Chapter 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Tutorial (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ugh..."
I came to with a faint headache.
'Ugh... I didn't even drink last night, so why does my head... Huh?'
As I was thinking to myself, I realized with a jolt that this wasn't my house.
And it wasn't just that. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I was surrounded by strangers.
'What the hell...? What is this?'
It was the kind of situation that made me want to curse up a storm.
Yesterday, I'd finished work, come home, and eaten dinner with my sister. Now, suddenly, I was in some weird place packed with people I didn't know. What the fuck was going on?
Everyone else seemed just as confused, glancing around in bewilderment.
'...What the hell is happening? Kidnapped? What the fuck... Damn it.'
Something was seriously off. This place felt utterly alien.
The plaza itself was bizarre—walls, floor, and ceiling all blinding white.
My hands and feet trembled uncontrollably, my mind refusing to process it.
'It's not just me... Everyone else looks terrified too... Does no one know what's going on?'
As my thoughts raced, I started overhearing conversations.
"Wh-where are we? Does anyone... Does anyone know? What the hell..."
"I have no idea... What is this..."
My palms were slick with sweat from the sheer incomprehensibility of it all when a voice boomed across the plaza.
Welcome, everyone from Earth. We welcome you to the Tutorial of Eras.
"What?! What kind of crazy bullshit is that! Earth? Is this a hidden camera prank?"
"You kidnap us and now it's a 'tutorial'? What the hell does that mean?! And from Earth...? What...!"
I could understand the shouts. The voice had just said we were from Earth, which felt all kinds of wrong.
'Fuck... This isn't Earth? What the hell?'
"Haha... You've got the wrong people. I'm Representative Ha Seung-won! Where's your boss?!"
I am not here to answer your questions. I understand your confusion and fear in this sudden situation, but panic and terror will not aid your survival here.
Faces paled in real time.
The word "survival" hit home—not everyone, but most realized this was no joke.
'Crazy... Fuck, fuck! What the hell is this? Eras? Tutorial?'
I knew I needed to think calmly, but my mind wouldn't cooperate.
'Fuck, it said survival. That it wouldn't help survival... Does that mean our lives are at stake?'
Men's yells, women's sobs—the plaza descended into chaos.
"What are you even saying... Send us home! Please... Sob... Please send us back...!"
"Fuck, stop screwing around! Where's the person in charge?! Show your faces, you cowards! Get out here and explain!"
The Tutorial will begin shortly. Pass it, and you earn the right to live in Eras. Fail, and you die. I will now provide a brief explanation of the Tutorial.
'Damn it... Fail means death? Gotta pay attention.'
I wasn't usually one for cursing this much, but the situation demanded it.
I ignored my pounding heart and strained to listen. Fail meant death, so info first.
You should see one large door and four small ones where you are. The four small doors contain food and weapons you will need. There are enough weapons for each of you to take at least one, and ample food and water. Take what you need.
'Weapons? Food makes sense, but weapons?'
Soon, monsters unknown to Earth will enter through the large door. You may fight or flee. The choice is yours. Choose wisely.
'Fuck, no way to run with that setup...! Only one big door in or out...! And monsters?'
Earth thinking will lead to death here. You are all special. Each of you has a Unique Trait. Think or say 'Status Window' to view yours.
Someone muttered it.
"St-Status Window!"
"Gah! What is this!"
"Status Window!"
People collapsed in shock or stared into space.
'Status Window.'
Scout (Grade measuring) - View and store others' Status Windows. May be detected by opponent's traits or abilities. Higher grades unlock more functions.
"Ha..."
The floating window looked just like a game screen. Only difference was, this was real...
As I sorted my thoughts, the voice returned.
Your growth direction via the Status Window will determine your survival odds. Jobs and Unique Traits are graded Common, Rare, Heroic, Legendary, Mythic. Higher grades mean better stat growth and limits. Titles are earned through continental activities. Unique Traits are personal, based on your characteristics.
"......"
The info kept coming, but it was too much too fast to focus.
Stats grow with effort, but have personal limits. Excluding Mana and Luck, adult male Earth average is 10.
'Fuck... I wasn't big on exercise, but below average except Agility?'
I'd check mine later. Better scout others first. Starting with the guy next to me and the sibling-like students.
None
'This guy's stats are better than mine, but no Unique Trait. Not everyone has one?'
Apparently not.
Quick Reflexes (Grade measuring) - Agility permanently +3.
'This girl's got one. Student type, but her stats beat mine?'
I was a bit scrawny, but worse than a girl?
Guidance of the Faded Light God (Grade measuring) - A once-radiant light god favored you.
'What? Mana 3? Some start with Mana? And what's Guidance of the Faded Light God?'
No clue what Mana did, but I'd assumed zero start since ours were.
'Fuck, and Luck 20?'
That covers the basics. The Tutorial's goal is survival and conquest. Good luck passing it.
Rumble—!
The massive door groaned open, snapping me out of it.
'Shit! Weapons! Grab weapons now!'
As the announcement ended, the big door swung wide. Monsters from there—grab gear fast.
Others had the same idea; crowds surged toward supply rooms.
"Move! I picked this!"
"Hey! Don't push! Don't take all the water!"
Chaos. I slung on a bag, grabbed water and food.
Weapons next: swords—nope, couldn't use them. Spears okay but awkward with shield...
I dashed for a club and small shield.
Club: swing away. Shield: no experience, but better than nothing for defense.
Weapons galore: swords, spears, bows, clubs, shields, daggers, axes.
Most grabbed swords, spears, clubs. Some shields too, like me.
Bows rare—tricky, and arrows finite.
Monster roars echoed from outside. Unheard before, terror gripped us all.
Only exit: the monster entrance. No escape.
"Fuck! Fuck! You crazy bastards! Dragging us here for this shit...!"
"Save me... God, please... Mom...!"
"Everyone, stay calm! Grab weapons! It's a tutorial, can't be too hard! Calm down!"
Panic, rage, calming voices—plaza pandemonium. Even the calmers shook with fear.
'Fuck...!'
Trembling club grip from dread—then a piercing shriek.
"Kieeeek—!"
The door fully open, red, humanoid monsters waist-high to a man poured in.
"Aaaah! Fuuuuck! What is that! Haaaa!"
"Save me, save me—!"
"Keeek!"
Horror froze us; no real fight, just slaughter. I froze too.
'This... this...'
Monsters killed, then ripped guts out with claws to devour on-site.
"R-run... Run!"
Most fled without fighting, through the monster door.
Luckily, monsters feasted first, letting some escape in the gap.
'M-move! Gotta move!'
I'd thought tutorial meant manageable. Idiot.
I bolted for the gap—
Grab!
"Huh?"
Something clutched my leg.
"S-save... Save me! Don't leave me...! M-my leg, my leg...! Sob... Take me with you...!"
A woman, leg mangled like eaten, clung desperately.
'Fuck... Think realistically. She's done... Supplies but no meds. Gotta leave her.'
Had to. Barely surviving myself, impossible with her.
Intact limbs? Arm injury? Maybe. Leg? No chance.
"S-sorry! Sorry!"
I shook her off and ran. Hell everywhere. Blood, screams.
"No... Don't leave me... Sob... Aaa...!!!"
I burst out into forest. Inside, unevacuated screams as monster chow. But worse:
It was night. Not day.