WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Dionysus

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◈ Xianxia Cultivation with a Dragon Heart ◈

Chapter 22: After Completing the Practicum

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Beyond the terminal building, which served as a kind of gatehouse, lay the inner area.

Once they entered the actual Rift Zone, Han Yujin was met with a truly unique sight.

The first thing that naturally drew the eye was the Rifts scattered throughout the area at considerable intervals.

True to their name, they looked like cracks in empty space. Including the holes at their centers, they gave off a faint rainbow glow that immediately caught the eye.

At least four or five Hunters were stationed beside each Rift like guards. There were likely additional personnel inside, while bus-sized campers, trucks loaded with equipment, and tents turned the areas around the Rifts into temporary camps.

A few Rifts seemed to have simply been left alone. Blue signs indicating that clearing had been completed stood beside markers showing their grade and number, clearly visible even from a distance.

Most were likely places with no further danger or resources to collect, left to disappear naturally, or retained for research and experiments.

Ninety-nine point nine percent of Rifts formed over solid ground. The prevailing theory was that this was because there was land inside Rifts as well, and the two sides had a tendency to connect.

'They say the remaining zero point one percent form in the air or underwater, then quickly collapse and disappear.'

Han Yujin continued observing the scene.

The barren ground was covered in the scars of battle, uneven marks apparently left by bullets, bombs, or superpowers.

When he looked farther away, he could see part of the concertina-wire zone surrounding the entire Rift Zone. Beyond that stood sections of reinforced concrete walls, including watchtowers capable of unleashing heavy firepower.

“This way.”

The administrative officer moved as though such scenery was familiar. Naturally, they arrived before the E-rank Rift where the practicum would take place.

Hanseong Guild, belonging to Hanseong Corporation, held the clearing rights, and the active Hunter safety personnel helping with this practicum were members of that guild.

“Check your equipment one more time. When passing through the Rift...”

An elderly instructor stood before around twenty seated students, giving final instructions. While speaking, they briefly glanced at Han Yujin's group, drawing everyone else's attention as well.

A few Hanseong Guild members nearby greeted the administrative officer, apparently recognizing them.

The Hanseong Guild's practicum and Rift-clearing force consisted of twelve people, excluding two scouts. They would form three teams of four.

Each team had one defender, one ranged attacker, one melee attacker, and one healer. These roles were also called tanks, ranged DPS, melee DPS, and healers.

It was excessive manpower for an E-rank Rift, but it was understandable as a measure for the students' safety.

“You can leave things like smartphones here. As you know, they break when you pass through a Rift.”

Following the official in charge's guidance, Han Yujin organized his belongings under a tent and waited for a while.

“Enter!”

With the Hanseong Guild scouts taking the lead after completing all preparations, they began entering the Rift. Even though the scouts had likely inspected it once already, they followed standard procedure.

'It is a real situation, even if it is only an E-rank Rift.'

Han Yujin crossed through the Rift before the students.

Everything, including this place, was new to him, so he felt a little awkward. Still, he would quickly grow used to it after going through it a few times.

* * *

The sensation of passing through a Rift could not be called comfortable, even as a polite lie.

It felt as though he were forcing his way through a violent current. Since the supernatural impact lasted for more than ten seconds, it made sense that electronic devices would break.

Stories that even analog watches sometimes stopped working did not seem to be lies after all.

The impact of crossing a Rift affected not only electronic devices but also sensitive explosives such as gunpowder, causing all sorts of accidents. Non-Awakened people apparently had a much harder time enduring it as well.

In any case.

The interior was a forest filled with strangely shaped trees. Still, compared to the primeval forest Han Yujin had visited before, it was pitifully sparse. It was easy to see ahead, and not especially difficult for people to move through.

The practicum proceeded strictly according to the Hanseong Guild Hunters' instructions. The atmosphere was extremely stern, as though they would tolerate no accidents at all, and the students were visibly nervous.

“Why did only around twenty students come?”

Han Yujin suddenly thought of something and quietly asked the administrative officer.

“The Rift is too large to clear in a day. That means the practicum can be conducted in rotations over several days. It could be difficult and dangerous to control everyone if too many came at once.”

“Ah.”

“You don't seem nervous at all.”

Han Yujin reflexively shook his head at the administrative officer's smiling remark.

“Of course I am. I'm a little nervous.”

“It is good to be suitably nervous.”

