episode_0001

Times have changed dramatically.

The act of capturing monsters, tearing them apart, and mercilessly destroying criminals with supernatural powers.

It is now difficult to find hunters who proudly boasted about such displays of force being their specialty.

Because the new era of peace did not want such brutality.

If you show off your rough appearance as your strength, it will be difficult to survive in society.

Now that the frequency of monster appearances has dropped to rock bottom, jokes are starting to emerge that the Gate is an urban legend.

The profession of hunter has become infinitely closer to that of a celebrity or influencer.

The reason why powerful hunters do not use overwhelming force against the common people is simple.

Because I feel it is very acclaimed along with the phenomenon of finding peace.

As the frequency of gate occurrences approaches extinction, the powers held in the body are gradually deteriorating. The reality that the strong body is turning into a criminal.

So the hunters voluntarily changed and broke their pride that had risen to the sky.

In an attempt to maintain their name value and fame, they appeared on variety shows, took photo shoots, sold autobiographies, and started their own channels to upload videos.

This means that the era has arrived where the Hunter Association president, known for his heavy butt, is also a trot singer.

In the meantime, I say.

Likewise, as someone who works as a hunter, I was completely amazed by their actions.

There is no reason to point fingers or criticize them for being shameless.

First of all, I thought that it was amazing that he had the courage to quickly accept reality and readily take on new challenges.

Now that the threat of monsters has disappeared and abilities have begun to disperse.

The fact that only those who quickly accept the value and situation of a hunter whose downfall is certain can keep the wealth they have accumulated.

Hunters who put aside their pride and boldly challenge new fields were the first to notice this fact.

but.

I, ‘Irohan’, was a person who foresaw the future but did not reach out to the rapidly changing flow.

As always, he was one of the hunters who helped maintain public order.

Tiring!

“Huh?”

As if to throw oneself into the whirling world.

As I was sitting at my computer after work, a message came flying into my head.

[ Hello, Irohan Hunter. This is Solomon, the director of Sunday Games. ]

A familiar nickname for a familiar company name.

I jumped up from my chair and grabbed my smartphone.

‘Sunday Games!?’

Anyone who has tried their hand at subculture games will know this company.

The company that takes care of my free time while also emptying my wallet.

I rubbed my eyes at the unexpected message sent from there and checked the official account mark several times.

[Every time Hunter Irohan mentions our game, all the staff at Sunday Games listen attentively. I also read the information written on the official website with admiration···]

I rolled my eyes and read the long message carefully, word for word.

[ Let me briefly explain the project ‘Salvation’ that we at Sunday Games are trying to accomplish with Irohan Hunter··· ]

I realized that it was reality. At the same time, I laughed out loud.

It feels like I’m getting excited and feverish, mixed with emotions that I can’t easily express.

“No, this···?”

Like a Korean, I start by saying ‘no’ and then reorganize the information that is hard to believe.

In conclusion, it all started when I posted on SNS that I was enjoying Sunday Games’ ‘Abyss City’.

They made a sweet offer to create a new character based on me.

‘Me as a game character?’

Considering the history of this company, you probably know that collaborating with real people is a risky event for a gacha game.

I’m sure you’re aware of it.

But why? Why? Even if you do, wouldn’t it be right to call it an idol?

‘Besides, there are so many pretty and handsome faces among the hunters, so why are you looking for me?’

All sorts of guesses and assumptions bubbled up in my head.

Who made the crazy decision to model an unknown male hunter?

In addition, isn’t this a game with more male users than female users? The situation where the gamers are swearing at him, asking who this guy is and why he’s picking up male characters, is clearly depicted.

‘still!’

Even so!

What gamer could turn down an offer to become a character in their favorite game?

Regardless of the other person’s intentions, isn’t it a thrilling temptation worth sticking your head in for?

“Hmm!”

I replied right away, asking for your help.

··

··

How long has it been since you started collaborating with the game company?

Until today, I have obediently followed whatever the game company employees tell me to do.

Last week I spent all day wearing a weird outfit and swinging a sword.

I heard that today is the day to film the making-of film and an interview that will be included in the official broadcast.

‘We’ve really come this far.’

I moisten my throat, parched from tension, with coffee.

As I sat there biting the straw and fiddling with my smartphone, I heard a voice.

“Hunter! The filming preparations are complete!”

“Ah, here we go!”

I squeezed between the cameras and sat down in an empty chair.

My heart fluttered because there was a female presenter sitting next to me, a person I had only seen on the official Sunday Games broadcast.

“Even though it’s an interview, there’s nothing grand about it. Just think of it as small talk and answer comfortably.”

“Okay, I understand. Thank you.”

For me, who always watches the update broadcasts, the current situation is mysterious.

Even more so than when facing a big game hunter.

The host straightens his back, taps the cue cards, and clears his throat.

When she saw the signal from the camera, she whispered to me that she would start, then smiled brightly and spoke in a cheerful voice.

“Now that the tension in Academy City is at its peak! Many students are looking forward to the next story! What new winds and conflicts will blow into Academy City···!”

The loud voice filled with joy and sorrow continued.

The host read the script cleanly without a single mistake.

