Chapter 4 of 100
Chapter 4
9 min read2,305 words
There was no time to react to the notification that appeared like a storm.
A pure white capsule burst out of the vending machine and shattered, releasing a white aura. The white aura immediately seeped into Jung-hoon's body.
<You have obtained the 10-star skill 'Unlock (解禁)'.>
<You have obtained your first skill. You can now view your 'Status Window'.>
"Status Window?"
- You can open the Status Window from the moment you obtain a skill... No, wait, really a 10-star skill? No way! Check the skill!
"Uh, uh, just a moment."
Ding.
[Name: Unset]
[Level: 1]
[HP: 123/123]
[MP: 25/25]
[Strength: 1(+22) Agility: 1(+22)
Stamina: 1(+22) Dexterity: 1(+22)
Magic: 1(+22)]
[Titles (3)]
- First 10-star Skill
- First 0-star Backer
- Two Firsts
[Backer]
0-star – Jinho Kang (Irregular)
[Skills]
10-star - Unlock (解禁) Lv. 1
"So, it's like this."
- Isn't it neat? You can't get confused even if you want to.
As Jinho Kang said, it was a simple and intuitive interface.
"There are a lot of things I'm curious about, but let's start with the skill."
He had questions like "Why is the name marked as 'Unset'?" and "Why are there additional stats next to the abilities?" but what he was most curious about was the game's first 10-star skill.
Jung-hoon quickly activated the skill description.
<Unlock (解禁)> - 10-star Skill
- Skill Level: 1
- Can release forbidden or restricted things.
(Title bonus is applied. This skill automatically levels up as the player's level increases.)
"Wait, that's it?"
A 10-star skill? An unprecedented top-tier skill, and the description is just one line, or two if you include the bonus description?
Actually, it was embarrassing to call it a description. It just explained the meaning of the kanji "Unlock"!
- Lase is usually not very helpful in these aspects... but this is particularly bad. First, I need to figure out how this skill works.
"Works?"
- Yeah. Just from that, you can't even tell if it's a passive or active skill, or what the usage conditions or range are. We'll figure it out as we go.
"Wow, what kind of game doesn't even teach you that?"
- Maybe it's because it's a 10-star skill. I've never seen this in over 10 years of playing Lase.
"Hmm. When you put it that way, it sounds pretty impressive... No, wait a minute."
Jung-hoon's head snapped around. This ghost just said something strange.
"Ten years?"
- It's a bit longer than 10 years, but roughly around that time... Hey, why are you looking at me like I'm crazy? I understand, but it hurts.
"No, but."
If you don't want to look crazy, just don't say crazy things.
After all,
"Lase has only been out for half a year, right?"
Not even a year, let alone 10 years. Anyone in this situation would have the same reaction.
Jinho Kang, understanding Jung-hoon's feelings, continued with a troubled expression.
- So, this is something I was going to mention earlier but missed the timing... I'm actually a protagonist-like existence.
"Wait, what? Protagonist?"
- Protagonist.
"..."
Jung-hoon was very confused by the sudden protagonist gag. However, Jinho Kang's face was serious, though a bit embarrassed, with a slight blush.
"What kind of nonsense is this, cutting everything off and making no sense?"
- Ah, it's hard to explain.
Jinho Kang scratched his head in frustration and suddenly asked Jung-hoon.
- Have you ever read any fantasy novels?
"I have. I still read them occasionally as a hobby. But what does that have to do with the current situation..."
- Ah! Then it'll be easier to explain.
Jinho Kang cut in with an excited voice. He straightened his chest and spoke confidently.
- I've regressed. You know, like in those fantasy novels.
"..."
Easier to explain, my ass.
Jung-hoon sighed deeply and slumped to the ground.
* * *
"So... Huh."
Jung-hoon narrowed his eyes, hesitating to speak. It was as if he found it shameful to say the next line.
"I thought the first 0-star backer I drew was a ghost, but it turned out to be a veteran of Lase who has regressed seven times?"
- Yeah, a perfect summary.
"Perfect, my ass. It's completely implausible. They don't even name light novels like that these days."
- It's the truth, what can I do?
