On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons

Chapter 183: #God Trainer Yu Il-Shin Returns (1)

Tadak tadak—

Sitting before me in the Hunter Association’s waiting room was a handsome middle-aged man with a nicely trimmed beard—Regressor Kang Woo.

“Haha. Don’t worry about the car. We’re lucky and grateful that you made it back in one piece,” Kang Woo replied with a hearty laugh when I apologized for damaging his car.

He’s a cool guy, indeed.

“You couldn’t imagine how shocked I was after hearing that you’d gone missing... Phew. Did you get this from the dungeon?”

“Yes, I did.”

Kang Woo examined the small scales I handed to him.

“Hmm. This is quite different from what I remember.”

-----

[God of Harmony’s Scales]

The legacy of a fallen god. Around for 2.22 million years.

Special note: Sealed.

-----

I’d obtained it after defeating the goddess’ vengeful spirit. During one of Kang Woo’s regressions, SSS-rank Hunter Royce received this item and gained tremendous power—but now, it was just a toy.

Also, how did she manage to clear that dungeon? SSS-rank Hunter sure is something...

“I’ll look into how to break the seal.”

Oh, how dependable the regressor is!

I did try to unseal it with Crushing Forefinger of God, but to no avail. Surely, Kang Woo would find a way!

Tak tak tak!

“But what’s with that Hunter War? I get why you chose Sword Demon as a substitute Hunter, but why was I included?”

The Hunter War was a biennial international event to determine the world’s strongest Hunter. The winner would be recognized as an SSS-rank Hunter, gaining wealth and honor. In fact, the three-time champion, SSS-rank Hunter Royce, could become the president or prime minister of any country if she wished.

Until a few months ago, I never would’ve thought that I’d be able to participate in such a competition.

“There seemed to be some pressure from America. As you know, S-rank Hunters and above wield immense authority, but the mess you made in America was too big to handle quietly. After all, you single-handedly defeated twenty S-rank monsters. I’m sure you had your own reasons as well.”

No, my alter ego probably killed them without a second thought after being provoked.

He was my wild counterpart, a total opposite of my peace-loving self. I clenched my fists as I recalled how he forced an octopus down my throat.

Just you wait, Yi-Shin! I’ll definitely have my revenge someday!

Tak! Tatadak!

“In response to America’s request for your personal information, the Hunter Association had no choice but to add you to the list.”

I flinched.

R-request for my personal information?

“Since you were missing at the time, the Hunter Association claimed you were preparing for the Hunter War. They also made a public announcement that they were training a secret soldier with all their resources. This will keep the Americans at bay. Adding you as a substitute Hunter is just a formality. You don’t have to actually participate.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

This is why connections are important! You obtain great perks like this!

“Still, I think it’s better for you to lay low for the time being. Also, what have you been typing so furiously since earlier?” Kang Woo asked, peeking at my laptop.

“My manuscripts—there's quite a backlog. Oh, can I use our conversation earlier for my novel?”

“I really can’t understand the mindset of gods... Though, I’m sure you’ve given this much deeper thought.”

Knock knock—

Just then, a female association employee in a black suit knocked and walked in.

She bowed respectfully and said, “Hunter Yu, Director Gal Joong-Hyuk is asking for you.”

Huh? Why was he looking for me?

***

I was led by the female employee to the elevator, where we coincidentally met the clean Sword Demon and Lilith.

“Did both of you have a good wash?”

-Kyaa!

Flapping her wings, Lilith perched on my head out of habit.

“Wow, what’s that?”

“Aaw! I didn’t know such an adorable summoned creature existed?! She’s so adorable!”

Though the baby-sized Lilith was light, she drew everyone's attention, which only added to my burden.

While waiting for the elevator, I took the chance to ask Sword Demon about the substitute Hunter.

“I want to keep you safe while in Korea. So, I accepted the Hunter Association’s timely offer.”

After attaining enlightenment from Demon Lord’s Heavenly Sword, Sword Demon had ascended into an S-rank Hunter. Countries often fought to recruit S-rank Hunters, so I could see why he’d be approached as well.

“Also, why did you call yourself Sword Demon? I remember hearing Shin Yoo calling you ‘Kang Geom’ before.”

Sword Demon clicked his tongue at the mention of Shin Yoo. Shin Yoo would probably cry if he saw this.

Seriously, they were alumni, yet he hated him so much...

“‘Kang Geom’ is just another pseudonym of mine anyway. Names don’t matter much to me. Now, I am simply Sword Demon, devoted to serving you and dedicating my body and soul to swordsmanship.”

Sword Demon’s profile was reminiscent of a lone sword fanatic in those Japanese period dramas. Lilith clapped her hands together.

Ms. Lilith, please don’t entertain him. He’s such a bad influence.

I ignored him, and got on the elevator.

“Ah! Please wait for me, Mr. Sword God!”

Whiiiing!

The elevator quickly brought us up to the twenty-second floor.

