Chapter 8
‘What’s this?’
These were system notifications Suho had never seen before. They were alerts that appeared just before Suho died, but he had no memory of seeing them.
‘It was the system that sent me back to the past?’
He had no idea. That was because, by the time these notifications appeared, Suho was nearly dead.
‘I remember reaching the realm of Body and Sword as One and acquiring the first SS-rank skill. But a transcendental being?’
Yet the system had clearly stated:
[ Rebooting Player Ahn Suho’s system. ]
Because he was the first to reach the realm of transcendence, he was given another chance.
So, it wasn’t a coincidence that he had come back to the past?
It seemed that way.
This allowed Suho to confirm that everything he was experiencing was real and not some dream or illusion.
‘Good.’
He was gradually accepting the fact that he had returned to the past.
That was why he had sought out the Library of Memories.
But acceptance was one thing—certainty was another.
Without concrete evidence, he couldn’t be sure.
However, if the system vouched for it, the situation was different.
Now, he could move forward without hesitation.
‘Alright, let’s do this.’
The important thing was that he had returned to the past and could now prepare for the disasters that would come his way.
This solidified Suho’s resolve to join civil service once again.
Combining his knowledge of the future with legitimate state power might allow him to end the gate crisis far more swiftly than in his previous life.
‘And I can keep those guys in check too.’
But to do that, he had a lot of preparations to make.
Having acquired the Library of Memories, Suho sat down and quietly began to formulate his future plans.
Study for the written exam tomorrow?
With the Library of Memories, why would he worry about that?
Even without it, he would pass that written exam easily.
Suho began to organize his thoughts.
***
Having roughly outlined his plan, Suho immediately left the association and caught a taxi to Paju.
Since he had decided to become a public servant, he intended to achieve maximum efficiency.
After a while, the taxi arrived in Paju, and Suho’s destination was none other than ‘Nexus’, the most famous and largest private hunter academy in Korea.
The place resembled a vast townhouse complex, and Suho nodded as he looked at the banner listing the successful candidates hanging on the entrance wall.
Advertising with the number of successful candidates was the most effective promotional method, regardless of the type of academy.
Thus, Suho’s first goal was just that.
Suho entered the academy and approached the front desk.
“I’d like to meet Director Kim Soo-ae, please.”
“The Director? Do you have an appointment?”
“No, I just came by. I have something to discuss with her one-on-one.”
“Um… It’s difficult to arrange a sudden meeting without a scheduled appointment.”
“If you tell her that the solo clearer of the irregular gate at Sindorim Station this afternoon is here, she’ll see me right away.”
“Sin… Sindorim? Just a moment, please!”
A private audience with the Director wasn’t difficult to arrange.
That was because Suho revealed his unique advantage—that he was the one who had solo-cleared the irregular gate at Sindorim Station earlier in the day.
Thus, Suho easily gained entry to the Director’s office.
“Nice to meet you. I am Kim Soo-ae, the Director of Nexus Academy.”
Director Kim Soo-ae.
She was an executive of the ‘Nexus Guild,’ known to be the third-largest guild in the country, and Nexus Academy was an affiliated academy, like a subsidiary of a corporation.
Suho responded to her greeting.
“I’m Ahn Suho.”
With a veteran’s professional smile, Soo-ae replied.
“Yes, Suho-sshi. I heard from the front desk that you are the solo clearer of the irregular gate at Sindorim earlier today?”
The news about Suho had already spread quickly through the media. Although his full photo wasn’t published due to privacy rights, it was enough for Soo-ae to recognize him.
Suho nodded in response to her question.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“That’s impressive. But what brings such an impressive person to our academy?”
From Soo-ae’s perspective, this was the most intriguing question. If he had solo-cleared an irregular gate, it meant his skills were already proven.
Could he be looking for a teaching position?
However, Suho’s following words completely overturned her expectations.
“I came to offer myself as a scholarship student.”
“A scholarship… student?”
“Yes. There’s a hunter license exam at the Korean Hunter Association tomorrow, isn’t there?”
“That’s right. We have 400 students participating this time.”
“As expected, Nexus Academy is on a different scale. In that sense, I’ll be taking that exam tomorrow as well.”
“What? You, Suho-sshi?”
“Yes, I’m still an unregistered hunter. By the way, I awakened as a player today.”
“…?”
Soo-ae blinked in disbelief, momentarily doubting her ears.
Naturally, if what he said was true, it meant someone who awakened today had conquered an irregular gate.
And that was something beyond common sense—not just for Soo-ae, but for anyone.
