Why Are You All Here?
The monotonous daily grind, like a hamster wheel. Tales of hunters' exploits spreading far and wide. Anyone would fantasize about it at least once upon seeing a monster appear right in front of them, trembling in fear, only for hunters to show up and hack it to pieces with heroic flair. "I want to be a hunter too."
Of course, that dreaming phase had long passed for me. I was thirty now—the absolute cutoff age for awakening. And even if I did awaken, I had a solid job, a respectable position, and a stable life. Throwing it all away to become a hunter? The math just didn't add up.
I'd just be content with whatever health boost I got and dive back into routine. "If only I'd awakened an S-rank trait." Those cheat traits that guaranteed every awakener reached at least A-rank hunter status. But only 1% of awakeners were born with them—fat chance I'd be that lucky.
"Enough daydreaming. Back to work."
Lunch break was wrapping up. I slurped down the last of my coffee in one go and shifted my gaze to the monitor. That's when a blue window popped up right in front of my eyes.
'What...?'
Crunch. Crackle. The sound of bones and muscles twisting, my body evolving. No pain—just a refreshing coolness enveloping me entirely. That chill made it real: I'd awakened.
Work? Company? None of that mattered now. A word I'd never dreamed of uttering in my life burst from my lips.
"Status window!"
Five Lives (S)
Translation (Lv1)
Just awakened, so the stats weren't impressive. Well, my luck being nearly four times a normal person's was notable. But the real kicker was below that.
The traits section—where some people saw "None." There, shining brilliantly, was an S-rank trait.
Shock robbed me of even a scream. I tapped it immediately to check the details.
Five Lives (S)
Reincarnate four times, each life lasting 30 years, with the final life allowing a normal lifespan. No parents exist. Memories transfer to the next life, but emotions do not. Upon reincarnation, level, stats, and skill proficiencies reset. Traits may be inherited at will.
*Remaining Lifespan: 10 Seconds
I barely grasped the meaning before my eyes locked on the text below. Four lives, each 30 years long. I was 30 now. Lifespan: 10 seconds—down to 7 as I processed it.
"No, fuck! What the hell is...!"
My desperate cry marked the end of my first life.
Born an orphan in the Heavenly Demon Cult. Endured hellish hardships to join the Heavenly Demon Guard. Caught the Heavenly Demon's eye by luck, became her personal bodyguard, built emotions over time, and married. Died at 30 as the Heavenly Demon's husband.
Born an orphan in a fantasy world. Revived memories of martial arts for rapid growth. Branded a demon for using Demonic Cult techniques, but cleared—received the Saintess's apology. Grew close rapidly, joined the hero to slay the Demon King, married the Saintess. Died at 30 as a hero party member and the Saintess's husband.
Worn out from three lives, lived leisurely in the countryside—until a childhood friend appeared. Offered advice while watching her swing a sword, ended up teaching her. Before I knew it, became husband to the girl who founded a new kingdom with sword and magic. Lived with my childhood friend, the Sword Master and Grand Mage, until death at 30.
"This time, let's live easy for real..."
I'd been reborn in the world where I first awoke. After three spectacular lives, a normal one felt like paradise.
'Stay mid-tier at the academy, graduate, copy-paste money as a hunter, then retire happy.'
My head was full of plans to earn a lifetime's comfort without drawing eyes, then enjoy retirement bliss. Academy entrance exam in a week—no worries.
'If a Manifest Realm master fails, is it even an academy?'
Even without talent, over 90 years of training got me to Manifest Realm. This life: 17 years in, low profile at Super Peak—but half a year to Fire Realm if I pushed. Super Peak equaled A-rank hunter power—perfect timing.
'Written exam's another story—gotta study hard.'
As I cracked open a book for the written test, a crackling zap echoed from inside the house.
"A gate...?"
A small gate was opening in my home. Make that three!
"No way. Those Monster Management Bureau idiots slacking? Shouldn't they broadcast evacuation at least an hour early?"
Eerily quiet outside—no alarm. Small gates might slip detection; F-to E-rank at worst. Barely big enough for one person—goblins maybe.
Waiting to see what emerged, the gate entrances tore open. Something burst out simultaneously.
Not dangerous, so I watched. But something was off.
'That's not... a monster coming out?'
Definite human shapes. Channeling internal energy for a closer look—faces I knew all too well.
"Cheonha Yeon... Liera... Estelle...?!"
All women who'd been my wives in other worlds. They tumbled from the gates and collapsed in my room.
'Holy shit...'
A major incident, one week before academy entrance.