The Martial God who Regressed Back to Level 2 Novel

August 21st.

As usual, Sung JiHan helped Yun SeA with her commute to school.

However, today she went to school at 6 a.m., earlier than usual, because tomorrow is Yun SeA's 18th birthday.

"So you'll be at the gift shop until midnight?"

"Yeah! Of course. I have to receive a better gift, even if it's just a little."

"Then I'll come pick you up then."

"Yeah. Uncle."

Since Yun SeA rejected Kim HeeSoo's offer, she no longer rides in her car on the way to school.

Although Kim HeeSoo said it was fine, Yun SeA was worried about accumulating unnecessary debt.

"But it's a bit late today... Are you okay?"

"I have to go to see the gift, even if I'm curious."

"Heh~ You told me not to expect anything from you. Are you curious?"

"Of course I'm curious. I just said not to have too high expectations because it leads to disappointment."

"...Yeah. I think I know what you mean."

With those words, Yun SeA fell silent for a moment.

Her face looked complicated with thoughts.

Sung JiHan observed this and thought, "Compared to last time, her expectations seem to have diminished..."

Until recently, Yun SeA seemed to secretly believe that she would receive a good gift.

It's understandable, considering that she has a father with an SSS-level gift and a mother with an SS-level gift. No one has had such parents before.

Even though gifts have randomness, it was strange not to have any expectations.

However, lately, due to Sung JiHan's continuous talks and brainwashing education, her expectations seemed to have subsided a bit.

Instead...

"But still, I... I want a good gift."

Yun SeA's desire arose.

Expectation and desire.

They were similar but fundamentally different.

If Yun SeA's expectation was "Of course, I will receive a good gift!" then her desire was filled with a strong longing, "I must receive a good gift!"

"...The situation has changed a lot compared to the previous life."

Thanks to Sung JiHan's efforts.

Compared to the previous life, the current situation is much better.

Rather than being known as the daughter of a traitor, she was portrayed as the biggest victim.

But just because it's better than the first round doesn't mean the current situation is good for Yun SeA.

In the end, she was still abandoned by her father.

Even if her expectations were buried, the intense longing was an area that Sung JiHan couldn't control.

"SeA."

"Yeah?"

"Did you see Uncle? F-level is still usable. So you can receive anything."

When Sung JiHan casually changed the mood with his words, Yun SeA also slightly relaxed her face.

"Oh, right. You didn't show me the rest of the status window."

"Are you curious? Since it's the day before your birthday, should I show you now?"

"No... It's okay for now. I just want to focus on the gift shop today."

"Okay. I'll show you after it's over."

"Yeah."

With a click, they arrived at the BattleNet Academy's underground parking lot, and Yun SeA got out of the car with a smile.

"Thank you, Uncle. I'll go!"

Her expression was as bright as usual.

On the other hand, Sung JiHan could only sigh secretly.

If the results come out tonight, it will be hard to see a smiling face like that.

"I should come out a little early today."

Sung JiHan thought so and turned the handle.

***

The Gift Gem, filled with red jewels, in the Gift Hall.

Yoon Sae-ah was guided to a solitary room that was only allowed for students on the day before their birthday.

Twinkle, twinkle.

As Yoon Sae-ah entered the room, the light flickered from the Gift Gems embedded around her.

A sign that the blessings of the Gift Gems were being activated.

Quietly sitting in her seat, Yoon Sae-ah recalled what happened yesterday.

"You're still pretending to be close with him?"

A voice coming from the bathroom.

The voice belonged to someone familiar to Yoon Sae-ah.

A friend she had been with since Academy 1st grade.

"Pretending to be close... It's just for an interview."

"Ugh. Are you a reporter? But Yoon Sae-ah, he acted like he was really expensive."

"That's why. Without knowing the truth... If you're willing to do the interview, I should be grateful."

Her partner and closest friend, Kim Hee-su, was belittling her.

"Anyway, he still thinks he's doing well. It's unlucky. He's nothing."

"Oh my, this one. What if he gets an SSS grade after saying that?"

"Then I'll just approach him again. I haven't started pursuing him because of that."

"You really hate him."

"I didn't like him from the beginning. He's from a family with no roots. If it weren't for BattleNet, would we have breathed the same air as him?"

Unable to come out of the bathroom due to the malicious words of her supposed best friend, Yoon Sae-ah thought, "...I had a feeling."

There was an uneasy feeling.

Since returning to school, her friends' attitudes had become cold and they were drawing a line somewhere, unlike usual.

At that time, she thought it was consideration.

She thought they were caring for her, who had been in a big trouble.

But.

"After the Korean-Japanese War... I realized."

After the Korean-Japanese War, where the King of Swords trampled over Korea, her friends' attitudes became even more distinct.

Because she knew for sure that the King of Swords would not return to Korea.

Soon, the students of the Academy began to look down on Yoon Sae-ah.

Kim Hee-su was a typical example.

No matter how much she refused the interview, he persistently tried to change her mind and eventually tried to push his own intentions.

An attitude that she couldn't even dream of when the King of Swords was there.

"I said I won't do the interview until the end..."

She didn't even pretend to listen.

After midnight, when she came out of the Gift Hall, she knew she would see the journalists from Kim Hee-su's media outlet who were covering the event.

Now, Yoon Sae-ah's refusal meant nothing to change Kim Hee-su's intentions.

"Gifts are random..."

Yoon Sae-ah muttered the words that Sung JiHan had been mentioning lately.

She knew why he said such things.

