Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: The World's System
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What the hell is this?
I'd experienced every damn thing imaginable back in Katabi.
But the message floating before my eyes was enough to throw me for a complete loop.
In Katabi, I might've chalked it up to some illusionist's trick. But this was Seoul.
A world where assassins and Assassin Arts didn't exist.
"Welcoming the otherworlder..."
It was phrased like it knew I'd come from another world.
"What does it mean to join this system, anyway?"
I'd only muttered it to myself, but the message kindly responded.
"What if I refuse?"
Current state... I looked down at my body.
It was battered all over, not even able to walk properly.
Even if I was alive, I doubted I could do much with it.
Maybe it read my glance at my body.
The message gave me an assessment of it.
...!
The unbelievable text on the message.
This body, one I'd thought could never return to its former state.
Even the renowned healers of Katabi had shaken their heads at it. Restoring it was impossible.
No, the very fact that this message was appearing was impossible.
Impossible things were already happening.
One more wouldn't be strange at all.
No need to hesitate.
I was already at rock bottom.
No hope that my body or situation would improve even a little.
Kalderon, system, whatever it was.
A body with nothing left to lose anyway.
If there was even a 1% chance, I had to grasp it.
"I'll join."
The Body Technique I'd built over ten years of training and four years of real combat.
The thought of losing it all in an instant gave me pause, even though I had no real choice.
"Will everything I've built be gone forever?"
The word "level" caught my ear.
Not unfamiliar, even after fifteen years in Katabi.
The reason I'd taken detours to the orphanage on the way home, against all warnings.
To squeeze in the two or three hours of gaming time allotted each day.
In that bleak, joyless reality, it was my brief escape. I wouldn't waste a single minute.
If levels worked like I remembered...
"So my body returns to 100% normal, and by leveling up, I regain my previous abilities?"
The message before me had no obligation to tell the truth.
But hey, nothing to lose.
My abilities might drop, but I had fifteen years of experience and instinct.
They'd recover with levels, so no reason to hesitate.
"I'll join."
I made my final decision.
A message confirming my affiliation with Kalderon appeared.
Right after the message announced the procedure's start.
A bright light filled my vision, and I lost consciousness.
"Ugh."
I clutched my still-dizzy head and slowly rose.
...?
No pain, even after standing.
Gulp.
In disbelief, I took a step forward.
Thud. Thud.
Each step felt unreal.
Just moments ago, my footsteps had been more like dragging scrapes.
Confirming my restored legs, I swung my limbs around.
Whoosh!
Legs and fists that had been broken and stiff now extended as I willed.
Not with the full power or speed of before, but moving as intended was a massive change.
"Haha..."
The rain pounded harder on my head.
But I barely noticed.
....
I spent a while reveling in my restored body's sensations, moving every which way.
I couldn't shatter boulders or leap mountains in one bound like old times.
But I was in a state to start something again.
Ding.
As I enjoyed my normalized body.
Another message appeared.
Along with the class selection prompt came familiar terms.
Mage, Warrior, Rogue, Archer, Gunner—classes straight out of old games.
Feels just like a game for real.
Recalling memories from fifteen years ago, I scanned the list.
"Has everyone on Earth joined the Kalderon System? Or are there refusers?"
Everyone had joined.
I'd read novels about VR games as a kid, but the whole world turning into a game?
What the hell happened on Earth during my fifteen years in Katabi?
Mage is number one.
Mage topped the popularity list.
A class that manifested impossible powers using mana as a resource.
Makes sense it'd be the top pick for people mired in mundane reality.
Engraver...?
At the very bottom of the list: Engraver.
"Can you explain the Engraver class?"
Growing accustomed to the messages, I kept asking.
"Why's it so unpopular?"
Mage tempted me, thinking of Katabi troubles without Yin Force.
But considering my Body Technique-based style, it didn't fit.
Something with synergy to my Body Technique would be ideal.
Countering enemies' varied Assassin Arts would be even better.
That was the most crucial need.
If I'd had it, I wouldn't have ended up broken in Katabi.
"Diverse meaning, say, engravings that boost recovery or expel poison?"
Provided they can grow.
I got why it was unpopular.
Engraver was more like a support role.
