Volume 1 - CH 9

"WiFi...?"

Several people looked bewildered upon hearing that the Wi-Fi password would be the reward. Meanwhile, those who quickly grasped the situation began to show enthusiastic reactions.

"If we have internet, can we contact our families?!"

Annaby's proposal was quite appealing since communication to the outside was restricted within this place. Phone calls were blocked, and even the internet was inaccessible.

"It's possible. However, sharing of videos or photos will be restricted."

"Can't we let them know we're here?"

"You can tell them."

People's faces brightened up. Not only could they contact their families, but they could also get information from the outside. For ordinary people, it was a reward more valuable than any other item.

"Now, I will continue with the explanation."

After quieting down the people, Annaby continued speaking, "There are mission objectives in each stage. In the case of the first stage, you may attempt to clear it as many times as you like, but the stage will reset if you exit."

After saying that, Annaby pointed to the statue that stood in the center of the hall. It was one of the items that had been attracting attention since we entered this place.

"In case of injury, consume the provided healing pill or return to this lobby to activate the statue's healing effect."

To others, it might have appeared as an ordinary statue, but I knew how remarkable it was.

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[Name] Unstable Statue

[Rank] Dragon Third-class

[Description] An unstable statue with the energy of recovery and suppression. It heals humans within its range and prevents the approach of demonic creatures.

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Just selling that alone would be enough to buy a couple of buildings. There were also various special items placed throughout the place. Only an organization like the Destiny Protection Bureau would be able to accumulate these items because they’re an organization with powerful members. For an ordinary person, even creating this place itself would be nonsensical.

Annaby then laid out small boxes on the table, saying, "And these items are for everyone. Please get your own."

I collected my share of supplies.

[Acquired Insect First-class Blade !]

[Acquired Healing Potion!]

In these early days, it would be difficult to obtain items, so it's a good thing that we could start with basic equipment. We could also continuously receive expensive healing potions, but the faces of the people showed little excitement, as if they didn't yet understand their value.

After the items were claimed, Annaby spoke up "And finally, before the actual training begins, I want to inform you that the Destiny Protection Bureau will not take responsibility for injuries or deaths that occur here."

At the mention of injuries and deaths, some people became unsettled.

"That doesn't mean we tolerate murder. In the event of severe injuries or murder cases among you, strict punishment will be imposed," Annaby deliberately said.

"...."

"Please refer to the manual for detailed regulations. Now, if you'll excuse me."

After finishing her explanation, Annaby quickly left, and then silence returned to the hall until someone raised their hand and shouted, "Excuse me! I'm looking for someone to team up with! I’m a Spirit Second-class!"

Annaby's bait had clearly been effective on the people. When one person started looking for companions, the rest also started bustling around. The hall quickly became noisy. It was like watching a labor market.

"Who wants to join me?!"

"What's your rank...?"

While observing them bustling around, a man approached me, and said, "Hello. I was one of the people with you in the building."

I didn't know his name, but I remembered his face well. He was one of those guys who ignored me, a low-ranking insect, in my previous life.

"I was really surprised when I saw you killing monsters on the building! If it weren't for you, I would’ve been in big trouble."

In my previous life, he was one of those people who looked at me like trash, but now he's clinging to me.

"You're strong, and calm... I really respect you in many ways!" The man continued with his flattery, his tone slightly excited.

"...."

"By the way... this is fate, right? Would you like to go together? Your rank must be really high..."

It seemed like he thought I was high-ranked so he approached me.

I responded to him, casually throwing such words at him, "You were busy running away back then. Should I really go with someone like you?"

"W-Well... I was so flustered back then..."

"I guess you'll also run away if you get flustered here."

The man looked quite embarrassed. Eventually, he made a hurried excuse and quickly left. After that, a few more people tried to persuade me to join their group, but I rejected them all.

I found the situation a bit amusing. The guys who used to quickly leave when they saw me in my past life were now flocking to me on their own.

"Hello, Mr. Seo Gangrim," a familiar voice reached my ears. Shin Sooah was suddenly standing next to me. This situation was the same in my previous life.

"Mr. Seo Gangrim, it seems like you haven't found a group yet... I also don't have anyone to go with at the moment. Would you like to join me?" she politely asked.

While others approached me thinking I was strong, Shin Sooah was different. In my previous life, even knowing that I was a weak Insect Third-class Shin Sooah still extended her hand to me back then.

I shook my head at her, saying, "No, I prefer to act alone."

