Chapter 75: Jiyong’s Awakening

Hochang hadn’t recklessly thrown his son, Jiyong, into the dungeon without a plan.

Even though he was still considered an ordinary person, once he had been designated as a Hunter Candidate, the world no longer treated him as a mere civilian.

He was now seen as a prospective Hunter.

‘It makes sense…’

The moment someone enters a dungeon and comes into contact with mana, they awaken as a Hunter. Of course, there are several conditions. One must have been recognized as a Hunter Candidate for over a year, and must absorb mana alone inside a dungeon.

Also, in case of unforeseen danger, a veteran Hunter needs to be standing by—right now, every condition was perfectly met.

Jiyong had passed the one-year mark since being designated a candidate this year.

At his side were Seho, the successor of the Sword Wind Guild, the veteran Hunter Hochang, and, as far as Hochang knew, Jinwoo, who had plenty of experience as a porter.

It was, in every sense, perfect timing.

Jiyong entered the dungeon as such, and as he went into the B-rank dungeon alone, he checked his surroundings. Here, the orcs were crowded together, much like goblins.

His body started to tremble. If those orcs were to charge at him now, he could die instantly.

And at that moment—

Just before Hochang, Seho, and Jinwoo entered after him, Jiyong awakened.

Paaat―!

Hochang’s trait was Martial Artist—a fighter who battles barehanded.

And his son, Jiyong, had inherited exactly the same trait.

[Martial Arts (C+)]

Awakened as a C+ grade Hunter from the start.

Not a bad beginning. The moment he sensed his son’s awakening as soon as they entered the dungeon, Hochang grinned from ear to ear. Jiyong’s fists and forearms had grown noticeably thicker—something all Hunters with the Martial Artist trait shared as a passive skill.

As they fight with bare hands, it was natural for the passive skill that toughens their skin to be activated.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I’m a C+ grade Hunter now, Dad.”

“Truly, congratulations.”

A brief but heartfelt celebration.

Though his words were short, Hochang’s expression was full of pride.

He’d known Jiyong would awaken as a Hunter, but hadn’t expected him to inherit the same trait.

Besides, while he’d started at C+ grade, Jiyong was still just a high school student. From a father’s perspective, there was no way not to feel proud.

Moreover, starting at C+ rather than C meant his potential was immense.

‘I worried that after Jiyong awakened as a Hunter, he wouldn’t be able to find his own path and might end up in danger.’

He’d feared Jiyong might get into trouble as an inexperienced Hunter or lose to monsters in battle.

But after discovering that Jiyong had awakened the Martial Artist trait, those worries faded away.

Hochang himself had reached A-grade with that trait—he was confident he could protect his son from any danger.

Since Jiyong had awakened the same trait as him, he could now pass down all his experience without reserve.

“Today is a special day.”

Hochang muttered quietly. Wasn’t this the entrance test for the Sword Wind Guild—a group with a free but warm-hearted atmosphere he’d always wanted to join—and his first raid together with his son?

There was no way he would let such a special day be ruined.

Hochang leapt, almost as if showing off his strength to his son. He’d always wanted to show at least once how his father could shine.

Everyone wants to show their brightest side to the person they love the most.

He soared and landed in the midst of the orc horde. Dozens of orcs rushed at him.

Jinwoo still couldn’t forget the raid he’d joined as Hochang’s porter. He’d quietly carried baggage for many Hunters, but Hochang was one of those who left a particularly strong impression.

‘Of course, it wasn’t just his personality or the way he talked—the real impact was his skill.’

(Anonymous 1): Is that so? But at the end of the day, he’s still a regular Hunter.

(Returnee from the Demon Realm): Being an A-grade Hunter with the Martial Artist trait is proof of overwhelming talent.

(Anonymous 1): Still, he’s just a regular Hunter.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Jinwoo is a regular Hunter too, though?

(Anonymous 1): Come on, Jinwoo could beat you in a fight, easy.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): You’re just siding with Jinwoo because you think of him as your disciple, aren’t you? Jinwoo probably doesn’t even consider you his mentor.

While Anonymous 1, feeling irked by Yuto’s comments, fired off various messages in the chat—

Thud―!

The chat of the Constellations halted, silence falling. It was because of the scene of Hochang fighting dozens of orcs.

Hunters with the Martial Artist trait fought without any weapons—no shields or swords—just their bodies.

There was something primal in watching them.

No weapons, no fancy techniques—just overwhelming combat through fists, footwork, and body movement.

It was a demonstration of true strength, and watching it brought incredible excitement to the viewers.

And Hochang was the best of the best at this kind of fighting.

The orcs brandished daggers, stabbing in unison from every direction.

Utilizing his trait, which made his skin as tough as steel, Hochang brushed away the blades and used a skill to increase his arm muscle mass.

His already thick forearms became even thicker, and those powerful fists shot out, short and crisp.

Tok―!

Like a flyweight boxing champion delivering a jab, his fists flew at blinding speed.

His heavy punches struck out rapidly and returned, and in an instant, ten orcs standing together collapsed, unconscious. Not a single drop of blood was spilled—they simply fell like dominoes.

(Anonymous 1): …He’s not just a regular Hunter, after all.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): That’s insane.

(Father of Crops): But why aren’t those monsters bleeding?

(Returnee from the Demon Realm): Looks like the shock penetrated inside. He struck bone, not flesh.

(Liberated Swordsman): No blood flows, but the insides of those orcs must be shattered.

(Endless Wait): He probably held back on purpose, so his punches wouldn’t draw blood in front of his son.

