Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Start of the Preliminary Round
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Dokgo Hyun spent most of the three days holed up at home, getting plenty of rest and training his skills.
During his skill training, there were a few moments when he unconsciously wrapped mana efficiently around his body, and he felt his physical efficiency surge dramatically.
'Huh? How did I just do that?'
He tried intentionally wrapping mana around his body, but it didn't go well.
'Well, I've discovered something good.'
He had glimpsed the fact that mana wasn't just for skills—it could also be used to boost physical efficiency.
'Training's over for today. Time to head out for a bit.'
He occasionally went to a large supermarket to stock up on canned goods and sports drinks for emergencies, along with tools like nails, saws, and hammers, plus bandages and painkillers.
Just in case, he even bought a lightweight sleeping bag.
There were no issues like hoarding, riots, or store closures, so shopping was easy.
'Having plenty of inventory space is great.'
Dokgo Hyun dumped all the items into his inventory and headed home.
And then, right on the dot at 9 a.m. on the third day.
The long-awaited system message arrived.
"Tch."
Dokgo Hyun clicked his tongue softly and let out a smirk.
'You should've mentioned that earlier. People who saved their mini-items during the tutorial are gonna be bummed.'
He'd held back on potions and elixirs too, but luckily they were safe.
'This is getting interesting.'
Such a public message meant there were a ton of players like him who'd prepared thoroughly.
The orientation and prelims were shaping up to be a real spectacle.
Dokgo Hyun did a final check of his items and slipped on his shoes.
Fwoosh!
Dokgo Hyun was teleported to an unfamiliar place.
It was a massive gymnasium.
To the north, there was a huge stage and platform.
A large banner hung over the stage.
'Welcome! Gathering of surviving players from Zones H-1 to H-50.'
Murmur murmur...
There were about 600 players gathered in the gymnasium.
Some looked strong, others weak.
"Ugh, there are so many."
"Something else about to start?"
"What if they make us fight each other?"
The players murmured warily.
Dokgo Hyun immediately checked the exits.
'None. No windows either.'
There were vents whirring on the ceiling, but it felt like a massive sealed chamber.
'And smartphones... no surprise there.'
Calls and internet were completely cut off.
Moments later, a mission window appeared.
Orientation & Training Camp
Unauthorized acts of violence in the gymnasium are prohibited. Violators will receive penalties!
Penalties are at the supervisor's discretion, up to and including execution!
Quite a few people sighed in relief at the message.
Even though 'Phase 1' hinted at a long ordeal, at least indiscriminate violence was banned.
'A Block, huh.'
Everyone knew there were tons of H Zones, but dividing into blocks ramped up the tension.
'Hmm? Only the wearer and supervisor? Then what's the point of wearing it?'
Wearing a nameplate was more for others than yourself, so this was odd.
30 seconds passed.
Fwoosh!
Thud.
Thud thud thud.
Nameplates rained down at eye level for each player, landing on the floor.
"Hm."
Dokgo Hyun quickly picked one up to check.
It was blank with fields for name, origin, etc.—probably filled in when worn.
No pin or adhesive on the back, but it stuck automatically to his chest and peeled off with a tug.
"Whoa."
"Cool."
"Sticks to my hat too. Heh."
"Others' nameplates really don't show info."
"Hey, putting it on triggered the mission window."
Curious folks had already pinned theirs on, so Dokgo Hyun attached his to his left chest.
The moment it touched his chest, text appeared on the nameplate.
Dokgo Hyun looked around—sure enough, no one else's nameplates showed info.
The moment he confirmed that.
Greet Before Orientation
📍 Goal: Converse with at least 5 strangers for 1+ minutes each.
🎁 Success Bonus: +1 to all stats.
⚠️ Failure Penalty: None.
⏰ Time Limit: 1 hour.
Admin Comment: Shaking hands might lead to something more fun?
"Converse?"
"No penalty for failure..."
"Still, talking is pure profit."
"Uh, hi, nice to meet you."
"You too..."
Awkward chats sparked among a few.
There were plenty from the same zone, but they barely talked— the mission specified strangers for 1+ minutes.
As if to encourage more talk, another system message popped up.
Dokgo Hyun examined his nameplate.
'Said others can't see the info.'
Others seemed uneasy too, fiddling with theirs.
Eyes met, awkward nods and greetings followed.
A young man approached Dokgo Hyun.
"H-hi."
"Hello."
"You look like a college student."
"Nah, senior in high school."
"Whoa, a high schooler built like that? You an athlete? Mind if I drop the formalities?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Man, what a nightmare. I got dragged into this Apocalypse Game from a goshiwon..."
