episode_0003

“…This bastard?”

Curious if there was anything else written, I turned the letter around.

However, aside from the word ‘Sorry lol,’ there was nothing else to be found.

There was no proper sender, and I had no idea how this was delivered in the first place.

Instinctively, I knew who sent this.

“…The game masters.”

【Gonys Archive Life’s GM】

No one else but those bastards.

Logically, besides those wicked Satan-like beings, who else would use such a cruel method as throwing it through the window?

“…Sorry?, Sorry?, Sorry?”

Is that all?

It’s over?

Seems like they know it was their mistake to stick me here…and they just end it with this one word?

Shaking with anger—

I felt the urge to grab a nearby stick and shout for mercy until someone saves me.

“…Phew.”

But I calmed down.

Wasting energy on useless matters doesn’t align with my principles.

I just deeply engraved in my heart.

Someday, I will surely make them pay dearly for this misfortune.

I put down the letter and examined its contents.

The first thing I saw was another white envelope. Opening it revealed a small amount of cash inside.

Not enough money to buy decent equipment.

…Did they give this to fix a window or something?

“Ugh, these bastards. They should have just rung the doorbell like normal…”

Anyway, I kept digging.

Why are there so many ‘Handle with Care’ warning stickers here?

Soon, familiar items and appearances emerged.

Dozens of books without any particular cover.

Colorful shining minerals and rocks.

And various other items that were hard to define.

“…Wait a minute…could it be?”

They were very familiar to me.

More precisely, they were things I often saw as in-game icons.

[“Sorry lol” presents filled with apologies (actually not sorry) will be delivered.]

[Basic Attribute Selection Ticket] ×1

[Random Attribute Gacha Ticket] ×1

[Potion of Physical Growth] ×2

[Fruit of Celestial Immortality] ×5

[Liar’s Balm ×2]

[Kimchi-Flavored Mentos] ×999

[Kimchi-Flavored Combat Rations] ×999

[Kimchi-Flavored Cola] ×999

[Kimchi-Flavored Cereal] ×999

·

·

·

I was certain.

Cash, or ‘Red Gems,’ paid items that can only be bought with real money.

And some items bundled in a disgustingly greedy package.

Emergency goods that I had prepared for future character builds.

In the exact order and quantity I had stored in my warehouse.

“If I use these…maybe it’ll work?”

I momentarily set aside my previous anger, crossed my arms, and contemplated deeply.

‘…I have to use them no matter what.’

There’s no room for saving or hesitating.

Of course, using such items on a mere ‘Guide’ seems wasteful, but this is not a game; it’s reality.

And unless I want to die right away, I had to get stronger by any means necessary.

‘…Alright.’

The decision was swift.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly clenched each item in my hand according to the order.

And, 30 minutes later.

I was reborn completely anew.

* * *

In front of a full-length mirror.

I examined my body from head to toe, striking various poses.

“The Potion of Physical Growth has enhanced your physique. It bestows unbelievable growth upon your body. Robust vitality will strengthen your body and mind.”

“The Fruit of Celestial Immortality turns into blood and flesh. It draws out the effects of a fruit cultivated solely by heavenly gods, enhancing your muscles.”

“…Wow, this is amazing.”

With an exclamation, I admired myself once again.

My height, which was 170 cm, had rapidly grown to 185 cm.

The body that had been ambiguously trained revealed a toughness akin to a solid iron nugget, tempered multiple times in the flames.

The lean physique, which had been meticulous, balanced muscles and fat appropriately, ensuring both strength and flexibility.

Literally speaking, he now looked somewhat like a young man.

“I really like it.”

All of this power was a combination of the ‘Heavenly Muhwa Fruit,’ an expensive paid item worth a whopping ‘₩110,000,’ and the ‘Physical Growth Elixir.’

The Muhwa enhanced overall abilities with its effects.

The elixir, being a game, facilitated physical growth up to the level of bodily reconstruction.

