Chapter 5

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 5

Chapter Title: Why Is My Name the Gallery Bait?

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Thankfully, I was able to get home quickly. I didn't forget to bring Blackie along, and it didn't seem like anyone was following me.

Still, the unease I'd felt just moments ago hadn't completely faded, so my heart was pounding like crazy.

"Hoo, huuuh... B-Blackie, no one's following us, right? Everything's fine?"

"Puuu!"

Blackie's cry sounded confident enough, so it seemed like there were no issues.

By the way, I heard that clearing the Tutorial Tower gives good rewards to beginners... what could they be?

I waited to see if a system window like before would pop up, but no reward came.

No way... is it because of that bug that the reward isn't coming? Do I have to clear it again...?

Even if it was a freebie from a glitch, I didn't feel great about it. If I had to do it again, I'd happily go back in.

More than anything, I was curious about what the reward even was.

"Still, I should rest today."

I hadn't really done much, but after going out, I just wanted to relax. Even just heading out drained my energy. And for some reason, I felt sleepy.

Today it hit especially hard, so I sprawled out on the floor with my limbs splayed wide. Then I caught my breath with a "Phew, uuugh."

"Nothing bad will happen, right?"

After resting a bit, I got bored. Blackie seemed to be sleeping with a "Pruuuhhh" too. So I pulled out my phone.

Nothing beats the gallery when you're bored.

The bright blue gallery screen made me feel a little more at ease. I slowly scrolled through the posts with my tiny thumb.

Ah, the familiar scent of the dimwit Awakener Aspirant Gallery crowd.

I'd even said yesterday that I'd summoned it myself, but no one believed me.

So why pick on Woo Jin-seong? He's an indispensable national powerhouse!

Isn't badmouthing him off-limits? What if he gets offended and leaves for another country? They were such idiots.

"Hmph. Telling idiots anything just makes them look more idiotic. Idiots can only think idiotic thoughts."

That said, the mention of the system window in the post bugged me.

I'm a proper Awakener now (haven't registered yet), so why didn't I see it? Maybe it overlapped with the Tutorial Tower timing.

I kept scrolling. Someone had to explain what the system message today was.

"Huh? Wh-wh-whatttt????"

I couldn't believe it, so I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand. Still not believing, I pinched my squishy cheeks and stretched them out.

But the posts I'd seen earlier hadn't changed. I tilted my head slightly.

"Wh-why is my name rolling around as the hot topic...?"

Maybe I'd become famous without knowing? Perhaps the Tutorial Tower bug had spread worldwide.

I cautiously tapped one post.

"S-so brutal..."

It had the most comments, so I checked it out, but most were just fights over Woo Jin-seong.

My name kept coming up, which was getting kinda scary. I skimmed the comments a bit then backed out.

I wanted to smack the jerk badmouthing Woo Jin-seong, but I hate keyboard wars.

"But what's this about the Tutorial Tower ranking updating? Why's my name there?"

Suddenly curious, I wanted to check the Tutorial Tower ranking myself. But I had no idea how.

Maybe like with skills, if I shout it in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my mind? 'Tutorial Tower Ranking!'

And sure enough, a system window appeared before my eyes.

Seeing the ranking, I zoned out for a sec, then murmured the name with my small lips.

"Eunha... 88 seconds?"

This was definitely the record I'd seen before exiting the Tutorial Tower.

I thought it was just a bug since I hadn't done anything and it said cleared... so why's it on the ranking?!

No, sure, 1st place is great, but doesn't this feel kinda scammy??? Something's wrong.

"No way I can't go back to the Tutorial Tower now?"

I mentally shouted 'Tutorial Tower' over and over, but no portal appeared this time.

"It won't come out!"

"Puu...?"

Thinking back, those goblins were definitely dead then. Maybe it wasn't a bug after all. And here it is properly on the Hall of Fame.

So I'm really 1st? I beat national powerhouse Awakener Woo Jin-seong??

"Heh, hehehe..."

My conscience pricked a little, but I felt good. I'd never been 1st at anything in life, so this was nice.

Wait. That "I Am The Strongest" guy said the Awakener Association comes looking if you set a Tutorial Tower record.

What if they show up crying and begging me to register?

Then Woo Jin-seong's raid scouts me, official announcement, whole nation sees it and calls me the real successor to Woo Jin-seong—what then?

People will mob me for autographs everywhere. Should I practice my signature now...

"English or cool cursive Hangul?"

I scribbled in the air with my finger.

Eun—ha—

"Puuu!"

As I waved my finger in the air, Blackie—who'd woken up at some point—stared at me with horrified eyes.

"W-why stare like that? I'm practicing my signature. I-it's only right since my name's at 1st..."

"Ppu! Ppuu!"

"Hm? Something more important? Oh!"

Blackie smacking my thigh reminded me this wasn't the time for signatures.

I'd checked the Hall of Fame and seen why my name was the hot topic—the star of the show had to step up.

I quickly posted on the Awakener Aspirant Gallery.

Comments started flooding in right away. Is this the life of a celeb?? I checked them immediately.

"As expected, idiots—no, morons? Awakener Aspirant Gallery folks. Even telling them the truth, they know nothing."

I sighed deeply. Non-Awakeners gonna non-Awaken, but I'd been one just days ago, same as them.

I pouted my lower lip and was about to check more comments when a notification popped up at the top of my phone.

The gallery's DM feature.

I tilted my head and checked the message sent to me.

Prove it? How? I pondered, then replied.