Assisting others with varied engravings without personal growth—only the selflessly devoted would pick it.
And this wasn't a game; it was reality. No respawns. People wanted self-growth.
...I wouldn't have picked it either.
If not for my original abilities.
I looked down at my restored body.
Even at 5% of before, it outclassed others.
More levels meant more power regained.
With near-perfect body and assured combat growth, no need for Warrior or Mage.
Infinite versatility.
For me, that had far more merit.
- Lightning Art, Pirazki.
- Mist Art, Yeonmukgak.
....
I recalled the Assassin Arts of past foes.
Never used them myself without Yin Force.
But countless battles had ingrained their principles in my mind.
If engravings had limitless scope...
Maybe, just maybe, it was possible.
"I've decided."
I looked at the waiting message.
"Engraver."
The messages vanished upon class selection.
Now, a window appeared whenever I willed it—like status screens from VR novels.
First Engraver, huh.
Selecting Engraver triggered a flood of messages.
First to choose it unlocked the hidden class: First Engraver.
I checked the skill tab below the class name.
[Passive]
A skill granted with the hidden class.
Brief description: Engravers and engravings attract each other.
Like we're bound inseparably now.
I didn't know the exact function yet.
But it seemed to prevent stalled growth from wandering without engravings.
Focusing on Fate of the Engraver brought up the next window.
Familiar words after so long.
Tutorial.
Helping snag the first one easily.
Clear condition of "first engraving" meant I'd hunt the rest myself.
"Not bad at all."
Becoming an Engraver made it clear.
Each class levels differently.
Unlike games where EXP was universal regardless of class.
Engravers leveled by unlocking new engravings.
To return to my old self, I'd need to keep unlocking them.
And this.
One more passive below Fate of the Engraver.
Tracks my original power's recovery.
Visible progress is nice and clear.
Still far from 100%.
But seeing exactly how much was back was a huge plus.
This must be current engravings.
Causes explosion on engraved target.
Strength unknown until tested.
Good thing I grinded games as a kid.
If I'd never played, wrapping my head around classes and skills would've been tough.
Shrrk.
The window faded as I relaxed my focus.
That covered the basics about myself.
Thud.
Dusting off fifteen-year-old memories, I headed toward school.
No real need to visit it specifically.
Just needed to meet someone, anyone.
No more messages.
Plenty of questions beyond class and skills.
Even likening it to childhood games, Kalderon remained alien.
But no response to my calls.
Like its duty ended at affiliation and class choice.
Need to learn more.
What happened in Korea during my fifteen-year absence.
How people lived under Kalderon.
Learn, then adapt.
This wasn't the Korea I knew.
New system meant adapting to it—or no next steps.
Adapt and grow strong ASAP.
Simple: Unlock engravings, level up.
Regain the power that earned me "Ghost of Katabi."
No idea how smooth it'd be.
But no need for past hellish training was a relief.
Just thinking of it made my mind reel.
Though I'd redo it gladly if needed.
"Hoo."
I recalled the assassins before my cliff fall.
No clue how to return to Katabi yet.
But I'd find a way.
And when I did...
- Hyuk, the path you're choosing is the path of slaughter.
....
Why now?
The assassins who'd killed Master and hunted me in Katabi.
As I reaffirmed my vengeance, Master's words from one day surfaced.
- Even if I tried to stop you, you'd take it anyway. So I won't bother. But living isn't just about crushing others, growing stronger, reaching the top.
After training, chatting on the cliff.
Master would gaze deeply at me occasionally.
- The path of slaughter to the top isn't bad. Just don't get so obsessed you miss everything else. I did.
Even then, and now recalling it, I didn't get it.
Miss everything else?
Post-Master, until the cliff, my life was blood and battle.
Still no clue what "else" he meant.
- Head toward your goal, but seek other meanings too. There'll be many. Things to make your life shine brighter.
One day, puzzled, I'd asked.
- Did you find it, Master? Meanings beyond reaching the top.
Master smiled warmly, eyes steady.
- I did.
Grind.
Recalling his warm smile fueled rage; those killers' faces sharpened vividly.
Snap out of it.
Other meanings don't matter.
Grow strong, reclaim my power.
Return to Katabi, spill the blood I owe.
Grip.
Just wait a bit.