Chapter 6

Chapter 6

* * *

“An unaffiliated person is in 1st place? Is that true?”

“Seong Jihan? Who’s that? Does anyone know him?”

It’d been 10 years since Battle Net spread throughout the world. Unlike the beginning, the Bronze League had long been classified as an obscure league outside of people’s interest.

At least Silver had to come up to be somewhat worth watching. Especially for tutorial matches, even guild representatives mostly lacked interest.

But if it was the case of Gangnam Area 1, the story was different.

“The tutorial 1st place in Gangnam 1 is secured by an unaffiliated?”

“Lim Gayeong from the divergent guild is also participating. Of course, she would be 1st place.”

“4 kills are already sufficient to get 1st place in the league. 6 kills don’t make sense.”

Participating in Gangnam Area 1 required considerable abilities. An average stat ability of 9 or above, and a Gift Rank of A. Guild representatives believed that this was necessary to be within the top 50 in the tutorial.

But this was still a standard based on averages. For each season, the cutline for passing the tutorial varied.

“Last season, the competition was relatively easy, so even a C-rank Gift managed to pass.”

“But this time, the competition was fierce.”

Korea’s top 10 guilds often exchanged information, so they knew about the participants in this season’s Bronze League. From July, applications for league participation were submitted, and the Gangnam 1 Bronze League, starting on July 31st, was expected to be intensely competitive.

Moreover,

“Lim Gayeong is also participating. Naturally, She would be 1st place.”

“With 4 kills, it’s a standard 1st place in the league. 6 kills are unbelievable.”

Lim Gayeong from the divergent guild. Known to possess an S-rank Gift, she was a promising talent that the divergent guild ambitiously put forward.

The expectation for her was so high that even the pragmatic Divergent guild scouts confidently declared that she would be placed at 1st.

“Sigh. It’s a pity that data collection isn’t possible. Why can’t tutorials be broadcasted live…”

“For now, investigate seong Jihan. The ‘seong’ surname is unique, so something might come up.”

“Understood.”

The various guild scout teams divided into investigation headfirst. But for the two guilds that directly encountered seong Jihan, it was a different story.

“Both of you… received the data well.”

The warrior and archer from the Turtle Guild who died at the hands of seong Jihan had the advantage of a Kill Cam provided by Battle Net.

A third-person video captured 30 seconds before their death.

“I can’t believe it… truly unbelievable.”

The scout team leader of the Turtle Guild watched the replay multiple times and marveled. The game called Battle Net, They knew the balance was messed up from a long time ago, but…

“Does this make sense? Is he really Level 2?”

The warrior and archer were both objectively not lacking in ability. Both had an A-rank Gift, and their equipment was among the best of B-rank. Especially the warrior was lent a top-tier full plate mail that suited his characteristics and boasted sturdy defense.

“Orc weapons are at most F-rank to E-rank. Breaking through with such shoddy weapons to B-rank…”

Seong Jihan’s speed especially was impressive. According to the team leader’s observation, his agility was at least 15, almost close to 20.

“Of course, the strength stats must be at that level… No, he even pierced through armor with a shoddy weapon, so it must be beyond that. What kind of abilities does he possess to display such a state at Level 2?”

The scout team leader’s eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“Just by looking at his clothing, he’s not even a reserve guild member. I have to recruit him somehow!”

As if waking up from sleep, he joined the battle wearing a loose short-sleeved shirt and sweatpants.

In the game, he was essentially unarmed and achieved 6 kills. The team leader nodded repeatedly and looked at the two in front of him. Even though it might seem like someone else’s luck, he had to uplift the guild’s promising talents.

“Both of you, don’t be too disheartened. I, as the team leader, guarantee your abilities. You’ll have plenty of chances to pass in the next opportunity.”

“Ah…”

“Well, really?”

“Yes. Just consider this time as… well, encountering a natural disaster. It might be better to participate in the next league. Being in the same league as that monster would just take away the chance to be promoted to Silver.”

At the scout team leader’s words, the two individuals quickly nodded with downcast faces. Facing that monster continuously in the league? The thought was horrifying.

“Well then, rest well today.”

“Yes…”

“Understood.”

That way, the Turtle Guild observed seong Jihan’s performance, with the scout team leader taking direct action. Similarly, in the divergent guild, the head of HR and Division 3 personally oversaw it.

“Is this Seong Jihan’s data?”

“Yes…”

Right from the start, Dohyukgyu tried to kill him and ironically, died first. Director Jeon of the Turtle Guild’s HR Division couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“This person is the rumored ‘Golden parachute’…”

Lee Hayeon.

Rumored to still be in her twenties. A beauty that could rival famous celebrities. One might expect her to be at the level of a new employee just based on her appearance, but she held the title of a division head.

With the rumor of a parachute floating around, she was a woman with various gossips.

“It’s no joke…”

Dohyukgyu, in the prime of his life, had no interest in whether she was a parachute or not. When his gaze that occasionally flickered in her direction directly passed over her, she furrowed her brow.

“Why do you keep staring?”

“Sorry, I apologize.”

