Chapter 2

Tomorrow at 9 AM, the practical exam at the Academy will begin.

A cruel system where the overall ranking of all freshmen is determined simultaneously.

Here, Han Sung's credentials are poor. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he barely passed the document review by sheer luck.

‘I have to get into the Academy no matter what.’

To reach the clear point without a single death, he must clear all courses with the highest efficiency.

His dazzling debut at the Academy was the perfect first step.

He had gone through the [First Awakening], a power to use the system, and under the assumption that he had one each of the [Trait], [Unique Ability], and [Special Ability] provided to players, he passed the document review.

In fact, it was because Han Sung's 'luck' was really good that he got those abilities. Normally, the maximum potential grade ranges from F to C.

And with a potential of 200.

Think of it as just enough to scrape the bottom of the candidate list.

‘Did I rely too much on luck?’

However, his ability points excluding luck are less than 100.

That means he's at a normal human level.

The [Korean Hero Academy], one of the top three academies in the world, is a prestigious academy that top geniuses from around the world vie to enter.

‘Is it even possible?’

A place where only the geniuses of geniuses gather.

Forming connections with the main character and the 'Hidden Piece' and 'Graduate Status' within the Academy are elements that can only be obtained in this story.

He must definitely get in.

And it has to be a dazzling debut.

‘The [Abilities] are as good as they can be.’

The [Unique Ability] with SSS-grade potential can be obtained at the end of the 10-year period, the shortest clear point, and the [Trait] with SSS grade is the top-tier talent only possessed by 'main character'-level characters.

Moreover, EX grade? It means 'out of standard.'

This is a grade Han Sung has never seen before.

“Crazy.”

[Target Blossoming] promotes the 'blossoming' of 'latent' or 'trait' abilities in a certain target, or is related to the 'growth' of potential abilities.

Depending on how it is used, it will show tremendous efficiency.

[Mana Dominion] is the highest-rated trait among talents related to mana affinity, and [Information Browsing] is an out-of-standard ability that allows the player to 'browse' desired information within the game.

“I need to revise my plan completely.”

The survival probability seems to have increased significantly more than expected.

Han Sung sat and pondered for a few hours.

And the conclusion he reached.

“Let's try earning some money first?”

Money is always the best, whether in reality or in a game.

Before the opening ceremony starts tomorrow, he needs to earn as much as possible to buy items that can supplement his low ability points.

Otherwise, admission is absolutely impossible.

Han Sung checked his balance on his smartwatch.

It's the default amount of money a player starts with. It's a moderate amount that can buy a decent potion but can also be used as living expenses for a few months.

Han Sung moved to the nearest subway station.

After passing through the first basement level and getting off at the second basement level, he opened and entered a door marked [No Entry for Unauthorized Personnel]. As he descended a few steps, soft music began to play.

A place that ordinary candidates 'still' can't know.

But Han Sung had been to the top of this place.

“How did you get here?”

A large man in a suit blocked Han Sung's path.

“To the western casino.”

Using his knowledge to create a few magic items and earn royalties through 'patents' is much more efficient for 'Han Sung.' But when he needs money right away, the casino is the best.

The large man hesitated for a moment at Han Sung's natural response, then stepped aside.

“May you have a lucky night.”

Of course, there was no identity check. They just let you in as long as you didn't enter by mistake.

Because it's a place that is free but equally dangerous.

This is the [Underworld] of the Republic of Korea. A black market, betting arena, illegal medical procedures, gambling, and entertainment exist here, beyond the bounds of law and ethical norms.

“Hmm, it's been a while.”

His steps were light. He had lived in the Underworld for about 10 years in game time. There were that many quests to complete and things to obtain.

The place Han Sung found was an illegal gambling den.

A world dominated by luck.

A space where despair and joy intersect.

It looks similar to a casino. The difference is that there are betting arenas scattered throughout. Scenes of 'monsters,' 'other races,' 'golems,' and others brutally killing each other are exposed without any filter.

“There was a Hidden Piece here too.”

It's known as a [Rare]-grade accessory, but after a certain 'awakening,' it becomes a [Treasure]-grade item called the [Barbarian's Bracelet], which can supplement Han Sung's currently lacking physical ability points.

Han Sung walked around, spinning the slot machine while looking for 'him.'

[Jackpot!]

Han Sung's money increased several times over in an instant.

‘The probability of luck is too good, isn't it?’

He needed to be cautious. He couldn't get blacklisted and kicked out before finding the Hidden Piece.

“The golem arena.”

In this world, golems are quite useful.

In the Underworld, they are just illegal betting arenas, but when they go above ground, they become so popular that a World League is formed. Popularity means money.

Also, many organizations use 'golems' as mercenaries because they have significant potential in terms of military power.

Grrr!

A golem that looks exactly like a human is fighting with a sword.

It looks the same, but it's not really a human golem. It's just a human-shaped golem artificially created. It has no reproductive organs and a smooth body, so there's no major discomfort.

Suddenly, Han Sung's eyes sparkled.

