Chapter 3

“Finally made it…”

I looked up at the large building in front of me.

The Hunter Management Agency – feels like my first time, but technically it’s my second visit.

When I confidently told my younger sister that I could come alone…

I immediately got lost starting from the subway.

Being from the countryside originally, and having spent about 5 years in another world…

It felt like I was trapped in a dungeon maze.

Thankfully, people were kind enough to give directions when I asked; otherwise, I would’ve been wandering for much longer.

With a light sigh, I entered the building.

“Hmm?”

Next to the reception desk stood someone familiar.

It was the staff member I met on the first day. They noticed me too and approached.

“You’re here.”

“Hello.”

“I’ll be handling you again today. Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

I followed the staff down the hallway.

They naturally started chatting with me.

“…You’re no longer wearing your capital city clothes. That outfit suits you well.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, if it makes you uncomfortable, please let me know. I’m not sure which gender pronouns to use.”

“No need to worry about it.”

“I see. Last time was hectic so I didn’t properly introduce myself, right?”

The staff handed me their business card.

Director Jang Han-soo, Management Division.

…What level is a director again?

My memory has improved since being in this body, but…

Since I never worked in an office in my previous life, I can’t recall.

I’ll just stay quiet.

“By the way, considering you’ve been in another world for 5 years, your Korean pronunciation is surprisingly intact.”

“…Because I cursed at the hero party in Korean.”

“Aha.”

Of course, it was only behind their backs.

If I cursed in front of them, they wouldn’t understand the words but the tone would still show.

Also, I often took notes in Korean to preserve information or memories I didn’t want to forget.

“Did you not get along with them?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Was my answer too direct?

The director fell silent.

After pondering for a moment, they changed the subject.

“How was your reunion with your younger sister?”

“It was good.”

“That’s fortunate. Family harmony is important.”

My precious younger sister.

Though she’s grown into an adult during our separation, her cute face remains.

Thinking of her, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Hmm…”

“?!”

Feeling someone’s gaze, I turned to see the director looking at me with a peculiar expression.

But without saying anything, they turned back to face forward.

We soon arrived at the counseling room.

“Shall we start with this? It’s a guidebook we give to newly awakened hunters.”

“Yes.”

I sat down and took the papers handed to me, quickly scanning through them.

“After proving yourself as an awakener in today’s test, we’ll immediately issue your provisional hunter license.”

“Yes.”

“To become an official D-class hunter, you need to accumulate achievements in E-class dungeons or graduate from the Academy.”

“The Academy?”

“Yes, think of it as a university. Personally, I recommend this route. The tuition is a bit expensive, but statistically, these hunters have significantly higher survival rates.”

A bit expensive but better survival rates… hmm…

“And, sorry about this…”

“?!”

“Since there’s no established system for returnees, we can’t provide any subsidies. However, I’ve received considerable discretion regarding you, Si-hyun. I’ll do my best to take care of things.”

“But you said there’s no law…”

At my question, the director’s eyes sharpened.

Crossing their arms, they spoke softly.

“The first returnee is currently affiliated with the U.S. A B-class hunter and exceptional talent.”

“I see.”

“You mentioned defeating the Demon King, correct? What are your abilities? Your class? We need this information to fill out your hunter license.”

Ah…

Whether the laws actually exist or not…

Ultimately, they’ve been testing me this whole time.

“Judging by yesterday’s attire, are you a priest or nun? If so, you’ll make quite a profit.”

The excitement in the director’s expression was evident.

This reminded me of a news article I saw before.

[South Korea Faces Shortage of Support Hunters. Overabundance of Dealers Serious.]

I’ve already been manipulated enough by the church and royalty in the other world.

Enough of being restricted.

Time to pull out my prepared response.

Starting today, I am…

“Me…”

“Na?”

Pausing briefly, the director gave me a steady look.

I responded seriously.

“Insert male parts. No, insert female parts.”

“…”

The director’s expression darkened upon hearing my answer.

Were they really that disappointed that I’m not a support-type hunter?

Still, even if I’m not S or A-class, I should be able to handle B-class hunting.

Internet says B-class is considered upper-tier already.

Not good. Time to emphasize the greatness of the Holy Sword Knight once more.

“Holy Sword Size King.”

“…Huff.”

The director stared blankly at me before letting out a deep sigh.

Shaking their head, they began filling out documents.

“So you’re a Holy Sword Knight. The king of holy swords, huh? Close-range type, right?”

“Yes, sturdy.”

While my divine power doesn’t gather as strongly since coming to Earth,

It hasn’t completely disappeared, and my body is still sufficiently strong.

“…Tanker type, huh. Not bad.”