“…Of course, the elixir only shows permanent effects once, but drinking it more than twice will make your body explode and lead to death.”

In reality, it’s an Easter egg in the game where you immediately get a game over.

However, the first growth is crucial!

If the body transformed by the elixir is combined with the Heavenly Muhwa’s fruit, it grows even better. This was common knowledge among “guides” who oversaw such transformations.

Placing my hand on my waist, I shouted with a hint of confidence, “Status window!”

—

◉Name: Yoo Seha

◉Gender: Male (19)

◉Grade: 5☆(☆☆☆☆☆)

◉Class: [Sword Saint]

◉Attributes

[Strength: 10] [Magic: 6]

[Speed: 12] [Mental: 6]

[Endurance: 10] [Divinity: 0]

◉Unique Ability

【Eye of Reverse Heaven Lv.1】

◉Traits

– Epic –

[Sword’s Song Lv.1] [Unprecedented Sensitivity Lv.1]

– Normal –

[Swordsmanship Lv.1]

◉Skills

– Rare –

[Flowing Slash Lv.1]

◉Ultimate Skill

–

◉【Backup】

⦁(p): Unopened

⦁(A): Unopened

◉Equipment

-Weapon: Worn Straight Sword.

—

“…Alright.”

This stat distribution leans heavily towards speed, typical of a melee damage dealer.

‘I’ve also gained traits.’

After the elixir and Heavenly Muhwa, I used two “Trait Tickets.”

Among them was the first one, the [Basic Trait Selection Ticket].

It allows the selection of one normal trait, the lowest grade, regardless of the type of weapon wielded.

Without any hesitation, I chose [Swordsmanship].

Even though it’s just a basic trait, it’s essential as it enhances proficiency with all types of swords, regardless of their kind.

Next, I used the [Random Trait Gacha Ticket].

It’s a rare item purchasable only with the premium currency, Jadeite, and grants at least a rare or higher trait.

However, despite its greatness, not many guides use it.

The reason is simple.

It’s random.

Although there’s an additional effect that considers the user’s tendencies and potential, making the randomness somewhat predictable.

‘…But the range is too wide to consider.’

Simply put, it doesn’t offer good value for money.

I haven’t used such items before…

“So this came out…”

—

◉Name: Unprecedented Sensitivity

◉Grade: Epic

◉Level: 1

◉Special Effects

: Intuition greatly increases.

: Sensory perception sharply rises upon entering combat. Automatically activates ‘Danger Sense’ against enemy attacks, marking them in ‘red.’ Can detect without direct line of sight.

◉Detailed Information

: A trait said to have been possessed by a being known as the ‘Warlord’ in the distant past. It falls under the category of ‘sensory perception,’ allowing unbelievable detection capabilities.

—

An Epic-grade trait indeed.

Regarded as one of the top-tier scam traits within the community.

‘감이 좋다.’ With just one phrase, it unravels all sorts of gimmicks, boasting an almost future-seeing level of accuracy.

So that’s why.

There were very few people who could truly learn.

Even if the performance is poor, the focus is on learning to make use of it somehow.

One thing is for sure, Yuseha can’t learn.

It’s a result that came out after countless experiments.

Moreover, for some reason, he couldn’t even copy it with [Eye of the Reverse Heaven].

‘…Strange, isn’t it?’

While other [Intuition] lineages didn’t click at all, only this skill wasn’t given to Yuseha.

As if it shouldn’t be learned at all.

In fact, the status window in front of me is more like a bug if you think of it as ‘Gosla.’

Yet it appeared.

‘…Well, good things are good.’

I passed over it without much thought.

Anyway, it seems like it’s just about using what’s available now.

‘…A bit lacking.’

Actually, I should be grateful for this much, but human greed keeps whetting my appetite.

How should I put it?

The foundation is solidly laid, but it’s like a ‘bone chicken’ without thick layers of cement.

Especially, it was regrettable not to have a rare-grade sword.