According to Jinho Kang's explanation, if certain conditions are not met, you are forced to regress.
"So, what are those conditions?"
- Failure to complete the game.
"Really?"
- I suspect that if you fail to complete the final objective of Lase, you regress to the past. That's what has happened so far.
"Complete? In an MMORPG, there's no final objective. You just keep leveling up and improving your gear. Oh, maybe the top ranking?"
- I've achieved the top ranking several times. No, I mean the real completion. It's been about half a year since the game was released, right?
"Yes."
- An update is coming soon. It will introduce the ultimate goal for all Lase players.
Jinho Kang closed his eyes for a moment, as if recalling the past, then opened them.
- I've challenged it five times and failed every time. And every time I was convinced that I couldn't complete it no matter what, I regressed to the past.
"Five times? But you said you've regressed seven times?"
- The first two times, I didn't play the game.
"Really?"
- Think about it. If you regress to the past, would you just play a game? You'd find a stock that will skyrocket and invest in it first.
In the midst of the surreal situation with a ghost and regression, Jung-hoon blinked at the sudden practical comment.
"True."
- In game novels, they come up with ridiculous reasons like, 'I must play the game and become the best to crush those who betrayed me and lift my poor family out of poverty.' But that's for the story. In reality, it's different.
"Your comment about turning the entire regression game world into enemies... Anyway, let's move on. Eventually, you ended up playing the game, right? Why not live a luxurious life with stocks?"
- I died.
"..."
- Remember that old movie 'Final Destination'? It's similar. At first, I regressed and made a perfect life plan, but I was hit by a truck three days later and regressed again. In my second life, I died when a building collapsed while shopping and regressed again.
"..."
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, but Jinho Kang smiled wryly, as if reminiscing.
- In my third regression, I gave up and just played the game... and strangely, I didn't die. Instead, two years later, I was betrayed by a guild member, failed to complete the content, and regressed. That's when I realized my regression was related to this game.
"Ha. Should I believe this? It's worse than a novel."
- Believe it or not, it's your choice, but one thing is certain.
Jinho Kang tapped his chest with his fist and continued.
- You've drawn the best card, far superior to any 9-star backer. I'll make you the strongest.
And so, Jung-hoon's game began.
* * *
"So, what do we do now?"
- We need to finish what we were doing.
"Finish what?"
- Yeah. We were in the middle of introducing ourselves. You need to tell me your name.
"Name? But I already told you."
- Your real name, not your in-game name. What will you be called in Lase from now on?
"Oh, nickname!"
Indeed, the name in the status window was marked as "Unset" for this reason.
In most games, you choose a name at the start, but it seems Lase takes a slightly different approach.
"I've thought about it. I'll be called Carpe."
- Got it. My name is Jinho Kang. Let's do our best.
"Yes. I'm still skeptical, but please take care of me. Now that we've set the nickname, is that it?"
- Normally, we would say our names at the end to complete character creation... Why isn't it working? Jinho Kang. Jinho Kang. My name is Jinho Kang.
Jinho Kang repeated his name in a flustered manner, but nothing changed. Jung-hoon said with a 'told you so' expression.
"Of course, it's a bug. I need to report it. Fix the bug and let the ghost ascend."
- Hey, wait. Don't say it like that. There are no bugs in Lase.
"Then why isn't it working? We've said our names... Oh, wait."
- Oh, do you have an idea?
"Nickname."
- What?
"You set the nickname through the introduction, so you need to say your in-game name, not your real name. Try saying the nickname you used before."
- Oh...
Jinho Kang nodded, acknowledging the logic, but hesitated, as if it didn't sit well with him.
"Why? Is your ID weird? Something like 'PenisSizeKing'? It's okay. It can happen. I understand."
- Understand my ass! It's not that!
"Then just say it."
- ...
Jinho Kang sighed and reluctantly spoke.
- ...Jon.
"What? I couldn't hear you."
- ...Zion, Supreme Demon Lord! Damn. I thought I'd regress again, so I just made it up!
"..."
"Well, it's not bad."
If the user wasn't in their 30s, it would be fine. Just as Jung-hoon was about to say that,
Ding!
[Information registered.]
