Chapter 22

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 22

Chapter Title: Training Facility (3)

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After roughly taking seats in the front row with our group, I casually glanced around.

'...We're in the very front.'

Even though others had arrived first, they'd left the front row empty. It seemed like it was reserved for those who'd cleared the dungeon.

'Well, makes sense. The people up top must be interested in the clearing team too.'

A little time passed with us seated, and then Kang Sung-jun stepped up to the podium and began to speak.

"Welcome, new recruits. I'm Kang Sung-jun, the Chief Instructor of this Training Facility."

Everyone except our group looked up at the podium with uneasy eyes.

They must have sensed something was off by now—having cleared the Tutorial only to be brought here instead of back to Earth.

'...Idiots.'

The guide had said it from the start. Clearing it would grant the right to live in a place called Eras.

The guide never once mentioned sending anyone back to Earth.

'People always find hope even in misfortune.'

That's just how humans are. I had no intention of blaming them. In a way, it was natural. But these thoughts stayed firmly in my mind.

'They just can't accept that they won't be going home.'

"First off, let me address one thing. I understand your anxiety, but to be direct: you cannot return to Earth."

As expected. The others looked utterly shocked at Kang Sung-jun's words.

"Hic... Hnngh..."

"Fuck... Fuck...!"

Some sobbed quietly, others swallowed their rage with muttered curses. Various reactions played out.

"You will all undergo three months of training here. Note that it's not mandatory. However... this is advice: I strongly recommend you take it."

One woman raised her hand to ask a question.

"Um... is there a reason why?"

"...Let me put it simply. The survival rate for new recruits who skip training has been zero percent so far."

The mention of survival rates turned everyone's faces pale—even our group, except Seo Yu-ju.

"Whoa... Fuck, we gotta do the training no matter what."

Kang I-seo muttered quietly, but Kang Sung-jun caught it and responded.

"Exactly. If you want to live, I recommend taking the training without fail."

Kang I-seo flushed bright red, embarrassed that the Chief Instructor had overheard her self-talk.

"Ahem, ahem..."

"Now, why does training improve survival rates? Because you'll learn the basic knowledge needed to survive here. Things like understanding clans, the traits of each nation, expeditions, Status Windows, and more—endless topics."

"Beyond me, there are various instructors here. Allow me to introduce a few."

As Kang Sung-jun spoke, several people ascended the podium.

'...This world's powerhouses.'

Checking their Status Windows one by one, they were ridiculously strong. Some matched Kang Sung-jun's level.

A few were slightly lower, but none could be dismissed. These were the real powers of the Eras continent.

That's when I opened ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Status Window of the woman with black tied-back hair, wearing a martial arts uniform and gauntlets.

- Crackle

"Ugh...!"

Suddenly, a stinging pain like electricity shot through my eyes and head.

'F-Fucking insane...!'

Cold sweat dripped down my back. I couldn't even process her Status Window. It was my first time being detected, and I couldn't calm down.

I hurriedly bowed my head and stole a glance at her. She was looking right at me with a chilling smile.

'...Fuck! What... what do I do?'

Kang Sung-jun was saying something, but it didn't register. I scrambled for countermeasures.

'If that woman... tries to kill me, can I stop her?'

Absolutely not.

Even if Seo Yu-ju blocked for me, the stat gap was overwhelming. No chance.

'Fuck... Okay... just calm down. There's still time. Fuck, calm the hell down...!'

My body wouldn't listen.

As cold sweat poured in this unforeseen crisis, suddenly her voice echoed in my head.

'Fuck, what's this now...?'

'Fuck, fuck!'

I never imagined things would go to shit right after the Tutorial ended.

"......"

No choice. Following her was the only immediate option.

I glanced at her and gave a tiny nod.

She didn't speak into my head after that.

Kang Sung-jun's speech continued.

"Anyway, the instructors I've introduced will teach based on your classes."

"......"

"Follow the training well, and it'll be a huge help. Including me, everyone here... well, it's immodest to say, but we're among the top powerhouses in this world."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. They couldn't grasp why such figures were training them.

'From their view, it's scouting raw gems firsthand. Not a bad deal for them either.'

"Also, let me explain clans. A clan is a martial force group, made up entirely of otherworlders like us. Baronia has them, and so do other nations."

If other countries had clans as Kang Sung-jun said, there must be countless ones.

Standing out among them was like being a globally known megacorp on Earth.

"Depending on what abilities you show here, you may or may not receive offers from clans."

A bespectacled man raised his hand.

"Uh... what if we don't get any?"

"...Complete the three months safely, and you'll get a modest sum. Form a party, go solo—do what you want."

Brutally harsh words. No clan offer meant being tossed out penniless and under-equipped.

The questioner and others finally grasped their reality, faces draining of color.

"Ah, um, th-then... is there no... like, welfare for joining clans separately...?"

"No. In this world of Eras, you survive on your own. You can apply to clans without an offer, but they charge a fee, so think carefully."

Spot on. Fresh arrivals had no money. Rash applications would leave you broke and starving on the streets.

"In summary: train here for three months, get clan offers based on performance. At the end, accept or decline offers if received; otherwise, you're on your own."

The hall fell deathly silent under the weight of reality. This ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wasn't some Earth college or job interview.

"That's the end of the speech. Dungeon clearers, stay in the nice dorms. Others, guides will assign yours. Rest today; training starts tomorrow. Dismissed."

The others eyed our front-row group with envy.

'...Should've done something in the Tutorial then.'

Regret always comes too late.

Kang Sung-jun and the instructors descended, but no applause rose amid the shock.

After about three minutes, Seo Yu-ju spoke.

"Then let's head to the dorms."

"Yes."

As the group followed her, I spoke up.

"Hey, Yu-ju?"

"Yes? Something wrong, Yun-seong?"

"I... have somewhere to go briefly. You all go ahead to the dorms; I'll join soon."

"Okay... Huh? Where...? Yun-seong? Yun-seong!"

I finished speaking and bolted toward the place she'd mentioned. Seo Yu-ju called after me, but I ignored it.

I had no confidence explaining this mess to her.

Before long, I stood before room 304 as she'd said.

'Goddamn it...'

I wanted to bolt even now. Opening this door meant facing a powerhouse beyond me—one-on-one.

As I fidgeted in front of the door for minutes, it creaked open on its own.

'.....Fuck, guess that's an invitation?'

Finally, I stepped one foot inside.