A Public Servant Hunter Who Exploits Skill Combinations – Chapter 2
Translated by: Hanzo
Chapter 2: Regression
Everything began to distort.
My memories were swept up in a vortex.
Joy, delight, pain, tears, love, friendship.
Memories from over 30 years tangled together.
More bad ones surfaced than good ones.
It felt like being trapped in a long dream.
This entire situation felt hazy, as if it were a dream.
Maybe I was just drunk and dreaming.
‘Ah, is this… a dream…?’
What if...
This isn’t a dream.
If I get to live again...
Can I fill the end of my life only with good memories instead?
At that moment—
A shock, like my soul was being shaken, struck my body.
“Ugh!”
A sudden flash of light made my vision waver.
It was so bright that I couldn’t open my eyes properly.
I rubbed my eyes for a long time.
Even so, it took quite a while for my vision to return.
“Th-this is….”
Like a lie, I had returned to the day I first awakened.
Looking around confirmed it.
The house I lived in 30 years ago.
My room’s interior.
“I really… came back…?”
I slowly stood up.
Looking into the mirror hanging in the room, I saw my reflection—completely free of wrinkles.
Not only that—my missing arm.
It was intact.
I repeatedly clenched and unclenched the fist of the arm that had been previously cut off.
I even pinched myself just in case.
“Ow!”
‘Damn. That hurts.’
Which means...
This isn’t a dream!?
“It’s real…?”
It wasn’t a dream.
I had truly returned to the day I awakened 30 years ago.
I may not remember other days, but that day was etched in my memory.
The texture of the blanket I lay on, the patterns on the ceiling, the shape of the fluorescent light, and even the curtain’s color.
I had longed for that awakening so much that I could never forget it.
‘Is this really a fresh start…?’
I opened my inventory.
Everything was back to the beginning.
‘So this is the starting state…?’
Not a single item or skill I had collected remained.
I had only returned with my memories intact.
My heart pounded.
Until just before using the skill, I was skeptical.
But now it had become reality.
A past life filled with unpleasant memories.
Now, I had the chance to erase those memories and replace them with good ones.
When I opened the door and stepped out, I saw my father getting ready for work.
I couldn’t even remember the last time I had called him.
Before I turned 30, he had died, killed by a monster from the ‘Field Gate.’
“Dad.”
Suddenly, my throat tightened.
Something surged from deep within my chest, blocking my throat.
“You’re up? I set out breakfast, so eat before you head to school.”
His casual tone carried warmth and care.
But his words felt out of place to me.
For him, it was probably just another ordinary day, but for me, it had been almost 20 years since I had last called out to him.
I hugged my father tightly.
If this was a dream, I wanted to feel his warmth before waking up.
At that moment, my mother stepped out of the bathroom and frowned.
“You two sure are close this morning.”
“M-mom…”
I ran to my mother and hugged her tightly too.
“Why are you acting so weird this morning? Do you need some allowance money?”
“.....”
I said the same line I had said 30 years ago.
“Mom, Dad. I’m dropping out of college.”
“…Are you out of your mind? What’s wrong with you today? Are you still drunk?”
“I don’t need to go to school anymore.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? Are you planning to play games instead of studying again?”
Ah, my shameful past suddenly came to mind, but I decided to ignore it.
From now on, I’ll only create good memories.
“Mom, Dad. I awakened.”
“…What?”
“I said, I awakened.”
My father dropped the bag he was holding, and my mother dropped the dish she was washing.
“…Oh my god.”
Fortunately, I caught the dish.
“My son… awakened?”
Most people awaken at an average age of 20.
“That’s a dangerous job, isn’t it? Will you be okay?”
As expected, my parents’ first concern was my safety.
In this era, being a hunter was both the most dangerous and the most popular profession.
“Don’t worry. From now on, our whole family is going to live long and happy lives.”
“So what are you planning to do?”
My father seemed to want me to live a normal life.
I’m going to do what I’m best at.
Of course, safely.
“I’m going to hunt monsters.”
“You’ve never even fought a monster before.”
‘Dad, the son standing in front of you has hunted monsters for over 10 years.’
“Well, I’ve killed plenty of monsters in games, so I’ll be fine.”
I was more confident than anyone.
I was now 30 years ahead.
“That’s nonsense. I can’t allow it. Not until I’m dead and buried.”
“Well, I’ve already prepared the dirt.”
"What?”
“It’s a joke.”
It was a joke to lighten the atmosphere after my father’s firm response.
Of course, it wasn’t easy for him to allow his only son, who had just awakened, to become a Hunter.
However, I had already gotten his permission once—30 years ago.
The first time is always hard, but the second time is easier.
However, back then, it was my father who first suggested it.
“I’ll attend the Hunter Academy.”
“Hunter Academy…? You mean the Hunter school?”
My father’s concern seemed to ease a little at my determined expression.
“Yes. It’s an excellent institution where the government provides support, gathers awakened individuals, trains them as professional Hunters, and even connects them with guilds.”
My father had his own thoughts.
“I heard that if you get good grades there, you can get a job at the Hunter Association?”