I nodded absentmindedly and awkwardly fiddled with the microphone.

“First, I should introduce the special guest sitting next to me. Some of you may have already noticed···.”

The host, who finished his monologue for over a minute along with his introduction,

He made it clear that he was going to ask a question by looking at me.

“I have a personal question for Hunter Irohan! It is rumored that Hunter’s body vision is so good that he can parry no matter what boss he hits. Is that true?”

“I think Hunter definitely has the advantage in that regard. When I actually play the game, I turn off all the corrections.”

“Wow! So you cleared all the combat achievements?”

“That’s not it. I only play and raise characters that I’m attached to, so there are quite a few blank spaces.”

As I exchanged a few words, the tension began to ease little by little.

I felt it was thanks to the host’s gentle consideration.

After exchanging some words here and there.

As the cue cards turned over, a new question arose.

“What do you think is the unique charm of our Abyss City?”

I thought about this question in advance after receiving the script the day before.

Thanks to that, my mouth opened freely.

“I became a hunter early, so I didn’t finish school properly. I would be lying if I said I didn’t have any fantasies about my school days. I think the thing that vicariously satisfies that part is the most appealing to me.”

“Ahh! Abyss City is not only about action, but also about the warmth of everyday life!”

This is an area where opinions are divided even among gamers.

I liked the everyday parts like part-time jobs more than combat.

“Yes. If there was a school where only hunters gathered, wouldn’t it be like this··· I always think that way. Plus, since I like open worlds so much, just exploring the map is fun.”

“Then···!”

After that, there was a light Q&A about whether it could be used in the video.

The host quickly exchanged glances with the camera, and contrary to my worries, with a satisfied expression on his face, he signaled that it was the end.

“The pickup of ‘Rohan’, modeled after Hunter Irohan, will continue for a month starting on June 2nd! Also, look forward to the new story and various quests that will be updated!”

“Please take good care of me!”

It ends with everyone standing up, greeting each other, and clapping.

I saw that the cameras were all pointed towards the ceiling and exchanged greetings with the host.

“Hunter Irohan. Thank you for your hard work!”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“You have to pick the character when it comes out, right?”

“I have to break through everything, ignoring performance. I think I’ll return the money I received for this work soon.”

She laughed heartily, saying that she would have done the same thing.

After a brief conversation, we made a promise, not a promise, to meet again next time.

I walked to find the bag I had thrown in the corner.

‘The next one is called voice recording.’

What skills and story will my character have?

As I think back on the time and conversation we just had, it feels real once again.

I can’t believe I’m getting to play as a character in my favorite game.

I didn’t even want to take the money. I wanted to pay.

‘What kind of luck is this all of a sudden?’

It is certain that the deceased’s crazy mad movies will be played at the funeral after he or she dies.

‘When I get home, I have to scrape up all the growth materials.’

Let’s straighten our backs and pick up the bag lying on the floor while imagining happy things.

A female employee with her employee ID hanging around her neck approached me with sparkling eyes.

“Hunter! Hunter!”

“Yes.”

“Before we move, would you please accept this?”

“What is this?”

What I received was a neat box with nothing written on the outside.

I think the box I received when I bought my smartphone was about this size.

“The CEO said he was a huge fan of Hunter Irohan and wanted to give him a gift.”

A word that makes you doubt your ears.

I blinked and asked again.

“Are you the CEO of Sunday Games···?”

“Yes! He said he wanted to come today anyway, but he was too busy, so I had to deliver it instead. The CEO was really disappointed!”

Is this some kind of lip service?

Somehow it was difficult to react easily.

‘Isn’t the representative Japanese?’

He was frozen with a face that said he didn’t know English.

She continued her explanation in a light tone, as if something had just occurred to her.

“I don’t know the details, but the CEO said he received help when he was being chased by a monster. Where was it? I think it was a department store in Apgujeong?”

“!”

It felt like the fog in my head was clearing in an instant.

Irohan was lost in the past for a moment.

‘Apgujeong.’

When a great gate opened there and literal hell arrived.

I have experience providing support to evacuate and rescue civilians.

I clearly remember entering the department store while slashing and turning the pouring in trash indiscriminately.

‘So that’s why you gave me the job…?’

There were cases like this sometimes.

There were times when I was running around so frantically that I couldn’t even remember who was there, but that time was someone’s only lifeline and salvation.

I’ve received quite a few letters of thanks for saving my life, but this was the first time I’d received such a huge gift.

“Hoo.”

I let out a long breath as a sense of relief settled in along with the understanding of the situation.

He looked at her and asked.

“Can I open it?”

“Of course.”

Click! I opened the box and a square card greeted me.

A familiar form to users who enjoy Abyss City.

I couldn’t control the corners of my lips going up.

‘Is this my picture? I look so young.’

I was sure of it when I saw the name, not the photo.

Academy City student ID goods featuring the character ‘Rohan’ modeled after me.

It was the best gift.

I must thank you again.

With that thought in mind, I took my eyes off my student ID and raised my head.

“···?”

The girl who used to jingle her employee ID was no longer in sight.

In the first place, I wasn’t even on set.

“Huh?”

A new world unfolded before my eyes.