The Legend's Revival
Thirty years after the first monster appearance incident, the world no longer suffered from the headaches caused by monsters emerging from the Tower. Powerful Awakened hunters had arisen, more than capable of exterminating them. Instead, the world was gripped by the sport of the Awakened hunters: the Hunters League, commonly known as HL.
And I was a legendary player in the Hunters League.
7v7 Hunters League official matches: 435 games, 336 wins, 99 losses. International League champion 3 times, Mid-Season Championship 3 times, KHL champion 10 times, tournament MVP 8 times total, All-Star Game winner 4 times, plus 2 other tournament wins. And numerous No. 1 rankings in 3v3 mini Hunters League and 1v1 Hunter rankings...
But that was all just fleeting past glory.
The moment you step down from the throne, it all turns into an empty dream.
Lee Chang-hyun, the legend of the Korean Hunters League, regresses.
Sports always mix the joys and sorrows of rising rookies and fading veterans nearing retirement. It was inevitable. I knew that. It was obvious I'd grow old someday, and no player plays forever.
But I couldn't retire like this.
All I could do was let out a hollow laugh.
Korea's standing in HL had risen to this level—had become a popular sport—thanks to me. Before that, Korea was just a backwater nobody in the Hunters League scene.
But none of that mattered now.
Just two seasons—no, a slump in the summer season kept us out of playoffs, and suddenly rumors of team discord and my retirement exploded.
Ha... what a fucking joke.
My mood hit rock bottom. I didn't want to stare at my phone screen anymore, scrolling through comments. Nor the worried KakaoTalk messages about that article.
'I don't really wanna see the Manager either, but...'
Anyway, there was business to wrap up. I set down my powered-off phone and eyed the Manager across the desk.
"Chang-hyun."
"Yes, Manager."
"Don't sweat those comments. You know they don't help your mental game. Anyway, you might wanna brace yourself after this season."
"Brace myself?"
Telling me not to mind comments, then this gem. What? Brace myself? Was this clown of a Manager about to bench me?
"No long talk. The owner wants you shifting to face-of-the-franchise stuff—ads, marketing, business side—after this season. You've got military service coming up soon, and we both know you can't drag it out forever, right?"
"What the actual fuck!"
BAM.
No need to hear more. I stormed out of the Manager's office.
I didn't want to be here another second. Telling a slumping player—no, the guy who'd carried the team single-handedly—that his only value left was his 'star' nameplate? And this asshole was the Manager?
The prick couldn't even remember who put him in that chair.
"Talking back while scrolling your phone like a rude shit. No wonder retirement and personality drama hits the second his skills dip! Shouldn't have raised a rootless punk like that."
As I slammed the door behind me, the Manager's yell carried over. He probably thought it was quiet, but as an Awakened, I heard every word.
That did it. I marched right back in. Seeing me, the Manager toppled backward.
"Wha... why! Forget something?"
Pathetic, flopping back knowing he'd been caught badmouthing.
Not even funny. Come to think of it, this Manager's backstabbing was all because of him too.
Bloom (C+): Talent blooms. Bloom skill rank increases over time. Upon blooming talent, Bloom skill rank growth halts, but all other abilities strengthen according to Bloom skill rank.
If I hadn't fallen for this Manager's tricks back in high school and unlocked Bloom, this skill would've been pushing S-rank by now.
I approached without a word, and his face drained of color.
"You little shit, think you can get cocky just 'cause I let you..."
'If this Manager bastard hadn't sweet-talked me into awakening right then...'
Last season's relegation scare had him desperate for results, ruining my future in the process.
Without using Awakened power, I grabbed his collar tight. Only then did he grasp the situation, eyes darting in panic.
Unbearable rage boiled up. This guy who'd sold out my life to save his skin, advancing while failing to protect a player—I couldn't just stand here with him in front of me.
"Must've been nice. Sucking the honey off me. Cursing when you felt like it. But living too easy made you forget your place."
His lofty attitude crumbled fast. As I hoisted him up by the collar like I wanted to kill him, he switched to begging.
"Guh... guh. N-no... I was just worried about you..."
What a fake prick. Trash clinging to life by half-selling someone else's future. He averted his eyes, groveling, but it didn't feel good.
"Hoo..."