Flustered, Soo-ae stammered as she confirmed the facts again.
“J-just a moment. Did I hear correctly? You awakened today and will take the hunter license exam tomorrow as an unregistered hunter? And you’re the solo clearer of the irregular gate at Sindorim today?”
“Yes, you heard correctly.”
“My goodness…”
She heard correctly.
If that was true, it was almost unbelievable.
As Soo-ae’s jaw dropped, Suho continued his explanation.
“Anyway, after conquering the gate today, I went to the Hunter Association and registered. The official there helped me, so I can take the written and practical exams tomorrow. That’s why I’m here. I intend to be the top scorer in this year’s exam.”
To an outsider, this might sound like arrogant confidence, but Suho didn’t think so at all.
No, he was already certain he would be the top scorer.
It was only natural.
He had defeated one of the five great disasters.
For Suho, the hunter license exam was nothing more than child’s play.
Suho sipped the cold tea he was served, finishing what he needed to say.
Soo-ae, still in shock, finally closed her gaping mouth, adjusted her glasses, and calmly asked,
“From what you’re saying, you seem almost certain you’ll be the top scorer. Have you studied in a related field or prepared for the exam for a long time?”
“No, I have not.”
Soo-ae frowned at that response.
“…Even so, don’t you think that’s a bit arrogant? Solo-clearing an irregular gate is certainly impressive, but the hunter exam is a different matter. The average pass rate for the hunter exam is less than 20% each year. How can you be so sure…”
“That’s why I’m proposing this. If I don’t become the top scorer, just consider it bad luck and ignore me. You can give me the scholarship only if I really do become the top scorer.”
This was a method often used in prep schools.
Hunter academies sometimes made such offers too, but usually, the top and second-top scorers were elites groomed by major guilds, so it was rare for a scholarship contract to be signed in this manner.
That’s why Suho proposed it first—because it was a rare case.
Soo-ae asked,
“Then, let me ask one more thing. If the scholarship is your goal, there’s Hexagon, the industry leader, and Prime, the second-largest. Why did you come to us, Nexus, ranked third?”
“Because Nexus would appreciate it the most.”
“What?”
“As far as I know, Nexus Academy hasn’t produced a top or second-top scorer in recent years. It’s the largest in size but hasn’t had the best results.”
“That’s…”
Caught off guard, Soo-ae couldn’t continue.
It was true. However, she quickly cleared her throat and offered a half-hearted excuse.
“Well, that’s true, but the top and second-top spots are usually taken by elites from major guilds who have been groomed for a long time. We’re not too concerned about that…”
“So, you’re not interested in my proposal? Alright, I’ll take it to Hexagon or Prime then…”
“N-No! Who said we weren’t interested? You’re too hasty.”
As Suho stood up, a startled Soo-ae quickly grabbed him.
Naturally, this was an opportunity that had practically fallen into her lap.
Stressed about not producing top scorers, Soo-ae couldn’t possibly refuse such a sweet offer.
Seeing Soo-ae clinging to him, Suho quietly looked at her before sitting back down.
“Then, can I take that as a yes?”
“Yes, we’re very grateful for your proposal. So, now…”
“Yes, let’s discuss the scholarship.”
This was the main point. Suho had come here for the money.
Soo-ae asked, “Alright. Then, may I ask how much you’re thinking of?”
“What’s the official scholarship amount for the top scorer?”
“Officially, we refund the entire year’s tuition and give an additional 30 million won as a congratulatory prize. If the student wishes, they can also join our Nexus Guild immediately.”
30 million won.
Indeed, it was the highest amount offered among hunter academies.
But Suho hadn’t come here for a mere 30 million.
“I see. I understand the official amount. But you don’t intend to give me just the official amount, right?”
“Of course not. Could you tell me the amount you’re hoping for?”
“After taxes, I’m thinking of around 300 million won.”
“3…300 million?”
“Yes.”
“I-Isn’t that too much?”
Soo-ae’s jaw dropped again. However, Suho’s determination was firm.
“If you think it’s too much, you don’t have to do it. I’ll just take the same offer to another place. But if you consider the additional benefits of having me as the top scorer, 300 million won isn’t much at all, is it?”
Soo-ae couldn’t help but nod.
After all, Nexus Academy spent billions each year on advertising.
“Indeed, if it’s revealed that the famous individual who solo-cleared the irregular gate at Sindorim Station is an alumnus of our academy…”
The economic benefits stemming from that would far exceed 300 million won. There was no reason to hesitate.
“Alright. We’ll pay 300 million.”
The contract was sealed.
