I Can See the Comments on the Doomed Novel

The Comments on the Destroyed Novel Are Not Visible

Jihoon sat at his desk, staring blankly out the window.

The schoolyard.

People were playing soccer and having fun.

A few girls were circling around the playground.

I could also see a group of popular kids sitting and chatting.

I quietly observed the scene.

‘……..’

In this world, there are no quests.

No zombies.

People don’t die from monsters that suddenly appear.

Those who would have died on the first day of destruction.

They are all perfectly alive.

A world where the story of over 170 chapters, which I returned to, no longer exists.

I don’t think of it as a dream.

The images of those who died right before my eyes and the memories of the battles are far too vivid.

All of that has simply vanished, leaving only in Jihoon’s mind.

Pandora’s box has functioned properly.

‘If I write the events that have happened so far as a novel, could it gain some popularity?’

It might be impossible.

After all, the world he returned to is quite different from the original one.

‘Status Window.’

＜Hunter Information＞

▶Name: Lee Ji-hoon

▶Gender: Male

▶Level: 3

▶Class: None

▶Title: None

▶Health: 100/100

▶Mana: 50/50

▶Stats

[Strength: 3] [Agility: 4]

[Endurance: 3] [Magic: 0]

▶Traits

[Observer of the World]

▶Skills

None

If it’s a pity, then it’s a pity; if it’s humor, then it’s a humorous situation.

This world is not completely identical to the ‘original’ one.

It seems that the genre of this story is ‘Hunter.’

Monsters roam the world, and gates open.

Defeating them is the role of a Hunter.

And the school Ji-hoon attended has become a Hunter Academy.

‘So I didn’t return completely to the past.’

No matter how much of a Pandora’s box it is, was it impossible to revert everything entirely?

Fights with monsters are still happening openly.

Yet, it’s better than the apocalypse it once was.

It’s the same peace he felt when he looked out the window earlier.

In this world, terrible screams do not erupt haphazardly.

Even if there are monsters, people die from traffic accidents or natural disasters anyway.

In fact, if you look at the mortality rates, it seems that dying from cancer is far more common than being killed by a monster.

It’s a peaceful world.

That much I can say for sure.

“Should I regret that my skills have completely vanished?”

The traits and skills I once had.

Metafiction and comment exploration have all disappeared.

This world no longer feels like a novel, and I can’t even see any comments.

For Ji-hoon now, this moment is his entire life.

Surprisingly, it feels quite enjoyable.

Perhaps if I were still the person I was before experiencing ‘destruction,’ I wouldn’t even have thought this way.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Before I knew it, Hyena had come up beside me and spoke.

It seems that once again, Hyena and I are in the same class.

No, even the memories of the past we shared are vivid in my mind.

Hyena’s character hasn’t changed from back then.

She’s still a top student, the head of the club, and a perfect daughter from a well-off family.

If there’s anything different, it’s that, being in a Hunter school, she’s probably become good at fighting too.

Just looking at the raw stats, Hyena is stronger than me now.

Still, I don’t really think I would lose.

The countless experiences of killing zombies are not something to be taken lightly.

Of course, I won’t have to fight Hyena beyond that.

“I was just thinking about the novel I read today.”

“Ji-hoon, you really read a lot of books, huh?”

Hyena tilted her head cutely.

Right now, the relationship between Hyena and Ji-hoon is better than just childhood friends.

Just yesterday, we walked to school together.

From the start, Hyena had always initiated conversations with me, and I had subtly pushed her away.

Now that I’m feeling comfortable around her, it’s like we’ve quickly returned to the days when we were close.

Of course, there are the feelings she harbors for me.

This oblivious man still wasn’t quite sure.

“What was the story about?”

Hyena skillfully took the front seat and asked.

In this regard, she exudes a vibrant social energy.

It feels a bit strange to be so comfortable around her.

“Zombie apocalypse.”

“Zombies?”

“Suddenly, a zombie bursts through that door over there. One person gets bitten, and the protagonist takes it down. Everyone else panics and insists they need to run, but the protagonist knows that’s not the way to go with their special ability. So, they escape together with their childhood friend. It’s a story about surviving in a world on the brink of collapse.”

“I could take on a zombie, you know?”

“…….Well, that’s true.”

Everyone in this classroom is an aspiring hunter.

A zombie that an ordinary person can kill would be easy to handle.

They’ve faced even scarier monsters in practice.

“……Was it really that boring?”

“Oh, no! I thought it was interesting! Tell me more later!”

Hyena flinched in surprise and waved her hands.

That aspect of her hasn’t changed at all.

Just then, a voice called out to Hyena from a distance.

