episode_0003

On the first day in this world,

What Kim Yujin did was simple.

It was just confirming the strange characters that appeared before his eyes.

【Status Window Formed】

【Name】

Kim Yujin

【Height/Weight】

184cm/71kg

【Stats】

Strength: 10 ↑↓

Endurance: 10 ↑↓

Agility: 10 ↑↓

Magic Power: 10 ↑↓

Luck: 10 ↑↓

【Unique Traits】

– Charisma of Malice

– Iron Man

– Intimidation

– Crowd Control

– Politics of Fear

【Acquired Traits】

– Communication Disorder

– Optimistic Thinking

– Weapon Infused with the Spirit of the Righteous

【Possessed Skills】

– None

– Remaining Points: 20

At this moment, Yujin understood that the ‘Unique Traits’ were the characteristics he originally possessed.

Charisma, intimidation, fear.

Words that seemed light-years away from himself.

Just looking at them made his flesh crawl.

The acquired traits were supposed to be the ones he already had…

“Having traits like optimistic thinking and a communication disorder.”

No, what exactly is a communication disorder?

Is this also considered a trait?

Isn’t this a bit too much?

The only thing that seems somewhat good is ‘Weapon Infused with the Spirit of the Righteous.’

This one was too abstract, and he couldn’t grasp what kind of trait it was.

They say that a weapon infused with the spirit of the righteous becomes a dragon when promoted.

Perhaps one should think in the direction that they also have the potential to become a dragon?

…Or maybe this is also an overblown delusion due to the ‘optimistic thinking’ trait.

Well, it might not matter much anyway.

Yujin decided not to dwell on it too deeply.

“So, what am I supposed to do with this?”

If we were to confess at this point,

Kim Yujin was a student who only studied during his school days.

What does that mean?

It means he had no connection whatsoever with web novels, comics, or games.

And suddenly presenting a status window to such a person?

It’s like a customer going to Subway for the first time.

He had no idea what to do.

But he had at least some wits.

What caught his eye immediately were the numbers and arrows.

He realized that he could adjust the values with these.

Yujin stared at it quietly.

Carefully, he raised the power stat at the top.

– Strength: 11

– Remaining Points: 19

“Oh! Is this how you increase the stats?”

He, who was lying down, got up and tried lifting the bed.

He felt the bed, which he wouldn’t have dared to touch before, move.

Just by pressing a button, his strength had increased.

“Wow! This is really amazing.”

Is this normal in this world?

Being able to raise your strength as you wish.

The rest probably works on a similar mechanism.

Raising strength makes you stronger,

Raising agility makes you faster.

Regardless of the principle, it’s a convenient function.

“So, if I can raise it, can I also lower it?”

As a test, he pressed the ‘↓’ next to him again.

The number returned to its original state.

– Strength: 10

– Remaining Points: 20

It seems you can raise and lower stats as you wish.

However, the points decreased accordingly.

The limit is 20 points that can be allocated.

“But what exactly is strength 10?”

Let’s think about it mathematically.

Strength 11 moves the bed.

Does strength 12 mean you can move two beds?

“Nah, that can’t be true.”

No matter what, that’s unreasonable.

It will probably just make him slightly stronger than he is now.

Anyway, getting stronger than now is certain.

“This is a fantasy world where monsters roam, right? So, should I raise strength for now, or agility?”

Yujin pondered for a moment.

Then he realized one thing.

There is no stat that must be raised.

Let’s look at luck for now.

It probably refers to the luck that works when buying lottery tickets.

But he is a second-generation chaebol.

He doesn’t need to buy lottery tickets.

What he needs, he can simply buy with money.

Agility might make me faster, but it’s the 21st century.

Can I be faster than trains or airplanes?

Probably wealthy.

If urgent, I could just take a taxi.

No, Kim Yujin even has a personal secretary.

A single call and they’ll pick you up anywhere.

When it comes to magic, I don’t even know where to use it.

In the end, luck, agility, and magic are all pretty useless!

Even if I play the game Kuma, I’d probably still worry more.

Yujin didn’t think that far.

“Hmm… Alright.”

After some contemplation, Kim Yujin finally made a decision.

– Magic: 0

– Luck: 0

– Remaining Points: 40

Magic and luck are useless.

I’ll just reduce them all.

I’ll invest everything in strength.

Strength is justice after all!

“Well, having strength can’t be a bad thing. I might even push Grandpa’s wheelchair.”

Well, I can always adjust later if needed.

With a light heart, I firmly pressed my finger.

[Stats]

Strength: 50 ↑↓

Endurance: 10 ↑↓

Agility: 10 ↑↓

Magic: 0 ↑↓

Luck: 0 ↑↓

I left agility and endurance as they were.

