Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Life Over
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“My phone... won’t you give it back to me....”
I wept, clutching my phone which had turned into a four-legged mechanical puppy. Absolutely nothing was going my way.
It was probably the most expensive thing I owned, aside from my organs. Ah, no. I have a computer.
...On second thought, organs aren’t things either.
“I know... I’m cold too....”
As if complaining about my nudity, the mechanical doggo informed me of the outside temperature.
Drenched in depression, I felt as cold as if I were actually soaked in water. I was already cold, but now the chill felt much more pronounced.
I grabbed a clean white shirt I hadn’t worn and slipped it on, making the cold somewhat bearable. It was a bit disappointing that my lower half was still bare.
It wasn't just the lack of clothes; something else was gone too. Something very important, though it had never really seen much action.
“So, in the end, I've become an archmage....”
I thought I still had a little time before becoming an archmage, but I guess since it seemed I wasn't going to make it to thirty anyway, they just fast-tracked my class change.
But maybe it was a side effect of becoming an archmage too early. I didn't become a real one, more like some kind of magician's aide. If I'd awakened as an archmage, I would have lived in luxury for the rest of my life.
There was nothing to wear on my lower half. My frame was much smaller, and I lacked the necessary curves. Pants would just slide right off.
Around this time, I would normally be working my convenience store part-time job, but now I was a critically ill patient, unconscious after a traffic accident.
During my downtime, I would have been fiddling with my phone, but now my phone was....
—*Beep*
“I know... I know....”
It had turned into a very ungrateful mechanical mutt that only hit me with harsh truths. How dare it bring up its master's bank balance. It should be glad I don't have any soybean paste at home.
In the end, I turned on the computer. It was a machine I only turned on occasionally since I tended to sit at it for a long time. Plus, despite being a desktop, its specs were comparable in price to a used phone. It could barely run any games; it was just good enough for browsing the internet.
My mood was grim, but I had something to do. A promise made with hundreds of nameless friends, 'Anonymous'.
I have an SEX-rank skill, wanna do a gate together?
Directly mentioning nicknames was forbidden, but if you'd been on the Awakening Gallery long enough, you started to remember some of the old regulars. If I remembered correctly, this Do-shyung-jwak person was a B-rank Hunter.
—*Ding!*
A private message arrived. It was from Do-shyung-jwak.
“No!”
I was actually blocked. They'd probably unblock me soon enough, but this was a normal reaction, I suppose. What kind of class is 'Princess'? Of course, no such class exists.
Swordsman is swordsman. Archer is archer. Tanker is tanker. It was the unwritten rule to start with a skill that matched your class.
Most people started with skills ranked between F and C, with B or even A-rank skills appearing very rarely.
Skill rank indicates the measure of its power or influence, and you could always acquire better ones. Growth-type skills could even increase in rank.
—*Ding*
It seemed they wouldn't believe me no matter how much I insisted it was true. I guess I would have reacted the same way. What kind of class is 'Princess'? Does that mean there's a 'King' too? A 'President' will probably show up next.
“Haaah....”
—*Ding!*
Another message from Do-shyung-jwak.
I just couldn't get through to this person. Well, I admit my replies were a bit playful.... Right, first, I need to properly check my skills.
Golem Creation (EX)
The last bastion for rebuilding a fallen kingdom. Create a golem to serve you by consuming goods and materials you own, or their equivalent value.
Golem Creation: Lv.1
I saw this one just a moment ago. I used my phone as a sacrifice to create the mechanical doggo that hits me with harsh truths.
“The other skills are....”
“Hmm..”
They're F-rank. All of them except Golem Creation are the lowest possible. But even Golem Creation isn't a proper function. It's safe to say this is a complete bust.
Still, I should read the skill descriptions....
Issue Command (F)
You issue a command to the loyal servants you have created. As the rank increases, commands can be relayed faster and more accurately.
“If it's F-rank, doesn't that mean they won't listen to my commands...? Why does something like this even exist as a skill....”
There are quite a few Hunters who handle familiars or summons. But I don't remember ever hearing about them having a skill called 'Issue Command'. Isn't it a given that they should understand their master's words promptly....
Okay, next.
Powerless Princess (F)
A frail princess who can accomplish nothing on her own. Nevertheless, she is an indispensable existence to the kingdom.
Acquisition of combat-type skills is restricted. Rejected skills can be bestowed upon the next golem created or an existing golem.
“Huh..? I can't fight...?!”
Combat skills are the foundation of a Hunter's strength, an essential element.
If I can't fight, then who does? That smartphone doggo? Is *it* going to fight for me?
It doesn't look like it could even catch a water deer on a nearby hill, so what on earth am I supposed to hunt?!
“Aaargh!! What is this nonsense—!!”
But there was one more. The ‘Summon’ skill.
Since I'm a princess, it must be a skill to call the kingdom's army, right...? Please.
Summon (F)
Summons a golem you own to your location. Cooldown and number of targets vary with rank.
“Okay. Doggo-summoning jutsu. Got it.”
My life is ruined. Guess I'll have to go back to being a convenience store clerk.
“Haaah, why, oh heavens, did you create me... and also hundreds of thousands of other Hunters in Korea besides me....”
Lamenting won't change anything. For now... I need to learn more about what seems to be the most important skill, Golem Creation.
Golem Creation (EX)
The last bastion for rebuilding a fallen kingdom. Create a golem to serve you by consuming goods and materials you own, or their equivalent value.
“Goods and materials I own.... ‘Value’...? I'm not sure what that means.”
I brought the annoying mechanical doggo, which was resting beside me, into my arms and felt it. I could definitely feel the materials that made up the phone. The surface felt a bit like plastic. There was metal mixed in, and a lot of other things.
“Then... can something like this become a golem too?”
—*Screeeech*
I got up from the creaky chair and moved toward a pile of things. Maybe there was something else I could turn into a golem. For example....
“This is it.”
An aluminum beer can I'd drunk from and hadn't thrown away. Since it's made of metal, it might become a sturdy golem.
“Golem Creation.”
—*Fwaaat!*
With a bright blue light, the aluminum beer can began to transform into a golem by the power of magic. The crumpled can folded in on itself, shrinking at an incredible rate until it became an insect-like shape, about the size of a finger.
“Eh?”
—*Twitch*
“U-Uwaaaaaah—!!!!”
Its antennae moved. I recognized that shape.
A cockroach. An aluminum one, at that.
I was so startled that I fell backward, landing on my butt with a loud *thud*.
“H-Hiiiek!! Stay away!!”
—*Shashak*....
Thanks to Issue Command, the aluminum cockroach didn't come any closer. But... why? The smartphone at least looked like it had some function, but this is just too much!
“Please...! Turn back into what you were!”
But my wish was not granted. A notification popped up in my status window. Because my Issue Command skill rank was insufficient, my order to return to its original form didn't get through.
“U-Uuh.... Please....”
A horror movie scene of a shiny, silver aluminum cockroach roaming the floor, making scraping metallic sounds. I instantly lost all will to fight as a warm sensation spread through my lower half....
“A-Aah....”
Life over.
Achievement unlocked: Peed on the floor at age 27.