home

search

Chapter 5: The Omni-Hunters Dawn

  The pale blue holographic screen hovered in the air before Jae-Hyun-Woo, silent and waiting. He was still standing by the mirror in his childhood bedroom, the faint scent of old dust and lemon polish a bizarre contrast to the reality-bending technology before him. His heart was still hammering against his ribs, a frantic rhythm that had nothing to do with physical exertion and everything to do with the sheer, impossible fact of his situation.

  He took a shaky breath, the coolness of the morning air filling his lungs. Okay. The Academy first. 'The First Step'. But to even approach the academy with a shred of confidence, let alone excel, he needed to understand this… this System.

  He’d already seen the basic [Status], [Inventory], [Skills], and [Quests] options. He tentatively focused on the top of the holographic display, where a small, almost imperceptible icon shaped like a stylized eye pulsed with a soft light. [Insight].

  He willed it to activate. The icon brightened, and a faint reticle appeared in his vision, overlaying the real world. He directed it at his own reflection in the mirror.

  The System reacted instantly, overlaying a small information box next to his image.

  [Target: Jae-Hyun-Woo]

  Species: Human

  Condition: Healthy (Minor muscular fatigue)

  Potential: Immeasurable (Mythic Potential detected)

  Notable Traits:

  - Timeline Echo (Low Sync)

  - System Integration (Core)

  - Strong Willpower

  Immeasurable Potential. It wasn't just a line in his Status window; the System saw it. It saw past his current, weak body and recognized the inherent capacity for growth. And "Minor muscular fatigue" – even that was tracked. The simplicity of the System was in how it presented complex information clearly.

  He shifted his gaze, directing the Insight reticle towards the worn wooden desk in the corner of the room.

  [Target: Wooden Desk]

  Classification: Furniture

  Condition: Stable (Minor scratches and wear)

  Composition: Processed wood, Metal nails

  Note: Suitable for supporting light to moderate weight. Unlikely to withstand significant force.

  Utterly mundane information, presented with the same objective clarity as his own potential. It confirmed the System wasn’t just about him; it was about understanding the world around him, categorizing and analyzing everything.

  He closed the Insight overlay and focused back on the main menu. He had seen [Skills] earlier, only showing "Basic Hunter Proficiency (Level 1)." But he knew he had more than that, or at least, he had more. Years of brutal, practical experience couldn't just vanish.

  He accessed the [Skills] window again. It looked the same. Just the one basic skill. Was his past life knowledge not registering?

  He frowned, concentrating, trying to access the feeling of combat, the ingrained movements of a Brawler. He thought of dodging a monster's swipe, the specific way to put his weight into a punch, the defensive stances that had saved his life countless times.

  As he focused, a subtle change occurred in the holographic window. A new tab, almost hidden at the top, labeled [Echoed Skills], began to glow faintly.

  He selected it.

  The display shifted, revealing a list that made his breath catch.

  [Echoed Skills (Past Timeline)]

  - [Brawler Technique: Iron Fist (Level 7)]

  - [Brawler Technique: Rapid Evasion (Level 5)]

  - [Brawler Technique: Guardian Stance (Level 4)]

  - [Combat Sense (Passive - Level 6)]

  - [Basic Dagger Mastery (Level 8)]

  - [Basic Spear Mastery (Level 5)]

  - [Basic Survival Instinct (Passive - Level 7)]

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  These were them. The core skills he had honed through blood, sweat, and near-death experiences in his past life. They were listed with the proficiency levels he had attained. They weren't gone; they were simply… Echoed. Stored within the system, a reminder of the hunter he had been.

  He felt a surge of vindication. His average talent hadn't given him flashy innate abilities, but his hard work had forged these. And now, he had access to them from the start, even in this weaker body.

  He closed the Echoed Skills list, his mind already racing. Brawler techniques, combat sense, weapon mastery. These were invaluable, giving him a massive head start compared to other academy cadets. He could immediately apply this knowledge.

  But he also knew the limitations of the Brawler path in his past life. While essential, relying solely on physical combat had left him vulnerable at range and against certain monster types. Mage abilities, with their destructive power and versatility, had been crucial for higher-level threats. In his past life, his low magical aptitude had shut that path off to him.