[Name: Carpe]
[Backer: 0-star - Supreme Demon Lord (天魔至尊)]
[Skill: 10-star - Unlock (解禁)]
[Character creation complete. Tutorial starting!]
A bright light enveloped Jung-hoon's body, and he was warped somewhere.
* * *
"Where am I?"
- The character creation is complete, and you've been moved to the tutorial stage. It seems you were right.
Jung-hoon slowly looked around.
Before him was a vast plain, and behind him was a dense forest.
In other words, he was at the entrance to the forest.
Ding.
[The tutorial will start shortly.]
[Survive for 1 hour from 50 monsters. The reward will be proportional to the time you survive.]
[The monsters will arrive in 1 minute.]
"Monsters?"
- Yes. In 1 minute, 50 monsters will come from the end of the plain to try to kill you. You need to avoid them for 1 hour.
"Ah, that's why it's a forest."
It would be impossible to avoid 50 monsters on a plain with no cover. You'd need various hiding spots like in a forest.
"How long do people usually last?"
- Let's see. At this point... probably around 12 minutes on average for players.
"The difficulty is insane."
Actually, for someone playing a virtual reality game for the first time, surviving 12 minutes against 50 wild monsters is quite impressive.
- Objectively, it is difficult. But that's only in a normal situation.
Indeed, Jung-hoon's situation was far from normal.
- I told you, you've drawn the best card.
Jung-hoon was with the best guide for Lase.
Jinho Kang knew where the best hiding spots in the forest were, where hidden weapons were buried under tree roots, and where a potion that fully restores HP was buried under a rock.
- How about it? Now do you understand the greatness of this body? If you listen to me, not only will you ace the tutorial, but you'll reach the top ranking in no time... Hey, hey! Where are you going?!
Before Jinho Kang could finish, Jung-hoon ran off.
Not towards the forest, but towards the plain!
- Hey! That's the wrong way! Go into the forest!
[Tutorial starting.]
[Monsters determined. 25 goblins and 25 kobolds.]
[Good luck. Time remaining: 59:59...]
From the horizon at the end of the plain, 50 monsters appeared in a burst of light. They began to run towards Jung-hoon with red eyes. Jung-hoon ran towards them, marveling.
"Wow, the impact is insane. It's so realistic."
- You're the one who's insane! Get to the forest quickly!
"If I die now, will I be transported to the continent?"
- Yes, but... Hey, don't have any weird thoughts. The final survival reward in the tutorial is really good. You have to get it...
"Of course, I have to get it. But about that..."
The monsters, now running at full speed, were close to Jung-hoon. It was too late to return to the forest.
Keeeee!
The leading goblin screamed and charged at Jung-hoon.
"Will I get a reward if I knock them all out?"
- ...What?
Punch!
Jung-hoon's punch shattered the goblin's head. He marveled again.
"Wow, the hit feels amazing."
- No... No. It's realistic, but... What's going on... Oh, no way?!
The destructive power Jung-hoon displayed was far beyond what a level 1 player with 1 stat should have.
In other words, there was only one conclusion.
Ding.
[The title 'Two Firsts' is applied.]
[All stats increase by 22.]
His stats were not 1.
"Whoa. I didn't expect to one-shot them."
- Of course, you would.
A 22-point increase in all stats is a huge number. Even a level 1 player could easily handle tutorial monsters.
- But, do you usually just charge in? It's your first time playing. Even with stat adjustments, you might not win. Be more cautious...
"Come on. It's a tutorial. Just do it and see."
- What if you die?
"I won't die!"
- ...You're a pain.
Jinho Kang realized that leading this eccentric person through the game would be harder than he thought.
Punch!
Another kobold fell to Jung-hoon's kick. The momentum continued.
It didn't take long for the 50 monsters to be defeated.
Ding.
[You have obtained the title 'Complete Tutorial Domination'.]
[Title effect: 10% additional damage to monsters of the same type as those in the tutorial.]
[Clear time: 9 minutes 37 seconds. You have overwhelmingly broken the record.]
[You have received a special reward.]
It was a brilliant debut for Jung-hoon.
A player who became strong through a 10-star draw.