Chapter 1

0.

“This is the fifth time I’ve explained this until my throat hurts, the fifth time! Do you think it’s right to discuss re-enlistment with me?”

Lee Seong-han tapped the reception desk with his index finger.

3 hours and 51 minutes.

That’s how long he had been waiting in line at the Shin Military Administration Center.

“Just a moment. You’re male, right? Haha, it must be an administrative error. There have been a lot of those lately.”

The officer, who had just finished his meal, smiled warmly.

Tap, tap.

The officer sat down and sipped his coffee.

“Name?”

“Lee Seong-han. Here’s my ID, discharge certificate, and military service record.”

“Lee Seong-han… Lee Seong-han. Found it. You’ve recently awakened. The records show it.”

“Yes, I’ve awakened.”

Lee Seong-han scratched the back of his head.

It was true that there had been a lot of rumors lately about awakened individuals avoiding military service.

But this was ridiculous.

Re-enlistment just because I awakened?

I’ve never heard or seen such a law.

Even if it exists, it’s probably some outdated law from the Great War 30 years ago.

“Oh, we’ll take care of it—”

The officer stopped abruptly as he looked at the monitor.

He put on a serious expression.

“Wait a minute. Hey! Bring the team leader here. And everyone else!”

He called in a few more people.

“What’s going on?”

“It applies.”

About a dozen people gathered around the monitor, murmuring.

It was clearly not a normal procedure.

‘No. It can’t be.’

The expressions darkened.

Both Lee Seong-han’s and theirs.

“Mr. Lee Seong-han?”

The officer spoke with the solemnity of a patriot who had lost his country.

“…You’ll have to go.”

Bang!

Lee Seong-han slammed his head on the reception desk.

This is the worst.

2025.

Former Army Sergeant, discharged after completing his service.

Currently a job seeker.

Lee Seong-han.

27 years old.

He couldn’t believe it.

Re-enlistment!

Just after being discharged and graduating from college.

Just when I thought I had a chance at the job market.

“Customer, your iced Americano is ready.”

“…”

“Customer?”

[You have awakened.]

Lee Seong-han stood frozen at the café counter.

“What the hell.”

“Customer, you need to take your coffee. Hello?”

[You have awakened.]

“I, I just got a notification that I awakened. Just a moment.”

“Awakened? Customer, how about you pay first and then talk?”

“Wait, wait, wait!”

Suddenly, he had awakened.

Without even wanting to.

Lee Seong-han acted as if the status window was a hallucination.

He rubbed his eyes.

“Damn, it’s not going away.”

He even tried pinching himself.

“Call the manager! This isn’t working!”

He even posted on a community forum, but reality was harsh.

It was no help at all. He felt like a pig being dragged to the slaughterhouse.

Lee Seong-han opened the job window.

[『Unique Job』]

[<Capable Hunter>]

[-Automatically performs all combat.]

[-Gains additional traits and skills with each level up.]

[-Increases favorability with superiors each time you prove your capability.]

[-Earns additional rewards each time you defeat a monster.]

‘I will definitely get discharged and go back.’

Ding.

[『Discharge Quest』]

[Accumulate achievements and get discharged.]

[Reward: Wish fulfillment]

[Failure: Permanent military service]

Let’s give it a try. It can’t get any worse.

1.

Cheorwon, the frontline of South Korea, known as the worst duty station.

Despite the fervent prayers of the division’s troops.

The December temperature plummeted to a record low.

From -20°C to -30°C.

Like a stock market crash.

On top of that, a blizzard caused by abnormal weather.

Snow up to the thighs with every step.

“Lieutenant, when will we arrive?!?!”

“Stay still! You’re driving me crazy.”

“Isn’t this forest too creepy?!”

“Everyone can hear you, so please keep it down!”

Despite the harsh conditions, Second Lieutenant Shin Cha-yul trudged forward, step by step.

They were breaking through the forest.

To hunt monsters.

Shin Cha-yul had become more adept at fighting monsters than people.

Swish—

The sound of the wind, like a blade.

Shin Cha-yul raised his arm to halt the squad.

Close, somewhere nearby.

“2 o’clock direction! Unidentified target spotted!”

Shin Cha-yul aimed his rifle.

The black outline illuminated by tactical lighting.

That’s it.

The one we’re chasing.

Second Lieutenant Shin Cha-yul pulled the trigger and shouted.

“Target spotted! Engage, engage! It’s a monster!”

“Fire!”

The squad following behind took cover behind trees and concentrated their fire.

The black outline, startled, retreated deeper into the forest.

“It’s moving! Don’t let the encirclement break!”

“Yes!”

“1st Squad, follow me! 2nd Squad, follow Corporal Choi!”

“Move!!”

The soldiers split up seamlessly according to orders.

The squad was hunting a naturally occurring monster in the wild.

A group from a small gate.

Unlike large gates, there were no signs of their appearance.

This caused issues like troop casualties and supply delays.

And their appetite?

Farm crops.

Cows.

Chickens.

Even people.

