Chapter 24

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 24

Chapter Title: Targeted From the First Day of Training (1)

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"Yu-hyeon-ah, did you write it down okay?"

"Yeah, hyung! I just wrote down the job name as it was and turned it in!"

We were submitting the forms where we'd written down our jobs and personal info, following the guide's instructions.

I didn't have much to hide except for my Scout trait, so I'd just written Black Sorcerer and turned it in.

'No way being a Black Sorcerer causes any disadvantages, right...'

To be honest, it'd feel unfair if there were. There'd been no plain Mage option—just Black Sorcerer.

One of the guides approached us.

"Once you've all submitted, please have a seat and wait a moment. We'll soon guide you on where to go based on your job classes."

"Got it."

We sat down and chatted with Yu-hyeon for a bit when Kang I-seo came over to us.

"You guys write yours okay? I just put Archer and bounced. Should be fine, right?"

"Probably. I just wrote Black Sorcerer too."

"I only wrote my job too."

"Fuck, this is tense..."

"It's just the first day of training—what could go wrong? Don't worry too much. Honestly, the real worry is those free riders from the Tutorial who didn't fight monsters."

"Yeah, true..."

Looking around, everyone else's faces looked grim. Sure, a few others besides us must've gotten jobs, but most hadn't fought monsters, so they were jobless.

I grabbed a passing guide with a question.

"Excuse me, mind if I ask something?"

"Ah... sure. What's on your mind?"

"Well... I get that those with jobs get training based on their class, but what about those without?"

"Oh, right—we didn't mention that. Folks without jobs will be gathered separately and class-changed."

'...How do they even class-change them?'

"Is... that possible?"

"Yes. Your initial class-up is called first class-change, and it can be done artificially. We have artifacts here in the facility for it."

'What? So you don't even need to fight monsters to class up?'

He read my expression and continued in a knowing tone.

"Haha... but of course, it won't be the same as yours. When you class-changed, your stats went up, right?"

"...Yeah."

'No way.'

"Artificially forcing a class like theirs skips the stat boost. In other words, there's a huge gap between you and them."

If he was right, hunting monsters for a natural class-up was way better.

No need to explain how precious even 1 stat point was after peeking at top players' status windows.

Meaning those guys were starting way behind us—in experience and stats.

"That's not all. Rare cases exist where people awaken a class without killing monsters or artifacts. We call it 'awakening.'"

'...Exactly what happened with Yu-hyeon.'

"Classes from awakening often outperform normal ones. We think it triggers from extreme crisis or desperation, but artifact classes skip that chance."

"I see."

"Not that it matters much—actual awakenings are under 0.1%."

His point: awakening chances didn't apply to them anyway. Stats said they'd never trigger it.

I lowered my voice cautiously.

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"...If someone reveals they awakened their class, any downsides?"

"...Did you awaken?"

His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared.

"......"

I didn't answer.

Sensing my reluctance, he spoke up.

"Well... no penalties for revealing. But if you or your party awakened, my advice: only tell the clan you're joining once accepted."

"...Why?"

"No official downsides, but rival clans might target you."

Made sense. Yu-hyeon's clan would welcome it, but rivals might not.

"Or leak it subtly for offers if needed. But reveal only after you're safe in a clan."

Grateful for his detail—no obligation.

'...Or maybe he wants to impress us.'

We looked like a high-potential party to him.

'We will rise high—got a Regressor, after all.'

"Thanks for the thorough info. Good karma coming your way."

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"Haha... just doing my job."

I turned to Yu-hyeon and I-seo.

"Yu-hyeon-ah, I-seo."

"Yeah?"

"What's up?"

"...Yu-hyeon getting a class without killing monsters? Keep it secret. Don't tell anyone. Got it, Yu-hyeon?"

"Yeah, hyung."

"Wait, he got a class without kills?! How the—"

"Sh... you idiot!"

My mistake. Forgot I-seo joined after Yu-hyeon's class-up.

I clamped her mouth shut.

"Mmph... mmph!"

"Quiet, you crazy girl!"

I released her.

"...Pha! ...Fine."

"...What are you two doing?"

We turned. Seo Yu-ju stood there, eyeing us weirdly.

"Ah... nothing."

"...?"

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Soon, guides handed out papers to everyone, including our group.

"This paper shows your classroom location. No paper? You're jobless—wait here."

Our papers had maps to classrooms. Some shared, some not.

"Those with maps, head to your rooms. Be there in 20 minutes."

Seo Yu-ju spoke up.

"Looks like classrooms by class group. Tae-woo and I are together. We'll head out."

"Sure, Yu-ju."

I was with Song Ha-eun and Yu-hyeon—probably mana-focused classes.

"Let's go then?"

We arrived at the classroom. Five others besides us three.

"Yun-seong oppa, low numbers..."

"Mana-main classes, probably."

Jobless folks classing via artifacts would join later—some Mages among them.

We sat and waited about 10 minutes. A woman entered—likely instructor.

Striking: long silver hair, stunning looks.

I checked her status.

'...Fuck.'

One thought hit me from her status.

'We're screwed.'

Nothing else registered. Just her titles and traits.

'Demon Hater...'

Not sure if it extended to Black Sorcerers, but she sure didn't seem to like them.

Ha Yu-ri spoke in a cold voice.

"...Everyone's here, so let's start. First, confirm your jobs again."

She flipped through papers, eyes lighting up suddenly.

"...A Black Sorcerer?"

'Shit...'

Her chilling gaze fixed on me.

"Any special reason you picked Black Sorcerer?"

"...No Mage option—just Black Sorcerer. Had to."

Emphasized the "had to."

'Come on, no hazing newbies over Black Sorcerer, right?'

Her response shattered me.

"No Mage, only Black Sorcerer? Means your heart's wicked—high chance."

'...What? You crazy bitch saying what?'

"Any evil deeds in Tutorial? Must be why it recommended Black Sorcerer."

I gaped, stunned. Never expected this from a stranger—newbie no less.

Yu-hyeon and Ha-eun beside me sensed the vibe, glancing nervously.

"....... I did nothing wrong. Just... cleared the dungeon."

She didn't buy it. Her look at me vs. others? Night and day.

She scanned more, eyes widening at Song Ha-eun.

"...A Spirit Summoner?"

"Y-yes..."

'...Fucking bitch.'

Her face softened completely toward Ha-eun.

"Spirit Summoners need pure hearts. Spirits liking you proves yours is spotless."

Ha-eun eyed me anxiously before replying.

"Th-thank you..."

"And... unbelievable... a Priest? Hero... grade even..."

She stared at Yu-hyeon in awe.

"How...? Hero grade from the start...?"

Seemed starting Hero grade was insanely rare.

She checked the rest.

"Great. Perfect except one. Black Sorcerer... follow my lessons well. If you can."

"......."

I seriously wanted to kill her.