(Last Blacksmith): I’d like to make him a wrist guard as a gift. If my item was added to that power… what a synergy that would be.

(Water Deity of Cheongha): It’s not just that he’s strong… he makes fighting look fun.

Jinwoo nodded. Hochang’s fighting was captivating. It inspired primal excitement, catharsis, dopamine—all at once.

He dodged flying knives and punches with a few subtle head movements, light and efficient. Then, stepping forward, he planted his lead foot right in front of an orc’s.

Tok―!

With a short punch, he blew the orc’s head back, then twisted his waist and rear foot as he eyed the orcs rushing in behind.

Puh-ung―!

The basic boxing technique—one-two.

Anyone could try it, but the true essence of a weighted punch was found in the one-two. Hochang channeled the strength from his powerful core and legs into his back fist, and with just a few light one-twos, he cleared the first phase on his own.

Just one orc remained before the second phase would begin.

Hochang turned to the awestruck Jiyong and spoke.

“Want to try taking this one?”

“…Yes.”

Though it was his first time as a Hunter, Jiyong had trained in martial arts from before. After watching his father’s raid, he realized that a Martial Artist’s raid was not so different from ordinary martial arts.

Hochang’s fighting style was like watching a boxing champion.

Jiyong recalled his father’s movements as he approached the orc.

He checked his few available skills, then activated [Diamond Body], a growth-type skill currently at C grade.

The passive skill toughened his skin, and with Diamond Body on top of that, his whole body felt like flexible steel.

The orc’s dagger flew at him at high speed.

He’d thought orcs would be slow and that he could take it easy, but standing face to face, his nerves were stretched tight, and the attack was far quicker than he’d expected, making him flustered.

Still, Jiyong calmly evaded the blade.

‘Orcs are known for their high defense. I’m not Dad, so beating it with my fists will be tough.’

If he couldn’t win with strikes alone, he’d win on the ground. Jiyong lightly knocked the orc’s sword aside with his hardened hand. He knew the orc was stronger than him right now, so he didn’t try to parry but rather brushed it away, just enough.

“That’s it!”

Hochang shouted in approval.

(Water Deity of Cheongha): There’s a saying: ‘Blood can’t be deceived.’ The son has inherited the father’s talent. Their movements have the same flow—smooth and wave-like.

After brushing away the sword, Jiyong naturally swung his leg.

He targeted the lower shin with a relentless calf kick to build up damage.

‘Damn. I’m the one kicking, but my own shin is aching.’

Still, he figured the orc would feel it too. Jiyong dodged the next attack, which nearly grazed him—dangerously close.

He narrowly avoided it, rolling to the ground and grabbing the orc’s leg in the process. Pressing hard on the spot he’d kicked before, he toppled the orc and locked in a joint technique.

He burned through his remaining mana to use a skill that increased his muscle mass.

Crack, crack, crun―ch!!

A chilling sound of bones echoed.

[You have gained experience!]

Jiyong had successfully hunted his first monster.

(Anonymous 1): He’s got talent.

(God of Rain and Sunlight): Damn, that was cool.

(Water Deity of Cheongha): Now that’s a man.

(Liberated Swordsman): He really brought out the charm of the Martial Artist.

(Endless Wait): Yeah.

(Father of Crops): I’m going to start shadow boxing from tomorrow to build up strength, you guys better be ready!!

(Returnee from the Demon Realm): That kid, Jiyong, will make a great Hunter.

“How was that?”

Jinwoo asked Seho.

He was asking how Hochang and Jiyong looked.

“Hunter Kim Hochang is a guaranteed pass. With that much skill, our guild should be fighting to recruit him.”

Seho smiled in satisfaction. Hochang was definitely someone worth bringing in with a good offer. The fact that he was friends with Jinwoo meant he was trustworthy as well.

‘I’m a businessman, so if I look at this objectively…’

Hochang was worth bringing in with a strong offer, but there was no need to go overboard and raise the terms unnecessarily. There was nothing to gain from revealing all his cards from the start.

He had to bring Hochang in on the most reasonable terms possible.

Seho even decided to bring in Jiyong, Hochang’s son.

At that moment, as he sensed the beginning of the second phase, Seho prepared to join the raid alongside Jinwoo.

Jinwoo drew his sword, and both Seho and even Hochang watched with curious expressions.

*****

[The dungeon has been cleared!]

Having finished the raid quickly together with Jinwoo, Seho approached Hochang.

Hochang was still lost in the lingering excitement from Jinwoo’s performance.

“…Jinwoo, what have you been up to all this time?”

“Haha, thank you for the kind words.”

As Hochang sent him a respectful gaze, Jinwoo simply brushed it off.

It was Seho who tidied up the situation, which might have grown awkward.

“Shall we draw up a preliminary contract first?”

“Sounds good.”

Seho aggressively moved to recruit Hochang, and Jinwoo watched the process with interest.

“We’re planning a new project to gather promising young Hunters and nurture them safely. Think of it as a youth development program, like a soccer team’s youth system, but more systematic—growing them through organized raids.”

“…!”

“I’d like to bring your son into that project. Both father and son would sign with the Sword Wind Guild.”

The contract naturally shifted to include his son as well. For a parent who wanted nothing more than their child’s success, even if the personal terms were a little lacking, it would be hard to refuse.

Moreover, the salary for both Jiyong and Hochang was not insignificant, and the basic benefits at the Sword Wind Guild were good, so Hochang nodded.

A contract where Seho, Hochang, and even Jiyong all won.

Seeing this, Jinwoo’s jaw dropped.

‘No wonder he’s the successor.’