Start with warming up.
The qualifications to become a hunter—that is, to pass the awakening exam—are determined by assessing an individual's physical potential using advanced medical equipment.
The easiest way to distinguish between someone who is awakened and someone who is not is through their physical abilities.
What truly sets the Awakened apart isn't just physical ability—it's their immeasurable "skill."
The average Awakened has no choice but to intuit what their "skills" are and how to use them. Or, they can resort to the inaccurate and extremely expensive Awakened Aptitude Test.
It's usually like that for everyone except me, who has 'piercing eyes'.
[Skill]
[Piercing Eyes: B(S+)]: Sees through the target's essence.
[Magic Engineering Weapon Conversion: A (Fixed)]
[Full bloom: E]
[Keyword]
[doesn't exist]
'As expected... ... .'
Man-gae had returned to E-rank.
The Hunters League Rookie Discovery Project, planned for next year, demands preparations starting now.
First and foremost, the priority is to adjust my body before then.
Compared to back then, my body has grown less, and my skills are generally lower level.
The same applies to [Keyword]: it represents full bloom—where talent stands out most—because achievements are still lacking.
Today's objective is clear: begin focused practice based on current status and goals.
I'll practice at the Hunters League Virtual Reality Arena, located near Seoul City Hall.
The catch here is that you need your parents' permission...
You can get permission without much difficulty.
Before I returned, I used to throw tantrums without thinking, but now I know what my parents want.
When children show firm determination, parents often have no choice but to trust them.
Don't they say there are no parents who win over their children?
***
"I heard Chang-Hyeon woke up the day before yesterday. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I have a lot on my mind."
"What's there to think about? That's why you have to find out."
"So you're pushing me to do something so uncertain?"
The living room is noisy with my parents' argument. I remember now—Mom was against it, while Dad supported me.
The reason Mom knows so much about Hunter is because of Dad.
"No~ It's not our life. It's Changhyun's life. He should be able to do whatever he wants."
"What does a middle school student know? Are you going to keep acting so irresponsibly?"
"So, let's just wait and see for exactly one year, so what are you talking about~?"
"Don't you know that one year of youth is as important as ten years of our age?"
That's definitely true. The younger you are, the more different each day feels.
I used to think about it every day before I fell from the top of the League.
If only I had started the Hunter's League a year earlier~ something like that.
Starting even a year earlier can make a significant difference—adding dozens of pro games and vital experience.
The ten thousand '[Keywords]' grant special abilities when you build achievements, and the experience needed to use them effectively is something you can't overlook.
'In reality, if I had started training just a year earlier, Man-gae would have gotten a B grade instead of a C+.'
That alone would have changed a lot of history.
A year of adolescence is a time when so many things can change so quickly.
It's such a waste of time, like before I returned.
Systematic practice needs to start as soon as possible, given the value of time.
While much talk was still going on, I opened the door and went out.
As I stepped out, silence fell between my parents. They hadn't realized I was listening.
"Just wait six months. I'll prove it within that time. If not, I'll give up and never look back."
"Huh... You're not doing this because your dad pushed you, are you?"
"Mom, I've been thinking a lot. How can I persuade you?"
"So?"
"I know what Mom thinks. But I didn't just wake up and think I should become a hunter because people around me were promoting it. You know I was always good at sports, right?"
Mom's expression didn't lighten easily.
If I showed my determination and gave up if I didn't see results within 6 months, they would give me the OK and move on... Did I think too complacently?
As the silence dragged on, Dad simply watched Mom closely. In our family, Mom usually led in raising me.
"First, don't let even one complaint show that you're struggling. Second, get professional validation from an expert within six months. Third, continue studying as you've been doing. I promise you this."
They say parents can't win against their children, but I'm relieved he finally agreed.
"Mom, just trust me."
"Yeah, if you want to do it, then do it. Failure and frustration are your responsibility. Try to get to where you want to go in six months."
Dad looked a little excited, but Mom wore a subtle expression.
But don't worry, Mom. That expression will soon change to one of anticipation, as you wonder where your son is going.
***
Living up to expectations becomes harder as sports stars become more successful.
As expectations grow, evaluation shifts from season to game and even to team fight.
That's what it means when everyone's eyes are on me.
That's why the ratings plummeted just two seasons before the return.
Compared to that, it's easier for the second or third-ranked players, the so-called "moderately top-tier players."
On average, they perform well enough, but if the star player underperforms—even briefly—attention immediately shifts back to the top name.
It is a position where you can enjoy windfall benefits without being criticized as long as you do moderately well.
For example, Kim Do-jun, who is in front of me right now, is exactly like that.
"Lee Chang-hyun."
"...who are you?"
Of course, there is no need to pretend to know since there is no contact at all after the regression.
Before my return, Kim Do-jun was always among the top two or three melee damage dealers in the Hunters League's first division. He attended my high school, too.
