Chapter 16
Chapter 16
I rose from the bed in my room. After gazing for a moment at the quiet village landscape outside the window, I recalled what I'd done before sleep. Last night, I'd chugged all five mana potions I'd bought while devoting myself to skill training until late. Squeezing out every drop of demi-god power, recovering with potions, squeezing again—the cycle repeated. Thanks to that, I'd fallen asleep with my body's demi-god power completely drained. With that memory fresh, I immediately checked my condition
Right now, my body brimmed once more with abundant power. The demi-god power, utterly depleted from training, now filled me to the brim. Sleep truly was far more efficient for recovery than mere rest. I promptly opened my skill window to check the results of last night's training.
⚔ STATUS ⚔
[Domain 1st Grade]Proficiency 45%
[Demi-God Body 1st Grade]Proficiency 61% Satisfactory numbers. They'd risen 29% and 39% respectively
Demi-God Body in particular had surpassed the halfway mark in proficiency. Even as a passive skill, consciously manipulating demi-god power had steadily built its proficiency. Remarkable growth in just one night. Well worth the five mana potions poured in. At this rate, reaching 2nd grade in a few days was feasible. And this level of progress owed much to my high stats. Higher stats meant greater max mana and defense—in other words, total demi-god power capacity. That allowed more skill uses per session, exponentially boosting training efficiency
With my current stat levels, I could accumulate proficiency faster than others. Mana potions would widen that gap overwhelmingly. Stronger skills would in turn yield bigger stat gains. A virtuous cycle was forming. I reviewed today's plans once more. The top priority: the new experiment at noon. Thoughts on Zone 2 couldn't be ignored either. Zone 2 would soon open in other dimensions too. I'd only hastened it slightly with the monster summon scroll; they'd meet the conditions soon enough. 100 monsters daily, 500 total kills
Assuming they'd cleared all slimes normally, the Zone 2 system message would pop. I'd pushed ahead with the scroll for abnormal speed, but I already knew Zone 2 opened on day 6. Today's and tomorrow's community would buzz with Zone 2 info. People would face some confusion and wasted time. But they'd soon start wolf hunts. The gap remained overwhelming, but their growth would accelerate once they began. I had to pull even further ahead before then. I stood from the chair and lightly stretched. All preparations for the second experiment were complete
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [ Dimension - 49 ] "Is that your last cigarette?"
The young man's question went unanswered as the man, who appeared to be in his mid-40s, deeply inhaled the final drag. With the sizzle of the filter burning, bitter smoke filled his lungs. He slowly exhaled, grinding the butt underfoot.
"Lucky the system doesn't count lighters as weapons. Without this taste, I'd have lost it long ago."
The system had bizarre standards. Someone's gun vanished, but his battered Zippo lighter remained intact in his inventory corner
Some items stayed on Earth; others followed here. True weapons all disappeared, but no one knew the boundary line. The man gruffly asked, "How many arrived today?" "Six." The youth answered immediately. His eyes mixed rivalry and awe toward the man before him. In just five days, this man had seized control of Dimension 49 with overwhelming charisma and power. "What about the top ranker's unique ability?" "Something mana-related, from what I hear. No precise details yet..." "Got it. I'll talk to him myself." The man—Lennon—stood
His method was simple. Only those with unique abilities qualified for his group. The ability-less were worthless to him. The first few days, he'd shown them mercy. Minimum five slimes for the basic quest. But from yesterday, even that was denied. Resources were finite; no surplus for the weak. Rebellion would erupt soon. Faced with hunger and survival threats, humans could do anything. They knew it too. That their power couldn't match Lennon's group, rulers of the dimension. But a cornered rat bites even a cat
Fear of starvation and stagnation turned people into beasts. "Someone might die today." The youth swallowed hard at Lennon's murmur. This cold man uttered it casually. Lennon muttered indifferently and strode to greet the new recruit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [ Dimension - 14 ] "What? Why the sudden change?" Asiris shouted in disbelief. Polton fidgeted beside her, trying to calm her. "H-Hey, hold on! Asiris, calm down!" Polton tried to restrain her, but couldn't halt her anger-fueled strides. She marched up to confront the day-1 group
Dimension 14 had been relatively peaceful. Everyone hunted slimes together, sharing resources fairly. At least until this morning. Suddenly, the first arrivals declared new rules. Resources distributed by arrival order. Latecomers hunted under their supervision. "What kind of nonsense is this? We agreed to share equally!" The group leader replied coolly to Asiris's cry. "Circumstances changed, Asiris. Too many people now. This way, we all perish." "Cooperation? Of course. But perfect equality doesn't exist
Isn't it natural we, who arrived first and risked more, get greater rewards?" "Don't spout rubbish! What risks in a slime-only zone?" "No need to get heated, Asiris. This isn't bad for you. You arrived day 3, so more than yesterday's or today's arrivals. Over time, you'll be among the haves." Asiris was stunned. His words were sly, but it boiled down to exploiting the weak. The temptation: as numbers grew, day-3 arrivals like her and Polton ranked higher, claiming more. But only if resources sufficed
