Chapter 3

Date of Birth: October 18, 2014 (Currently 17 years old)

Height: 185cm

Weight: 78kg

Blood Type: A

Ability: ???

Mana Attribute: Ice (氷)

Skills: ???

Talent: ???

Characteristics: ???

Powers: Succession of the Future, Death Regression (12th cycle)

─────

The important information, including the ability, is hidden due to his talent.

Ironically, the existence of 'Powers,' which can be considered his identity, is clearly revealed.

Perhaps it is the most crucial ability.

Still, 12th cycle.

In the novel I was reading, the final death regression of Joo Yu-sung was the 11th cycle.

“…Huh?”

“Huh? Daeyong, why are you suddenly like that?”

No way... No, that can't be.

In the novel, Joo Yu-sung grows into a great hero rivaling the Eight Heroes, even receiving support from the second-largest guild in the world, Immortalis, to embark on an expedition to repel the 'Great Demon God.'

That expedition surely involved the participation of large guilds and mercenary groups from various countries, including the world's top guild, 'Emperor.'

But if the number '12' I see is not wrong.

There is only one conclusion.

The expedition failed, and Joo Yu-sung died.

This means that the 'Great Demon God' must be a transcendent being surpassing the power of the Eight Heroes, Immortalis, and Joo Yu-sung.

“Daeyong?”

“Eh, eh. Why?”

“No, you suddenly became quiet and your expression turned bad.”

“Oh, it's nothing. I just need to go to the bathroom.”

Saying it's nothing is a lie. It could be a really serious problem.

After all, that expedition was a risky adventure, forcing open a stable portal to another dimension.

If it fails, it will not only bring repercussions to this world, but also likely ruin the 'ending,' which might be the only way for me to return to my original world.

‘I have to stop it.’

If so, I must prevent the expedition led by Immortalis.

But how?

The first method: Persuade Joo Yu-sung to take a different path.

This is impossible.

He has his own beliefs and will clash with him several times. That's the identity of the character Joo Yu-sung. I know trying to change his stubbornness would be futile even if I spent my whole life talking to him.

The second method: Interfere with Joo Yu-sung and Immortalis.

This method is also impossible.

Immortalis is the self-proclaimed strongest guild in the EU, led by the 'Empress' and 'Great Mage,' two of the Eight Heroes.

Any guild that tries to interfere with them will eventually kneel to Immortalis. As a single individual, I can't possibly stop them.

Wait a moment.

If I, who know the plot and settings of the novel, join a guild that interferes with Immortalis?

No, even if I do, that guild is still a large guild on par with Immortalis, so it would be impossible.

What power does Kang Daeyong have...?

『ggdSnJ.』

“Ouch!”

“Daeyong! Are you in a hurry?”

Just as I was about to draw such a conclusion, a headache, as if scolding my hasty judgment, recurred.

It really hurts. Why is this happening?

『dsShSbSsgHb.』

But perhaps the headache stimulated my brain, and a thought flashed through my mind.

‘If it’s Kang Daeyong’s real characteristic, it might be possible.’

Kang Daeyong's characteristic appears only once in the story.

It awakens just before he dies in a major accident that occurs within the SHA.

His characteristic is one of the rarest and most powerful in this world, so if it awakens early, it will surely attract the attention of the guild I'm thinking of.

Moreover, the condition for awakening is simple. It's just that Kang Daeyong, being too much of a pushover, only awakened at the last moment.

“...Daeyong. Can we stop by that commercial building for a moment? I'll wait for you.”

“It’s fine. I can hold it.”

Damn. I was trying to quietly blend into the background, but it seems I can't.

To return to my original world, it seems a quiet school life is out of the question.

***

“Representative of the new students, Cadet Joo Yu-sung, please come forward.”

We barely made it to the entrance ceremony.

I thought it would be a short distance, but it took 15 minutes by school shuttle from the school's main gate to the gym where the ceremony was held.

Still, I managed to join the line of students and watch the top student of our school take the oath.

The excited faces of the cadets, the outsiders in the audience seats of the gym watching them.

As I found myself in the same situation as the prologue of the novel, goosebumps ran down my spine.

