Civilization (1)
The greatest difference between the wild and civilization? It's conversation.
In the wild, words mean nothing—it's pure survival of the fittest. Civilization, on the other hand, isn't like that. Sure, when tough problems arise, you can settle them with force. But force is always the last resort.
That said, some people exploit it in reverse: they act rudely on purpose, provoke violence, and slap a bad image on their target. As someone once said, civilized folk are ruder than barbarians. After all, they won't get their skulls split for it.
"What's up with that guy? Pervert?"
"There's a freak like that at the academy? Why haven't they kicked him out?"
"Wait a sec. Isn't that girl the top new student? What's going on?"
"Look at the squirrel. So cute."
See? The moment we entered the academy, all sorts of rude comments flooded my ears. No thrill of touching civilization—just the urge to crack some skulls.
Of course, I couldn't blame them. I looked like hell. Just a sackcloth draped over me—who wouldn't stare?
Even barbarians wear proper clothes, high exposure or not. Not like this.
"...Let's buy clothes quick. Throw a cheap robe on him or something."
"Yeah. We should."
In the end, Luna and Ellie couldn't stand the embarrassment and dressed me themselves. The cheapest robe they could find. It dulled the stares a bit.
Still, with my hair and beard overgrown enough to cover my face, eyes would linger. Even Taoists don't grow it this wild.
Real academy, huh.
I trailed behind, gawking at the place. The United Academy, where the world's promising talents gathered. A key stage in Soul World, vital right up to the late game.
Thick with traces of the civilization I'd craved. As the world's top educational institution, its facilities were top-notch—from basic shops to practice spaces for non-combat classes.
Hard to believe this was a game world. Who'd think it?
As I followed the group, something grating caught my eye. I stopped dead.
"......"
"Huh? Sivar, not coming? What..."
Ellie trailed off, following my gaze. Luna turned too, then looked where I was staring.
There stood a towering bell tower.
"Gaia's church. Stands out 'cause it's so tall?" Ellie tilted her head.
As I'd said before, gods existed here.
- Goddess of Life, Gaia.
- God of Chaos, Chaos.
- God of Destruction, Gulrak.
Three siblings, real blood—biting, clawing, tormenting each other.
Chaos had no fixed gender, true to the name.
"Ratatosk uses lightning too, right? That's Gulrak's power."
"Usually, yeah. The god barbarians mostly worship."
"Luna. Not barbarians—Tatar tribe. This is the academy."
"Sorry. My bad."
The three gods had distinct powers, as their names suggested. Gaia for healing, Gulrak for lightning and attacks. Chaos was the trickiest—whimsical as hell.
Healing one moment, attacks the next. Loved screwing people over on purpose. Users called it the "lotto god" for chasing "fun."
Meet the conditions, though, and it offered massive growth. Even veterans struggled to grasp it.
Wanna curse 'em out good.
To me, they were all the same. Whoever dropped me here—life, chaos, destruction. No other explanation.
The demon god wouldn't summon me. Faith had tanked to negative in the forest.
Any rocks around?
Gonna greet the bell tower with one. I scanned the ground.
Far, but my throwing skills could nail it.
"Let's go. Church later."
"Got it. Sivar?"
Regrettably, postponed. I clicked my tongue inwardly and followed.
Two female students, one wildman, one giant squirrel. We drew stares everywhere.
Even inside what seemed the administrative building.
All faces screamed, What the hell?
"Here to report, Professor."
"...Saw you from afar. Looks like plenty to report."
This world had weekends; the academy too. Meaning an on-duty professor.
Reflected in Soul World. The man at the desk wore a mix of expressions.
Forest trip, dragging back a wildman? Natural. Plus dog-sized squirrel bonus.
"First, ask about that one. Never seen him in my time here. Who is he?"
Short sporty hair, chin beard—stern-faced professor pointing at me. Marlboro Redka, infamous "tutorial boss" for newbies.
