Chapter 5: Awakened, but…(2)

“…What? Nothing’s happening?”

“Is this b*tch crazy? I was scared for nothing because she was acting all high and mighty.”

“…Huh?”

What’s going on? Did I use the skill wrong? Do I have to say the skill name out loud?

Come to think of it, when I played the game, all I had to do was press a key on the keyboard to use a skill.

In other words, I didn’t know how to use skills.

‘Other novels have characters using skills right away with just a status window… Damn it, I’m an idiot for thinking I could apply a novel to reality…’

I’ve been reading too many novels with status windows, so I thought I could use skills however I wanted once the status window was unsealed.

That’s how most of the protagonists in novels actually are.

But this situation wasn’t a novel, it was reality, and I had become a stupid b*tch who stood up to burly men while not even being able to move my body properly.

Since I couldn’t use skills, the only thing I could hope for was the basic stat boosts applied to my body after awakening the status window.

However, unlike melee-type characters who receive superhuman physical ability boosts by increasing strength or agility, my class was an elemental mage.

For reference, elemental mages, or “elemages” for short, were the squishiest class among mage-related classes, with literal glass-cannon-level physical abilities.

Fortunately, I had invested some of my level-up points in strength or agility rather than magic power, so my physical abilities were still better than those of an average person.

My resistance to poison was also somewhat improved.

As evidence, my arms and legs, which hadn’t been moving at all due to the paralyzing poison, could now move slightly when I exerted force.

‘The problem is that even so, I can’t beat four men with my bare hands, especially while poisoned… Status window.’

[PpulgjapgoAgimandeulgi]
Title: Reasonable – Dragon’s Mate
LV.170
Race: Draconian (White)
Status: Poisoned

-Basic Stats
Strength: 116
Agility: 116
Magic Power: 165
Intelligence: 32(12)

Race-Specific Stats
Ice Element Affinity: 10/10

Class: Elementalist
Class-Specific Stats
Fire Element Affinity: 2/10
Water Element Affinity: 3/10
Wind Element Affinity: 10/10
Earth Element Affinity: 1/10
Lightning Element Affinity: 10/10

Achievements

With a cheerful ‘ding’ sound effect, the normal status window I had seen countless times in the game appeared before my eyes.

Below the stats reduced by the paralyzing poison, information about class-specific stats, the skills I mainly used, and the achievements I had accomplished were listed.

As expected, nothing had changed from the appearance I had confirmed before the kidnappers entered the room.

All the stat and skill point distributions were perfect, and everything in the status window was normal without any issues.

After rechecking the skill tree and information about the skills, I slammed my head on the floor in frustration.

‘The skill tree is set up the way I wanted it to be, so why can’t I use the skills…’

But come to think of it, when I played the game, all I had to do was press a key on the keyboard to use a skill.

In other words, I didn’t know how to use magic.

‘Do I have to chant spells like in the game…?’

I’ve been reading too many novels with status windows, so I thought I could use skills however I wanted once the status window was unsealed.

That’s how most of the protagonists in novels actually are.

But this situation wasn’t a novel, it was reality, and I had become a stupid b*tch who stood up to burly men while not even being able to move my body properly.

“Hey, bosses, can I rough up this crazy b*tch a little?”

‘…This is bad.’

The man who had hesitated at my unusual demeanor glared at me fiercely, as if his pride had been hurt by being intimidated by a small woman.

‘…’

As soon as my eyes met his, my body instinctively flinched.

The hideous scar on the man’s eye added ferocity to his gaze.

I stared at the floor to avoid provoking him further, and the person who seemed to be the leader started to dissuade the man.

“Hold on. The market’s coming up soon. If we put a scratch on a product that needs to be sold right away, and the price gets cut, are you going to take responsibility for it?”

I nodded inwardly, agreeing with the leader’s words.

But he didn’t give up easily.

“Come on… you guys know my skills, right?”

He loosened the slightly frozen atmosphere with a friendly voice, and continued speaking while throwing a sloppy jab into the air.

“I’m good at hitting without leaving a trace or bruises.

Even if we put her up for sale as is, her temper might cause her to be labeled as difficult to handle, and the price might get cut, right?

I still remember how we discussed changing business partners because of that last time.”

“I think that’s right, boss.

If we don’t want to go through the same thing again, I think some ‘education’ is necessary.”

The short kidnapper I had called disgusting to his face chimed in, agreeing with the thug-looking man’s claim.

I sensed danger.

The group’s opinion was starting to shift from ‘it’s best not to touch the product’ to ‘let’s ‘educate’ her.’

It was obvious what that word ‘education’ implied.

There was no way these criminals would advocate for pure education through words alone.

“Of course, some customers might prefer a rebellious type, but I think we need to at least make sure they don’t bite their owners.”

“Enough. If you can’t control your anger, go out on the deck and cool off.

Think about the money that will be deposited into your account if you just hold on a little longer.”

“Of course, I’m a little heated, but shouldn’t we kill that rebellious personality to get a good price?”

Their eloquent persuasion continued.

But the leader’s answer was consistent.

Just as I was about to feel relieved that their ‘education’ under the guise of violence wouldn’t be allowed, a variable appeared.

“Boss, if you’re really worried…”

The man who had been standing quietly next to the leader whispered something in the leader’s ear.

“……If those guys make a mistake and the price is cut due to scratches, deduct that amount from his share.

If he’s unhappy, you can just drown him without any repercussions.

He’s basically a lost cause to the organization anyway.”

The man whispered quietly on purpose so that the other two members wouldn’t hear, but I was close enough to them that I clearly heard the word ‘drown.’

‘Wait, do they actually kill people? That easily?’

The emotions of fear and helplessness, which had been temporarily weakened by the intense experience of awakening the status window, began to tighten around my body little by little.

In addition, thanks to the whisper from before, the leader gave his permission.

“It’s okay to rough her up a bit.

But keep in mind that if you make a mistake and scratches appear, the reduced price will be deducted from your share.”

“Understood, boss.

By the way, are you going to watch the education?

You like watching this kind of thing, don’t you?”

“No.

I have to contact the client.

There should be a water-filled plastic bottle in the refrigerator, so use it or don’t use it as you see fit.

Be sure to record a video.”

At the request to be sure to record a video, the man smiled and replied.

“Understood, boss.

I’m sure you’ll be satisfied with this video.”