Starting a Reversal in Life From the Time of Release

18 – Different Way of Thinking (1)

Car inspection. Claiming for compensation as a detective.

I spent a busy few days with schedule check-ups.

And today was going to be busy too.

“There seem to be quite a few interesting people here.”

Mari muttered, looking up at the tall and dazzling glass wall.

As the headquarters where hunters gathered for various tasks, the atmosphere was quite different.

“It’s a place where hunters gather. There’s a public training room… and even a sparring ground.”

Instead of saying training room, I changed it to sparring ground, thinking she may not understand.

Mari nodded as if she understood the expression “sparring ground”.

While her black sheer top remained the same, the length of her pants had become significantly shorter.

“I’m excited.”

Mari chuckled at me, then discreetly pulled her crossed arms forward.

It meant to go inside.

As I followed Mari’s lead and stepped inside, I saw a familiar sight.

A machine for taking a number.

People watching work through the divided counters like in a bank.

And even people sitting comfortably in the waiting chairs and only looking at the red numbers on the electronic board attached to the wall behind the counter.

I picked a ticket instead of Mary and sat on the empty sofa comfortably.

It seemed like nowadays the world was good, as there were even seats like this sofa.

“Hunter seems to be good. I can see that they prepared such a comfortable sofa openly.”

Mary was very satisfied with the softness and texture of the sofa.

In the other world, sofas were classified as luxury items, so it was understandable.

“Yes, it used to be just chairs, but it keeps getting better.”

“It’s a good thing that things are improving.”

I was surprised, not only because of the surprising Hunter’s Association, but also because Mary was so actively clinging to me.

Considering that women naturally protect and care for men, this attitude seemed natural.

I just didn’t feel that way about receiving.

If I had been so anxious, it would have been much easier to accept.

“Hmm… it’s sturdy.”

Mary murmured with her arm tightly wrapped around her, feeling bored from waiting.

A strong emotion could be felt from her low voice, vaguely.

“It’s a bit embarrassing.”

Even though Mary’s appearance easily drew attention, her noticeable actions made more curious eyes turn towards us.

It was a little awkward.

“Ah… I’m sorry. Did you not like it?”

When I became awkward, confusion flashed across Mary’s face.

I felt so guilty because of her extremely apologetic demeanor.

“No, it’s not that… It’s just that there are a lot of eyes watching.”

“Ah… really? You didn’t dislike it, did you?”

“No.”

If you asked if it was good or bad, of course it was good.

Being so close and emanating a pleasant fragrance, and the soft feeling that I was still unfamiliar with.

“Then, can we continue like this in the future? I like being close to you.”

Suddenly hearing that I pleased her made my head go blank.

That’s how shocking it was.

“…Me?”

“Yes. I want to formally propose marriage, if I may.”

“But isn’t that a bit… too hasty?”

The more they talked, the more it felt like a heavy blow to the back of their head; as if someone had struck them with a hammer covered in mana.

Naturally, marriage was brought up, so it was inevitable.

Mari responded with an expression that seemed to say it was obvious.

“As you know, nobles and royal people mostly have strategic marriages. My mother may be unusual, but that’s usually the case.”

“Yes. I’ve heard some things from Mr. Alberto.”

Even without hearing it from Mr. Alberto, they could have guessed vaguely.

They said that in the past, when the heads of households agreed, they would get married immediately.

“So they end up marrying someone they don’t know, and in the end, they can’t develop any affection. That’s why they often have affairs.”

“That could happen.”

As they talked about the dark side of strategic marriages, their heart became heavier.

It was not fiction but the harsh reality right next to them, so even more so.

“Noble men are generally calculating. And they’re secretive. They marry for the sake of the household, gather information, and seek benefits from it. They’re also easily tempted by luxury.”

I nodded my head while listening to Mari’s nonchalant voice.

In a world where gender roles were different, it would be easier to understand if one thought of a noble young man as a man, as commonly said.

“But Shiho is different from those men. Coincidentally, he’s the one who brought my father back safely as a benefactor, and his gentle personality appeals to me. His face matches my taste as well… and appearance can be changed somehow.”

“Changed?”

“Yes. It’s quite expensive, but it’s possible with magic plastic surgery. There are even magic users who specialize in plastic surgery. Those who prioritize money over truth are usually like that.”

It was shocking to hear her confidently say that she liked me, but the fact that there were plastic surgeons who used magic was even more shocking.

How did a magician come up with the idea of setting up a plastic surgery clinic to make money…

“It’s quite shocking.”

“Yes, right? Anyway, I’m quite interested in Shiho. I have a strong desire not to miss out on a good man.”

“Well… thank you for seeing me in a good light.”

Not knowing how to respond to someone saying that they like me, I simply thanked her.

Since I had never dated a woman in my life, there was nothing else I could do.

No better thoughts came to mind.

However, Mari seemed to interpret my words differently and spoke with a surprised expression.

“So, would you like to get married? If it’s Shiho, my mother and father will surely give their approval without hesitation.”

