Meanwhile, at the Korean Hunter Association HQ
The somber conference room fell into a tense silence as the holographic briefing displays flickered out, leaving only the harsh fluorescent overheads to illuminate the gathered directors' ashen features. The debriefing vids from the classified operation had laid bare the full, gut-wrenching extent of the treacheries uncovered of how the boss monstrosities overleveled by sacrificed Hunters. Of a concerted conspiracy to illicitly cultivate such abominations for nefarious gains when harvested if they could.
Director Han Seokjin, a grizzled veteran of more campaigns than he could count on both hands in his 10 years ever since Gates first appeared, worked his jaw in a pained tic as he absorbed the harrowing revelations.
"I had feared the worst when the initial reports started filtering in...but to have our own people profaning the Hunters' creed to this degree?" He shook his head, eyes flashing dangerously. "The reckoning meted out upon those facilitating these atrocities was more merciful than they deserved."
Rogue Hunters, Scavengers, Scrapers, Villains... many titles but only for one designation. Of the people who didn't report their awakening to the Association but instead resort to illegal and illicit activities for selfish interests. Most of them are treated as criminals by the Association for their refusal to follow the laws but to commit to such atrocity is beyond abhorrent.
They expected nothing of them and still get disappointed.
"We had codified terminologies for them all, petty demarcations we could assure ourselves of moral high ground against. But to have such unrestrained malignance gestating within our own house?" His jaw clenched until the tendons of his neck strained taut. "It makes even those dregs seem principled by comparison." Director Han said as he shows weariness since a very long time ago.
"Indeed," rumbled Director Kim Dohyun, knuckles whitening around the sheaf of after-action reports clenched in his fist. "Burning out this cancerous insurrection from within was our first, gravest priority. But even with the prime conspirators apprehended, I fear the repercussions are only now beginning to reverberate out."
"We had allowed ourselves to grow too complacent, too convinced of the righteousness sheltering us," Director Kim said somberly. "A harsh awakening was required, no matter how scouring the revelations proved. We cannot afford such self-deceptions about our vulnerabilities in the times ahead."
His fist clenched around the damning reports until the papers crumpled. "The turmoils unleashed by the Gates have only just begun in earnest despite this brief peace that is being maintained right now. If even the stalwart few we entrusted to safeguard humanity could be so utterly compromised..." He left the ominous implications unspoken, a pall and harrowing shadow cast over the room.
They know that these 5 years since rebuilt have been the most important part of history passage so far since it proves that human can overcome any challenge and risk with enough willpower. This incident is nothing new to them and perhaps would just be another a sordid spot on the passage of time. However, until it can be resolved completely, its fallout still affecting them for the foreseeable future ahead.
All they could do was absorb the lessons carved in ice about the depths of human malevolence. Steel their resolves against whatever corruptions and failings yet laid in wait for them.
Kim Dohyun gaze fell pointedly upon the final still-frame frozen on the main projector wall. That of a battered, soot-streaked Jihoon Hyunwoon clutching Jin Sarae's acoustic guitar in the aftermath, eyes hollow from the soul-rending crucible he had endured. Kim's expression grew more solemn still.
"Jin Sarae's death did not put this matter fully to rest, I'm afraid. The consideration now falls to us about what shall be done about this...unforeseen emergence? A rookie who displayed not only incredible fortitude, but an innate attunement to one of the Gate's item and use it to such degree?"
A decayed halberd. That's what the report making it out to be but Jihoon's attunement to it sorts of awakened the remnant power linger within. Even if it is meant as a last-ditch effort, it was still miracle that enacted by his own effort.
"The kid's got one helluva future ahead, that's for damn sure," Director Han grunted, leaning back in his chair as he appraised the frozen visuals with a veteran's critical eye. "Not even a full month as a fledgling Hunter, thrust into the deep end of this whole disgusting affair...and he still managed to endure where even elite teams get chewed up and spit out."
Kim Dohyun shook his head in wry disbelief. "Guess that old saying holds true. 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man.' We'd best keep both eyes trained on this rising talent before someone else gets...ill-advised ideas about exploiting his abilities."
