Civilization (2)
Getting a proper haircut and shave felt incredibly refreshing. With the bangs that had curtained my eyes gone, my field of vision felt much wider too. Adaptation is a scary thing.
"No way that's him? Weren't they calling him a barbarian?"
"He had long hair and a bushy beard just a minute ago."
"He cleans up nice. Looks about our age too?"
I realized just how important appearances were. The ratio of people blurting out rude comments had dropped dramatically. It seemed rumors had already spread in that short time. Good call starting with the grooming.
"Professor. We're here."
"Hm? Oh, right. The haircut..."
Back at the administrative building, when I reported to Marlboro, he stared blankly at my face. Then he let out a sigh—heh, ha—for reasons unknown, and spoke in a slightly incredulous tone.
"Surprisingly decent-looking, I suppose. Younger than I expected. Your features look Eastern, and the skin too... but those eyes..."
Marlboro gazed into my eyes and let out a low hum. He turned to Luna, opening his mouth quietly while occasionally glancing at me.
"This one's human, right? You know what red eyes mean."
"I'll say yes."
"Sigh... Fine. I've spoken to the other professors and the president. Your accommodations will be decided soon."
"Where will Sivar stay in the meantime?"
The most important issue popped up. Getting here was fine and all, but where was I supposed to live? By the game's lore, United Academy assigned individual dorms, separated by gender. I couldn't crash in Luna's or Ellie's dorm. No amount of bullshit would make that possible.
"The best option would be enrolling as an academy student, but..."
"Sivar can't speak or read. Sivar?"
"Sibal?"
I replied in a tone like why are you calling me?, and Luna shot me a see what I mean? look. Marlboro's expression grew even more complicated.
Enrollment was practically impossible. If I could read, I'd have written it down. But I couldn't even do that. You might say just claim I understand speech—but no. I had zero ties to this world. Playing the wild man as hard as possible was the only way to evoke some pity. Ellie had fallen for it, after all.
"Why'd you even bring this guy along? Even the Tatars would shake their heads."
"It's a bit complicated..."
"Whatever. Until accommodations are set, he'll bunk with one of the male professors. Assuming he listens obediently."
"Don't worry about that. He listens well."
"Can't understand speech but listens well? What does that even mean?"
Luna gave me an awkward look at Marlboro's retort. I couldn't speak, but I could understand just fine. She explained.
"He gets the gist from gestures. Like he senses intent and emotions?"
"Hm... Makes sense after surviving in the wild. Even some monsters mimic human speech—what's stranger than that?"
Afterward, Marlboro stood to give me a bath, apparently in his own dorm. I'd been washing in stream water daily—did I really need it? My body wasn't that dirty. I'd play along for future favors, but being treated like filth soured my mood.
"Haaah..."
That was before sinking into the steaming bathtub. The hot water enveloped me, drawing a blissful groan. My body felt like it was melting. Hot baths were unimaginable in the forest. My mind went hazy, honed senses dulling pleasantly. I wanted to stay submerged forever.
"Feels good, huh? Those scars are something else. Hm..."
Marlboro muttered softly, staring. He seemed lost in thought over my scars. Come to think of it, he had a good personality. In Soul World, players praised him as a "honey professor." Not that the others were bad—they were just stingier with rewards.
He has an event tied to his son, I think.
I couldn't recall details now. The warmth scattered my senses.
"Hey! Get out! How long you gonna stay? Over an hour!"
"Sibal. (No.)"
"Out, you brat! Your skin'll prune! I have work!"
He even tried dragging me out. My strength outmatched his, so I didn't budge.
"Huff. Huff. What kinda strength is this? Those eyes too—what the hell are you? They said you hunted a Monkey in seconds—it's true?"
Marlboro gawked at my absurd power. Whatever. I soaked much longer. The haircut, the bath—didn't know it'd feel this refreshing. I wanted to linger, but couldn't. At his repeated insistence, I pouted and climbed out.
"Ugh. Won't even listen like my own kid."
"Sibal? (What?)"
"Listen, brat. You get it somewhat, right?"
He grumbled while scrubbing my hair vigorously. Busy as a professor, but undeniably kind. I wouldn't screw with someone this nice. Not like some asshole deserved it.
Scrub scrub scrub. His touch was rough yet perfectly controlled—fatherly, probably. Then I spotted the soap on the floor. That was the source of the fragrance. I snatched it, sniffing deeply. Marlboro urgently warned from behind.
"Hey hey. That's not food. Put it down. They call it jjiji in the Hwan Empire, right? Jjiji, good boy."
Who did he think had no brains? Fair enough. I set it down at his gestures.
"Hungry? Wild man like you must love meat."
"Sibal. (Yes.)"
