The Second Salvation Myth of a Retired Regressed Hero

“Woah…”
“Is that artistry?”

Most of the inspection party let out exclamations as they watched one particular student.

A student unleashing kicks towards the practice dummy, showcasing her exquisitely feminine lower body. Despite still being a student, her form was impeccable.

‘Could that be her?’

There didn’t seem to be any other student of such outstanding caliber. If the top ranker was the boss monster killer, that must be her.

However, unlike the other guild masters, Haineken muttered discontentedly under his breath, ensuring those around couldn’t hear.

“For a boss monster killer…”

That female student was exceptional, far superior to top rankers from other batches.

But Haineken seemed somewhat unsatisfied.

“Still, if she’s supposed to be the top ranker and boss monster killer…”

For now, there was no doubt that she was indeed the top ranker. Perhaps, like the previous boss monster killer Salamander, she was concealing her true abilities.

Haineken surveyed the other students as well. After all, the boss monster killer’s identity was already confirmed, fueling his insatiable greed for talents.

“Hmm?”

Then, another student caught his eye.

Haineken narrowed his sharp gaze, scrutinizing that one student intently.

“Hmm…”

The Earthling guild member, perplexed by his master’s behavior, asked him.

“What are you looking at?”

“That guy over there. Who is he?”

“How should I know… Hmm?”

He too squinted his eyes, studying the student, before clicking his tongue in displeasure.

“Tsk…”

“What’s wrong?”

“That brat is an Earthling.”

At those words, Haineken tilted his head, observing the student.
To his eyes, there was no difference between Earthlings and other humans. His Earthling subordinate had simply recognized the student as such at a glance.

Waving his hand dismissively as if there was nothing more to see, he said:

“Sheesh… That brat isn’t even training, just ogling that girl student’s ass while slacking off. And so brazenly with his arms crossed too…”

“Hmm…”

“Anyway, those lazy Earthling brats who’ve grown up comfortably show no real grit. His face hasn’t known a day of hardship since birth.”

The guild member derided the student scathingly, as if harboring ill feelings towards him.

This Earthling who had risen to prominence paradoxically discriminated against his own kind more than anyone, reasoning that as a fellow Earthling, he understood them best.

However, Haineken still seemed to sense something off, stroking his chin as he observed the student intently.

“But it doesn’t seem like that…”

To him, rather than ogling that female student’s behind, it seemed different – like an expert observing a novice’s stance…

And that student’s gaze kept prickling at Haineken’s senses.

Haineken was unmatched when it came to discerning talents. The ‘talent hunter’ moniker stemmed not just from greed and the Royal Family’s intelligence, but this ability.

That student kept nagging at him, even more so than the boss monster killer – an incomprehensible feeling.

And Haineken wasn’t alone in this.

“Master, did you see? Absolutely incredible! We must recruit him at all costs. So, for this budget…”

Though Millaine kept nattering incessantly beside her, Eloah didn’t hear a word.

Eloah’s gaze was also fixated on that student, enveloped in an indescribable emotion.

‘That student…’

Undoubtedly… he resembled him.

Their outward appearances were completely different – face, physique, hair color, none of it was alike.

But the ever-serious expression devoid of emotion, the blade-like gaze, even his standing posture…

The overall atmosphere screamed an uncanny resemblance to that deeply missed person.

‘It’s as if…’

As if he had reincarnated.

“Master?”

“…”

For a long while, Eloah gazed unblinkingly at that man.

+++

After the class, preparations began for the friendly matches.

While the arena was being set up, the inspection party rested in the central lobby.

Then, the Earthling from Haineken’s guild spotted someone.

‘Hmm?’

It was that Earthling student who had been slacking off during the unarmed combat class.

‘That brat…’

He narrowed his eyes disdainfully at the student again.

The Earthling student was wandering around the lobby, as if searching for something.

This only irked the guild member further – first slacking off instead of training, and now boldly skipping class to gawk at the inspection party.

The guild member approached the student.

“Hey there.”

The student, intently searching for something, turned around. Briefly taken aback as their eyes met, the guild member felt a chill.

Those emotionless eyes, resembling a foreign hero he had once encountered, instinctively set one on edge.

The guild member’s face flushed, embarrassed at being intimidated by a mere student despite his position – one trusted by heroes in the Vielorn Kingdom’s top guild, a rank he had clawed his way to from humble Earthling origins through countless ordeals.

The very factor enabling his current self was an abnormally heightened ‘survival instinct’.

A primal fear of death rang the alarm bells in his mind. An inexplicable sense of mortal danger made his thoughts cease as his body reacted first.

He arched his neck back, swiftly leaping away.

The result.

Clang! Crash!

“Kyah!”
“What, what was that!”

Crashing into the resting inspection party behind him, he caused a huge commotion.

Dust clouds billowed as those he had collided with shouted in shock.

“Ah, no, that’s not it! What? What was that? I was certain…!”
“This guy is completely nuts!”

And Doyun calmly slipped away from the scene.

‘Good senses.’

The 50% chance of victory applied only to a head-on confrontation. If the opponent had been caught unawares like then, Doyun could have slit his throat before he even realized it.

The instantaneous Localized Acceleration strike from an ambush – even in his previous life, only an extreme few could respond to such speeds.

Nodding in satisfaction, Doyun moved on to continue his search.

+++

The friendly matches began.

Five students in total participated, including Dewshy, Sophie, and Doyun.

Among them, Doyun was scheduled last, paired against the swordsmanship instructor.

The inspection party tilted their heads at an unarmed combat student facing a swordsmanship instructor – traditionally, unarmed styles had an unfavorable matchup against swordsmanship.

Only those affiliated with the Cradle smiled meaningfully, aware of the reason.

After watching the first two matches, the inspection party nodded in approval, particularly impressed by the student named Dewshy’s considerable skill.

Then, witnessing Sophie’s match, they let out gasps of admiration. Truly befitting the boss monster killer – a prodigious genius far surpassing top rankers from other batches, the caliber both the World Tree and Haineken’s guilds would salivate over.

Although the instructor had held back, Sophie gave an equal performance against him throughout the match – an astonishing feat in itself.

The Cradle’s instructors, a national institution of paramount importance, were all seasoned veterans among veterans. Even previous boss monster killers had never defeated an instructor while still students.

Yet Sophie had displayed exceptional prowess against such an instructor, a talent astounding enough to shock even the lofty masters of major guilds.

The Earthling from Haineken’s guild had already approached Sophie with a towel and water bottle, only to be warded off by the instructors – instinctive fawning over the strong was among his specialties.

And then.

“Next will be the match between Student Han Doyun and the swordsmanship instructor.”

The true boss monster killer’s turn had arrived.