It could disrupt daily life.

As I wrapped up these settings, an additional message popped up.

【Strength has increased dramatically!】

【Acquired skill ‘Robust Body’.】

【Acquired skill ‘Monstrous Strength’.】

【Would you like to automatically activate skills when encountering ‘enemies’?】

Hmm, I don’t know what they are, but new skills have emerged.

“Wow! Look at this, life really is a gamble!”

This should be considered a decent job.

Looking at the newly emerged list, a sense of accomplishment washed over me.

“For now, let’s set them to auto-activate.”

Not knowing what they are, automatic seems more convenient.

【Skills have been set to auto-activate.】

【Will activate automatically in combat regardless of willpower.】

“Let’s see how good a strength of 50 is, maybe I should test it.”

Just as Kim Yujin was about to get up, a knocking sound was heard.

“P-Patient, I-I’ll do the blood test! It won’t hurt at all, it’s a necessary process, please…!”

“Uh, sure.”

“Are you okay, sir?”

“If you’re in pain, please let us know! I’ll blow up this hospital from its foundation!”

“Eeek!”

“…Quiet.”

The sudden appearance of a nurse and her subordinate.

Here too, his communication disorder came into play.

Information about the status disappeared from his mind.

In reality, he hadn’t thought deeply about it.

To him, stats were like bonuses.

They wouldn’t have much impact on real life.

“If only I could raise intelligence or appearance, that would’ve been better.”

He had such thoughts from the start.

Naturally, he didn’t understand the importance of stats.

Above all, he planned to enjoy his school days.

He didn’t think there was a need to fuss over these stats.

And on his first day at school.

Decreased luck and abnormally high strength.

The ‘Monstrous Strength’ skill that deemed ‘Chulsoo’ as an enemy.

The perfect synergy of these factors.

Kim Yujin ended up defeating Kim Chulsoo.

****

It’s an unfamiliar ceiling.

“…”

Kim Chulsoo was hospitalized with his arm in a cast.

He stared blankly at the ceiling.

Like a patient waiting for the last leaf to fall.

In fact, it might not be much different.

Hope had been torn to shreds.

“I lost.”

To Kim Yujin, who he hated to death.

And that too, with just one blow.

In front of the entire school.

He had been completely defeated.

“Darn, why did this happen?”

He had confidence in his abilities.

He ranked at the top even at the academy.

Of course, Kim Yujin’s notoriety is impressive.

But that’s just the authority of the organization.

He thought it wasn’t Kim Yujin’s own power.

“Just one blow. That’s all it took to feel the difference in level.”

His male pride was crushed in an instant.

Overwhelming sense of defeat.

A humiliation that scraped the ground harshly.

Coziness that felt like facing a wall.

All negative emotions gathered.

They clung to the body stickily.

“Will I be able to win next time?”

It couldn’t even be said with bravado.

Truly overwhelming power.

No image of oneself winning is painted.

Can’t imagine breaking him.

Already defeated before the fight begins.

There’s no way to win in this situation.

Chulsoo bowed deeply under the onslaught of despair.

-Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking on the hospital room door was heard.

Chulsoo’s lips formed a weak smile.

Now that all human relationships were severed by Kim Yujin.

The only person who would visit him is his childhood friend, Yeonghee.

“Yeonghee….”

But the moment the door opened.

Chulsoo’s face contorted grimly.

The culprit who made him like this.

Kim Yujin was standing there.

“What nerve does this bastard have…”

He tormented his loved one.

Today, he broke his arm.

And yet he dares to lift his head.

His audacity made Chulsoo’s teeth chatter.

“Are you okay?”

Even the words were embarrassingly inadequate.

All this because of me!

Experiencing such despair due to someone’s prank!

“Well, well. It’s nothing much.”

Kim Yujin offered a luxury fruit set.

With his poor circumstances, he couldn’t afford to live like this.

An act that seemed like flaunting his wealth.

Disgust surged from within.

“Are you trying to show that you’re a better man than me?”

Background, wealth, ability, strength.

Kim Yujin overwhelmed him in every aspect.

He couldn’t deny that fact at all.

That realization brought even more shame.

Kim Yujin stood there without saying a word.

Just looking down on himself.

“Yeah, I didn’t like that look in your eyes from the first moment.”

As if he was beneath him.

Those endlessly staring black pupils.

Felt a strong urge to make those eyes look up.

“This incident… I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to go this far.”

But the moment he said that.

Chulsoo could only admit defeat.

“Is this just a warning for this time?”

No, it was more like a threat.

This time, he let go with just one arm.

But the threat was clear that there won’t be a next time.

