The Heroine Saves the World

“Ugh, I slept well.”

Rubbing my eyes, I realized it was already time for others to head to work.

Yesterday, I had opened my status window and got excited about the skill called *Dark Addiction,* but I fell asleep in a fit of anger when I learned that I needed to build rapport… rapport before I could use it.

I was pretty sure I was quite annoyed until I fell asleep.

“Hmm. Well, it’s not so bad.”

As I scratched my belly and thought about it, I felt fortunate to have such a skill.

“Anyway, if we get really close, the efficiency will go up tremendously, right?”

Despite everything, I was a true fan of *Sejong’s End*.

Having been reincarnated into a story I loved so much, I had no intention of alienating the characters.

Isn’t it better to get along?

Nodding to myself, I sat down at my desk.

How long had it been since I last wrote? I roughly dusted off the thin layer of dust that had settled and opened my notebook.

“I need to write everything down before I forget.”

I’d seen others do this in reincarnation stories.

Squeezing my brain, which I hadn’t used since the college entrance exam, I recalled the tasks I needed to tackle right away.

My ultimate goal: to prevent the end of the world.

However, for that, I would need at least four elements.

First, as many hunters as possible must survive until the end approaches.

This was something I could attempt through my *Dark Purification* skill.

Sure, building rapport was a bit tricky, but I was confident I could manage somehow.

Second, I needed to grow the Justice Guild.

Before the end, the Justice Guild must become the center of resistance.

They would need someone to lead and show an exemplary path in battle against the other guilds, which only served their own interests.

Third, equally important as the hunters were the summoned beasts.

People still viewed summoned beasts as mere pets that one could get by chance, but they were much more significant than that, a truth that would become apparent over time.

The problem was that humanity didn’t have much time.

I needed to step up and ensure the survival and evolution of the summoned beasts.

And lastly, the most important element remained.

“Ganghan needs to get stronger.”

The protagonist of this world is Ganghan.

However, he was different from other fantasy protagonists who started off incredibly powerful and skilled.

He was a growth-type protagonist with various handicaps.

His maternal grandfather was Korea’s first awakened being and its first S-rank hunter, and the Justice Guild, which had been one of the top five guilds in Korea during Kang Myung-Hun’s era, had now completely fallen.

The disaster-level fifth dungeon break was blamed on Hunter Kang Yeong-Won, Ganghan’s mother, who had died while trying to conquer that dungeon along with the Justice Guild.

In the end, all that remained for Ganghan was an old, small building, a mountain of debt, and the misunderstandings and contempt of the people.

Moreover, despite being an S-rank, he was mocked as “a B-rank” for not realizing the true potential of his skill.

Even in a world where the positions and levels of gates were perfectly predictable, Ganghan was a protagonist growing by breaking through his limitations.

What’s important is the word “yet.”

In the future, gates that deviate from the headquarters’ predictions will occur more frequently, leading to many people dying and getting injured.

Only then will Ganghan and the Justice Guild be reevaluated, but by that time, they will have already faced numerous challenges.

All of these factors combined mean that Ganghan’s genuine growth will not start until the middle of the story.

“Am I supposed to watch him go through that twice?”

What if Ganghan and the Justice Guild restored their former glory faster than in the novel?

And what if he realized his true power early on?

I rummaged through my drawer and pulled out another notebook, moving my pen.

Names of Ganghan, the Justice Guild, and other high-ranking hunters, their primary skills, and even their weaknesses.

I jotted down all the major events that occur from the beginning to the end of *Sejong’s End.*

Next, I made a list of items that could be fed to enhance abilities, hunters who died sadly or couldn’t demonstrate their true potential, and finally, the summoned beasts that would make good partners for the characters.

After several hours of writing fervently, I filled an entire thin notebook.

I quickly skimmed through it again to check if I had missed anything, but this was everything I could think of for now.

“Sigh, protecting my 25 billion is going to be tough.”

Rubbing my sore hands, I carefully committed everything I had written to memory.

Your 25 billion depends on me!

—

After checking my skill window, organizing my knowledge of *Sejong’s End,* and laying out my future plans, I walked through the night towards Yeouido Hangang Park.

I wasn’t just casually strolling out at night.

“Doing this in a bunker is a common practice. It’s a sight to behold.”

Under dim lighting, a crowd gathered that could rival Myeongdong during Christmas.

“Hit, more! Hit!”

“That’s right! Right hook!”

“Good job, number one! Just like that!”

“Damn, do you know how much I bet on you!”

“Get up and fight, you bastard!”

Nearby securities firms and investment companies, along with members of the National Assembly who wore their badges proudly during the day, were now shouting profanities with veins bulging from their necks.

This place was an illegal gambling arena where bets were placed on the outcomes of fights.

The bigger problem was that the two fighters, brawling on the concrete floor with nothing but bandages wrapped around their hands, were awakened beings.

Wham—thud!

“Yeah!”

Bam—smack!

“Is that all you’ve got, you hunter! Hit harder!”

