THE STRATEGIST: Monster of the game

DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

I was sent to another world and spent twenty years fighting monsters before returning to Earth.

Only to discover that something called erosion points had started popping up here too.

Thanks to my combat experience, I managed to survive.

And after promising some kid that I would save the world…

…I did absolutely nothing.

Swish.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.

My fingers danced across the keyboard, the cursor flashing impatiently as the screen exploded with color and effects.

“Victory.”

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the result.

“…Won again.”

Too easy.

My eyes drifted to the dark monitor as an old memory echoed mockingly in my head.

You need to know your stuff if you want to save the world.

What happened to that?

I had sounded so confident when I said it—like some hardened veteran passing down wisdom. But whatever resolve I had felt back then evaporated almost instantly.

There were games I’d never seen before. Food I never even knew existed. And the sheer convenience of having everything delivered, streamed, or downloaded with a few clicks.

Besides, the hunters were already saving the world.

So what was wrong with ordering food and minding my own business?

I grabbed my phone.

“…Huh?”

I blinked.

“I already used up my severance pay?”

The memories surfaced automatically.

Darian.

The original owner of this body.

He worked at a logistics company—until an erosion point swallowed half the district and the company collapsed overnight. Laid off. No warning. No future plan.

And now, the last of his severance money was gone.

“…Great.”

Which meant only one thing.

I needed a job.

Except…

“With erosion points popping up everywhere, companies are dropping like flies,” I muttered.

Hiring freezes. Shutdowns. Entire industries destabilized.

And someone without recent experience?

“Yeah… no one’s touching that.”

I stared at the ceiling.

“How am I supposed to survive in modern society without a job?”

My phone buzzed.

A notification glowed on the screen.

HUNTER RECRUITMENT – APPLY NOW

“…Ah.”

I tilted my head.

“I guess I do have experience in that area.”

The Hunter Association.

The idea still felt strange. Back then, warriors were tools of kings and gods. Now they were certified professionals with rankings, sponsors, and streaming channels.

“I can’t believe I’m becoming a hunter.”

I corrected myself immediately.

“…Well. Applying.”

The trials were almost insulting.

Strength checks. Ability confirmation. Minimal combat simulations.

“These days, it’s mostly a formality,” I thought. “As long as you have an innate ability, you’re in.”

Most of the people here were amateurs nervous, inexperienced, or chasing fame.

I sighed.

“What if I get too famous?”

Click. Clack.

I dismissed the thought just as someone shoved past me.

“Watch it.”

I turned.

A woman stood there, flanked by bodyguards. Tall. Confident. Her posture alone made the surrounding hunters unconsciously step aside.

Silver eyes. Calm expression. Power that didn’t need to announce itself.

“…Who are you supposed to be?” someone muttered nearby.

My gaze sharpened.

“No way.”

Lyra Ashveil.

Jannabi Guild.

Partner Hunter.

Global Hunter Ranking: #10.

One of the strongest active hunters in the world.

“So it’s that Lyra Ashveil,” I murmured.

She moved like someone who had never doubted her place not arrogant, not loud. Just unquestioned.

I exhaled slowly.

“…Looks like Earth isn’t short on monsters or monsterslayers.”

And for the first time since coming back…

I wondered how long I could keep pretending I wasn’t part of this world’s game.

I hadn’t expected to see her here.

From what I’d heard, Lyra Ashveil was busy clearing erosion points nonstop. Someone of her rank didn’t usually show up at recruitment trials.

Then again…

“The Jannabi Guild is scouting,” someone muttered beside me.

That explained it.

“They’re probably here for Valeria,” another hunter whispered. “Academy graduate. Innate ability—electricity.”

I glanced at the girl they were talking about. Calm posture, controlled breathing. Mana flowed through her body with practiced ease.

“Huh,” I muttered. “I wonder if she can charge my phone.”

“She’s not a battery charger,” Tan snapped, clearly annoyed. “She’s a potential recruit.”

I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

He leaned closer, voice sharp. “Erosion point hunting isn’t about textbook skills.”

That earned my attention.

“Academy students only train inside controlled environments,” I continued, unbothered. “No fear of death. No chaos. Real monsters don’t fight by the rules.”

Tan clicked his tongue. “Exactly what I was saying.”

I popped a candy into my mouth. “Then why are you sending me off-mission for a whole week?”

Before he could answer, a voice boomed across the arena.

“Thank you all for gathering, hunters. We will now begin the first match.”

Looks like avoiding this wasn’t an option.

Guess I’ll play along.

The trials started fast, loud, predictable.

Then murmurs rippled through the stands.

“That one’s not from the academy.”

“A civilian?”

“Seriously?”

My turn.

Swish.

The whip cracked through the air.

I stepped in, grabbed it mid-motion, and vaulted forward.

Gasps erupted.

“That movement!”

“Unprecedented!”

Someone started clapping. Then the rest followed.

“Darien!” the announcer called.

I winced.

Still not used to that name.

Rules were read. Practice weapons only. No fatal injuries.

Fine by me.

I stepped onto the platform.

If I’m doing this… I might as well do it properly.

My opponent sneered. “You can consider it an honor to lose to me.”

Academy-trained spearman. Overconfident. Predictable stance.

Swoosh.

He thrust.

Empty air.

“What?”

I was already behind him.

“You’re bad with a spear,” I said calmly.

Turn. Step. Stomp.

Impact.

He went down coughing.

“That’s it?” I sighed. “I used my fists because the spear might’ve hurt you.”

The silence was deafening.

“…Is this really the average level now?”

Eyes followed me with disbelief.

“He has no mana reserves.”

“Almost none.”

“Must’ve been luck.”

I felt someone signal at me quietly.

Keep your mouth shut.

Oh?

That made things interesting.

Opponent after opponent fell.

They were eager. Flashy. Weak.

“What are they teaching at the academy?” I wondered aloud.

Then

The air changed.

A woman stepped forward, electricity dancing faintly around her blade.

Finally.

Valeria.

“Oh, she’s strong,” someone whispered.

She studied me coolly. “You’ve gotten far without mana.”

“Luck runs out,” she continued. “I won’t hold back.”

“Please don’t,” I replied. “That’d be boring.”

Her mana flared.

Crackle.

She turned her weapon into a railgun—magnetic force screaming through the air.

I jumped.

The strike missed by centimeters.

Her eyes widened.

She overextended.

That was the mistake.

“You’re too focused on attacking,” I said. “You left yourself open.”

She forced more mana.

Bad move.

“That’s how you injure yourself.”

I stepped in.

“If this hurts, raise your left hand.”

Pow. Pow. Pow.

She collapsed.

Shock rippled through the arena.

“How did he beat her?”

“Where did this guy come from?”

She tried to rise again trembling.

“…Persistent,” I admitted.

Then the announcement came.

“A special match has been approved.”

The crowd erupted.

Active hunter.

I looked up.

The screen lit up.

Recognition spread like wildfire.

Ah.

So that was her plan.

A calm voice echoed behind me.

“This is the best way to gauge your real strength.”

I turned.

Lyra Ashveil.

Rank ten.

The pressure alone was suffocating.

“With this body,” I assessed calmly, “I wouldn’t win.”

Even with a spear.

She smiled slightly. “You can refuse.”

I cracked my neck.

“Alright,” I said. “Let’s do it.”

The crowd went insane.

If I’m showing off…

I may as well make it memorable.