After the World Hunter Association announced the establishment of a new rank, quite a few people boldly submitted their challenges for the promotion exam.
Even if the prestige of S-rank wasn't what it once was, the rights granted to them were formidable.
That's why they grew ambitious.
What rights could an SS-rank, surpassing S-rank, truly wield?
How many more people could they reign over?
Those who submitted challenges not only had ambition, but also the confidence to back it up.
These were individuals who had risen to S-rank early on and accumulated achievements and skills over a considerable period of activity.
On the other hand, the five S-rank Hunters designated by the Association were relatively new, having been promoted less than three years ago.
It was a reasoned choice.
Because the current S-rank had a greater disparity than any other rank.
To pit them against five individuals who had been S-rank for over 10 or 20 years, wasn't that effectively saying they wouldn't produce any SS-ranks?
Before Kim Dojin arrived at the World Hunter Association, the number of people who challenged the promotion exam was thirty.
Among them, only three passed the promotion exam.
Athena of Greece, Arthur of England, and finally, Boris of Russia.
Only those who had long been considered 'beyond S-rank' and represented their nations ultimately succeeded in shedding their old skin and ascending to a new heaven.
Hearing their news, Kim Dojin clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"Tsk... I thought I'd be first, but I guess not."
He hadn't met Arthur of England, so he couldn't say, but Athena and Boris had clearly been pushed by their respective nations to challenge the promotion exam.
Otherwise, those two, who had not an ounce of ambition for honor, wouldn't have rushed into the promotion exam the moment it opened.
"Well, disappointment is disappointment."
Although he couldn't be the first to become SS-rank, he could still demonstrate the gap between them.
Athena, Arthur, and Boris all took over 20 minutes to overpower the five S-rank Hunters.
Arthur's record of 21 minutes and 13 seconds was the shortest time.
Kim Dojin intended to elevate his own worth by surpassing their records.
Disappointed in me because of an affair?
"Let them be disappointed, then."
It was a way to test them.
He wanted to see how far they would go, talking about disappointment and criticizing him.
Creeeeak...!
The massive iron gate blocking his path opened with a clamorous groan.
[Hunter Kim Dojin, please enter the testing arena.]
At the voice that followed, Kim Dojin took a step.
As he ascended onto the arena stage, covered in powerful protective magic on all sides, he felt the gazes of a small number of people seated in the audience beyond the translucent barrier.
Boris waved a hand lightly in his direction, offering a friendly smile.
Athena, with an expressionless face, watched him from above, arms crossed.
Arthur, stylishly sweeping back his blue hair that fanned out like a lion's mane, gazed at him with an intrigued expression.
Besides them, there were executives from the World Hunter Association and a select few reporters granted access.
And finally, the five S-rank Hunters standing opposite him in the arena.
Kim Dojin paid no attention to his opponents, focusing instead on warming up.
What weapons they used, what Traits they possessed, and so on.
None of it mattered to Kim Dojin.
Because he was confident.
Confident that no matter what they did, they wouldn't be able to touch a single hair on his head.
His indifferent attitude and the relaxed aura emanating from his entire body caused the faces of the five examiners, who had stepped forward to test him, to stiffen.
"...Arrogant."
"He hasn't even been promoted that long himself, isn't he being a bit too brazen?"
"We need to give him a taste of reality."
"Let's use this chance to completely strip away all the 'hype' around him."
"Sounds good!"
They didn't like Kim Dojin.
Because they believed the current perception of him was all just image-making.
Francis Meyer, considered the greatest hero of his time.
It was all preliminary work to use him as a symbol of a new era, following in Meyer's footsteps.
But even that had gone awry because of this incident.
"An affair with someone in their 40s? Are there really so few women in Korea?"
"Heh heh, well. Maybe his taste is just weird."
"If it were me, I'd be too ashamed to show my face outside."
"It's obvious. Isn't it just a cheap trick to cover up one scandal with another?"
"And that's only possible if he beats us."
Having overseen the promotion exams for 30 people prior, they were brimming with confidence.
They had turned away 27 out of 30, and even the three who passed had fought bloody battles lasting over 20 minutes, so it was only natural.
