Solo Levelling: Perception

A/N: - If you observe very closely then I have changed some of the things in this chapter, diverging it from canon. Well, it would be better if no one notices it. Enjoy~

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[United States has been in an uproar! A massive fire explosion occurred in the United States Bureau of Hunter. ]

[It's been rumored that the incident transpired because of the collision of two S-rankers... ]

Early in the morning around eleven, at the Hunter Evaluation Center, two official members sat behind their desks while watching the tv which showed the recent explosion in America. There haven't aired any confirmed names but it has been speculated that such destruction can only be caused by a high-ranking hunter.

"This world is approaching its doom. Those who are responsible to protect us, are fighting with each other. "One of the two officials said with a bored expression, evidently not very happy about this day or maybe his job whatsoever.

The other employee was a raven-haired girl who was diligently enveloped in her work, arranging the documents of the hunters who came for evaluation.

Suddenly, someone called for her before the girl looked toward the towering man.

"Hunter Sung Jin-Woo for re-evaluation. And Nanase Haruka for primary evaluation with a license registration. "

The girl looked at both of the men. The second one looked a bit younger yet both of them were charming enough to make the girl look a bit longer than she usually does.

Nevertheless, she leaned toward her senior before whispering... "Assistant Manager Jung. A hunter is here... "

The trimmed-haired manager glanced once at the taller one before his eyes went to the glasses as he whispered back to the girl.

"These young ones just don't learn. Tell the hunter about the cost of re-evaluation and make the other one fill out the registration form. "

Both men did as the lady instructed before Sung Jin-Woo and Nanase Haruka went toward the waiting area.

The man who was regarded as the Assistant Manager glanced at the form which was given for the re-evaluation as something ticked off in his mind.

'This name... ' The very moment realization dawned upon the man, he got up from his seat with his thumb already scrolling through his contact list.

The phone rang thrice before the other side picked up.

"Hello? Master Baek... "

*****

[Haru's POV: ]

'Everyone looks tense... 'My eyes roamed around the waiting area where many people were standing or pacing around the hallway in anticipation.

Some of them looked young and some were quite old to be in this business. But then again many people get no other choice rather than to kill or this society would slay them.

Take me for example. I have enough money in my account to live my life without worrying about a single thing yet the responsibilities now I bear would not let me sleep even a single night, properly. Different circumstances, same page.

"What do they examine during the primary evaluation?"

I asked my senior who already has gone through this process and has come here to get his S-rank tag. Surely he, nor I would get my hunter's license today since we both surpass the detection limitations. The Korean Hunter Association would get the news of it and hola, every single person would know the existence of the new S-rank hunters.

'Wait...what if I get placed at a lower rank... 'That possibility was zero since my mana was immense enough that I could go for a battle using all my skills for a whole month if we subtract some of the exceptions. I have enough skills to get a good rank so I wasn't worried.

'More like...does it matter anyway?' I can go rogue for the things I need to accomplish. And in the first place, if I am doing the work which even S-ranks fail at, then is there any worth being evaluated?

"They will assess your mana and examine your skills, that's all. "

"Hmm... " I hummed when suddenly Sunbae turned toward me before his warning arrived.

"Once you get your rank evaluated, you would be hoarded by those recruiters. I will advise you to keep your calm and not take any rash decisions yet, alright?"

I was slightly surprised since it seemed Sunbae was more confident in my skills than I was.

Nevertheless, I nodded. In the first place, I wasn't going to work with any guild for the time being. I have been thinking about whether Sunbae would let me join his guild and work freely or maybe should I just go with any high-ranking guild?

I was still contemplative about it.

"Na...Nase Haruka. Please come in."

My name was called by the evaluation in charge before I got up from my seat. Sunbae remained silent and just nodded wordlessly.

I took a deep breath and walked in.

The evaluation room was not exaggeratedly big

There was a computer terminal on one side inside the hall and a big black orb which I guess was there for mana measurement.

"Your full name please."

"Nanase Haruka," I replied before the girl told me to put my hand on the panel so she could begin measuring my mana reserve.

I did as she told me before a hazy black glow revolved around the orb.

"Hmm? Error?"

As I expected, the woman muttered under her breath, since her machine wouldn't have been able to measure the unit above its limitation.

She told me to remove my hand and do it again but the results remained the same. She asked me one more time only to get another disappointment before an idea popped into her mind.

"Wait a minute, please."

She went toward the door before inviting someone inside. It was Sunbae.

'Great...to see the machine is working...you picked the very right person.. ' I mused inwardly as the lady told Sunbae to do the testing only to get the same results.

At that, she rather seemed relieved before muttering, "As I thought... this thing is broken..."

"What happened? And where is Chang-Shik?"

"Ah, Assistant Manager. The system seems to be not working."

The same trimmed hair man who was at the registration counter made his way toward the lady with a suspicious gaze lingering at us.

However, as soon his gaze fell on the terminal where sunbae's assessment results were shown, his face paled.

It took him some time before he asked something to the lady, probably about my results as well, only to pale even more.

"Call Chang-Shik, right now! This is something more important than his washroom!"

The woman was flustered but she complied with her senior's words and hurriedly ran inside of the building.

"Just for assurance can I ask, Mister Nanase to put his hand on the panel once again?" The man asked since he didn't get to read my mana results earlier.

I nodded before Sunbae stepped aside. Soon the same thing happened just like the previous three times except for the fact that the Assistant Manager made.

He looked at us once again, but this time rather than suspicion it was more like in shock and awe.

After all, it might be the first time when two S-rank hunters have arrived at the same time for evaluation.

'Hehe~Jinah's surprised face would be adorable to see... '

****

A/N: - Drop a comment.

If you want to support me then: - ko-fi.com/svneighter40560

I would appreciate your reviews and stones as well.

Someone said in their review that the interaction between Haru and Jin-Woo is bland. Well, practically both of them are very less talkative. Haru only talks more than usual with Jinah and knowing Jin-Woo then he remains like this with everyone.

I am just trying to make the characters not too much OOC.