  This time, he would choose differently. He would focus on becoming a Mage. His high Intelligence stat (8, higher than his Strength) felt like a sign. With his foreknowledge of powerful spells and magical strategies, combined with a dedicated focus on training his magical abilities from a young age… he could become a formidable mage.

  He stood in the middle of his room, a small space that felt like both a prison of his past and a launchpad for his future. He closed his eyes for a moment, visualizing mana flowing through his body, forming incandescent spells. He would be a Mage. A powerful one. He would combine the strategic thinking of a mage with the practical combat sense of a brawler.

  As he focused on the idea of wielding magical power, a strange energy seemed to coalesce around him, not mana he could control yet, but something… systemic. The holographic screen flickered violently, and the gentle blue light intensified, cycling through a spectrum of colors.

  A new notification flashed across the display, larger and more urgent than any before.

  [Warning: Conflicting Skill Paths Detected.]

  [User possesses significant proficiency in [Brawler] and expresses strong intent towards [Mage] path.]

  [Evaluating compatibility with [Mythic Potential]...]

  [Evaluation Complete.]

  [Unique Class Unlocked: [Omni-Hunter]!]

  Jae-Hyun-Woo’s eyes snapped open. Omni-Hunter? Conflicting Skill Paths? He hadn’t expected this. He just intended to switch from Brawler to Mage.

  The holographic screen stabilized, displaying the new class name in bold, золотой letters.

  [Class: Omni-Hunter]

  Rank: Mythic (Exclusive to Jae-Hyun-Woo)

  Description: A unique class unlocked through the synthesis of exceptional potential and mastery across disparate combat disciplines. Allows the user to learn, utilize, and integrate skills from ALL Hunter classes without penalty. Growth rate is directly proportional to the user's courage and willingness to embrace diverse combat styles.

  Class Bonus: +10% Experience Gain (All Sources), Unlocks Class-Exclusive Skill Tree.

  He stared at the description, his mind reeling. Learn skills from ALL Hunter classes? Without penalty? This wasn't just being a Mage. This wasn't just combining Brawler and Mage. This was… everything. The Mythic System, tied to his unique potential, had just shattered the fundamental rules of hunter classes in this world.

  The game wasn't just about playing with the rules. It was about breaking them.

  "Omni-Hunter." The name echoed in Jae-Hyun-Woo's mind, resonating with a power he had only ever dreamed of. He stared at the holographic description, the words "Mythic (Exclusive to Jae-Hyun-Woo)" and "learn, utilize, and integrate skills from ALL Hunter classes without penalty" burning themselves into his consciousness.

  Shock. Awe. A thrill of pure, unadulterated potential shot through him, making the hairs on his arms stand on end. This wasn't just a second chance; it was a complete rewriting of the rules he'd lived and died by. His average talent, the ceiling that had limited him in his past life, had been shattered by the very system granted by a benevolent god.

  He had intended to become a Mage, to complement his Brawler instincts with ranged power. But the System, in its cryptic, powerful logic, had seen the synthesis of his past experience and his future intent and forged something entirely new. Something that bypassed the fundamental class divisions of his world.

  He quickly navigated back to the Skills window, which now had a prominent new tab: [Omni-Hunter Exclusive Skill Tree]. He selected it, his fingers practically flying across the holographic interface.

  The display shifted to a complex, interconnected web of nodes and pathways. Most of it was greyed out, labeled [Locked] or [Requires Class Level]. But a few initial nodes were highlighted, branching out in different directions. He focused on one labeled [Adaptive Combat Physiology].

  [Passive Skill: Adaptive Combat Physiology (Level 1)]

  Rank: Mythic (Class Exclusive)

  Description: The Omni-Hunter's body rapidly adapts to diverse combat stimuli, accelerating physical conditioning and skill acquisition across all disciplines. Provides a passive bonus to Attribute growth and Skill proficiency gain when engaging in varied training or combat scenarios.

  Accelerated Attribute growth and Skill proficiency gain across all disciplines. This wasn't just about learning Mage skills; it was about becoming better at everything, faster.

  He looked at another connected node: [Systemic Insight: Combat Analysis].

