Jaehwon had just finished unpacking his new supplies and was about to relax for the evening when there was a firm knock on his door. Startled, he set aside the items he was organizing and went to answer it.
Opening the door, Jaehwon found a group of official-looking individuals standing in the hallway. They wore the distinctive uniforms of the Hunter Association, their expressions serious and professional.
“Jaehwon, is it?” one of them, a tall woman with piercing blue eyes, asked. “We’re from the Hunter Examination Bureau. May we come in?”
Jaehwon’s heart skipped a beat. “Of course. Please, come in.” He stepped aside to let them enter, his mind racing with possible reasons for their visit.
The officials entered and took seats around his modest living room. Jaehwon noticed that their demeanor was formal but not unfriendly. The woman who had spoken first took the lead.
“Mr. Jaehwon, we’ve received reports indicating that you might have undergone a significant change,” she began, her tone calm but authoritative. “Given your recent activities and the strength you’ve demonstrated, we believe it is necessary to conduct a reexamination to ensure that everything is in order.”
Jaehwon’s mind whirled. He hadn’t expected this. He had kept his newfound abilities and the amulet’s power a secret, but now it seemed his recent achievements had drawn unwanted attention.
“A reexamination?” Jaehwon asked, trying to keep his voice steady. “What exactly does that entail?”
The woman nodded. “It involves a series of tests to evaluate your current abilities and ensure they align with your hunter rank. Since you’ve recently completed a dungeon with notable success, we need to verify that there are no discrepancies.”
Jaehwon forced a calm expression, though his mind was racing. He had to be careful. “I understand. I’ll comply with the reexamination. However, I must admit that I don’t remember much about my recent activities. The dungeon… it was a blur.”
The officials exchanged glances, but the woman’s expression remained impassive. “That’s not uncommon. Many hunters experience memory lapses after intense battles. We’ll be thorough in our assessment to get a clear picture of your current capabilities.”
Jaehwon nodded, doing his best to hide his anxiety. “When will the reexamination take place?”
“We can schedule it for tomorrow morning,” the woman said, standing up. “Please be prepared for a series of tests and evaluations. Our goal is to ensure that you’re in proper condition and to address any issues that might arise.”
Jaehwon nodded again, rising from his seat. “I’ll be ready.”
The officials thanked him and departed, leaving Jaehwon alone with his thoughts. He closed the door and leaned against it, his mind spinning with worry.
“Tomorrow…” Jaehwon said to himself, pacing his small apartment. “I have to be careful. If they find out about my Shadow Authority or the amulet, everything could change.”
He looked around his apartment, the items he had just bought now feeling oddly out of place. The reality of the situation hit him hard. He needed to maintain his secret and pass the reexamination without revealing his true capabilities.
“I’ve faced challenges before,” Jaehwon said with determination, speaking to his reflection in a nearby mirror. “I can handle this. I just need to keep my cool and stick to the story.”
The night was restless as Jaehwon tried to sleep, his mind plagued with thoughts about the upcoming reexamination. He had worked hard to gain his new abilities and had no intention of letting them be exposed or misused. He knew he had to be cautious, especially given the scrutiny he was now under.
Morning arrived, and Jaehwon prepared himself for the reexamination. He dressed in his best gear, made sure to have all his supplies in order, and headed out towards the Hunter Association headquarters with a mixture of apprehension and resolve.
The atmosphere at the headquarters was different from the previous day—there was a sense of urgency and focus in the air. Jaehwon was directed to a large, sterile examination room where various testing equipment and evaluation tools were set up.
The officials from the previous day greeted him, and the tall woman took the lead once again. “Good morning, Mr. Jaehwon. We’ll start with a series of physical tests to gauge your overall condition and capabilities.”
Jaehwon nodded, trying to remain composed. “Understood.”
The tests began with standard physical evaluations: strength, agility, and endurance. Jaehwon performed each test with a level of effort that was above average but not extraordinary. He made sure to stay within the bounds of his previous capabilities, carefully avoiding any display of his enhanced abilities.
As the tests progressed, the woman watched him closely, taking notes and making observations. Jaehwon could feel the weight of her scrutiny but focused on maintaining his facade.
Finally, after several hours of testing, the officials gathered their results and sat down with Jaehwon to discuss the findings.
“Overall, your performance has been solid,” the woman said, reviewing the data on her tablet. “There are no immediate concerns regarding your physical health or capabilities.”
Jaehwon breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear.”
“There is one last test we’d like to conduct,” the woman continued, her expression thoughtful. “We need to assess your mana capacity and control. It’s a standard procedure to ensure everything is functioning correctly.”
Jaehwon tensed slightly but kept his expression neutral. “Of course.”
The mana test involved a series of exercises designed to measure his control and output. Jaehwon performed these with a level of skill that was competent but not exceptional, ensuring that he did not draw any undue attention.
After the test was completed, the officials reviewed the results and exchanged nods of approval.
“Everything appears to be in order,” the woman said, offering a reassuring smile. “You’ve passed the reexamination. Your abilities are consistent with your rank, and there are no discrepancies.”
Jaehwon felt a wave of relief wash over him. “Thank you. I appreciate the thorough evaluation.”
“We appreciate your cooperation,” the woman said, standing up. “If you have any further questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
As the officials left, Jaehwon remained in the examination room for a moment, letting the weight of the experience sink in. He had managed to keep his secret and pass the reexamination without revealing his true abilities.
“I did it,” Jaehwon said to himself, a smile of satisfaction on his face. “Now, it’s time to move forward and continue my journey.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, Jaehwon left the headquarters, ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead. He knew that his path was filled with uncertainties, but he was determined to face them with strength and resolve. The journey was far from over, but Jaehwon was prepared to tackle whatever came his way.