The Hunter Returns Chapter 1

1

 『He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.』

– ‘Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Future Philosophy’

 Friedrich Nietzsche.

The man, who had been summoned by an old friend, entered the door.

It wasn’t a very clean room.

On the large desk were piles of countless documents, and the shelves were filled with various kinds of alcohol. Disused tableware and antique decorative swords. Landscape paintings and hanging scrolls were placed around the room, perhaps to enhance the room’s appearance.

It’s a very familiar room to him.

Because it’s a place I’ve visited several times since the front was formed.

Sometimes I get invited by the guy.

Sometimes I just want to talk to the guy.

Sometimes, it is the very office that we go to to have a drink together.

No matter how much time passes, the scenery here never changes.

As always, he’ll say, “Here you go again?” with an annoyed expression that doesn’t match his cool demeanor.

He’s a guy who you can’t find a single bit of honesty in.

And he burst out laughing when he saw the man sitting down as he had expected.

“What is it, Kim Yun-do? Is this sight so funny?”

He was a man with a strong impression.

He had messy red hair and a beard that was past its prime. His eyes were bloodshot and his voice was tinged with irritation. His friend, who had his poor black coat ripped off, frowned.

Park Jae-hyun, the Iron-Blooded Guardian.

He is the commander who guards the front line formed in front of the Gate of the Abyss.

“Wouldn’t that be funny if you were me? The kid who was struggling in the Tower of Heaven is now the best hunter in our country. The world is really strange. Isn’t that right, Munin?”

At Kim Yun-do’s playful answer, the crow sitting on the windowsill cried.

This is Munin, Park Jae-hyun’s familiar. It seems like he agrees with Kim Yun-do’s opinion.

“When on earth are we going to talk? If you have time to talk nonsense, come and help me with work. I have a lot of things to take care of before the expedition tomorrow.”

“What about the other guys?”

“I’m sure they’ll come. But more importantly, take care of some paperwork.”

There are four hunters gathered here, including him and Park Jae-hyun.

My colleagues haven’t arrived yet. The meeting will start after everyone has gathered.

Kim Yun-do, who was sitting down, reached out to the documents piled up on the desk. When he sat down on the chair, he couldn’t see the office well because of the mountain of documents.

The amount of paperwork was so murderous that it was understandable that the guy was groaning.

“What do you think? Do you think we have a chance of winning?”

“If we don’t win, we’ll all die. We have nowhere to retreat to.”

“This isn’t even a tower. If you die, everything is over.”

“Yes. It is a reality without continuation.”

The Abyss Gate that appeared at the location where the Tower of Heaven was located.

Who would have thought that the tower that raised successors and made hunters would suddenly turn into hell? It was a reality that was not even funny. However, as Kim Yun-do was looking through the documents, he could feel his face hardening.

Death certificate.

There was a name written there of a colleague who had been drinking with me here until yesterday.

“King Chi-Wan of the Sword Star. Died.”

“Saint Laurelia. Died.”

Kim Yun-do raised his head.

The two colleagues were not late.

I couldn’t come to this place anymore.

“We can’t win the battle tomorrow. Our most important force was killed in the previous engagement with the Apostle.”

“… … .”

Kim Yun-do put down the documents and closed his eyes.

He realized too late why the guy’s eyes were red.

Excluding the two people, they are the best teammates. Friends and rivals who have fought for years, entrusting each other with their backs. Is that so? Now, the only ones who can support this place are you and your close friend in front of you.

How many high-ranking Hunters are left to hold the line?

No. There was no point in counting. Now that we had lost two people, there was no way to stop the monster coming out of the abyss gate. Yes. Among the demons that came out of the abyss, there was no one left who could stop the Apostle.

“According to what the guy who barely made it back said, the two of them perished together with the apostle. It was a blessing in disguise that Lorellia was able to manifest the antidote. That’s how we were able to buy this precious time.”

Park Jae-hyun stopped checking the documents with his quill.

It was no wonder that the papers didn’t decrease. The guy’s quill didn’t produce black ink.

Chin-woo wasn’t writing the paperwork from the beginning.

“This is my first and last request to you. Please listen to me.”

Please? That’s not a word that suits him.

That’s why the moment he heard those words, Kim Yun-do understood.

“If our front line collapses, the survivors will carry out the final plan.”

“Stop whining. If you have to carry out the final plan, it’s you, not me.”

“No, I can’t. You know that, right? If there’s anyone who can recreate the path we walked, it’s you. Don’t worry. We can’t go together, but our knowledge will be with you.”

