**Chapter 4: Karma Index**
Hunter screening is conducted exclusively by the Hunter Bureau.
From where I live to the Hunter Bureau is approximately 20km.
It takes four hours on foot, and a taxi costs 22,000 won, but I have a mode of transportation that gets me there for a mere 1,500 won.
The citizen’s friend. The citizen’s palanquin.
B.M.W.
Bus, Metro, Walking.
I am currently traveling via the Metro.
To think I can traverse almost the entire city of Seoul for 1,550 won—could there be a more economical mode of transport?
However, aside from that...
"Mom, that guy is carrying a sword."
"Look away. Don't make eye contact!"
I suppose carrying a sword on public transport was a bit much.
I feel it every time; the gazes are excessively focused on me.
I can see why Hunters don't use public transportation.
After getting off at the station, it was another five-minute walk. I wondered how I would find the relevant department at the Bureau, but it became clear quickly.
"Oh, everyone is carrying swords."
Around the Bureau, I saw quite a few people carrying swords, spears, or guns.
They must be government agents or private Hunters.
I followed the Hunters heading toward the Bureau, and I soon found the department for Hunter registration, marked with a massive sign.
"What brings you here?"
"I'm here for the Hunter screening."
The official in the Hunter department glanced at me dismissively and shoved a stack of papers my way.
"Fill these out. Please prepare your resident registration certificate and submit them together."
They called it a screening for a Hunter license, but I confirmed it was less of a big deal than I thought.
Something about just getting scanned by a strange machine and being done with it?
I filled out the application for the Hunter license, submitted my resident registration certificate and the consent form for a criminal background check, and was sent running in circles.
【How frustrating! Just how long do you intend to keep running around like this? The work is sluggish, and they are lazy beyond belief!】
Black Heron couldn't hold back its indignation, but I just shrugged.
"They say our country is actually on the faster side compared to others."
【There are places slower than this? Do those idiots cut down trees to make their own paper for the forms?】
"I heard that in the neighboring country, you submit an application, wait three weeks for it to be mailed to your home, go back to apply for a measurement, and then wait another three weeks?"
【What kind of people are they?】
"Anyway, just wait. This is government work, so there’s a process."
Black Heron calmed down quite a bit once I told it I was getting a license to start working as a Hunter.
"But why do you keep craving blood? I heard you were a Cursed Object."
【Hmph! Inferior beings dare to treat this body as a mere Cursed Object? The purpose of a sword is to cut and kill. It must take blood and elevate its wielder to a position above all others.】
"I don't really need that."
【It is simply that your ambition is pathetic.】
Black Heron transmitted a heat that felt like it was boiling in my hand.
I could feel its obsession with strength and blood.
【It would not be a bad thing for you, either. If you absorb blood and acquire Karma, you, too, will become stronger. I can make you infinitely powerful.】
"Will I live a long and healthy life if I get stronger?"
【Again! Again! Stop looking at such trivial things and look at the bigger picture!】
Why does it keep telling me to look at the bigger picture?
The world is already too much to take in with just two eyes.
"Mr. Yoon Gaon, we will begin the physical examination."
The examination wasn't much.
Aside from weight, height, and age, it was just a basic health checkup.
After the physical examination was over.
"Yes, here is your Hunter license. And here is your welcome package: a gas mask, a filter, and a stab-proof vest. If they are damaged, you must replace them at your own expense."
"Uh... is this it?"
"No. I will now explain the precautions. You must clear one Hunter mission per week with your license, and if you fail to meet the quota, you will receive a warning message."
If I accumulate four warnings, my Hunter license will be revoked.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, that is all."
Walking out with my fresh Hunter license, I felt a mix of emotions.
Is this really okay?
It feels so haphazard.
【Are there no sparring sessions with an instructor or ability tests? I should have shown them the instructor's sword being sliced in two!】
Even Black Heron seemed to think the process was strange, tilting its metaphorical head.
In fact, it is widely known that Hunter licenses are handed out to just about anyone.
They say Hunters are treated as expendable supplies, shoved into Gates to catch monsters.
After all, you don't become a Hunter because you have some special ability or skill.
"There are Hunter academies, but I don't have the money to attend one."
In the end, to make money, I have to work as a Hunter.
I turned on the phone Park Do-kyung gave me.
I opened the Hunter Web as instructed and entered my license number to gain access.
The Hunter Web contained various pieces of information, and a welcome message popped up immediately.
[Level 0 Hunter Yoon Gaon, congratulations on joining the Hunter Web.]
