Class Awakening (1): Reality Is a Game? Yeah, It Is.
The Status Window floating right in front of my eyes was some game-like, unreal bullshit, but this was reality now. And since it was reality, I needed to learn everything I could about this System.
One thing that bugged me, though... that first message. The one about the world ending soon. Just knowing about it wasn't enough—I had to figure out how to use it properly if I wanted to survive what was coming.
"Class... does that mean stuff like thief or warrior from games? I'm Non-Class right now, so no job yet, I guess..."
No Class, so nothing to see there. I'd have to wait and hope one popped up later. Maybe there was some kind of job change thing?
The Stats were more straightforward, at least. Strength was obviously power-related, Agility was agility, Stamina was stamina. Mana, though... I had no clue. Sure, I knew what it was from fantasy novels—magic power or whatever. But it didn't exist in my common sense, so I needed more info. What happened if I leveled it up? I couldn't exactly cast spells right now anyway.
"Magic... wonder if I could use it?"
Every guy imagines it at least once—flying through the sky or shooting fireballs. Thinking about kid stuff like that got me weirdly excited, totally out of place for the situation.
"Get it together...!"
I dug deeper into the Stats. There was a level system, and leveling up cost Coins. From level 1 to 2 took 100 Coins. Probably got more expensive as you went. I left it alone for now—Coins seemed useful for other stuff too.
And sure enough, as I was pondering that, a message popped up like it was giving me a nudge.
You can use the Coin Shop.
"No game tutorial or anything...?"
The situation sucked, but it was being helpful, so no complaints. Gave me a vague feeling that this System didn't want me—or humanity—to go extinct. If it just wanted us dead, why hand out power to fight monsters?
Anyway, following the message, I summoned the Coin Shop like I did the Status Window. A game shop interface appeared in front of me. Tons of items—too many to browse quickly. I just skimmed.
"Sells all kinds of stuff: food, weapons, potions, mystery crap..."
I focused on weapons, the most urgent category. Some cheap ones I could afford, some crazy expensive. Goblins gave 200 Coins each... no way I was buying the pricey shit anytime soon. Skipped ahead to Skills—no Skills, so nothing there.
That covered it. Now, how to spend my 600 Coins from the goblins...
As I mulled it over, noise erupted outside. I ducked behind the wall and peeked through the window. The front gate was in view, swarming with over a dozen goblins. Hard to count exactly while hiding, but there were a lot. And more kept coming.
"Why'd they have to bunch up right there...?!"
My stomach knotted. I hoped they'd leave, but the goblins weren't going anywhere—they were snorting in defiance. A few small ones hung on the door handle, shaking it wildly. Good thing it was locked... but they weren't giving up. They wanted in, bad.
"They can't break it, right...?"
No—plan for the worst! One goblin couldn't smash the door, but that many? Easy. Better safe than sorry. Nothing to do in the classroom, so I headed out, straight to the third floor. Put distance between me and the monsters.
But just running farther wasn't enough prep.
"What now...?"
Lock myself in a classroom and hold out? "Nah... can't hide forever. If they find me, it's only a matter of time before they bust in..." Easy but not smart. I shook my head. Short on experience, but hiding and running wasn't always the answer. Sure, it bought time, but this world rewarded killing monsters. Paradoxical, but you had to risk danger to get stronger—and survive!
Problem was, I couldn't take that horde head-on. Risk was good, but suicidal was stupid. Needed to gauge levels properly.
Safe way to fight... "Something that defends and attacks?"
Aha—!
"Build a wall!"
A wall to block their attacks while I picked them off safely from behind. Couldn't build a fortress here, but...
"Don't need something that sturdy to stop goblins!"
Just stacking a barrier would rattle them. Goblins weren't that dumb—they'd get the hint!
Plan set, no time to waste. "Where to build...?"
Location mattered as much as strength. Wall in an open spot? I'd be digging my own grave. Circling the third floor, I spotted it.
"Stairs! Yeah, the stairs!"
High ground advantage. Perfect against short goblins.
Spot chosen, time for materials. I grabbed desks from a classroom.
"These'll do!"
Long four-person desks, dragged to the stairs and laid flat. Lucky—their width matched the stairwell perfectly. Better than loose junk; the wide surface would block attacks. The step gave height with just one layer.
But too light—two goblins could push it over. Needed weight behind. Space for me to fight, too, so heavy but manageable. Found a water cooler and podium, wedged on both sides. Solid now. I could hold the middle against a few.
Finally, hauled as many chairs as possible behind the wall. About a dozen in when—
Crash—glass shattering.
"They broke in...!"
Monsters smashed the door for sure. They'd be here soon. Time to hold position. My makeshift but sturdy wall looked good. Final prep: spend Coins.
Coin Shop—bought a "Crude Spear" for 300 Coins. Not bad despite the name; solid blade. Wanted a cool sword, but spears were easier—thrust from afar. Perfect for me.
"With the rest..."
Small amount left, but invested in Stats: +1 Strength, Agility, Stamina each. Cost more per level, but balanced. Felt right. Coins at zero, fully prepped.
Just needed to steel my nerves...
Grip tightened on the spear. Hands sweaty—wiped them on my clothes, over and over.
"I can do this...?"
No—I had to! Family waiting, girls to date someday!
"Can't die without even one girlfriend!"
That eased the tension a bit, feeling indignant.
Then the first goblin appeared. It spotted me from the stairs below and bellowed.
『Gorr— Gorroooook—!!』
Calling its buddies, like. Smarter than they looked! It eyed my wall warily, but as more gathered, they started climbing one by one.
'Wary, huh...'
Just as planned...! Wait for the moment—one reaches mid-stairs.
It came fast. Now!
"Raaagh—!"
Hurled a prepped chair.
『Gork—?!』
Lead goblin took it full-on, tumbled down the stairs. Neck snapped—dead.
Defeated Goblin. Acquired 200 Coins.
"Yes!"
『Gorroooook—?』
『Gork gork.』
One dead buddy stunned them briefly, then the rest charged. Loyalty? Maybe—they'd raged when I killed the first ones too.
"...!"
Five, six at once—terrifying, but I calmly chucked chairs. Missed the front one sometimes, but kept them from closing fast. No chairs left, first wave halted.
My turn. Way easier now. Chairs weren't just ammo—they were obstacles. Like a moat. Numbers similar, but slowed by the pile. Smarter goblins might clear it, but these only saw me. Out for revenge.
I'd live too!
"Come on—!"