Chapter 63: Aftermath (2)
While I was testing the sword, the hospital-room door opened and a familiar face walked in.
It was Seo Yerim.
“You’re awake? Looks like you’re feeling better since you’re swinging that sword around.”
“Why is Yerim here…”
“… Because it got dangerous because of me. Why? Can’t I take care of you?”
“Take care of me?”
She nodded.
‘Have we gotten closer?’
It was probably because I got beaten up at the end while sending her to the cleared area. I must have scored some points.
‘Not bad.’
This way, she’d take my advice about practicing archery in a positive light.
I’d have to brainwash her slowly.
“How long was I out?”
“About five hours.”
Soon after, Seo Yerim looked at me and said.
“That’s why I’m asking—how do you plan to handle the interview? They’re definitely going to ask about your contributions and all that.”
“What’s the public opinion like?”
“The general consensus is that you contributed quite a bit.”
“Really?”
I tilted my head.
All people saw was me coming out in a battered state.
They might think I worked hard, but that hardly qualified as proof of achievement.
A low-rank Awakener coming out unscathed from a high-rank gate would be the unbelievable part.
‘Ah.’
I looked at Seo Yerim.
“So that’s why you’re asking. You haven’t done the interview yet, have you? You came straight here?”
“… Yeah.”
She was probably guessing based on Sword Sage’s demeanor.
He’d always had a haughty vibe. He wasn’t the type to make a fuss after coming out of a gate.
‘An interview, huh.’
I thought about it for a moment.
My original plan was simple.
‘I was going to show off my strength.’
The rewards for the first gate clear were too tempting. The structure required me to reveal it.
Solo clear of a B+ gate.
It was a decision I made because I’d grown a lot since level 1.
‘Doesn’t change much now.’
Nope.
Level 151.
I’d reached D-rank.
Considering titles and elixir-boosted stats, I was straight-up thug level.
Assassins?
Let them come.
I even had a sword and swordsmanship now.
I could go around picking fights.
‘S-ranks might be tough…’
Even nations and organizations wouldn’t easily send S-ranks.
Assassinating a celebrity outright wasn’t simple.
Even if they did come, I wouldn’t be unable to catch them.
“Let’s go half and half.”
We’d contributed equally.
Even when I killed the Demonic Alliance Young Leader at the end.
Without her precise sniping?
I wouldn’t have caught him.
I’d have been the one beaten to death instead.
“You’re going to reveal it?”
“I need money.”
Showing strength had many benefits.
Top Awakener? Money pours in. Investments, recruitment offers, you name it.
‘Time to get another investment.’
I could earn through crafting too.
But calculating future needs, crafting alone wouldn’t cut it.
Well, technically it could.
‘But it’d take forever.’
The skeletons’ crafting skill was E-rank.
To level it up and make money, I’d be stuck in a workshop for months.
Investments? One shot.
Big, clean sums. Nothing better for getting strong fast.
Plus, raising my name value meant Ilsung could invest with less burden.
No rumors of “just the son getting handouts.”
“You’ll do 9-strengthens on C-rank too?”
“If I can.”
There were plenty of C-rank Awakeners, so skillbook supply shouldn’t be too bad.
B-rank? No clue.
That’s where mid-to-high Awakeners thinned out.
Plus top-grade elixirs.
B-rank starts at 251.
At least the levels to grind jumped from 50 to 100, buying some time.
Headache for later.
“What reward did you get, Yerim?”
“The martial arts manual from Yongbong Branch upgraded. From A-rank to S-rank. But… it started as swordsmanship, then turned into archery.”
“Nice. The gate’s smart. Tailors rewards too.”
Yongbong Branch, only swords.
During the chase, mainly bow.
Easier to shake pursuit. And ended with arrows at the Demonic Alliance Young Leader.
Probably factored that in for the reward.
‘Jackpot.’
Not some mediocre art—S-rank.
She couldn’t sell it.
Willy-nilly, she’d train archery hard. Get an archery skill, maybe get serious about the bow.
“Might as well learn archery properly now. You’ve got the fate to master it with the bow.”
“You read fortunes too?”
“Nah. Just a hunch.”
“… Thought you were serious. Archery… yeah, why not learn it now.”
That was the moment.
● The fate of main supporting character ‘Seo Yerim’ begins to twist!
● Unknown territory! Special bonus points awarded!
● The story begins to diverge!
● Achievement points awarded!
● Total achievement points earned so far exceed 500!
● ‘Silver’ grade items unlocked!
● As reward for first rank-up and pioneering unknown territory, limited-time sale item generated!
[Achievement Shop unlocked!]
[Grade: Silver (Total points earned: 530)]
[Current achievement points: 230]
Seeing his points, Kim Minwoo’s eyes widened.
Previous balance: 30 points.
Just for getting her to decide to practice archery? +200.
‘Does this make sense?’
30 for killing side character Lee Seoyoon.
Park Siwoo’s SSS achievement gave 300?
‘Unknown territory. That’s why?’
Why unknown?
Only one guess.
Park Siwoo was fated to wield a sword from the start.
Seo Yerim?
Archery wasn’t even on her list—now it was. Completely different trajectory.
That might be it.
Not certain.
Maybe deeper secrets. But with current info, hard to infer.
He checked the item list.
[Item List]
[1. Limit Breakthrough Elixir]
[Required achievement points: 100]
[2. Dead Man's Cocktail]
[Required achievement points: 100]
[3. Necromancer Equipment Random Draw Ticket (Legend ~ Ancient)]
[Required achievement points: 300]
[4. S-grade Bound Skillbook]
[Required achievement points: 500]
[5. ♚♚Job Change Ticket☆$$Super Special Discount☜☜99% Bargain Sale※♜♜Buy Now￥§§Guaranteed Profit§§Limited Time @$#Sale*&^]
[Required achievement points: 230]
[6.???]
