Chapter 31: A Master at Grinding (2)

Chapter 31: A Master at Grinding (2)

“Detailed explanations will be provided by the system... Tutorial, start!”

Right after the fairy dropped the weapons and left...

“Hello? Scrawny-nim?”

“Yes, hello... What did you say?”Ne/w novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

I approached a Scrawny man and extended my hand for a handshake.

This was the man who, in the past, had bestowed upon me the highly valuable trait of ‘Awe [C]’.

And I was here to experiment if I could get this trait from him a second time.

“Now, I have something to show you. Will you follow me for a moment?”

Being summoned to a tower and then asked to follow by a suspicious man right away—anyone would be hesitant.

It’s normal to be skeptical when a stranger in an unfamiliar environment suddenly tells you to follow them, after all.

However.

“...Shall I?”

After a moment of hesitation, Scrawny obediently followed me.

The reason was simple.

Curiosity [A] - Opposites naturally attract. People feel an inscrutable curiosity towards you, instinctively paying attention.

It’s all thanks to the ‘Curiosity’ trait that I acquired from Choi Ji-won.

Traits named after emotions fundamentally amplify that particular emotion.

And what if the grade of the trait is an astounding ‘A’...?

Amplifying even the faintest hint of curiosity into something magnificently large is not out of the question then.

So, when Scrawny followed me to the pile of weapons...

Whoosh!

With incredible speed, I unsheathed a sword and performed my own sword dance. As extravagantly, impressively, and sexily as possible.

The level of my swordsmanship was in a different league compared to when I had demonstrated it in front of a group of men by a previous pile of weapons.

I had become much stronger since then, and the quality of my swordsmanship had also improved.

“...!”

The people around me were pushed back by my aura. Although my swordsmanship trait was only at F-grade, by ordinary standards, I was a master of the sword.

‘It probably feels like watching a martial arts film.’

I knew the feeling quite well, because I felt the same when I watched Choi Ji-won.

“...That’s!”

I saw Choi Ji-won widening her eyes from a distance, but I didn’t pay much attention. After all, I was planning to regress anyway.

“So, what do you think?”

I asked Scrawny after completing my sword dance.

“...”

He couldn’t respond, sweating profusely.

His eyes dodged my gaze, darting from side to side, and his mouth was agape to the extent that he wouldn’t notice if a fly flew in.

“That was... extraordinary. Fast, flexible, and above all... impressive.”

Although Scrawny lavished me with praise, he was subconsciously taking tiny steps backward.

It seemed that the ‘Awe’ trait had been activated. But I didn’t sense any particular emotion emanating from him.

‘It seems acquiring the same trait multiple times from the same person is not possible.’

Alright, let’s say all that is given. Then, what about some other trait from that person?

“How about you accompany me? Even beyond this Vacant lot.”

I extended my unarmed hand toward Scrawny.

“As you can clearly see, I possess great traits.”

“...”

“I assure you, I’ll do my best to protect you. What do you say?”

Security. Relief. Or perhaps, a sense of empowerment.

Any of these feelings would do. These positive emotions would all serve as nourishment for my ‘Hero’ trait.

So, Scrawny, take my hand.

This is a golden opportunity. I believe you’re not foolish enough to let this chance slip away...!

“...Alright.”

Scrawny gently took my hand.

His face was flushed red.

“...?”

Why is he so red?

“It’s... really comforting, you know. I’ve seen my share of wannabe badasses, being a bit of a troublemaker myself. But next to you, they’re like infants.”

He spoke, his face still red, head bowed low.

“From now on... I’m counting on you, Hyung.”

“Uh, uh-uh...”

Something about that ‘Hyung’ sent shivers down my spine, and I involuntarily let go of his hand.

“Ah...”

You have been injured You will regress to the moment you first entered the 0th floor.You have been injured You will regress to the moment you first entered the 0th floor. Hero [C] -In moments of crisis, people think of you. You become stronger when fighting to protect someone.

‘Here, if I intervene between them,’

The effect of the Hero trait activates!

“Whoa...”

I could feel a slight enhancement in my physical abilities.

Swish!

“Screeeech!”

As I swiftly cut down the mutant goblin, the effect of the trait vanished as quickly as melting snow.

As expected. The effect seems to last only as long as the enemy exists.

“Th... Thank you...”

“Kyaaaah!”

Another scream rang out from the distance.

I didn’t even reply to the word of thanks and bolted toward the source of the scream.

“...Huh.”

The situation had changed this time.

Two women were running frantically, and a single mutant goblin was chasing after them.

What if I intervene here...?

The effect of the Hero trait activates! The effect of the Hero trait activates!

Just as I expected, I was able to confirm that the ‘Hero’ trait would activate multiple times if I simultaneously protected multiple people.

“...Nice.”

With this...

I should be able to take down the Minotaur.

Quite some time had passed.

I continued the grind right up until the point where I felt like throwing in the towel.

I had extracted traits from every single person present in the vacant lot.

I had explored every nook and cranny of this island until the layout became familiar, concluding that I hadn’t missed any hidden pieces.

Sure, there could be something, but I didn’t feel like digging any further. I felt like I would throw up.

All the groundwork that could be done was now complete.

‘Now, all that’s left is to dive in and see.’

If my plan succeeds... I’ll be able to take down the Minotaur single-handedly.

Everyone in the clearing will survive.

And the Minotaur will die.

Killed by none other than me.

Slam!

You have been injured You will regress to the moment you first entered the 0th floor.

***

“...”

Though I regressed, I didn’t act recklessly. I didn’t even talk to myself.

It’s because of the Trait of Curiosity.

Even a small action on my part could spark unnecessary curiosity and derail the plan.

“What the hell! Where is this?”

I calmly waited for the right moment.

“Hello, you pitiful humans wasting your lives! Nice to meet you!”

I stifled my breath, merely staring down at the dirt ground.

“Detailed explanations will be provided by the system... Tutorial, start!”

Finally, the tutorial fairy left the clearing.

As an awkward silence settled in,

I slowly rose from my spot and picked up a sword from the pile of weapons.

A familiar weight. A familiar grip. A familiar texture. Holding the sword brought a sense of stability.

Next, I turned my head to look for Choi Ji-Won. After all, I already knew where she’d be summoned.

“...?”

Choi Ji-Won looked at me with eyes filled with a hint of doubt.

Watch closely. See what I’m doing.

“Everyone,”

I began to speak in a voice calmer than ever before.

I knew what I had to say.

It was something I’d repeated countless times in the past.

“My name is Kim Jun-Ho. Please, take a moment to hear me out.”

Choi Ji-Won.

“I don’t know whose prank this is, but in a crisis like this... we must stick together.”

This is the answer I found.

– – – End of Chapter – –

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