Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Tutorial First Act – Adaptation
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[ Tutorial First Act – Adaptation ]
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have successfully cleared the second wave. 50 points have been awarded to all participants in the wave. Thanks to Se-woon's intervention, the wave ended quickly.
The group that had been pushing the weak forward alongside the middle-aged man caught his eye, but once they saw the man shoved toward the boars by Se-woon and trampled underfoot, they immediately switched tactics.
A few people approached to offer thanks, but Se-woon waved them off. His actions hadn't been for their sake in the first place.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Calculating personal contributions... [1st: Jeong Se-woon 1,080 points] [2nd: Kang Han-cheol 180 points] [3rd: Yoo Seo-ah 100 points] ... As expected, the personal contribution rankings had Se-woon in first place.
He'd earned points from this wave too, but hunting Gray Wolves in the wolf forest had been the biggest haul.
In fact, more than half the points he had now came from the wolf forest.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ You have devoured a 'Brown Boar'. Absorbed nutrients. Strength +1, Stamina +2. ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' says it was waiting for this moment and tears into the meat voraciously. Se-woon had used the Authority of Gluttony on most of the boars he'd taken down.
Only one boar corpse remained.
The simple reason he'd deliberately spared it, even forgoing the stat gains, was for a meal.
'Boar meat has to be better than wolf meat.'
Of course, food had to be scavenged during the tutorial.
He'd learned just how foul carnivorous beast meat tasted after eating wolf back in his previous run, so he'd saved the boar carcass on purpose.
Even wild boars probably didn't hesitate to eat meat out here, but it had to taste better than wolf at least.
Slash.
Without hesitation, Se-woon sliced open the boar's belly.
The rust on his sword bothered him, but he couldn't afford to worry about that.
Blood and guts spilled out from the split hide.
He knew basic butchering, but he had no intention of doing a full job here.
He just needed enough for one meal for himself.
Then.
"Um..."
He turned at the sound of a voice.
A woman with her brown hair neatly tied back stood there, hesitating as she looked at him.
Quickly observing her, Se-woon guessed her occupation.
'A cook?'
Her fingers were covered in small knife scars and burns, no unmarred skin in sight.
Naturally, he could guess why she'd come.
"C-can I help? I-I run a small restaurant, so I know how to handle meat to some extent!"
Gathering her courage, she raised her voice louder than necessary. Se-woon gave a small smile.
He'd shoved the middle-aged man into the boars and swung his sword without mercy, splattering blood everywhere.
People had been too intimidated by that Se-woon to approach him casually.
Yet here she was, pushing past the fear to offer her skills. Se-woon found it a very desirable attitude.
"Of course."
"Th-thank you!"
It was just a job, but she bowed deeply and took the sword from him as if immensely grateful.
She paused briefly at the heavily rusted blade, took a small breath, then started butchering right away.
Slice, slash.
She skinned it, removed the innards.
Cut the edible parts by section, slid the sword into bone gaps to cleanly strip the meat.
Not a proper butchering knife, and she'd probably never handled a freshly killed wild boar even as a cook, yet the job was surprisingly well done.
"I fetched some water. Do you need it?"
"Wow! Thank you! I was dying of thirst."
"There's a small stream by the rock mountain. Want more?"
"Please! The knife's in bad shape, so I wanted to wash the meat."
"Sure!"
Watching her work seemed to spur the others.
People who'd been squatting helplessly on the ground started moving.
Fetching stream water, gathering branches from the forest to prep for cooking.
With time left over, some even spread leaves wide for bedding.
"Done! This should be plenty for us."
"I gathered firewood. Found a flat stone good for grilling too. This okay?"
"Perfect! You worked hard. But..."
The meat was ready to grill, and even the setup was complete.
One problem remained.
Fire.
"Anyone have a lighter?"
"When I opened my eyes, everything but my clothes was gone..."
"Same here."
Upon entering the tower, possessions except basic clothing were forbidden to prevent certain races from bringing artifacts or scrolls and ruining fairness.
Naturally, no tools like lighters existed.
"I think I've seen how to start a fire. Shall I try?"
"I'll handle the fire."
"Huh? You have a way...?"
Se-woon stepped forward.
Someone had already neatly arranged firewood and a stone slab for cooking.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have opened the Treasure Vault of Greed. [Kasha's Ember] The fire seed of Kasha, a lesser fire spirit. Faint but infused with spirit power, it doesn't go out easily. "Ooh!"
