Chapter 20: Hero Qualification Exam (2)

After completing a simple check at the entrance, Lee Ha-jun was standing in line in the auditorium where the examinees had gathered. He couldn't control his rising smile as he looked at the result sheet.

"Hiss-"

Hwaryeon, hiding in the hat, also peeked at the result sheet.

Name: Lee Ha-jun

Age: 23

Physical: 179cm

68kg

Magic Power: D

Overall Result: High purity of magic power compared to physical condition. Adequate muscle mass, but nutritional imbalance present. Diet needs to be revised. Due to age, magic power growth is difficult to expect. Combat data analysis needed for more accurate assessment.

It was quite an accurate analysis for such a short examination time. Hwaryeon fully agreed with the result sheet's opinion.

'Hmm, that's right! I'm getting tired of meat. We needed to revise the diet!'

Hwaryeon nodded, seemingly satisfied with the machine's result. It was just because of the mention of revising the diet. Anyway.

'There doesn't seem to be anyone who looks strong. This won't be fun!'

She came to watch fights, but it doesn't look like she'll even get to see a proper fight. The condition of the humans gathered at the exam site wasn't impressive. At least not to Hwaryeon, who is a dragon.

'Roughly 10 people including the homeowner. The rest are worse than my baby claws. Disappointing!'

We came for nothing! Hwaryeon slammed her front paw down in disappointment.

"Agh!"

Ha-jun's scream echoed as claws dug into his scalp.

'Hmph, serves you right!'

This is getting off lightly. Hwaryeon recalled the unpleasant incident from earlier. Smiling at a woman?

'Hmph, wagging your tail as soon as you see a female. What kind of dad are you? I can't accept it.'

She can't accept it. She can't call such a human 'dad'.

'Not even strong! You don't qualify to be called dad by me! Disqualified!'

Hwaryeon remembered when Ha-jun tried to sell the eggs, breaking his promise. She couldn't call someone who couldn't keep a single promise 'dad'. He should at least excel in one area. So, she immediately raised her claws and attacked Ha-jun's scalp.

"Hiss!"

"Agh! Lee Hwaryeon, you really want to go at it with dad today?"

"Hiss! Hiss!"

"Just wait until the exam is over. We'll settle this at home."

"Hiss!!"

Hmph. Look who's talking. Hwaryeon gave up on the urge to jump around and lay down on the soft hair.

'Consider it an honor that your head has become a dragon's bedchamber, human!'

Just as the two stopped their bickering, an announcement was broadcast to the people gathered in the exam hall.

-Before we begin, we thank you all for gathering here today. We will now proceed with a simple test to determine if you are suitable for the position of hero, as we have guided you. If there is anyone here who does not wish to become a hero, please exit through the back door now.

"Asking if anyone wants to leave."

Ha-jun didn't move an inch. The same was true for others.

-Then we will now proceed with the exam to determine who is qualified. All participants, please press against the wall.

The participants quickly pressed against the wall. Ha-jun did the same.

"There are disgustingly many people."

Ha-jun grumbled as he pressed his hat tightly. Hwaryeon watched this and shouted inwardly.

'Fight now! This is your chance! If you beat them all, the homeowner will be the strongest human! You'll pass the exam!'

Of course, Ha-jun had no way of understanding Hwaryeon's voice. Frustrated, Hwaryeon pounded on Ha-jun's head.

'Argh! Understand what I'm saying! A dragon is speaking, why can't you hear! Isn't there any way?! I'm sure there was something in the head!'

Tap tap-

Hwaryeon's fancy footwork. But Ha-jun showed no reaction.

"Are you giving dad a scalp massage?"

"Hiss!"

He's gotten used to it by now. Wanting to resolve this frustration, Hwaryeon started searching through the knowledge stored in her head. As all participants pressed against the wall and Hwaryeon was pondering...

Thud thud-

A woman walked out to the center of the empty auditorium. Everyone except Ha-jun knew who she was. Anyone interested in heroes would know her.

"It's Han Ji-soo."

"Who's Han Ji-soo?"

"Don't you know? She's an A-rank hero. She didn't bring her weapon today. Han Ji-soo has been raising her profile recently by appearing in advertisements-"

"Then she must be earning well."

Ha-jun felt uncomfortable for some reason. But unlike Ha-jun, Hwaryeon started getting very excited.

'Fight! Homeowner, fight right now! It would be fun to fight that human! Run over there and hit her weak point, the abdomen, first!!'

Swoosh swoosh-

Hwaryeon swung her front paws wildly in excitement. She just wanted to see a fight.

***

Real combat. The true nature of the test was a mock battle with A-rank hero Han Ji-soo in a simulated combat arena.

"Number 190, failed."

Thud!

Han Ji-soo threw the already unconscious number 190 out of the arena without changing her expression. So far, zero people had passed the test. The difficulty of the exam was much higher than expected.

