Second Preliminary Round Begins
Seoul Hunter Academy, coaching staff room.
"Do-jun, so you're saying that's why Ji-su ended up like that—because of what happened?"
"Yeah, Coach. Luckily, my friend's injuries weren't too bad."
It was strange. That pathetic Han Ji-su might be worthless at hand-to-hand or close combat, but her ability was the real deal. And that gravity field skill of hers was hard to dodge—getting hit by it didn't usually end with just light injuries.
'But he says his injuries aren't severe? Ji-su came back covered in bruises.'
Shin Ui-cheol, the director of Seoul Hunter Academy, twitched his lips. That basically meant Ji-su had lost.
Curiosity bubbled up anew. What kind of guy was he? What abilities did he have?
"Well, that's all in the past anyway. Do-jun, you applied for the Hunters League Rookie Program this time too?"
"Yep. I put in my application, so there'll be some filming coming up. Just wanted to give you a heads-up."
"You know you can't do anything to tarnish the academy's name, right?"
In truth, Kim Do-jun hadn't been at the academy long enough to learn much, but he nodded confidently anyway. The weight of the Seoul Hunter Academy 2nd Team name wasn't light, so it was only natural to accept that responsibility.
'Especially since quite a few from the 1st Team are going—they'll compare us, so I gotta be careful not to fall short...'
"So, that guy you fought, Ji-su's opponent... Chang-hyun? He's in the Rookie Program too?"
"Uh... I haven't asked. I'll check next time I see him."
"Alright. You've got program prep to do, so get going."
Shin Ui-cheol figured if Lee Chang-hyun showed up, he'd get a decent look at his objective skills—a good scouting opportunity. Assuming, of course, he showed some real talent. With the premium of beating Ji-su factored in.
That aside, he had high personal expectations for this Hunters League program. So many from Seoul Hunter Academy making the preliminaries, and heavyweights like Lee Min-seok—widely considered Korea's top hunter—serving as a judge.
But what intrigued him most was Han Ji-su's whereabouts. She'd been suspended, but external activities were allowed, so she was participating too.
'If Chang-hyun's in the tournament, Ji-su's gonna run into the guy who beat her senseless...'
She'd always had a fiery temper. Would it mellow her out? Or push her to grow even more as a player to crush him instead? Either way, it'd benefit the team.
It didn't take long for the acceptance notice to arrive. First came the phone call for identity confirmation, followed by the good news. Then a text instructing entry for the main round.
And now, I was heading to the designated address for check-in.
'Seoul... Jongno-gu... Ah.'
A familiar spot. The Virtual Reality Stadium in Jongno-gu, Seoul—built solely for the Hunters League. Returning here hit me with fresh nostalgia, a reminder of my regression.
'The stadium where I played my debut match...'
Back then, I'd wondered why it was so huge when hardly anyone used it. Now I knew: you couldn't hold events or league admin work in the actual Tower dungeon.
After climbing to 1st Division, matches moved to real dungeons in the Tower anyway, so I rarely came back.
Lost in those memories, I headed to the spectator seats as directed.
Surprisingly, there weren't many strangers. Yoon Han-gyeol, the whirlwind sword I'd faced multiple times in past-life finals. Yoo Hye-ju, who'd matched his results but left for overseas leagues. Even Jang Min-seong, who'd emerged from a long slump like a comet.
'I figured a program from way before my debut wouldn't have many familiar faces...'
Not just faces I knew—some I'd been close with pre-regression. Hell, one was even a former teammate.
Plenty of promising talents here. Made me curious who won back then.
This time around, barring a total upset, it'd be me.
Of course, I spotted some familiar faces from this life too.
"Hey, Lee Chang-hyun!"
Kim Do-jun, spotting me and waving excitedly for me to sit by him. And Han Ji-su, up front in the first row, whipping her head away when she saw me.
Unexpected company.
'Makes sense for academy kids to show up—good exposure, and they've got the skills.'
