Yes.
What difference does any other story make?
Other civil-servant hunters were doing everything they could to avoid entering a Gate, but someone willing to take on fieldwork voluntarily was always welcome.
This line of work didn't pay well; it was a place where patriotism and altruism were the only things keeping you going.
Suppressing a cheer that wanted to burst out, Jeong Cheol-min replied,
"…Understood. I'll consider the document submission and identity verification complete. Though I have to say, this wasn't exactly meant to be an interview, but it feels like one now."
"Well, as we talk, it's natural that we end up discussing various things."
"Haha, true. Alright then, all that's left is the aptitude test, written exam, and practical exam…"
After checking his phone, Jeong Cheol-min continued,
"You know the registration for this year's exams has already closed, right? But if it's only you, I can make an exception and register you additionally."
"Is that allowed?"
"It's neither illegal nor a loophole. It's actually one of the rules in place. In your case, since you solo-cleared an unpremonitioned Gate, I can report it to the higher-ups and get approval without issue. The only problem is that the exam is tomorrow…"
At that, Jeong Cheol-min glanced at Suho.
He had suggested it with good intentions, but preparing for both the written and practical exams in just one day would naturally be tight.
Fieldwork and exams are worlds apart… Sure, some things learned for fieldwork might help, but if you're too unfamiliar with the exam material, it'll be tough.
Jeong Cheol-min smiled awkwardly and said,
"It's probably going to be difficult. But next month's exam—"
"No, I'll take the registration, please."
"Excuse me?"
"I'll take it while I have the chance. Might as well treat it as experience. So, will the aptitude test also be done tomorrow?"
"Ah, no. You can do the aptitude test today… if that's okay with you?"
"Yes, that's fine. More importantly, could you handle these first? I don't have the registration fee myself."
When Suho pointed to the hobgoblin ear and mana crystal, Jeong Cheol-min quickly picked them up.
"Understood. While you're taking the aptitude test, I'll dispose of these and deposit the payment. As for the registration fee, we might cover it ourselves, but—"
"No, it's fine. I don't want there to be any complaints later over something like this. I'll pay myself."
At that, Jeong Cheol-min's expression turned touched, and he quickly responded,
"Understood! I'll prepare it right away, so please wait a moment!"
Hastily, Jeong Cheol-min rose from his seat.
Suho couldn't help but chuckle quietly at Jeong Cheol-min's brisk efficiency.
Everything moved forward smoothly.
While Suho took the aptitude test, Jeong Cheol-min used his authority as team leader to receive a tax exemption and deposit the proceeds from disposing of the mana crystal and hobgoblin ear.
The total amount was roughly three million won.
After finishing the aptitude test, Suho said,
"Team Leader, may I ask one more favor?"
"What is it?"
"I understand that there's a library in the basement of this Association building. And I believe it has study guides and reference books for the exams tomorrow. If it's okay with you, may I prepare for the written exam there for a bit?"
"Oh, of course! Absolutely!"
"Thank you."
The library in the Association building's basement was intended for staff self-development. How could granting that request possibly be a problem?
It wasn't just anyone asking—this could very well be a future subordinate. Of course, they had to allow it.
Moreover, even though the library existed for staff development, hardly anyone used it. There was no reason to deny him.
Upon arriving at the library, Suho inhaled the distinct scent of the staff library he hadn't smelled in a long time.
It's been a while since I've been here.
The library was rarely used, with only two or three staff members hired as librarians idly killing time.
Moreover, because of the nature of the library, the librarians paid no attention to anyone who came in.
Even if someone was noticed, they would only be glanced at briefly.
In that sense, it was actually fortunate.
Well, this is what our library has always looked like anyway.
Jeong Cheol-min spoke in a lowered voice.
"You don't need an employee card to exit, so feel free to use the library as you like."
"Thank you."
"I have some work to attend to, so I'll be going first. I hope the exam tomorrow goes well."
After giving his encouragement, Jeong Cheol-min left.
Only then did Suho finally start to properly explore the library.
Now, where was it…
The reason Suho had come here was for a hidden skill secreted within the staff library.
It was a skill related to memory—a skill he would normally have had no need or interest in—but given the sudden change in circumstances, it was now more necessary than ever.
Human memory has its limits.
He hadn't confirmed it, but Suho probably was the only person in this world who had experienced regression.
In other words, there was no one to rely on, no one to assist him.
So he had to depend entirely on his own memory. While he could remember the major things, the finer details were already beginning to blur—because after all, he was human.
That's why he had come here.
Suho immediately made his way to the "Unknown Books Corner."
The "Unknown Books" referred to otherworldly texts discovered inside Gates—books that no one had ever successfully deciphered, and thus they had been classified as mere "miscellaneous items."
As Suho looked over the haphazardly shelved unknown books, memories came flooding back.
