Chapter 2
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Became the Last Giant Clan
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A week had passed since he returned to the past.
More precisely, a week had passed since he realized he had returned to the past.
"..."
In that time, Kang Hyuk had done quite a few things.
He had visited a mental hospital, received psychological counseling, and even sought out a renowned shaman to perform an exorcism ritual.
But nothing changed.
The memories in his head.
Experiences as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.
The fact that he had returned to the past remained unchanged, no matter what treatment he tried.
"..."
So, he accepted it and began adapting.
It was disorienting, but time didn't stop.
"Kang Hyuk, you're here?"
Having passed the civil service exam at a young age and taken on the role of a Grade 9 public servant, he flung open the door.
"Good morning."
He bowed his head toward his colleagues, seniors, and juniors at the Hunter Management Office under Gangnam District Office—specifically, at Gangnam-gu Office Station.
Then, he smoothly found his seat and sat down.
"..."
His coworkers, watching him, narrowed their eyes.
Something's off.
A week ago, the youngest member of the office had suddenly taken sick leave.
Some people were feeling a deep sense of incongruity from that youngest member.
It wasn't that Kang Hyuk, returning from sick leave, had made a mistake or acted out in a way that caused discomfort.
On the contrary, he was doing his job too well, and that's what felt off.
Kang Hyuk was a 23-year-old social newbie who had passed the civil service exam young, with zero prior experience.
Because of that, he often lacked basic etiquette or made mistakes on important tasks.
But the Kang Hyuk who returned from sick leave had no such slip-ups.
He was doing everything so perfectly that he even earned praise from the section chief of the Gangnam District Office's Hunter Management Office.
Nicknamed the Old-timer Chief, Kim Shin-nam.
As proof, even now, as he delivered the morning report, he was basking in Kim Shin-nam's affectionate gaze.
"Wow, you've really turned into a new man. Look how neatly this report is organized."
The Old-timer Chief.
Section Chief Kim Shin-nam grinned.
"Keep this up. To be honest, Kang Hyuk, you've been with us for a year now with your vacation days, but your mistakes had me worried. If you keep this level, I got nothing to say."
"Thank you."
"Yeah. Had your coffee? I was about to grab one—wanna come?"
"Sure. I could use some caffeine anyway."
The two rose together and left the Hunter Management Office.
And a small tussle broke out.
"I'll get it, Chief."
"No way, why would you pay? I should."
It was over who would pay for the 300-won vending machine coffee.
In the end, Kang Hyuk won.
"Vending machine coffee's on me, and you can treat me to Starbucks next time."
Kim Shin-nam's eyes widened at that.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Whoa, now you've got sass too? How does a person change this much?"
Kang Hyuk nodded modestly at the praise.
Back at his desk in the warm atmosphere, Kang Hyuk muttered to himself.
Not bad.
Kim Shin-nam, the section chief.
True to his nickname of Old-timer Chief, he had been strict with Kang Hyuk back when mistakes were frequent.
Kang Hyuk had suffered under him constantly, but now that he was back in the past, things were different.
No more mistakes meant no clashes with Chief Kim Shin-nam.
If it stays like this... it's not a bad place.
He was about to refocus on work when—
"Huh?"
His mentor, Lee Yeon-hee.
Just one year older than him, she started fumbling through her documents in a panic.
"W-wait, it's gone? Why...?"
Since she was right next to him, Kang Hyuk caught her distress with a sidelong glance.
But he quickly looked away and focused on his work.
Better not interfere unnecessarily.
Friendships among like-minded people weren't bad, but meddling in a workplace bound by mutual interests usually backfired.
As he tried to ignore it and keep typing, Chief Kim Shin-nam shouted.
"Lee Yeon-hee! How much longer? We need that plan today—why are you so late!?"
Lee Yeon-hee stood, her face dark, and whispered something to Chief Kim Shin-nam as she approached.
"What!? The plan's gone!? Didn't you save the file?"
But his shout made everyone in the office aware of Lee Yeon-hee's mistake.
"I-I did save it, but... the USB itself is missing..."
"That's your excuse!? You should've backed it up somewhere! How many years have you been doing this?"
"I'm sorry... If it wasn't the revised version, I might've emailed it—I'll check."
"Haa... This is driving me crazy. Get that report up now—we have to settle the hunters' performance bonuses. Who's gonna deal with the fallout? Me!?"
"..."
"You know the hunters' tempers—how are you gonna handle this, Lee. Yeon. Hee?"
Chief Kim Shin-nam glared, emphasizing her name syllable by syllable.
As Lee Yeon-hee shrank under his fierce gaze, unable to respond and just bowing her head, Kang Hyuk tilted his head.
This scene feels familiar...
And without thinking, he rummaged through the trash bin next to him.
At that moment.
"..."
Surprisingly, he found a USB labeled "[Lee Yeon-hee]."
A painful forgotten memory resurfaced.
In the original timeline, Lee Yeon-hee's missing USB.
A week later, it turned up in the small trash bin by his desk.
He had been emptying a full bin to take to the dumpster when he spotted the USB engraved with [Lee Yeon-hee] buried inside.
Panicked, he had no excuse ready and just handed it to her awkwardly.
But it was too late.
Delivering it at that awkward timing only widened the gap between them.
It was an utterly unfair situation, but back then, he lacked the experience and wit to clear the misunderstanding.
But now, returned to the past.
The chance to resolve that old injustice had come.
"..."
After a moment's thought, Kang Hyuk carefully pocketed the USB.
Then, he gently tapped the shoulder of Lee Yeon-hee, who sat at her desk looking like she might cry.
"Mentor Lee Yeon-hee."
"...Yes."
"Here."
Lee Yeon-hee lifted her bowed head.
Her mouth fell open in shock.
"H-how did you...?"
"I heard the commotion and checked around my area just in case, and found it under your desk, Mentor."
"...Under my desk? I looked earlier."
"It was tucked in a corner, so you must've missed it. I barely spotted it myself."
Her eyes widened at his explanation.
With teary, glistening eyes, she murmured.
"Thank you so much, Kang Hyuk. Let me buy you a meal sometime."
Kang Hyuk nodded casually and pretended to focus on his work.
"Chief, here it is..."
Meanwhile, Lee Yeon-hee printed the plan from the USB and faced another scolding from Chief Kim Shin-nam.
"Your head's in the clouds! Look—it's right there when you search again!"
The same fierce shout as before.
But Lee Yeon-hee's expression wasn't bad.
After all, she had found the USB and printed the plan on time.
"..."
Kang Hyuk felt a strange premonition.
A trivial matter.
A small change.
Yet it brought about a surprisingly big shift for the effort.
"..."
This incident wouldn't sour his relationship with Lee Yeon-hee.
No pointless misunderstandings.
The problem that had exhausted him back then was undone with a bit of quick thinking and future knowledge.
Perhaps because of that.
He recalled his final moments, which he had briefly forgotten.
Seoul crumbling.
Dying friends and colleagues.
Even the faces of the betrayers.
"..."
Finishing his thoughts, Kang Hyuk's eyes flashed as he muttered.
"Has another chance come?"