“That’s right. You’re well-informed, Father.”
A Hunter affiliated with the Association—the number one job that parents dream of.
It’s essentially like being a civil servant for Hunters.
Though it pays less than Hunters who explore gates, it’s much safer.
Naturally, it’s the most sought-after career for parents.
But that’s the story of today’s world.
Ten years from now, things will be different.
By then, even if someone wants to be a Hunter civil servant, they won’t be able to.
I’m not attending the Hunter Academy just to convince my father.
The first requirement to become a Hunter civil servant is:
Graduation from the Hunter Academy.
I’m fulfilling that requirement in advance.
“Hunter school, huh…? And then what?”
“I plan to become a Hunter civil servant.”
Seeing the wrinkles form on my father’s forehead, it seemed like he was starting to approve.
Back then, I had simply declared I’d become a Hunter, and we didn’t talk for a while.
‘Mom, Dad, I’ll live a new life now. Just like you want. I’ll become a Hunter civil servant.’
I thought I had lived a diligent life.
But my life turned out to be pitiful and hard.
It was a vain and failed life.
This is my second chance.
I’ve already worked myself to the bone and made enough money.
After going through countless trials, I realized none of it really mattered.
I’d lived too desperately.
This time, I wanted to enjoy life.
Besides, I’m not a genius.
I could acquire high-level skills through skill combinations, but how strong could I really become?
The probability of success in skill combinations decreases as the rank increases.
Given my luck so far, reaching A-rank would be my limit.
So my goal is to graduate from the Hunter Academy with excellent grades and become a Hunter civil servant.
It won’t be as easy to get in after a little more time passes.
With decent skills and a reasonable track record, I can live comfortably for the rest of my life.
‘Hunter pensions alone are worth a fortune.’
I’ll become a Hunter civil servant and live as the one in charge, not the one who’s ordered around.
And I’ll do it while working only four days a week.
***
I had a lot to prepare.
If I had known I’d return 30 years into the past, I would have memorized some lottery numbers…
But that’s fine. There are many ways to make money.
I can’t ask to be spoon-fed when the table’s already set.
At the very least, I can use a spoon myself.
Before that, I needed to register as a Hunter.
Only then could I apply to the Academy this year.
Once I laid out my plan in my mind, I decided to act quickly.
The first thing I did was go to a public bathhouse.
Next, I visited a hair salon.
I got my hair styled nicely and even applied BB cream.
I had my ID photo taken at a studio known for taking the best shots.
This trivial task would become the first good memory of my new life after returning.
After completing the perfect setup, I headed to the Hunter Registration Center.
I entered the center and greeted the staff.
With confidence, I felt positive energy naturally radiating from me.
“Hello?”
“Please take a number and wait.”
“…Okay.”
No response to my greeting.
There wasn’t a trace of friendliness in the staff member’s tone.
‘Did something bad happen today? Why are they so prickly?’
Oh, maybe they’re just stressed.
Since I was in a good mood, I decided to be understanding.
Even the staff in front of me was an awakened one—a Hunter civil servant working a cushy desk job.
‘Wait a minute, why am I suddenly annoyed? They’re working in an easy position and still acting so cold?’
“Those here for Hunter registration, please gather over here.”
A few people, including myself, moved over.
“When your name is called, come up one at a time and place your hand on the scanner.”
The first person called placed their hand on the scanner.
Beep.
The device only checks if there’s mana in the body.
The staff asked the person in front:
“You’re verified. Did you bring a photo?”
“Oh, no?”
I, too, had forgotten my photo the first time and had to use the instant photo booth at the center.
It became a source of embarrassment every time I showed my Hunter ID.
That’s why I made sure to bring a proper photo this time.
When it was finally my turn, I placed my hand on the mana scanner.
I remembered how they ignored my greeting earlier.
‘Heh heh. Should I mess with them a little?’
I deliberately channeled mana into the scanner.
Beep-beep-beep-beep!
“…Huh?”
Hearing the strange noise, the staff muttered to themselves.
“Huh? Why is it doing this?”
“Is there a problem?”
“…Could you place your hand on it again?”
Beep-beep-beep-beep!
It was overloaded.
The device was only supposed to detect the presence of mana, but I had intentionally flooded it with it.
“Huh? This shouldn’t happen… Could you try again?”
The result was the same.
Normally, they’d start suspecting me at this point.
But very few people can use mana right after awakening.
So instead of doubting me, they doubted the machine.
“The machine seems to be malfunctioning. Please wait a moment. We’ll replace it.”
A small commotion stirred as murmurs spread through the crowd.
“Mr. Kim, what’s going on?”
“Ah, Manager. The machine suddenly started acting up…”
“Let me see it.”
“Sir, could you try placing your hand again?”
This time, I didn’t channel mana.
Beep.
The manager glanced at the staff member.
“It’s working fine.”
“Huh? It was malfunctioning just a moment ago…”
“Do your job properly. This isn’t the first time.”
“I-I’m sorry…”
Seeing the staff member being scolded made me feel a bit satisfied.
‘Was my prank too much?’
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