Hijack: Becoming The Strongest Hunter By Stealing Skills.

The day of the much-anticipated Hunter's Academy entrance exam had finally arrived, marking a crucial milestone for aspiring candidates dreaming of becoming Hunters for Korea .

For Rin, this was more than just an exam—it was a chance to prove himself, to step into a world where only the strongest and most skilled could thrive.

As he arrived at the academy, he was struck by the sheer grandeur of the place. It was as if the academy existed in a realm of its own, separate from the rest of the world.

The architecture was a breathtaking blend of ancient and modern. On one side stood colossal structures reminiscent of ancient Rome, complete with a towering Colosseum that seemed to whisper tales of battles long past.

On the other side, the academy embraced the future with sleek, futuristic designs—holographic battle simulations flickered in the air, and advanced AI proctors monitored every corner with precision. The contrast was jarring yet mesmerizing, a testament to the academy's ability to bridge the old and the new.

Rin made his way to the orientation room, where the air was thick with tension and anticipation. The room was filled with aspirants from all walks of life—skill users, mages , elves, and others, each carrying their own unique abilities and motivations.

The stakes were high, and the competition was fierce. Everyone here had a reason for wanting to secure a place at the prestigious academy, and Rin could feel the weight of their collective ambition pressing down on him.

As he scanned the room, Rin realized he didn't recognize anyone. The sea of unfamiliar faces made him feel isolated, and he knew he couldn't face this challenge alone.

Determined to forge a connection, he decided to approach someone—anyone—who might become an ally in this daunting journey. After all, having someone by his side would make the experience less overwhelming.

Dressed in a pair of joggers and a relaxed t-shirt, with his sword securely strapped to his back in a scabbard, Rin moved through the crowd.

His eyes eventually landed on a boy with glowing red eyes—a telltale sign that he was from the Fire Clan, a group renowned for their mastery over fire-based skills. Rin hesitated.

The Fire Clan was infamous for its arrogance, and he wasn't sure if approaching the boy was a good idea. But summoning his courage, he decided to take the risk. What did he have to lose?

Navigating through the crowded room, Rin kept his eyes fixed on the boy, determined not to lose sight of him. When he finally reached him, he noticed the boy's neatly conditioned hair and a pair of hazel eyes that seemed to shift between shades of brown and green.

The boy stood alone, seemingly unfazed by the chaos around him. When their eyes met, the boy smiled softly, and Rin felt a spark of relief.

"Hi, I'm Rin Hammock," Rin introduced himself, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest.

The boy's smile widened. "Hello, I'm Min-Soo from the Bul Clan," he replied in a gentle voice. "This place has been so boring. Everywhere is just too quiet for my liking."

Rin's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Min-Soo to be so friendly, given the Fire Clan's reputation. Encouraged by the warm reception, Rin relaxed his posture and allowed the conversation to flow naturally.

They talked about their backgrounds, their training, and their reasons for applying to the academy. Rin discovered that Min-Soo had undergone rigorous training, much like himself, and that they shared a common goal of becoming Hunters.

What surprised Rin even more was that Min-Soo didn't seem to mind that Rin lacked a specific skill—a fact that had often made Rin feel inadequate.

As they chatted, Rin realized that Min-Soo wasn't at all what he had expected. Far from being arrogant, Min-Soo was friendly, witty, and had a keen sense of humor that left Rin laughing.

Time seemed to slip away unnoticed as their conversation continued, the murmurs of the other applicants fading into the background.

Suddenly, the room fell silent as the doors swung open, flooding the space with a bright light. All eyes turned to the figure standing in the doorway—a proctor for the examination. The light dimmed, revealing a man in his mid-20s with an athletic build, sleek hair, and piercing amber eyes. Rin's heart skipped a beat when he recognized the man—it was Hayes, his trainer.

"Why are you so surprised?" Min-Soo asked, noticing the look of shock on Rin's face.

Rin snapped out of his daze and explained, "That's my trainer. He didn't tell me he'd be here."

Min-Soo's eyes widened in disbelief. "The S-rank research and ruins hunter is your trainer? Who are you, really?"

Rin shrugged, trying to play it cool, but inside, he was reeling. Hayes was a legend, and having him as a trainer was both an honor and a pressure.

Hayes stepped forward, his voice commanding attention as he addressed the room through a microphone. "Dear applicants, welcome to the Hunter's Examination.

I know you're all here with dreams of joining this academy, but I must be honest—not all of you will make it. This academy isn't for the weak. You'll need to strive, to push yourselves beyond your limits.

Along the way, you'll make friends, enemies, and perhaps even face betrayal. Trust no one, because in this world, alliances can shatter in an instant."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "The exam consists of two parts: a written test and a combat exercise. The written test will determine whether you're qualified to move on to the combat round, which will last three to four days. During this time, you'll stay in the academy dorms. Your performance in the combat exercise will ultimately decide your fate. Only the best will earn a place here. Good luck."

With that, Hayes left the room, the applicants erupting into a round of applause as the doors closed behind him.

---

In the control room, a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair and a distinguished sprinkle of silver at his temples watched the scene unfold. He wore a crisp white dress shirt with a bow tie, his hands deftly controlling the cameras that zoomed in on the orientation room. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as they landed on Min-Soo and Rin.

"Isn't that your brother?" he asked, turning to the man beside him. "This examination is about to get interesting."

The other man, who bore a striking resemblance to Min-Soo but with rougher, unpolished hair, nodded. "Yes, Director. That's him. He's not as strong as I am, but he has the potential to become stronger than me."

The director chuckled. "Well, we have plenty of formidable applicants this year—from Princess Deokan of the Ice Elves Kingdom to Seung-ho, the mages' representative. It's going to be a thrilling competition."