The Martial God who Regressed Back to Level 2 Novel

* * *

11 PM, BattleNet Academy.

Sung JiHan looked at the reporters who had taken their positions in front of the school gate and put on a serious expression.

"It brings back unpleasant memories."

He had forcefully interviewed Yoon SeA, who was reluctant and upset, after receiving an F-grade gift.

The relentless pressure from the interviews eventually led Yoon SeA to reveal the story of the "F-grade" from her own mouth.

"I saw that scene from home. I just paced back and forth..."

Even her useless uncle couldn't be of any help at a time like this.

In the end, Yoon SeA's interview video spread widely on the internet, becoming a topic of interest for people.

"I need to sort this out right away."

Vroom-

Sung JiHan parked his car and approached the reporters.

The reporters' attention was completely focused on Sung JiHan, unable to hide his presence.

"If you're waiting here because of SeA, you've come to the wrong place. We won't be doing the interview today, so please leave."

The reporters hesitated at his words.

Especially those who had been on the receiving end of Sung JiHan's forcefulness were even more intimidated.

"It would be terrible if we were restrained like last time..."

"We don't know how long we'll be paralyzed if we provoke him for no reason."

"Should we at least pretend to back off?"

However, a few who had not tasted Sung JiHan's bitterness approached bravely and requested an interview.

"Um... Are you Sung JiHan? Can we have an interview?"

Snap-

In response, Sung JiHan lightly extended his hand.

"No."

As his force took hold of the space, the bodies of the approaching reporters were pushed back.

"Oh, I understand..."

Most of them gave up on the interview as they were pushed back by the force.

"But it's not right to use psychic powers! And against journalists...! It's a violation of the people's right to know!"

Even though the two reporters were pushed back, they persisted stubbornly.

"This won't do."

Snap.

When Sung JiHan flicked his finger, the mouths of the two protesting reporters instantly stopped.

At the same time, their bodies stiffened.

They stood in front of the school gate like statues, unable to move.

"We got them, we got them."

"That... is really... terrifying."

"Ah, we're screwed for today's interview."

The reporters had no choice but to retreat with faces full of frustration.

Soon, a security guard who had been guarding the school gate approached with a tired expression.

"Those people... When will they be released? Will they be released?"

"Yes. They will be released when I go back in."

"That's a relief. I was wondering what would happen if they kept standing like that."

"But will the Academy just leave those reporters like that?"

With his arms crossed, Sung JiHan glanced at the security guard.

"We hope that when SeA and I come out, we won't see that sight."

"Because the reporters are causing a commotion..."

"We won't do that. BattleNet Academy doesn't prioritize journalists over students, right?"

"Well, not exactly..."

"But if the reporters block the way in front of the car..."

A chilly smile formed on Sung JiHan's lips.

"I can't guarantee what kind of accident might happen. Even I can't be sure."

The security guard's spine tingled with fear.

The words were polite, but the momentum was unusual.

"...I understand. I will definitely send her back."

"Please."

---

The gift shop was quiet.

Unlike in front of the school gate, there was no one except for one security guard.

"Are you Yoon Se-ah's guardian?"

"Yes."

"Please wait at that table over there."

Following the security guard's instructions, Sung JiHan sat at a seat beyond the corridor of the gift shop.

Checking the time, it was already 11:30.

Soon, it would be time for Yoon Se-ah to receive her gift.

"I should have known more about Se-ah's gift... what her abilities were in her past life."

Even so, the reason Sung JiHan was highly evaluating Yoon Se-ah's gift was simple.

There was a Chinese ranker who had the same gift as her.

She was ranked 2nd in the world when she fought in the final relegation match with Baeran.

"Every time I hear about her gift, I can't help but think of Se-ah dying. That's why I didn't want to see detailed information..."

Of course, Sung JiHan knew the rough details of how the Chinese ranker had grown, but she didn't delve into it in detail.

The painful memories kept coming back, so she turned away from them.

"...The only fortunate thing is that I know the direction to develop that gift."

That's enough.

While Sung JiHan closed her eyes and was lost in thought.

A familiar voice came from beside her.

"Hello~ You must be Se-ah's uncle, right? I'm Hee-su."

"Is that person?"

From the corridor, a voice of a man could be heard along with Kim Hee-su.

"...?"

Sung JiHan turned her head.

There were three people walking from the corridor.

Kim Hee-su and a middle-aged man holding a camera.

And a muscular young man with his hair tied up tightly, wearing a sleeveless shirt, was quickly walking towards the table.

"Se-ah will be out soon, right? We have an interview appointment."

"I decided not to do interviews."

"No. Se-ah agreed to only do it with us."

Sung JiHan's gaze turned cold.

In her past life, Se-ah clearly didn't have any friends left.

But until recently, she had been getting along well with Kim Hee-su, making her wonder if the past had changed.

Was this all an act to make it seem like they were close?

"There's no need."

When Sung JiHan firmly answered, Kim Hee-su's smile became even brighter.

"We. Are. Doing. The. Interview. Right, oppa?"

"Oh~ Right. That person is the Bronze, huh?"

Step. Step.

The young man in the sleeveless shirt walked closer, fiddling with his muscles.

