episode_0005

[ Quest completed ]

[ Obtain the reward. ]

[ The store is open . ]

These are the things that came into view as soon as I opened my eyes in bed.

I stared blankly, then waved my hand in the air to clear the window.

I looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling and a smirk came out.

‘Fortunately, I didn’t end up homeless.’

It was something that came to mind the moment the practical exam was over.

It was nice to see Noah and Ichinose in person, but the problem was where to go next.

My head is spinning wondering where and how I should spend the remaining few days until the start of the semester.

There was a point when I was prepared to sleep on the streets because there was no solution that came to mind.

After the exam, I overheard a group of cadets flooding the gymnasium talking about buying some food for the dorm.

I dug through my smartphone and was able to find the guidebook sent from Orion Academy.

After that, move and move again.

I walked to the dormitory located one block away from Orion Academy.

Was it because I used my skills, or was it because I was tired from the tension that I was hiding with excitement?

As soon as I got to my room, I laid my head on the bed and fell asleep, feeling the fatigue taking root in my body.

I opened my eyes and said goodbye to that sticky sweat.

I look at the ceiling and feel confident.

‘It’s not a dream after all.’

From doubt to certainty.

I am still inside Academy City Elysium.

The results were more than satisfactory.

It was a mysterious time, so much so that it wouldn’t have been strange if I had woken up and said it was a dream when I actually opened my eyes.

Even though I had taken a deep breath, I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw the situation still the same.

It felt really good to finally have this become a reality.

“Huh···.”

I was crying alone in joy, and I slowly rolled over to my sleepy body and grabbed my smartphone on the corner of the bed to check the time.

‘February 26th, 20:40.’

It’s still the day of the placement test.

I feel like I slept well, but maybe because I fell asleep early, the sun didn’t even set.

‘I fell asleep vaguely.’

I got up from the bed and washed my face repeatedly.

Now I need to come to my senses.

Shouldn’t we organize the thoughts that we’ve been putting off while having fun?

“Oh.”

I got out of the soft bed and moved my sore body around.

After hanging the uniform I was wearing on the chair, I looked around.

‘···The room feels alive.’

As soon as you arrive, things you didn’t see before while diving into bed come into view.

When I open the wardrobe, it’s a bit shabby, but there are a few clothes to change into, and in the shoe rack there’s a pair of sneakers with the soles all worn out.

On the desk are thick books that look like textbooks and a bag. The basic items are roughly provided.

‘I guess my character must have stayed in the dormitory at least once. He lived here as soon as he entered school… and then turned into ‘me’ on his way to take the placement test?’

It’s something like this.

I feel like this story won’t make any progress no matter how hard I try, so I’ll end it here.

I’m also curious about the times that passed by without leaving any lasting memories, like now.

Right now, there are a ton of things to think about, about the present and the future, rather than the past.

‘first.’

This is the most important issue.

Before I make any plans, have I escaped the immediate threat of death that I was facing?

Did you get your head out before the blade fell on the guillotine?

Thud, thud.

I moved to take a shower and looked at my body in the mirror.

The sense of alienation is extreme.

A body that is clean and without a single blemish, no matter how closely you look at it.

That was the really important point, more than things like my poor physical condition that didn’t match my sexuality.

‘···The traces of necrosis have disappeared and the scars have disappeared.’

The diseased blood vessels and scars that had spread out like spider webs around the heart were no longer visible.

This must be because of the transfer into a new body.

‘I was clearly just waiting for the day I would die.’

It would be okay if you had received expensive treatment that would cleanly erase the wounds incurred while fighting against the gate like high-ranking hunters and even extract the poison and energy of the monsters.

For most hunters like me, it started to become burdensome to endure the wounds left by monsters as our abilities weakened.

The day when the Hunters’ abilities are completely destroyed and they return to the bodies of ordinary people.

It seemed obvious to me that a considerable number would die.

I knew that even though it might be a few years later, there was a very high chance that I would be included in that bloodbath.

But now there is no trace of those chains.

I am a free person.

‘Okay! I guess it’s okay!’

The joy of escaping from a crisis unintentionally. The corners of my mouth went up in vain as my heart felt lighter.

The steps you take to take a shower are like feathers.

I pretended to be indifferent, living the same daily life, but it was true that my mind was wearing down with the realization that I had a limited time.

Swaaa …

While waiting for the hot water to come out, I think about the following matter.

‘second.’

Where on earth is the main character of Abyss City?

‘If meeting the main characters in the same class is the starting point, doesn’t that mean you’ve already taken the placement test?’

The protagonist’s gender changes depending on the gamer’s choice, and his name also changes.

In this world, I don’t even know if I’m set as a man or a woman.

Because I couldn’t find it among the crowd of students pouring in after the practical exam.

‘If it’s like this, I guess we’ll only know when the semester starts.’

If time passed like in a game, Academy City would experience unprecedented incidents and accidents from the moment the protagonist sets foot there.

It’s truly a shame for someone who loves quiet time.

“···.”

Swish!

The water, which had suddenly turned into warm water, poured onto my palm.

