Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Is This Your First Time Seeing a Saintess Who Can Use Magic Well?
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"Finally made it..."
I looked up at the massive building standing before me.
The Hunter Management Bureau—a place that felt new, even though it was technically my second visit.
I'd left home full of confidence, bragging to my little sister that I could handle this on my own.
But I'd gotten lost the moment I hit the subway.
I was originally from the countryside, and after rolling around in that other world for five years...
Seoul felt like getting trapped in a high-tech dungeon maze.
Luckily, people were kind enough to give me directions when I asked.
I might've wandered for ages otherwise.
I let out a light sigh and stepped inside.
... Hm?
A familiar face was standing right next to the reception desk.
It was the staffer I'd met on my first day.
She must've spotted me too, because she was already heading my way.
"You're here."
"Hello."
"I'll be handling things for you again today. Shall we go?"
"Sure."
I followed her down the hallway.
She had a friendly personality, striking up a natural conversation as we walked.
"You're not in your casual clothes anymore. The outfit suits you well."
"...Thanks."
"Ah, and if it's uncomfortable, just let me know. I'm honestly not sure whether to treat you as male or female yet."
"No need to worry about it."
"Got it. Last time was so hectic I didn't even introduce myself properly."
The staffer handed me a business card.
Section Chief Jang Hansu.
...What rank was a section chief again?
My memory had gotten much sharper since coming back in this body.
But I'd never had an office job in my past life, so the title didn't ring a bell.
It was best to just stay quiet.
"Speaking of which, after five years in another world, your Korean is flawless."
"...I used it to curse out the Hero's party."
"Ah, I see."
Of course, I only did that when I was alone—gossiping behind their backs.
Cursing to their faces would've given it away through my tone, even if they didn't understand the words.
I'd also jot down personal info or memories I didn't want to forget in Korean.
"You didn't get along, huh?"
"Nope."
"..."
Maybe my answer was too blunt.
The Section Chief fell silent.
He pondered for a moment, then changed the subject.
"How was the reunion with your little sister?"
"It was great."
"Glad to hear it. Family harmony is a wonderful thing."
My precious little sister.
She'd grown into an adult while we were apart, but her face still held that adorable charm.
Thinking of her brought a smile to my lips without me even realizing it.
"Hmm..."
"...?"
I felt his gaze and turned to see the Section Chief watching me with a subtle expression.
But he said nothing and looked ahead again.
We soon arrived at the consultation room.
"Want to start with this? It's the guide we hand out to newly awakened hunters."
"Sure."
I sat in the chair and took the paper he offered.
I skimmed through it quickly.
"If the test today proves you're awakened, we'll issue your provisional hunter license right away."
"Okay."
"D-rank is when you become a full hunter. You can either rack up achievements in E-rank dungeons or complete the academy course."
"Academy?"
"Yeah, think of it like college. I'd recommend that route. Entrance fees are steep, but stats show their survival rates are way higher."
Steep fees but higher survival...
Not a bad pitch, but a bit ambiguous.
"Oh, and sorry about this."
"...?"
"We don't have a system set up for returners yet, so subsidies might be tough. But the team leader gave me a lot of discretion on your case, Sihyun. I'll do what I can."
"...You said there are no laws. How do you have discretion?"
My question made his eyes sharpen.
He laced his fingers together and spoke softly.
"The only other returner besides you is under U.S. jurisdiction. A B-rank hunter, exceptional talent."
"I see."
"You beat the Demon King, right? What's your ability? Your class? We need that for the license."
Ah...
I wasn't sure if the laws actually existed or not.
But he'd been probing me all along to gauge my reactions.
"Judging by yesterday's outfit, a priest? A nun? Something like that? You'd make bank."
Excitement leaked from his expression.
It reminded me of that news article.
[Korea Faces Shortage of Support Hunters. Dealer Oversupply Worsens.]
I'd been tossed around enough by the church and royalty in that other world.
I was sick of being bound.
It was time for the answer I'd prepared.
From today onward, I am...
"I..."
"You?"
I paused for effect, and he stared intently.
I met his serious gaze with my response.
"I sell male genitals. Wait, no—female genitals."
"..."
His face soured at my answer.
Was he that disappointed over me not being support?
I wasn't S- or A-rank, but I figured B-rank was doable...
The internet said B-rank was upper-tier.
No helping it—time to hype up the Holy Knight's greatness again.