Funny name evoking cigarettes, but nightmare fuel. Wouldn't die no matter what. Most hits? One-shot cut. Full HP drain? Useless. "Excellent!" and forced game over.
Devs made it unbeatable, just in case.
Beat it for bonus stats, I think.
Probably for the protagonist—Luna. Did she clear it? Curious.
"Hard to believe, but he's a Chaos Forest survivor. What happened was..."
Luna detailed events. Ellie nearly dying to the Monkey, me smashing its head.
Skipped Porori's spirit status—said potion saved the dying beast instead.
"Wild animals are unsanitary, full of germs, right?"
"Rabies shot and dewormer planned."
"Fine then. Problem's this Sivar guy..."
Marlboro stroked his chin, troubled. Eyes locked on me.
I just sat blankly in the chair, harmless as could be.
"Sivar's nice despite looks. Listens to us."
Ellie's "defense" nearly made me laugh. Treating me like a dog?
But Marlboro stared, unconvinced.
"Doubt it. Looks the survivor part, but I say no."
"Why?"
Luna's face showed pure confusion at his certainty.
His words shocked us all.
"Academy's not that irresponsible. Enter forest every five years for special compass. Check for survivors too. But five years ago? No trace of him. No missing reports either."
"So..."
"Entered from elsewhere, or dropped right in. One or the other. Not academy-related."
I'd forgotten that detail—too focused on surviving.
Big shock for the group, especially Luna—her blue eyes widened.
Ellie just "Really?" Luna alone reacted strong. Like she suspected something.
Can't speak, so zip it.
"Black hair, beard suggest Easterner, but pale skin looks Western... Anyway, no name means hard to check identity."
"What now? Not kicking him out..."
"Sigh... Speechless, illiterate wildman—er, wilder... Unprecedented."
Marlboro rubbed his face dry. Tricky indeed.
Let me in? Academy risks. Send back? Iffy too.
Talking barbarians easier—at least human, not beast.
Wanna signal harmless, but pointless. Better half than none.
"This goes to other profs and President. Not quick fix."
"Till then, what about Sivar?"
"Bath first—haircut rough. Wash after. That pig? Infirmary, like I said. Rabies risk."
"Kwang?"
Pig irked Ratatosk beside me—he glared, one eye cocked.
Marlboro's eyes bulged in shock.
"Wh-what? He understood me?"
"J-just the pig word! We'll do as said."
"Uh... okay. Haircut done, report back. I'll handle washing."
"Thanks."
I can wash myself. Not that dirty—daily stream baths. No soap, but necessary.
No way to convey. I'll handle it then.
"I'll take Sivar. Ellie, Ratatosk to infirmary."
"Got it."
"Oh, extra dewormer if possible. Sivar too."
Not assuming no parasites—too much raw meat.
But "Digestion" trait? Maybe not. Couldn't fully digest otherwise.
"Sivar. Follow me. Got it?"
"......"
Before leaving, Luna pointed at herself emphatically. Worried I'd tail Ellie.
Ellie headed off with Ratatosk. I glanced; Luna urged anxiously.
"No. Me. Sivar. Not Ellie."
"......"
"Follow me. Got it? Understand?"
"Tried that with my kid."
Marlboro chuckled, watching. Luna shot him a sharp look.
No mischief mood—nodded compliance.
Luna relaxed, led out.
"Barbershop, not salon... Here."
Academy split salons and barbershops. Both basic cuts, but beards differed. Salons for fancy hair, tough on beards; reverse for barbers.
Protagonist could style-change; NPCs with affinity.
Don't wanna lose the beard...
Clean shave it is. Better for looks.
Soon, barbershop. Very Western—retro British vibe. Not sure if accurate.
"Welcome... sir. How can I help?"
Clerk startled at me, then smiled professionally. Academy drew all races for grooming.
Wildman first, though.
Luna eyed the neatly side-trimmed clerk, ordered.