Though they used items to obscure their faces and outfits, the blood seeping from their wounds was all too visible.

“Keep pressing, number one! Kill him!”

The taller and more muscular number one seemed to have a fair bit of popularity.

The awakened beings’ fierce brawl transcended human limits, moving too fast for ordinary eyes to follow, making it even more distressing to witness.

Thwack!

Smash!

In the end, the sound of number one landing a powerful punch shattered number ten’s jaw, ending the match.

“I won! Damn, I won!”

“Shit, number ten is such a weakling.”

“I told you number one was the champion. And you bet on number ten? Tsk, tsk.”

Many were pleased with number one’s victory.

“I’ll treat you to drinks tonight!”

“Yay! As expected of the Assembly member!”

While the fighters concealed their identities by using items, the illegal gamblers were brazenly open about it.

Amid the frenzy, the winner, number one, remained silent.

He simply gazed down at number ten, who lay on the ground, forgotten.

After a moment, number one quietly left the fighting arena and headed down the dark corridor of the bunker.

I slipped away from the crowd and followed behind him.

Step—step.

The sound of weary footsteps echoed in the dark, damp corridor.

Even though number one must have sensed my presence following him, he didn’t turn around, seeming accustomed to it.

‘It wouldn’t be the first time someone followed him to uncover his identity.’

I kept my distance while tailing number one.

We were close to our destination.

He plopped down into a makeshift chair situated in a much narrower and chillier area than the passage he originally entered.

Leaning against the concrete wall, he let out a deep sigh, akin to a groan.

“Ha.”

With a faint sound, like something turning to powder, the item covering his face was removed.

Sweaty brown hair, bruised cheekbones, and a bleeding lip.

A man gazing vacantly into the air with tired green eyes.

The protagonist of this world, Ganghan.

At that moment, a man approached from the opposite end of the corridor.

I quickly hid around the corner and eavesdropped on their conversation.

“Hey, Ganghan. You didn’t look so good today.”

“…”

Ganghan didn’t respond.

He lacked the energy or motivation to do so.

“How rude. Do you think I don’t know you let the opponent slide because he was a B-rank?”

The man, smirking with malice, tossed a bundle of cash at Ganghan’s feet.

“Come back next week, okay? Don’t go disappearing for months like last time.”

As the man’s whistling faded into the distance, Ganghan silently stared at the cash lying on the ground.

Slowly, he bent down and picked it up.

His hands, stained with blood that could belong to either him or his opponent, gripped the thick bundle of money tightly as if it might crush it.

But that was all.

The pride of the Justice Guild, which had saved this country, and the pride of a soldier who had once protected the nation before awakening.

All of that was exchanged for money.

Seeing him droop his head with vacant eyes, I quietly left the bunker.

Approaching Ganghan right now wouldn’t lead to achieving any of my goals.

“Just wait a few days.”

Before I walked the path of helping the protagonist of this world and preventing the end, I had things to prepare.

And certain confirmations to make.

—

The next day.

A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.

I left my house boldly to register as an awakened being at the association, but I was immediately faced with a tremendous

 crowd.

“Yikes.”

In front of me were lines stretching endlessly towards the entrance of the association.

People, both hunter and civilian, waited as I shuffled through the crowd, my eyes scanning for a spot where I could skip the line.

“I should’ve checked ahead.”

As I surveyed the bustling scene, my eyes caught sight of a nearby poster, and I started examining it closely.

A piece of paper plastered onto the wall read: “Awakened Being Registration!”

This made sense.

With the emergence of the dungeon, a surge in awakened beings had occurred, and now they were looking to register.

Once registered, they would receive benefits, get an ID, and gain access to various privileges.

“Should I join the line?”

I pondered this for a moment, but it seemed unnecessary.

I had already awakened and didn’t require their basic guidance.

“Not necessary. I’ll just check my status.”

With a swift movement, I opened my status window and examined my own awakened skills.

“Let’s see.”

—

**Name:** Sena  

**Class:** Black Wizard  

**Skill:** *Dark Addiction* – Attracts the target’s interest and affection, creating a bond.  

**Skill:** *Dark Purification* – Removes harmful thoughts and experiences, restoring the target’s health.  

**Skill:** *Dark Understanding* – Provides insight into the target’s abilities, weaknesses, and desires.  

**Skill:** *Dark Strength* – Temporarily boosts the user’s physical power for a short duration.

—

“That’s right, I have this, too.”

I smiled, recalling that I’d already acquired four crucial skills.

While many might believe I needed to wait in line for registration, my skills were sufficient.

“Now, let’s look for some prey.”

With a gleeful grin, I stepped into the crowd, where several people were forming small groups, some talking excitedly, while others seemed to be bickering.

I strolled through the sea of people, my eyes on the lookout for those who seemed weak.

I needed to find a target that could help me develop my skills.

“Perfect.”

In the distance, I spotted a familiar silhouette.

“Number ten…”

The prey I was seeking had finally appeared.