At the same time, his muscles twitched unnaturally and became as hard as a rock.

It was a change that couldn't be seen even if an ordinary person exercised.

And this was something that could only be done by players, especially the Warrior class.

"Stone Skin..."

"Wow~ You have an eye for Bronze, huh?"

Stone Skin.

It was one of the skills that the Warrior class could learn at level 50, famous for being essential to perform the role of a tank.

To openly use that skill meant that the young man in the sleeveless shirt was at least level 50.

"Sir~ Threatening reporters with psychic power? Isn't it too much for an ordinary person to do that just because they have abilities?"

"......"

"Stay quiet until the interview is over. Got it?"

"Sure."

"And remember, my nephew will come in to play with me."

Kim In-sik blocked Sung JiHan's path and arrogantly crossed his arms.

"It doesn't matter anyway, once your birthday is over, you'll be an adult. Yeah. You can stay up all night. Hehehe...."

Sung JiHan's gaze turned cold at his words.

Kim Gyu-hyuk, that guy.

Why are there so many people crossing the line in this world?

But at least Kim Gyu-hyuk crossed the line for money, this guy had no excuse.

Sung JiHan reached out his finger.

"Oh. You want to show me your psychic powers? You think they'll work on me?"

Kim In-sik confidently replied.

"You think your powers won't work?"

Sung JiHan laughed as if he found it amusing.

"Like this?"

Sung JiHan pulled his finger back.

"Huh...?"

Thud!

A tearing sound came from near Kim In-sik's head.

* * *

[At the age of 18, awaken as a player.]

[Received a gift.]

"Phew...."

Yoon Se-ah let out a sigh without realizing it.

Fortunately, she obtained a gift.

Even though she was an academy student, the probability of receiving a gift was less than 50 percent.

Even when awakened as a player, most cases didn't have a gift, so getting the first button right was a good start.

"...Status window."

Yoon Se-ah opened her status window and her eyes widened.

The initial stats that appeared.

Strength, agility, stamina, and magic power all recorded 10.

Perfect stats!

Yoon Se-ah's shoulders unconsciously shrugged with excitement.

But the joy was short-lived.

And the most important part remained.

The gift slot at the bottom of the status window.

Of course, the initial stats were also an important factor in determining a player's talent.

But the grade of the gift, which would determine whether she would end up as an amateur or go pro, was the most important.

"...Huh?"

And.

Yoon Se-ah's eyes widened again as she looked at the gift.

Her pupils trembled as she looked at the grade.

[Gift - Mediocre (Grade F)]

"F...."

Gift grade F.

Even though gifts were random.....

She really didn't expect to receive such a grade.

Thud-

Yoon Se-ah unknowingly sat down in her seat.

She couldn't stand up anymore.

Even though she awakened as a player and her body was much healthier than before.

Still, she couldn't believe it.

...It was cold.

Even though it was August, the summer.

My whole body was trembling.

I couldn't believe the result in front of me.

I closed my eyes several times, hoping it was a dream.

But the status window was cruelly sentencing her with an F.

[Gift - Perpetual Waiting (Grade F)]

- Great achievements are achieved late.

And the explanation was so careless.

It was beyond belief.

"Ha..."

Yoon Sae-ah's head drooped.

"Ha... Ha..."

Only a hollow laughter came out.

It was a dream, everything had crumbled.

It felt like the whole world was falling apart piece by piece.

"...The worst birthday."

What should I do now?

Honestly, I hadn't considered a future where I would receive an F.

"I can't be a player."

F.

And to play as a Battle.net player with a suspicious gift like Perpetual Waiting, the industry wasn't that welcoming.

"Should I study for the college entrance exam?"

It was fortunate that she had managed her grades well to not tarnish the name of the Sword Emperor.

She sighed again.

She didn't want to do anything, just sit here.

"Why did the Gift Gem shine so brightly if it was going to turn out like this..."

The Gift Gem that shone much brighter than the senior who received an S grade.

Seeing that, her expectations had unnecessarily grown.

She felt like a fool for being excited just a moment ago, even tears were welling up.

"...I won't cry."

After taking a deep breath, Yoon Sae-ah stood up from her seat.

It was ruined, but it was ruined.

Her uncle would be waiting outside, she couldn't just sit here.

"Come to think of it... Did my uncle know something?"

As she left the Gift Hall, Yoon Sae-ah remembered that Sung JiHan had been constantly saying "Gifts are random" lately.

He had talked about it so much to the point of being annoying at times.

But now that she had received an F, she felt relieved that she had heard those stories.

If she had the mindset before he told her, she would have been much more disappointed than she is now.

"For now... Let's get out quickly. And... thank my uncle."

Step by step.

Yoon Sae-ah tried to calm her heart and blinked her eyes as she slowly left the Gift Hall.

Whizz-

And when she opened the door.

"..."

Something was flying in the air.

Upon closer inspection, it was...

"...H-hair?"

Short strands of light yellow hair.

Hair that was waxed and clumped together... like pulling out weeds, it was floating in the air.

And behind the man with a bald spot in the middle of his head, like a Japanese samurai...

"Does it work with abilities?"

Her uncle raised one corner of his mouth and pointed his finger.