Though the administrative officer did not seem convinced, he said so anyway. It sounded like a very indirect warning that one must never let one's guard down in a real situation.

“Three small wolf-type creatures ahead! Team Two, forward!”

At that moment, a moderately tense warning came from the front, drawing everyone's attention.

Rather than sending in the trainees immediately, they seemed to intend for the students to watch a few battles first. Three hairless wolf-like monsters the size of large dogs bared their teeth as they approached Hanseong Guild's Team Two.

The principle that animals became extremely vicious when their territory was invaded seemed to apply even within a Rift. Despite being clearly outnumbered, the creatures did not run. Instead, they charged bravely.

They were then mercilessly slaughtered by Hanseong Guild's Team Two.

A beam of light accompanied by a flash tore one wolf monster apart. Another was stopped by a shield of special material before having its head smashed into pulp by a mace. The last was cleanly beheaded by a longsword.

The light beam was one thing, but Han Yujin's attention was drawn to the Hunters using shields, maces, and longswords. As someone accustomed to spells, he found their physical combat even more thrilling and dynamic.

'They seem to have physical enhancement abilities, and perhaps an acceleration ability as well.'

Below a certain level, a fast and powerful body was an extremely threatening force. In particular, the Hunter using the longsword had an unusual sharpness in their blade. It did not seem to be simply because the weapon was good.

“What rank is that melee Hunter?”

Han Yujin lowered his voice as much as possible, worried that the Hunter might hear. The administrative officer glanced at the Hunter with the longsword before replying.

“They're B-rank. That's Hunter Shin Hancheol, a person famous for swordsmanship.”

“Ah, no wonder.”

A similar battle took place once more afterward. He did not know about the Rift as a whole, but wolf-type monsters seemed to make up the majority of creatures in this forest.

Only then did the students finally step forward. They were clearly tense, but they did not seem particularly intimidated or flustered when facing monsters trying to kill them.

Han Yujin admired the Hunter vocational school students, but he also felt a little regretful.

It was not their skills that disappointed him. He simply regretted that he had yet to reach the Dharma Soul Stage and gain Divine Sense, so he could not examine their Spiritual Roots.

Meanwhile, one student was said to possess a B-rank awakened ability. The student fired several masses of jet-black energy shaped vaguely like hands, turning three charging wolf monsters into bloody pulp alone. The ground was gouged out, and one tree was smashed down as a bonus.

The looks directed at that student were noticeably different, as though they were the outstanding pupil with the brightest future among the others.

'Perhaps they are even more sensitive to hierarchy.'

From their mid to late teens, they possessed abilities clearly distinguished by rank and received treatment proportional to that rank. Han Yujin did not know whether that would be good for education.

Of course, it probably posed no major problem for the goal of raising exceptional Hunters.

Then, finally.

It was Han Yujin's turn.

When he stepped forward, one Hanseong Guild healer extended a hand as before, preparing for any emergency.

The Hunter possessed defensive abilities in addition to healing abilities and appeared able to place a transparent protective barrier around a target. Considering that other Hunters would intervene in an emergency, there was little chance of anyone getting hurt.

Of course, Han Yujin would be fine without their help.

“Two small wolf-type creatures ahead!”

Han Yujin had already noticed the creatures approaching with Spirit Vision Art before the call came. The moment they came within suitable range, he cast Flame Projectile Art and fired.

Though it could be described as throwing it, the mass of flame shot out far faster than his hand moved. Before the creatures could react, it created a flash and explosion.

KWA-KWA-BOOM!!

Ferocious flames surged amid the powerful blast. Nearby trees instantly turned to ash and collapsed in heaps, making the terrifying destructive power all the more visible.

“Whoa...”

One Hunter behind him let out the sound without meaning to.

While everyone looked at Han Yujin in surprise and admiration, rather than enjoy their attention, he focused on a vague sensation he had detected from killing the wolf-type monsters.

'Karma.'

There was no doubt. It was an extremely abstract and mysterious energy that he could feel through his awakened ability.

Killing other living beings was certainly a good way to accumulate Karma quickly. Living beings and Karma were inseparably connected.

Of course, if killing was good for accumulating Karma, then saving lives should likewise accumulate similar Karma.

However, in modern society, there were not many cases where he could fully save another living being through his own power alone.

Seriously ill patients would not simply fall into Han Yujin's lap. And if someone were that ill, his Healing Art, which was only rated C-rank, might not be enough to save them.