“Hyena~ Stop playing with your boyfriend. Is club training okay for today?”

“Boyfriend? What are you talking about! We’re not even that close yet!”

Her face turned bright red as she flailed about, glancing nervously.

I can’t help but chuckle at the sight.

“Don’t worry about me, just go.”

“B-but… I wanted to go home with you today.”

“I have things to do today, too.”

“Then let’s definitely go together tomorrow? It’s a promise, okay?”

I wave goodbye to Hyena, who still looks a bit down.

Soon, Jihoon also gets up and heads outside.

He doesn’t go straight out of the school but sits quietly on a bench.

Today, the sunlight feels quite warm.

Sometimes, I have to wait because of other things to do.

It seems like it would be nice to enjoy this atmosphere a little longer.

“School life looks quite enjoyable.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from beside me.

I turned my head to see the hatter.

No, perhaps calling him a hatter no longer fits.

He was dressed in a distinctly modern outfit now.

After all, he too could not remember the past.

He was currently working as a headhunter for a massive guild.

By chance, he had discovered me and offered a scouting proposal.

Is this also a kind of fate?

This relationship feels a bit strange.

Perhaps it’s a joke sent by the god who created this world.

Well, when I first met the hatter, he seemed more interested in observing me than in fighting.

“Why are you here?”

“I just stopped by while passing through. I was on my way back from a brief deal with a rising new guild. Hmm, it wasn’t easy, you know.”

The hatter shook his head.

“Most of the company staff are elves, and they’re either the boss’s lovers or just eye candy! It’s absolutely insane! The state of the world is quite amusing!”

“…….Is that company really okay?”

“Well, their skills are solid. I think this deal will help our guild grow even more. So, if you want to join, now’s your chance, you know?”

“I’ll pass. I’m still in the learning phase.”

“Hmm, that’s a shame. Skilled hunters usually quit school early and jump straight into the field.”

“I have a lot to do at school.”

Despite his words of disappointment, the hatter’s expression looked quite refreshed.

At least it was much better than during the days of ruin.

“Then there’s nothing to be done. If you change your mind, feel free to come by anytime.”

With that, the hatter stood up.

Ji-hoon turned to him and asked,

“Hey, do you find that work enjoyable?”

The hatter had a look that seemed to say he was open to any question.

But soon, he nodded vigorously.

“Of course! I can confidently say it’s been quite enjoyable!”

“Is that so?”

With that, the hat maker went on his way.

Ji-hoon gazed at the man’s retreating figure for a moment before looking up at the sky.

In any world, it is possible for a person to find their happiness.

Sure, they had forcibly brought an end to the apocalypse.

Yet, everyone, including himself, remained special, each walking their own path.

Even if roles change, the effort put into life does not waver.

This is how the world is structured.

Just confirming that fact somehow made him feel redeemed.

‘Shall I head out now?’

With that thought, Ji-hoon stood up.

As he walked slowly down the street, he suddenly spotted a woman.

Dressed in a school uniform, her black hair tied back.

A slightly aloof-faced student.

Recently, she had become one of the most promising talents at school, a genius investigator.

And for Ji-hoon, she was someone he missed dearly.

Her expression was somewhat different from the fierce demeanor she had shown at first.

But that didn’t mean approaching her would be easy.

From what he had observed, it seemed she had no close friends.

Still, that wasn’t a reason to hesitate.

“Lee Yu-ri.”

As he called from a distance, Yu-ri’s steps came to an abrupt halt.

She slowly turned her head toward Ji-hoon.

Her black eyes and cold expression remained unchanged.

She still wore that precious sword at her waist.

As it was a Hunter Academy, carrying weapons was permitted.

“…….Did you call for me?”

“Yeah, I just thought I’d say hello for a moment.”

Ji-hoon slowly approached Yu-ri.

Fortunately, he didn’t throw it away the moment he saw it, like before.

He stepped forward directly and reached for the sword that Yu-ri was wearing.

Yu-ri simply left it there, unmoving.

She might have thought he would pick it up recklessly and get scolded.

But Ji-hoon skillfully grasped the hilt.

He drew it out effortlessly.

“…….Huh?”

Yu-ri stared at Ji-hoon with wide eyes.

As if she had witnessed something unbelievable.

Ji-hoon, on the other hand, appeared relaxed.

“Was this a sword that only those recognized for the caliber of their heart and soul could wield?”

“You… how?”

Then, he spoke to his long-lost friend.

“Because I’m also a reincarnator. A bit different from you, though.”

No matter what story it was, or which direction it led.

This world would neither perish nor would comments go unseen.

The story continues on, forever.

Ji-hoon stood in the middle of that path once again today.