Chapter 38: Ready Up

"The thing is, everyone wants them to rush," Arin waved her hand in the air as she scooted over to grab the TV's remote control.

Aria was applied into a high-classed medical institution, in which premium features like a personal room and a TV set was built in the rooms.

Arin switched on the TV, lighting up the screen. The screen showed the live video of Han Seong-woo smiling towards the camera, speaking reassuring words at the pressing media.

"This.. Athena's leader, right?" Aria recognized the man in one go because they had been discussing this matter more often than she wanted to.

"Yes. I don't know what the Association is planning, but they're really pushing this fellow out into the stage. His name is being sung everywhere, even more than Blythe himself," Arin furrowed her brows, clearly not too fond of the man.

Even in the short span of three days, the Association was able to propel Han Seong-woo's name further into the world.

Now, it was not only South Korea who has heard of the man's name, but also an additional worldwide audience who had grown to watch over him.

Towards this, [Golden Insignia] was perplexed on how to react.

"Han Seong-woo is.. not the greatest example of a Hunter. He strives for perfection, and will dare to sacrifice everything for that same perfection. That.. is not what you want in a team leader," Arin bit her lips.

Her eyelashes trembled as she blew out a long breath.

"And how do you know that?" Aria tilted her head, wondering about the woman's sudden change in attitude.

Aria rarely saw Arin agitated or filled with negative emotions, but this time was a bit different.

Arin was shaken up.

"Han Seong-woo is someone who delayed his testing. Before, he once made an offer to us, asking to create a cooperation without him being inserted into our team," Arin started to narrate the story.

Han Seong-woo was ambitious. He liked control, even before he became a Hunter.

He was born and raised into a competitive society, which would explain quite a bit on why he developed this sort of mindset.

However, Han Seong-woo was unlike the other personages and had a deranged mindset.

His thought process was different from his peers. His logic and rationality.

Arin told a story. A story that ended up leaving Aria disgusted and in disbelief.

This was just one story. The time indicators inside Aria's story indirectly told Aria that this wasn't the only incident.

After Arin stopped her story, she rubbed her fingers together in discomfort.

"...If you did get into the final team, please be careful of him inside the dungeon gate. No one can protect you except for yourself," Arin warned, narrowing her eyes at Seong-woo's laughing face that was plastered inside the TV's screen.

Her palms curled up into a ball and tightened.

Her mood became sour as she stood up and walked towards the door, telling Aria that she was going to get some items.

Exiting the door, Arin leaned against the surface and huffed her breath.

"Han Seong-woo..." Arin muttered under her breath, low and whisper-like.

Aria, with her extensive hearing, was able to catch the words, along with a tinge of malice and hatred spewed by Arin.

The reason was still unknown, but the two parties had an underlying feud that she couldn't grasp.

Along with the story Arin imparted her with, this line of relationship seemed complex.

How, and why?

[Golden Insignia] was an unknown entity, yet they actually had so much affiliations.

With secretive but competent members, connections with [Magnolia], and potentially other groups too as a distant relationship.

Aria became deep in thoughts as she looked at the TV screen, which was still turned on.

She grabbed the remote control and turned it off before slipping into her white, soft hospital bed and pulling her blanket over her mouth and nose.

She stared into the ceiling as she rethought her situation.

'There's not only the past. The present, and the future, those are things I have to chase as well.' Aria thought.

She closed her eyes, not desiring to sleep but just to soothe her disturbed soul.

A week later, Aria was ushered over to the Association.

It was time for the destined selection.

She had prepared herself to take on this challenge.

This would be nothing compared to the actual dungeon subjugation, but this would prove her worth to some extent.

Her life wasn't at risk, but Aria was prepared to fight like it was.

"Remember, you are here as a newbie Hunter who was scouted by [Magnolia]. You haven't registered, but the leader put her trust in you and assigned you up for this role," Lein wore a black hoodie that served as a temporary cover up for his identity.

He wanted to blend in with his surroundings, watching over Aria.

For this occasion, every single active member of [Golden Insignia], combined with [Magnolia]'s Hana and Miyu decided to attend Aria's selection process.

They wanted to watch, watch as their acquaintance blast through the ranks and claim the last spot.

They were confident in the woman.

Aria did her best to train, to better herself and surpass all the other candidates. To ensure that her winning chances were maximized.

The training did bear results, but since her System was indeed slower in terms of progression compared with the others, she couldn't increase her power by a landslide or something like that.

However, she had the foundations laid down better than anyone else. She honed both her Main efficiency and skill sets, bringing her to the current Aria.

According to the data, she should prevail and triumph over the other candidates.

If the data was spot on, that is.

"Are you ready?" Arin stood behind Aria, who got into her combat suit that she customized to her liking with the help of [Golden Insignia]'s unrevealed members.

It mystified her how [Golden Insignia] operated. So strong, yet so weak.

They were able to produce her current battle suit, which was a tight, all black bodysuit. It was made out of tough and formidable material, but at the same time, it was light and easy to move around in.

Aria carried nothing but this suit and herself inside the room.

The selection allowed the use of items. That would mean that teams with more resources and great equipment on their hands would be able to gain advantage over others.

If you looked at it on a peripheral manner, perhaps this was a bit unfair.

However, the eventual battle inside the dungeon would be one that is fought using your best performance. This included equipment and other aids.

That was why, Aria's 'battle suit' was allowed.

Aria's opponent was also expected to bring their external additions too.

Aria took a deep breath and calmed her nerves in an instant.

She was ready.

"More than ever, ma'am," Aria cracked her knuckles and prepared herself to step into the first battle ring.

Her eyes burning with passion and determination, she walked up the stairs and entered the battlefield, where her opponent was already waiting and eager to fight.