Things might be different later, but for now, Rift Clearing as a Hunter was the fastest and most reliable option.

“Would it be all right if I keep doing this?”

“Of course.”

When Han Yujin quietly asked a nearby Hunter, the man who was both Team One's leader and the raid leader immediately nodded.

After that, whenever they encountered monsters, Han Yujin's Flame Projectile Art shot out and destroyed them instantly.

KABOOM!!

KRRRUMBLE!!

Flashes and thunderous blasts erupted, and every monster that approached died as though it had evaporated without leaving a trace. The raid leader stepped back for a moment, and Han Yujin faintly heard the conversation with the administrative officer.

“There is no point in that person doing a practicum, is there? It would probably be the same even in a D-rank Rift.”

“They're a prospective A-rank Hunter.”

Elsewhere, the elderly instructor leading the students could not hide their admiration. The instructor did not merely admire Han Yujin, but approached and asked a question.

“Excuse me, but how many more times can you use that attack?”

“In my current condition... conservatively speaking, I should be able to use it around forty more times without difficulty.”

“Huh... South Korea will have another A-rank Hunter. You may even grow into an S-rank Hunter. I am Kim Hakman. What is your name?”

Han Yujin did not know why the instructor had seemingly thrown aside the task of supervising students to suddenly socialize, but he was simply happy and satisfied. He readily answered and became acquainted with the instructor.

The Hunter vocational school instructor was not the only one approaching to speak with him. In fact, the gazes of the Hanseong Guild Hunters were even more telling.

Recruiting a powerful Hunter, especially a super rookie who had only just begun their practicum, would be a major benefit in many ways. Simply going on raids together would be reassuring.

“This is insane...”

“If that hit me, I'd die instantly, right?”

“Even the instructor would go down in one hit, wouldn't they?”

The students' awestruck whispers that occasionally reached him made Han Yujin feel even more pleased with himself. He had to work hard not to show it.

Then, right at that moment.

“One medium boar-type creature ahead!”

The slightly tense call made everyone focus. Of course, Han Yujin, who had Spirit Vision Art active, had already seen it approaching from a distance.

The creature snorted as though provoked by all the noise they had made. Honestly, it resembled a rhinoceros more than a boar. Its size was one reason, though its furry hide and tusks still gave it the feel of a boar.

Squeeeal...!!

When it began charging with a sharp cry that echoed through the forest, the ground trembled slightly and trees in its path snapped like dry stalks. It was quite threatening.

Just as the Hanseong Guild Hunters were about to step forward, Han Yujin fired a Flame Projectile Art that he had completed with a little more power.

It shone far more brilliantly than before as it struck the head of the creature that looked somewhere between a boar and a rhinoceros.

FWOOM, BOOM!!

A somewhat different blast rang out. The creature's own spiritual energy had interfered with it, but that was nowhere near enough to withstand Han Yujin's spell.

Amid the explosion of flames and surging fire, the monster fell and rolled across the ground, its head and upper chest utterly destroyed. It was so large that even the sight of it rolling around was spectacular.

Sizzle...!

The sound of blood evaporating in the heat gradually faded, while the rising heat quickly scattered into the air in wavering haze. Because the creature had been so large, the blackened burn marks across its wounds were clearly visible.

He caught a faint smell of meat that had cooked beyond roasting and begun to burn.

Han Yujin smiled as he felt the Karma accumulating in a definitely greater quantity than it had from the wolf-type monsters.

* * *

Naturally, the practicum ended safely without incident.

Just as Han Yujin had hoped, the administrative officer determined that he did not need to undergo any further practicums.

However, Han Yujin wanted to attend the next one as well.

After roughly calculating the timing, he realized that he would not be able to begin Hunter activities until he completed preliminary training anyway. The next practicum was scheduled during that training period.

A speck added to a speck was still only a speck, but if he had no choice but to spend that time idle, it was better to kill a few more monsters and accumulate Karma.

The administrative officer naturally accepted such a “humble” request.

There was another factor as well.

The next practicum would be conducted with the help of another famous guild rather than Hanseong Guild. If he could become acquainted with them in advance and show them his abilities, it would be more advantageous when he entered the market and signed a contract later.

This was not merely wishful thinking. In Han Yujin's pocket was a business card handed to him by Hanseong Guild's raid leader, along with sincere words that the raid leader definitely wanted to work with him in the future.

“Thank you both again today.”

“It is nothing. This is my job.”

“Go home and get plenty of rest!”

