instead of preparing for tomorrow’s test or taking a break, everyone flocked to the lobby as if it was premeditated.

Their purpose was the large electronic display attached to the wall.

The ranking for today’s test was being shown in real time on it.

It was a measure to help everyone make strategic judgments in their future cooperative tests.

Everyone’s eyes were glued to the top of the ranking.

[Pyongyang Test Site Ranking]

[1st – 500 points. Exam No. 13579]

And after checking the score shown, everyone’s expressions turned blank as if they were speechless.

“Perfect…score?”

“No, does that make sense? If it’s a perfect score, it means that it’s the number one in the country.”

After taking the test questions themselves today, they could vividly feel how ridiculous this score was.

This is because, unlike previous tests, the scope of the test was full of concepts that they had never even heard of before, as if the test was for a different subject.

Everyone looked around to see if they could find the monster who had produced such a result.

Wouldn’t such a guy be the main character?

In order to form a good team in the upcoming cooperative tasks, it was better to get to know each other as soon as possible and lay the groundwork for the future.

This was also another type of test outside the test site.

As soon as the lobby was buzzing and making a fuss, the sweet voice of a young child, which didn’t go well with this place, was heard.

“As expected! You’re my friend after all. A perfect score!”

Everyone’s heads turned at once. There were two very eye-catching children looking at the electronic display.

They checked the exam number on the children’s chest.

No. 13579. It was the same number as the first place.

“Hey, I can’t believe it. A kid like that is first place?”

“I’ve been preparing for this test for four years…Did I lose to a kid like him?”

The voices of disbelief leaked out everywhere. They despairingly overheard the conversation between the two children.

“My friend. How on earth did you study to get that score?”

“I just studied textbooks.”

“Sure enough…Whether it’s swordsmanship or academics, the foundation is important. Thanks to you, I’ve learned another thing.”

“Didn’t you only get one question wrong?”

At the boy’s words, everyone looked at the electronic screen again.

[2nd – 497 points. Exam No. 07942]

“Fuck! What a surprise!”

“Ha…The world is so unfair.”

Those who had just sighed began to curse. They couldn’t believe two young children had gotten first and second place side by side.

It could be said to be really ridiculous scores, considering that the test score of the third place after them didn’t exceed 400 points.

In the midst of such buzz, a group attempted to approach them first.

A man in his mid-30s. His chest had the exam No. 18218 on it.

He raised his hand and happily greeted the two.

“Aye, you’re an amazing guy. Do you remember me? It’s really nice to see you again.”

The man gave a friendly smile and intervened between them. Then Eugene smiled and asked Noah.

“Oh? Friend. Is this man your acquaintance? If so, please introduce him to me.”

With an indifferent attitude, Noah spoke.

“No, he’s the man who had threatened to kill me after the exam.”

Chaang–

At the same time, Eugene pulled out the Soma Sword worn on her waist. The blade, which flew in an instant, stopped in front of the man’s throat.

“How dare you! You lowly commoner. Did you say you’re going to kill my friend?”

“W-what? I-I just wanted to greet him…”

“If you don’t kowtow here right now, I’ll pull out your tongue. You should be grateful that this is Earth.”

“K-keuk…”

Then the group standing behind the man pulled out Japanese swords from their waists at the same time.

“You rascal! Take the young master’s sword!”

A very tense situation. Other candidates watched with excitement.

Perhaps two strong competitors will disappear due to violating the rules.

At that moment, a clear voice of a woman that seemed to have calmed their excitement was heard.

“Everyone, stop.”

Saintesss Samaria then appeared in the lobby. She quickly intervened and mediated the fight.

“H-huh?”

“W-what?!”

Those who had their swords out were putting them away, regardless of their will.

“Keuk.”

Eugene resisted the unknown force for a moment before putting her sword away with her own will.

An overwhelming difference in strength. It was the moment when the true ability of an A-Rank hero was revealed.

When the situation seemed to have been sorted out, Samaria smiled kindly and asked.

“What’s the situation? Don’t you know that personal fights on the test site will result in a disqualification?”

“That guy threatened to kill my friend first!”

“Hmm…Is that true?”

Samaria looked at No. 18218 and asked. The man, who was looking at her thighs up close, suddenly looked up in surprise.

“A-ah…That’s true, but I was just anxious back then…”

“So you say it’s true. Well, I won’t disqualify you for this, so let’s wrap this up with a sincere apology.”

“B-but those guys…”

“Come on~ Hurry up and apologize. Candidates.”

She spoke in a sticky and sweet voice. Then, the men who had tried to resist fiercely bowed their heads in a dreamy look.

“I’m really sorry.”

“You did a great job. Now go up to your rooms.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Like obedient puppies, they returned to their rooms according to her words.

After that, she spoke to the other candidates that had gathered in the lobby.