The other directors traded grim nods of consensus. For good or ill, Jihoon's shocking emergence had irrevocably recalibrated the playing field in ways they dared not yet underestimate completely
The conference room fell into a contemplative hush as the directors digested the full implications of Jihoon's extraordinary abilities laid bare during the operation debriefings. Though his overt martial prowess remained relatively green compared to the Association's vanguard, it was the unconventional manifestation of his "Song Magic" that gave them all deepest pause.
"The kid's no front-liner, not yet at least," Director Han allowed with a speculative frown. "But did you get a load of those after-action reports? How his music-like channeling managed to amplify and even outright harmonize with his teammates' own abilities out in the field?"
He shook his head in frank wonder. "I've witnessed all manner of bizarre awakenings over the decades, but this almost reads like one of those cheesy tabletop RPG character builds. A real-life bard of all things, using melodies and rhythms to inspire greater martial feats."
The directors leaned back in their seats, letting the weight of Jihoon's unfolding testimony sink in. His revelations about wielding the "Song Magic" hinted at abilities far beyond a typical Hunter's combat applications.
"Empowering melodies that can imbue allies with preternatural might?" Director Kim mused, stroking his chin. "He's like a real-life bard straight out of those classic fantasy tales."
"More than that, I'd wager. We've seen Awakened individuals manifest some pretty extraordinary talents before. We're talking about literal saintess with extraordinary healing power, someone who has guaranteed boss drop rate which is pretty ironic about the incident just now, someone who grows stronger the more he teaches and then a literal RPG-style leveling up that our brightest aspirant, Sung Jiwoon" Director Han grunted, nodding slowly.
But this Jihoon's musical enchantments seem to operate on a whole other level entirely to their assessment.
"Indeed," Kim agreed grimly. "The potential tactical advantages of having such an...inspirational force multiplier deployed could be staggering. Especially if Jihoon's attunements allow him to harmonize unique properties from the artifacts and relics his Songs interact with."
The other directors traded loaded looks, realizing the implications. If Jihoon could essentially attune to the very essence of relics into transient but utterly devastating force with melodies...he could well become one of the most powerful assets against the escalating Gate threats. And that was just one application of his Song Magics alone.
"We'd best keep his development under very close observation then," Han said, lacing his fingers together atop the briefing table. "The kid's already displayed incredible fortitude, managing to overcome his personal tragedy that would break most souls in similar circumstance to his. With his talents properly nurtured, he may just be the inspirational icon we need to rally our forces for the conflicts lying ahead."
A grim silence fell over the room as they contemplated Jihoon's immense, if still nebulous, potential. Whether a beacon of hope or an instrument of terrible power, it was clearer than ever that his emergence would irrevocably reshape the very future of their struggle against the Gate-bound darkness. All that remained was to see what kind of hero or terror he would ultimately become once his full capacities finally blossomed to fruition. The directors could only steel themselves to guide that destiny toward the best of all outcomes when the true crucible beckoned upon him.
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Meanwhile, somewhere in the Association HQ's Training Facility.
Jiwoon was testing the extent of her awakened power. By her projected calculation, she would have become a C-rank after taking down the boss of the Derelict Courthouse of Judgment but Jihoon's deflection of Der Freischutz's Seventh Shot toward it delayed her initial plan for a bit. When she first saw his picture when the leading D-rank presented during the initial brief, she thought that her own senses are deceiving her. She had never once thought that she would be able to meet him again, not after 10 years since separation.
Pivoted on the training room floor, her daggers flashing in dizzying arcs as she flowed through her training regimen. Even alone, she moved with a dancer's grace, her lithe form seemingly untouched by fatigue despite hours of relentless exertion.
As she transitioned into a blindingly fast flurry of slashes, Jiwoon's mind inevitably drifted back to memories of her brief stint at Arisen Studio all those years ago. She had been little more than a raw talent back then, all unfocused passion and youthful fire. Jihoon as someone who was simply ahead of her in those days, had an aura of seasoned artistry, his musicianship and compositional talents marking him as an expert of the field.
"Hey, are you alright?". A girl with blond hair spoke to Jiwoon, something that stood out considering where they are.