"Holy Knight. Size King."
"...Sigh."
He stared blankly before letting out a deep sigh.
Shaking his head, he jotted it down on the form.
"Holy Knight, huh. Fine. Melee class, right?"
"Yes, very sturdy."
Holy Power didn't pool as strongly since returning to Earth.
But it hadn't vanished, and my body was tough enough.
"...Tank type, then. Not bad."
The Section Chief, whose dark circles seemed even deeper, added to the form.
Then he handed me a crystal orb.
"Mana gauge. Channel some power into it."
"Okay."
I took it and fed in a bit of Holy Power.
...Wait, mana gauge—should it be mana?
I infused mana more precisely this time.
A faint light glowed from the orb.
"Hm? The light's normal, but the color's off."
"...Does that mean no hunter license?"
"No, nothing like that. Regular people can't make it light up at all."
He updated the form again.
A moment later, he nodded and spoke.
"Pick up your provisional license at reception on the way out. You'll need to renew your ID too—I'll help with the photos and paperwork."
"Ah. Thanks, Section Chief."
He was actually helping out.
This level of support felt just right.
"We'll be seeing a lot of each other. Feel free to call me casually."
"Sure, Section Chief."
"..."
We're not that close.
After Sihyun left the building,
Section Chief Jang Hansu sighed heavily and called his team leader.
"Team leader, I just finished consulting with the returner."
- How'd it go? Class? B-rank potential?
"Some oddities. Melee type, starting at plain E-rank. Details in the paperwork."
- Hmm. Keep in touch, build rapport. The U.S. first returner is B-rank but invented game-changing hunter tools. Don't judge by combat grade alone.
"Understood."
- If she's a real talent, we can't let her go overseas. Control info as needed.
"Of course."
After more discussion, he hung up.
The Section Chief reflected on his talk with Sihyun.
The icy-cold expression she had when cursing the Hero's party.
The pure, childlike smile when she spoke of her sister.
The stark contrast lingered in his mind.
He set his course of action firmly.
More work was piling on his already busy plate.
After leaving the Bureau, I sat on a bench in a nearby park.
I reviewed the guide from the consultation.
Provisional E-rank hunters had no duties or benefits.
From D-rank, benefits kicked in—but so did obligations for gates and dungeons.
Most hunter business ran through an app, so I downloaded that first.
Dungeons had to be cleared within a month, or monsters would spill out.
There were exceptions for high-rank or large-scale ones.
Low-rank were left to hunters to clear autonomously.
If over two weeks passed with no clear, the Bureau would intervene.
The app tracked locations and claimed clears.
I didn't need high-rank details just yet.
I authenticated my hunter status and browsed E-rank dungeons.
"..."
There were more than I expected.
It explained the Section Chief's dark circles.
What to do?
Reaching D-rank required more than solo E-rank clears.
An E-rank should be easy alone.
But I only had theoretical info so far—dungeons and gates were still unfamiliar territory.
Parties were the best way to gather intel naturally.
Should I join a temporary party?
Non-hardcore earners usually cleared in 3-4 person groups.
Parties offered stability.
Personality clashes could double the hassle, though.
Solo? Or party?
Solo would be more comfortable, sure.
But for the first time, I wanted to see what other hunters were like.
Which way should I go...
...
Ugh, seriously.
This is all the Hero party's fault!
Holy Knights or whatever, I'm best in parties efficiency-wise.
Bad memories kept making me hesitate.
They're not here now.
Time to shake off their shadow, Sihyun!
Do what I want.
Follow my heart.
I'll check out hunter levels and go with a party!
Reservation confirmed for nearby E-Rank Dungeon party recruitment.
I entered an E-rank dungeon with a temporary four-person party.
And naturally, my brow furrowed almost immediately.
"You sure you're melee? You look like you'd crumple from a single tap."
"...I showed my license. Holy Knight."
The woman kept picking fights.
Compared to the toxicity I'd endured, it was nothing.
There was no point dealing with someone I'd never see again.
"N-Nice to meet you!"
"Heh, same here."
The kind subway stranger from before was a welcome sight.
He felt genuine.
"...Hmph."
"..."
Then there was a hunter staring with a gross, hero-reminiscent gaze.
My fists itched, but I was used to it.
Still, why...
"Kieeeek!"
Did the dungeon layout...
And the monsters...
Look so familiar? Am I just imagining things...?