Chapter 3
The auditorium where the orientation was being held felt like a completely different world.
Even though the commotion outside had happened just moments ago, every seat inside was already filled, and the only thing in the air was lively chatter.
I barely found an empty seat and squeezed through the rows of chairs to sit down. Still rubbing my tingling fingers with my other hand, I looked around quietly.
Why do I feel like I’m the only one alone here…?
Everyone else seemed to already be chatting in groups of two or three.
While someone had been outside killing that giant maggot, these people had already started making friends.
It almost made me want to cry a little.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” puffs out its chest proudly, saying that since it’s here, there’s nothing to worry about.]
I felt a little sorry for the Guardian, but realistically that kind of comfort didn’t help much.
As the murmuring grew louder with time, a middle-aged man finally stepped onto the stage and picked up the microphone.
“Please quiet down.”
With that one sentence, the auditorium gradually fell silent.
“First, let me introduce myself. I am Choi Gi-seok, the head of academic affairs in charge of today’s orientation. If you experience any inconvenience or have suggestions during your time at the academy, please feel free to speak to me. Once again, congratulations to all of you on your admission to Raon National Special Academy.”
After he finished explaining the orientation schedule, the formal greetings finally ended.
But that didn’t mean everyone felt happy.
Apparently I wasn’t the only one who felt uneasy, judging from the expressions of the students.
“Ugh, why do we have another test?”
“Exactly. I gained five kilos after the application test.”
Complaints filled with frustration could be heard around me.
The reason was simple: after lunch, there would be a basic physical fitness test.
I ignored the surrounding noise and absentmindedly picked at my thumbnail.
Am I seriously going to end up as a total loner here?
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” strongly recommends showing overwhelming skill compared to the other awakened ones and becoming popular.]
I really don’t want to risk my life just for that…
Maybe it would actually be easier to just stay alone here.
At least I wouldn’t have to worry about others if an emergency happened.
I was just finishing that bit of self-justification when—
A screen above the stage lit up.
The academy logo appeared, and cheerful background music played briefly.
The information that followed was predictable.
It showed the background of the academy’s founding, views of the campus, the curriculum, and of course the history of the Association and the role of guilds.
Then something appeared that made me shudder.
The ideal team composition they were promoting.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” slams its greatsword onto the ground, saying this is far too obvious!]
Hey! Even so, you shouldn’t throw something that valuable!
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” says it was just a low-grade weapon the contractor nearly broke once anyway, and tosses it into a recycling box.]
…What exactly doesn’t exist in that place?
Honestly, the dimension where constellations live is somewhere I’d love to visit at least once before I die.
Taking a quiet breath, I returned my attention to the screen.
Long ago, the Association’s preferred strategy focused on a combination of long-range dealers and supporters.
In other words, an archer with a wide field of vision supported by a healer or buffer behind them.
Just then, a dramatic sound effect played and the text disappeared.
A flashy action video began.
“The video you are seeing now is a test training session of a guild composed only of long-range dealers and supporters—without a tank position or warrior class leading the front.”
Everyone in the hall focused immediately.
Even I couldn’t look away.
Countless arrows rained down from the sky.
Agile movements that struck quickly and retreated just as fast—those were the strengths of the archer class.
And instead of staying behind, they were actually charging forward while using those strengths.
Because of that, the support hunters in the video were never targeted even once.
Whenever a monster tried to shift its attention elsewhere, the ranged dealers immediately pulled the aggro back with concentrated attacks.
“Wow… look how light their movements are.”
“That’s awesome. Is that guild still active? I want to join.”
I secretly bit my lip.
What was missing from that scene wasn’t just a class.
The warrior who should have been there—
that was me.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” gently pats the contractor’s back, saying there will surely be a chance to prove your worth.]
I couldn’t actually feel anything on my back.
But this time, I decided to accept the comfort anyway.
After that, more boring text scrolled across the screen.
When the screen finally turned white, the lights in the auditorium gradually came back on.
Soon the familiar voice from the stage spoke again.
“As mentioned earlier, the basic physical fitness test will begin after lunch. Please eat freely and gather in the gymnasium at the designated time.”
As soon as the microphone turned off, the room became noisy again.
I watched people stand up one by one from their seats.
Planning to leave once the crowd thinned out a bit, I stayed seated for a while.
