Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 003
Chapter Title: The Tutorial Begins (2)
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Fairy Alice said nothing about scores or rankings. But everyone figured it out. Higher scores and ranks meant better rewards.
No one but a fool could miss that.
"You can choose any attribute! But make sure it fits your class—you can only pick once!"
Alice clapped her hands again. The translucent display screen shifted.
It listed nine attributes in total.
【Light】 Boosts control over Light by 100%. 200% stronger against Darkness.
Attack (★★★☆☆) / Defense (★★☆☆☆) / Potential (★★★★★) / Difficulty (★★★★☆) 【Darkness】 Boosts control over Darkness by 100%. 200% stronger against Light.
Attack (★★☆☆☆) / Defense (★★★☆☆) / Potential (★★★★★) / Difficulty (★★★★☆) 【Chaos】 Boosts control over Chaos by 100%. Can use both Light and Darkness, but power drops if leaning toward one.
Attack (★★★★☆) / Defense (★★★★☆) / Potential (★★★★★★) / Difficulty (★★★★★★) 【Void】 Bears no attribute. Coexists and counters all attributes.
Attack (☆☆☆☆☆) / Defense (☆☆☆☆☆) / Potential (★★★★★★) / Difficulty (★★★★★) 【Water】 Boosts control over Water by 100%. 200% stronger against Fire.
Attack (★★☆☆☆) / Defense (★★★★☆) / Potential (★★★☆☆) / Difficulty (★☆☆☆☆) 【Fire】 Boosts control over Fire by 100%. 200% stronger against Wind.
Attack (★★★★★) / Defense (★☆☆☆☆) / Potential (★★★★☆) / Difficulty (★★★★☆) 【Wind】 Boosts control over Wind by 100%. 200% stronger against Earth.
Attack (★☆☆☆☆) / Defense (★★★☆☆) / Potential (★★★☆☆) / Difficulty (☆☆☆☆☆) 【Earth】 Boosts control over Earth by 100%. 200% stronger against Water.
Attack (★★★☆☆) / Defense (★★★★★) / Potential (★★★☆☆) / Difficulty (★★☆☆☆) 【Life】 Boosts control over Life by 100%. Can use Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth, but power drops if leaning toward one.
Attack (★☆☆☆☆) / Defense (★☆☆☆☆) / Potential (★★★★★★) / Difficulty (★★★★★)
Unlike classes, there were only nine attributes, so it wasn't overwhelming. Plus, it was easy to spot the special ones from the ordinary.
Chaos, Void, Life.
Those three stood out. Among them, Void looked extraordinary at a glance.
Kang Mu-hyuk thought fast.
'Void! A Swordmaster needs an attribute that coexists and counters all others!'
He envisioned a flawless Swordmaster. One who bowed to no attribute, standing invincible against the world.
Making up his mind, Kang Mu-hyuk selected Void faster than anyone.
Chaos and Life tempted him too, but Void won out.
Alice, who had been watching Kang Mu-hyuk closely, flashed a sly smile. More mischievous than when he'd picked his class.
"Excellent! As expected of Kang Mu-hyuk! You picked the perfect attribute for your class right away! +1 point!"
Like a teacher favoring a pet student, Alice showered Kang Mu-hyuk with bonus points.
"?!!"
The others rushed to select after seeing that. They went for the "special" attributes matching their classes.
It made sense. Compared to Light, Darkness, Water, Fire, Wind, or Earth, Chaos, Void, and Life were exceptional. Their potential was unmatched.
So they chose Chaos, Void, and Life.
But Lee Sang-hyun was different.
"......"
【Water】 Boosts control over Water by 100%. 200% stronger against Fire.
Attack (★★☆☆☆) / Defense (★★★★☆) / Potential (★★★☆☆) / Difficulty (★☆☆☆☆)
Unexpectedly, Lee Sang-hyun was eyeing Water.
Water? Even Fire for a Berserker, or Wind or Life, might make sense. But Water? No one would pick that.
Alice wasn't pleased. She scowled deeply.