‘Nothing to be done about it.’

For now, I seemed to have to swing that old iron sword roughly.

“I should pack up the box one last time.”

I carefully laid out the remaining goods on the floor and covered them with clothes for disguise.

Again, in this world, there is no such thing as ‘paid goods’ that grow explosively without side effects with just one ‘click.’

Moreover, all these items are consumables that can be used by others besides me.

If what remains here is revealed, well, it wouldn’t be surprising if all sorts of people come flocking.

“Alright.”

I clapped my hands and checked the academy schedule on my phone.

By the way, that Yuseha guy.

He seemed to have been striving towards the “Gonnis Hunter Academy.”

“Yuseha. You have failed…”

Of course, the results weren’t good.

Sigh, isn’t it a common rule that once you possess someone, admission should go smoothly?

At least it doesn’t seem to be the case in this world.

Fortunately, the “Gonnis Hunter Academy” allowed for unlimited retries.

And that wasn’t embarrassing at all.

It seemed to be a world-renowned elite academy recognized worldwide.

Every semester, there were numerous students who failed.

‘…And for some reason, Yuseha managed to deceive the class.’

The written record was .

Since it listed the worst among the swordsman professions, I probably wouldn’t have even bothered as an interviewer.

“First, let’s focus on getting accepted.”

The timing was right.

Two months until the entrance exam.

If I push myself too hard every week, it might be tough.

But in two months, although not leisurely, I should be able to reach the place where [Hidden Piths] are hidden.

However, there is one problem here.

The fact that I have no combat experience in this place.

‘I’ve fought with weapons plenty of times.’

But the combat experience of superhumans based on ‘Classes’ and ‘Skills,’ that’s unheard of for me.

Therefore, first, I aimed to gain experience by entering a suitable place.

‘For now…’

Should I try turning on the Hunter app?

—

“…Oh crap.”

20 minutes later.

I clasped my head with both hands.

The reason? Simple.

-“Um, excuse me, are you a man…? Oh…a man…um, sorry. We don’t accept male dealers.”

-“Huh? Your voice sounds like a man’s? Are you trying to make a reservation for your older sister or younger sister instead? …What? You’re the one running? As a dealer? Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep.”

Women who peel off when told that it’s a man.

-“Huh? A man? Um, it really looks like you’re trying to catch a bus…do you have any money? By the way, we only take cash.”

Women blatantly demanding money.

“Man? Oh, a ‘porter’ applicant. Judging by the contact you made, you must be quite confident in your looks. Well, male hunters also get decent treatment if they have good looks and a nice body. Luckily, there’s currently a vacant spot for a ‘lover.’ Since you’re an A-rank hunter, VIP member, participating this time, just pick up the leftovers, and it should be fine… What? A dealer? A man? Are you crazy?

I don’t even know what a ‘lover’ is, let alone the girl claiming to be one.

‘…Ura-jil.’

What I’m about to do right now is 《Gate Clearing》.

Clearing only the ‘boss,’ the core of the dungeon inside the gate, and periodically returning to subdue and acquire the byproducts are crucial businesses in today’s Republic of Korea.

With a name like ‘clearing,’ the difficulty level seemed easy, so naturally, that’s what I aimed for.

I never dreamed that such absurd background settings would become a barrier from the start.

“Hey, should we just go anywhere?”

No, but it still feels a bit uncomfortable.

Ring―

“…Hm?”

It was at that moment when I was contemplating.

My phone vibrated.

Nonchalantly checking it, a message the size of a boss greeted me, sent from a place labeled ‘Hunter Association.’

[Year 23 ‘Mandatory Subjugation Order’ Implemented]

[Web Dispatch]

★ Year 23 Mandatory Subjugation fully enforced.

★ All ‘Awakened’ individuals, please apply to the dates and locations listed below.

★ Non-participation may result in forced apprehension.

Issuer: Hunter Association

Hmm?

“…What is this?”

A mandatory subjugation order?”