Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 12
>Chapter Title: Genius Attracts Attention Before Even Taking the Stage
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Chapter 12
Genius receives attention even before stepping onto the stage.
Does a needle hidden in a pocket stay concealed? Even if unnoticed before stepping onto the stage, attention comes quickly.
Of course, there were exceptions.
“Was it six months ago…? That supernova who maxed out favorability appeared? And they even drew a Mythic God?”
“The industry flipped out. We were so pissed we couldn’t recruit them back then…”
“Ugh. Come on, how often does that happen? Every time I hear about that guy, my heart skips a beat. Worried the section chief might flip out again.”
Ever since that day, scouts grew lazier, but valuable traits in newbies were rarer than hen’s teeth during a drought.
Especially if it was a combat-related trait?
“If I don’t snag one this month, he says I’m done for… This is basically telling me to go die.”
“Tell me about it. These days, newbies aren’t just newbies. They know their own worth. Why would someone with a good trait join a mid-tier guild like ours instead of a major one? They’d have to be crazy.”
“Sigh. Your fate’s my fate, man. Enough complaining—let’s find at least one more.”
Today, as always, they vented their frustrations but had no choice except to grudgingly hunt for talent.
“That guy’s a dud.”
“Hmm… What about him? Looks like a combat class.”
“Look at that sword swing in the air. I’d bet my year of experience he has zero swordsmanship traits.”
“Could be a Heroic God?”
“Hey, you ever done this one-and-done? At this point, you can’t judge talent just by a good job draw. Traits have to back it up for it to be worth investing. Unless it’s a Mythic God or a rare Heroic one…”
“That one looks decent? His eyes are alive.”
The game had been out for a year and six months now.
Veterans could spot potential just by glancing.
It was know-how gained from approaching every newbie without discrimination.
Thanks to that, scouts were treated like those “Do you believe in the Way?” solicitors among players, but at least their discernment improved.
Their criteria weren’t anything grandiose.
Like Taoists spotting easy marks, they judged by newbies’ expressions, speech, and conversations.
Some even read eyes, and surprisingly, it was accurate.
Newbies with good traits stood out in aura alone.
“They can’t help but brag.”
“Like hitting the lottery at start—how could it not show?”
“If it were me, I’d shout it from the rooftops.”
That’s why scouts fixated on eyes and expressions, and the types they avoided were similar.
“Hmm… His eyes are totally dead.”
“Like a third-time exam prepper in a goshiwon? Makes you wonder what trash trait he got.”
“That one’s mentally broken—combat class is a wash.”
They all shared the same vibe.
That’s when it happened.
One scout observing newbies nudged his colleague and nodded toward someone.
“Hey, check that guy out.”
“Hmm? Whoa… Total bomb, huh?”
The man they saw looked quite manly and handsome, but his vacant eyes stared into space. His lips even moved as if muttering to himself nonstop.
These were the exact newbies scouts avoided most.
They usually had the worst traits, enough to consider deleting, and often disastrous god draws too.
“Tsk tsk, looks like he stepped in it big time… What the hell did he get? Lazy Donkey God or something?”
“Worst gods are too many to count… But yeah, must be a seriously bad trait.”
“Officially, the worst known trait was Foot Eater, right?”
Foot Eater.
Exactly as named: eat an insect or animal’s foot to slightly boost teleport speed.
Not much, just barely noticeable.
Who even gets trash like that? It became infamous due to how the player got it.
Charlie had jokingly told them to suck a foot, they got mad and actually did it, earning the trait.
Proudly, the protagonist of that bizarre tale was Korean.
“Of course it’d be something like that.”
“Traits are so varied… Could be even worse.”
“Hmm… Whatever it is, he’s screwed.”
No one showing that reaction ever reappeared in high-end content.
Nine out of ten quit the game or deleted and rerolled after 60 days.
A 99% accurate bomb.
“You never know. Maybe he’s just leveling casually for fun. God Ose has plenty to see and do.”
“True… Heard lots play for dates and fun in God Ose. Paying that much…”
“Let’s just do our jobs.”
So the scouts ignored the man.
Not enough time for other newbies.
That was the reason.
