The Returnee Wants to Live Comfortably

Winter Camp (2)

A gray window, reminiscent of a game UI, materialized before my eyes.

I let out a small gasp at its sudden appearance.

'Could this be—!'

For fifty years, I had relied on the system's support throughout my time in Mewzealand.

The window that appeared before me was that very system.

Although I had tried to summon it before, it never came up, so I'd thought it was lost upon my reincarnation.

But now, having it appear after all this time, I felt both relief and a sense of absurdity.

'Was it because I just defeated a monster?'

It seemed that catching the junior lizard moments ago acted as the trigger.

In fact, the window would often pop up in Mewzealand whenever I defeated a monster.

[It has been eight years since the system was closed.]
[Due to damage to the system, most abilities are greatly diminished.]
[A large amount of Karma is required for restoration.]

I had wondered why all the power I'd accumulated over fifty years seemed to have regressed—this was the reason.
Indeed, I spent the last eight years without fighting, simply living idly, so it was only natural I had lost my peak strength.

"Did you just get a system window?"

"Huh?"

At that moment, I was startled again by Mr. Choi Sangbaek's words.
For a second, I wondered if he could see the window that only I could see.

"By system window, you mean..."

"Yes, I saw a gray window in the air too when I hunted my first monster."

"You did, teacher?"

"Not just me—every hunter possesses that system. Even awakeners who aren't officially hunters, as long as they've hunted at least once, are no exception."

It didn't sound strange that hunters used a system.

I had already learned in elementary school that hunters were assisted by some kind of rectangular window.

Everyone called it the system, and I'd occasionally wondered if it was the same as the one I had used.

And now, through this situation, I could confirm it was indeed the same.

'It really is the same system as mine.'

I'd thought it might be, but I never expected it to truly be so.

As I was thinking, he continued his explanation.

"This is extremely important for becoming an official hunter. Even at the HAND academy, possession of this system is a requirement for admission."

"Can you also check things like skills or traits through this?"

"Of course! Not only is it indispensable, but it also makes hunter activities much more convenient."

─────────────────
Name: Seongjin Ma
Age: 8 years
Rank: B-rank (Lv 1)
Karma: 50%
Magic Power: 150/150
[List of Awakened Traits ▼ (10)]
[List of Acquired Skills ▼ (120)]
─────────────────

I was seeing the system again after eight years.
I couldn't help but feel happy to see the companion I missed so much.
But as if dust had settled on it, there were parts of it that had regressed from years of neglect.

'Wow, I really have dropped.'

My rank, which was originally labeled 'EX', was now marked as B, and my magic power, once at 500, had dropped to 150.
Having lost the power I had gained while surviving endless life-or-death crises for fifty years, I felt a sense of loss.

[Some traits have been sealed due to a drop in rank.]
[The performance of some skills has been weakened due to a drop in rank.]
[A large amount of Karma is required for restoration.]

I thought my power had simply diminished because I was reincarnated as a baby, but the issue was with the system.
Honestly, I had no idea how long it would take to restore it.
After all, I had built it up through fifty years of intense hardship.

"Can you see your system window?"

"Yes, I can."

"How much magic power does it show you have?"

"Magic power is one hun..."

At that moment, I abruptly cut myself off.
I'd learned about system windows in first grade basic classes.
It was said that elementary students who caught their first monster would have their rank displayed as 'None'.
If so, my current stats were incomprehensible by children's standards.

"No, I mean, my magic power is 2 and my rank is displayed as 'None'."

"I thought so."

"...."

"There's no need to be discouraged just because it's low. When I first saw my window, it was the same. Even the best students have only about 4 magic power."

Apparently, the base is 'None' for rank and 2–4 for magic power.
But if I alone had over 100, I'd be considered a nationwide ecological anomaly.

"Then, what are your rank and magic power, teacher?"

"Mine? Let's see..."

Mr. Choi Sangbaek suddenly began gesturing in the air.
He checked his own system and spoke.

"My rank is B, and my magic power is 40."

"Only forty magic power for a B-rank?"

"Only forty?! That's high even among B-ranks, you brat!"

Mr. Choi, sounding a little hurt, scolded me, but I couldn't help but be amazed at what he said.
If B-rank was about 40 on average, then what would double that be?

"So what rank would someone with 150 magic power be?"

"150?"

I cautiously asked again.
Mr. Choi stroked his chin and, after a moment's hesitation, replied.

"With that much... you'd easily be in the S-rank. Probably at the very top."

"..."

"Even getting A-rank is like reaching for the stars, but S-rank is in a whole different league. Why do you ask?"

"It's nothing."

150 magic power would be above S-rank.
But the system currently listed me as B-rank.
Of course, it seemed odd—but that's because I was in 'human' form.
If I returned to being a demon, it would be restored.

"While we're talking about rank, let me tell you something. You see the 'Lv' next to the rank? Do you know what it means?"