“What? Right now?”

When I asked with my eyes half open, Mary’s eyes rolled left and right.

“Oh… Was I too hasty? In fact, forming a good relationship is based on the premise of marriage. This world doesn’t have that kind of culture.”

“You can say that.”

Nodding as if understanding everything, Mary’s eyes, which were swimming dizzyingly, found their place.

Seeing her smiling bashfully, it seemed like she had regained some composure.

“Then let’s start dating. Is that okay?”

Dating. At the moment I heard those words, my surprised heart settled peacefully.

It was quite strange considering I wouldn’t be surprised even if I went crazy.

Although I didn’t know much about Mary, I knew she had a refreshing personality and flawless appearance.

Her unique vibe was charming, just like a princess.

Ding dong.

[Customer number 199. Customer number 199.]

Before I could respond, a voice calling someone echoed through the waiting room.

The ticket in my hand was number 199.

In an instant, Mary’s expression distorted.

I postponed the answer and went with Mary to the counter, where we had to complete a simple administrative procedure.

Fortunately, as an active hunter, I stood as a guarantor, which made the rigorous procedures like confirming the truth go smoothly.

After submitting the documents here, I had to take the ability evaluation test, and if I achieved at least an F grade, I could become a hunter.

And this F grade was a grade that anyone with awakened abilities could achieve.

“Hmm… Basic physical ability. It says it will be evaluated through a demonstration? It seems pretty simple.”

While walking down the stairs towards the basement first floor, Mary looked at the document in her hand and tilted her head curiously.

“Yes, even during the war, they gathered anyone to form a unit. That’s why ability is the most important. They expect you to gather practical experience on your own. Oh, by the way, you also have to have an interview at the end. Just having the ability doesn’t automatically make you a hunter.”

“I see. I guess there needs to be a way to screen them. Anyway, since we willingly got involved in dangerous things, we have to survive on our own.”

We walked through the automatically opening glass door and stepped into the basement first floor examination room.

There were machines set up to check physical abilities, and even after a long time, they still looked magnificent.

“By the way, you have to answer me. Will we date? Or should we wait a little longer?”

Before Mary went to the counter to submit the documents, she looked at me and asked.

Her eyes were serious and devoid of any playfulness.

For a moment, thoughts on how to answer briefly crossed my mind.

“When you’re done, I’ll give you an answer.”

As I answered with a smirk, Mari’s eyes flashed with determination, burning brightly.

“I’ll finish up quickly and be back.”

Mari confidently assured, then walked alone to the counter.

From now on, she could handle it on her own, so I quietly sat near the entrance, waiting.

After a while, Mari shook her certification proving that she was a B-rank hunter in front of my eyes.

B-rank was decent enough, and the guild had even scouted her for it.

“B-rank?” I asked.

“Yes. I toned it down a bit so as not to stand out too much… But it turned out just fine.”

“You did well. How about the interview?”

“It’s tomorrow morning. But more importantly…”

Seeming nonchalant about the interview, Mari took my hand and pulled me up, her eyes demanding an answer, almost imploring.

“Have you made a decision?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

With an excited tone in her voice as if she was anticipating it, Mari asked.

Rejecting her here would undoubtedly hurt her feelings, but strangely, I felt like I wanted to see her face.

Even her disappointed expression would be cute.

If I had been a more playful person, I might have said it impulsively.

“Okay, you’re my man now.”

She celebrated with a confident fist bump, as if it were a given.

Although we had been naturally close before, something about it felt a bit different now.

“It was stronger and without hesitation.

“Now I owe Shi-hoo… Just wait a moment. Once I have the qualifications, I’ll make it easier for myself.”

Perhaps because it was a society dominated by women, you could sense a deep sense of responsibility in Mari’s voice.

These days, it’s not the era where men and women are strictly defined by their roles, but the trend of men supporting the family was still prevalent.

From that perspective, Mari’s thoughts were quite unusual.

It’s easy for me to understand because I’ve directly encountered different cultures, but it might not be the same for others.

Each guild plants spies within the association.

However, being a spy doesn’t necessarily involve extracting confidential information or causing a commotion.

It was just a matter of contacting them when they found a promising rookie Hunter.

With basic personal information.

Park Han-su, who was in charge of scouting at the Nokyang HR Department, was one of those people.

“Oh… Starting as a B-rank from the beginning? Please send me the data right away. Yes. I’m counting on you.”

If you start as a B-rank, with training, you can reach A-rank, and if you’re really lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the rare S-rank.

When he thought about it, there was a good chance that this person could be one of those…

Park Han-su lightly shook off his regret and immediately opened his email inbox.

The information about the Hunter he had promised was there.

After downloading the data, he read each letter carefully, sighing.

“Hmm…”

North Korean defectors. Came from North Korea where only the monsters roam?

Just by this, they seemed like a promising talent.

He quickly recorded the address written in the information in his notebook and was about to head out.

If only the name Yu Shi-hoo wasn’t written as the guarantor.