I had decided to keep a distance from her because it would be safer for her. After all, Baek Young's rank was Divine First-class. Even if I prepared for several years, there was a high chance I still wouldn’t be able to defeat her, and the same situation might happen all  over again.

The only reason Shin Sooah was killed was because she’s protecting me, so if I didn’t get involved with her this time, at least she won't be harmed when Baek Young came looking for me.

Naturally, Shin Sooah seemed a little disappointed when I refused. She said, "I see. It seemed like we would get along well, Mr. Seo Gangrim..."

Seeing her like that made me feel a little guilty, but I ultimately stood firm on my decision. As she was leaving, Shin Sooah smiled at me as if she was still a bit disappointed.

"Even if we can't team up, please take care of me from now on."

I just nodded my head once in response. We might not be able to be as close as we were in my previous life, but since we're both here, it wouldn't be a bad idea to get along as acquaintances.

***

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***

"Hey, Mr. Seo Gangrim! Did you sleep well?" I heard another familiar voice, and it was filled with excitement. When I turned around, Dok Gojun was coming towards me. Their were very visible dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn't slept properly. However, despite his tired complexion, his expression was pleasant.

"Seo Gangrim, are you going alone?"

Unlike yesterday, he seemed very friendly towards me. With a sharp face and a wide smile, he exuded an even more peculiar atmosphere.

"I'm going alone. Is there something you need?"

"I wanted to go with you. I was waiting."

Him suggesting to accompany me was an unlikely scenario in the past. That’s because he treated weak individuals as trash, and only considered significantly strong awakened as his comrades, so it seemed like he had mistaken me for being strong.

"Yesterday, you just left me behind. Have you had a change of heart? I don't think I should trust you."

"Well, you see...." Dokgo Joon looked at me with a sly smile.

"After what Shin Sooah said yesterday, I kept thinking about it. What kind of development is this? I feel like I'm really playing the role of a villain side character."

It seemed like he had acquired those dark circles due to that. Did he stay up all night pondering over such matters?

"At first, you seemed like an extra prepared for my awakening, but it doesn't seem like that anymore!" He continued speaking with a confident tone.

"...."

"Surely, you're more like a supporting actor, or rather, a co-lead. It feels more like we're both the top two protagonists!"

I stared at him for a moment. Dok Gojun was certainly not a good person. He's undeniably a villain. But no one can deny that he's a strong Awakened. He's dangerous to handle, and one could never predict his whims, but he had his uses. In fact, when I analyzed him with ‘Destiny Analysis’, what I saw wasn’t so bad.

[Analyzing the compatibility of 'Seo Gangrim' and 'Dok Gojun'!]

['Dok Gojun' appears to have an coercive and capricious personality. Although he can't be completely trusted, he can provide various help if he becomes an ally.]

When considering the compatibility of our elements, there were advantages in my favor.

[Furthermore, Dok Gojun's elemental attribute is gold, while Seo Gangrim's elemental attribute is fire, indicating a relationship of fire overcoming gold.]

[With the principle of fire melting gold, Seo Gangrim is more likely to take the lead in the relationship.]

He didn't know about this fact. He acted like I was his only hope, not knowing that I was a low-grade hunter. If I utilized him correctly, I could benefit from him in many ways.

"Alright. Let's go together," I said to him.

"Really? Just as I thought, you also consider me as a ally..."

"But." I cut him off mid-sentence.

"I still don't trust you. From what you did to me at the building."

"Well, that's true, but..."

"If you don't want to lose my trust, you better behave well from now on. Keep that in mind."

Dok Gojun was currently showing me goodwill, but I wouldn't put a penny in it. If I perceive even the slightest loss of interest coming from, I'd change my attitude towards him. Until then, I'd use him.

"Well, fine! It's not fun to become allies right away anyway."

"Then let's proceed now."

I approached the first door and grabbed the doorknob. Then, an alert window appeared before my eyes.

[The presence of the Ghost Slayer is detected.]

[The presence of the Golden Ghost is detected.]

Ghost Slayer (鬼殺) and Golden Ghost (金鬼). Ghost Slayer referred to 'slaughtering' (殺) as mentioned in the Four Pillars of Destiny. It was used when referring to a significant threat or harm to one's life. Golden Ghost (金鬼) literally meant calamity caused by gold (金).

This information didn't matter since I already knew about it. I forcefully turned the doorknob.

[Confirming the entrance of 'Seo Gangrim' and 'Dokgo Jun'.]

[Entering the ‘Sword Mountain'.]