01 - Exam & S***
*Beniamin's Perspective*
Clang!
A metal bucket slammed against the wall beside my head. I jolted awake, straw sticking to my face.
"Hey! Wake up!" The innkeeper loomed over me, her voice sharp as a dagger. "You paid for the night, not the day. Out!"
"What…?" I rubbed my eyes, still half-drowned in exhaustion.
"Are you still asleep?" She yanked the threadbare blanket off me. "Out, or I'll toss you out!"
"No, no, I'm going… geez." I stumbled to my feet, my stomach growling like a feral cat. Hungry again. Perfect.
As I shuffled into the streets, a blue window materialized:
*[New Mission: Hunt 3 F-Ranked Beasts]*
*Time Limit:* 2 days
*Reward:* Passive Skill – Regeneration (F)
*Penalty:* Death
"Do I even have an option? This shitty system," I muttered.
*[Function Unlocked: Status Window]*
"Oh, that's more like it. Thank you, O'mighty god!" I rolled my eyes. "Let's see… Status."
A translucent sheet flickered to life:
*Name:* Beniamin
*STR:* 1
*STA:* 1
*INT:* 0.2
*LUCK:* 3
I blinked. "Ooh, that's pretty good!" Then reality hit. "Wait… an average F-ranked beast has the same stats as me. That's terrible. I don't even have a weapon!"
My mind raced. That's why we're going gambling! Hehehe…
Then I patted my empty pockets. "Oh, right. I don't have money. Fuck."
---
*Ironclaw Guild – Lower District Branch*
The guild hall reeked of sweat and stale beer. Hunters clad in leather and chainmail eyed me as I walked in.
"Is that kid lost?" someone whispered.
"HEY KID!" A bearded man bellowed, slamming his tankard on the table. "ARE YOU LOST?"
"No, sir," I said, straightening my spine. "I'm here to register as a hunter." Already got punched once in the jaw. Let's not repeat that.
The man raised an eyebrow. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen, sir."
"Hah! Good luck, lad." He smirked, elbowing the woman beside him. "Bet two silver he passes?"
She snorted. "With that scrawny body? You're on."
I ignored them and approached the front desk. A stern-faced clerk peered down at me.
"Hello, madam. How do I register as a hunter?"
"Written test first. Then physical exam," she said, sliding a parchment toward me. "Payment in advance. One silver."
"Uh… can I pay later?"
Before she could reply, the bearded man tossed a silver coin onto the counter. "I'll cover the kid!"
"Thank you, sir!" I bowed, relief flooding me.
The clerk sighed. "Fine. Take the test."
---
*Written Exam – Question 3*
Identify the weaknesses of a Crimson-Tusked Boar.
I smirked. Crimson-Tusked Boar. F-ranked. Weakness: sensitive snout. Avoid frontal charges. I'd read this exact question in Magic & Stuff.
At least I'm not here with nothing.
---
*Status Check*
While waiting for results, I pulled up my stats again. *STR 1. STA 1. LUCK 3.*
Luck 3. Maybe that's why the veteran bet on me? Or maybe he just pitied me. Either way, I need that regeneration skill.
The clerk stamped my parchment. "Passed. Physical exam starts now."
I swallowed. Here goes nothing.
*Beniamin's Perspective*
The guild clerk led me to a rusted iron gate at the back of the hall. Behind it, I heard snarling. My palms sweat.
"Your exam," she said, tossing a key to a burly guard. "Kill a lower-level F-ranked beast. A demonized wolf cub."
I blinked. A wolf cub? Even I can handle that… right?
"Hey! Can I get a weapon?"
She gestured to a rack of battered arms. "Choose one. If you pass, you keep it."
The options: a chipped dagger, a sword with a cracked hilt, a greatsword too heavy to lift, a bow, and a crossbow rusted shut.
Crossbow? Can't even load it. Sword? I can't even swing it properly. I grabbed the dagger. "This'll do."
The guard smirked. "Good luck, kid."
The gate creaked open.
---
*The Wolf Cub*
The beast lunged before I registered its movement. Fast! It was the size of a large dog, but its eyes glowed venomous green, fangs dripping black saliva.
"Alright… just a dog," I muttered, gripping the dagger. Weakness: I forgot, why would I remember every detail?
It charged. I swung—missed. The dagger sliced air.
"Wolf bites him on arm."
"AUGH! GET OFF!" Pain exploded as its teeth sank into my forearm. I slammed it against the wall, but it clung like a rabid vise.
With my free hand, I stabbed blindly. The dagger plunged into its neck.
The wolf yelped, collapsing in a heap of matted fur and dark blood.
---
*Aftermath*
The guild clerk clapped slowly. "You passed. Welcome to the Ironclaw Guild. Everyone starts as F-rank. You can only take missions at your level—with exceptions."
I clutched my bleeding arm. "Great. Can I get some bandages?"
She sighed. "Urgh, come here. We can't let a member die on their first day."
A healer slapped a poultice on the wound. It burned like acid.
"WHAT IS THIS, IT BURNS?!"
"Quit whining. It's disinfectant," she said. "Demonic bites rot flesh if untreated."
*[Achievement Unlocked: Official Hunter]*
*[Reward: Predator Gaze (F)]*
*[Description: Briefly reveals an enemy's weakness. Side effect: Target senses being observed.]*
"Ooh, thanks!" I grinned. Finally, a skill. Even if it came with a built-in "hey, I'm here" warning.
---
*The Veteran's Bet*
The bearded man from earlier clapped me on the back. "Told ya he'd pass!"
His companion grumbled, handing over two silver coins. "Lucky brat."
"Luck's a skill, old man," I shot back, flexing my bandaged arm.
The clerk shoved a wooden token into my hand. "Your guild tag. Don't lose it."
I glanced at the token: Beniamin – F-Rank. Quota: 4 missions/month.