An intangible energy drained from his body, and flames burst from Se-woon's fingertips.
No mana yet, so it seemed to have consumed mental power instead.
'Gotta build up mana soon.'
Early on, physical movement sufficed against most monsters, but not later.
Not just later, either. Past mid-tutorial, no mana meant struggling against monsters.
Resolving to learn mana the moment he had leeway, Se-woon held the flame to the wood.
Whoosh!
The wood was damp, hard to find dry in a hurry, but Kasha's Ember took hold without issue.
As expected of a spirit's ember.
Soon, acrid smoke rose, and the wood blazed hot.
"How'd you do that? It was like magic!"
"Magic... Close enough."
"Huh?"
"Check your status window later. You might have talent."
"Status window?"
"Anyway, everyone's just staring at the meat."
"Oh! I'll grill it right now! Everyone, wait just a bit!"
Sizzle!
As meat hit the stone slab, a savory aroma spread through the camp amid appetizing sounds.
For the first time since the tutorial began, smiles bloomed on people's faces.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Crunch.
Se-woon bit deeply into his meat.
Juices burst surprisingly, lips glistening with oil.
No seasonings, yet no gamey taste at all.
Recalling the awful wolf roast from his previous run, Se-woon smiled unwittingly.
'Definitely different when a real cook makes it.'
Grilled pork belly was most popular, but Se-woon grabbed a well-skewered roast and settled in a corner.
People's wariness had eased, but plenty still feared him.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Constellation 'Hungry Prince' smacks its lips at the delicious smell. 'Gotta eat to survive myself.'
To satisfy Beelzebub, he'd have to hunt and cook monsters all day.
Even a constellation needed ignoring now and then.
As he finished the meat, someone offered a leaf-cup of water.
"Drink."
Yoo Seo-ah.
The woman called "Gale" in the tower before his regression.
Gulp, gulp.
He nodded slightly in thanks and drank the cool water.
Built-up thirst quenched, energy filling his body.
A brief silence followed.
Yoo Seo-ah spoke first.
"That sword from the forest?"
"Got lucky."
She eyed the sword by his side enviously.
'Right, before skills or talents, she said she'd trained with a sword originally.'
Memories from before regression surfaced.
Using a stick instead of a sword meant she couldn't bring out real power.
Her lower points compared to Kang Han-cheol were likely why.
"See the system messages floating up top?"
"Yeah. Giving us rest time? Plenty till the next raid."
"Not that. The contributions below."
"100 points... Why?"
"Enough for a sword. Bad condition, but."
"Huh? How?"
"Focus on points, shop menu pops up."
Tutorial points could be spent various ways.
Potions, basic gear, even top-tier items hard to get in the tower, though pricey.
Of course, to clear tutorial high-rank, save points max, but she needed a usable weapon now.
"Whoa, like a game."
"Kinda. Like I said, adapt to the system quick to survive."
Focusing, she furrowed her brow unconsciously.
Swiping to browse items, she nodded firmly, as if resolved.
Pop.
"Whoa!"
A shortsword appeared before Yoo Seo-ah.
Not long, blade dulled and worn.
No rust, but worse state than Se-woon's Forgotten Hero's Sword.
Lowest shop sword for points.
Disappointing maybe, but best for 100 points.
Still a real sword, far better than swinging a stick.
Proof: Yoo Seo-ah gaped in awe, gripping her new blade.
"Amazing! How'd you figure this out?"
"Just adapted to the situation fast."
"Thought I was quick, but can't keep up with you, Se-woon."
"Did I say my name?"
"Someone told me to get used to the system."
She pointed at the floating personal rankings.
His name boldly in first; anyone paying attention would notice.
"But... was it necessary?"
Her excitement faded to a glum expression.
No object stated, but clear what she meant.
The middle-aged man flaunting status, pushing others forward.
"Told you talking was pointless."
"Still, maybe another way..."
"If those forced in front got hurt, who'd take responsibility?"
Yoo Seo-ah poked the ground with her shortsword instead of answering.
Quick adapter like her knew deep down.
How to adapt here. Most efficient way.
"Thanks for the tip."
"No problem."
Yoo Seo-ah stood.
Face unseen, but her voice held quiet resolve, like an inner vow.
"And, let's get along from now on."
The first night of the tutorial after regression.
Leaning against a tree trunk, Se-woon drifted into light sleep.