These were a real headache.
Indeed, the unknown books were troublesome.
For one thing, they didn't burn, and they weren't easily discarded.
And because they had been found inside Gates, it wasn't appropriate to just store them anywhere—they required at least minimal care.
That was why they had been moved into the staff library of the Association building.
Well, later on, half of them will probably end up in the storage room anyway.
While browsing the Unknown Books Corner, Suho soon found the book he was looking for—it was the largest one among all the unknown books.
I guess they put it up front because of its size.
He carried it to a corner of the library.
Bigger than most encyclopedias, the book still had no name.
All the information it displayed was simply: "Otherworldly Text."
But it held a tremendous secret.
After confirming no one was around, Suho opened the book and pressed his head against it.
A few minutes later, a system notification sound began to echo in his ears.
[ Welcome to the Library of Memory. ][ The Library of Memory has taken an interest in your story. ][ Would you like to contribute your story to the Library of Memory? ]
Upon hearing the notification, Suho quietly curved his lips into a smile.
What Suho had come to the staff library for was none other than the hidden skill called Library of Memory.
He removed his head from the book and read the notification in front of him, smiling.
It's real.
The Library of Memory was essentially a skill similar to perfect photographic memory.
In a positive sense, it allowed one to instantly remember everything seen or heard.
In a negative sense, it was like the so-called "curse of memory," since the human mind relies on forgetting to endure pain over time.
But for Suho, the Library of Memory was not a curse—it was an indispensable tool.
After all, what he needed now wasn't oblivion, but accurate, reliable information.
With this, I can restore all of my memories.
As Suho nodded, the system notification proceeded to the next step.
[ Your story has been accepted as a contribution. ][ The Library of Memory is pleased with your contribution and rewards you in gratitude. ][ You have acquired Library of Memory (A). ][ The Library of Memory has begun cataloging and documenting your memories. ]
Immediately after the notification,
Shuaaa!
It felt as if a strong gust of wind suddenly rushed through Suho's mind, and an image of a massive library began forming in his head.
The library he saw was empty.
Yet, as the fierce wind swept through, hundreds of sheets of paper appeared from somewhere, turning into white pages that soon became dense documents containing Suho's memories, which then bound themselves together into books.
It was a wondrous sight.
Finally, when the library was filled with countless books,
[ The Library of Memory has opened. ]
Suho could now fully master the Library of Memory.
After reading the notification, he checked the details of the skill.
[ Library of Memory ]
Grade: A
Stores all memories seen or heard and allows the user to access them at any time.
The Library of Memory can also recommend information that the user may need.
A description as simple as it could be.
But the explanation didn't matter.
What mattered was the effect of the skill itself.
Suho suddenly remembered the person who had told him about the Library of Memory.
She was the legendary secretary of Hexagon Guild, now known as the top guild in the industry, and he had learned about the Library of Memory by chance while having a meal with her.
"Suho, did you know? I used to work at the Great Hunter Association."
"Huh? You, the secretary?"
"Yes. Back when I was at the GHA, I was studying alone in the library preparing for a job change…"
She had spoken of how she acquired the skill in a joking tone, but the story had been so memorable that he remembered it perfectly.
"I was lying down and it was uncomfortable, so I brought a book to use as a pillow—and that just happened to meet the skill acquisition conditions."
At first, Suho had thought it absurd.
Who would have imagined obtaining an A-rank skill in such a way?
Well, I guess people who succeed somehow always do, no matter the method. Maybe she was one of those cases.
After obtaining the Library of Memory, her incredible memorization skills that appeared overnight eventually led her to Hexagon Guild, known as the top in the industry.
She had acquired numerous certifications thanks to her overwhelming memory.
And even after changing jobs, she carefully managed all guild members, leveraging both her perfect memory and the information recommendation system granted by the Library of Memory.
Thanks to this, she rose through countless promotions and eventually became one of the legendary secretaries in the industry.
Suho, thinking he might owe her a meal someday, carefully returned the book to its original place.
Depending on the skill item, learning a skill like the Library of Memory can make acquiring additional skills more difficult, but the "shell" of the item remains.
Well, now that I have the skill, might as well test it lightly.
Suho decided to test it by recalling the circumstances of his death.
Suddenly, the scene appeared in his mind from an observer's perspective. Seeing the people who were once his allies and later became betrayers, his anger surged anew.
Yes. You are now one of my targets. I will never forget this feeling.
Indeed, the Library of Memory faithfully recreated the anger from that moment, giving him an opportunity to reaffirm his resolve.
Then, at that moment…
[ The system wishes to provide you, who has reached the transcendent state for the first time, an opportunity to become stronger. ][ Rebooting the system for player An Suho. ]
As the memory faded out in a flickering blur, he saw an unexpected notification…