Neuron Interface
Neuron Interface. After developer Choi Hyuk-su invented the third-generation nano network, Blade Corporation built upon it to create the pinnacle of reality processors: the 'Neuron'. Virtual reality worlds thereafter opened new chapters of boundless advancement.
At first, like all the games released before it, corporations and entertainment companies dismissed Dimension World as just another title. But players who experienced the Neuron Interface were so enthralled it was like beholding a new world, and Dimension World exploded into a cultural phenomenon—a world unto itself.
Dimension World became a new axis of life. Naturally, people's focus shifted to how they could play better. The first hypothesis was, 'Do real-world stats influence the game?' This stemmed from the fact that many top warrior-class players were athletes, fighters, boxers, and martial artists—people accustomed to physical exertion. Gyms and fitness crazes swept through for a time because of it.
But as time passed, people posed new questions. 'In the capsule where you're not physically moving, does real-world physical ability really help?' Warriors aside, mages didn't achieve greater heights just from high intelligence. Unless you cranked down the sync rate to 1 and used auto-mode, you had to manually hurl spells at targets. Hitting a target with a thrown object is never easy—especially in life-or-death combat.
In that sense, when Dimension World first launched, the mage class was one players avoided. But as research progressed, experts offered fresh analysis: 'The Neuron Interface centers on sensation. But this sensation is primarily mental, not physical.'
Athletes and fighters excel in combat classes not because of their bodies, but due to cognitive development from training. In other words, Dimension World—played purely through mental faculties rather than physical action—is more influenced by brain development than bodily prowess.
The most celebrated training for cognitive growth: Image Training. In-game sensory growth comes through the brain's imagination, not physical motion. Thus, mental imagery alone could sharpen senses sufficiently. To maximize this, a new craze called Neuron Study took hold.
The principle was simple. It enhanced traditional image training—practicing mental visuals—by making experiences clearer and more vivid in a hypnagogic state.
"……!!!"
The man who had deftly blocked Snow Bolts with his fists moments ago crumpled from my single strike, leaving everyone stunned.
"H-how in one hit……?"
"You…… who the hell are you."
"This bastard……!!!"
The remaining players charged at me the instant they saw their comrade fall.
Buuuung—!!!
The massive greatsword hurtling toward me seemed unusually slow today. A faint smile tugged at my lips.
Ever since logging into Dimension World, I'd unknowingly repeated the same dream. At first, I had no explanation for the anomaly. I still couldn't fully rationalize it, but one thing was certain: dreams were a form of imagery. The decades of combat I'd endured there equaled unparalleled image training.
Each dream life spanned about 30 years. 'Dreaming it over ten times meant reliving the world's end and my death that many times—a shitty ordeal. Ironically, it gifted me over 300 years of experience.'
Buuuung—!!!
I sidestepped the diagonally slashing greatsword and smashed my blade into the wielder's wrist with all my strength. The [Beginner's One-Handed Sword] given at character creation didn't pack much punch.
"Gaaahhh!!"
Regrettably, unlike the previous guy's neck, the wrist didn't sever cleanly.
Clang……!! Thud!!
With a scream of agony, he dropped his greatsword. Without hesitation, I scooped it up and swung it horizontally with full force.
"Hup……!"
The heavy blade cleaved the air, forcing the others to scramble back.
Players aren't monsters. No fixed patterns—just split-second brawls. 'Workshop scrubs who've only fought beginner-zone mobs won't know proper PK.'
Arena veterans might at least scrap evenly, but these stab-and-slash amateurs? Laughable.
"How is this possible……."
"That guy's definitely…… holding a beginner sword, right? Fresh character, not even job-changed?"
"……We just got smoked by a level 1 in seconds."
"We're over level 10……?!"
I couldn't help smirking at their disbelieving shouts. True enough, my character was level 1. Level 10 outstats level 1. As a Novice without a job change, lacking skills meant raw stats dominated.
But.
'An even starker gap exists.'
Swordsmanship Lv10. Skill levels roughly quintuple character level. Mine equated to a level 50 character's proficiency.
Of course, at level 1, my low stats prevented full level 50 performance. That's why I couldn't lop off that greatsword warrior's wrist cleanly.
Still, no way I'd lose to level 10 scrubs. 'A pearl around a pig's neck for now. Gotta level up to unleash skill potential properly.'
Yet their attacks felt sloppy as hell. Was it the changed world? Or wielding a sword instead of a staff? Despite being a game, it felt like my dream battlefield.
'I can do this.'
Taat—!!
Decide, then move—no hesitation. That was my arena and dream-honed way of war.
Chaeng!! Chaechaeng! Chaeng!!!
Metal clashed as I dove at one of the remaining three.
"Guhk……!"
