Chapter 44: The First Test (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 44: The First Test (3)
[All tests have concluded. Please wait a moment for verification.]
As the notification window signaled the end of the test, the tension finally bled out of Kang Jun-hyeok’s body. Though his wounds had been fully healed, his entire frame felt as if it were creaking under invisible weight.
“He’s ridiculously strong.”
He hadn't been able to deal any significant damage to the monster.
His final attack had managed to land a blow, but even that was only possible by turning the monster’s own strength against it. Even so, it was no more than a pinprick from a toothpick.
To his current self, the creature was a terrifyingly powerful existence that he could not hope to resist.
However, Kang Jun-hyeok had stood his ground and fought against such a being, and he had earned his reward.
The proficiency of many of his skills had increased, and five of them had even undergone a rank-up.
[Proficiency in Block has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Air Jump has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Balancing has increased from F to E.]
[Proficiency in Thrust has increased from E to D.]
[Proficiency in Greatsword Technique has increased from E to D.]
“Hah.”
Jun-hyeok couldn't help but let out a short laugh. Five skills had ranked up in a single battle—an achievement so staggering it made him doubt his own eyes.
Jun-hyeok happily checked the details of his improved skills.
[Active Skill: Block]
[Rank: Low-Rank]
[Proficiency: E]
[Cooldown: 10 minutes]
[Defends against an opponent's attack. Can partially block attacks that are normally impossible for the Player to defend against.]
The change to Block was straightforward. He could now defend against attacks that were previously unblockable. It was a simple but excellent improvement.
[Active Skill: Air Jump]
[Rank: Low-Rank]
[Proficiency: E]
[Cooldown: 5 minutes]
[Allows for one additional leap in mid-air.]
In the case of Air Jump, the skill itself hadn't changed, but the cooldown had been halved from ten minutes to five. Since it was a highly versatile skill, being able to use it more frequently was a welcome development.
[Active Skill: Balancing]
[Rank: Lowest-Grade]
[Proficiency: E]
[Cooldown: 1 hour]
[Corrects a broken posture and allows the Player to assume their desired stance.]
As the proficiency of Balancing increased, he could now choose his posture while regaining his footing.
This was another great change. If he were blown back by an opponent's attack and used Balancing, he could immediately transition into a counterattack with his sword pointed toward the approaching enemy.
Three skills had risen from F to E. All of them were small but definitely helpful changes.
The next two skills had risen from E to D. The changes resulting from this were not minor; they were significant enhancements.
[Active Skill: Thrust]
[Rank: Low-Rank]
[Proficiency: D]
[Cooldown: 5 minutes]
[Powerfully thrusts a weapon toward the target. If the target successfully blocks, triggers a second thrust.]
The change to Thrust at rank D was powerful. If the opponent succeeded in blocking, the skill would trigger a second time.
The skill already delivered a thrust with 1.5 times his Strength stat; now, if the enemy barely managed to block it, he would strike again. He could now literally pulverize a standard defense.
[Passive Skill: Greatsword Technique]
[Rank: Lowest-Grade]
[Proficiency: D]
[The technique of wielding a greatsword. A level of mastery that a talented individual would require over ten years of effort to achieve.]
And then there was the passive skill. The proficiency of his Greatsword Technique had finally reached D.
The effect granted him a level of swordsmanship that a talented person would need over a decade of grueling effort to reach.
Jun-hyeok took his greatsword and gave it an experimental swing. The movement was incredibly smooth and natural. Seeing a level of fluidity that was incomparable to before, the Master of All Weapons muttered as if the situation were absurd.
[Your movements have become... passable. You have reached a realm in an instant that an ordinary man could not grasp even with decades of toil. Truly selfish.]
“I like it.”
Jun-hyeok grinned.
To think his Greatsword Technique proficiency had already reached D on the 7th Floor. Even in his past life, he would have told someone to stop talking nonsense if they had suggested such a speed. It had been worth fighting the monster with everything he had.
A thought suddenly occurred to Jun-hyeok, and he asked the Master of All Weapons.
“You said it was someone you knew?”
[Indeed. He was renowned as the Prince of the North Sea. With his handsome face, women never ceased to flock to him. For such a man to turn into an ox-headed monster... what a pitiful end.]
“And he was in a state that was ridiculously lacking compared to his original power.”
[Had that fellow been in his prime, you would have died before the first chain even broke,] the Master of All Weapons said calmly. It wasn't looking down on Jun-hyeok or lecturing him; it was simply stating a fact.
Jun-hyeok didn't deny it. He knew the power of the Losers all too well. For now, he couldn't reach them. At best, he could only inflict a small wound on one who had been degraded and weakened time and again.
For now, that is.
He would eventually possess power greater than theirs. Just like in his past life. No—he would reach a level even higher than before.
At that moment, a system window appeared.
[Verification complete. The criteria for those who passed and those who failed have been set! Here are the evaluation standards.]
[Performance Test: C or higher.]
[Comprehension Test: C or higher.]
[Combat Test: C or higher.]
[If even one of these is below C, you have failed.]
A fanfare rang out with a festive pop.
[Congratulations! You have passed the first test brilliantly! Furthermore, you have achieved the most outstanding results! A fitting reward will be provided at a later date!]
Since it was expected, Jun-hyeok remained composed. The system windows continued to scroll.