Furthermore, this promotion exam was also an opportunity for them to grow.
Because sparring with S-ranks wasn't something you could just do whenever you wanted.
Compared to when they oversaw the first exam, they had clearly grown, and their coordination had improved.
So they were certain.
Kim Dojin would absolutely not be able to pass their test.
[The test will begin in 1 minute.]
The final minute was given.
They calmly gripped their respective weapons and adjusted their stances.
In their eyes, glaring at Kim Dojin, a fierce determination blazed.
'We'll take him down in under 10 minutes.'
'His image is already in the gutter; we'll make sure it sinks completely.'
Regardless.
Regardless of what was happening on the opposite side, Kim Dojin prepared for the test at his own pace.
In truth, there was nothing to prepare.
The moment he stepped onto the testing stage, all preparations were as good as done.
After the final minute elapsed, the last announcement was heard.
[Test begins.]
The 30-minute stopwatch, set on the display panel installed on one wall, started.
29:59.
29:58.
29:57.
Just three seconds.
At that moment, the five examiners had only tensed their toes, unable to even take a step.
Kim Dojin's attack had already begun.
Rumble...!
The ground around the five examiners shook violently.
"W-what is this?"
"The ground...!"
The examiners panicked.
The mana that had been swirling above their heads gained weight, pressing down on their bodies.
"M-my shoulders...!"
"I can't move my body?!"
"W-what kind of trickery is this?!"
"Ugh...!"
Kim Dojin no longer needed anything.
To unleash magic, no, a miracle like magic, all restrictions and conditions had vanished.
If he wished for it, it would come true; if his emotions wavered, his surroundings would also waver.
He had, in effect, become one with mana.
The heavy mana pressing down on the examiners' shoulders was Kim Dojin's faint anger.
Even just a slight annoyance was enough.
CRACK!
CRUNCH!
"Gah!?"
"Aargh!"
"Cough..."
Five S-rank Hunters, who would never be outmatched anywhere, couldn't even take a single step and knelt under the unbearable weight pressing down on their shoulders.
Rumble!
CRUNCH!
The ground around them gradually caved in.
Kim Dojin leaned into the hollowed ground, squatted down, and met their eye level.
And asked.
"How does it feel to be defeated by a hyped-up, weird-tasting brat?"
"......"
"Ah! You haven't been defeated yet, have you? Then, what more should I do here...?"
The examiner who met Kim Dojin's grinning gaze turned deathly pale.
The hostility veiled by that smile was so blatant, and the examiner who felt it immediately raised his voice.
"S-surrender-!"
Truly swift situational judgment.
At the same time, the stopwatch displayed on the electronic board also stopped.
The remaining time was 28 minutes and 30 seconds.
The time it took Kim Dojin to pass the promotion exam was a mere 1 minute and 30 seconds.
Once again, the world was abuzz with stories about Kim Dojin.
[Fourth SS-rank Hunter Kim Dojin! It took him a mere 1 minute and 30 seconds to be promoted.]
[The man destined to be the world's strongest.]
[Kim Dojin, covering one scandal with an even bigger one.]
Starting with exclusive articles from reporters recognized by the World Hunter Association, a flood of articles announcing Kim Dojin's promotion poured out across the globe.
South Korea was already in a festive mood.
As the fourth nation to possess an SS-rank Hunter, following Greece, England, and Russia, it was only natural.
Some even suggested making the date of his promotion exam a national holiday.
Praise for him, who had elevated the nation's prestige, poured in like a flood.
Amidst all this, there were still those who criticized him.
[LOL;; People are truly disgusting. Do you really want to fawn over an adulterer that much?]
[So if he becomes an SS-rank Hunter, does the fact that he had an affair just disappear?]
[Korea, fawning over an adulterous bastard, tsk tsk.]
But their criticisms had long since lost their sharpness.
[If he's SS-rank, you should forgive the affair, you idiots.]
[If Kim Dojin defects to China or Japan because of you guys, can you handle that?]
[Kid,,, delete your post,,, unless you want to die,,,]
[Some basement-dwelling troll acting woke, lol.]
Those who had been disappointed in Kim Dojin just moments ago had now turned to defending him.