  [Active Skill: Systemic Insight: Combat Analysis (Level 1)]

  Rank: Unique (Class Exclusive)

  Description: An enhanced form of Insight specific to combat scenarios. Provides real-time analysis of opponent strengths, weaknesses, attack patterns, and potential vulnerabilities during active combat. Effectiveness scales with Perception and Skill Level.

  An enhanced Insight for combat. This would be invaluable. Combined with his foreknowledge, he could anticipate enemies' moves and exploit weaknesses with terrifying efficiency.

  He exited the Class Exclusive Skill Tree, his mind buzzing with possibilities. He could learn Mage spells, yes, but he could also refine his Brawler techniques beyond what was possible in his past life. He could potentially pick up Archer skills for ranged precision, or even Assassin skills for stealth and critical strikes. The limitations were gone.

  He looked around his small bedroom again, the mundane surroundings feeling suddenly charged with potential. This was his starting point. He didn't have a training ground, or access to advanced equipment yet. But he had his body, his mind, and the System.

  He started simply. Dropping into a basic push-up position, he began the exercise. He focused on his form, remembering the proper technique from his past life's grueling training. As he completed each repetition, he noticed a faint, almost subliminal notification flash at the edge of his vision – tiny numbers, increasing.

  [Strength Proficiency: +0.1]

  [Vitality Proficiency: +0.05]

  [Basic Conditioning: +0.1]

  The System was tracking his physical exertion, quantifying his training in real-time. The numbers were small, almost negligible, but they were increasing. He felt a surge of energy, pushing himself harder.

  He moved onto a basic Brawler stance, shifting his weight, clenching his fists. He focused on the feeling of being grounded, ready to absorb or deliver an impact. The System again provided feedback.

  [Brawler Technique: Basic Stance Proficiency: +0.15]

  [Combat Sense Proficiency: +0.08]

  It wasn't just tracking generic conditioning; it was recognizing and enhancing his proficiency in specific combat skills.

  Next, he tried something he couldn't do in his past life – sensing mana. He closed his eyes, trying to feel for the ambient energy that mages spoke of. It had always been a foreign concept to him, a sense he lacked. But now… now he was an Omni-Hunter.

  He focused, clearing his mind, reaching out with his… perception? Insight? He wasn't sure. He just tried to feel the subtle energies around him.

  At first, there was nothing. Just the quiet of his room, the faint sounds of the city outside. He was about to give up, thinking some skills might require unlocking or a higher level, when he felt it. A faint tingle, like static electricity, just at the edge of his awareness. It was incredibly subtle, barely there, but it was distinct from the normal sensations of his body.

  And then, a System notification.

  [Mana Sensitivity: Detected.]

  [Passive Skill: Basic Mana Sensing (Level 1) acquired!]

  He opened his eyes, a grin spreading across his face. He had done it. He had acquired a fundamental Mage skill, a skill that had been completely impossible for him in his past life. The Omni-Hunter class wasn't just a name; it was a catalyst, breaking down the barriers of talent and potential.

  He looked back at the holographic screen, the implications of his new class settling in. He could train his physical body like a Brawler, his reflexes like an Assassin, his mind like a Mage, and the System would accelerate his growth across all of them. His past life's struggles weren't just memories; they were a foundation upon which he could build something truly extraordinary.

  The gods saw his world as a game, and they were the players who set the rules. But the goddess had given him a tool that allowed him to ignore those rules, to play a different game entirely.

  He thought of Mia, sleeping peacefully in the next room. He thought of Gun-Ho and Ji-Yoon, unaware of the fate that had nearly claimed them. He thought of the cruel, distant god who had orchestrated his death for entertainment.

  The desire for vengeance, which had been a burning fire, now felt like an unstoppable engine of progress. He wouldn't just survive this time. He wouldn't just protect those he loved. He would climb. He would level up. He would master every skill, every ability, every facet of this Mythic System until he was strong enough to stand on equal footing with the players of this cruel game.

  He closed his eyes again, focusing on the feeling of that nascent mana within him, then the solid reality of his physical body. Brawler and Mage. Strength and Magic. He could have it all.

  His average life was over. The game had begun. And he was no longer just a piece on the board. He was the Omni-Hunter, and he was coming for the players. The rigorous training, the strategic planning, the calculated exploitation of his foreknowledge – it all started now. The Hunter Academy was just the first checkpoint.

Recommended Popular Novels