Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Tutorial First Chapter – Adaptation
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⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have successfully cleared the ninth wave. 200 points have been awarded to all participants in the wave. [1st Place: Jeong Se-woon 41,660 points] [2nd Place: Yoo Seo-ah 4,820 points] [3rd Place: Kang Han-cheol 4,760 points] And with that, the curtain fell on the ninth wave.
Normally, he would have left a few monsters behind for the others to handle, but given the circumstances, Se-woon stepped in to finish them off.
He had been excited to try out Durandal, but in his haste to clear the monsters quickly with magic for the sake of the others, he missed the chance to draw his sword.
As he regretfully stroked the hilt of Durandal, Yoo Seo-ah and Kang Han-cheol approached him.
"Se-woon!"
"You're back."
Unlike the impassive Kang Han-cheol, Yoo Seo-ah's eyes were brimming with tears.
It seemed managing the camp as leader in his absence had been far more challenging than expected.
"Where on earth have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
She poured out her grievances in a rush.
But after glancing around, Se-woon had no choice but to cut her off.
"Explanations later. For now, don't you have work to do?"
"Huh? Oh..."
Yoo Seo-ah had solidly established herself as the camp's practical leader.
Though they had survived the wave thanks to Se-woon, the camp was now in utter chaos, perfectly fitting the word "wreckage."
Facilities, the injured, food supplies—there were plenty of people in need of her help.
"I'm definitely getting that explanation later."
With those parting words, she hurried off.
Se-woon was simply grateful to her for managing the camp in his stead.
Kang Han-cheol picked up the conversation.
"You're even stronger than before."
"You've bulked up quite a bit yourself."
"...Meet me by the broken tree after a bit."
"Sure."
The broken tree.
It was code for the sparring match Se-woon had promised.
Since they hadn't sparred after the sixth wave, anticipation shone clearly on Kang Han-cheol's face.
After seeing them off, Se-woon called out a name that had become familiar by now.
"Jeong-pil."
"Yes, Boss!"
Park Jeong-pil.
He had kept the guy close half out of suspicion from his pre-regression behavior and half to mess with him, but Jeong-pil had thrown himself passionately into the waves and even caught the eye of the sixth-ranked demon king, Valefor.
Was this what they called tough love?
Either way, now there was no choice but to exploit him thoroughly.
"Situation report."
"Yes, sir! After you headed to the rock mountain, the sixth wave ended without casualties! But starting from the seventh..."
As if he'd been waiting for this, Park Jeong-pil's report flowed smoothly.
Details on the monster waves so far, standout performers in combat, post-battle food management in camp.
Se-woon listened quietly, inwardly surprised.
'Did this guy have this kind of talent?'
Pre-regression, all he remembered was Jeong-pil snarkily clinging to Kang Han-cheol.
Truly, humans were adaptable creatures. The guy was showing a completely different side now.
"And in spare time, with the twins leading, we set up a wooden palisade around the camp..."
A palisade, huh.
Se-woon surveyed the surroundings carefully.
Until he left, the camp had only been crude leaf-and-grass sleeping spots and basic cooking setups.
Now, there were decent makeshift huts.
And a fairly thick palisade encircled the camp.
The sharp tips stained with red blood suggested it had done its job well during the waves.
"Twins, you said? Who're they?"
"Ah, you wouldn't know, Boss. Come this way! They're probably already starting repairs right now."
Se-woon followed Park Jeong-pil a short distance.
The camp was small enough to take in at a glance, so they reached the site quickly.
"I had a feeling something was off, and sure enough, this is the weak spot."
"Exactly, I told you to make it sturdier!"
"If we'd done it your way, we never would've finished before the wave started."
"Ugh! We'll need more wood anyway, right?"
"Yeah, but with just us two, we won't make the next wave deadline..."
Two women debating in front of the broken palisade.
Identical faces and curly hair proved they were twins.
'So it's them.'
They weren't in his pre-regression memories, but Se-woon knew of them.
They hadn't stood out in combat but followed Yoo Seo-ah's orders diligently.
Especially from the third wave—they'd blocked monsters harder than anyone. It had left an impression.
"Hey, you two! What're you doing? Boss is here—come say hi!"
"Whoa, Blood Wolf!"
"It's Blood Wolf!"
The twins noticed Se-woon and hurried over.
Blood Wolf, huh.
Pre-regression, he'd been known more for exploration than combat, so the nickname felt off.
He shot Park Jeong-pil a light glare, but the guy just tilted his head innocently with a 'Huh?'
Whether oblivious or playing dumb, Se-woon didn't know.
With a small sigh, he examined the palisade the twins had built.
"Not bad at all. Tools from points?"
"Yes! Seo-ah unnie told us! Said you taught her, Blood Wolf oppa?"
"It's busted now, but it held up great against the red wolves and boars!"
Points bought more than just Yoo Seo-ah's sword.
Basic tools like the saws and hammers they held were available too.
Though few players spent points on such things.
Still, their results seemed worth more than the points spent.
"This should hold for the next wave."
"Ugh, what monsters will come next?"