"Oh, you're from the next class. Have you ever heard of him? He's Kim Do-jun. Isn't he quite famous as one of our school's Awakeners?"
"Oh, really? This is the first time I've heard of it...."
His expression immediately turns gloomy. The arrogance he had as a professional is already showing signs of weariness.
He shrugs as he asks about his own reputation. It sounds like he's putting on a brave face.
"Well, this might be the first time you're hearing this. By the way, since you're here, you're taking the tryouts for the Seoul Hunter Academy youth team, right?"
He speaks with quite aplomb—that expression of triumph. Well, judging by his presence here, he must have been an academy student at this age.
I'm having this illusion because I'm at the Seoul Municipal Hunters League stadium.
This venue is more than just a stadium—it also houses hunting and public practice facilities run by Seoul City.
"I'm not taking the test. What do you have to say?"
The place we're visiting now is the Comprehensive Hunter Training Facility. We'll never run into Kim Do-jun again.
"No, I just... I saw you a few times in passing, so I said that. Good luck with your training."
I wasn't the type to initiate conversations like this before the regression. We weren't close then either.
I wonder why he suddenly started talking to me in a friendly manner. Well, I'm not supposed to know that.
I'll head to the information desk to check my options.
"Is it possible to rent the comprehensive hunter training facility from 3 to 6 PM?"
"Did you bring your ID?"
What we are talking about here is not something like a resident registration card, but a registration card for awakened people.
"Here."
"Oh, minors need parental consent...."
Before the regression, I never thought about it because I was an adult and never took care of it.
If I go back here, today's practice will be a complete failure...
"Isn't there another way?"
"Minors require parental consent, so there is no other way."
At the moment, I felt embarrassed. It was Kim Do-jun who approached me.
"You haven't gone yet?"
"You look troubled. Can I help you?"
"Are you a minor too?"
"He's a Seoul club academy student, so that he can do that."
I don't know why he's showing favor, but anyway, what's good is good.
Before the regression, we had no connection whatsoever, but now that I'm receiving help, it feels strange. I'll have to help out if something difficult arises in the future.
"Would you like to come in with me instead? I have time until 4 o'clock."
Well then, that's right. As expected, people don't give anything without getting anything in return.
There's no need to refuse, since there's nothing to lose.
"Okay."
"Then, I have submitted an application for admission to the room for two people, including Seoul Hunters Academy student Kim Do-jun as his guardian. You may enter Room E."
I'm warming up anyway, so there's no problem showing it off.
***
"I'm happy that there aren't many kids at our school who want to become hunters."
"Me?"
"Uh. I recently joined the Seoul City Academy team, but everyone there is older than me, and I don't know them, so it's a bit awkward to talk to them."
Somehow, even before regression, it didn't seem like he'd be the type of person to talk to people or make friends out of extroversion.
"You too... It'll be hard, but practice and try to take the Seoul City Academy entrance exam. I might be able to tell the director about you."
I chuckled. Putting aside the question of whether a director would listen to a middle school kid who'd just entered the academy, the subtle self-praise, coupled with a hint of loneliness, wasn't unpleasant but rather endearing.
"Or so."
"But why the Comprehensive Hunter Training Facility? It sounds cool, but not many people train there."
"That's true. It's a place created purely for practice, rather than for the Hunters' League."
The comprehensive hunter training facility we arrived at was a rectangular room completely white from floor to ceiling, except for the entrance.
"It wouldn't be fun, would it? I'll just test out a few of my skills and work on my stamina."
"Well, since we're friends from the same school, I could help you train if you want...."
It seems like he wants me to ask him for help. But, in reality, he's lived for decades longer than he did before his regression, so there's no way he'd ask a child for help.
- Proceed with the settings.
[Monster Type: Tank Clone / Location: Starting Point / Practice Objective: None / Terrain: Training Room]
As soon as those words were spoken, a man wearing armor and holding a giant shield appeared in the center of the training facility, which had been empty and bare.
Tanker clone.
To use an analogy from another game, it would be like setting up a tank dummy in a free practice mode.
Another difference is that this tank clone's defense is so incredible that it's practically impossible to damage. Of course, it occasionally appears as a bonus mob in the League, so Kim Do-jun has likely faced it a few times.
"Changhyun, if you want to practice, you should use a normal clone. Even if it's practice mode and you're essentially just a dummy, your current abilities won't be affected at all."
As expected, the response is lukewarm. On the contrary, since I'm already in the academy, they think I have more experience than they do, so they're giving me some training.
Well, the weapon I'm holding isn't anything special; it's just an elemental close-range spear for dealing damage. I don't recommend it either.
"Then the sandbag has to be firm. If it's too soft, is it really a sandbag?"
Kim Do-jun, hearing this, sat haughtily, with a slightly pitiful expression, saying, "If you're up for it, then go ahead and try it."
It's time to show the spicy taste of a newly awakened newbie.
"Are you weak?"
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