Arena (4)
As Speedwagon suggested, Choi Yun-seok checked the top left corner and found the chat filtering function. Earth, Murim, Sehelanbard, Killian.
What the hell. Other worlds really exist?
He wasn't entirely sure, but Yun-seok unchecked everything. Then he typed in "Speedwagon."
The chaotic chat room instantly organized itself, displaying only Speedwagon's messages.
Yun-seok read his explanation carefully. Summarizing the content:
1. We challengers have been selected and must duel equally matched opponents every 24 hours. Matching is based on total score (accumulated AP).
2. Use AP earned from victories to buy gear, learn skills, or boost stats. Just like a game.
3. Lose a coin on defeat, but you can resurrect as long as you have coins left. For reference, coins in the convenience section sell for 250 AP each.
4. First duel winners get 2,000 AP, losers 1,000 AP. Prioritize weapons that synergize with your unique skill over pure stats or skills.
5. Returning to your original world is simple: Buy and tear a ticket from the convenience section. But Speedwagon warned against buying one right away—suicide.
Poof!
Speedwagon's explanation ended there. It was as brief as he'd promised at the start, but...
It was a huge help to Yun-seok anyway. He stood still for a moment, grateful for the guy's random kindness, and sorted his thoughts.
I've got the basic system down.
Tower of Heaven. And the duel trial called the Arena? Just like Speedwagon said, it was packed with game-like elements.
Who the hell made this place, and why?
No way to know right now. All he could sense was that its creator was some divine entity beyond human comprehension.
Yun-seok fiddled with the filter to show only Earthlings' chats.
Earth participants numbered just 347. Fewer were chatting, and it was all worthless noise.
Yun-seok returned to the main screen, selected [Convenience], and searched for the "ticket" Speedwagon mentioned.
◈ Tear to return to your original world.
◈ Price: 200,000 AP
It stood out amid food and furniture in the convenience section. Effect and price were straightforward.
Clear as day. Makes you wanna curse.
To go back, fight. And keep winning.
Of course, the ticket Speedwagon warned against was different. He couldn't afford it anyway.
◈ Tear to return to your original world for 24 hours.
◈ Price: 300 AP
His current AP: 2,000 total. He could return home right now if he wanted.
But no reason to.
If I don't wanna die, I hold off.
Buying stacks of F-rank tickets changes nothing. He'd just get dragged back days later.
He considered testing if they worked, but put it off.
Returning? Great. But survival came first.
Saving for tickets meant more gear or skills—increasing survival odds. Obvious.
[Weapons] [Armor] [Accessories] [Special]
Back to the main screen, he selected gear. Subcategories appeared.
He chose weapons. Swords, blunt, spears, etc.
Even knuckles.
No interest. He'd repelled a monster barehanded—because it was unarmed too.
I barely managed, and have no idea how...
Weapons were essential. Blades outclass fists in lethality.
Which one, though?
Longer reach wins? True. First strike decides fights.
Spear then? Yun-seok shook his head.
Better sword or blunt.
Can't wield spears one-handed. Reach isn't everything. Otherwise, bows would rule.
Need a shield at least.
He imagined a real duel. Swinging blades to kill—chilling, skin crawling.
Block swords with swords like in comics? Doubtful, never tried. Felt unrealistic.
Shield to block, other hand for sword or blunt—safer.
Just browsing anyway...
He picked swords, scanned for prices.
1,000 AP's about this level...
◈ Nameless sword. Sturdy and sharp.
◈ Price: 1,000 AP
Plain gear. No match for flashy C-rank magic weapons—but those started at 100,000 AP.
B-ranks won't even show info. Unlocks with my level?
Weapon purchase on hold, he checked others. Speedwagon's advice might be malicious.
With 2,000 AP limit, efficiency mattered.
Decided to judge himself: Spent an hour skimming everything.
Conclusion: Sword and shield.
Still scary buying a sword. One slip, it cuts you.
Blunt too heavy? Shield in one hand, swing blunt in other—possible now, feeling stronger, but uncertain.
After deliberation, he picked one.
◈ Duel sword used by Frantal royal knights.
◈ Price: 1,500 AP
Like a rapier: Thin blade, ~120cm long. Built for quick thrusts, but double-edged for slashes too.
Light for one-hand use, long reach. Durability seemed low vs similar longswords, but he had a skill: Unique skill Weapon Enhancement.
From Predation in his first duel. Wouldn't break easily—F+ to E+ temporarily.
E+ weapons cost 6,000 AP.
Items have arrived.
Check the base of the statue.
As instructed, the statue's base opened like a drawer. Yun-seok pulled out the sword and shield.
How? Didn't care.
Shield skimped since sword investment heavy.
500 AP F- rank: Wooden round shield, iron-plated outside only. Low defense, but light—not bad.
"Lighter than expected."
He swung sword and shield, adapting to weight. Stats fixed F-, yet no hindrance. Unlike others losing strength, his sub-F- body got a boost.
"Keep chat open, just in case."
Tablet on, he moved nonstop with gear. To fight well, treat them like limbs.
Block, thrust.
Simple: Shield block, sword attack. Repeated until ingrained.
Realized something about the waiting room.
No bathroom for a reason.
No hunger. No bodily needs yet. Sweat and heavy breathing reset periodically.
Time until next duel: 21:31:46
Yun-seok thought: The full 24 hours probably to prepare.
Not everyone like him.
Earth-only chat: Still pointless talk. Complaints about situation, random Earth worries, boasting past duels. All sorts killing time.
Stone room, no smartphone. Can't sleep easily. 24 hours bored to death.
But Yun-seok differed.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Soon, even chat blurred. Thrust, slash, block... All focus there.
"Haa... haa..."
Body recovered every 10 minutes, but sweat built up.
And as sweat pooled...
His movements changed.
Shield not just block—can attack too.
Applications emerged.
Thrusts need lower body balance.
Sword familiarizing. Sharper thrusts, stronger slashes. Unused muscles awakening.
Someone said: Most live without blooming talent. Everyone born with one.
Was this his?
Short, staccato breaths.
No teacher. Just swinging at air.
Clumsy motions sharpened, fluid—terrifyingly fast.
They'd never know—laughing at nonsense.
In time they wasted.
A man ignorant of his talent his whole life began awakening it. Finally.