“Excuse me. Oh, no, I’m not weird. I’m Bae Jin-cheol from PeaceMaker Guild. Just…”
“…Pardon? You like sashimi? Trying to get it for free—no, what did you just say!?”
“Hey, uh, I’m not a scout. Wanna buy an item? Got a newbie special package on sale cheap.”
Scouts, newbies, merchants.
In the chaotic central square, only Do-hyun could enjoy his time undisturbed.
That’s why info floated before Do-hyun’s eyes.
[Necklace of the Blood Oath]
[Grade: Heroic]
[Description: Necklace bound by the blood oath of Arlen Castle’s Knight Commander ‘Charlie.’ Only his liege may possess it.]
[Level Restriction: None]
[Equip Restriction: Charlie’s Liege]
[Physical Defense: 61]
[Magic Resistance: 53]
- Strength +4
- Agility +2
- Vitality +1
- Attack Speed +5%
- Movement Speed +5%
[Special Option: Defense and Magic Resistance increase with certain experience gains.]
[Special Option: Unlocks at Level 35.]
-Non-Tradable
‘…Jackpot. Heroic item right at the start? For real?’
Info on the necklace from Charlie, missed during job change.
Even the options were exceptional.
‘Ah… I might actually collapse from diabetes.’
Amid the sweet reward barrage, Do-hyun screamed internally, while people subtly avoided him.
They had no idea.
The man they dodged had not just the combat trait they craved, but five more.
Plus, the game’s one-and-only god, Legendary title, and Heroic necklace.
It was the moment Kaiser truly entered God Ose.
* * *
What’s the first thing newbies do after the tutorial?
Tour the realistic otherworld scenery?
Otherworld restaurant mukbang? Avtar Tel’s special crimson ale?
All good, but seven out of ten with combat traits shout in unison.
“RPGs are all about hunting!”
“Monsters quick! Find monsters!”
“Cocky goblin shacks all cleared.”
God Ose’s best was hunting, no contest.
Enchanted by Top 10 Guilds and veterans’ high boss raid videos, they burned to grow strong fast.
Flashy magic.
Dazzling swordplay.
Stalwart shields.
Holy effects…
They had none, but during hunts, they were wizards and warriors without envy.
Even they had one rule.
“Gotta take quests.”
“Strategy guide quests are a must.”
“Let’s hit up old man Dante first.”
“Goblin shack in a sec.”
Quests.
Like most RPGs, God Ose quests were highly efficient.
Better to grab one or two in town than mindless grind.
Especially with rewards—practically mandatory.
God Ose players hunted quests desperately, and after a year and half, most guides were out.
[Beginner Must-Read Quest Guide]
Nicknamed newbie bible, one of them.
- Seriously well-organized.
- Creator deserves an award.
- For real, no reason to skip. Rare items too—skip and you’re dumb.
Follow the route: hit level 12 to graduate beginner city, fill Adventure Tome, snag Rare item. Best guide.
‘Objectively well-written.’
Still topping bestseller lists, so Do-hyun planned to follow it.
A latecomer’s perk.
No discovery thrill, but comfy trail blazed by pioneers.
Finding Dante was easy.
Guide had it, but no need—just follow the user crowds.
‘Follow the crowd—universal rule for games or real life.’
Arriving at the cabin, users clustered, murmuring unhappily.
“Dante! Quick, get… What? A line?”
“Damn, gotta hunt soon, what’s this? Line this long?”
“Argh, VR but still stuck with this queue disease.”
Huge crowd.
Itching for hunts, users got dizzy early, but complaints died fast.
“Oh ho, lots again! Then I’ll ask without hesitation! Slaughter those dumb swelling goblins without mercy!”
Ring-.
[Quest ‘Goblin Cleanup’ has occurred.]
[Goblin Cleanup]
-Grade: Common
-Description: Quest from Arde’s master hunter Dante.
Too many goblins lately for Arde’s hunters.
Not worth his time as master hunter. Delegates pesky goblin cleanup to new apostles in Arde.
-Kill Goblins (0 / 40)
-Clear Reward: 80 Silver, set amount of EXP.
-Fail Risk: Dante’s favorability may drop.
-Time Limit: 24 hours
[Accept quest?]
‘…Hmm?’
Dante’s bold group commission let them grab quests instantly upon arrival.