“Even after hearing these words, can’t I do anything?”

The current him couldn’t surpass the guy in front of him.

He came here to impress upon Kim Yujin that fact.

He could easily defeat someone like himself.

Could kneel down at any moment.

To teach him that.

“…Get lost.”

“…”

Kim Yujin said nothing and just stared at him.

But Chulsoo couldn’t bring himself to meet those eyes.

It felt like his heart would truly break if he did.

Kim Yujin stood there as if waiting for that.

The surging sense of defeat in his heart.

The suffocating pressure that made breathing difficult.

To overcome that, he had to exert all his strength.

Chulsoo kept thinking of Yeonghee.

How much time had passed like that?

Kim Yujin turned around.

“I’ll come back next time.”

Only after he left did Chulsoo relax.

Realizing he hadn’t even been breathing.

His back was damp with cold sweat.

“Is this all I can do right now?”

Just struggling stubbornly without surrendering.

That was his limit.

He felt an unparalleled sense of humiliation in that fact.

Yet, Chulsoo resolved to hold onto his determination.

To protect his one and only childhood friend.

****

“Oh, what should I do? He seems really angry.”

Yujin, leaving the hospital room, sighed deeply.

Chulsoo seems thoroughly angry.

He doesn’t even try to meet her gaze.

In truth, he had thought of many apologies to say.

But he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Chulsoo’s wounded face.

Facing that, words failed to come to mind.

Any words spoken wouldn’t have been comforting.

Not even a glance at the get-well gifts.

Only curses in return for apologies.

Seemed impossible to reconcile immediately.

“Well, I’d be pissed too.”

Had plans with a friend to hang out.

But that friend ended up breaking their arm.

Even cutting ties, there’s nothing to say.

In Hero Academy, health is crucial.

But when the most important arm is damaged.

It’s a massive burden on Cheolsu.

“Can’t see things cooling down right away. Let’s give it time, apologize later.”

Encountering the main culprit in such an infuriated state?

What else but to explode further.

Yujin turned to her assistant Park and said,

“Compensate Cheolsu.”

“Yes? Compensate… you mean?”

Suddenly became a chaebol heiress.

If not used now, then when?

At least all medical expenses must be covered.

Let’s add compensation for mental anguish as well.

That might ease my mind a bit.

“Yes, as much as possible, as much as it takes to convey my feelings.”

Don’t really know what’s appropriate.

Resolving everything with money isn’t ideal.

Leaving this to adults might be cleaner.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

Park, the assistant, looked puzzled.

Blinking his eyes.

“You mean give money to Cheolsu. Was my wording too complex?”

His eyes widened momentarily.

Then he smiled as if understanding.

“Ah, I see! I’ll handle it.”

Even though he said he understood, why does his face look so intimidating?

Seems like someone who could be asked a couple of questions.

Why is he working as a student secretary anyway?

“Hoping this will somewhat convey my feelings.”

With that thought, while walking down the hospital corridor.

“Um, excuse me…”

Raised my head at a sudden voice.

Realized no one was there and lowered it again.

There stood a female student.

A white name tag on her chest.

Clearly stating ‘Lee Yeonghee.’

“Wow, she’s pretty.”

She was a girl with a pure and cute appearance.

In this world, there are quite a few attractive men and women.

Among them, she was definitely outstanding.

“…Why would such a girl suddenly talk to me?”

Could she be from Shincheonji?

Or maybe she knows the original Kim Yujin.

Well, with a face like that, having a girlfriend wouldn’t be surprising.

“I… messed up….”

But something feels off about the atmosphere.

She muttered with a creeping voice.

Tears even welled up in her eyes.

Yeonghee clung to my arm and began to explain.

“I won’t resist anymore. I’ll do anything. Please… just stop now. I beg you.”

Like a sinner unable to seek forgiveness.

Wait, what on earth happened?

Why is this girl apologizing to me like this?

“Did she borrow money from me or something?”

First, I glanced at the assistant behind me.

He just stood there, expressionless.

Saying nothing at all.

“Well, this seems like an issue I can handle within my limits, right?”

First, understanding the situation is key.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

At that, the girl’s eyes widened.

As if realizing something, she bit her lip tightly.

“I see… um….”

Suddenly, she knelt down.

Her black hair cascading down to her waist.

Her clear eyes tightly shut as if enduring something.

Not stopping there, she touched the ground with her hands.

Pressed her forehead against the floor.

Her slender shoulders trembling.

A small nape.

Waist and back covered by a white school uniform.

That’s all visible.

“Please… I beg you….”

And with a choked voice,

He obeyed as if to his master.

“Please, just look once……”

…Ah, darn.

What’s going on now?