The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman

[15th Everdusk 2103], Evan’s Apartment, Dyna Crest Country, DC-23 City

[Talent has detected the durability of the items enchanted by talent decreasing.][The function of the Restoration Junction is being enabled.][You can now check the durability of the items you enchanted in the junction and restore them using points. The cost increases with each successive restoration.]

My eyes lit up.

“Oh my god, isn’t this broken?!” I exclaimed. “I can actually repair enchanted items instead of discarding them!”

I quickly opened the Talent Tab, spotting a new icon marked Restoration. One tap brought up a sleek interface.

>

Duskfang Vest (107/120) → 32 EEP

Ember Fang (74/100) → 51 EEP

“This is outrageous,” I muttered, tapping the screen. “The cost to fix such low-grade items is this high?!”

No reply, of course.

I sighed and opened the Eternal System tab, checking the time remaining until it was fully operational.

(Remaining Time: 13 Weeks : 4 Days : 5 Hours : 24 Minutes : 9 Seconds)

Still over three months.

At this rate, I might hit Level 100 and break into Tier 1 before the system even comes online.

“I guess there’s no point in waiting,” I muttered and hit the Restore button for both items.

[Detected total cost: 83 EEP | Current Points: 1116 EEP]

“YES, TAKE IT! TAKE DOUBLE IF YOU WANT, YOU LEECH!” I shouted, slamming my finger onto the confirmation button.

A soft glow surrounded the items for a few minutes. When I pulled them out...

The results were glorious.

The Ember Fang sword—previously chipped and cracked—gleamed like new. The Duskfang Vest was completely restored, with no more slashes or holes from the dungeon boss’s rampage.

“Well... I guess it was worth the extortion,” I said with a grin, sliding the items back into my inventory. “With this feature, I won’t have to constantly replace my gear anymore.”

Now that the excitement was over, I figured it was time to move. I had plans—specifically, raiding a few dungeons through the Hunter Association and earning some quick credits.

I looked around my apartment. One blade. One chestplate. That was all I had.

“Even newbie Hunters have more gear than me. This is embarrassing,” I muttered, pulling on my old coat.

After grabbing my key and gear, I headed to the door...

But not before making a quick stop in the washroom.

(Nature’s call waits for no one.)

“Okay, now let’s go,” I said to myself and stepped outside, locking the door.

Just as I did, the door next to mine flew open. My grumpy neighbor poked his head out, clearly irritated.

“Hey! Can’t you see people might be sleeping? These kids nowadays, thinking the world revolves around them!”

“I-I’m sorry, sir! Won’t happen again!” I blurted and bolted down the stairs, bowing mid-sprint like a guilty student.

“Jeez... kids these days,” he muttered before shutting his door.

At the bottom of the stairs, I glanced upward to make sure the coast was clear.

“Whew. He wouldn’t have stopped if I had stayed even a second longer,” I exhaled and walked to the main road.

There were buses, sure—but none that took me directly to the Hunter Association.

I waited until a taxi pulled up beside me.

The driver rolled down his window. “Yes, sir, where to?”

I flashed him my Hunter Association card. He gave a nod and unlocked the back door.

As we started driving, the middle-aged driver glanced at me through the mirror.

“You just became a Hunter, didn’t you?”

I smiled. “Yeah, uncle. Just awakened yesterday. Going for my second dungeon today.”

“Good, good. Even my son awakened his class yesterday... though it’s an auxiliary type. Not too flashy, but at least it’s safe.”

“Safety is better than flash. I hope he grows strong enough to support your family,” I said politely.

The conversation reminded me—of a past life.My half-brother, a gifted Mechanic, was exiled from his prestigious family for not having a ‘combat-worthy’ class.

He died in an alleyway.My mother grieved.And in that twisted household, my father killed her...Like cutting away a “withered” leaf to protect the rest of the tree.

“Thank you, son,” the driver said with a soft smile. He didn’t say much after that, and the rest of the ride passed in silence.

I paid the fare—127 CP, leaving me with 4783 CP—and stepped out in front of the towering Hunter Association building.

I took a deep breath and stared at its gates.

This is it. My third life’s true start as a Hunter.

But then a thought struck me.

“Wait... What the hell is Lucas doing right now?”

I narrowed my eyes.

I bet that guy is up to something completely reckless again...

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