Ding!

“Please come this way. The director’s room is over there.” The female employee led us further.

Wow, this is much bigger than I thought.

Was this the training room that I’d only heard of? It was the size of a few Jamsil Stadiums combined! Even the grand training room in the academy was incomparable to this. Did they do a space warp to the place? The most amazing part was the large, dome-shaped building in the center. Pretty sure it was Elysion, a dungeon simulation device that was said to cost hundreds of billions Korean won.

“Hyaaa!”

“Aaargh!”

Then, I saw hundreds, if not thousands, of Hunters training. Some dripped with sweat as they lifted barbells many times their size, while others engulfed targets in flames as large as houses.

-----

[---]

A male human. Around for 26 years.

Special note: Weak muscles.

-----

[---]

A female human. Around for 22 years.

Special note: Wields puny flames.

-----

Although, the reviews from my appraisal skills were still quite bitter.

I looked at the female employee walking in front of me.

-----

[Lee Ha-Ni]

A female human. Around for 30 years.

Special note: Wields useful wind power. An old virgin.

-----

Oh wow, she looks quite amazing.

It wasn’t every day that my appraisal skill gave any remarkably positive reviews?! Moreover, she was a Hunter. I could feel the potential of the Hunter Association.

But, she’s a 30-year-old virgin? Gosh, the system’s bar is too high.

Seemingly feeling my eyes on her, the female employee turned toward me. “How do you like the training room that the Hunter Association is famous for, Hunter Yu?”

She’s making me shy...

It was strange to hear anyone address me as “Hunter Yu” when I had hardly done anything in that capacity.

“It’s amazing. This is beyond my expectations.”

“In preparations for the Hunter War, we expanded our facilities with the help of our Spatial-type Hunters, and even added specialized equipment for our S-rank Hunters. Why don’t you train here as well, Hunter Yu?”

I was tempted. I didn’t have much interest in joining the Hunter War because I had a more pressing matter at hand. I glanced at my arm, which bore the mark of Gods' Sacrificial War.

[The symbol of War of Carnage and Lunacy has been branded on both Tyrannical Lord of the Insects and Yu Il-Shin.]

Only one shall survive and gain everything!

The emperor of the iron-blooded empire from Antrinia had challenged me to a duel. After glimpsing his past, I sympathized with him, but the duel was a matter of life and death.

In Kang Woo’s memories, he was defeated by Ragnarok, an equivalent of a nuclear bomb. But now, he was backed by the Ruler of the Abyssal Swamp and the Beast of Deceit and Rapacity—both High-tier Malevolent Gods with deep grudges against me!

If only I had information on when the fight would happen.

Well, there was a saying, “no news was good news.”

Just then, someone answered my question.

[Infinite Abundance said it’d take anywhere from two months to six months at most for the emperor to fully absorb the divine powers of the two High-tier gods]

Wow, Abundance noonim! You’re back! The only normal god among my stalkers!

I was worried for a while when I didn’t see her around.

[Infinite Abundance smiles, saying that she’s safe because of your concern for her. She asks if you missed her that much while puffing her chest.]

[Silently Crawling Nightmare glared enviously at Infinite Abundance, muttering that she should’ve ripped off that cow udder back then.]

[Infinite Abundance sighs, asking if she wants to make everyone look like her, then shakes her head, saying now that’s a real nightmare.]

[Silently Crawling Nightmare gritted her teeth, summoning Night Rose.]

[Infinite Abundance says she won’t go down easily this time, summoning Harvest Iron Flail.]

[All-Cutting Heavenly Sword beams, summoning a pack of popcorn.]

Goddammit, you two! Stop fighting already! Heavenly Sword, don’t just sit there? Help me stop them!

I won’t visit you if you fight again!

“Ah, it’s Mr. Yu!”

“Huh? Really?”

“It’s really him!”

Slam!

The girls, who were training from a distance, threw down their barbells and came rushing toward me.

Flash! Ruuuumble!

The first to reach me was Sung Mi-Ri, with sparks flying around her.

“Where have you been, Mister?! I haven’t heard from you for two whole months!”

“I’m sorry, I had a little mishap. How have you been? How is your sister?”

-Kyaa!

Lilith threw herself into Ko Myeong-Ji’s embrace as soon as she arrived.

Ko Myeong-Ji looked at her with a puzzled expression, before stammering respectfully, “H-hello, Grandmother.”

“Mr. Yu! I missed you!”

“Oh? Xu Zhu, why are you here?”

“I’m here to train! I heard the barbells are quite nice here!”

Because I was surrounded by these pretty girls, all eyes suddenly gathered on me.

“Who’s that?”

“He’s S-rank Hunter Sung Mi-Ri and Ko Myeong-Ji’s teacher?”

However, a certain blond man reacted differently from everyone else. He ran away, as if caught red-handed. I was overjoyed the moment I saw him.

“Bong-Shik!”

He froze.