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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Ding-!
『Examining the past memories and abilities of user ‘Lee Seong-joon’ for class selection.』
『Age 26….』
『The soul’s rank existing within past memories is too high!』
『Re-examination initiated!』
『Progress 0… 27… 62%…….』
『Error 1783.』
『Code 004 activated.』
『Randomly selecting a class.』
『Congratulations! You have changed to the buffer class, ‘Enhancer’.』
『Acquired E-rank skills: Strength Enhancement, Agility Enhancement, Stamina Enhancement.』
Lee Seong-joon’s head tilted back as he saw his class name among the pop-up message windows.
‘Enhancer?’
He knew that class selection was originally based on the user’s past memories and abilities.
Considering that he had walked the path of a martial artist using martial arts not only on the Celestial Continent but also after returning to Earth, it was a rather unexpected class selection.
‘What is this?’
Lee Seong-joon nodded as he carefully checked the message windows popping up in front of him to solve the rising question in his mind.
‘The soul’s rank existing within past memories is too high…’
This system was certainly amazing.
However, in the past, Lee Seong-joon, as a Pestilence God, had faced the high-ranking gods of the Celestial Realm, such as the Primordial Celestial Venerable, the Jade Emperor, and the Queen Mother of the West.
‘Even if it was created by a high-ranking god, it’s ultimately just a remnant of power, not the original.’
Since it wasn’t directly appearing or interfering, there were bound to be parts that were difficult to grasp.
As Lee Seong-joon slowly organized his thoughts about the system, a smile began to spread across his lips.
‘Good.’
The recent error had proven that the god who created this system was not omnipotent.
Thanks to this, he gained confidence that even if he were to make enemies in the distant future and face oppression or restrictions on his actions,
He could overcome them using the knowledge and experience engraved in his soul.
The small anxiety that had lingered in his heart was completely dispelled.
‘I can use this system without any worries.’
Lee Seong-joon’s gaze naturally shifted to his newly acquired class, ‘Enhancer.’
‘…Enhancer, huh.’
It was quite an excellent class.
‘Especially for me.’
The skills of buffer classes, like Enhancer, provided stat boosts and various support abilities.
However, unlike combat classes such as Swordsman, Spearman, or Boxer, there was a drawback of not being able to learn combat skills.
But Lee Seong-joon was a martial artist, a being praised as the Pestilence God.
Since he already knew countless martial arts, not being able to learn combat skills wasn’t a problem.
In other words, Enhancer was the perfect class for Lee Seong-joon.
E-rank, Strength Enhancement (Blood Energy Consumption 1)
Momentarily increases Strength. Increases Strength stat by 5 for 10 minutes…….
The other enhancement skills had similar effects to Strength Enhancement.
They all increased stats like Strength, Agility, and Stamina by 5 for 10 minutes.
The enhancement effects were beyond imagination, especially since he already possessed outstanding combat senses and abilities.
‘If these enhancement buffs are added to my current abilities…….’
In terms of martial arts, it would be the top of the second-rate level. In terms of Awakener ranks on Earth, it would be the top of C-rank, possibly even reaching B-rank.
It was more than enough power to destroy an E-rank gate.
‘Preparations are complete.’
It was time to start hunting.
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The next morning.
Jo Kang-hyun, the Returnee Management Team leader, who had returned to work, giving up his precious vacation, was busily working at his desk.
The reason was simple.
‘Returnee Lee Seong-joon is special.’
He wasn’t an ordinary returnee, intoxicated by his glorious life in another world, and acting rashly based on his own meager strength.
‘He coolly grasped his own situation and used it to his advantage.’
This alone made him an excellent talent.
Moreover, Lee Seong-joon was a returnee from another world.
This meant there was a high probability that his combat abilities were also excellent.
Of course, since he hadn’t seen his combat abilities firsthand, and hadn’t observed his growth rate over a long period, he couldn’t be certain that he had SSS-rank potential, as Seong-hoon had said.
However, considering the growth rate of the returnees who had stood out and been evaluated as promising so far, he was at least S-rank.
‘No, he’ll be even higher.’
You can tell a lot about a person from a single action.
Returnee Lee Seong-joon was a remarkable person with excellent political and negotiation skills.
It was unlikely that someone with such an intelligent mind would have wasted time in another world.
He must have gained a lot of knowledge and power.
‘At the very least… he should be able to reach SS-rank.’
It was the highest rank excluding the top SSS-rank.
In fact, SS-rank was a rank that could secure a position as a key executive of the Returnee Alliance or the head of a guild.
‘If such a talent joins the Returnee Alliance…….’
Although the guilds established by Awakeners and the Returnee Alliance had similar power, upon closer inspection, it could be said that the Returnee Alliance had a slight edge.
But what if Lee Seong-joon, with the potential to grow to at least SS-rank, joined the Returnee Alliance?
They would demand even more and make unreasonable and outrageous demands.
‘Just the thought of it is terrifying.’
The returnees would create laws for their own benefit, eroding the country of South Korea.