Kim Yun-do put down the documents and approached the tea table.

Among the bottles of liquor with various labels, he was able to find a clear bottle with a picture of a woman on it. 

This is a photo of Han Ye-rin, who was known as the idol of the Hunter Association before the world changed this much. Soju, a friend of Koreans enjoyed with beer. It is a hard item to obtain in this place that has become the front line. In the first place, it is a front line where battles take place every day. Distribution and consumption of alcohol exceeding the necessary amount were prohibited.

When I close my eyes, I still remember that store I miss.

Memories of that day when everyone gathered together and focused on conquering the tower.

“… … .”

He poured some soju and filled his glass.

Meanwhile, Park Jae-hyun was pulling out a white, glowing object. A mysterious tool with a goddess holding a scale while her eyes were covered with a blindfold. Kim Yoon-do knew what that item was.

This is an item called “Goddess’ Scales” found at the Gate of the Abyss.

expendables.

It is a monarch-level item that does not have any duplicates and is disposable.

The ability was capable of sending a target facing death back to the past.

A sigh escaped me without me realizing it.

Kim Yun-do, who was looking at the clear soju, lifted his glass.

The alcohol burned his throat. He didn’t feel dizzy. His body, which had grown to the point of being almost superhuman, was blocking the side effects of alcohol in advance.

“I’m not going.”

“This is not the time to be stubborn.”

“What is stubbornness…?”

There was a sound of air escaping.

Something was dripping. The pungent smell of blood mixed with the strong smell of alcohol. What happened? It didn’t feel real. Kim Yun-do slowly reached out to his chest.

Something hard is felt. It is a beak. The beak of a familiar crow, Munin. What is that on the tip of the beak of this familiar, which has a grotesque appearance unlike most crows?

A single sphere dyed so red and red.

That heart that was pounding with excitement was clearly Kim Yun-do’s heart.

“I’m sure you’ll understand. If I don’t do this, you won’t accept it.”

This fu*king guy.

No matter how alert he was, he couldn’t fool Kim Yun-do’s senses, who had reached the level of a superhuman, and launch a surprise attack. He must have been handling a monarch-level item with a severe penalty.

And using it means you really don’t want to think about the aftermath.

“… … .”

No words came out. Instead of a voice, only red blood fell from Kim Yun-do’s mouth.

That was the end. There was no more conversation to go through. Park Jae-hyun activated the “Goddess’ Scale” towards Kim Yoon-do, who was slowly dying. The goddess’s eyes covered with a blindfold were filled with a dazzling light.

“I was so busy looking around that I couldn’t make another decision. As a result, this future has come to this. But you… . The you I know, I think you can do it. I’m sorry. I’ve had to take on this burden. But now, this is the only way.”

“… … .”

My eyes are closing.

As his consciousness fell into the darkness, Kim Yun-do realized that death was not far away.

But for a moment, his eyes regained their light.

Kim Yun-do grabbed Park Jae-hyun’s shoulder, who reached out toward him.

The will of immortality.

The passive skill that saved him from danger several times in the Tower of Heaven was activated.

It was the moment when he opened his mouth and spat out blood.

“you…!”

“Go, buddy. Wait for me over there.”

With his eyes bloodshot and his lower lip tightly bitten, Chin-woo left his last words like that.

The light from the goddess’ scales soon enveloped the office.

*&*

Tower of Heaven.

Just like the monsters that suddenly invaded the world one day.

The tower also appeared in the sky without any warning. It summoned people into the tower at regular intervals. Those who were dragged into the tower were called successors, and those who cleared the tower, which had a total of 50 floors, became hunters who fought against monsters.

It has been ten years since an incident occurred that announced the invasion of a monster called the Gate.

The world was quickly stabilizing with the appearance of the Hunter.

Humanity has escaped the threat of monsters and has further strengthened its national power with items provided by monsters. Having a high-level hunter allows you to hunt many monsters and obtain more resources.

An era in which outstanding hunters began to be accepted at the national level.

Hunters are the main characters of the world. It’s an era where everything revolves around hunters.

It was a glorious time, the so-called Age of the Hunters.

*&*

“Welcome to the Tower of Heaven, Heir. The way out of the tower is simple. You just need to conquer the top floor of this tower. This is another reality. We have prepared some fun games for the Heirs, so please take your time and enjoy them. Gain new powers and seize the future.”

A familiar voice was heard.

A system that exists in the Tower of Heaven. Commonly known as the Tower’s Constellation.

