I, I don't know anything about that...
I, I don't know anything about that...
I thought of a place like a hospital when they said "check-up room," but the place I arrived at was a bit different from what I had imagined.
Of course, it was similar in that it was spacious and clean, but this place felt more like a sparring ground than having that distinct smell of disinfectant you find in hospitals.
On one side of the wall, strange machines were lined up, and there were even patterns that looked like magic circles engraved on the floor.
[It is to check the extent of the power that can currently be projected, so it is not strange.]
Is that so?
"You're here?"
"Yes. Can we start right away?"
"Of course. We need to keep checking on the Guild Leader-nim's condition."
People who looked like researchers inside the check-up room greeted Han Seol warmly.
At the same time, seeing their gazes glancing toward me, it seemed my presence was quite a concern to them as well.
Well... that's to be expected, right...?
The Guild Leader suddenly brought along a young child they'd never seen before; it would be stranger if they weren't curious.
Perhaps sensing the gazes directed at me, she spoke as if to clarify immediately.
"This child is just going to watch."
As Han Seol spoke calmly, the researchers nodded immediately.
"Ah, yes. Understood."
I looked around with an expression filled with a bit of anticipation.
It's fascinating.
Should I say it feels like I've really entered a world inside a game?
I thought it would be a story worlds away from me for my entire life.
"Then I'll start."
Han Seol walked toward the center of the check-up room.
There, there was a translucent pillar-like device that had caught my eye earlier, and a circular pattern that looked like magic power was flowing through it.
"First, please circulate your magic power as usual. We will proceed with checking the output after that."
"Got it."
Following the researcher's guidance, Han Seol slowly closed her eyes.
Then, a cold energy began to spread subtly around the surroundings.
Oh...
My eyes sparkled without me realizing it.
Since it was my first time seeing magic in person, I couldn't help but be excited.
While I was watching the cold air spreading out widely with a Hwa-a-ak with fascination,
"Hmm..."
"Certainly..."
Unlike me, who was watching with a look of fascination, for some reason, the expressions of the people checking the machine's readings were subtly hardening.
Han Seol also frowned for a moment while keeping her eyes closed.
"Guild Leader-nim, the output isn't rising properly."
"Yeah... I can feel it too."
Han Seol answered shortly.
Frost momentarily bloomed at her fingertips before quickly dissipating.
"I'll try one more time."
"Yes, yes!"
As Han Seol raised her magic power again, this time, a slightly stronger cold air spread than before.
But that was only for a moment.
As if it were blocked somewhere, the flow cut off in the middle, and the readings dropped again.
"...... As expected."
"It's worse than expected."
Uh...
[It seems the aftereffects are greater than expected.]
I cautiously looked back and forth between Han Seol and the researchers.
Han Seol herself, the person involved, didn't show it much on the outside, but the atmosphere of the people watching from the side was definitely not good.
[Administrator-nim.]
Sis's voice rang out a little lower than usual.
'Why?'
[The current Guardian-nim's condition is worse than expected.]
'Are you talking about Han Seol?'
[Yes.]
Immediately after, a translucent window unfolded before my eyes.
[Target: Han Seol]
[Status: Curse, Gate Aftereffects, Reduced Magic Circulation, Output Restriction]
'Wow.'
No, this isn't the time to be impressed.
'What is this? Isn't this super serious?'
[I will display the detailed breakdown.]
The window expanded once more, and slightly more complex information filled my vision.
Honestly, it was difficult to understand everything, but one thing was certain.
That there wasn't just one or two bad status ailments.
And the phrasing written under the cause was also quite direct.
Remnants of wounds sustained in the Gate, curse-like erosion, and even interference with magic circulation...
'Uh...'
I don't know much about this kind of thing, but I definitely know it's serious.
"It's in a much weaker state than before."
"It seems the wound sustained in the Gate is the problem."
"I thought it would be fine once it healed..."
The researchers' voices were small, but I could hear them clearly.
In the end, it meant that what Sis showed me was correct.
Sigh...
'Sis.'
[Yes.]
'Is there... any way to help?'
Isn't there some way?
I couldn't just let this slide.
It was even more so when I thought about how well Han Seol had treated me while coming here.
I asked with the hope that maybe Sis, who knows a lot, could solve it.
Actually, I didn't have high expectations, but...
[There is.]
'I knew there wouldn't be... Huh? Really?'
[Yes.]