[First, we offer our sincere condolences to those who failed. We also wish to express our deep disappointment. To fail even though the conditions were so generous... A penalty will be imposed, so please return to your original places.]
The system window spoke in a cold, stiff tone.
By now, all the failures had likely been sent back to Earth. They were probably trembling in fear, wondering what the penalty would be.
[And to those who passed, congratulations! Though the conditions were not particularly difficult, you have passed brilliantly! Rewards will be granted to you! However, before that, you must take a sufficient rest!]
With those words, Jun-hyeok’s body was transported.
He materialized in a bizarre space filled with various rides, resembling a massive amusement park. Fireworks burst overhead, and the atmosphere was unnervingly bright.
“Wh-what?”
“What is this?”
He wasn't the only one there. Hundreds, no, thousands of players were looking around with bewildered faces. These were all Korean players—specifically, those who had passed the test.
The system window spoke cheerfully.
[Now! Passers! This is a space for rest and celebration! Talk amongst yourselves, rejoice in your victory, and celebrate! You will return in two days along with your rewards!]
[Now, please take a sufficient rest!]
* * *
“...Huh?”
“W-we have to stay here for two days?”
People read the system window in confusion.
Rest here for two days.
It was practically a reward for passing. Realizing this, people began to show signs of relief. The Master of All Weapons muttered as if intrigued.
[There are many. Are all of these the players who passed the test just now?]
At a glance, there were easily over several thousand. The Master of All Weapons’ interest quickly faded as it scanned them.
[I see no one worth taking an interest in. They are all weak and talentless.]
“Can you tell just by looking?”
[Who do you think I am? I can discern the abilities of such insignificant things at a single glance. As I thought, you are the strange one.]
“Even if they passed, that’s all there is to it.”
A C-rank was enough to pass the test. There was no way they would satisfy the Master of All Weapons.
As if the claim of it being a space for celebration wasn't a lie, the amusement park area was incredibly lively. Various rides were visible, and stalls that looked like shops were filled with all kinds of delicious-looking food.
However, naturally, no one was using the rides or touching the food.
“Ugh...”
“Gag...”
The Ox-Headed Monster they had faced at the end had been horrifyingly strong. Even while bound by chains, it had roared and crushed the players. It was more than enough to traumatize them.
Because of that, Jun-hyeok was the only one casually sitting in a shop and eating. His appearance, acting as if nothing had happened, drew people's attention. Glances, as if looking at something bizarre, were directed toward him.
Before long, a woman who had spotted him approached.
“K-Kang Jun-hyeok.”
“Kim Tae-yeon.”
Jun-hyeok turned his head while chewing on some meat. It was the woman with long, straight hair. Kim Tae-yeon greeted him.
“It’s been a while. It’s only natural, I suppose... but you passed.”
“You passed as well, Kim Tae-yeon.”
“I barely scraped by, though.”
“What were your grades?”
“B, C, and B.”
Kim Tae-yeon spoke as if she were embarrassed. However, Jun-hyeok was surprised.
They went up.
In his past life, she had received straight Cs. She had literally scraped by. Of course, that wasn't because she lacked ability. It was because she had been too busy worrying about others to focus on climbing the Tower properly.
But now, her results had noticeably improved. Jun-hyeok looked at Kim Tae-yeon’s expression.
In his past life, her mind had been half-broken after passing the test. She had collapsed after realizing that there had been no meaning in her helping people.
But that wasn't the case now. Though her eyes were wavering, her expression was one of firm resolve.
It was likely because of his existence. It wasn't bad. It meant that teaching her how to fish, rather than just catching the fish for her, had been meaningful. Kim Tae-yeon, sensing Jun-hyeok’s gaze, asked cautiously.
“Um, Kang Jun-hyeok... if you don't mind, could I ask what your grades were?”
“EX, EX, and EX.”
“...Pardon?”
Kim Tae-yeon blinked. Her mind stalled at the completely unexpected answer.
EX? What rank was EX? Let’s see. C, B, A, S. And then...
She gasped. Her eyes, filled with shock, fixed on Jun-hyeok. He spoke calmly.
“Have you finished checking on the people?”
“Ah, yes. Yes.”
Kim Tae-yeon barely managed to snap out of it and nodded.
“From what I’ve gathered, it seems the Korean players are gathered here. The number is roughly... between twenty and thirty thousand. These are likely the people... who will be moving forward.”
Though they didn't know what the penalty for the failures was yet, it wouldn't be light. It was no exaggeration to say that, at least for now, the people here were the entirety of their available forces.
If that was the case, they couldn't just sit still.
“I’m going to gather people. The top-tier players. We need to talk about what to do next and have a discussion. We’ll likely hold a meeting.”
Having said that, Kim Tae-yeon stole a glance at Jun-hyeok.
“Um... if that happens, would you be interested in participating, Kang Jun-hyeok?”
A meeting of Korea’s top players. If Jun-hyeok participated, it would be a great help. However, she was unsure if he would be willing. When they had met before, he hadn't seemed particularly interested in making himself known.
Contrary to her worries, Jun-hyeok gave a thin smile.
“I’ll participate. It’s perfect timing, actually. I have some things I need to take care of.”
“Ah! Thank you! Then I’ll move quickly!”
Kim Tae-yeon’s expression brightened instantly. She hurried away. Jun-hyeok watched her retreating back and muttered to himself.
“I really should take care of what needs to be handled.”