…?
Something weird slipped in.
‘Job Change Ticket?’
Like the Limit Breakthrough Elixir, a first-time item name.
Could it really change jobs?
He checked details.
[Job Change Ticket]
[Changes your job upon use.]
[‘First Job Skillbook’ undergoes re-examination for a subject matching the chosen job and is reacquired.]
[Existing skills and titles transform to match the new job.]
[* Time until sale ends: 10 minutes]
[* Usage valid period after purchase: 1 minute]
‘…?’
Kim Minwoo blinked.
Job change.
Fine.
But re-examine and reacquire first job skillbook?
To a subject fitting the chosen job?
‘Insane?’
In other words, awakening conditions fixed favorably for the user.
Naturally, aim for high-rank first skillbooks.
Like EX Death Lord or SSS Holy Sword.
Not enough? Existing skills and titles transform too?
‘This for just 230 points?’
No wonder the 99% bargain sale. Could demand 23,000 points and it’d be fair.
One issue.
‘This isn’t for me?’
Already picked Necro, totally satisfied. No reason to change. Plus 1-minute use limit post-purchase.
“… What’s up front? What’re you staring at?”
Seo Yerim.
Obviously sold for her.
“Seo Yerim.”
“Yeah?”
“Asking seriously, so think carefully before answering. Got it?”
“What is it?”
“Wanna change jobs?”
“…?”
“Wanna?”
“H-How do you change jobs?”
“Wanna?”
“N-No…”
“Wanna?”
“Stop! Don’t keep leaning in like that!”
Her face flushed red as she yelled.
Backing off a bit, he said.
“No joke. You know you’ve got talent for archery now?”
“… Yeah.”
“Switch from Swordsman to Archer, your potential skyrockets. From barely scraping by domestically to world ranker level.”
“…”
“Trust me, no doubt. I have a way.”
“Really?”
“Not lying about this.”
Seo Yerim nodded.
From what he’d seen, she got dead serious when serious.
“… You really have something like that?”
“Yes. If you want, I can give it to you. Job Change Ticket.”
Job Change Ticket?
She tilted her head.
Never heard of such an item.
“From this gate clear reward?”
“Does this seem like an A+ gate clear reward?”
“… No. Then where’d you get it?”
“I have my own channels.”
From start to finish.
Utterly incomprehensible to her. Yet Kim Minwoo’s face was deadly serious.
“Re-exam first skillbook, reacquire. Titles and skills change to fit the job.”
“… Impossible.”
Seo Yerim’s face turned grave.
If real, not even S-rank gate material. How’d Kim Minwoo get it?
“Only chance now. Can’t get later. Time’s short.”
“A-Ah… suddenly changing, what do I tell Grandpa…”
“I know you can’t master sword. Sword Sage knows too. Think he’d hate it? He’d welcome it.”
“…”
“If that worries you, I’ll go with you—your grandpa likes me. Just say you’re doing Archer, quick!”
Tough decision.
He knew he was rushing her.
But what choice?
Sale ends in 2 minutes.
Buy first, wastes 1 minute.
‘Damn.’
Kim Minwoo was urgent too. Just archery practice? 200 points.
Change job? How many points?
Had to force her into Archer.
Right now.
“Just do it! I’ll take responsibility!”
“R-Responsibility?”
“Yes! If it flops, I’ll handle it all! You wanted it deep down!”
“… Say I do… what do I give you? Can’t repay something that huge…”
Repayment now?
Points about to copy.
Ignored, hit purchase fast.
[Purchase Job Change Ticket!]
Handed the book to Seo Yerim immediately.
“Use it! Now! Pick Archer!”
Stunned Seo Yerim stared at the book briefly.
[Acquired Job Change Ticket!]
[State desired job name within 1 minute.]
Seeing the message, her face stiffened.
“Ar-Archer!”
She shouted urgently.
[Target ‘Seo Yerim’s’ job changes from Swordsman to Archer.]
[All titles and skills transform.]
[‘Re-examination’ begins.]
[Entering examination chamber.]
The scenery flipped instantly.
Kim Minwoo too.
All around, pure white space.
“What? Why am I here?”
No re-exam for me?
Then.
A bear doll waddled over.
“?”
“?”
Both tilted heads.
The bear doll declared confidently.
— Ahem! I am the re-examination examiner PoPo! You’re the candidate who used the job change ticket, right?
Seo Yerim nodded, bewildered.
—To rack up that many achievement points, I can tell at a glance. You must be impressive.
PoPo spoke politely to Seo Yerim, then stared at Kim Minwoo.
PoPo’s eyes narrowed.
—Huh, and you… what? Why’s a non-user here?
How should I know.
This guy gives classic thug vibes.
Grovels to high-point Seo Yerim, half-asses the low one.
Knew how to handle his type.
“I’m the sponsor.”
—… Pardon?
“I sponsored her the change ticket. That attitude? All examiners like this?”
—Uh… well…
“Tsk tsk. Kids these days are a mess.”
—L-Lady. Is what this guy says true?
“Yeah, but…”
—S-Sorry! I didn’t recognize a VIP! N-Newbie mistake!
“No wonder. Newbie?”
—… Yes. Just transferred, so… please don’t report to superiors…
The bear doll trembled.
Obsessed with the job.
‘Hm.’
‘Examination chamber,’ this examiner PoPo.
Total unknown territory.
Meaning, maybe something to aim for here.
Looked at PoPo.
This guy seemed exploitable.
Got interesting.