Talking was easier than expected.
Everyone shared the trauma of being thrust into a death game.
Dokgo Hyun shared little about himself, gathering info instead.
These folks were likely rivals.
A minute flew by with nods.
"Hm, catch you later."
"Yeah, good luck, bro."
"Haha, thanks."
Like that, Dokgo Hyun chatted with 7 people in under 10 minutes.
And he realized something.
'None of these tutorial hard mode survivors.'
All 7 were easy or normal mode.
Their missions sounded way lighter than his hard mode.
Even same difficulty varied by zone and numbers—many had 2+ survivors, some 20 or 30.
'Difficulty all over the place. The Apocalypse Game really is a crapshoot death game.'
Murmur murmur!
Chatter chatter!
The venue's buzz had heated up.
No windows in the sealed gym—it got stuffy fast.
Ceiling vents spun, but couldn't vent all the heat.
'Maybe splash some cold water on my face.'
Restrooms were east, west, south—except north.
The south one was huge, next to the lounge, packed with people.
Dokgo Hyun headed to the emptier east men's room.
"Urp! Urp!"
He splashed cold water on his face and eyed his nameplate in the mirror.
Stared at the combat power estimate.
'No clue if that's high or low.'
As Dokgo Hyun fiddled awkwardly, someone stood beside him in the mirror.
"Bothered by it?"
A friendly-looking middle-aged man.
Dokgo Hyun tensed slightly; the man waved it off.
"No need to be wary. Players can't see each other's nameplate info anyway. Not even in mirrors. See?"
He angled his own nameplate toward the mirror—blank, as he said.
"I approached 'cause you look like a student. Senior year? Right?"
"Yeah."
"Knew it. My son's a senior too. That vibe. Haha."
First impression wasn't bad.
Dokgo Hyun nodded along.
Learned the guy's name was Lee Sam-sik, a specialist consultant at a prefab PC shop.
Dokgo Hyun and Lee Sam-sik exchanged wry smiles.
"Well then."
Dokgo Hyun bowed crisply, ready to leave politely.
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
"Shouldn't we shake on it?"
Whoosh.
Lee extended his right hand.
Seemed like that was the goal.
'Like the mission hint says, handshakes trigger something.'
Most missions had 'hint' or 'admin comment' at the bottom—cryptic but key.
'Better not shake rashly.'
"Sorry, next time."
"Ungrateful punk."
"Pardon?"
Lee's demeanor flipped.
"An adult offers a handshake, and it's that hard? My hand dirty? That dirty?! Huh?!"
Sudden rage.
The restroom crowd split: some gossiped and fled, three stayed giggling.
'Fun.'
Dokgo Hyun stayed calm.
'These lingerers are in cahoots.'
Not fully sure, but probably aiming to force a handshake.
"My apologies. Here."
Dokgo Hyun extended his hand.
"Pleased to shake your hand."
He beamed.
Sharp-eyed or bold players had uncovered one secret.
'The handshake secret.'
Players can't see each other's nameplates.
That was the rule.
Like all rules, exceptions existed.
Casual handshakes revealed it.
'Handshakes make nameplates visible to each other.'
Not just visible—info etched into the brain.
Even poor memory recalled it like old knowledge.
Murmur murmur...
Sealed gym—info spread fast.
The secret caused a stir.
"Hey! Why grab my hand?!"
"Just brushed it, so sensitive."
"What? You're younger anyway!"
"Age irrelevant here."
Skirmishes erupted everywhere.
The overall chatter cooled a bit.
"Hm."
"Ahem."
"Uh, bathroom break?"
Some chatty folks headed to restrooms.
But the east men's door was locked.
"Huh?"
"What's going on?"
"Someone locked it from inside."
Thick glass door, frosted for privacy.
Lock at the top, secured from within.
"Dammit, open up!"
"What're you doing in there!"
"Won't open? I'll smash the glass!"
Angry men yelled.
Women from the ladies' room gossiped, watching.
Then.
"LET'S SHAKE!! HAAANDSHAAAKE!!!"
A monstrous roar.
Weird content too.
"Eek?!"
Door-bangers recoiled in shock.
Silence.
Then, frantic hand-washing sounds from inside.
Clank!
The glass door flew open; Dokgo Hyun emerged.
"Ah, sorry."
He nodded apologetically to the waiting crowd.
Seeing he was a high school senior, they relaxed and chided him.
"Hey, kid! Why lock the door? What were you doing?"
"I didn't lock it—they did."
"They?"
Only then did people peer inside the restroom.