The constellations are the twelve administrators who oversee the successors summoned to the tower. Among them, the constellation in the starting room was called the constellation of the tower without any other name.

The most inorganic constellation that provides direction to the successors summoned to the tower.

Hearing this voice means you have truly succeeded in returning to the past.

Kim Yun-do got up from his seat and looked around.

A place filled with the smell of rotting cheese and a chill. It looks exactly like a place in a corner of my memory.

This is a place that appeared in my dreams several times even after I left.

A place I once really wanted to run away from, a place I wanted to escape from somehow.

And sometimes, it was a place where I missed the memories I had left behind.

He returned to the Tower of Heaven, which announced the beginning of all successors.

Is it a reaction to returning to the past? Or is it because I just faced death?

Kim Yun-do still felt dizzy.

He put his hand on his chest, feeling his stomach turn. He could feel his heart beating beneath his hand.

It’s okay. He’s alive and he was here.

Kim Yun-do slowly calmed down and took a deep breath.

It’s really back.

Inside the tower where it all began.

“… … .”

Contrary to my expectations, I wasn’t as angry.

Maybe it’s because they thought this method was the best.

Compared to his other colleagues, Kim Yun-do started out late, but caught up with them in just a few years.

Given the unpredictable pace of growth, there was no one else who could shoulder this burden.

Look up. The die has been cast.

This is a request from a long-time friend.

What had to be done was decided from the beginning.

Inside the small room were the Successors who had been summoned to the tower just like him.

The number is four, including Kim Yun-do.

They looked at each other as if they had no idea what was happening.

“I know it’s confusing for many of you. Don’t worry. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the constellations in the tower. I will answer any questions you may have.”

Also known as the starting room.

This room was a sort of beginner’s zone where one could check out what the tower was, and what direction the system was flowing in. The first successors who fell here figured out their situation. 

Stories about the tower have spread far and wide in the outside world.

Even so, when something like this actually happened to me, I couldn’t help but be flustered.

It was no different for Kim Yun-do, who first came here in the past.

I was very careful. I asked the constellation on the tower about even the smallest things before leaving.

But now there is no need for that.

Kim Yun-do raised his hand and brought up the status window with a familiar gesture.

Kim Yun-do

Level: 1

Strength: 8

Agility: 8

Stamina: 9

Skill: None (Not learned)

Successor’s Essence: 0

Everything is the same as it was then.

An ordinary successor just starting out.

Are memories and experiences the only things given by monarch-level items?

“… There are five weapons I can give you in total. A greatsword, a sword, a spear, an axe, and lastly a bow.”

A weapon that the successor can use appears in front of the door.

There are no armor or other items. The only thing given in the tutorial room is a weapon. From here on out, only actual combat awaits.

Kim Yun-do walked forward, ignoring the successors who were exchanging names with each other.

“A sword for beginners.

 – A weapon prepared by the constellation of the tower for its successor. Although it is old, it is in good condition.

What he held was a sword.

In fact, the bow is more comfortable to use, but arrows are not infinite.

Before passing the tutorial area, using a sword was advantageous in many ways.

Move your hands gently.

The crude hilt is incredibly unfamiliar. Perhaps because of the low stats, the movements I wanted to make didn’t come out. Still, it’s incomparable to back then when I didn’t even know how to hold a sword.

Memories and experiences. You could call it the second half of life.

Kim Yun-do, who brought all of that, was one step ahead of others.

Put your hand on the door.

The constellation of the tower that was answering the questions of the successors called out to him.

“Would you like to leave, Successor? Once you leave this door, you will never be able to return here. If you have any questions you haven’t asked yet, please ask them now.”

“No need. Just open the door.”

It’s an explanation I’ve heard so many times.

The tower is a place where the successor does not die. You cannot leave until you clear this place.

The system is explained one by one, but information on the really important fields is not provided.

You never know until you face the winner firsthand.

Since a shelter called a stronghold is formed after the 10th floor, information can be obtained through exchanges between successors, but that is a story for a long time later.

At this point in the tutorial, all of the Successors are just rookies.

“Oh, there are students there too…!”

“Understood. Then I wish you good luck, Successor.”

He doesn’t care about the voice of his successor calling him from behind.

Anyway, this tower is a place you have to go to alone.

If necessary, he had to step on other successors to get there.

1st floor of the Sky Tower.

Kim Yun-do entered a room bathed in white light.

“Is this a last-ditch effort? Well, that might be a good idea.”

Ten years until the abyss gate opens.

At the end of the world, the black hunter Kim Yun-do returned to the Sky Tower.