Once again, the administrative officer drove him home. After thanking the officer and saying goodbye to the official in charge, Han Yujin cheerfully headed to his studio apartment.

Even after arriving, using Purification Art instead of washing, changing his clothes, and sitting in his computer chair out of habit, he still felt half as though he were floating.

'The time when I can truly begin Hunter activities is not far away now.'

Something that had seemed like a dream only a short while ago was close enough to grasp. No one could help feeling excited in such a situation.

After enjoying that pleasant feeling for a little longer, he finally calmed down and remembered the final thing he had to do that day. He needed to check the investigation report.

The report sent by email was longer and more thorough than he had expected. Of course, since it was only the first day, it did not contain any particularly important information.

After spending more time reading the report, he finally finished everything and lay down on his bed.

'It is about time to look for a world where I can practice spells.'

It did not necessarily have to be for spell practice. A world where he could learn Formation Array Arts, alchemy, or talisman crafting would also be good. It would be difficult to succeed immediately, but he planned to keep trying until he found a suitable world.

'I do not intend to stay for too long. As long as I do not become detached from reality... I would be satisfied if I could stay for only a week or two...'

Thinking over what kind of wish he should use to fix the Door, he fell asleep.

Soon afterward.

Han Yujin regained consciousness in the Waiting Area amid dark emptiness. With practiced ease, he gathered everything he would need, including the Five Elements Sword, Spirit-Liquid Flask, and Storage Pouch.

He then went before the ever-changing Door and spent a long time with his eyes closed, deep in thought.

Then, at some point.

His outstretched hand touched the Door, and its form settled. It was a sturdy iron door with several dharma patterns glowing across its surface.

- Thousand Origin City Frontline World.

'A Frontline World?'

The name suggested a world that served as a front line in a war, with a fortress called Thousand Origin City.

Judging from the form of its name, it seemed likely to be a cultivation civilization world. If an entire world served as a front line, he could also infer that the war was unimaginably dangerous.

'I wished to practice spells and learn alchemy and the like... Naturally, the Door has fixed on a cultivation civilization world.'

At the same time, a place serving as a front line might offer opportunities proportional to its dangers.

In any case, he could not judge without going. With resolve in his heart, Han Yujin pushed open the iron door and stepped inside.

“Aaaah...!”

“Here... Help us here...!”

Before he could even glimpse the disappearing Door, the smell of burning and heat struck him from every direction. A faint smell of blood lingered in the air, while cries of pain filled the surroundings.

There seemed to have been a large and intense battle just before his arrival.

The enormous, magnificent city walls looked as though they had been built by giants, but they had been shattered in places. People pinned beneath all kinds of debris and the corpses of terrifyingly huge monsters were not difficult to find. Judging from their clothing and the energy he could sense, they were all cultivators.

It was his first time seeing cultivators other than himself. At the same time, it was also his first time seeing cultivators like himself lying dead like rubbish along the roadside.

“Hey, you!”

Someone suddenly called out to Han Yujin in an angry voice as he blankly looked around. When he turned, a fierce-eyed, heavily bearded middle-aged cultivator was glaring at him.

“Move it already!”

“Ah, yes...!”

The middle-aged cultivator gave off an aura at least at the Dharma Soul Stage. That meant they were a powerhouse capable of slaughtering more than ten Entry Stage cultivators like Han Yujin as easily as sheep.

Han Yujin moved without even knowing what he was supposed to do. Fortunately, he had developed the ability to read the room during military service, and quickly joined the rescue efforts to avoid drawing hostile looks.

Then he noticed a cultivator's corpse with its entire upper body blown away.

Someone had apparently already taken anything like a Storage Pouch. However, the jade token serving as identification and hanging from the corpse's belt remained intact.

'Byeong 127th Company, Private. Yeon Biwon of the Yeon Clan, Eastern Silver Province.'

It seemed the cultivator had been Yeon Biwon of the Yeon Clan in Eastern Silver Province. Judging from the rank of private, his cultivation had likely not been very high.

Thinking it was an identity perfectly suited to him, Han Yujin naturally took the jade token and attached it to his own belt. Naturally, his clothes had changed into something similar to the other cultivators' when he crossed over, so it did not look out of place.

'From now on, I am Yeon Biwon.'

As he thought this, he made plans inwardly.

He did not know what or how much he could learn on this dangerous and terrifying battlefield, but there would certainly be opportunities proportional to its danger.

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