To avoid this worst-case scenario, he had to recruit Returnee Lee Seong-joon.
He absolutely couldn’t make the same mistake as yesterday and provoke him.
He had to start by handling things more efficiently and cleanly, slowly building rapport.
And later, he had to persuade him to join the Hunter Association.
Therefore, Jo Kang-hyun expedited the approval for the 30 million won reward to be paid after Lee Seong-joon cleared the gate, so as not to cause him any discomfort.
Although Jo Kang-hyun did his best within his authority, he encountered an unexpected obstacle while reviewing and reporting on additional compensation.
“So, you’re saying that if this Returnee Lee Seong-joon clears an E-rank gate within a week, I should give him an additional reward using my authority?”
“Yes, please.”
“Hmm……”
A man in his early 40s, with sharp, snake-like eyes and a corpulent body that filled his chair, frowned and fell into thought.
From his appearance alone, he seemed like an ordinary man, but the position he held and the authority he possessed could be described as enormous.
Hunter Association Headquarters, Head of Returnee Management, Kim Dong-joon.
Also known as the parachute.
He was a person who had risen to the position of Head of Department by using his excellent internal politics and connections in the political and business worlds, despite not having any outstanding abilities.
On the other hand, Jo Kang-hyun was a capable individual recognized and trusted by those around him.
From Kim Dong-joon’s perspective, he was one of the troublesome competitors quickly rising from below.
There was no way Kim Dong-joon would just sit back and watch Jo Kang-hyun accumulate good results.
“Reached E-rank in a week…… You’re saying this Returnee Lee Seong-joon is on par with Yoon Min-soo, and I should just believe that?”
“I couldn’t believe it at first either, but after meeting him in person, I don’t think it’s entirely false.”
“Huh, this is ridiculous. Hey, Jo Kang-hyun! Don’t you have any sense? He reeks of being a scammer.”
“……Absolutely not.”
“How can you be so sure? You just met him yesterday, didn’t you? You haven’t even had time to properly verify it, have you?”
Actually, Kim Dong-joon couldn’t be certain either.
Having worked together for a considerable amount of time, Kim Dong-joon knew that Jo Kang-hyun had a sharp eye for talent.
But ironically, that was why Kim Dong-joon continued to object.
Lately, Kim Dong-joon had been under pressure from his superiors due to his lack of work performance.
But what if Jo Kang-hyun brought in this talented Lee Seong-joon and he joined his line?
Not only would he not be promoted, but he might even have to give up his current position as Head of Department to Jo Kang-hyun.
The thought alone was terrifying.
“I’m not giving any additional compensation to this scammer, so stop making a fuss and get out.”
“……Please reconsider.”
“Stop talking nonsense and get out! Honestly, even if you bring him into the Hunter Association, he’ll join your line, so why are you asking me for more compensation? Just give him a reward appropriate for your level.”
A wry smile spread across Jo Kang-hyun’s lips at Kim Dong-joon’s petty words.
He was only thinking about office politics and his own greed, without even considering the repercussions of losing Returnee Lee Seong-joon to another alliance.
‘To think such an incompetent person is my superior…….’
As bitterness filled Jo Kang-hyun’s mouth at the bleak future of the Returnee Management Team.
Bzz, Bzzzz-
Kim Dong-joon’s smartphone, carelessly thrown on his desk, vibrated.
Even though Jo Kang-hyun was still standing before him, Kim Dong-joon pressed the answer button without hesitation.
“Yeah, what is it?”
It was a tacit signal for him to leave, as there was nothing more to discuss.
But Jo Kang-hyun stood his ground.
To finalize the deal with Returnee Lee Seong-joon, he had to secure the additional compensation.
-The Gate Management Agency requested support for an E-rank gate near the Gangseo Sewage Treatment Plant. They said a boss monster has appeared.
“Why are they calling us? There are other teams with plenty of manpower.”
-The other departments have already been dispatched for emergency support to handle other gates.
It was a common occurrence.
Tens, sometimes hundreds, of gates were generated every day, and countless monsters existed within them.
There was an overwhelming shortage of hunters.
Just as Kim Dong-joon, frowning at the unexpected additional work, caught sight of Jo Kang-hyun.
‘What? He’s still here?’
Despite his repeated and clear expressions of disapproval, he was still there.
‘He’s really trying to go head-to-head with me again today, isn’t he?’
They had clashed many times over work-related issues, and similar situations had occurred.
And ridiculously enough, most of them ended in Jo Kang-hyun’s victory.
He couldn’t help it.
Jo Kang-hyun’s work abilities were unquestionable, and many team members trusted and followed him.
Moreover, he was also someone constantly praised by the higher-ups.
As the conflict dragged on and the story became public, pressure came from all sides, so he couldn’t continuously assert his pride.
Since he had learned from past battles, he had no intention of fighting in the same way as before.
‘Right here, right now, I’ll put him in his place so he doesn’t dare bring up the additional compensation again.’
A sinister smile was now playing on Kim Dong-joon’s lips.
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