Chapter 27

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: Pathetic Stats

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Two months had passed since we began our training.

By now, almost everyone in our group had received offers from clans. Most had gotten offers from multiple clans, of course. As for me, the only offer I'd received so far was from Mythos Clan.

'Shit...'

These were pathetically low stats for someone who'd been training for over two months.

I'd attended classes diligently enough, but after about two months, the instructors seemed to realize I was an empty shell.

They didn't outright ignore me or treat me rudely, but their attitude toward me was definitely different from how they treated the others in our group.

Just how pathetic my stats were became clear when compared to the rest of the party's status windows.

Seo Yu-ju was on a whole different level from the start, so she'd be the exception.

Forget the others—even compared to Cha Hyun-jin, the swordsman, my mana stat as a dark sorcerer was only 2 points higher. That meant my talent was complete garbage.

The only one with stats close to mine was An Tae-woo, but honestly, in the same party, his poor stats didn't benefit me at all.

An Tae-woo seemed to have realized his own lack of talent lately; his expression was always dark these days.

'Shit... The others have gotten offers from multiple clans... and I've only got one...'

Even that one offer wasn't because they valued my talent—it was some vague "gut feeling" or whatever.

I was sweating bullets, but An Tae-woo probably had it worse. As far as I knew, he hadn't gotten a single offer yet.

It was only natural that invisible hierarchies formed among the trainees. Surprisingly, even among those who'd gotten combat jobs via artifacts, a tiny few had real talent.

But most people lacked talent, and the talented ones looked down on the untalented.

'...Lucky we're in the raid team.'

An Tae-woo and I were safe because we were on the raid team—no one messed with us. But for the other talentless ones, this place was hell.

The funny thing was, in a month, this situation would feel like heaven.

Those who chose production jobs like jewel appraisers, item appraisers, alchemists, blacksmiths, or support roles were somewhat better off. They wouldn't get great treatment since they'd scaled back their ambitions, but at least they'd be treated like people.

The real problem was those who'd overestimated their talent, picked combat jobs via artifacts, and missed out on the job-change stat boost.

They'd probably end up discarded on the streets or monster bait in a month.

Lately, Ha Yu-ri's lectures were an issue too.

Whether she was drunk on the idea that her eyes hadn't failed her, her bullying of me only got worse.

Yu-hyeon and Ha-eun couldn't stand it and gently confronted her, but that crazy bitch wasn't about to listen. Instead, she ignored me right there and offered them clan spots.

Of course, they just said they'd think about it, but after class, their faces twisted like vengeful spirits as they trashed Ha Yu-ri.

Seeing that side of them for the first time actually scared me a bit.

'That bitch... She thinks she can bully me? Fine. But my kids aren't joining your clan.'

It was only natural I'd worked on them in advance to secure my position. My party members couldn't imagine a party without me. They were affectionate like that from the start.

That's why, even though I was sweating bullets, I wasn't too worried— I believed they wouldn't abandon me.

'Shit... After all the groundwork I've laid, no way they'd ditch me...'

Even if not the others, Seo Yu-ju absolutely wouldn't abandon me. And lately, her condition seemed off.

Whenever she ran into Ha Yu-ri, it felt like she'd snap, so now it was routine for me to hold her back.

'Whew... Anyway, one month left. We'll see how it goes.'

As I sat in the dorm, head hurting while sorting my thoughts, Seo Yu-ju spoke up from beside me—I hadn't even noticed her arrive.

"...Yun-seong. You okay?"

"Ah... Yeah. Just thinking for a bit."

"...Can I ask what about?"

"Oh, I was thinking about what'll happen to our party in a month. Some of you got clan offers, so it's complicated, haha."

"...Don't worry. I'll make sure our party stays together."

"Don't push yourself too hard alone, Yu-ju."

"Is that something you should say? You're the one pushing yourself alone... Th-that... today... that bi— I mean, Instructor Ha Yu-ri, how was she?"

"Hahaha... She treated me well. Seems like she acknowledges my hard work."

"...Liar."

'Shit... Is my lying that obvious?'

It was weird. Lying and deceiving people was something I was great at, but strangely, my party members always saw right through it.

"What do you mean liar? It's true. I felt great today—like I was finally being recognized."

"...Yun-seong, you need to work on your lying skills. You're terrible at it."

'...Who's calling who bad at lying?'

She was the one whose face gave everything away when she lied. Hearing that from Seo Yu-ju was ridiculous.

"..."

"Pfft."

"...Why are you laughing?"

"No, your face just now was hilarious. It was like, 'Who are you to say that?' You looked so dumbfounded. Puhuhu..."

...'That's exactly what I was thinking.'

"Anyway, don't worry about a thing, Yun-seong. Just trust me. I'll handle everything~."

"Sigh, fine."

"Huh? What's with that reaction? You don't trust me? Hmm... Looks like you need more faith in me. Big sis will take care of it all."

"...Why big sis all of a sudden?"

"I'm a year older than you. How about calling me noona from now on? Hehe."

"...No thanks. Yu-ju is fine."

"Aww, you're embarrassed. Your face is red. Puh!"

"...It's not. You're imagining things, Yu-ju."