If we don’t kill them, it’s the military’s responsibility, and eventually, our own necks could be on the line.

Shin Cha-yul clicked his tongue.

That can’t happen.

-This is Recon Team 1. Target spotted. Currently 500m ahead. 1 o’clock direction.

The reconnaissance team reported.

“Move.”

The squad moved as trained.

They lay prone in the snow.

Then slowly advanced!

A faint shape could be seen in the distance.

The monster the squad was chasing.

The target of this operation was right in front.

“Ribbit, ribbit.”

Frog.

A large monster with a voracious appetite.

It eats and digests almost anything.

Now it was struggling to eat a half-destroyed White Tiger armored vehicle.

An enemy like a pelican, needing to stuff anything into its mouth.

“Move.”

Shin Cha-yul dispersed the troops.

Active shooting positions.

Exactly by the book.

With Shin Cha-yul’s firing command, bullets rained down.

Ratatatatat───!

“Ribbit, ribbit!”

But ordinary bullets don’t work on Frog.

Monsters are invaders from another dimension, and ordinary weapons can’t penetrate them.

Frog made a big leap.

“Target disappeared. Target disappeared!”

“It’s in the air!”

This can’t be.

“What?”

Shin Cha-yul raised his head and stared at the sky.

A green dot.

Something glowing like a night light streaked across the sky.

Frog.

It was adept at guerrilla warfare.

“This is insane!”

Shin Cha-yul, his jaw dropping, turned on the radio.

“This is Frog 1. Frog 1. Target lost.”

-HQ. Roger. Return to the rally point. Be careful not to widen the encirclement. Over.

Shin Cha-yul, who had lost the mission target, felt a sharp pain in his head.

If it were a normal monster, it would be fine.

But a mutant!

This was thunder out of the blue.

With the current equipment, killing it was almost a miracle.

We needed a Hunter.

An Awakened One, the new humanity!

“Everyone, focus! Is everyone just standing around like idiots while the squad leader is asking questions?!”

“Awakened Soldier Lee Seong-han!”

A soldier approached Shin Cha-yul, who was deep in thought.

Rank: one stripe.

An Awakened Soldier.

And a male at that!

Considering the unit’s gender ratio was 90% female, this was rare.

The squad leader glanced at the Awakened Soldier.

‘Lee Seong-han, right? That’s his name.’

His features were so distinct that he remembered him clearly.

“What’s the matter?”

“I can kill it.”

“Wait. You can kill it? Did I hear that right?”

“Yes, I can kill it.”

The cold response made the soldiers in the barracks murmur.

“I’ll run over there on these two legs and kill it.”

“Are you insane? You think you can take it down alone?”

“Yes.”

The squad leader smirked in disbelief.

No way he could do it alone.

“Do you really think it’s possible?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m invincible.”

“What.”

Ordinary weapons?

They don’t work.

And it’s a mutant.

In other words, an ‘Irregular.’

Its specs surpass even elite monsters.

With second-tier equipment, it’s tricky to handle.

‘But we can’t just leave it like this.’

She fell into deep thought for a moment.

Lee Seong-han.

A new recruit assigned to the company three months ago.

She had read the field reports.

He perfectly completed his missions and was called a ghost.

His skills were solid.

And there was no one else to trust with this.

Shin Cha-yul reluctantly nodded.

Alright, we have no choice.

“Follow me. I’ll prepare your gear.”

“Yes, sir!”

Shin Cha-yul led Lee Seong-han out of the barracks and into the command post.

The inside of the barracks, hastily set up, had intermittent snowflakes coming in, and the only heating was a cylindrical electric heater.

She approached the tactical map in the center and provided some materials.

Lee Seong-han carefully reviewed the materials on the table.

Irregular Frog.

There’s a huge difference from a normal Frog.

Faster than a car.

Strong enough to chew through magic stone bullets.

And intelligent enough to never let go of a target once locked on.

It’s playful enough to devour lives.

Those were its characteristics.

“Is it possible?”

“It’s possible.”

Leaning against a pillar, Shin Cha-yul was immediately worried upon hearing the answer.

Can a man really handle such a dangerous mission?

Although male Awakened Ones are gradually being deployed these days.

But what can a college kid who hasn’t even served his time do?

“I don’t doubt you, but… even the most skilled Awakened One would struggle with supply-type equipment.”

“Whether it’s long or short, we won’t know until we try. I’m an honorary professor in the Hunter department, aren’t I?”

Lee Seong-han grinned, showing his teeth, and carefully combined the reports.

“Here… this should do.”

Whoosh.

Some of the documents overlapped at a specific angle and emitted a bright light.

[Will you accept the 『Special Quest』?]

‘I’ll check it out.’

Swoosh.

The quest window expanded.

[『Special Quest』]

[Recently, an elite monster ‘Irregular Frog’ has been spotted dominating this area. Eliminate it before it causes more damage.]

[Reward: 30,000,000 won]

[Failure: None]

Lee Seong-han grinned with amusement.

“I’ll take care of that. Perfectly.”

“Really?”

