Chapter 11

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 11

Chapter Title: Exploration

-----------------------------------------------------------------

With that, the six of us stepped outside. Seo Yu-ju went without saying, but the rest of us kids had adapted somewhat too, so while we were still tense, it was definitely less so than at first.

The two who were venturing out of camp for the first time looked really nervous, their faces stiff. Spotting it, Seo Yu-ju tried to ease them with some words.

"No need to be too tense. Unless you're screaming in the middle of a monster horde, I can handle most situations."

"Haha... Thanks for saying that. Still, now that we're actually out of camp, I can't help but feel on edge."

"I get it, Tae-woo. How about you, Song Ha-eun?"

"...Y-Yes..."

This woman named Song Ha-eun seemed pretty timid.

'...Sure, timid can be frustrating, but it might actually work in my favor. Easy to build favor with.'

I needed to start working on her steadily from now on. Glancing at An Tae-woo, his eyes were fixed solely on Seo Yu-ju. He didn't seem to care about this girl at all.

To others who couldn't see status windows, she probably just looked timid and slow. But I knew better. I knew her value.

I wet my lips slightly and started chatting her up right away.

"No need to worry too much, Ha-eun. Everyone's nervous at first. I was, and so was everyone here."

"....Okay."

'...Yeah, super timid. No self-esteem either. How did she even muster the courage to sign up with that personality?'

"Huh, now that I think about it, I'm curious. What made you decide to join, Ha-eun?"

"Ah... S-Sorry. Was I not supposed to sign up...?"

'What is she even saying.'

"No, not at all. I just think it's impressive. Mustering courage in that situation isn't easy."

"....Not sure if you'll believe me, but... I don't know how to explain it... Sometimes something talks to me... It told me to raise my hand..."

The others started staring at Song Ha-eun like she was spouting nonsense. I seriously wondered for a moment if she was crazy, then suddenly remembered a trait from her status window. Something like this, I recalled.

'That "something's voice"... Is it connected to this?'

Unable to bear the stares, Song Ha-eun frantically tried to explain.

"D-Don't look at me like that. You don't think I'm crazy, right...? Really, sometimes a strange voice helps me... It even saved me at the starting point..."

Seo Yu-ju pondered Song Ha-eun's words thoughtfully. While everyone walked in silence, unsure what to say, I spoke to her.

"Of course I believe you, Ha-eun. Truth is... this world has powers and abilities we couldn't even imagine on Earth. Take me—I can do this..."

To show Song Ha-eun, I conjured a small black flame in my palm and held it out.

"I can use magic now, something unimaginable back on Earth."

An Tae-woo and Song Ha-eun's eyes went wide—it was their first time seeing magic. Song Ha-eun especially looked amazed.

"See? That voice you hear is probably your special ability."

"I hope so. Hehe..."

She seemed in a better mood, talking more comfortably now.

Suddenly, I felt eyes on me. Glancing over, Seo Yu-ju was sneaking peeks my way.

'What? No way... Is she bothered that I'm talking to Song Ha-eun?'

'Nah, that's overthinking it.'

This weird situation continued for about ten minutes—Seo Yu-ju peeking at me, me chatting with Song Ha-eun. Then, leading at the front, Seo Yu-ju signaled us to stop.

"Hold up. Everyone, quiet."

We all held our breath.

"I'll say it once quietly. Four monsters ahead. I'll kill one. Yun-seong, take one with magic. Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon, subdue one without killing it. Tae-woo and Ha-eun, handle the last one together. Doesn't matter who lands the kill."

We all nodded.

"I'll count down. Attack at zero. 3... 2... 1..."

"...0!"

The instant the count ended, she pierced a monster's throat with her spear in a flash.

I activated my prepared spell right away. The hit monster screamed as it burned.

"Kieeeek!"

Yu-hyeon readied a barrier just in case, while Yu-rim charged another.

Yu-rim had gotten used to daggers somewhat—she slashed its leg, toppling it.

'These monsters really are weak. Post-job change, one person could handle one no problem.'

Three of four down. We checked the last pair.

"Urgh... Damn it!"

An Tae-woo's spear thrust grazed the monster's side. It roared and lunged, claws swinging, but Song Ha-eun nicked its wrist with her dagger.

She looked shocked her swing actually cut it—probably luck.

"Krraaak!"

"Die, you bastard!"

Thwack!

Not used to spears yet, An Tae-woo's hit the shaft, not the blade, sending it tumbling. He rushed and smashed its face.

"Fuck! Die! Die, you crazy monster bastard!"

Losing it in his first fight, he kept stabbing the dead thing.

Tap.

"That's enough, Tae-woo. Good work, Ha-eun too. You two pulled it off nicely."

Seo Yu-ju grabbed his shoulder to calm him. Somewhat settled, An Tae-woo caught his breath.

"Hoo... Ha... Sorry for the pathetic show..."

"No, Tae-woo. Everyone's like that at first. You did great. Mind if I ask if a job selection popped up?"

"Ah... Yeah, I see the job selection."

Seo Yu-ju nodded and turned to Song Ha-eun.

"You need to job-change too, Ha-eun, so finish off the one Yu-rim and Yu-hyeon subdued."

"Okay..."

Song Ha-eun hesitated toward the downed monster, trembling at the thought of killing it.

She was taking too long—might take forever if left alone. I spoke up.

"Just think of it like squashing a bug. Hardest part's the first time—close your eyes tight and do it."

She squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the dagger hard.

Stab—

"...Well done. Everyone struggles with the first kill. No need to beat yourself up."

She looked self-loathing for struggling even on a subdued one, so I comforted her.

"Th-Thanks, Yun-seong."

"No big deal."

"Good work, both of you. If it's not too rude, could you share what jobs showed up?"

"Hm... Spearman, Swordsman, Thief for me."

"Uh... I only see one... Spirit Summoner."

Seo Yu-ju's eyes widened at "Spirit Summoner." Must be rare.

"Just my opinion, but Tae-woo, go Spearman. I use spear too, so I can help. Ha-eun, only one's on your list anyway, so pick it."

They chose—their bodies glowed with job-change light. I checked their status windows.

An Tae-woo's stats were like mine—below average, if I had to put it.

Song Ha-eun, though? Rare-grade job from the start.

Her traits were standout, but that Mana stat of 13 jumped out. Compared to the regressor's 19, 13 was monstrous at this stage.

'A real outlier from the starting line.'

Yu-hyeon's hero-grade ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠job was strong, but her higher Mana was noteworthy.

Ultimately, Yu-hyeon and this girl were must-haves in the regressor's party. Yu-rim had solid average stats and was Yu-hyeon's sister—auto-pass.

Me and An Tae-woo? Replaceable parts.

Small mercy: Seo Yu-ju and I apparently had some connection in Round 1. Still, no room for complacency.

'Gotta prove my worth somewhere beyond combat.'

People discard the useless anytime. A harsh truth I learned on Earth. No matter my skills or looks, only my sister stuck around.

Memories of Earth flooded in unbidden. Worried about sis alone there, but she's tough—she'd manage.

'Hope she's not too sad...'

Comparing myself to others sparked useless thoughts. Anyway, Earth memories were irrelevant now—shoved them aside.

Better outcome than expected, apparently. Seo Yu-ju nodded happily.

"Great. Now Tae-woo and Ha-eun have jobs, let's head to the west start point. Check on any survivors, and even if none, might have food left."

"Sounds good, Yu-ju."

"Alright. Moving out."