Along with the welcome message, there were simple rules and regulations, which were incomparably more detailed than what the Bureau official had explained.
First, as a Level 0 Hunter, the missions I could accept were limited.
To level up, I need to awaken my magical power.
"So I need to awaken my magical power starting from Level 1. I think I've heard of that."
They say the Karma accumulated while working in the Dark Zone and hunting monsters is converted into magical power.
However, accumulating enough to use that power and reaching awakening depends on the individual.
"There's also information about Artifacts."
Magical items that can only be found in the Dark Zone and are the cause of Gate generation.
Artifacts, which possess their own magical power and exert special forces, are treated as extremely valuable items.
Of course, Cursed Objects that seduce and deceive their users are treated like ticking time bombs.
I checked the list of recommended missions I could perform.
[Level 0 Hunter Recommended Missions]
Geumamsan Decontamination
: Decontamination equipment provided. Personal items must be brought separately.
Gangbuk-gu Level 0 Dark Zone Sample Survey.
: Sample collection work after entering the Gate.
Contaminated Animal Removal.
: Search and kill contaminated stray cats. Deadline: Today.
Decontamination missions are quite familiar.
A Gate once opened near our orphanage, and the magical power that leaked out contaminated the environment.
I remember the workers scrubbing everything as if bleaching it with all sorts of chemicals.
Those people—they weren't just laborers; they were Hunters.
"This is a bit..."
Thinking about carrying a chemical tank on my back and running around the mountain, it doesn't seem easy.
Above all, I have a promise with Black Heron to see blood.
Contaminated animal removal is the job of eliminating animals eroded by magical power.
They say animals eroded by magical power can, if unlucky, turn into mutants that become stronger and larger.
The occasional news reports of mutants attacking residents must be because these contaminated animals weren't removed beforehand.
"Cats are a bit..."
I'm a cat person.
This isn't easy.
Naturally, the remaining candidate is...
[Gangbuk-gu Level 0 Dark Zone Sample Collection.]
A mission to enter the Dark Zone directly and collect samples.
Entering the Dark Zone is unsettling, but since they've determined the interior is safe, it shouldn't be too dangerous.
They say they provide all the necessary equipment, so it seems doable even without a base.
Alright, it seems safe, and let's look at the pay...
"One million won?!"
The daily wage is a whopping one million won.
They call it Dark Zone allowance; the earnings are truly enormous.
I thought about it a little longer and accepted the mission.
***
"Nothing but dead weight."
Level 0 Hunter Park Jun-sik scans me.
The wrinkles on his forehead are deep, showing his displeasure.
He seems particularly unhappy with me.
"Didn't even bring a gun? Where does a sword-wielder get off acting so cocky?"
I glanced around, and everyone else had brought a gun. I was the only one carrying a sword.
I suppose guns are the best.
It is strange to be brandishing a sword when firearms exist.
The other Hunters gathered for the mission also whispered with uneasy expressions.
"He's young, looks like a total newbie."
"I wonder if he can even catch a goblin."
"It's a collection mission, so there shouldn't be much fighting, though."
The gazes gathering and whispering are uncomfortable.
"Anyway, this is the problem with kids these days. All style, knowing nothing but how to act tough with a sword."
"I'll consider that once I get paid."
"Tsk...!"
While Hunter Park Jun-sik was clicking his tongue, the Bureau officials approached.
"Hunters! We will now begin the Karma Index test!"
It's here.
The thing emphasized most on the Hunter Web was the Karma Index.
Karma is a type of magical power gained while operating inside the Dark Zone.
It rises just by hunting monsters or even staying inside the Dark Zone, and the higher the index, the greater the risk of 'corruption.'
Just as the environment and flora/fauna are contaminated when a Gate opens.
Conversely, as this Karma Index is naturally purified, magical power is accumulated, and they say this is the foundation for awakening, which is ironic.
'They say you get corrupted even if you possess a Cursed Object...'
Why am I fine?
Soon, a Bureau official took out a machine and brought it to the Hunters' eyes.
"Hunter Kim Tae-jin, your Karma Index is 4,533. You're cutting it close."
"Haa... when did it get that high? I should take a break for a while after this job."
"Kim, you've been working too hard lately. Just run missions in the city for a while."
Beep!
"Hunter Jo Yeon-woo, Karma Index 3,857. You pass."
Beep!
"Hunter Kang Man-ho. Karma Index, 4,113. You pass."
"Whew...! Still got some room."
"Hunter Park Min-soo, Karma Index 5,226. You fail."
"That's impossible! I rested for a whole week after the last exploration!"
