Evolutionary.
It was only evolutionary attributes in the World of Nightmare. Although it was rated as common grade, it has the potential to evolve into a rare or legendary grade attribute.
Kim Hyunwoo was originally a character with this attribute. According to the novel, It evolved into the Junkyard Engineer attribute which has the power to create weapons out of anything even if it was something insignificant.
If he was the same as mentioned in the novel, then he was the key to surviving the 3rd trial.
The boy, Kim Hyunwoo, looked confused and pointed to himself.
"Huh? You mean me?"
"Who else am I talking about?"
"Mister, are you pranking me right now? Because if you are, it's not a funny prank."
I shook my head. "Of course not. I'm completely serious here."
"Then..."
"I have a special skill that allows me to understand people. I see a great deal of untapped potential inside you that you don't know."
"I'm not sure about that. I mean, I'm nothing special."
His expression grew darker and he lowered his head. He possessed low self esteem and his expression was showcasing it. He was someone that has been suffering alone in this world long before the tragedy. He was the same as me.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and began to speak.
"What's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Kim Hyunwoo."
It was strange. I already knew his name so it was pointless to ask but I asked anyways. It was the first step in building a relationship.
"I'm Kim Jakga."
"Is that really your name?"
"Yes."
"What a strange name. So you're Writer Kim. Can I call you that?"
"Yes, I suppose. But you don't think you can help."
"I'm not as helpful as you think. Besides, we have Soo Jinyoung. We'll definitely survive."
Suddenly, my expression became cold. I remembered this boy was like this. He was already ruined by Soo Jinyoung.
There was only one way I could move this person now. In fact, I didn't want to use this method if possible but this boy was too hopeless.
"Are you putting your fate in another person's hands? Are you really okay with that?"
"Soo Jinyoung will save us. I just know."
"Like how she saved you back there."
His body trembled.
"Soo Jinyoung doesn't care about you or these people."
"Don't say that! If she doesn't care then why did she save us? It's only because of her that we are here."
"Who knows? Maybe she helped you all out of kindness or maybe you all were lucky enough to be around her at the time. Which one was it?"
"That..."
"If she truly cared about you people then she would have stopped the Gwanakgu group a long time ago. How many people have suffered in their hands already?"
"Stop."
"In fact, you know I'm correct."
[The character 'Kim Hyunwoo' is greatly disturbed.]
Kim Hyunwoo. In the beginning, he was a character that was completely dependent on Soo Jinyoung.
It was expected. Someone with low self of worth will certainly look up to someone with an overwhelming presence. He even endured the abuse of the Gwanakgu group because he thought he would be saved only to fall into a deep depression when Soo Jinyoung died.
In order to save him from his fate, I had to completely destory the illusion that he would be saved.
"You... What do you know?"
"I know alot of things."
"Isn't that an arrogant thing to say?"
"In a way, yes. But I know this for certain. Soo Jinyoung will not save you and you'll die along with these people."
[The character 'Kim Hyunwoo' has fallen into a deep agony.]
The boy admired Soo Jinyoung but he was essentially different from Soo Jinyoung. If Soo Jinyoung died, she will be reincarnated. He won't share the same fate if he didn't move.
After a while, Kim Hyunwoo finally opened his mouth.
"D-Did you save me back there because you thought I was useful?"
"That's right."
"And if I was not?"
"You really don't know?"
He bit his lips. It was a cruel thing to say but it needed to be done. Nobody will save you in this world. He had to learn this one way or another.
"Okay. I will try to help out."
Shall I make preparations as well?
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The one hundred skill scrolls I bought from the exclusive shop was removed from the dimensional storage and fell on the floor one by one.
Angelica who was besides me noticed them and tilted her head.
"What's that? Scrolls?"
"That's right. I'm planning on using them for the scenario."
As I finished speaking, a system interface appeared infront of me.
[You would you like to use all 100 skill upgrade scrolls.]
"Yes."
[If please a skill from your status window to proceed]
"Select Synthesis."
[100 skill upgrade scrolls has been invested in 'Synthesis']
[The level of 'Synthesis' is rapidly increasing.]
[The highest level has been reached.]
[The skill is evolving!]
[The skill is evolving!]
[The skill is evolving!]
[...]
A steam of notifications formed before my retina. In the next moment, the message I was waiting for arrived and I smiled.
[A new skill has been formed.]
[Congratulations, you have obtained the evolved skill 'Fusion']
After using 100 skill upgrade scrolls, the 'Synthesis' skill evolved into a higher form, S-grade Fusion. Now I will be able to combine certain items, not just skills alone.
Now, it's time for the next course of action. I opened the dimensional storage and brought out the remaining items.
[Exclusive skill 'Fusion' has activated.]
[The item 'Crimson essence' and 'Akasha crystals'' has been selected.]
[The selected items are being combined.]
[The item 'Destructive Mana Bombs' has been formed.]
I placed the mana bombs inside my pockets. Just as I expected, it was good to prepare beforehand because the construction of the tunnels were not finished yet.
I looked at the faces of the survivors that were stationed here.
The total number of survivors stationed here was 20. Needless to say, it was not enough for the upcoming scenario but it couldn't be helped.
They were all looked nervous and anxious. The scenario was a hard one so I could understand. However, I couldn't leave them like this.
[The skill 'Incite' has activated.]
I activated a skill I haven't used and opened my mouth.
"Listen, everyone. The plan is simple. All we have to do is endure. Once the enemy arrives, we will have to fight with all our might. To be honest, I don't expect some of you to survive."
"W-What?!"
"That..."
"Even still, everyone fight to survive."
There were people who were upset and there were people who were still nervous but looked determined. Overall, it was a good situation.
I was filled with a strange sensation. I wonder if this was how Kim Minhyuk felt.
"Let's do it. Let's survive together."
Just like how Soo Jinyoung put her faith in me, I'll put my faith in these people. A person who wasn't determined cannot survive in this runined world.
Ultimately, it was up to the individual to shape their own fate and story.
[Warning! Warning!]
A warning message appeared infront of me, I knew it was finally time.
[The contents of the Third Story will be revealed.]
+
[Third Fable– Scenario Defence]
Category: Main
Difficulty: B-
Clear Conditions: Several locations has been marked. Monsters will begin destorying marked zones. Survive the horde of monsters and prevent the destruction of the marked zones.
Duration: 30 Minutes
Compensation: Varies.
Failure: Death