I gripped his collar but couldn't bring myself to punch him. Just a suffocating frustration as I shut the door and left the office.
Beating the Manager might feel good for a second, but nothing changes. I knew better than anyone that wasn't a real fix.
'...'
Yeah, it'll all blow over fine.
But... why did it feel so empty?
Tears welled up unbidden. From the emptiness. From everything I'd achieved feeling meaningless. From the rage of ending my career labeled a has-been.
'Status Window'
Not one to discard—high-rank, useful skills and keywords all around. But no more growth ahead. Just an aging body and the prematurely capped Bloom blocking the way.
What good was anger? It'd just hurt me.
With that thought, I left the building and crossed the crosswalk that looked like it had turned blue.
But damn, my luck sucked.
It was clearly green... but suddenly a massive 25-ton truck barreled toward me, horn blaring.
The hurtling truck's immense weight shook my entire body. Even as an Awakened, I couldn't resist that brutal force.
My body absorbed the impact like a sponge, and a metallic tang of blood filled the air as my frame failed to hold.
Death rushed in an instant.
'Ah... my gut hurts.'
If I'd known, I'd have lived more selfishly... Sue all those trolls. Give the coach with his dumb strategies a piece of my mind. Break the hands of anyone who picked fights. Humble the cocky bastards. Give the Manager a real lesson...
No. That's not the standout memory.
Tens of thousands chanting my name alone, that magical moment. Blood-pumping do-or-die moments. Teammates I could trust.
And... victory.
Just once more, even just one more time—I wanted to lift that World Championship trophy again.
But after three straight World Championship wins, it was all downhill forever, never to climb again.
'If only I'd held out a bit longer...'
The upcoming Hunters League Olympics came to mind—my plan to restore Korea's prestige there.
But I ended as a has-been, past glories unrecoverable.
Ah, regrets. Forcing my unripe talent to bloom back then.
I wanted an honorable retirement, leaving beautiful footprints. Like tracks in untouched snow, something everyone admired.
That was my final memory of this life.
Regression. Everyone's fantasized about it once. Back to senior year for the college entrance exam... Before Bitcoin blew up...
Something like that.
People can't avoid regrets, and everyone harbors that wish deep down.
'Never imagined it'd happen to me...'
I didn't believe it at first, but seeing my hands and feet, and the awakening tester capsule around me, I had to accept it.
How could I forget the day it all began?
The moment I realized I'd regressed, the emptiness, regret, agony from my death surged back, tears flowing unbidden.
Along with joy. Relief. And a vague hope: Can I do it again?
That passed quickly. I calmed myself.
'No getting swept by emotions. No repeating past mistakes.'
Now reborn, what to do—and what not—was crystal clear.
Right before my eyes: the familiar capsule tester screen.
The capsule lid opened like a sports car, light pouring from above. A doctor and my fidgety mom nearby.
"Congratulations. Your son is confirmed Awakened."
Mom's expression was mixed at the doctor's verdict. No Awakened in our family before.
"Mom, test's done."
"Oh. Right."
Snapping out of her daze, she took the results from the doctor with a greeting. Probably a whirlwind in her head.
"When'd you awaken?"
"Not long ago."
"Not getting delusions, right?"
She meant Hunters League pro. With so many Awakened now, competition rivaled idols or actors—no room for pipe dreams.
Of course, unnecessary worry...
'Mom, before regression, I was a Hunters League legend.'
Couldn't say that. No one'd believe it.
"What, scared I'll say I wanna be a hunter?"
"Anyone can be a hunter? Even if, look—broadcasts only show top 1st division kids, and they're a handful. Plus, even if you go pro, you're lucky not to lose money."
"You mean team academies?"
"Yeah."
Surprised Mom knew so much. Just got awakened verdict, yet she grasped pro competition and academies.
"No need for academy. I'll prove it solo."
"Prove what? You're high school next year—focus on studies."
"Studies are... easy."
"Talk big all you want~"
Pre-regression, I fought tooth and nail against her opposition. Now? No need.
She worried about impossible dreams. Show results, done.
'Hunters League rookie scouting show next year, right?'
Impossible back then at this stage. Now? Win blindfolded.
Form is temporary, class eternal—even post-regression.
So this time, I'll devour them all.
Heat pulsed in my clenched fist.