After staring at my phone screen for no reason, I suddenly lifted my head.
Someone caught my attention.
Is that person an introvert too?
Because most people had rushed out, the figure sitting alone near the auditorium window stood out clearly.
That’s some serious efficiency and preparation.
Despite the empty seats around him, the man calmly stayed where he was, eating something he had brought.
Damn… if I had known, I would’ve brought bread too.
My stomach had been growling for a while now.
Eventually I stood up.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” cautiously suggests that since the other awakened one also seems like a loner, maybe you could become lunch friends.]
Guardian, you must have forgotten—I’m very shy. My personality type is triple-A level. Don’t expect things like that.
Walking through the rows of chairs, I checked my phone again.
There were only 50 minutes left.
If I wanted to digest before the fitness test, I didn’t have much time.
Ah… the biggest problem is…
What should I eat?
After leaving the auditorium, I paused.
Ding!
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” says the true staple food of Koreans must be spicy pork stir-fry, and reviews the list of good restaurants in Apgujeong it already searched.]
Whoa.
Guardian, you’re approved.
* * *
Lunch break passed quickly.
The freshmen gathered in the gymnasium, whispering among themselves while observing the situation.
If someone saw this, they’d think we were physical education majors.
Equipment like vaulting boxes and mats had been set up.
Nearby, staff wearing red caps stood waiting with tablets and stopwatches.
Since the order of events had already been decided, the freshmen—including me—moved in an orderly line following the instructions.
While squatting and observing others take their turns, my name was finally called.
“Next, Ju Ha-ryeong!”
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” places its hands on the contractor’s shoulders and tells you not to overthink it.]
Of course I couldn’t actually feel anything.
Still, imagining it helped a little.
I stood up, rolling my shoulders and loosening both ankles.
The first event was the 100-meter sprint.
Despite trying to control my mind until now, the moment I stood at the starting line my nerves suddenly spiked.
I took a deep breath—
Bang!
At the faint gunshot, I pushed off and ran.
When I reached the middle, I leaned my upper body forward.
My foot slipped slightly and my posture broke for a moment.
As a result, I achieved a perfectly average record.
“Ju Ha-ryeong, 11.39 seconds.”
For an ordinary person, that would be impressive.
But for a hunter using abilities, it was considered slow.
“Ha… thank goodness.”
Which is why I even heard comments like this as I moved to the next event.
Relieved, I let out a quiet sigh.
But this was only the beginning.
Many tests still remained.
The evaluations continued.
After finishing everything that resembled middle- and high-school fitness tests, only the final event remained.
I walked to the end of the line and sat down on the floor.
Suddenly, cheers erupted ahead.
“No way—he hit that?!”
As people stood up and blocked my view, curiosity got the better of me.
I stood up too and leaned forward to see.
One man stood out clearly.
Something about him…
He looked strangely familiar.
At that moment, he placed another arrow on the bowstring and slightly turned his head toward my direction.
Oh—it’s the guy from this morning.
But what was that just now?
His lips moved before being hidden by the bowstring.
Did he just say something?
Ding!
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” says after rewinding the scene, it interprets the words as “Watch carefully.”]
You have a replay function too?
No—this isn’t the important part right now.
While I was briefly talking with the constellation, his turn had already ended.
Soon it was my turn.
I walked forward and picked up the bow placed in front of me.
It was surprisingly light.
This is actually a problem.
How much strength should I use?
If I had known this would happen, I would have practiced using other weapons more often.
Remembering the man’s posture from earlier, I slowly drew the bowstring.
Why is this so weak too?
Honestly, it wasn’t easy to copy just by watching.
Since I couldn’t figure out how much force to use, my trembling wrist sent the arrow wobbling through the air.
The target in front of me was moving faster and faster.
But instead of hitting it, my arrows kept flying in the wrong direction.
“Even a buffer like me could do better than that.”
A mocking laugh came from behind.
Grinding my teeth, I pulled the last arrow.
And failed again.
[The Constellation “Guardian of Tae-won” says you might need a second job as an actor, praising your unexpected talent.]
That wasn’t acting, okay?
“Ha…”
With a heavy heart, I took my final score sheet and left the gymnasium.
As I paused to look down at the paper—
A shadow suddenly fell over one side of my shoulder.
Then a casual voice spoke.
“Wow. It’s really rare to see scores like this.”