"If the level is high, it can sometimes take a long time to recover. We recommend you take a break for the time being."
The threshold is 5,000; anything above that is a fail. Occasionally, there are Hunters who don't make the cut.
Soon, Hunter Park Joon-sik had his index checked right in front of me.
"Hunter Park Joon-sik. 2,976. You pass."
"As expected of Mr. Park. A future Awakened, for sure."
"To think he's still under 3,000 even after grinding in the Dark Zone like that... His purification speed is fast, so Awakening shouldn't be far off."
"Doesn't that mean if he really puts his mind to it, he can absorb 2,000 at once in the Dark Zone? His talent really is something else."
The Level 0 Hunters looked at Hunter Park Joon-sik with envy.
The entry cutoff for the Dark Zone is under 5,000. Anything above that carries a risk of corruption.
Conversely, this means the most efficient method is to enter and absorb Karma until you're teetering just below that 5,000 mark.
As your level rises, the entry cutoff rises as well, allowing you to absorb even more Karma.
Are you wondering if you'll get corrupted if you absorb too much?
They say it's a risk worth taking.
After all, they say you can recover just by coming out of the Dark Zone and getting a little rest.
"Mr. Park, aren't you about to hit Level 1? You might actually become a real Hunter!"
"They say Level 1 Hunters don't even need guns."
"True, if you can slice through boulders with a sword, why bother carrying a full magazine of ammo?"
Hearing the Level 0 Hunters, I found myself envying Hunter Park Joon-sik.
Stronger than someone with a gun?
At that point, aren't they stronger than a bear or a tiger?
But if they carry a gun on top of that, wouldn't they be even stronger?
I suppose magic really is something incredible.
"Mr. Park, what was your initial index again? Wasn't it in the 800s?"
"780."
Hunter Park Joon-sik corrected the other Hunter.
The initial index refers to the very first reading before entering the Dark Zone for the first time.
They say the lower the initial index, the greater the amount you can recover after coming out of the Dark Zone.
An initial index of 800 was considered sufficiently low, and they say he recovers faster than others.
"Hunter Park Joon-sik. A magical energy reading has been detected. Have you perhaps Awakened?"
At those words, the Level 0 Hunters gasped in shock.
A detected magical energy reading means Awakening. A Level 1 Hunter was standing right before their eyes.
"No. I haven't Awakened yet."
"Then, how..."
At that, Hunter Park Joon-sik subtly opened his left palm.
And there was a ring that stood out particularly well.
Among the Level 0 Hunters, a man named Kang Man-ho recognized what it was.
"Gasp! An Artifact? Is that an Artifact?"
"Well, I picked it up recently."
"Whoa...! An Artifact. Isn't that an item that makes you stronger just by holding it?"
"I'm so envious, so envious. Here I am, picking up shell casings to recycle them."
"It all depends on one's fate."
Are Artifacts really that precious?
"Black Heron. They say that's an Artifact over there. Same as you."
【Hmph...! Do not compare me to such a toy. We are in different leagues.】
Black Heron scoffed, its pride as a Cursed Object apparently quite strong.
Whether it cared or not, amidst everyone's envy, Hunter Park Joon-sik reported on his Artifact with a smug expression.
"You must register the first Artifact you use. What kind of ability does it have?"
"Speed enhancement."
"May I ask where you obtained it?"
"I... just picked it up while roaming the Dark Zone."
He seemed to trail off a bit at the end. The official didn't press him further and soon approached me.
"Now, Hunter Yoon Gaon. I heard this is your first time entering the Dark Zone. Then, this will be your initial index."
"Oh boy... he really is a total greenhorn."
"A guy who hasn't even lost his virginity yet."
Sighs flowed among the Level 0 Hunters.
It seemed they were all quite dissatisfied with working alongside a novice like me.
If everyone only looks for experienced hands, where are novices like me supposed to gain experience?
*Beep!*
"Measurement complete. Karma index... hmm? Fifty-eight thousand four hundred sixty-six?!"
The young official jumped in surprise.
At her exclamation, all the other Hunters were stunned.
"Fi-fifty-eight thousand? What is that supposed to mean!"
"It's a Corrupted One! There's no way he wouldn't be corrupted with a number like that!"
The Hunters simultaneously leveled their guns at me.
Just then, the young official waved her arms frantically.
"W-wait a moment! I, I made a mistake! I misread it! It's not 58,466! It's, it's zero!"
The official began to read the numbers on the device as if she couldn't believe it herself.
"0.58466! The initial index is 0.58466!"
Is there such a thing as a decimal index?
0 Comments