“Be more mindful of your gaze next time. Well then, please leave.”

“Yes…”

Dohyukgyu was ushered out while the USB containing the data was left behind. As he left the division office, a stern-faced woman standing behind her approached with measured steps.

She was Lee Hayeon’s bodyguard.

“Shall I kill him, Miss?”

“Really. Do you just kill anyone you want? You talk about killing like it’s nothing, yet you’ve never killed anyone.”

“I did kill someone this time.”

“Tsk. In the tutorial? Whatever. Is that jerk alone? But more importantly, Gayeong, come over here. The person who took your 1st place. Let’s go see them together.”

Lim Gayeong, the promising talent of the divergent guild. Although her top priority was the lady’s security, she was curious about the person who took away her 1st place.

“Understood.”

For the target who took away the 1st place, they quickly approachedLee Hayeon’s desk. Not long after, both of them had surprised expressions.

“Wow, that’s a relief, Gayeong.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m glad that person wasn’t summoned next to you.”

“…I can’t deny that.”

Earlier, Dohyukgyu, who had been chased out of the division office, was actually an expected talent within the divergent guild to rank within the top 20.

Agility A. Looking solely at the tutorial, he possessed a notable agility-based Gift. However, his opponent seong Jihan effortlessly evaded the attacks of that Agility A.

“If that person is matched with you again in the next match, it’s better to avoid them, right?”

“…”

Lim Gayeong didn’t respond, simply nodding quietly.

Lee Hayeon looked at her. Biting her lower lip, it slightly protruded.

Having spent many years together,Lee Hayeon knew exactly when that expression would appear on Gayeong’s face – when she received an order she didn’t like.

“Ugh, really.”

“Ah, no. Our Gayeong won’t lose. Crush him in a fight.”

“It’s okay, Miss. I’ll avoid it.”

“It’s an order. Fight for the sake of information.”

“In that case… understood.”

* * *

As her lips returned to their place, Lim Gayeong’s expression turned impassive once again. Observing her, Lee Hayeon smiled as if unable to hold it back, then turned her attention back to the monitor and Seong Jihan’s face.

For some reason, the face didn’t seem unfamiliar.

“Where have I seen him before…?”

* * *

Back at home, Seong Jihan checked the message that appeared before his eyes first.

[Achieved 1st place in the tutorial.]

[As a 1st place reward, experience gain is increased by 50%.]

[Leveled up to Level 3.]

[No GP is rewarded as it’s a tutorial mode.]

“So, because I’m at a lower level, my level rises quickly.”

When he was a ranker in the United States, it took a month to raise just one level. But in a single game, he had gained 3 levels. Seong Jihan distributed his stats with a pleased heart.

“Naturally, 3 points to Martial Power…”

Once again, as he allocated the points to Martial Power, the stat value immediately increased.

As Martial Power reached 9, Seong Jihan turned his attention to the empty title slot. He had obtained a title for achieving 1st place in the tutorial.

[Tutorial Conqueror – Bronze]

[A title given to the player who achieves 1st place in the tutorial. All stats within the Bronze League increase by 1, and experience gain increases by 20%.]

Although it was a title applied only within the Bronze League, it still held a substantial effect.

Seong Jihan immediately equipped the title.

“Martial power has increased to 10.”

He checked his status window:

[Name: Seong Jihan

Level: 6

[Affiliation] Bronze League – Gangnam Area 1

Martial power: 10

Mana: 6

Class: Classless (Class Acquisition Possible)

Gift: Wanderer’s Insight (Rank F)

– Can discern other players well.

Title: Tutorial Conqueror – Bronze

Achievement Points: 11,600]

His abilities had improved slightly compared to when he was at Level 2. However, he still didn’t have any skills, and his Gift was still Rank F. The road ahead was long, but even so, the Bronze League was practically a free pass.

“I need to reach Level 25 quickly and pave the way for the growing sapling.”

Once he reached Level 25, he wouldn’t need to play the game daily; he could simply wait for the Silver Promotion Match.

“But…”

The ‘Classless’ class slot was shimmering with light. Seong Jihan brought his finger to the class slot.

[Upon reaching Level 5, you can acquire the basic class.]

[The available classes are as follows:

– Warrior

– Archer

– Mage

– Support]

[Would you like to choose a class?]

“The time for class advancement is finally here”

Players initially start without class. Once they reached Level 5, they could choose a class.

Alternatively, if their level was below that but they were a guild member, they could advance in advance through the guild’s Battle Net Crystal.

“If it weren’t for the Achievement Store… I would have definitely chosen Warrior.”

In his previous life, Seong Jihan was a special 3rd advancement job of the Warrior class, known as the ‘Mu seong’ (Martial Saint). It was a job that increased the development speed of martial power and facilitated the use of martial arts.

Considering the path he had walked in his past life, choosing Warrior would undoubtedly make his growth smoother.

“But if I consider the class addition in the Achievement Store…”

By spending 10,000 Achievement Points, he could acquire an additional class. This presented him with another path to consider.

‘It’s time to aim for another Unique Stat.’

Seong Jihan’s hand moved toward one of the four classes.

“Support.”