"Nothing... Just that I come across something a little unbelievable considering the circumstances". Jihoon said as she recollects her bearing.
Her expression tightened minutely as flashes of memory from Arisen Studio resurfaced. When she was a mere new blood, still passionate and temperamental about contributing as a composer and musician. It felt like it was a previous life just because how distance it felt and perhaps that description isn't too wrong after all. And Jihoon, was easily the most passionate that she has seen then, he might not be the best but he certainly one that bear the spirit the most. However, 10 years of tribulations and suffering is more than enough to change someone entirely. Jin Sarae was unquestionably the posthumous example of the forementioned statement.
The fiery spirit of that old day found itself again in this changed world. Whether or not it can withstand is up to Jihoon himself. However, she found his awakened ability intriguing as his obtained power is simply catered to his old profession. And within just one month since his registry a Hunter, his progress has already surpass numerous of his peers given years ahead. It's simply quite astounding to see it in action and under its effect even.
A fleeting smile tugged at the corners of Jiwoon's lips as she recalled watching him work, entirely absorbed in coaxing forth the melodies from his electric guitar. And shifting toward the grim, burdened warrior she had encountered during the recent operation, pushed to the very brink in his struggle against a former friend's damnation. Those two looked distinct without connection but... the heart in both of them are unquestionably the same.
Yet even overshadowed by such harrowing loss when the Gates befall, the spark of Jihoon's creative spirit had definitely burned defiantly bright when he awoke those mystical Song Magics during the fight against Jin. Jiwoon could still feel the caress of those harmonic vibrations as they bolstered her physical form to nigh-supernatural extremes. The sheer, visceral force behind each amplifying cadence had been like nothing she had ever experienced before.
Jiwoon's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she pondered the trajectories laid before them. The path of a Hunter was one of constant struggle and escalating turmoil, of pushing one's body and soul to the uttermost limits in defiance of the endless horrors emerging from the Gates. Few managed to persevere for long before their fire burned out, leaving them as husks devoid of passion or drive. Many saw the brilliant spotlights that the media shined upon the top-class Hunters without realizing the darkness of the path that one has to take to reach the same height. By then, regret or disillusion was simply too late.
"You've been training your dagger skill since morning already. If you're going to keep ignoring me and recklessly train, might as well let me heal you a bit before you continue". The blond girl said as brilliant light manifest from her hand. Jihoon felt the roughness of her dagger after such long session fade away even if temporarily.
Jiwoon looked at her own hands for a moment as if she doesn't ever get used to receiving help ever even if it is supposed to be a natural part of the Association.
"Appreciate the courtesy, Seohyun," Jiwoon replied, sheathing her daggers temporarily. She could feel the micro-fractures and fatigued muscles in her hands knitting back together under the restorative radiance.
Kim Seohyun, often called the 'Saintess' in hushed tones by the newer recruits, was one of the Association's brightest rising stars alongside Jiwoon herself. Her awakened ability granted her the power to heal and restore her treated patients from the most grievous injury. Almost as if the title didn't lie and that she was the reincarnation of some actual saintess in some fantasy story.
"You looked pretty deep in thought over there," Seohyun said lightly as her healing aura faded. "Don't tell me you're still hung up on that Jihoon Hyunwoon guy and his crazy bard powers?"
A faint smirk yet mostly unseen played across Jiwoon's lips at her friend's blunt observation. "You could say that, I guess".
Seohyun arched an eyebrow. "You're telling me. I heard the kid's melodies could amplify physical attributes to frankly absurd levels during that last op. Temporarily imbuing people with the power of roughly multiple times of their own or some such. The mystical melodies didn't exactly give them power but instead drawing it out from the very recipient themselves"
Then after thinking a bit more about Jihoon's 'awakened' power, she shook her head in bemused disbelief. "At this rate, they might as well officially title the guy as an inspirational singer rather than just a plain Hunter. Can you imagine - 'The Bard' belting out power ballads while the rest of us try not to get mulched by the next kaiju-class monstrosity?"