Getting scouted from academy to pro team prioritized talent, but public recognition never hurt. Or maybe one-on-one mentoring from top coaches drew them.
No reason to turn down a seat, so I plopped down next to Do-jun.
"No trouble after?"
I was checking since I'd thrashed his senior, Han Ji-su.
Getting beat by a junior's friend could've pissed him off enough to vent on me.
"Trouble? Nah. You okay from last time? Looked like you'd be hospitalized forever..."
Fair point. To him, I'd been the one covered in blood.
But nope. Midway through chatting, Do-jun leaned in to whisper.
"Ji-su hyung got suspended and a three-week injury prognosis lol."
"Three weeks and she's here?"
"What can you do? Scouts are snatching academy kids lately."
Guessing she planned to make up lost points in the rookie hunt. Cute plan, honestly.
Chatter flowed like a marketplace among friends, but trailed off as solos kept to themselves. Cameras dotted around the stadium whirred to life, zeroing in on the sudden MC in the center.
"Hunters - The Next Generation! The dawn of legends! Starts now!"
With that, vibrant LED lights blazed across the arena. A towering round tower assembled like a Transformer, forming the stage.
All eyes locked on it, naturally.
"The ultimate show. Welcome to the hunt for the next generation's top star hunters. You've beaten countless awakeners nationwide at 43.5-to-1 odds—you're Korea's hunter future. Give 'em a round of applause!"
Applause thundered from nowhere, making us feel like sudden clowns.
First time on a broadcast show, after all. Pre-regression, my most "TV" moment was interviews.
"Next, meet the judges selecting Korea's finest seeds. Jo Ah-ra, three-time domestic league champ shining brightest in Hunters League! Lee Min-seok, Korean star's career high in the international league, World Series Hunters League semifinals! Jin Su-hyuk, Korea's eternal national team ace!"
The prospect-filled stands buzzed. Even I, basically next-gen, knew these legends.
Overseas players like Min-seok rarely appeared due to schedules, so this was a rare powerhouse lineup.
Not that I cared much about their star power. My past career peaked higher—no awe there.
Still, a bit intriguing.
'Me and Min-seok, both legends of our era. Who'd come out on top?'
Pre-regression play? No way I'd lose. But an easy win? Nah.
'Guys like Min-seok or Su-hyuk are international caliber—close to my old self.'
Lost in hypotheticals about future foes and tests, a bombshell dropped center stage.
"Selected awakeners will tackle missions from these judges. Through round after round of competition, one survivor! Winner gets 500 million won and a custom weapon from Moras Forge!"
The stands erupted. The cash was standard, but Moras Forge gear? Priceless.
Moras mass-produces at hundreds of millions. Customs? Only for the elite—no quals, no sale.
Mostly 1st Division pros and stars wielded them. Huge opportunity.
'Prize money's whatever, but a Moras weapon...'
Seeing it, I figured reclaiming past strength wouldn't take long. A powerful weapon synced with experience? Fastest path to power.
"Now, onto the first mission—meet it now! Jo Ah-ra, over to you."
"4350 in prelims, 100 after docs. We've culled plenty. But still too many. We want real hunters. Ones who can shoulder Korea's Hunters League future."
Jo Ah-ra thrust her fist forward, clenching it. A holographic miniature terrain bloomed center-stage: massive waterfall, mossy rocks, tangled stone bridges and caves. Misty deep mountain valley.
"So we'll cull more. Only 20 advance from this second prelim."
She gestured, and the tiny map exploded to life-size realism before us.
"First mission: Survival Game. Survive in the dungeon stage of true hunters—Land Where Lost Souls Sleep—until 20 remain. Top 5 killers get next-round advantages. Go!"
With her final word, contestants vanished one by one, two by two—teleported into VR.
'Finally...'
A cool sensation enveloped me as Lee Chang-hyun warped away too.
The curtain rose on my long-awaited audition.