“I finally made it…”

I looked up at the large building in front of me. Although it felt like my first visit, this was my second time at the Hunter Management Bureau.

I had confidently told my sister that I could “go alone,” but I got lost the moment I stepped onto the subway.

Being from a rural area and having rolled around in another world for about five years made me feel like I had fallen into a maze in a dungeon.

If the people hadn’t been so kind to help me when I asked, I might have wandered for a long time.

With a light sigh, I entered the building.

‘…Hmm?’

Standing next to the reception desk was someone I recognized. It was an employee I had met on my first day.

Realizing I was there, he walked over to me.

“You’ve arrived.”  
“Hello.”  
“I'll be in charge of you again today. Shall we go?”  
“Yes.”

I followed the staff member as he walked down the corridor.

He seemed friendly and naturally struck up a conversation with me.

“You’re not wearing the nun's outfit anymore. Your clothes suit you well.”  
“...Thanks.”  
“Oh, if it’s uncomfortable, please let me know. I’m a bit confused about how to address your gender.”  
“You don’t have to worry about that.”  
“Understood. Last time, things were so hectic that I didn’t get to introduce myself properly.”

He handed me a business card.  
“Department Head Jang Han-soo.”

…What rank does a department head have again?

My memory has improved since living in this body, but I’ve never held a job in my past life, so I couldn’t recall.

I decided to stay quiet.

“By the way, for having lived in another world for five years, your Korean pronunciation is quite good.”  
“...I swore at the hero party in Korean.”  
“Ah-ha.”

Of course, I had been gossiping about them when I was alone.

If I cursed in front of them, they might not understand the words, but they’d definitely catch on by my tone.

I also made sure to write down my own information and memories I didn’t want to forget in Korean.

“Did you not get along?”  
“Not really.”  
“...”

Was my answer too blunt?

The department head’s mouth snapped shut. After pondering for a moment, he changed the subject.

“How was your reunion with your sister?”  
“It was good.”  
“I’m glad to hear that. It’s nice when family is harmonious.”

My precious sister.

She had become an adult during the time we were apart, but she still had that cute look on her face.

Thinking of her made me smile without realizing it.

“Hmmm…”  
“...?”

Feeling the gaze on me, I turned my head to see the department head looking at me with a peculiar expression.

But he quickly returned his attention to the front.

We soon arrived at the consultation room.

“First, would you like to read this? It’s a guide given to newly awakened hunters.”  
“Yes.”

I sat down in a chair and took the paper he handed me. I quickly skimmed through its contents.

“If you can prove your awakening during today’s test, your provisional hunter’s license will be issued immediately.”  
“Okay.”  
“Starting from D-rank, you become a full-fledged hunter. You can either build up achievements in E-rank dungeons or complete the academy course.”  
“Academy?”  
“Yes, think of it as a university. I would personally recommend this route. The admission fee is a bit high, but statistically, the survival rate of hunters from this academy is significantly higher.”

So, it costs a bit to enroll, but the survival rate increases… 

That’s a bit ambiguous.

“Um, and I’m sorry.”  
“...?”  
“Unfortunately, there’s no structured support for returnees, so I doubt we can offer any subsidies. I have received a lot of discretion regarding you from my team leader, so I’ll do my best to help you.”  
“…But you said there’s no law? How can you do that?”

At my question, the department head’s eyes gleamed sharply. 

He intertwined his fingers and spoke in a gentle tone. 

“The first returnee aside from you is currently affiliated with the U.S. He’s a B-rank hunter and quite talented.”  
“I see.”  
“He mentioned having defeated the Demon King. What are your abilities? What’s your profession? You’ll need to let me know for the hunter’s license.”

Ah…

I’m not sure if there’s really a law or not, but they were clearly trying to gauge me.

“I’d say, based on my previous outfit, maybe a priest? A nun? Something like that? Then you should be able to earn quite a bit.”  

The excitement hidden in the department head’s expression was evident.

It reminded me of the article I had seen on the news earlier.  
[South Korea faces a shortage of support-type hunters. Serious oversupply of dealers.]

I had already experienced enough manipulation from the church and royalty in the other world. 

I was tired of being constrained.

It was time to reveal the prepared answer.

Starting today, I would—

“I’m…”  
“Me?”

I paused for a moment, and the department head stared at me intently.

I replied with a serious expression.

“I’m a male saint. No, wait, I’m a female saint.”  
“...”

The department head’s face scrunched up upon hearing my answer.

Was he that disappointed that I wasn’t a support-type hunter?

Even though I could probably be a B-rank hunter, even if I wasn’t S or A rank…

I had seen online that B-rank hunters were considered upper-tier.

No, I should emphasize the greatness of the paladin once more.

“Paladin-sized king.”  
“...Huh.”

The department head stared blankly at me before letting out a deep sigh.

He shook his head and began writing on the document.

“So, you’re a paladin. Paladins are kings, right? So you’re a melee type?”  
“Yes, I’m tough.”