He blocked my first three strikes, but my sword plunged into his waist.
"Y-you bastard!!!"
The one behind me raised his sword overhead.
Woooong……!!
A faint glow enveloped the blade.
'Smashing.' I glanced at the familiar skill.
'One made it through the Warrior's Tomb, huh. Can use basic warrior skills, so yeah—level 10 clears it.'
Not impressive. First skill post-job change? Just amps a regular overhead smash. Auto-target boosts accuracy over basics, but no 100% hit guarantee—always watch for misses.
'Whiff, and it's wasted stamina.'
Kwaaaang—!!
The blade slammed the ground with a thunderous boom.
"Hahk, hahk……."
Impressive power, but as he panted from one skill use, I lightly stabbed his back.
Skang—!!
The last survivor stared in terror as the sword yanked free from his ally.
"G-get away……!!"
His swordtip trembled at me. I strode forward without qualm.
Step- step- step-
He'd lost the will to fight. He glanced desperately toward the village entrance.
In a metropolis, guards would've swarmed by now. But this was different. The Northern Plateau—tribal lands where might trumped law. Locals, no—NPCs—were fiercer than anyone.
"Whiii—!! Whi!!"
"Not bad?"
"Hey, last guy! What're you doing? Drew your sword—fight! Don't backpedal!"
The gathering tribesfolk egged on the fight. I smirked at the sight.
Villages were the game's sole safe zones. What NPCs cheer player brawls?
"D-damn it!!!"
Caught in the frenzy, the last one charged with sword raised.
Chaaang—!!
I twisted aside like a matador dodging a bull.
"Kuhk!!"
As momentum betrayed him and he tumbled forward, I stabbed his shoulder. He screamed in pain; HP plummeted, vision likely tinting red, though not fatal.
"Hup……!!"
I drew a deep breath. Muscles swelled taut in my arms as my bloodied sword traced a clean arc.
Seogeuk— The blade sang crisply through the air.
"Uwaaaak!!!"
My sword severed his leg cleanly—even thicker than the greatsword warrior's wrist.
"……."
The alien sensation startled me too.
'What was that? Just now.'
No game skill—this was pure swordsmanship.
"Guhk……. Kuhk……."
Dazed only briefly by the feel, I mercilessly thrust into the crawling, double-legless man.
"Guk!!!"
With his dying scream, the last foe perished.
[The Kalun Tribe begins to take an interest in you.]
[Affinity rises.]
[Affinity Lv1 effect activates!]
[People feel slightly more favorable toward you. Affinity gain rate increases.]
[The Kalun Tribe's reputation toward you shifts from Neutral to Slightly Favorable.]
"Whoa, mister. Not bad at all."
"Haven't seen a real scrap in ages."
"Beginner wielding a sword like that? Casual grip, but pro-level. Where'd you train?"
Unlike the dazed players, villagers buzzed excitedly, chatting me up.
Not what I'd planned, but I'd unexpectedly boosted Kalun Tribe affinity.
'Not a bad method.'
No intent to justify PK, but no reason to dodge fights that came—or ones I could win. Avoiding winnable battles was foolish.
Suuuuu……!!
Sheathing my sword, the legless corpse oxidized into ash, vanishing tracelessly.
Woooong—
Only loot from the five remained around me.
Wounds bled realistically; limbs sheared convincingly. But vanishing bodies reminded this was a game.
Death incurs respawn penalties. Leaving corpses would clutter revives—not a pretty sight.
Drops were mostly starter beginner weapons.
'Helpers or not, fresh characters won't have much. Just basics.'
Untradable starter gear held no appeal.
Then.
A delightful ding! chimed in my ear, and a golden alert unlike prior ones appeared.
Killing players grants EXP like monsters. All higher level than me—leveling was inevitable.
'Not how I planned to level.'
The moment every Dimension World player awaits, yet I could only bitter-smile.
[A skill slot has been added.]
[Skill Slot 1 has been created.]
[You can learn a basic skill.]
Familiar chime. Skill-learn alerts thrill players, but knowing Novice options dulled my excitement.
The sole first level-up skill, Basic Swing, was less a skill than a tutorial for weapon familiarity. No power infusion like that warrior's Smashing—obsolete post-job change.
[Learn the skill?]
Ritualistic, I nodded absently.
[Memory Keeper Lv1 effect activates!]
[You can recall a special skill from your memories. View list?]
"……!!!"
I stared at the new window in shock.
The golden skill glowed in the list. No need to puzzle its meaning.
"Legendary skill……?!!"
But the glow paled against the familiar name.
"This……."
I gasped involuntarily. It clicked then—the instinctive oddity earlier. How I'd remembered that draw-cut.
Of course it was familiar.
Sword Emperor, Kael Hendrick.
That was me.