"Ugh, those red ones were scary enough. Gotta be stronger ones, right?"
Se-woon, who knew the tenth wave's monsters, smiled lightly and dodged the question.
No point giving details unless he revealed he was a regressor—it would only breed suspicion.
"Heard you need more wood."
"Eep, you heard?"
"We usually borrowed hands in downtime, but with so many injured this time..."
Construction skills, huh.
Normally, Se-woon wouldn't care much.
Palisades like this wouldn't help much in the tenth wave and would be useless once the tutorial's first chapter ended.
But he had one reason to take interest.
⭐ CONSTELLATION OBSERVATION ⭐ Constellation 'Black Bird' perches on a sharp spear tip, observing Player 'Han Aar-eum'. Constellation 'Giant Bird' spreads its wings wide to Player 'Han Da-un'. Black Bird and Giant Bird.
The 38th-ranked demon king Halphas and 39th-ranked Malphas.
Halphas symbolized death and ruin, delighting in "war," with abilities tailored to war-related construction.
Hence the nickname "Bird of Death."
The trailing Malphas, "Chief of Tricksters," shared similar fortification skills.
Construction and fortification.
Combined...
'More helpful than most combat players.'
That was why Se-woon stepped up to help the twins.
"Wood? I'll get it for you."
"Really?"
"Woo! Blood Wolf oppa is the best!"
"...Just drop the nickname, okay?"
"Why? It's cool!"
"Pfft."
"..."
"Hey, don't laugh! You'll hurt Blood Wolf oppa's feelings!"
"Puh! Can't help it if it's funny!"
Listening to them, Se-woon sighed involuntarily.
Vowing to make Park Jeong-pil coin a fitting nickname next time, he headed to the wolf forest.
"Any specific types or sizes needed?"
"Nah, monsters hit in a few hours—who has time for that?"
"We'll handle sorting, just bring as many trees as you can!"
Any trees, as many as possible.
Couldn't ask for an easier request.
Click.
'Who'd have thought Durandal's debut would be logging.'
Se-woon drew Durandal.
The forest entrance was partially cleared for palisade and hut materials.
But lacking gear, thicker trees stood firm.
Without a proper axe—or even with one, unless you were Kang Han-cheol—felling them was tough.
Thinking that, Se-woon boldly stood before a thick tree others had given up on.
"With that?"
"Want me to borrow an axe?"
"Nah, I'm good."
Pity it wasn't against a monster for Durandal's first show, but this trunk would let him gauge his strength and the sword's power perfectly.
Se-woon spread his stance into the basic form of Hamel Family Longsword Technique. No internal energy—just pure muscle power.
Tilting the blade horizontal, he powered his lower body.
"Hup!"
A clean horizontal slash at the trunk.
Shwick!
"Whoa!"
"He's strong!"
"As expected of Boss!"
Durandal sank halfway deep.
The twins and Park Jeong-pil cheered from behind.
But Se-woon wasn't satisfied.
'Even with Durandal's edge, no internal energy means this is the limit.'
Called the "Rock-Splitting Sword," Durandal faltered without its wielder's power.
Despite gaining demon god authorities and hidden pieces, he still had far to go.
Steeling himself, Se-woon gripped Durandal tight.
⚙ TREASURE VAULT OF GREED OPENED ⚙ [Mount Tai Eighteen Coiling Swords ] The signature martial art of the Huangfu family, known for their large, powerful builds and domineering techniques. He had Blood Wolf Sword Technique down pat now, but what he needed was "power."
A technique to cleave tree trunks in one stroke.
Hence, the Huangfu family's art.
With Mount Tai Eighteen Coiling Swords—said to hold Mount Tai's might—and Durandal the rock-splitter, no trunk would stand before him.
As if to prove it.
Shwick—!
Crackcra—Boom!
"Whoa, he cut it!"
"That thick tree in two swings with a sword!"
"Awesome, Boss!"
Se-woon's slash cleanly felled the trunk.
As the large tree crashed down with a forest-shaking roar, eyes from camp turned their way.
But Se-woon's logging spree was just beginning.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Mount Tai Eighteen Coiling Swords, Second Form: Mount Tai Strike Empowered through internal energy.
Shwick!
Crackcra—Boom!
With internal energy flowing, no trunk withstood Se-woon's blade.
Trees the campfolk had abandoned toppled in one hit.
Yet Durandal's edge remained pristine.
Crackcra!
Boom!
Boom, Boom!
Dozens of trees fell in moments.
The forest entrance visibly thinned.
Pausing briefly, Se-woon glanced at the twins, mouths agape at the absurd "logging" spectacle.
"Oh, Jeong-pil will handle moving the wood, so no worries."
"Got it, Boss! Leave it to this loyal Jeong-p... Wait, all of them? By myself?"
"Of course, my 'right hand'."
⭐ CONSTELLATION REACTION ⭐ Constellation 'Flying Fish with Donkey Head' clutches its belly, unable to hold back laughter at Player 'Park Jeong-pil'. Park Jeong-pil's face, suddenly demoted to pack mule, twisted in despair.
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