"Does raising that number also increase your rank?"

"Correct. You have to reach level 100 to advance to the next rank."

I already knew as much from years of experience.

To put it simply, it's like a pay grade number next to a job title.

To rank up, you need to level up, and to level up, you have to raise something called 'Karma'.

"Is Karma properly displayed for you?"

"Yes, it shows up well."

"That's what you need to increase your level. Every time you defeat a monster, the value goes up. It's essentially..."

"Like experience points."

"Yes! Like experience points!"

And Karma was essential to maintaining the system.

There were many times when a message would appear warning that the system was unstable due to insufficient Karma.

To use the system properly, I had to constantly refill the Karma gauge.

'Of course the system got messed up—I haven't filled the Karma even once in eight years.'

Because I was so thoroughly protected by adults, the only monsters I saw were on TV.

That hasn't really changed.

"But this Karma, or experience, doesn't just keep climbing forever. If you stop hunting for a while, it decreases."

"Mm."

I already knew that.

But I made sure not to let it go in one ear and out the other.

"But Seongjin, you don't have to worry. That only applies to awakened ones whose rank is displayed as 'None'."

"What if someone with a B-rank just lazes around for about six years?"

"Six years? Hahaha!"

At my question, Mr. Choi burst out laughing.

"In that case, you'd fall to D- or even E-rank. Even though I've retired as an official hunter, I still visit gates from time to time over school breaks."

In conclusion, if I wanted to normalize my system, I'd have to take down at least a few monsters.

Honestly, after eight years of rest, it was about time for me to get moving again.

But—

"When can I enter a gate?"

"Haha! You're not even ten yet! Even if you get into HAND, you'd have to be in high school before you're eligible to enter."

"That long?"

"Long? Entering a gate as a teenager is considered early, you rascal."

From his perspective as an adult, I must have seemed like an impatient kid eager to hunt.

That was only natural.

"No matter how low-grade a gate is, you can't underestimate them. Even D-rank gates produce B-rank hunter casualties every day."

Since I watched the news every day, I accepted his words easily.

In truth, I had no right to look down even on D-grade gates.

After all, I had never set foot inside one.

****

"I'm home."

"Welcome home, you're a bit late today, aren't you?"

When I arrived home after school, my mother greeted me.
I explained that I was late because I'd met Mr. Choi Sangbaek after class.

"Is it true you tore a monster with your bare hands?"

"If things keep going this well, I'll get into HAND by sixth grade. Where's Yunhee?"

"She's inside, napping."

"Again?"

My little sister always fell asleep as soon as she returned from kindergarten.

Sometimes, I worried she might just naturally be a lazy child.

'It's fine, as long as she grows up to be a good person.'

I dropped my bag off in my room and turned on the TV in the living room.

Normally, children's programs would be on at this hour, but I didn't watch those.

[Yong-in City D-rank gate. One B-rank and two C-rank hunters injured.]

[Gate measurements have been deemed normal.]

The channel I flipped to was airing news from the scene.

Once again, the story was that even a B-rank hunter died inside a D-grade gate.

Whether it was a monster or a murderer hunter that did it, either way, it was a place beyond imagination.

'I really need to get in there and catch a few monsters...'

Not like there aren't ways.

I could sneak out and go to the nearest gate without my parents knowing.

But if I didn't return for a long time, they might get worried and call the police.

They're not bad people—plus, one of them is a prosecutor, so they always equip me with safety devices.

'If I head to the gate directly, they'll catch me right away.'

Since I'm still just a first grader, my parents keep a close eye on me.

I could try leaving without my safety device, but if I'm late, they'll probably scold me.

If it keeps happening, one of these days the dinner table will flip.

I'd be branded a troublemaker from first grade.

'What do I do?'

For a peaceful life, keeping my parents' trust is essential, and I want to hold onto my power.

There's no such thing as peacefulness without strength.

"Is that the gate that opened in Yong-in?"

"Looks like it."

My mother, watching the TV, came over to me.

Gazing at the word 'Yong-in' on the screen, she suddenly seemed to remember something.

"Oh, right! Seongjin, didn't you get a notice from school?"

"A notice from school? Oh..."

"I got a text about the upcoming winter break camp."

Reluctantly, I dragged myself over to fetch my backpack.

I pulled out the notice and handed it to her.

'Let's see...'

At that instant, a flash of inspiration hit me.

I glanced at the D-rank gate being broadcast on the news from Yong-in.

Why didn't I think of this before!

"Yong-in, 2 nights, 3 days, ski resort and amusement park passes. Participation fee 50,000 won. Submit by this Friday. Why send kids somewhere so close to a gate?"

My mom muttered, concerned about the danger.

"We'll probably go on a trip together as a family during break anyway. Is there really a need for you to go there...?"

"I want to go."

"What?"

"I want to go! EverXland!!"

With this, I could legitimately get away from my parents.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Time to level up!
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】