This was the outcome Kim Dojin had anticipated.
Covering a bad issue with an even bigger one.
He, who had turned people's criticisms into cheers, returned by plane through the airport, unlike when he left, and stood before the throng of reporters.
To solidify the shift in public opinion.
"I am SS-rank Hunter Kim Dojin."
He emphasized his rank as he greeted them, and at the same time, began a short interview with the reporters, who were desperate for a scoop.
Q: How do you feel?
A: I believe I have received the reward for my efforts thus far.
Q: What do you think about being called the greatest Hunter, following in Francis Meyer's footsteps?
A: It is an unparalleled honor.
Q: I hear you're receiving love calls from the United States and around the world?
A: That is true.
Indeed, before returning home, he had stopped by the White House and met with the President of the United States.
They didn't beat around the bush; they made a direct offer.
They asked him to become a citizen of the United States.
Promising to grant him anything he desired.
Even for an SS-rank, it was an exceptionally generous offer.
In other words, it was also proof of how chaotic the world had become.
It was indeed a tempting offer, but Kim Dojin rejected all the incessant proposals from various countries, including the United States.
Q: What was the reason for your refusal?
A: Because, for now, I like South Korea the best.
It was a loaded statement.
Saying he liked South Korea 'for now' implied that the future was uncertain, didn't it?
This was a warning directed at some of the malicious commenters criticizing him, and at the government.
To criticize him moderately, but not to cross the line.
And to absolutely uphold the conditions they had set for him.
As the amicable interview continued, a reporter, without permission, threw out a question that broke the pleasant atmosphere.
"Do you have anything to say about the affair scandal that previously rocked the world?!"
No sooner had the question ended than dozens of pairs of incredibly sharp eyes pierced the reporter.
It was the question everyone wanted to ask.
But there was a good reason why no one had dared to voice it.
The other reporters frowned deeply and shook their heads at the journalist who had broken the taboo.
'Is he ignorant, or just brave?'
'He's going to get fired soon.'
'Doesn't know how scary an S-rank... no, an SS-rank Hunter can be, tsk tsk.'
Just then, as everyone present tensed up.
Kim Dojin rose from his seat.
"I was wondering why that question hadn't come up yet, and it arrived at a perfect time. First, I apologize for causing you all concern regarding my private life."
Amidst the continuous barrage of camera flashes, Kim Dojin bowed respectfully in apology.
He had two choices.
To expose, or to remain silent.
Public opinion had already turned overwhelmingly favorable towards him.
If he were to confess here that the husband, Shin Hyo-seop, had cheated first, and that he had inadvertently fallen for Seo Jeong-hee while comforting her after she was hurt by her husband, the fierce winds of criticism against him would shift in the opposite direction.
And this was also the situation Kim Dojin desired.
Even up until he entered the airport, his mind hadn't changed.
No, even until that brave reporter brought up the incident, it was still the same.
However.
"...It is true that she and I were in an adulterous relationship. While it was a time when she was deeply contemplating divorce, they were still legally married, so there's no room for excuses."
At the very last moment, his mind changed.
It was because Shin Yujung and Seo Jeong-hee's faces came to mind.
'Would those two truly want that?'
No matter how much he was hated or how flawed he was, he was still a father and a husband.
Leaving aside Seo Jeong-hee, who was filled with resentment towards him, wasn't he a reasonably good father to Shin Yujung?
How sad would she be to see her father being lambasted by public opinion?
At the end of those thoughts, he resolved.
To bear it all himself and push forward like a bulldozer.
"Though we've overcome many twists and turns, only one truth remains between her and me. That we cherish and love each other more than life itself."
He didn't lighten the burden with all the circumstances.
Nor did he glorify the affair with flowery rhetoric.
"I don't know how heavy the responsibility that comes with it will be, but I will gladly bear it all."
He simply vowed to fully take responsibility for his choice.
In fact, that was enough.
If he was going to bear all the responsibility and live with it, what more could anyone say?
"I'm quite tired, having just returned. I'll conclude the interview here."
After politely bowing to the reporters, he exited the airport.
Now, it was truly time to put a period on their fate.