Lousy Gacha Pulls and the Entrance Exam Debacle
I couldn't believe it. My vision flipped, and the galaxy sprawled out before me once more. Just like always, the stars' lights began to fade one by one until ten stars that had clung stubbornly to their glow floated slowly toward me. Then nine of them shimmered gray, while one blazed with brilliant red light.
Honestly, I'd been hoping for at least two or three 2-stars, but I decided to be grateful for what I got. It could have been all 1-stars.
9× 1-Star Consciousnesses
1× 2-Star Consciousness
Just as I was forcing myself to think that way, voices from various existences started echoing in sequence.
Woof! Woof! ×3
Meow. ×2
I wanna quit... ×4
The 1-stars were introduced in a flash. But wait a second. Did I hear that right? Those weren't human voices.
Just as I was doubting my ears, the 2-star introduction followed.
"It's not time fishing me—I'm the one fishing time."
Worn short-sleeved T-shirt and sleeveless vest etched with the traces of years. A cozy straw hat casts a shadow over his face, dogtail grass dangling from his mouth exuding leisure. And slung over his shoulder, a long fishing rod. His name is...
My second 2-star consciousness was a fisherman. Yeah... I couldn't hide my disappointment. What I'd wanted was something like an assassin or holy knight. A fisherman? It felt like all the steam went out of me.
As regret washed over me, my vision snapped back to normal.
'...Maybe I should just knock out the daily quest?'
My suddenly listless mood was impossible to shake.
'Sigh, still gotta check what these consciousnesses are about.'
With a small sigh, I started examining the 1-stars one by one. Three dogs, two cats, four office workers. My ears hadn't lied. Sure, office workers made sense, but dogs and cats? Were there animals mixed in among my parallel selves from other worlds?
"Jeez."
Grumbling, I synchronized with each one. The dog consciousnesses turned me into actual dogs, the cats into cats, and the office workers into weary salarymen.
"None of these are combat viable."
They had the strength and mana of street strays, and the office workers were basically average joes. No clue how to put these to use.
'Total duds?'
The best I could think of was disguising myself as a dog or cat to infiltrate somewhere. I'd figure out uses for the 1-stars later.
'Next up... the fisherman.'
Maybe the 2-star would have some utility. Harboring faint hopes, I synchronized.
Well, it'd still just be a fisherman.
The Angler Who Fishes Time, Park Jeonghyeon
As the synchronization took hold, my outfit shifted to match the fisherman's look: straw hat, shabby clothes, long rod, dogtail grass casually in my mouth. Along with it came his internal energy and knowledge flooding my mind.
"Heh heh, this never fails to feel downright peculiar."
My speech had shifted to an old veteran's drawl, the kind from someone who's seen it all.
"No wrinkles on the skin, young face but an old man's tongue. Folks might think something's off."
Compared to the magical girl consciousness, this was nothing. At least the fisherman wouldn't get me socially lynched.
'Physical stats similar to the actor's, mana slightly higher here.'
Perched on the bed's edge, I scanned the fisherman's abilities, whistling a tune with the grass in my mouth.
This really made me feel like some middle-aged uncle.
"Let's see... hmm?"
Then my eyes widened at the fisherman's unique skill.
"Heh heh, things just got interesting."
The fisherman consciousness. Perfect for mock combat exams.
A grin spread across my face.
A week flew by in no time. I made the most of it: clearing daily quests for Fate, extra training, even buying company stocks using in-game knowledge to guarantee future growth. Solid prep for efficient Providence life.
Finally, enrollment day arrived. The 10 million mihwan drained from my account made it all feel vividly real.
"ID card safe... phone's good."
Stepping off the bus, I blended into the swarm of students heading to the main building. All in identical uniforms, but diverse races made each one stand out. And I was the only human in sight.
Sure, there were probably other human freshmen, but none in my view. A lone human amid hordes of other races. Maybe that's why the stares felt hostile—
"Um, excuse me? A-are you Park Jeonghyeon?"
"...Me? Yes."
"Whoa...! I thought you were just a lookalike, but it's really you! I had no idea you'd be a freshman like me! Could we maybe take a photo? It's my dream!"
Nope, scratch that. Super friendly stares. Extremely so.
Right, I'm famous. Super famous. Not just as the magical girl, but my actor role blew up online too. Makes sense. Heard I even had a fan club.
Despite human biases, all these fans... The actor consciousness's performance must've rocked the holographic musical scene.
I'd never had this kind of popularity even as an A-rank hunter. Felt a bit bittersweet.
"Oh, no good?"
The demonkin girl's follow-up snapped me back.
"Sorry, didn't sleep well and zoned out. Photo's fine. Long as I don't get tardy."
"R-really!? Oh my god, awesome! M-my hands are shaking... hold on?"
Squealing, she fumbled out her smartphone and opened the camera.
"Say cheese~"
"Ch-cheese... Thank you! Eeee~! This is the best!"
After the pic, she bounced with joy, bowed brightly, and scampered off.
"...Phew, good she didn't ask for my number."
Wrapping up the impromptu fan meet, I shook my head and checked my phone.
"About 30 minutes left?"
Plenty of time to stroll.
"Um, excuse me..."
A voice from behind made me turn.
"Could I get a photo too..."
A beastkin guy held out his phone. And behind him...
"....."
A long line snaking back.
No way.
"Whoa..."
This. I gotta run or I'm late.
The stamina from daily quests paid off. Snapping pics quick and sprinting desperately, I made it to the pre-assigned exam room online.
"Ugh, gonna die... not late, right?"
"...Exam starts soon. Sit at your seat."
"Thanks."
Panting, I hunted for my spot. Familiar game faces popped up, sparking interest—but they were low-performers I'd summoned and benched, so meh.
Seat 27... 27... ah, here.
Sitting at 27, I fiddled with the pen a fan gave me, glancing around. Everyone buried in books, last-minute review. Felt like the slacker kid goofing off.
But nothing I could do. No clue on the exam scope.
Then.
"Time's up. Stow everything but writing tools, power off phones. 60 minutes total. Finish early? Quietly submit upfront and head to the arena."
The proctor announced loudly, floating exam papers into the air. They drifted to each desk.
"Oh."
A murmur of admiration.
"Quiet. Hands under desks. Open on my mark. Earlier is cheating."
The icy warning silenced the room. Only coughs echoed.
"Exam start."
Students ripped open papers in unison, diving in. My turn...
Question 1. Rare natural magistones average 71% mana density. A backworld magistone found has...
"Huh."
What? Zero clue. Skipped to 2...
3... 4...
......
30.
Heh heh. Expected, but total blank. Some erosion entity or gear questions, but knowing a few words didn't help. How am I supposed to know the formula for an 8th-grade erosion entity's wave?
Finally, I decided.
All Questions Skipped
I slashed a single line across and submitted first, heading to the arena.
At least I'd be number one somehow.
Hang in there! You might be at rock bottom now, but with effort, you'll make it! Probably?
This bastard? Isn't it actually a person?