First Field Exercise
Before long, the training camp's education had reached the fourth week. Unlike the previous weeks, where morning and afternoon sessions were divided, the practical training utilized the entire day. Combat classes formed parties and explored the first floor of the Tower World under the instructors' guidance, while production classes were assigned jobs matching their traits and skills to work as apprentices on-site.
Before heading out for practice, the trainees at the training camp received a gift.
"You've all worked hard through the past three weeks of training," said Senior Instructor Pigicheol. The adventurers looked at him with eyes full of anticipation.
"So, as those in the know already realize, the goddess has prepared something special out of her affection for you all. It's a skill book."
The training camp prepared various gifts for new adventurers. At the start of training, they gifted low-grade random traits and used the goddess's power to let them hunt high-experience goblins, reaching level 5. The final gift was the random skill book received in the fourth week.
As the instructors entered the classroom carrying skill books, the adventurers' eyes sparkled. Namgung Seojun waited his turn with his party, filled with expectation. The six instructors distributed the skill books and began calling names.
"Namgung Seojun."
Once again, Instructor Sharon called his name first. Namgung Seojun walked forward slowly and sat in the chair in front of her. She handed him a book.
"Read it. You'll acquire a random skill of Normal or Rare grade."
He reached for the skill book Sharon offered, but his Super Sense gave him a strange feeling, so he spoke up.
"By any chance... could I choose my own skill book?"
Many made such requests, but Sharon always refused due to time constraints. However, since it was Namgung Seojun's request, she naturally permitted it.
"Fine. But choose quickly."
Thanks to Sharon's consideration, he could pick his skill book. He moved his hand, searching for the one his Super Sense favored.
It's close.
There was a skill book that felt slightly good, but none that felt exceptionally so. He picked a decent one.
"Open the book and read it."
You have read a Random Skill Book.
Rare-grade skill 'Dagger Throw (A)' acquired.
Namgung Seojun stared blankly at the unexpected skill.
Dagger Throw?
"Seojun, please yield the seat to the next person."
"Yes."
He stood immediately at Sharon's words and returned to his seat, examining the skill in detail.
Dagger Throw, huh.
Upon reflection, it seemed decent. For him, who mainly used swords, this gave him a ranged attack option in a pinch.
As Seojun pondered how to use the skill, the other party members returned with their own skills.
"What skills did everyone get?"
They shared one by one at his question.
Lee Guho got the Normal skill for making recovery potions from herbs.
Hmm... It'll save on potion costs early on.
Potions were far more effective than medicines, but for cash-strapped beginners, it was fine.
Jo Jaehun got a defensive skill that toughened his skin to prevent minor scratches.
Normal grade means weak effects, but it'll reduce combat damage a bit.
Not something to expect miracles from, but suitable for a shieldbearer.
Gisohee got the best skill.
"Hit Rate?"
"Yeah. Pretty good, right?"
It was an excellent skill, perfect for an aspiring archer like her, and Rare grade to boot. When Namgung Seojun praised it, Gisohee pressed her face proudly against his chest.
"You'll reward me later, right?"
His approval made her happy. She had come to think of everything with Namgung Seojun at the center.
The other adventurers also read their skill books, acquiring Normal or Rare skills. Reactions filled the room—cheers and despair, satisfaction and complaints—depending on whether they got what they needed.
But there was no time for grumbling.
"Alright! You were notified already—gather at the training grounds by group immediately."
The first practical session had begun.
At the training grounds, Namgung Seojun lined up with his Group 1. The instructors had balanced the first practice groups themselves. His group had eight members: four men and four women, none he knew.
"Everyone here?"
The instructor for Group 1 checked attendance, then spoke.
"Group 1 will patrol the field for two nights and three days. Before the full exploration, let's assign roles and form up."
The instructor knew their traits and skills but asked for preferred positions anyway, approaching Seojun as well.
"You're Namgung Seojun, right?"
"Yes."
"Preferred position?"
"Pathfinder."
The instructor was startled.
"What? Pathfinder? Aren't you a swordsman?"
"Correct."
The instructor stared at the nonchalant Namgung Seojun in disbelief. Positions divided into seven roles for formation. The pathfinder led, reading maps, disarming traps, detecting enemies—usually thieves with trap disarm and presence detection skills.
Yet Seojun volunteered for it.
"I heard from Senior Pigicheol that free-roll dealer suits you best."