If the expectations are high, the disappointment will be great.

Maybe he was worried about his nephew.

"But, I really need a good gift..."

It wasn't because she wanted to see her close friends who had insulted her pretending to be close again.

It wasn't because she was worried about being criticized and ridiculed if she didn't receive a gift.

Compared to the pain she felt when her father, whom she respected more than anyone, abandoned her, these things were nothing.

Yoon Se-ah thought that she had been living diligently in her own position until now.

She served as the student council president at BattleNet Academy and maintained the top spot in the school.

She also maintained good relationships with her school friends.

However, after her father became a national hero, all her efforts became useless.

Her life was thoroughly dependent on Sung JiHan.

Whether she lived as a top student or as a failure, it didn't matter.

"I want to stand on my own... with my own strength."

In fact, if she just lived her life as it was, she was already well off.

The money she received from Sung JiHan was a fortune that ordinary people couldn't accumulate in their lifetime.

But for her, true independence started from removing the label of "Sung JiHan's daughter and victim."

"To do that..."

She needed ability.

Yes.

To show overwhelming ability in the league like her uncle.

She wanted to live not as the "abandoned daughter of Sung JiHan" but as the "rising star of BattleNet."

"To do that, I need a good gift..."

Yoon Se-ah earnestly hoped for it.

She wanted to become like her uncle!

That's when it happened.

Flash! Flash!

The light from the gift gem gradually became intense.

This change in the gift gem was completely different from when she received blessings in the past.

"This is...!"

She had heard stories from her seniors at the academy.

The stronger the light emitted from the gift gem, the higher the probability of obtaining a good gift.

"Even the senior who received an S-rank... didn't shine this much."

According to the experience shared by that senior, about half of the gift gems in the isolation room emitted a strong light.

But what does it mean now?

Not half, but almost all the gift gems were sparkling.

"...Can I expect something?"

Yoon Se-ah felt the anticipation that she had been trying to suppress rising again.

* * *

A coffee shop in Gangnam.

Kim Hee-soo, who was having a conversation with her cousin whom she hadn't seen in a long time, suddenly checked the time.

9 PM.

It was time to start preparing.

"Oppa, hold on for a moment. I need to make a call."

"Sure, go ahead."

Kim Hee-soo immediately picked up her phone.

"Is this Reporter Kim? It's me."

"Yes, miss."

"Are you ready for the interview with Se-ah that I mentioned last time?"

"Se-ah's interview? The preparations are done... Really? Are you going to do it? How do you know what gift she will receive?"

"Well, she's my best friend. I got her permission."

Even though Yoon Se-ah had rejected her many times, Kim Hee-soo casually said so.

"But at this time... Can't outsiders enter?"

"Of course, I have to go with her."

"Ah, then where should we go?"

When Kim Hee-soo mentioned the name of the cafe, Reporter Kim understood and added a word.

[But I'm worried that Sung JiHan will interfere.]

"Sung JiHan? Why?"

[When I went to cover the Sword Palace on Liberation Day, that person subdued our reporters. I don't know what kind of power they have, but it made our bodies go weak...]

"Hmm..."

"I'll go there for now, Miss."

"Yes, Reporter Kim."

After the call ended, Kim In-sik, Kim Hee-soo's cousin, had an interested expression.

"An interview at this hour?"

"Oppa, do you know Yoon Se-ah?"

"Yoon Se-ah? Ah, the Sword King's daughter? I asked you to set me up on a blind date with her, remember?"

"Oh, right."

"Really?"

Unlike last time, Kim Hee-soo seemed indifferent, which piqued Kim In-sik's interest.

"Does she have a boyfriend?"

"I don't think she's ever dated anyone before."

"Really? With that face?"

"She's so attractive. I guess there was no man who caught her eye."

"What about me?"

Kim Hee-soo smirked at Kim In-sik.

After seeing a photo taken with friends on SNS, she seemed quite interested.

"Oppa, when Se-ah was the Sword King's daughter, we didn't get along well, but... now I regret it. These days, you're doing well, Oppa."

Kim In-sik, who received an A-grade gift, had grown steadily.

He had reached level 50 and was now a semi-pro preparing for promotion from Silver.

"Well, when it comes to dating, looks are everything."

"Ugh, don't fall in love and get married. She's practically an orphan."

"Huh? Don't you have an uncle?"

"That's why I said 'practically' an orphan."

"Don't say that to your girlfriend."

"What? Do you like her that much?"

"She's pretty."

Indeed, is beauty the truth for men?

Kim Hee-soo playfully nodded her head and casually said.

"Then, do you want to come with me for the interview?"

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. Sung JiHan might ruin the interview, so just help me out then."

Kim In-sik narrowed his eyes.

"...Kid. You didn't contact me at all and suddenly want to see my face. Is that why you called me?"

"Hey, what are you talking about? I just received a call and heard about Sung JiHan."

"Hmm, suspicious..."

"You're the one who got scared, right? By a Bronze?"

"Ha... Are you crazy? What does a Bronze have to do... Hey, show me Se-ah's picture again."

When Kim Hee-soo showed him the picture, Kim In-sik scratched his head and said.

"Oh, really... She's really pretty. Add one more condition and give me her number. Then I'll go."

"Her number? Okay, I'll give it to you after the interview."

"Great, great. Then I need to fix my hair."

Kim In-sik quickly got up from his seat.

Seeing that, Kim Hee-soo smiled.

"It's settled."

No matter how much Sung JiHan tries, a level 50 warrior can't be defeated.