“Now that everyone has checked the rankings, I recommend you all go ahead and take a rest. Shouldn’t you all be preparing for the test tomorrow?”

Then the people in the lobby also left one by one, and the wide lobby regained its usual atmosphere.

“Then we’ll go up now too.”

As soon as the two children were about to leave after saying goodbye, Samaria called out to Noah.

“Hold on No. 13579, can I talk to you for a second?”

“Me?”

She looked at Noah with a sweet smile.

* * *

What the hell was this woman up to?

I looked at the woman in front of me. I think I’ve seen her somewhere, but I don’t remember.

One thing is for certain, this woman likes attention.

“Can we go somewhere quiet and talk for a bit?”

“I’m tired. Can’t we just do it here?”

“Hmm…Okay. We’ll do that.”

She took a step closer to me. And then a sweet scent of perfume came.

“Noah…Oh, it’s okay to call you by your name, right?”

“Shouldn’t you not reveal your identity during the exam period?”

“Haha, I’m a supervisor, so it’s okay. More than that, do you know who the people who made a fuss a while ago were?”

“No. It’s our first time seeing each other today.”

I don’t know why this woman suddenly started talking nonsense. She gave me a rather serious look.

“It’s good to be careful of them. He’s the son of a prestigious family who has been taking the exam for nearly 10 years because he isn’t talented, and they are a very evil group who disturb others in the test sites to drop them out.”

“Why? Is there a special reason?”

“Because of jealousy.”

I roughly accepted her advice and then turned around.

“If that’s all, I’ll go up now.”

I can’t believe she was wasting my time with such a useless story. I should go up quickly and play games.

As soon as I thought that, she suddenly pulled my collar and hugged me.

And…

Flutter–!

Black feathers flew in all directions, and large wings wrapped around me. In an instant, the surrounding landscape changed.

I found myself standing in a cramped boundary full of feathers.

Wuung–!

I quickly took out my sword and swung it at her. However, the feathers around me stopped the sword from moving.

And then with a gleam in her eyes, she burst into a smile.

“Ahahaha! I knew this would happen! This blatant killing tent! As expected, Noah is the same type of person as me!”

She looked at me with a mad glisten in her eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“Haa…You don’t have to hide it like that. You and I are the only ones here anyway.”

She said, twisting her body. I could feel her hot breath in the narrow boundary.

“Like me, Noah likes killing villains, right?”

“Hmm? Oh, well…Yes. Villains are bad people, so I think they should disappear.”

“You too! I knew it! Ahaha!”

I wondered if she was testing me, but now that I see it, she was just a crazy woman.

[Favorability has increased.]

Why did her interest in me rise?

With a gleam in her eyes, she continued.

“The upper class fuckers. Just thinking of preserving their place while spouting human rights. Isn’t it natural to clean up trash in this world?”

“…”

“So, Noah. Come to the Pyongyang branch. No, can’t you just be mine? I’ll raise you well forever. I’ve been waiting for someone like you.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll think about it later.”

This woman wasn’t right in the head, and it was very uncomfortable because she was stronger than me.

“You’ll be able to pass this exam easily if you accept my offer.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you ever heard of the 2nd test? It tests the morality and character of the candidates. I’m supervising the test, so I can just pass you. To be honest, Noah lacks a lot of character.”

“…Really?”

The way I see it, this woman was talking nonsense.

The second subject I’m most confident in this exam was the second one.

“I don’t think I need it.”

I refused her offer. Then with a strange smile, she spoke.

“Hmm, if Noah rejects my offer, Noah won’t be able to become a hero. Are you fine with that?”

“Well, thank you for your concern, but my most confident subject is integrity.”

“I don’t know how far that confidence will go. Well, eventually you’ll accept my offer. Huhu.”

Along with those words, the feathers surrounding the area disappeared. Space that was separated from reality flowed again and the scene of the lobby reappeared.

Then, as if it had never happened, again, she hid her crazy eyes behind a sweet smile.

“I wish you a comfortable evening.”

She wandered through the lobby and disappeared somewhere.

And then I had a thought as I saw it. If possible, I shouldn’t get involved with this crazy woman.

* * *

The second day came. Among the three virtues to being a Hero, today was the day when the 2nd test related to integrity will be conducted.

“Well, then, candidates please arrange yourself according to the order of your test numbers.”

A line had formed following the supervisor’s words. And in front of such a line, there was a portal connected somewhere.

“This is an imaginary space specifically prepared for the test. You’ll enter this place to take the test related to integrity.”

It was the same information as I had read on the internet.

In some ways, this test could be said to be meant for me.

After all, this is because the process of this test was so similar to MMORPGs.

“A city has been created in this space, and if you listen to the citizens’ request you’ll be able to get their stamps here.”