"Lee Sang-hyun, pick a special, strong one! It'll help make up for your class choice!"
Lee ignored her.
He felt it nod quietly, yet firmly.
'Water it is.'
Any normal person would've yelled, "What the hell?" or "That's nonsense!"
Water was like Earth—an extra's pick.
Who'd use Water? Fire's explosive power might fit a rampaging Berserker.
But Lee Sang-hyun chose Water. The one no one else touched.
Once again, Lee Sang-hyun ranked dead last.
Fairy Alice addressed the group.
"You've chosen your classes and attributes—now time for status windows! Everyone, shout 'Status Window' together!"
Status Window!
How long had Kang Mu-hyuk waited? He barely contained his excitement and shouted it.
The status was simple. But Kang Mu-hyuk's heart raced. Five constellations were watching him.
'Five...! And their names are no joke! The power must depend on the name.'
Kang Mu-hyuk already analyzed them, deciding who to pick.
'Edge of the Sword! That's the one for a Swordmaster like me!'
Pure hunch, but it felt right.
Like him, others checked their statuses.
'Shadow Thorn!'
Most had one or two constellations. Kang Mu-hyuk's five were exceptional.
But one person had zero. Lee Sang-hyun.
No constellations watched Lee Sang-hyun. His pitiful last place killed any interest.
"......"
Lee Sang-hyun didn't care. He pondered the absence of a constellation instead.
Confirming everyone had checked, Alice spoke.
"See your status windows? Notice the constellations interested in you? Hehe! Great! Now, pick your weapons. You'll fight soon—and top combatants get big points. Choose wisely."
Was it to recover lost points? Or something else? Lee Sang-hyun picked first: a sword.
'Something... feels off. Think! The answer...!'
Kang Mu-hyuk pondered before choosing. He reached a conclusion.
"Wait! Everyone, hold up!"
The other eight paused. Confusion on their faces.
"Why...?"
Kim Sung-jin, around Kang's age, frowned.
The rest eyed Kang warily too.
Kang stayed calm.
"Everyone, pick spears. No—you have to pick spears."
"Spears...?"
"Pick spears?"
"What's your basis?"
"Who are you to order us?"
"Yeah! I'm an Archmage!"
They rebelled. A stranger—and rival—bossing them around rubbed them wrong.
Unyielded by the backlash, Kang explained patiently.
"Alice said we're fighting, right? Spears are the way."
"What does that have to do with spears? Shouldn't we pick what fits our class?"
Yeo Han-seol's sharp retort. She wanted a bow for Shadow Archer.
Kang shook his head.
"Normally, yes. But not now."
"Not now?"
"Question: Has anyone here swung a real sword? Or axe, bow, anything?"
"......"
Silence. Modern folks had no experience with ancient weapons.
Military guys knew basics, but nothing like this. Toy axe swings at best.
"No one here can wield them properly without training. So spears. Unlike swords or others, anyone can use a spear easily."
Simple logic: No experience? Go for user-friendly spears.
Alice approved.
"Spot-on, Kang Mu-hyuk! +2 bonus points! Follow his lead!"
In the end, nine picked spears—everyone but Lee Sang-hyun.
"Hm...!"
"A bit heavy, but... just thrust."
"Easier than swords."
Spears were solid choices. Pointed forward, they intimidated—perfect for newbies.
Far better than fumbling swords, axes, or bows.
They pitied Lee Sang-hyun's rash sword pick. His low score dulled rivalry.
'Gotta read the room.'
'Poor guy. He tried.'
'Tragic.'
Alice pitied him too. Outwardly, anyway.
"Ever done kendo?"
Lee Sang-hyun shook his head at Kang's question.
Kang glanced at Alice, pleading to switch.
"No take-backs. Fight your best with what you chose. Great constellations watch you."
Alice shut him down, clapping sharply. The forest rustled wildly.
"Coming from the forest!!"
Everyone glared into the woods. From the dark depths...
"Kieeeek!!"
Goblins emerged.