Just yesterday, I was living as a 25-year-old ordinary freeter, 'Joo Tae-hoon,' but now I have to live as 'Kang Daeyong,' who aspires to be a hero.

Not only do I have to compete with beings that can no longer be called human, but I also have to use Kang Daeyong's advantages to attract the attention of the guild.

I still don't know exactly what I need to do.

Perhaps I should start by adapting to this world as quickly as possible.

‘Damn. I can do anything to return to my original world.’

I clenched my fists and resolved.

This is the real beginning.

To be continued in the next episode.

Episode 1: Damn Possession (3)

After the entrance ceremony.

I received the smartwatch I will use on campus with Joo Yu-sung and headed to the class where I will take my lessons.

“Phew.”

“Why? Are you nervous?”

I can't help but be nervous.

The class I will attend is Class A, one of the 12 classes.

It is an elite class with many top-ranked students.

While Joo Yu-sung will be at ease, it won't be easy for Kang Daeyong, who is just a bit better than average, to survive in this class.

Silence is consent.

I didn't answer Joo Yu-sung's question and entered the classroom.

The classroom was very spacious, with 30 desks neatly arranged in rows. The desks were not ordinary desks but so-called 'smart desks.'

Moreover, instead of a blackboard, a large screen occupied the space where a whiteboard or green chalkboard would typically be.

As soon as we entered the classroom, we received the attention of the students who had arrived earlier.

The combination of the top-ranked sculpted beauty and an unknown student was bound to create a sense of discomfort.

“Joo Yu-sung!”

A deep voice broke the tension and called out to Joo Yu-sung.

I know who he is.

How can his description be any different from the novel?

“Oh, you're already here?”

“You greeted me at the entrance ceremony, but why did you ignore me?”

“Oh, did I? Sorry. It was too noisy, so I didn't hear.”

Hwang Jae-bin. A rival to Joo Yu-sung but someone who has never surpassed him, despite his considerable achievements.

He is a pitiful character who is treated as a minor character throughout the novel but finally shines after graduating from the academy.

“By the way, who's that next to you?”

“Oh, a friend I met on the way. Daeyong, say hello. This is Hwang Jae-bin, who was in the same middle school as me.”

“Hi, I'm Kang Daeyong.”

“...Is that so.”

Hwang Jae-bin scanned me with a slightly puzzled look and then turned his eyes back to Joo Yu-sung.

He is the type who only pays attention to strong superhumans.

He probably evaluated me as 'ordinary' after checking my appearance and total mana.

Sure enough, Hwang Jae-bin seemed to have already put me in the background and only spoke to Joo Yu-sung.

“Hey. Yoon Hee-jin has been looking for you. Didn’t she come with you today?”

“Hee-jin?”

“Don’t you have something to say to her? At least say hello.”

With Hwang Jae-bin's meaningful words, Joo Yu-sung scratched the back of his neck, looked around, and then walked over to someone.

As he left, Hwang Jae-bin suddenly changed his expression and glared at me.

“If you have nothing to do with me, go away.”

“Eh, okay.”

I placed my bag on the fourth seat closest to the window and plopped down in the chair.

With nothing to do, I observed Joo Yu-sung.

He approached a female student from behind, just as described in the novel, and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Hee-jin.”

“Ah! Yu-sung... Hi.”

“Why? We saw each other a few days ago.”

“Oh, right. Ahaha!”

The student with a simple but charming brown bob is Yoon Hee-jin.

She is an elite who has achieved top grades and has been in the same class as Joo Yu-sung throughout middle school, making them close friends.

Moreover...

“Didn’t you say you were looking for me?”

“Huh? Who? I didn’t look for you. I just wanted to say hi. It’s nothing!”

Yoon Hee-jin admires Joo Yu-sung.

She probably fell in love with him at first sight in middle school and has been hesitantly circling around him ever since.

Seeing it in real life made me feel a bit awkward.

In the end, I had to look away from them and focus on something else.

‘Wow. The heroines really are a different level from the start.’

A silver-haired female student sitting far away caught my eye.

Next, a black-haired student with a cat-like face sitting behind Yoon Hee-jin caught my attention.

The rest were extras who haven't been given any special roles yet.

Some were already forming groups and chatting, while others were quietly looking at their smartphones.

