Random Skillbook
Back at the dormitory, after a shower and stuffing his clothes into the laundry basket, Rohan lay on his bed and opened the Shop.
◇ Random Skillbook - 500P (1 purchase available)
◇ High-Protein Jerky - 3P
◇ Cloud Bread - 2P
◇ Coral Jelly - 2P
◇ Energy Drink - 2P
◇ Bottled Water - 2P
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Just looking at it made him feel secure with those points.
Even after spending 3P on jerky, he'd amassed this much.
Abundant!
The 50P from encountering Instructor Juyeon, plus 300P from completing the quest.
Rohan already knew exactly what he was buying.
The Random Skillbook, obviously.
No matter what anyone said, this was the no-brainer choice.
But before purchasing—and maybe even after—one nagging question remained unresolved.
"···."
Rohan stared piercingly at the words "Random Skillbook," pondering.
Does it only show skills I can actually learn here?
How far did the randomness extend?
Did it come as a physical book, or did he learn it the instant he bought it?
Unpredictable. Rohan had no idea how the Shop skill operated.
In the absolute worst case, it could pull a skill with a completely incompatible attribute, wasting points without him even being able to learn it.
I need to draw a physical or fire-attribute skill···.
Attributes felt like such a pain in moments like this.
Having a common physical attribute didn't mean firing shockwaves, and fire didn't mean spewing flames from your body.
Maybe at higher levels, but at Rohan's current stage, attributes truly shone when learning skills.
Trust in luck.
Before his deliberations deepened, Rohan reached out.
There was no option not to buy anyway.
Random Skillbook acquired.
Points deducted, space rippled.
Recalling how he'd bought the jerky, Rohan reached in—when the Shop skill changed.
[Updating Shop list.]
[Existing items remain purchasable during update.]
[Estimated time - 46:01:56]
The time was absurdly long, but this was definitely the notification from exam day.
Maybe because he'd bought all the one-time items, it was rearranging.
As he reasoned that out—
"!"
The skill seeped into the depths of his consciousness.
In a vividly clear form.
Grade: D
Heats the blade using mana.
Huh?
As he learned the skill, Rohan blinked. What he felt wasn't clear disappointment or definite joy.
Just a fog-like doubt.
Whose skill is this?
Rohan prided himself on knowing every skill learnable in Abyss City, so the question arose.
He even knew skills for unvoiced characters.
But this was completely new.
D-grade wasn't impressive, but an unfamiliar skill's existence left him stunned.
Honestly, shocking.
What the hell···.
Rohan pondered the scope of "random" again.
And a plausible hypothesis emerged.
Does it include skills used by enemies or NPCs, not just playable characters···?
Bolting upright in bed, Rohan grabbed the blade on the table.
Testing the skill on the knife he'd taken as spoils.
Tszzzt—!
A sound like dry firewood splitting.
Not flames roaring to life, but the blade itself heating, glowing red.
Rohan observed the alien heat born of mana.
Not bad?
Worried it might melt the blade, he withdrew the mana.
As mana evaporated, the knife instantly cooled to normal. Definitely different from ordinary fire.
Less suited for killing people than···.
Definitely perfect for slaying monsters weak to fire over humans.
Nothing beat bleeding for human kills.
And another utility came to mind.
Cauterizing wounds with this would stop bleeding fast.
The common method called cauterization.
Highly accessible, often used in urgent combat for hemostasis.
Assuming I use this on a longsword···.
Ziiing—!
Rohan's smartphone vibrated, snapping his thoughts.
Time to sleep if he wanted morning training.
"Hm."
While waiting for Rohan, who'd requested a meeting, Juyeon reviewed the evaluation sheets and documents in the counseling room, grasping his info once more.
Rohan. From the South, wields a sword··· Timing suggests he was alone when the Void Whale appeared.
Void Whale.
The largest observed monster by mass, one of the highest ranks.
A horrific disaster that spewed endless monsters from its maw upon appearing, annihilating the great nation of the South in an instant.
The decisive trigger for Samhwa Nation, Tigrova, and the Sepia Archipelago to halt political conflicts and unite.
From the South···.
Juyeon stared at Rohan's photo.
She knew survivors had built a small village in the ruined South.
Only those there were recognized as Southern residents like Rohan.
But what was the actual South now?
A hideout for each nation's criminals. Even that village had been raided, with few survivors left, she'd heard.
What a headache.
She hated judging survival from disaster as "lucky."
This wasn't her call anyway.
Rohan might see surviving alone as misfortune.
Watch word choice during the interview.
Scratch-scratch. Juyeon noted Rohan's name in her notepad, updating info.
She didn't want words that stirred cadets' nightmares.
"Hoo···."
Why had he requested a meeting?
Throat parched, she uncapped her tumbler and gulped tea.
He's here.
Presence outside.
Juyeon tidied the papers, clearing her desk.
Knock knock knock.
A polite knock. Voice followed immediately.
— This is Rohan, who requested the meeting.
"Come in."
Rohan opened the door gently, bowing his head.
"Sorry to bother you when you're busy."
"No need for such formality. Sit."
"Excuse me."
Before starting counseling, Juyeon checked the time one last time.
Still margin before morning assembly—good.
"So. What brings you here for a meeting?"
Juyeon stared straight into Rohan's eyes across from her.
Rohan got right to it.
"I want permission for a part-time job."
"Part-time?"
"Yes. Haven't found one yet. But I know I need approval first."
Juyeon knew too. It was in the academy guidelines.
But Orion Academy cadets working part-time? Rare.
"Part-time··· For livelihood?"
"Yes. Need living expenses, and at least a cheap weapon."
Juyeon felt a bitter taste seeing this dark cycle of society up close.
Stiff speech unfit for a freshman badge. That tone, already accustomed to systems, amplified the bitterness.
···.
Most Orion cadets held financial freedom. No worries about basics.
Not exaggeration to say that's why they entered Orion.
Elite tracks from childhood.
Cadets filled with systematic training, no wasted time—Orion students overwhelmingly excelled among peers.
Thus.
A vicious cycle.
Juyeon knew.
Academy life ahead would follow the same pattern.
Rohan had no choice but to invest time in work, while others could devote everything to training.
Scholarships too.
Thrifty time-users scored higher, but theory-weak Rohan per evals couldn't get one soon.
···I see. Any specific job in mind?
"Nothing set yet. Have to see openings first."
From Juyeon's view, analyzing his words: he couldn't be picky.
"You know, obviously—no illegal stuff."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Juyeon felt ashamed and resentful at having to end formally.
But his crisp reply drew a faint smile.
Commendable.
Skill to enter Orion, yet no slide into livelihood crime.
Entering this academy from dire straits.
Impressive.
Just regrettable she couldn't aid directly due to equity issues.
"Once you decide on the job, summarize and message me. I'll handle the rest."
"Thank you."
Seeing Rohan pleased with approval, Juyeon stood.
Naturally reaching out, she gently stroked his head like petting.
"···Do your best."
Now for morning assembly—let's head to class, she led.
Rohan followed, puzzled by the soft touch.
Was she always like this?