"Clean him up nice. Shave beard full, hair moderate."
"Understood. Sit here."
"Sivar. There."
Followed her point after clerk. Pro—no questions.
Softer chair felt weird. This is plush.
"Sivar. Scissors or razor near face? Stay still. Got it?"
"......"
"...Never mind. If accident, fine. Hold hands for calm?"
Luna gripped my hand. Sword calluses everywhere.
First human hand. Woman's, even. Forgotten feeling surged—till clerk interrupted.
"Excuse, robe? Keep on?"
"Ah, yes. Circumstances. Disposable anyway."
"Got it. Rough cut first, then shave."
Time to bid farewell to years of growth.
Barber scissors to head—I flinched instinctively.
Forest life: instinct over reason. Luna's worry valid.
Instinct scary.
"Ah! Sivar! Relax! Strength!"
Squeezed her hand—light to me, not her.
Her yell; I eased. She rubbed sore hand, re-gripped.
"No worry. He won't hurt. Got it?"
Dog vibes. Odd. Trust her words, relax.
"...He okay?"
Clerk anxious. Glanced—nervous.
"Fine. Proceed."
"Yes."
Chik! Chik! Sprayed wild hair wild.
Nearly shook head—suppressed.
Combed neat, surprised tone.
"Huh? Sir, this one's hair ever catch fire?"
"Pardon?"
"Top soft, bottom frizzy. Rare unless burned."
Sharp eye. Lightning-roasted, not fire.
Luna paused, awkward smile. Loaded meaning—clerk dropped it.
Snap— Goodbye, old hair.
Back neck first—empty feel.
Snip-snip-snip— Trimmed all, curtain bangs last. Clean.
Exposed eyes unseen sans mirror or lake.
Luna eyed mirror me, muttered.
"...Red eyes?"
Beard hid rest, but eyes clear: deep crimson, threatening. Matched my red mana.
Soul World red eyes rare. Special "ability" needed.
Red mana that?
Forget minor lore—only big plot stuck. Like Ellie's case: recall on cue.
Enough.
Snip-snip-snip— Bangs done, beard next. Scissors rough, then...
Vrrr— Clippers gone.
Fantasy clippers? Magic—magitech. Guns exist too. Bows basically, not OP—superhumans deflect.
"Now recline."
Shave time—chair back. Gripped Luna's hand, blinked.
Eye-locked her. Thoughtful blue eyes—mulling my red ones.
Let her think.
Shk-shk-shk— Lather chin, razor clean. Refreshing, oddly.
Post-wash, housing?
******
While Sivar closed eyes, savoring shave, Luna pondered.
His red eyes. Almost none had them.
Even despised Tatars just red-haired.
Book said only berserk monsters have 'em.
Monsters galore; some "berserk" trait. Cornered? Frenzy stronger.
End quick or wait out.
Sivar too?
Unheard for humans. Congenital possible. But wild-raised? Hard say.
Monkey hunt skill—berserk unlikely...
Scary. If he berserked? Mad beast or cling reason?
"Done, sir."
Shave over amid thoughts. Luna looked up.
Realized hand-hold whole time—stunned at cleaned Sivar.
"How's it?"
"......"
Cleaner Sivar touched jaw. Fresh glee on face.
Luna scanned slowly.
First thought:
Handsome...?
Stunningly so. Academy crawling with beauties, but Sivar stood out.
Choppy cut couldn't hide. High nose, sharp jaw. Big eyes added innocence.
Flawless. Wild life mismatch.
"Shit."
Sivar checked mirror self. Beard loss sad, but fresh unbeatable. Bonus handsome face.
No mirrors before—unknown. Body scarred; face protected clean. One hit? Dead. Practical.
"......"
Why still holding? Sivar eyed dazed Luna.
She snapped—hot!—yanked free frantic.
"Ahem. Price?"
Flushed, pretending nonchalance.