Smooth Sailing into F-Rank Hunter Life
Really, if things went off without a hitch, I'd smoothly become an F-rank hunter.
After the Grand Canyon incident ended, the world underwent massive changes.
The biggest one was the Status Window.
Every single Awakener who gained their powers after the day humanity was saved from destruction—without exception—possessed this thing called a Status Window.
It handled everything from basic personal info to objective stats on their abilities, detailed skill descriptions, and more.
'Some folks used to joke that the world had already ended and turned into a game.'
The Association, dealing with this phenomenon, divided hunters into two generations.
The old hunters without Status Windows were dubbed first-gen, and modern ones second-gen.
'I never imagined it'd become a label for has-beens.'
I stared once more at the ability record sheet.
The content looked straight out of a game, leaving me momentarily dazed.
Sorry, Frank. I thought you were just trash-talking second-gen out of spite. If you can hear my apology from the afterlife, please accept it.
'So second-gen really see numbers like this?'
It was awkward. Forget the content—I had no idea how to even open a Status Window.
Luckily, there was a guide in front of me who wouldn't snap at such a question.
I approached the desk guide waiting with a smile for my paperwork.
"Excuse me."
"Yes, have you finished filling everything out?"
"Do you know how to open the Status Window by any chance?"
The guide didn't flinch at my question and continued smoothly.
"Ah, starting from there?"
She naturally launched into an explanation.
"Most people who come to register don't know their abilities well since using them before official hunter registration is illegal."
Even hearing it from someone else, these guys were legends. Korea, you mad bastards.
The brilliant country that made unregistered Awakeners' ability use illegal just to force them into hunter registration.
Ridiculous, but for now, it worked in my favor. I got the explanation from the start.
"Imagine a blackboard in your mind and focus on the desire to pull it out into the real world. Then it'll appear like this…."
A small blackboard-like panel materialized in front of the explaining guide.
It was filled with info similar to the record sheet format.
"This is the Status Window. Normally, you can't show yours to others, but if you have Visualization, you can display it."
She added the explanation effortlessly. Probably why she got hired at the Hunter Association.
The vibe felt right for more questions, so I asked about what puzzled me.
"What's 'Given Purpose'?"
"It's the item on your Status Window that shows how to improve your abilities. Usually, completing it leads to a rank-up."
In simple terms, like an RPG job change quest.
'The world's gotten so convenient. They even spoon-feed you how to get stronger.'
"Thank you. I'll finish the paperwork quick and submit it."
"Sure thing~."
I returned to my seat and scribbled roughly.
'This should do.'
I referenced the guide's numbers and toned them down appropriately.
Even if hers were that low, basics wouldn't be single digits, right?
For ability, I put Body Enhancement. I could pull it off with mana circuits alone if needed.
'And I don't even know my real ability yet.'
Excited about this new life, I'd rushed to the Association without prep.
No need to add more variables here.
"All done."
I submitted the scribbled sheet.
"Thank you! Please wait a moment while I input your info and issue your Hunter Registration Bracelet."
The guide went into the office and came back with a bracelet.
"Here's your Hunter Registration Bracelet! It updates on gate entry, so please wear it for safety when entering gates!"
'The design's changed a lot.'
Not like the old handcuff style—a slim bracelet now. Even the ID showed the generation gap.
"Thank you."
"You mentioned you're not used to your ability yet. Would you like to try the Association's training grounds?"
"No, I have plans later. I'll use it next time."
"Yes, please get familiar with your ability before entering a gate!"
"Thanks for your help."
Leaving the ever-polite guide's voice behind, I exited the Hunter Association Gwanak Branch.
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the door of the branch manager's office at the Hunter Association Gwanak Branch.
"Come in."
Park Na, who should have been manning the front desk, appeared before Gwanak Branch Manager Park Deok-sik.
"It's not quitting time yet. Taking half-day leave?"
"I have a report."
"Speak."
Park Deok-sik's half-joking remark got a serious reply from his subordinate.
"A new Awakener came to register as a hunter today."
With that, Park Na placed someone's paperwork in front of the branch manager.
"…April Fool's has long passed, right?"
"Yes, quite a while ago."
"Then explain this nonsense in front of me."
Park Deok-sik couldn't hide his shock.
A 23-year-old Awakener who didn't even know how to use her ability had stats comparable to late B-rank.
"No anomalies on the scanner?"
Park Na shook her head.
"My Measurement didn't pick up anything either."
"Not even your skill?"
An Awakener who evaded both the building's entry scanner and Park Na's A-rank Measurement.
"…How did you handle it?"
"Adjusted the stats down and registered her as F-rank. We'll know more with time."
