Chapter 2

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 2

Chapter Title: Practical Exam

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Possession.

It's a common trope in novels and comics.

"..."

My head was spinning.

Does seeing the ending send you back to the original world?

...

First things first, I need to deal with this floating window right next to me.

I looked around.

Even in the crowd of people swarming everywhere, a few stood out prominently.

Heroes, villains.

From those who could become allies or enemies, to the protagonist's rival and the protagonist himself...

'Huh?'

I rubbed my eyes and looked again.

I spotted a guy with blue hair chatting with the woman next to him.

In the game, creating a character was blocked for the protagonist.

The protagonist's appearance was always fixed.

And the guy I saw matched the protagonist's looks perfectly.

'No fucking way, I'm not the protagonist?'

Usually, possession stories make you the protagonist. That's the rule, right?

I think I've heard that extra possession stories are trending now, changing the meta...

"..."

I checked the status window again.

I thought it was just conveniently using my name, but it seems like a separate character named "me" was added.

That was when it happened.

Ding-!

This world is based on a game.

Of course there's a main storyline.

And it starts right here with the Orbis practical exam.

"We will now begin the practical exam!"

Wooong-.

A woman holding a staff on the platform shouted, and a massive magic circle appeared on the ground.

...

The exam hall scattered via teleportation magic.

The area around me felt much emptier than before.

"Welcome, everyone."

The instructor standing in front spoke up.

"Select your weapon here, then head through that door to begin the exam."

'It's exactly like the game.'

Hundreds of weapons were on display around the room.

Swords, spears, bows, whips—all sorts prepared.

'Even guns.'

No one uses those. No idea why they're here.

I think I only saw one gun user in the entire game.

I walked straight to the swords without hesitation.

With my trait One Sword Ends Heaven, and penalties Curse of the Sword and Shackle of the Sword...

I have no choice.

I picked up a sword and hung it at my waist.

That was when it happened.

I heard the instructor's voice from the side.

"Are you really going with that one?"

Next to me, some glasses-wearing guy was picking a gun.

Even after the instructor's warning, he grinned and held it up.

"Look at this shiny Glock 19's details~"

His future looked darker than mine.

..

The practical exam is simple.

You hunt artificial monsters created through magic engineering, earning points.

Attacking other people gets you disqualified, obviously.

"Big."

The exam grounds were the size of an entire city.

Fitting for the world's top academy—even the practical exam's scale was insane.

Everyone starts at different positions, so no one was around me.

"Hm."

While picking my weapon, I did some thinking.

My build is decent enough early on, so the exam itself won't be a problem.

The issue is...

Right now, I can ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠only use Iaido Technique once per fight.

Hunting an artificial monster alone would pass me, but I plan to do it where people are watching.

Among the major characters, there are naturally some psychopathic assholes with personality issues. Pulling off some overpowered shit could make life hell.

..

"Hey, you there! Move aside!"

The center of the exam grounds, where the 'boss-grade' monster worth the most points was.

The protagonist's group had already claimed the spot.

'All the big shots are here.'

I could see a few others watching from afar.

"Hey! Didn't you hear me?!"

Someone shouted from the distance.

A woman with striking blue hair—Han Ain.

One of the protagonist's childhood friends.

She's the type with personality issues who tries to control the boss during the practical exam.

"Hey!!!"

"Nah, can't hear you."

I casually ignored her and slowly approached the artificial monster.

All eyes turned to me.

From the protagonist to his rival and childhood friends—quite the crowd.

-Kraaaargh!!!

The untouched artificial monster spotted me and charged.

Looked full of energy.

"Good timing."

-Kraaaargh!!!!!!!!!

"Ugh, seriously!!!"

Han Ain yelled from afar.

The aggro had shifted to me, messing up their plan.

I naturally lowered my stance.

Lowering my posture, I gripped the sword hilt at my waist.

Wooong-!

Mana began gathering inside my body.

-Kraaaargh!!!!

Draw the sword.

A small barrier formed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠around me.

Woooong-.

The barrier slowly expanded, eventually growing large enough to envelop the artificial monster.

My domain. My attack range.

I drew the sword.

And swung.

---!!!

No sound.

-Kraaaarghhh!!!!

-Kraaa

/

gh?

The artificial monster was bisected simultaneously.

Shiiiik---!

The delayed sound of air slicing rang out, followed by a thud as it crashed to the ground.

Cleaved clean in half.

As I sheathed the sword, strength drained from my entire body.

Steam hissed from the scabbard.

I felt like collapsing.

But if I did here, I'd be screwed.

I slowly walked toward the artificial monster's corpse.

Then plopped down beside it.

I really felt like passing out, but I couldn't end it here.

"There's another one like this to the west."

I looked at the stunned protagonist and said.

But why the hell is he using dual swords?

"Uh? Uh... yeah."

"W-Who the hell are you?"

Han Ain came rushing over, yelling, but I said nothing.

Here, staying silent is the right move.

"..."

Kwaaaang!!!

At that moment, a spear flew from above and stabbed into the ground in front of me.

"Hey, who are you?"

Silver hair like melted moonlight, red eyes.

Yoo I-seol, heir to the Yoo Family, one of Korea's three great martial clans.

Yoo I-seol pulled the spear from the ground and approached me.

My favorite character, known among players as that "fucking bitch"—double meaning intended.

"Draw your sword."

Yoo I-seol pointed her spear at my throat.

Her face lit up like she'd found an amusing new toy.

"..."

"Didn't you hear? Draw your sword."

I quietly raised both hands.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Yoo I-seol's face twisted.

She'd just seen me one-shot the boss-grade monster, yet here she was challenging me to a duel. It felt so stable and familiar.

"You! Think I'm a joke? Draw, I said!"

"..."

"You...! Just you wait...!"

Yoo I-seol glared at me once more, then stormed off somewhere.

'Same old taste.'

Seeing my favorite character in person felt fresh.

She shows her trash personality early on, so not many like her, but she's one of my top picks.

Late-game performance is strong, making her essential for trash builds like mine.

Without Yoo I-seol, the game doubles in difficulty.

Of course, tier-1 builds can drop her.

..

The academy's control room.

Ten heroes watched the holographic screens.

Screens showing the practical exam in real-time.

"This year's students are on a high level."

"Yeah."

They commented while watching the group at the exam center preparing to take down the artificial monster.

Unlike the others, it was enormous and far stronger.

A test within a test.

It gave the highest points, but skipping it was fine. Still, talented students with skill rarely passed it up.

[Hey! You there!]

Suddenly, a panicked voice burst from the hologram.

They'd secured position and were prepping the assault when someone approached the monster, took a stance, and cleaved it in two.

"?"

"Did I just see that wrong?"

The room buzzed.

And rightfully so—that monster wasn't something you one-shot.

"A genius, huh."

Kim In-cheol, Orbis Academy's swordsmanship instructor.

A 1st Grade Hero and one of Korea's top five swordsmen, murmured quietly.

"Doesn't seem interested in farming points."

"Probably thinks that's enough."

"A student without greed."

Practical exam points determined entrance ranking.

Higher rank meant more benefits from Orbis.

A system possible only in this strict meritocracy.

..

I carefully gripped the sword.

Zzt-!

A jolt like a powerful electric shock ran through me.

I probably can't draw the sword again today.

'This penalty is such bullshit.'