Level 87.
That number floated above Kang Jinwoo's head in pale blue text, visible to everyone in the Association Hall.
It used to be his pride.
Now it felt heavy.
"So," the examiner said, adjusting his glasses, "you're really requesting a voluntary downgrade?"
Murmurs exploded around the hall.
"Is he insane?"
"That's Kang Jinwoo, right? The fallen A-rank?"
"What a waste."
Jinwoo stood calmly inside the evaluation circle. His black hair was tied loosely, his hunter coat unzipped. No weapon. No visible artifacts.
"Yes," he said. "Reset my level."
The examiner frowned. "You understand this will permanently erase all progress. Skills may collapse. Stats will recalibrate to minimum."
"I know."
"And you'll be downgraded to F-rank."
"I know."
Silence followed.
The examiner hesitated, then sighed. "Very well. This is on you."
He pressed the console.
[Level Reset Initiated]
[Warning: Irreversible Action]
Light swallowed Jinwoo.
Pain followed.
Not sharp pain.
Compression.
As if his bones, muscles, and mana were being folded inward.
The crowd watched with expressions ranging from pity to mockery.
[Level: 87 → 1]
[Stats Recalibrating…]
The examiner blinked.
"…That's strange."
The numbers flickered.
Then flickered again.
[Error]
[Stat Overflow Detected]
The evaluation stone cracked.
A pressure rolled across the hall.
Hunters staggered backward.
Jinwoo exhaled slowly.
Level 1.
His heart beat once.
The air shook.
Somewhere deep inside the system, something recorded a result it had never seen before.
[Individual classified as… UNKNOWN]
Jinwoo opened his eyes.
"…Good," he murmured.
Because this was exactly what he wanted.