I went under it, got splashed with water, grabbed the tail of the reflection and turned my head.

‘And next.’

Quest rewards and shops.

It’s time to check out the arrogant skill that took about 5 hours to update.

Wheein─!

A large, translucent window appears in front of you, and you type in letters as if you were typing.

The water from the shower went through the window and poured onto my body.

◇ Random Skill Book – 500P (can be purchased once)

◇ Status Window – 100P (can be purchased once)

◇ High-protein jerky – 3P

◇ Cloud Bread – 2P

◇ Coral Jelly – 2P

◇ Energy Drink – 2P

◇ Mineral water – 2P

··

··

[ Remaining points – 100P ]

“Oh!”

A brief exclamation echoed through the cramped shower room.

My mouth is watering at the sight.

I checked the list again, foaming at the mouth.

‘Is there a chance that the shop level will increase and I can sell equipment?’

The situation where skills are also sold. There is ample room for this.

The current store is all about food and drink, except for the two items at the top.

One thing I would rate as the best is the expectation for growth.

“Whew! It’s refreshing!”

I quickly finished showering and sacrificed the towel.

I wore comfortable clothes and stared intently at the store windows.

‘When you buy food, what form does it take? Does it just fall from thin air?’

I was feeling hungry right away and was curious so I thought about buying some 1P food.

‘Status window···!’

One delicious product that matched the remaining points blocked his will.

I couldn’t resist the temptation.

[ Status window has opened . ]

In terms of games, it’s like opening the shortcut key C.

Hunger can be endured, but curiosity cannot be endured. It is satisfying.

I quickly pulled out the status window.

『Name: Rohan

Stamina: 100%

Horsepower: 87%

Affiliation Country: Southern Ruins

Affiliation: Orion Academy

Possessed Attributes: [Physical] [Fire]

Status: ─

Remaining points: 0P』

‘fire!?’

I expected the physics, but I couldn’t have imagined the other one.

Why does the attribute have fire?

“Ugh···.”

I walked around the room alone and thought about it, but no clear answer came to mind.

When I was a hunter, my special ability was the pinnacle of simplicity, far removed from anything flashy.

Of course, it has nothing to do with fire.

As a result of walking around without stopping and continuing to reason.

“!”

One of the most plausible guesses came to mind.

‘Maybe it doesn’t really have any meaning?’

When I think about the attribute cycle of the new characters that Abyss City is releasing, I can almost agree with that.

Because the community assumed that the position I would fill would likely be one with the fire attribute.

I accepted the result calmly.

To satisfy my remaining curiosity, I took out my sneakers and put them on.

*****

Ichinose Yui comes out of the dorm and walks down the street.

Leaving the spacious house and starting a life without a driver or bodyguard.

Every time I talked to my parents on the phone, I would get emotional and my mind would be filled with determination to keep going for the next two years.

Today, after finishing my training in accordance with that resolution, I tried to pick up my pen.

Since I needed something sweet for my late-night studies, I set out to find a convenience store and cafe near the dorm where I would be staying.

Additionally, it is essential to find out about beauty stores where you can buy cosmetics.

It was February, so the night breeze was still cool.

The sparkling night view of the academy city of Elysium had a completely different atmosphere from that of her home country, Samhwa.

It was dazzlingly splendid and prosperous beyond imagination.

‘Not bad.’

It seemed like I wouldn’t be bored for a while if I just went out and walked.

I think it would be nice to walk along this road after eating.

of course.

If only I knew where this was.

“···.”

Everything was perfect until I bought some snacks and left the convenience store.

I was secretly excited because there were so many new snacks I had never tried before at Samhwaguk.

So, a snack and a smartphone in one hand.

On the way back to the dormitory, holding the night sign that was like his soul in one hand.

At some point, I found myself walking down a road I had never seen before.

Jiiing──.

The vibration of the smartphone in your hand.

Ichinose opened her eyes, which had been closed, to look at the screen.

[ Noah: Why aren’t you in your room? Are you lost again? ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ ]

I told him repeatedly not to come over in the evening because I was going to study, but Noah didn’t listen to me.

Besides, the content of the message is also amazing.

‘Who said they got lost···!’

I need to give a proper warning that it is not good to treat people like they are missing all of a sudden.

“Huh!”

Ichinose walked confidently.

Because I am proud that I am not Mia.

‘If you can go back, then you’re not lost.’

There are many ways to get back to the dorm.

You can get help from the Elysium Police Department, or you can use the map app installed on your smartphone.

But don’t you think the moment you use them you’re admitting that they’re a waste of time?

My pride just won’t allow it.

Again. Again. Again. Again.

Ichinose walked along the night streets as if she was taking a stroll.

How far did you go in that straight line?

Ichinose stopped walking as he felt a strange noise and slowly opened his closed eyes.

Golden eyes look to one side.

‘That guy?’

A vending machine in a dark alley where not a single ray of light can be seen.

Someone appeared to be looking at the vending machine with a thoughtful face.

‘···Number 99?’

It was definitely the man who split the test golem in half.