Free-roll dealers were solo players without fixed spots, infiltrating enemy rears to take out mages, healers, or archers, or supporting weak flanks. It fit the strongest melee dealer.
"I can handle free-roll dealer, but I believe pathfinder suits me even better."
The instructor thought inwardly, Even a genius is still a rookie. Without trap disarm or presence detection, pathfinder was tough.
"Fine. Give it a shot."
With a mindset of letting him struggle, the instructor assigned Seojun as pathfinder. He turned to the female adventurer holding a bow.
"Ranged attacker in the center."
Ranged attackers were archers or mages striking from the formation's core.
"The three with shields are guards."
Guards handled defense, protecting the central attacker and healer.
"You're a swordsman too. Free-roll dealer. And you last—you're a dagger thief type? Tail-ender."
Tail-enders erased tracks and watched the rear, usually thieves or archers.
"Finally, you're sub-attacker and porter."
The last, scrawny woman had weaker combat with her bow but good stamina, so sub-attacker and porter.
Roles set, the formation organized naturally: Pathfinder Namgung Seojun up front, guards blocking solidly, then attacker and sub-attacker/porter behind, thief as tail-ender. Free-roll followed flexibly.
Formation complete, the instructor led them to the training camp entrance and showed prepped gear.
"Pathfinder: thin backpack with combat rations, map, trap disarm tools."
Seojun packed as instructed.
"Free-roll: big backpack full of camping gear! Shields: bags with as much combat rations as you can carry."
Free-roll and guards' loads were simple.
"Attacker: tools, potions, herbs!"
The archer packed ample spare arrows and prepared herbs.
"Porter: camping gear and combat rations—fill up!"
Porter took a backpack and crossbag.
"Tail-ender: thin backpack with rations suffices."
The instructor added a donkey.
"No one here can handle a donkey, so I'll lead it."
Donkeys or horses were invaluable for hauling in plains.
Prepared, Group 1 exited the training camp with the instructor, passing through Starting Village to the outside.
"Whoa!"
Namgung Seojun was slightly awed. The Tower World's first floor was a vast plain. No mere tower—it was an enormous cavern with no visible ceiling.
The instructor explained to the amazed adventurers.
"It's called a tower, but the scale is immense. All 100 floors combined exceed Earth's size twofold, so each is huge."
He detailed the first floor's size, tailoring to the party's origins: Korea, Taiwan, Russia.
"Slightly smaller than Seoul, about twice Taipei, a bit less than twice Vladivostok."
En route, he shared more: Tower environments shifted every 10 floors—dark dungeons, seas, mountains, deserts, swamps, tundras.
Suddenly, Namgung Seojun raised his hand.
"Prepare."
The group entered combat stance instantly. He followed up.
"Enemies 500 meters ahead—goblins expected, about nine."
Short, concise, essential info only.
The free-roll dealer stepped forward.
"Should I flank rear?"
"No. Defend with the shields in formation. I'll go rear."
Despite being pathfinder, Seojun took free-roll too, but the dealer—having seen his prowess in sword training—nodded silently.
Ten minutes later, nine goblins spotted Group 1 and charged. Seojun struck rear at perfect timing, shattering their momentum. They cleared all nine effortlessly.
"Clean the battlefield. Free-roll, confirm goblin kills. Porter, collect goblin noses. Guards, check for loot."
Namgung Seojun directed cleanup flawlessly.
"..."
The instructor was speechless, merely impressed. His judgment was perfect, combat variable yet powerful, cleanup tidy.
Battlefield cleared, Seojun said,
"Resume movement."
Group 1 resumed patrol with him at center. They camped smoothly at a suitable spot that night. For night watch, Seojun took first shift.
Standing watch with a tiny lantern, the instructor approached.
"Impressive."
Seojun just smiled at the praise. For him, the first floor—only goblins and kobolds—was truly easy. Easier than the group tutorial.
"Earlier—you used dagger throw? Got a related skill?"
Super Sense gave a good vibe. Seojun realized the thief-class instructor saw potential.
"I have the Rare-grade skill Dagger Throw."
"As expected. But... you did well overall, yet the dagger throw felt amateurish."
"I just got the skill recently."
"Yeah? Want me to teach you dagger throwing basics?"
During watch, he learned dagger handling tips from the instructor, solidifying how to use it.
Thus, Seojun completed a meaningful practical session.