“Do you think I’ve only done military service once or twice?”

It was worth a shot.

—

Lee Seong-han was breaking through the forest with large strides.

With every step, snow flew up to his head.

‘Discharge, discharge, discharge, discharge, discharge.’

Lee Seong-han arrived in the forest to hunt the Frog.

He sat down in a shooting position and kept watch.

Dense trees.

The coordinates sent by the system were definitely here.

“I’ll definitely catch it and get discharged.”

Lee Seong-han grinned, showing his teeth.

The Frog could be a big help in his discharge plan.

D-rank, top-tier danger level.

Its combat power isn’t something to be taken lightly.

For civilians or freelance Hunters?

It’s a formidable enemy that occasionally claims lives.

‘But the reward matches the risk.’

Lee Seong-han took a deep breath.

It could shorten his discharge period.

“Where are you~♩ Where are you~♫”

Lee Seong-han hummed as he scouted the forest.

All he could feel were the pyramids.

It should definitely be around here.

The system wouldn’t lie.

Swish—

The sound of dry leaves being stepped on echoed from afar.

Even if it’s a wild animal, it doesn’t matter.

The Frog needs to eat anything to satisfy its hunger.

Setting a trap would be good.

“…Found it. My discharge!”

In the dry grass.

A Frog chewing on the remains of an armored vehicle was visible.

‘Let’s gather more information first.’

Lee Seong-han crouched under a tree.

He took cover behind the tree, out of sight.

It was chilly, but it didn’t matter.

Rolling…

A rubber tire melting in acid rolled across the snow.

A sour, lemon-like smell.

The stench of strong acid.

Lee Seong-han stuck out his tongue.

“It’s learned acid abilities. I need to take out the acid glands first.”

Lee Seong-han pinched his nose and reviewed the plan.

With such tricky traits.

A high-intensity plan and preparation are necessary.

Lee Seong-han pulled the rifle’s charging handle.

‘Shall we give it a try?’

[Will you activate ‘Automatic Combat’?]

“Activate.”

[‘Automatic Combat’ activated.]

[All combat will be automatically conducted.]

He lost control of his body, as if his senses were gone.

[Upon defeat, discharge period shortened by 12 days.]

Discharge is getting closer.

—

Lee Seong-han burst out from behind the tree.

‘Kill it. Kill it. Kill it!’

To be precise, his body was running on its own.

With mechanical precision in movement and posture.

“Ribbit!!!”

From a distance, the Frog opened its mouth and spat acid.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

It was faster than most rifle bullets.

But it didn’t matter to Lee Seong-han.

With [Automatic Combat] activated, defeat wasn’t an option.

“Here it comes.”

Lee Seong-han slid to the side at the right moment.

Splash!

The acid missed.

The Frog, seemingly surprised by this situation, let out a scream.

Yeah, just open your mouth wide.

‘I’ll take out the acid glands here.’

It’s going exactly as planned.

Lee Seong-han rolled forward.

Using the momentum to stand up, he threw a greatsword.

Thud───!

The base of the tongue was cut off by the dagger.

The acid glands attached to it were also removed.

The tongue fell onto the snow.

It melted the surrounding snow with a large plume of smoke.

“Ribbit!!!”

The Frog, in pain, curled its tongue.

But it was already too late.

‘Now.’

Lee Seong-han spotted the opening.

He quickly took a stance.

He drew his rifle and aimed.

Click, clack───!

Full-auto fire.

The recoil was greatly reduced.

Bang!!!

The bullets pierced the Frog’s eyes.

The penetrated bullets lodged into the trees on the other side.

“Kuh, kuhhhh!”

The Frog, having lost its eyes and mouth, thrashed wildly.

The snowflakes on the ground scattered.

Desperation pattern.

‘This is the end.’

Lee Seong-han ran across the snow with his upper body lowered.

Thud!

He jumped and landed on the Frog. A terrible stench rose.

“Die properly! Help me shorten my discharge period!”

Lee Seong-han skillfully drew a greatsword from his waist.

He plunged the greatsword into the Frog’s skull.

Squelch!

Orange blood gushed out as soon as it was stabbed.

The brain was cooking.

“It was a good call to request this from above.”

Lee Seong-han wiped the blood off his arm.

[Military Magic Stone Greatsword (A)]

-A greatsword made by sharpening magic stones. It performs excellently in any situation.

“Is it dead?”

The Frog, after spilling its brains, stopped thrashing.

“This is Awakened Soldier. Target eliminated.”

-You, you really killed it!

“I told you, Lieutenant. You know it helps shorten my discharge period, right?”

-Of course! I’ll prepare the paperwork right away.

Lee Seong-han pulled the greatsword out of the skull.

“Ugh, this thing is expensive.”

Finally, the Frog collapsed, seemingly out of energy.

[『Special Quest』 completed.]

[Calculating rewards.]

[+30,000,000 won]

Honestly, I thought it would be easier from here.

…

…

…

“Private.”

“Yes.”

“You really pick the most troublesome things to do.”

This was 5 hours before I got screwed.

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