The supervisor handed a thin note to every candidate. And in it, there were many empty squares next to columns of signatures.

And soon, each candidate was given a bracelet with childish angel wings on them.

“It’s difficult to observe through electronic devices beyond this, so the test proctoring will be carried out using this bracelet.”

I checked the item in my hand.

Classification: Accessories

Grade: D

Description: Summon an observational familiar in the form of a baby angel.

“All of your actions will be recorded here and reflected in the evaluation, so please keep that in mind.”

After a long explanation, each candidate began to enter the portal in order.

Fortunately, the tests were held individually in different spaces, so there was no need to wait long.

Along with a bright light, I felt like my body was being sucked into somewhere as I went through the portal.

Sure enough…It was the same as what I had read on the internet.

The place where I arrived was an ordinary residential area a little away from the inner city.

If there’s one thing that’s unique, it was that there were sparkling icons like quest markers on the heads of the passersby who were as translucent as ghosts.

In this way, within the space assigned to each individual, the task was to accept the citizens’ request.

I’ve done this countless times.

It was similar to questing found in many games. That’s why I was even more confident.

As soon as I thought that, a group of round lights appeared from the bracelet that was given to me. Soon, the group of lights turned into a small naked baby angel flapping its wings.

Somehow, his expression wasn’t like a baby at all but more like an office worker suffering from a hangover.

– Aahh, I’m the supervisor of this test, so don’t think about cheating, if you get caught… You know what I’m saying, right? If you know, start.

He was a very unmotivated guy. Following what he said, I looked around to find people to help.

Then a middle-aged woman with a quest marker floating above her head approached me.

“Excuse me? You’re a hero, aren’t you? Please help me.”

I see. Was it like this? I smiled as kindly as I could, conscious of the baby angel watching.

“Yes, yes, of course I’ll help you.”

“I’ve lost my wallet around here, so please help me find it.”

“Okay. Just leave it to me.”

Is the start a search quest?

I looked around and searched for the wallet that the woman had lost. Usually, in the case of such quests, the quest items aren’t far from the NPC’s location.

But…

No matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find her wallet. Then the woman’s attitude became more and more overbearing.

“Hey! Why haven’t you found my wallet yet?”

“…Hold on a second. I’m looking for it right now.”

“Aye…What the hell are you even doing? My taxes are going to waste.”

“…”

The woman became pissed as if me volunteering was a natural right. Seeing that, I felt an irritation rising, but I endured it, conscious of the baby angel.

Did I miss something?

I rummaged through the path that I had come from once again. However, far from the wallet, there wasn’t even a 100-won drop.

“Ajumma, are you sure you dropped your wallet here?”

“What! Are you saying that I lied?”

“I’ve looked everywhere around here, but there’s no wallet. I don’t think there’s a wallet here.”

I’ve already been hovering around the same spot for the fifth time. If this continues, I might be tied to this woman and not be able to do other quests.

“Did you happen to put it in your pocket?”

“Ah!”

The woman suddenly rummaged through her pocket. And sure enough, there was a wallet in her pocket.

“…”

“W-why are you looking at me like that?”

She blushed and got mad at me.

“No. It’s nothing.”

“What! If you knew it was here, you should’ve told me earlier! Why didn’t you tell me? Did you purposely try to screw around?”

The NPC dialogues for this test were realistically annoying. As if the purpose was to make you angry.

Nevertheless, I smiled brightly. Because I had to get my reward from her.

“I’m glad you found it. Then, can you sign this for me?”

I handed her my note. Then she slapped it away and spoke.

“Oh, huh. Wasn’t it me who found the wallet? I’m speechless.”

The woman left those words and disappeared somewhere.

“…”

My body trembled unknowingly. I even seriously thought about giving up the hero exam.

However, it was impossible to blow away my efforts so far with just this. It’s just that I wasn’t lucky at first.

– Hehe…Will you be able to do it in time?

Next to me, the baby angel laughed. I ran to the next quest, ignoring his ridicule.

“Hello. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Ah, it’s been a while since I reported it. Why are you just coming now? My kid had been waiting for a long time because of you!”

The young man frowned and stared at me.

When I looked next to the man, a child of similar age to me was crying and complaining.

“What’s the matter?”

“Oh, it’s like this. My child wants to become a hero when he grows up, so come here and take a picture with him.”

“…Oh, yes.”

I stood next to the child. Then the whining punk glanced at me and spoke.

“You’re not a famous hero! Not a sloppy hero but a famous hero! A famous hero!”

“What? You moldy punk! How dare you make my kid cry? Fuck, truly rotten luck.”

The man spit on the ground and disappeared.

“…”

I felt like I was spacing out. Why was the level of difficulty so high?

From reading the reviews on the internet it certainly wasn’t supposed to be this difficult. The baby angel next to me giggled and spoke.