Along with Sis's answer, the window before my eyes changed once again.
Then, it suddenly expanded to the top right of the status window.
[Edit]
'...... Edit?'
Uh...
'W, what is this?'
[It is a function that allows you to adjust the information of hunters of this era, or more precisely, entities connected to the system.]
...... Yes?
'That's possible?'
[Because you are the Administrator.]
No.
Even if I'm the Administrator, isn't that too much of a cheat?
As I was dumbfounded inwardly, Sis calmly continued.
[Of course, it is not possible without any restrictions.]
[It is the same principle as a GM in a game not being able to change the system at will. The Administrator must maintain fairness, and most changes are restricted.]
At those words, I felt a little relieved.
Uh... no, that's not something to be relieved about.
Doesn't that mean there's a limit to my power?
Anyway, it means at least I can't just swing it around like a cheat key.
[However, it is possible to proceed with modifications within a certain range by using the price obtained while managing the system.]
'Price?'
[It is a concept similar to tokens.]
[You receive corresponding rewards for maintaining the system's order, dealing with enemies of the system, and performing Administrator duties. You can consume them to perform edits within the allowed range.]
Oh...
It really feels like a game operator...?
[The Administrator's own status can also be adjusted.]
'Mine too?'
Huh?
Then can I also use super strong power, move fast, and use magic-like things?!
[Yes. However, that is also a privilege allowed only within the scope of Administrator authority. It is only possible when dealing with system abuse or responding to enemies of the system.]
Hmph.
Well, I thought as much.
Right now, the fact that I can do something is more important than that.
'You mean I can also remove that status ailment?'
[...... Removing that level of curse-like remnants and aftereffects costs almost nothing. It is expected that even an Administrator who has just been appointed as a Gallery Manager can sufficiently perform it.]
Then there was no reason to hesitate.
'Do it right away.'
[Command confirmed.]
As Sis's voice rang out quietly, the edit window before my eyes changed rapidly.
The small marks that appeared next to the status ailment list disappeared one by one.
[Curse removed.]
[Aftereffects removed.]
[Reduced magic circulation removed.]
[Output restriction eased.]
At that moment.
The air inside the check-up room changed instantaneously.
"......?"
The first to react was Han Seol.
She paused for a moment in the same posture as she was raising her magic power, then slowly looked down at her hands.
"This is..."
Muttering for a moment, Han Seol raised her power again.
This time, the cold air flowed along her fingertips much more naturally than before.
And that cold momentum did not cut off in the middle like before.
The researchers' expressions also changed in an instant.
"Huh?"
"Wait a minute, the readings..."
"Th-they've returned to normal?!"
This time, even I was surprised.
No, of course I heard it would work, but it really works this immediately?
"Guild Leader-nim, did you do something just now?"
"No..."
Han Seol shook her head with an expression that she really didn't know.
"I just did it like usual."
"That can't be... No, clearly until just a moment ago, the mana readings were..."
The researchers checked the equipment and records alternately with expressions of disbelief.
Han Seol also seemed to be feeling that her body condition had suddenly changed, as she slowly repeated clenching and unclenching her fists.
It seemed she herself had no idea why her body had suddenly become light.
'Ugh...'
I want to say I did it, but...
'Even so, I have to hide this, right...?'
I smacked my lips in unnecessary regret.
Since the status ailment disappeared without any explanation and the readings suddenly returned to normal, it was a suspicious and nonsensical ability no matter who looked at it.
[I recommend hiding it.]
'...... That's right, isn't it?'
[You cannot fully trust anyone yet. Above all, this power is not the type to be understood in a normal way. At the very least, keeping it a secret at this point is the best.]
I nodded quietly.
Han Seol and Ju-yeon are good people.
However, being a good person and being able to tell them all your secrets were completely different problems.
Because I don't know how this ability will come across to the two of them.
'Got it... I'll just hide it for now.'
[That is a wise decision.]
I tried hard to pretend I didn't know anything and just blinked.
Fortunately, the researchers' attention was all focused on Han Seol, so that wasn't very difficult.
"That's strange... Why did it suddenly..."
"Isn't it a equipment problem?"
"No, the equipment is normal..."
Amidst the confused researchers, Han Seol stood silently for a moment.
She slowly looked around, then glanced at me for a very brief moment.
"......"
Why does her gaze...?
'It couldn't be...?'
I turned my head away, pretending I didn't know anything.
I, I don't know anything about this...
