Kang Tae-san cut in, stating that this was a place where anyone with the right qualifications could stand. He announced that he was going to deviate from his initial plan and give them both a test. They needed to prove their answers on him.
The other disciple readily accepted.
Seo-yul flatly replied, "No, thank you. I'm not really feeling it."
Kang Tae-san said that in that case, he had no choice but to go with the big young fellow as planned — but he asked whether Seo-yul was absolutely sure. Passing this test meant becoming his direct disciple.
Seo-yul quickly reconsidered. Becoming the disciple of a rank S would not only make him stronger, it would also give him a golden opportunity to climb much higher.
Kang Tae-san asked what the rookie thought now — whether he felt prepared, and whether he was more motivated.
He replied that he was more than motivated enough.
Later, they were inside a closed arena, and the test was remarkably simple. They were going to utilize a skill passed down by Kang Tae-san himself to shatter as much of an ether stone as possible. Whoever managed to break the most would become his disciple.
The ether stone was imbued with massive magical power and could only be found inside a temple. Seo-yul had heard that only incredibly powerful awakened individuals could shatter it. Even so, he wondered what the master had meant by passing down a skill, and what kind of skill it would even be.
Meanwhile, the big guy was soaking up the crowd's energy, asking for motivation and cheers from the department staff.
Only Lee Jung-hae wasn't cheering. She simply couldn't comprehend the situation, or why Seo-yul was even standing there.
But he thought to himself that regardless, this was his big shot.
Master Kang Tae-san announced that he would now pass down his skill. He warned them that of course, if they didn't feel anything at all, they should keep in mind that they would be disqualified immediately.
At that exact moment, he unleashed his terrifying sword aura, leaving the two poor rookies completely unable to even breathe properly. Apparently Seo-yul had to endure this overwhelming pressure just to perceive the skill. He felt his consciousness literally fading away.
But at the very end of it all, deep within the recesses of his mind, he sensed something, and managed to see a vision. He saw a spear, and successfully acquired the skill.
He had conquered the Serene Mind and the Dragon King's Spear.
The old man mentioned that, judging by their expressions, the two of them certainly had what it took to learn the skill.
Both of them were utterly spent, their faces masks of pure agony and completely catatonic. Most of the regular folks who were there just to watch had fainted.
Then Kang Tae-san asked who would prove themselves first.
The big guy immediately took a step forward and hefted his two-handed greatsword, thinking to himself that he would now crush the motivation of the punk who had dared to challenge him. To him, all this talk about willpower was complete horse manure. He also thought the kid had been suspicious ever since he walked in with the old man, unable to fathom how a rank D could have resisted the skill inheritance. He concluded that the guy had simply bought his way in.
The big guy's strike with the skill ripped a massive chunk out of the ether stone.
The crowd around them wondered how he had broken it so easily, commenting that if he was that strong, he shouldn't even be in the department.
Kang Tae-san remarked that the boy had managed to master the Dragon King's Spear, which was good.
Then the big guy brushed past Seo-yul, muttering that he wouldn't be able to steal his spot no matter what.
Seo-yul fired back, asking what kind of pathetic little life he was living, being afraid of a rookie and walking on eggshells forever.
The master told them to stop bickering and announced that it was now the rookie's turn, once and for all.
Seo-yul thought to himself that he had only retaliated because the guy had been getting on his nerves, but he acknowledged that his opponent really was quite powerful in terms of raw strength.
However, using that skill wasn't solely a matter of muscle. It was a test to prove each person's individual answer. Furthermore, Master Kang Tae-san had stated that his answer was the correct one — the will to wield a weapon.
It was true that he had given that answer casually, but that was because it was exactly his truth.
He asked himself why he carried a weapon to this very day. Why he was part of the rescue department. Why he slaughtered monsters. Why he always remembered that specific person who had saved him. And why he kept saving people.
These were all separate questions, yet every single one answered the core reason of why he carried a weapon. That was why he had become a hunter — to achieve his goal as well. He needed to get stronger.
He unleashed the Dragon King's Spear, the heart-piercing strike.
And when they witnessed the sheer devastation he caused to the ether stone, everyone was utterly shocked. Kang Tae-san didn't seem to react, but the veteran from earlier gasped.
"What the actual hell is that?"
Seo-yul had simply annihilated the stone.
The master offered an apology to Gun-su, saying it looked like his junior was going to steal his position. Then he explained that weapons and skills were mere tools. No matter what weapon someone held, they must first know themselves in order to unleash its true power.
He accepted Seo-yul, and declared that from that day forward, he was his disciple.