Just 100 slimes. How could that sustain dozens? Even covering today's newcomers was tight. As numbers swelled, lower groups would struggle to survive. Asiris realized words wouldn't work. Yet she had no choice but to swallow her rage and retreat. Region top ranker with a powerful unique ability, but she couldn't take the whole group. Some ranked in the community top 200. Level gap was clear. She trudged to hunt her allotted five slimes. Under day-1 supervision, she began on the basic quest slimes
Day-4 and day-5 arrivals, denied even one, watched her back with fury and despair. Polton barely kept them calm. Asiris sighed, slicing the meadow's last slime. That instant, a new system message appeared before her.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
The cumulative lifeform kills in Dimension 14 have exceeded the threshold. [Zone 2 - Wolves' Paradise] unlock conditions fulfilled. The path to Zone 2 will open at next respawn time. Asiris's eyes widened. Zone 2. A new variable. She thought: They know too And they'll try to monopolize the new hunting ground again. But perhaps... a chance. This might be the last shot to escape their control... A flicker of hope dwelled in one woman of Dimension 14.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [ Dimension - 64 ] At noon, the spawn point predictably lit up. I watched impassively as the light faded, revealing six people. They winced from headaches but quickly scanned surroundings warily. Prepared ones. I waited for their headaches to pass. One spotted me and approached cautiously
"Um... are you one of the early arrivals?" I nodded. This time differed. First time speaking without spawn kill. Minimal words only, of course. "Clear the quest. Follow me." My voice was emotionless, dry. At those curt words, they exchanged glances. Startled by my sudden appearance and offer. Seemed puzzled no others visible, but no alternatives. They followed, eyes suspicious. En route to Zone 1, questions flew. "How many are here?" "Where are the others...?" "Are the monsters strong?" I ignored all
Silence itself pressured powerfully. Sensing something ominous, they fell quiet. Probably convincing themselves others waited elsewhere. They discussed weapon choices and quest acceptance; I saved words. Dialogue exhausted, tense silence filled us by meadow arrival. I pointed. "Those are slimes. Kill five to level up." The burliest, most confident among the six stepped forward. Likely region top. "I'll do it." He eyed me—doubt and opportunity mixed—then drew a sword from inventory. Clumsy moves, but speed unbelievable for level 0
Earth-trained physique. He dispatched five slimes in a flash. Soon, faint light enveloped him; cheers erupted. "Did it! Leveled up! Power surging!" The moment he confirmed, I slipped behind. Drunk on level-up sensation, he sensed no death approaching. I pierced his heart without hesitation. His eyes bulged in disbelief; blood foamed from his mouth. His body crumpled limply. The other five recoiled in horror at the sudden murder. "Wh-What?!" "Kyaaah!!..." "Psycho...!" Screams and rage stirred nothing in me
They shrieked, cursed, charged clumsily with weapons. Futile resistance. I snapped the neck of one charging with a weapon, burst another's screaming head. One lunged; his fist never landed—arm ripped free first. Another fled screaming but took steps before heart pierced. Massacre ended in seconds. One remained. As I approached, he kowtowed frantically, begging. "Sp-Spare me! Please! Anything! I'll be your slave!" He bashed his head on the ground desperately. His desperation shone; I sheathed my blade
Unrelated to his plea, really. Planned to spare one obedient type for the experiment anyway. And just now, I'd confirmed a key fact.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
Acquired 1 special resource: [Soul Origin]. Gained 15 EXP, 225 gold. Rewards for killing a level 1. Five slimes yield 5 EXP, 25 gold. Plus quest: 10 EXP, 125 gold total. Soul Origin was obvious; EXP absorbed roughly half his extra gains. Possibly 75%, but unlikely. Gold: all 225 he had. Hypothesis confirmed. Killing hunters post-monster kill was inefficient vs
direct hunting. But quests differed. Personal bonuses. Slime quest EXP 5, so mine matched basically. But Zone 2 quest: 20 EXP. For quest EXP, wolves beat slimes. Next experiment needed live samples anyway. What if I weaken a wolf near death, let him finish? How does EXP split? Needed to check. I stood silently, looking down. Prolonged silence made his pleas more desperate. Killing others wasted resources, but minor loss. Negligible vs. full Zone 2 rewards. Letting them hunt pre-confirmation risked more
Had to kill one for experiment anyway; uncontrollables were nuisances. Forced control wasted management time. No leisure since skill training began. For future experiments, needed absolute obedience—a perfect slave. One that good could handle next day's arrivals too. I stood wordless. Silence dragged; pleas grew pathetic. "Please... I was rank 1! Unique ability—I'll be useful! Just spare my life...!" "Unique ability?" My first question. First spark of interest in his words. Others' unique abilities known only via community snippets
No verification. This one could reveal directly. Always wondered how my description differed. First chance to check another's directly. Prime intel source. Could lie, sure. But at our level gap, no threat even with hidden power. Demo would match claimed ability at least. That alone justified value. "Open status window, tap ability, read description." Others' status/system windows invisible. Own only. Community common knowledge. He stammered in panic. "N-No description! But tutorial explained in detail! My ability is..." I see
Day-1 summoneds like me vs. later ones: differing system info volume. They started with clearer ability understanding. System favors latecomers. Crucial intel. I nodded. Worth sparing. Much to learn. Destined for EXP eventually, though. I finally spoke. "I'll spare you." Hope lit his face. "Disobey, and you die instantly." Dwin, relief flooding, wept hot tears, banging head in gratitude repeatedly. Watching, I thought, 'No need to be that thrilled.''You're doomed to die soon anyway.'