"Am I going to fail too? There's no sign of her going easy on anyone."

Han Ji-soo, an A-rank hero who knocked out most applicants with a single bare-handed punch. I've never heard of her, but apparently, she's a rising star whose recognition is increasing.

'She looks younger than me. She must be earning a lot.'

And she's pretty too. She must be raking in money. I feel my inferiority complex stirring. It's a natural reaction to people who earn a lot of money. But I can't show such unsightly behavior in front of my daughter.

"Being envious now is one thing. I'll just have to earn more later."

With that thought, I stood up from my seat.

"Number 192, step forward."

It was my turn. I walked towards Han Ji-soo, hiding my nervousness. Other participants looked at me with pitying expressions.

"How many seconds do you think it'll take? I say 10 seconds."

"Look at his equipment. He doesn't have anything. Probably about 5 seconds."

"Well, even those who spent money on equipment just got knocked out. There's no way this guy with a weird hat and no equipment could be strong."

These bastards. Are they looking down on me because I don't have money? They've really pushed my buttons.

'I'll definitely last more than 10 seconds, and I'll definitely pass.'

I'm getting unnecessarily competitive. I stood in front of Han Ji-soo to take the test.

'Oh, right. The hat.'

I decided to put the hat down on the floor first. However, for some reason, the hat wouldn't come off. Due to physical force, that is.

"Y-you, Lee Hwaryeon, you brat... This isn't what we agreed..."

"Hiss!"

"You said you'd wait quietly during the exam..."

"Hiss!!"

I was a fool to trust a dragon. Hwaryeon firmly refused, pulling on the hat. Unfortunately, Han Ji-soo didn't wait for me.

"Number 192. If you don't prepare quickly, you'll be disqualified."

"Haa..."

No choice, I guess. I'll have to wear the hat.

"...You're really going to get it from dad later."

I really died today. I sighed and stood in front of Han Ji-soo. With no equipment, I'm just barehanded. I bowed my head lightly in greeting.

"Number 192. Test begins."

Han Ji-soo started the test immediately without properly acknowledging my greeting. The pressure I felt instantly was different.

'I see why everyone got knocked out in one hit.'

Good thing I watched the tests. I quickly rolled to the side as I had analyzed. Han Ji-soo's fist landed where I had been standing.

"I almost failed right away."

"..."

Han Ji-soo threw another punch at me lying down. Her fist, wrapped in magic power, slammed into the floor.

Boom!!

"Crazy. Wouldn't I have died if that hit me?"

A large hole appeared in the floor. No wonder she's A-rank. I quickly jumped far away. Escaping was the priority.

"Is this really a test designed for people to pass? How are we supposed to beat that?"

Becoming a hero is really difficult. Han Ji-soo looked at me silently and then spoke.

"Number 192. It says your magic power is D-rank. What was that crude use of magic power when you just jumped?"

"How would I know when I've never properly used magic power before?"

"...Disappointing. You're better than other participants, but starting with that flippant way of speaking. You're far from qualified to be a hero."

What's wrong with my way of speaking? And what exactly are those qualifications?

'I need to pass this test to earn money and feed those kids well.'

How can I pass this impossible test? I bit my lip hard in frustration and clenched my fists. I felt like I wanted to win no matter what. I couldn't back down. At that moment, a high-tension voice started ringing in my head.

'You stupid homeowner!! Wrap magic power around your whole body!! That makes it easier to move!'

"Hwaryeon? What are you saying to me?"

'I'm a dragon! Dragons can do anything! We always find a way! More importantly, focus! If you're fighting, you should win first!! I hate losing more than anything in the world! And I hate losers even more!!'

"How am I supposed to beat that?"

I'm D-rank in magic power and an unemployed bum. Han Ji-soo is an A-rank hero with much higher magic power than me. I want to win, but realistically, it's a tough opponent to beat. However, Hwaryeon seems to think differently.

'The dragon says you can win! So you can win! Just do as I say!'

"I'll listen to you since I have no other choice anyway, but why are you suddenly helping me?"

'T-that's...! It's just my mood! Hmph!'

Hwaryeon avoided answering, seemingly embarrassed. For now, it seemed better to listen to Hwaryeon. I raised my fists and faced Han Ji-soo.

"Come."

"Alright, here I go."

"...Come slowly."

Han Ji-soo rushed towards me at a speed hard to follow with the eyes.

'Move your body to the left!'

Grab!

Hwaryeon pulled my hair to the left. Accordingly, my body leaned to the left.

"I thought I hit..."

Han Ji-soo's face was tinged with confusion. Not stopping there, Hwaryeon pulled my hair again.

'Bend your waist forward! Then dodge the knee attack!'

