Did I Become a Talent Freak?
"You fucking bastard!!!"
I bolted awake screaming. I'd had a dream. Glancing at the clock, it was still 4:30 a.m.—a bit early to get up, but too awkward to go back to sleep.
"Huuu~"
My shirt, soaked with sweat from sleeping in it, clung damply to my skin. To shake off the sticky feeling, I headed straight to the bathroom and turned on the shower.
Shwaaaaa.
Standing under the cascading water, I wiped the steam from the mirror with my hand. A young man with a boyish face stared back at me—smooth skin, not a single scar from countless battles in my previous life.
Did I really regress?
It seemed like that demon bastard's words were true. This vibrant face, these vivid memories... If this wasn't regression, then I must be insane.
If I'd known this was coming, I should've at least memorized some lottery numbers. Checking the date, it was about fifteen years after that day. January 6, 2100—the day of humanity's great cataclysm. The first gates opened, and monsters—humanity's nightmares—began to appear.
The day more than half of humanity perished. Countless monsters poured from the gates, sweeping across the land, forcing the word "apocalypse" into everyone's minds. Then, awakeners—humanity's countermeasures against the monsters—started emerging one by one.
People with abilities surpassing even the superpowered heroes from comics plunged into the heart of the monster hordes, liberating humanity at the very brink of defeat. They were hailed as the First Seven, exalted by all.
After those First Seven, countless more awakeners were born, rebuilding civilization from the ashes of doom. Mana stones, discovered inside the gates, became a new energy source, unlocking infinite possibilities and propelling humanity to new heights.
Thus, people began calling those gates dungeons—treasure troves. Clear the monsters within, and you'd claim all sorts of rewards. That marked the dawn of the mana civilization, ushering in humanity's resurgence.
I shook my head to clear the idle thoughts, slicking back my water-heavy hair.
"Status window."
The status window was utterly ordinary.
Sigh~ What kind of regression is this, starting at F-rank?
In typical regression stories, protagonists usually came packing at least S-rank. This is ridiculous!
In my previous life, I'd at least gotten C-rank. Now I was starting from rock bottom. The silver lining was being an Irregular—with effort, my rank could grow. At least, that's what it said.
From that demon bastard's words and the Regressor title, it was clear I'd returned to the past. Irregular meant my rank could change based on effort, like that Jae-wook guy.
The only standout was the L-rank passive skill Talent in the passive slot. But even that was something I'd never seen before. What the hell did Talent even do? No clue whatsoever. It felt so vague.
And I didn't feel any stronger right away. Sure, an L-rank passive had to be something special, but for now, I had no idea. Otherwise, I was just another unlucky F-rank awakener with zero skills.
No skills at all? That alone painted a grim future. Even F-ranks usually had some basic skill.
Racking my brain, I remembered: right after high school graduation, while prepping for the Magic Officer Academy entrance and working part-time.
At least I'm awakened, so I can apply. Silver lining, I guess? I'd originally planned for the non-awakener mana studies track, but low rank or not, awakeners could apply proudly.
Back then, I'd awakened around senior year and missed re-enrollment, jumping straight into guilds and grinding till I dropped.
Tch, no point overthinking it.
I dismissed the status window and wiped the fresh steam from the mirror again. Memories of my death flashed back.
Grind. That monster resembling the demon who'd devoured me. Could you even call it a monster? With powers like a natural disaster...
I'd watched it casually eat an S-rank like a snack. No S-rank could touch it. That thing treated untouchable elites like appetizers.
One thing was certain now: a clear goal.
I'll make you regret giving me this chance.
I threw on some clothes and headed to the Yongsan Hunter Association. Had to register as an awakener first to apply to the Magic Officer Academy.
The 170-story skyscraper built on the old Yongsan Station site—a towering spire whose top vanished into the clouds. After the first dungeon devastated the area, erecting the Hunter Association here was symbolic: humanity wouldn't bow to monsters.
Though it felt a bit too tall for that.
"Coming back hits different."
I remembered the heart-pounding thrill of my first awakening check. Disappointed to learn I was just C-rank.
"Welcome! How can I assist you?"
After drawing a number and waiting, it was my turn.
"Here for awakener registration."
"Of course. An attendant will escort you shortly. Please have a seat."
"Sure."
Nearby folks glanced my way. In this era, awakeners drew envy from normals.
Soon, a staffer greeted me with a bright smile.
"Hello, Mr. Kang Min-ho? Please follow me."
"Ah, yeah."
I scratched my head, imagining how that smile would twist soon. Pre-check, awakeners were like un-scratched lottery tickets. Low rank? Bust. B+? Guild scouts swarmed. A+? The state claimed negotiation rights by law.
A-ranks and up were strategic assets worldwide, boosting national power directly. High rank meant VIP treatment; low meant disdain.
Countless eyes followed me—deciding their next moves based on results.
F-rank, and they'll lose interest fast.
The staff led me to a room with a familiar device.
Awakener Information Viewing Device
Mana stone at its core, with neat Korean labeling. Even foot stickers for guidance.
Simple: place both hands on the central mana stone, wait, and your info registers on the awakener network.
"Just place both hands here and wait."
"Got it, thanks."
A ticklish sensation started in my palms, then swept through my body. That's when I saw it—an odd sight.
Mana flowing from my palms, threading thinly through my body, passing my heart to my brain.
Fwoosh!
My mind flashed white, like an explosion of light.
Ahh, so that's how it works. Got it.
I nodded instinctively. I understood the machine's principle: it detected awakening status.
Not really the machine's power—more like a minor copy of someone's ability?
And right then!
You have acquired the skill Information Viewing (S).
What the—?!
The monitor blared Awakening Rank: F. I trembled wildly.
The watching staff sighed sympathetically. F-rank was the worst for awakeners; such reactions were common.
But unlike her, I wasn't staring at the rank. I was shaking over the unseen new info.
I barely noticed her pitying gaze.
Insane! For real!
In that instant, I understood. Effortlessly, intuitively—like of course.
This skill came the moment I grasped the device's principle.
Now it clicked: my L-rank passive Talent.
So that's what it meant? Hidden behind F-rank mediocrity, I'd overlooked its true power.
No way... did I become a talent freak?