Despite her cold demeanor that let nothing through, Jiwoon chuckled at the fanciful image. "Well, when you put it like that...I suppose it does seem a bit outlandish, doesn't it? Then again, we've all seen our fair share of 'outlandish' after everything the Gates have thrown at us."
Her expression sobered as she considered her own awakened capabilities - the ability to effectively 'level up' her physical attributes through display of spiritual conviction. "Who's to say Jihoon's musical power are any more unbelievable than you manifesting your healing light shows, or my own character sheet-style level-ups?"
Seohyun inclined her head in reluctant agreement. "Fair point. We're probably still just scratching the surface of what's possible with our awakened states. For all we know, Jihoon's inspired melodies are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to expressions of his attunement."
The Saintess then had a hearty laugh as Jiwoon returned with a simple smile beneath demeanor. Seeing that she had spent enough time discussing, Jiwoon decided to test her how far she has gone with her awakened skill. The testing monolith that is installed in numerous Association's office branches to test the newly-registered Hunter's strength. This one in particular is built to withstand even attack of S-rank Hunters and Jiwoon puts her all into the following attack as the dual daggers collided with it.
After the resounding clash and a moment has passed, her result is shown on the monolith itself.
"75.3. That's like roughly about than 7 times stronger that even Peak-physique unawaken individuals. It seems that C-rank is within reach after all". Jiwoon said as she didn't even utilize her prowess properly, or otherwise the number would have become higher.
Hunter's Rank is determined about how powerful their output attack can be made. Although exception and different measurement is made for support-type Hunters, this is the most simple way for any combat-type Hunters to measure their power.
Even the best of unawakened individuals have never once measured above 10. A 9mm pistol bullet has roughly about 6.5, 5.56mm assault rifle is about 10. And 12.7mm anti-material is measured about 100.
The threshold of becoming an E-rank Combat-type Hunter is to output an attack that surpass the score of 10 or stronger than the firing of a 5.56mm assault rifle itself. Hunters of these degree and the mass-majority of the awakened but not fortunate with the diversity of their power. The only way to become stronger is to utilize their own awakened ability far more creatively which is definitely beyond most awakened.
The threshold of becoming an D-rank Combat-type Hunter is to output an attack that surpass the score of 50 or about stronger than .338 magnum rifle. The strength of these awakened individual can typically dispatch any giant-sized animal with only their strength alone and typically more capable than a lot of common threats from Gates. It is common to see D-rank Hunters use anti-material rifles with ease due to their enhanced strength. Although those with more ambition tends to stick to their melee and hone their innate strength to greater degree.
Then the C-rank of Combat-type Hunter is to output an attack that surpass the score of 100 or stronger than 12.7mm anti-material rifle or .50 BMG. Remember how conventional weapon can only stood up to Gate-borne threat that is about D-rank? It's because C-rank Hunters aren't just mere brawn but also wields abilities that overcome many threats from above the rank itself. Crumbling reinforced materials like tinfoil with bare hands, stopping behemoths in their tracks with only stance and force. They're sort of the vanguard and first-respond to any truly dangerous Gates that the Association recognized.
However, their true value emerges when confronting Gate-entities imbued with preternatural abilities and overwhelming physical distortions that shrug off conventional weaponry. The most-efficient tactic so far when it comes to C-rank threat is actually one C-rank Hunters and numerous additional conventional weapons that are capable of dealing C-rank damage like anti-tank rocket launchers. The C-rank Hunters expose their enemies' weak spots one at a time then the rest finishing the exposed enemies off. Dangerous? Certainly but C-rank Hunters doesn't grow on tree either.
The only good fortune here is that a Hunter's power doesn't remain static for too long but only Jiwoon's growth is noticeable in short time due to the nature of her awakening ability.
And the rank is only going to keep increasing and Jiwoon can see herself rising the ladder consistently. After all, being recognized by the Association and getting everything of her invested is certainly one way to encourage her.
"I just know that I will eventually met him again." Jiwoon thought in her mind as she strayed toward Jihoon at the confrontation stage just now. What he displayed was certainly commendable if anything else.
It makes her wonder, if she could meet the rest of the Arisen Studio again. Regardless of the fate that bestowed upon them or not.