"Likes it? Go with Luna later. I got no money."
Where'd he get off selling snake oil? Like a commoner student had cash but a professor didn't. He chuckled, clearly joking. He'd probably treat me to food soon. Definitely a good guy. I'd hit his son's event hard later.
"Here. Clothes. Put these on. No, backwards! That's not how."
After a thorough wash, I fumbled into the clothes he provided. Used to just sackcloth, actual garb felt weird. Backwards was basic; couldn't even find the holes. And suffocating.
I grimaced and wriggled in discomfort; Marlboro burst out laughing.
"Gotta wear clothes to live like people. Suck it up."
"Sibal. (Tight.)"
"I said endure it. Snacks every time you dress?"
Not that bad. Just out of practice; common sense intact. Finally, white t-shirt, brown pants, slippers. I shed some wild man vibe—but it'd resurface soon. Wild still felt more natural.
Whoosh! Like kicking off a slipper far away for fun. Felt good after so long.
"Already picking up bad habits. Shouldn't encourage it. Good thing you're docile."
Learning what? I'd done this when bored before. Controlled it to avoid hitting anyone. Marlboro seemed resigned now.
Thus dressed properly, we returned to the administrative building. Familiar faces greeted us immediately.
"L-Luna. No way that's Sivar?"
"Yeah. Hard to believe, but it is."
"Why's he hot now?"
"Don't ask me."
Ellie and her squirrel companion Porori. She gaped at my face in shock. Porori looked sullen meanwhile—rabies shot, apparently. Rabies for a squirrel? Funny and sad.
"Sibal? (You okay?)"
"Kiiing. (Fuck off.)"
That was his reply. Ungrateful rat, even after my concern.
"That the guy? The survivor from Chaos Forest?"
A new voice caught my ear. Turning, I saw an unfamiliar face. Neat blue hair, asymmetrical bangs. Cold blue eyes like chilled steel. A beauty with an icy aura stared impassively, appraising me. Her skin was strikingly pale—almost like mine.
"Red eyes... What if it's a monster in human guise?"
Straight shooter, matching her look. No malice, though. Still, it clicked: red eyes marked berserk monsters. Some had red eyes normally, but in rage, they glowed ferociously.
As I realized this, someone—not Marlboro—chided her.
"Isn't that too blunt? They said he understands some speech."
Eastern features, refined and elegant. Black bob hair, black eyes. A beauty mark under her left eye added subtle allure. Her unique attire screamed Hwan Empire. That land drew from Eastern fantasy—wuxia vibes, but not identical. Nature-attuned and mystical, fending off lightning or shifting winds.
"I just said what I saw. Wild-raised, so berserk makes sense."
"That's your problem, Sara. Can't you soften it?"
"Feels dishonest. Your Hwan Empire beats around the bush."
Bickering even now—they seemed friendly rivals. Both high-profile: icy beauty Sara, elegant Easterner Yeonhwa. Full names escaped me. Hell, I barely remembered my own.
Wasn't there one more...? Nah?
Memory fuzzy. A key professor in Soul World's branching paths. As I blinked at their spat, a hand touched my shoulder.
Tap. No presence detected. Civilization's noise had dulled my vigilance already.
I startled, instincts kicking in from the wild.
Grrrraaah!
Beast-like roar as I spun, slashing like a predator's claws. The intruder flinched back, but my hooked fingers snagged their clothes first. They tried fleeing—too late. I yanked hard.
Thud!
"Agh!"
In under a second, they tumbled. Cloth ripped with a rrrip. Subdued—now finish them. Instinct overrode reason; I'd have stomped to end it.
But people surrounded me.
"Grab him! Don't let go!"
"What strength...!"
"Pin him down!"
Professors seized my arms and waist in that instant. Proper crisis response. Even they strained against my power.
Enough. Luna had pulled the fallen one to safety.
Boom!
Too late—my foot slammed down from their desperate hold. Ground quaked slightly; spiderweb cracks spread despite imbalance. Direct hit? Fatal.
Reason flickered back too late to recall the kick. Instincts too strong.
"Grrr..."
"Y-You okay?"
"Uh... yeah. I'm fine. But..."
I growled beast-like, glaring at the shoulder-tapper. Squinting eyes hard to read, silver-gray hair. Suspicious aura screamed shady. He pointed with trembling fingers.
"Wh-what was that? Beastly roar..."
"..."
Recognizing him, I dropped my guard, relaxing fully. Professors clung on, faces tense.
Oh yeah, this guy's here too? Textbook shady vibe.
"He's... human, at least."
"Eyes like a monster's? You saw!"
"...Sneaking up without a sound—isn't that on the professor?"
"I was just greeting..."
Despite looks, Soul World players called him "pushover" or "saint."