Swoosh- Swoosh-

I moved my body comfortably as Hwaryeon said, as Hwaryeon pulled my hair. Each time, Han Ji-soo's attacks missed by 1cm.

"Your movement suddenly changed. You're dodging well like a rat."

As this continued, impatience showed on Han Ji-soo's face. It was a natural result, as a mere applicant was dodging an A-rank hero's attacks. And that was the result Hwaryeon had induced.

'Now a big attack is coming! A big right hook! That's when you dive inside!'

Hwaryeon pulled my hair like controlling a controller. I moved my body according to those movements. As a result, I was able to dive inside Han Ji-soo's guard as Hwaryeon wanted. Then, Hwaryeon shouted while pulling my hair straight forward:

'Now stretch your fist forward and hit!!'

Thud!!

I threw my fist forward as Hwaryeon said.

"Ugh-"

I heard Han Ji-soo's painful breath. Then, I checked where my fist had landed.

"Uh... um..."

A perfect attack targeting a vital point in the abdomen. A so-called gut punch. I made a slight excuse in this awkward situation.

"I wasn't aiming for this situation..."

Unemployed bum Lee Ha-jun, punching A-rank hero Han Ji-soo in the abdomen in front of numerous people. The person involved looked at me with resentful eyes and said:

"...I'll pass you since I fell for a perfect strategy. But I won't go easy on you next time we meet. I'll have my weapon then."

"..."

It's good that I passed to become a hero. But I've been marked by a senior in the industry.

'That's right, da- I mean, homeowner! Well done! Fights are fun when you win!'

Hwaryeon, unable to read the atmosphere, was very excited. Even that seemed very Hwaryeon-like.

***

On the way home after the test. In my hand was a pass notification. By the way, there were only 3 passing candidates including me. It was hard to believe because it didn't feel real.

"Did I really pass the test...?"

'You passed! I saw it!'

"Right? I did pass, didn't I, Hwaryeon?"

'You passed! So stop saying it! I've heard it 5 times already!!'

Pat pat-

Hwaryeon hit my head with her front paws. That action no longer made me angry.

"Hwaryeon."

'Huh?'

"Thank you. I was able to pass thanks to you."

'Ha, of course it's thanks to me! Be more grateful!'

Even though I couldn't see her hiding in the hat, I could imagine Hwaryeon shrugging her shoulders.

"So, is there anything you want to eat?"

'Something to eat?'

"Yeah, I'll buy you whatever you want to eat today. If not, I'll choose something."

'Then I want to eat that! Pizza! I saw it on TV and it looked delicious! I want pizza!'

"I'll even buy you spaghetti if I'm feeling generous."

'Yay!'

Hwaryeon jumped around in my hair, feeling happy. I bought pepperoni pizza and spaghetti to go in Seoul-05 district and returned home.

"Kids, dad's home. And I passed the test! Come eat something delicious!"

"...Congratulations."

"Wow, dad! Congratulations!"

Suryeon offered congratulations indifferently, while Choryeon congratulated me with a bright smile. Feeling touched, I patted their heads. Then, Hwaryeon, back in human form wearing a white T-shirt, quickly sat at the table.

"Give me pizza! I want pizza!"

So impatient. I opened the pizza box and put a slice on each plate.

"This is expensive stuff that you can't eat much of. Enjoy it."

"I'm going to enjoy it anyway!"

Nom-

Hwaryeon grabbed the pizza with her hands and put it in her mouth, stretching the cheese.

Suryeon used a fork to cut and eat the pizza. Choryeon was in the process of removing all the pepperoni from the pizza.

'It's nice to see them eating so well.'

Is this what they mean when they say you feel full just watching others eat? I've come to understand a parent's heart. I ate only one slice of pizza and handed the other slice to Hwaryeon.

"Yay!"

Hwaryeon inhaled the pizza with her mouth corners raised, seemingly enjoying the taste. After finishing the pizza and then the spaghetti, she blushed, avoided eye contact, and said.

"...Well, the homeowner wasn't bad today. I wasn't going to help originally, but you seemed to dodge well and want to win! I just helped because I didn't like the opponent!"

"Is that so?"

"W-well, I haven't really acknowledged you yet...! I just helped because you're a temporary dad...!"

Temporary dad.

"So don't misunderstand even if I call you dad! I haven't acknowledged you yet! It's just temporary! Got it...!?"

Hmph-

Hwaryeon said this and turned her head away from me. Looking at Hwaryeon like this, I thought to myself.

'Even if it's temporary, I've been acknowledged as their dad.'

To be acknowledged as dad by that picky dragon felt really good.

"Hwaryeon. Since I've been acknowledged as dad, should dad give you an airplane ride?"

"No!"

"Hwaryeon, come here!"

"Don't come!"

A chase began to catch Hwaryeon.

"Hmm..."

Suryeon looked at us with quite a complicated expression.