‘Not much different from a regular high school, huh.’

As I was looking around the students, the front door of the classroom opened with a creak.

“Ah. Everyone, take your seats.”

A very tired-looking instructor entered.

He had deep dark circles under his eyes, messy hair, and round glasses that symbolized his extensive knowledge.

“...It seems everyone is here.”

The students' murmurs didn't stop even after seeing the instructor.

Well, not many students would remain calm after seeing this guy.

“Quiet. Let me introduce myself first. I am Instructor Lee Man-su, who will be your homeroom teacher for the next year. As you know, I was one of the Twelve Heroes, a term that makes me cringe, and I am currently ranked 58th in the world hero rankings. I hope we can work well together.”

Twelve Heroes (十二英雄).

The term refers to the 12 strongest heroes of the generation before the Eight Heroes.

Most have retired or passed away, but the value of the term has not diminished.

Among them, Lee Man-su is known as the magic teacher of the 'Great Mage' and 'Magic Weapon' of the Eight Heroes.

It might seem strange that such a person is a teacher, but there are reasons for it.

“Now, before we start the morning assembly, let me tell you one thing. SHA evaluates you solely based on your 'abilities.' So, don't skip morning and evening training, and try your best in both theoretical and practical classes.”

-Yes!

Seeing the students' positive response, Lee Man-su slightly smiled and tapped his smartwatch.

“Did you receive your smartwatches? They will play important roles, such as opening your dorm room, accessing training facilities, and using school facilities, so always wear them.”

I lightly touched the smartwatch on my right wrist.

Clean buttons appeared.

They were exactly as described in the novel, so there was no need for a separate explanation.

“By the way, if you achieve good results in practical evaluations, exams, club activities, etc., you will be given 'points.' These points are electronic currency that can be used like cash within the school. You can use them through the 'Point Card' menu on your smartwatch, so keep that in mind.”

Since Kang Daeyong is poor, it would be good to earn as many points as possible.

The school's shopping area is well-established, and I can buy many useful items.

“Alright. Let's start today's schedule. There are no specific classes today, and we will focus on the basics.”

The students cheered.

Even here, it seems, students are happy when there are no classes.

“Now, a question. What will you do in the second period? As a hint, it is one of the most basic things a hero must have.”

The classroom became silent again.

It's a question from one of the Twelve Heroes. Many students must feel the weight of it.

But I know who will raise their hand.

“I will take a guess, Instructor.”

“Go ahead. Top student. What do you think?”

As expected, Joo Yu-sung confidently raised his hand from the front row, and Lee Man-su calmly pointed to him.

“I think it’s a weapon.”

“You are correct. Everyone, give him a round of applause.”

-Clap, clap, clap, clap!

I could have answered correctly too, but I decided not to take Joo Yu-sung's opportunity.

My goal is to consistently achieve good grades to attract the attention of the guild, not to draw unnecessary attention with trivial matters.

“Joo Yu-sung is right. The most basic thing is a weapon. Without a weapon to wield, any hero will find it difficult to fight. So, in the second period, you will go to the school's armory to receive your weapons.”

Finally, the moment has come.

The opportunity to obtain my first skill in this world.

***

Our class soon arrived at a building near the campus, following Instructor Lee Man-su.

The place we arrived at is a forge and armory, one of the most important places in the school.

SHA is not just a place for students.

There are security guards maintaining order within the school grounds, people operating the school's facilities, researchers, and many others living on campus.

The forge is where various equipment for these people is produced and stored, making it an important place without a doubt.

“The master dislikes noise in the forge. You have 10 minutes. Everyone, enter quietly.”

-Yes!

Joo Yu-sung, standing at the front, knocked on the iron door and led the students into the forge.

“Come in quickly.”

As we entered, the master blacksmith greeted us, cleaning his ears.

The armory was vast, with many display racks and boxes.

The racks were filled with various weapons such as swords, spears, shields, bows, and guns.

We need to choose one as our 'basic provided weapon'...

The most popular weapon in this world is undoubtedly the cold weapon made from the skin of monsters and magic stones.

It is the easiest to handle (assuming training from elementary and middle school) and can store the most mana.

Next are firearms, also made from monster skin