Since coming to Earth, I haven’t been able to gather divine power as well as before.

However, my strength had not vanished completely; my body was still sufficiently robust.

“...Are you a tank type? That’s not bad.”  

The department head, whose dark circles had become more pronounced, jotted down the details in the document.

After that, he handed me a crystal ball.

“This is a mana measurer. Please channel your power into it.”  
“Sure.”

I took the measurer and immediately infused it with a bit of divine power.  
...Ah, since it’s a mana measurer, should I put mana instead?

I infused it with mana again carefully.

A faint light emanated from the crystal ball.

“Hmm? The light is ordinary, but the color is strange.”  
“...Does that mean I can’t be a hunter?”  
“No, that’s not it. Generally, a common person cannot emit light at all.”

The department head continued to write on the document.

A moment later, he nodded and spoke to me.

“Your provisional hunter’s license will be available for pickup at the reception desk when you leave. You’ll need to renew your ID, and I’ll help you with taking the picture and everything.”  
“Oh, thank you, department head.”

He’s truly going to help and take care of things for me.

This level of assistance seems just right.

“I think we’ll be seeing each other often from now on, so feel free to call me casually.”  
“Sure, department head.”  
“...”

We’re not that close yet.

---

After leaving the Hunter Management Bureau building, Jang Han-soo let out a deep sigh and called the team leader.

“I just finished consulting with the returnee.”

- How did it go? What about their type? Do you think they can be B-rank?

“It was rather peculiar. They’re a melee type, and their starting rank is quite ordinary at E-rank. I’ll send the details through the documents.”

- Hmm, try to get to know them and develop a connection. The first returnee in the U.S. is a B-rank, but they’ve also invented various revolutionary tools related to hunters. Don’t judge them solely by combat rank.

“Yes, understood.”

- If they’re really talented, we can’t let them go to another country, so we’ll manage information control while observing the situation.

“Of course.”

After finishing a few more conversations with the team leader, the department head recalled his earlier conversation with Si-hyun.

The icy cold expression she had when cursing the hero party, and the pure smile she wore when talking about her sister.

He couldn’t shake off the stark contrast in her expressions.

The department head firmly decided on how to proceed moving forward.

His already busy schedule was about to get even busier.

---

After leaving the management bureau, I sat on a bench in a nearby suitable park.

I recalled the contents of the guide I had received during the consultation.

As a provisional hunter, E-rank has no responsibilities but also no benefits.

From D-rank onward, various benefits are provided, but obligations regarding handling gates and dungeons come into play.

First, most hunter-related tasks are managed through an app, so I should install that.

Basically, if a dungeon isn’t cleared within a month, monsters will start pouring out.

There are exceptions for high-ranking dungeons or large-scale dungeons.

Low-ranking dungeons are left to the hunters' discretion.

If it hasn’t been cleared after two weeks, the management bureau will intervene.

The hunter app is what is used to track locations and

 for others to claim clearances.

I didn’t need to know about high-ranking dungeons right now.

I finished my hunter registration on the app and quickly skimmed through the E-rank dungeons.

“...”

There are surprisingly many, aren’t there?

No wonder the department head had dark circles under his eyes.

Now, what should I do?

I can't apply for D-rank dungeons as a solo E-rank hunter.

I could easily manage E-rank dungeons alone, but...

It’s true that I’m unfamiliar with dungeons and gates, so...

For gathering information, a party would probably be best.

Should I join a temporary party?

They say dungeons are usually cleared with about 3-4 people unless you’re pursuing extreme profits.

Surely having a party offers more stability.

If personalities clash, it can lead to twice the trouble.

Just me, or a party?

I suppose being alone is more comfortable.

But still, I want to see what other hunters are like at least this first time.

How should I proceed...?

...

Ah, really.

This is all because of the hero party!

Despite being a paladin, I’m clearly the type that works best in a party.

Yet, I keep hesitating because of the bad memories that come rushing back.

They’re not here now.

It’s time to break free from the shadows, Si-hyun!

Let’s do what I want.

Follow my heart.

I’ll join a party to see the hunters' levels!

- Ding.

I made a reservation at the nearest E-rank dungeon that was currently recruiting parties.

---

I entered the E-rank dungeon with a temporarily formed four-person party.

And naturally, my expression tightened.

“Are you really a melee hunter? You look like you’d fall over if I just poked you.”  
“...I showed you my hunter’s license. I’m a paladin.”  

There was a woman who kept trying to pick a fight.

But compared to the cat fights I had endured up until now, it was nothing.

After all, we wouldn’t see each other after today, so I ignored her.

“Nice to meet you!”  
“Likewise.”  

I was a bit pleased to see the friendly person I had met in the subway again.

You could sense the purity in them.

“...Hmmm.”  
“...”

I felt the unpleasant gaze of a hunter who reminded me of the hero.

Though my fist was clenched, it was something I had gotten used to by now.

But why…

“Ahhh!”

The appearance of the dungeon.

The monsters that appeared.

They all looked so familiar. Was it just my imagination…?