– Keuk, it’s not going as you thought, right? But there’s an easy way to solve this. Do you want me to tell you?

“What is it?”

– If you pledge loyalty to Samaria-nim, it’ll solve itself somehow.

So that’s what happened. I understood why the situation was going roughly.

She seemed to have done some trick to take care of me.

I’ll have to pay her back someday.

I had no intention of playing into the hands of such a crazy woman.

How many games have I played so far? Such unfriendly NPCs can be overcome one way or another.

I’ll show her the power of a gamer.

Checking the time limit, I ran toward the next quest.

Listening to a child’s complaint, what he wanted me to do was throw out his trash…

I endured all kinds of hardships and proceeded with the quests. And like that, I looked at my note.

“…”

I’ve only gotten four after all the hard work.

Fucking broke game…

This was an administrator’s plot. Users cannot win against administrators.

– Keukeu…That’s not going to be enough. The average obtained by successful candidates last year was 50.

Certainly, as he said, this may be difficult.

“Huu…”

I sigh without realizing it.

If I just give up on the exam in Pyongyang, would it be better to take the exam in another country according to the nearest date?

As soon as I thought that, I heard a nasal voice calling me.

“Hmm~ Hero-oppa over there! My shoulders are sore, so could you come to my house and massage me~”

When I turned my head, I saw a man with red lipstick approaching me. With a jaunty expression, he continued.

“You need oppa’s autograph anyway, right? If you listen to me carefully, I’ll sign it for you.”

Then he put his hand on my shoulder. I felt as if the trauma I felt from a few months ago was about to emerge again.

And then suddenly, I wondered why I could feel his hand.

“Can I interfere with the spirits here?”

– That’s obvious. Even if they are temporarily created, they are no different from ordinary humans at the moment they are here.

“…Really?”

I see. Why didn’t I think of that?

“I’ve worked hard for no reason.”

– Yeah, you shouldn’t have tried. If you’ve realized it now, hurry up and swear loyalty to Samaria-nim…

Wuung-

I pulled out my sword straight away and blew the man’s head. Blood spewed out of his neck like a fountain.

Next, I grabbed the dead guy’s finger and placed it on the note. His thumbprint was transparently absorbed and a heart-shaped mark appeared.

Fortunately, the number on the cover also changed to 5 even though it was stamped by a dead person.

“Good, now five.”

– What the fuck are you doing?!

The baby angel shouted. I looked around while ignoring him.

“Kyaak!”

I made eye contact with a woman. It was the same woman who had lost her wallet a while ago.

“S-spare me…!”

Swish–

Her neatly cut head rolled down the stairs.

“Heuheu…This is it.”

I couldn’t help but smile when I recall the humiliation I’ve suffered.

Come to think of it, the blood might not disappear if I leave this place, so I took off my clothes and put them in my inventory.

– S-stop! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!

Ignoring the angel, I jumped into the city naked. Screams could be heard everywhere.

“Kyaaak! A lunatic!”

Swish–

“I-it was my fault earlier…”

Swish–

I cut off the heads of every spirit I saw while my note filled up at a frightening speed.

People diligently ran away, but due to the nature of this narrow map, there was only a limited space to run.

And when the time limit was approaching, I was finally able to fill all the blanks in the note.

A total of 500 stamps. It was the same as the number of residents here.

– I-I’ve monitored numerous tests so far, but I’ve never seen anyone do anything like you! Do you think you can pass the test like this?!

“Why not? I was only told to get stamps on the note. There were no other conditions.”

– You! How dare you…The Hero association doesn’t need someone like you! I’ll report everything to the Saintess. You’ll be disqualified…

“Synthesize.”

– Kueeeoook!

I used the quest item as material for .

Classification: Accessories

Grade: B

Description: A bracelet made by the court wizard of the Crohart Empire for a large knight. (If you have this bracelet, you can do escort missions…)

*Transforms to fit the body.

*Noise from movements reduced.

* – Assimilate into the surrounding for up to 10 minutes [1/1] (24 hours recharge cycle).

* – Summon an observational familiar in the form of a baby angel by consuming mana.

Although mana cost was added to the option, fortunately, there was no difference in performance.

The bracelet was still the same shape without much change, and only a subtle gloss was added.

On the other hand, the bracelet given by the Hero Association suddenly looks strangely cheap, like a Chinese fake.

“Good.”

And just in time, the surrounding landscape began to change.

Perhaps because the time limit was up, I returned to the test site. Immediately, I held out the quest bracelet to the supervisor and spoke.

“Supervisor! I think this is broken?”

And so, following first place in the country on the wisdom test, I also got a perfect score in the integrity test, a first in the history of the Pyongyang branch.

== Translator’s Note ==

1. Please report any typos, grammatical/spelling errors, sentences you find weird, and other etc…in the comment section .