Chapter 37

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

Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 37

Chapter Title: Graduation Ceremony

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

Graduation day had arrived.

All the trainees had gathered in the auditorium. Our party simply felt like the moment had finally come, but most of the other trainees sat there with anxious expressions on their faces.

'That's because they have nowhere to go after graduation.'

Most of them wouldn't have anywhere to go.

It would be fortunate if they received offers from mid-sized clans, but those who only got offers from obscure clans they'd never heard of—or no offers at all—must be feeling extremely on edge right now.

After graduation, their time at the Training Facility would probably feel like paradise in retrospect. Most of them would soon be worrying about where their next meal and bed were coming from.

A little while later, Kang Sung-jun appeared on the platform.

"Greetings, trainees. Three months at the Training Facility have already passed. From now on, you'll live as proper players, not just trainees."

"I've already taught you the basic knowledge needed to survive in this world, so I don't think there's any need to go over that again. Instead, let's talk about something else."

At the mention of "something else," the trainees began focusing intently on Kang Sung-jun's words.

"Whether you're operating in a party or joining a clan, you'll inevitably have to go on expeditions. Whether it's a large-scale one or a small one."

I had a lot of questions about expeditions myself, so I listened closely to what he said.

"Expeditions are never easy. They're dangerous because they put your life on the line. That's why many individuals or parties avoid them altogether."

That went ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠without saying. Clans would send new recruits on expeditions suited to their level, but individuals or parties had no such luxury.

"So many people skip expeditions, fail to build their strength, run out of money, and end up on the streets. Some settle in slums or even become outlaws. A huge number of cases fall into this category."

Most of the people here would probably end up that way.

"What I want to say is... don't fear expeditions. If you fear expeditions and avoid action on this continent, you won't achieve anything—not even the basics of survival."

"If you're truly scared of going on expeditions... large or mid-sized clans often hire laborers, so at least do odd jobs. You have to contribute to society. Otherwise, death is all that's left."

Those who hadn't received clan offers began trembling uncontrollably as the reality hit them.

"Also... as I mentioned several times during training, this continent has outlaws. People like us from another world."

'People who target fellow humans instead of fighting monsters or going on expeditions—killing them and stealing their possessions.'

"Call them outlaws or criminals, whatever you like—but I'll call them outlaws. My advice: never associate with them."

"......"

"You all need to be especially careful. They often target newbies like you."

From what I'd heard, there were even clans made up entirely of these outlaws or criminals.

And sure enough, Kang Sung-jun began explaining it.

"There are clans formed by these outlaws. They usually operate outside cities, sometimes even in monster territories."

"Most of these criminal groups are weaker than the major city clans... except for one. An extremely dangerous criminal organization. The problem is, we haven't fully identified it yet. We know it exists, but we don't even know its name or leader."

The revelation that even the Incarnation Clan master only knew of its existence shook all the trainees.

I was no exception.

'...Even Kang Sung-jun doesn't know much about it?'

Kang Sung-jun was one of the top powerhouses in this world, the master of one of the three great clans.

If he hadn't grasped it fully, the odds were high that the other major clans hadn't either.

A group he called extremely dangerous was likely composed of outlaws with power rivaling top-tier players.

I glanced at Seo Yu-ju, whose expression was incredibly complicated.

'...Does she know something?'

As a regressor, Seo Yu-ju probably had some knowledge of it. Regardless, something must have driven her to regress, and this criminal group was likely to be a major obstacle in her path.

"And I'll give you one firm warning."

Everyone's attention snapped to him at the word "warning."

"Never become an outlaw. Outlaws aren't treated as people on this continent. They're subject to summary execution on sight, and with bounties on their heads, they can't even operate in cities."

His emphatic words overwhelmed everyone.

"Outlaws are unforgivable scum. If any of you become one and cross my path..."

Gulp.

Someone swallowed hard.

"You'll regret being alive."

For what felt like tens of seconds, the atmosphere was so heavy no one dared breathe. Then Kang Sung-jun relaxed his expression and spoke.

"Ahem... anyway, that's all I wanted to say. I'll take a few questions before wrapping up the graduation. Feel free to ask if you have any."

A few people, realizing this was their last chance now that they were no longer trainees, raised their hands.

"I have a question about what you said on outlaws. You mentioned they target newbies like us—do you know how they do it?"

A good question. The asker was a guy about my age. He seemed sharp and likely to survive a while.

Curious, I opened his status window.

'...Ha. There's a guy like this?'

He must have been in different classes, so our paths never crossed.

Seo Yu-ju aside as a regressor, this guy had top-tier talent. He'd surely gotten offers from major clans, at least mid-sized ones.

Kang Sung-jun's eyes lit up as he answered, clearly recognizing the guy's potential.

"Good question. They don't usually go after people openly. Say you're heading to a dungeon for an expedition. They'll pretend to be victims or ambush you secretly."

"Pretend how...?"

"They'll claim they're being chased, or that their party died in the dungeon and they're the sole survivor—making excuses to beg for help and stir sympathy."

"......"

"Newbies haven't shaken off Earth's bad habits yet, so they fall for it easily. They strike when you approach to help or when you're asleep."

"Are there other methods?"

"Of course. There are many, but explaining them all would take too long, so I'll stop here."

"......"

"Anyway, what I mean is... outlaws target newbies in all sorts of ways. Be maximally suspicious of strangers."

This time, a woman raised her hand.

"Um... c-could we maybe retake the training? At the Training Facility again...?"

'...She'll die soon.'

Probably no offers. Her status window confirmed she was nothing special.

Kang Sung-jun frowned subtly for a split second before answering impassively.

"Impossible."

"Ah..."

Another woman quickly raised her hand.

"I heard this Training Facility opens whenever new otherworlders arrive on the continent. So, how often do newbies usually come in?"

"Usually once a year. Sometimes it takes two years."

"Uh... is there a rule for every two years?"

"No. The tutorial itself happens every year. But the Training Facility only opens in one case."

"...?"

"If no one clears the tutorial, there's no Training Facility that year."

'Whoa... so sometimes no one clears it?'

This was news to me. But it made sense upon reflection.

Even we had felt the tutorial's difficulty was abnormal while clearing it.

The crowd looked shocked at the idea that sometimes no one cleared the tutorial.

"Normally... the average clear time for the tutorial is 40 to 50 days. You cleared it exceptionally fast. Usually, even the quickest takes at least a month. I've never seen over two months."

Now I understood why everyone had been so surprised by our party three months ago. Clearing in under a month when the average was that high warranted their reaction.

"Anyway, if there are no more questions, we'll end the graduation ceremony. Congratulations on successfully completing the Training Facility."

As applause rang out, Kang Sung-jun stepped down, and various clan representatives came to pick up their recruits.

It was so crowded and noisy.

As we waited a bit, the Eternity Clan master approached us with a greeting.

She had striking blonde hair and gave off the vibe of a mature, ripe beauty—we'd seen her once before.

"Nice to meet you, little chicks. Welcome to my clan. You won't regret choosing Eternity Clan."

I opened her status window.

'Strong.'

As expected of one of the three great clans' masters. On par with Kang Sung-jun and Yoon Yeon.

My companions and I greeted her. She beamed with joy at recruiting us and spoke up.

"Our clan house is in the city of Runde, a bit away from here, so I'll guide you there."