Footsteps of the White Whale

The purpose of the system is to develop "Park Chanyoung"—not just in terms of raw combat power, but including mental maturity as well. That's why the heavens imposed various restrictions to prevent "Park Chanyoung" ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from becoming a simple overpowered munchkin. The most obvious example is locking the shop behind a karma paywall and binding him to quests and completion rewards to ensure a diligent lifestyle. The same goes for the countless system functions that can be unlocked by accumulating karma. All of it was sealed away for the sake of his growth.

However, there's one exception among them—a useless feature that hinders "Park Chanyoung's" growth and has absolutely nothing to do with the system's purpose. I must have pointed out its flaws to the heavens and convinced the angels to unlock it. Why am I phrasing it as speculation when it happened to me? Because my memories of persuading the angels were erased.

So, what exactly was the problem I pointed out? This.

I demanded the unlock for this feature.

"Think about it—it's ridiculous, right? Until that function gets unlocked, I have to enter every novel with the 'Outsider' penalty baked in."

Take Terraforming as an example. Right from the start, the protagonist, Lee Kangin, suspected me as an outsider. If I'd mishandled it and earned his distrust? Things never would've gone smoothly. Luckily, Terraforming was the first novel, so my quick thinking paid off. It begins with 100 modern humans summoned together. Only the regressor, Lee Kangin, noticed my intrusion and grew wary.

What if it had been any ordinary novel? I'd have been a total suspicious stranger—no past, no ID, no connections. Everyone would suspect me, shun me, and in the worst case, I'd get captured and interrogated. No way to train in peace. It actively hinders "Park Chanyoung's" growth.

And even if I handle it perfectly and convince everyone who suspects me, there's no special gain. Do it right, and I break even; mess up, and it's a disaster. What a absurd penalty.

"And I have to repeat that crap until the function unlocks? Insane."

I heard from Anzelli back on Earth. Unlocking that useless feature cost a whopping 20,000 karma. If I'd tried to buy it honestly with my own karma... Just imagining it makes me dizzy.

I'd always grumbled about this feature being locked, so past-me would've definitely tried persuading the angels. And the result? They bought my argument and unlocked it.

Until my power grows strong enough to protect myself in any situation, I probably won't choose "Enter as True Self" lightly.

I tapped "Enter as Extra" without hesitation.

A cascade of profiles scrolled across the system window. Each listed age, name, and residence—men only, of course. Full-body photos let me guess occupations easily. Someone in farm-friendly clothes? Peasant.

'Pick one from these?'

What even is a novel extra? With separate "Main/Supporting" categories, extras must be background nobodies with zero or near-zero roles. Like my Terraforming friend, Blanc François.

'...Could there be nobles here too?'

Obviously, novels feature only a fraction of the nobility. The unmentioned ones are clear extras. Maybe even royalty.

A few profiles showed clean, ornate clothes. But I didn't pick rashly—they could be rich merchant kids, not nobles. Nobles stood out by name length alone—pages of titles. Hard to tell the highest ranks, though. Extras' names barely appear, so info's scarce. Royalty or dukes? They'd mix national names into multi-surname strings. None here, sadly.

"High-influence folks start at supporting level, huh..."

Fine by me. Nobles aren't bad. Even collateral branches come with perks.

I picked a guy my age.

Fuck... No free rides, huh. Gotta surpass their total score to possess them. That noble's was nearly ten times mine. No way 350 points snags a noble—even if one barely qualifies, it'd come with penalties like dying soon or massive debt. Better off with commoners.

"...Right. Who am I kidding aiming for nobility? Just pick some rural guy near the original plot's village..."

I tried a 17-year-old near the story's village. Total everyman—no surname, peasant rags.

...Barely made it. My score's pitifully low. But I'll fix the looks soon ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠enough, and my combat power will skyrocket. Nobles might not be a pipe dream later.

"Possess."

As I spoke, my vision blurred.

*

"Chanyoung? Chanyoung!"

"Huh?"

"Why zone out? If you've got your clothes on, let's head out."

I stood in front of a shabby, rundown house. From the man's words, it seemed like my place. He finished speaking and walked ahead, farming tools slung over his shoulder. Assuming I'd follow soon.

I stopped to gather my thoughts.

'...My name here's not Russell. Does the system alter others' perceptions?'

The window confirmed: Russell in this world. But he called me Chanyoung.

I checked my body. Not Russell's from the photo—my own, slimmer but still short and fat.

'It said "possession," but it's not my soul entering an existing body. I replace them outright.'

Like my Terraforming entry, my clothes had changed—from modern, tailored fabric to rough, sturdy peasant wear. A relief; modern clothes would've drawn suspicion.

I called out to the man ahead.

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"We're heading out to farm, right?"

"...Obviously?"

He eyed me like why ask the obvious? Friends, probably—similar age, casual speech both ways, no anger.

'No memories from the host, huh. Too bad...'

No signs minutes after possession. Oh well—not a huge loss. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Status windows leveled up and improved; extra possession might too.

I explained stopping him.

"Quitting farming."

"...What? You eat something bad?"

"Dead serious."

"Then how'll you eat? You always said you'd marry for sure!"

"Mercenary."

"Hah..."

No plans to keep this friendship. Russell might've been tight with him, but I'm Chanyoung now. Time wasted building bonds.

Before attachment forms—cut ties.

"No sword, talking nonsense... You even know how to fight?"

"Gotta practice now."

"Ugh... No plan at all. And you can't just quit like that!"

"I'm not a serf."

"...True, you're a free tenant unlike me. But quitting without a word? Donald won't lease you land again."

"Don't care."

Not farming again—who gives a shit about land? Tenant spots overflow; one dropout won't ruffle feathers. Donald probably doesn't even know I exist. Mid-level managers fill vacancies quietly.

"Can't believe you... I won't enable your rebellion. Farming's my only way. Good luck."

"Thanks."

He shook his head and walked on.

Freedom secured.

"Now it begins."

This world becomes my training ground. Mainly Thousand Fists One Kick.

Terraforming had too many prying eyes, no real solo time. Earth? College life blocks secluded practice. Plus one more flaw...

"Yes!"

Earth's mana density is too low; gains from this skill come too slowly. White Whale's Footsteps, true to classic fantasy, has high density. Mana up already!

Last reason I picked this world. Might as well max efficiency while training, right?