The director, who seemed to have developed noticeable dark circles, added more content to the document.

Then they handed me a crystal orb.

“This is a magic power detector. Channel some energy into it.”

“Yes.”

Taking the detector, I immediately channeled some holy power.

…Ah, it’s a magic power detector, so I should input mana instead?

Carefully channeling mana again, a faint light emerged from the crystal orb.

“Hmm? The light intensity is normal but the color is unusual.”

“…Does that mean I can’t be a hunter?”

“No, that’s not it. Normal people can’t produce any light at all, after all.”

The director resumed filling out documents.

After a while, they nodded and spoke to me.

“Your provisional hunter license will be available at the reception when you leave. You’ll need to update your ID, so we’ll assist with taking photos and such.”

“Ah, thank you, Director.”

They’re helping and taking care of things somehow.

This level of assistance feels just right.

“In the future, we’ll probably see each other often. Feel free to call me casually.”

“Yes, Director.”

“…”

We’re not that close yet.

* * *

After Si-hyun left the management building,

Director Jang Han-soo sighed deeply before calling the team leader.

“Team Leader, I’ve just finished consulting with the returnee.”

– How was it? What type? Is B-class possible?

“There were some peculiar aspects. Close-range type, starting at regular E-class. I’ll send over detailed reports.”

– Hmm, try to get closer and keep in touch occasionally. The first U.S. returnee is also B-class but has invented various groundbreaking hunter tools, so we shouldn’t judge solely by combat rank.

“Understood.”

– If they turn out to be truly talented, we can’t let them go to another country, so monitor the situation and control information accordingly.

“Of course.”

After further conversation with the team leader and ending the call,

The director recalled the consultation with Si-hyun earlier.

The ice-cold expression when cursing at the hero party,

And the childlike innocent smile when talking about her younger sister,

The stark contrast between those faces lingers in his mind.

The director firmly decided how to proceed moving forward.

As if things weren’t busy enough already, workload increased.

* * *

After leaving the management building, I sat on a nearby park bench.

I recalled the contents of the guidebook I received during the consultation.

As a provisional E-class hunter, there are no responsibilities but also no benefits.

Starting from D-class, various benefits are granted, but obligations regarding gates and dungeons arise.

Most hunter-related matters are handled through an app, so I should start with that.

Apparently, if a dungeon isn’t eliminated within a month, monsters will pour out.

There are exceptions like high-level dungeons or large-scale ones, though.

Low-level dungeons are left to hunters’ discretion,

And if it remains unclaimed for over two weeks, the management agency intervenes.

The app is used for locating dungeons and reserving claims when someone takes initiative.

No need to concern myself with high-level dungeons for now.

After completing hunter verification on the app, I scanned through nearby E-rank dungeons.

“…”

There are more than expected, huh?

Maybe that’s why Director’s eye bags are so dark.

Anyway, what should I do?

D-rank dungeons aren’t solo-able for E-rank hunters in the first place.

E-rank should be easy enough to handle alone,

But I don’t really know much about dungeons and gates, having only read about them.

Naturally, joining a party would be the best way to gather various information.

Even if it’s just a temporary party?

If I’m not excessively focused on profits, parties usually consist of 3~4 members tackling dungeons together.

Definitely safer with a party.

But personality clashes can double the hardship.

Alone? Or party?

Being alone would certainly be convenient.

Still, I’d like to observe other hunters at least initially.

Let’s do what…

…

Gah, seriously.

All this hesitation is because of the hero party!

I’m clearly someone who works best in a party, whether it’s Holy Sword Knight or anything else.

But unpleasant memories keep resurfacing.

They’re not here anymore.

It’s time to escape their shadow, Si-hyun!

Let’s do what I want.

Follow where my heart leads.

Let’s join a party to check out other hunters’ levels!

– Ding!

I booked a spot in the nearest E-rank dungeon with a party recruitment.

* * *

Entering the E-rank dungeon with a temporarily formed 4-person party,

My eyebrows naturally furrowed.

“Are you really melee? You look like you’ll topple over with a single tap.”

“…I showed you my hunter license. Holy Sword Knight.”

Despite the annoying woman’s provocations,

Compared to the catfights I endured previously, this is nothing.

Besides, I won’t see them after today anyway, so ignore.

“Nice, nice to meet you!”

“Hehe, likewise.”

Encountering the kind person from the subway station again was somewhat pleasant.

Their purity is palpable.

“…Hmm.”

“…”

That unpleasant feeling reminiscent of a certain hero.

Though my fists itch, I’ve grown accustomed to it.

Still, why…

“Kiiieeeek!”

The appearance of the dungeon.

The types of monsters appearing.

They seem oddly familiar… is it an illusion…?