"Good call. No need to poke and risk something happening."
"Shall I send surveillance?"
"Do you want me dead that soon?"
"Busted?"
"Drop it. Registration succeeded, that's the goal. As long as we can track her location, no surprises."
With his subordinate's cheeky joke, Park Deok-sik decided to quietly bury the issue.
"Next report: Park Min-su's mana signature is gone."
"Leave it. Probably died alone. Last sighted at the hospital, right?"
"Yes, but…."
"Tragic. The government's dead set on erasing first-gen this time."
First-gen had been shrouded in secrecy since the incident 10 years ago.
With only three left in Korea, down to two? Who cared?
Park Deok-sik thought so, dismissed Park Na, and closed his eyes quietly. Three hours till quitting time.
"How would you like to pay?"
"Hunter Pay."
*Beep!*
I bought a canned coffee and sat at the convenience store chair.
Hunter Pay after 10 years felt unchanged but still awkward.
"From nameless identity to account creation in one go—Korea, land of hunter convenience."
I withdrew all my cashed-out money and deposited it here.
Who knew the cash I'd set aside for corpse disposal and rent—tucked with my will—would come in handy like this.
"That identity's useless now anyway."
Hunter Pay had been frozen since last night, and with everyone knowing I was terminal, more digital traces were pointless.
Now, I had no choice but to live as 23-year-old fresh F-rank beauty hunter Lee Ha-yoon, not 33-year-old has-been world-saver Park Min-su.
"Fuck, no matter how I think about it, the latter sounds way better."
Business settled, time to figure out my ability.
"What to try first? Set myself on fire? Electrocute?"
Second-gen get Status Windows to ID abilities, but first-gen found theirs through brutally dumb methods.
Lifting heavy stuff, holding breath underwater, eating poison, etc.
Indian rain dance meta: try everything and pray for ability activation.
Hoped later eras improved it, but second-gen made research unnecessary—first-gen verification stayed primitive.
Remembered the hell of my first Awakening 15 years ago.
"Still, rough stuff on this body first feels wrong. Start simple."
Where was I? Right by Hunter Association Gwanak Branch.
"300,000 won per hour. Not bad."
Searched online, headed to the highest-rated private training gym.
"Welcome! This is Hunter Place Gwanak Branch!"
A massive building like three gyms fused, packed with partitioned rooms.
At the desk, a burly tank-top guy—clearly Body Enhancement—greeted me with a grin.
"I'd like to use a training room."
"First time? We handle F to A-rank. Individual facilities for each."
"Highest grade, 24 hours, privacy protection. How much?"
"Uh, customer. That's pricey. You sure?"
"You have it? That one."
Paid 3 million won cash. Investment in myself—cheaper than damn painkillers.
"Rank confirmed. This way."
The room was spacious. Soccer-field sized.
Thick metal walls, designed for wide-area hunters.
Not cheap for nothing. Actually seemed too cheap.
"Just in case: If you use A-rank+ skills and damage the space, it's on you."
"Got it."
The burly guide lightly laughed through the warnings and left.
Makes sense. No A-rank+ lacks space and comes here.
They experiment in easy gates or have private areas.
"So, what first."
Planned simple body tests, then changed mind.
"Maybe my ability stayed the same?"
No data on re-Awakenings—body changed, but power might not.
"Let's try."
Centered in the gym-like room, I focused.
Concentrated on mana circuits, envisioned lightning.
Convert mana to lightning, assimilate with body.
*Crackle. Zap.*
It worked. I felt it.
Mana in my massive chest circuits surged wildly.
The power that made me S-rank. The one that devoured me. Recreated through this body.
"Hup!" The technique I made first as a hunter: Lightning Fist.
Focused lightning-mana in my arm, punched the air.
Black lightning shot from my fist like an arrow.
"Black?"
Not the color from my old body.
*KABOOOOOM!*
Color aside, it slammed the wall at insane speed, booming with smoke.
The acrid smell proved this wasn't a dream. Couldn't hold back the grin from the tingle in my fingertips.
"Haha… hahahaha!"
10 years. Mana flowed through my body at my command again. Pain-free!
Morning's dumb manhood identity crisis vanished instantly.
"Hahahahaha… ha?"
After laughing long, I sensed the technique's power was off.
No way.
"…Nah?"
Anxious, I shifted from observing mana circuits to the impact site.
Bad feeling confirmed. Smoke cleared to reveal a crumpling, shattering metal wall.
Not dented—cracked and pieces falling.
"'Covers up to A-rank,' they said."
Was it cheap? Past me would've thought so. But apparently not anymore.