Because the owner of the golem, who was shouting with bloodshot eyes on the opposite side, was 'Bake Raymond,' who possessed the [Barbarian's Bracelet].

‘Bald head, hasn't washed for a few days, protruding belly, missing left pinky, loses money in the golem arena, and wins money in blackjack.’

He seems to have a talent for gambling.

This is how someone with ambiguous talent becomes a wreck.

‘Let's observe a bit more.’

It's important to know in advance what game he mainly plays, how much money he has, what habits he has when playing, and what patterns he mainly uses.

Moreover, today he needs to multiply his money to buy items for the practical exam. For now, he has to be satisfied with observing and tracking his movements.

‘I'll come back in a few days.’

Han Sung inserted a coin into a slot machine that someone had just left and spun it.

Rrrrr!

Jackpot!

A man who was about to take the seat looked at the scene and sat down in frustration.

This is almost at the level of a 'lump of luck.'

But this isn't enough to get a satisfactory item.

Han Sung moved around, increasing his money to the hundreds of millions, and then moved to a poker table with a large bet. [System Camera] and max-level [Luck].

A combination that can't lose.

Han Sung rolled up his sleeves.

To start the game properly.

‘Let's start a cheating game.’

* * *

The square gathered for the practical exam of the Korean Hero Academy.

A day when 5,000 geniuses from around the world gather. Out of the 5,000, 4,000 will have to drink the bitter cup of failure.

But Han Sung's mind was busy with the settings of key characters, the Hidden Pieces he must obtain, and the optimal 'abilities' and 'traits.'

‘The mana side is more efficient, but... with a potential of 1,000, the mana side can be covered by training. I already have one SSS-grade talent.’

He would like to get an EX-grade ability like [Information Browsing], but it's not that easy.

A-grade abilities can be obtained with a little effort. But from S-grade onwards, even if you know about them, they are hard to get, and SS-grade and above are mostly obtainable only after at least 5 years.

It's best not to even dream of EX.

‘Just because I want to obtain something doesn't mean I can, and I have to consider compatibility...’

There's a lot to think about.

Currently, Han Sung has good potential, but his current ability points are quite low, and he has no special attack abilities. In this state, even if he gets into the Academy, he will be kicked out of the Hero Academy within a year.

Tap tap.

Someone tapped Han Sung's shoulder from the side.

“Excuse me? I need to move forward.”

“Yes, sorry.”

The rough explanation was over, and after gathering in groups, they would hear more detailed explanations from the responsible instructor and take the exam.

“Hello, I'm S-grade hero Han Do-seok.”

A strong presence can be felt.

S-grade heroes are rare even at the Korean Hero Academy. Some looked at him with admiration, and others with fear.

Han Do-seok was the responsible instructor. Han Sung was heavily involved with this instructor in the early stages. He was a character associated with various side quests and a few main quests.

Han Sung turned his head.

At the far left, a girl with long black hair was visible. She had her bangs grown over her eyebrows and wore thick glasses. She always kept her head down, making her a character with little presence.

Her name is Ahn Hye-rim.

A promising candidate who will later become an SS-grade hero and possesses a Hidden Piece.

In front of her, a tall, innocent-looking boy was visible. He had a confident and bright gaze, extremely virtuous, and possessed endless talent, a typical protagonist.

‘Jin Hoon, I need to get to know him slowly.’

Next to him was a boy named 'Han Beol,' Hoon's friend who followed him and maintained a healthy rivalry. This friend was born into a famous mage family but was an irregular with talent in [Abilities] rather than magic.

Because of this, he almost went astray, but thanks to his friend Hoon, he maintained his virtue and later became a hero who saved Hoon and this world.

‘This isn't streaming. For me, this is reality.’

I can't die.

That means he has to be perfect from start to finish and avoid gambling or unstable play.

These are characters created to help the player. Depending on how the player acts, the best heroes will either stand by their side or block their path in the future.

‘Internet.’

A semi-transparent window appeared in front of his eyes.

Han Sung was also involved with these characters, but not in this place. At that time, he was looking for content that others didn't do at the Academy, so he didn't know much about how to get close to them here.

But there are countless strategies for this famous game. He will find appropriate strategies and apply them, gradually making them allies.

‘One by one, slowly.’

Suddenly, something welled up in his chest.

Why did he have to be in such a situation and worry about death? He missed his parents, whom he rarely visited, and longed for a casual drink with a friend.

‘Moreover, how old am I to be in school...’

The responsible instructor tapped the blackboard.

He's lecturing about history to 'students' who aren't even confirmed as 'candidates' yet. This is a device to provide the player with basic information, not for other characters.

“Exactly 100 years ago from now.”

A story about the world.

Starting with the attack of monsters that poured out from spores that fell from the sky, humanity had to endure a brutal war for decades.

“But there was hope.”

At the same time, people who could use mana appeared, and those who could awaken 'abilities' also emerged. With the combination of human power in the form of mana, abilities, and science, they were able to overwhelm the monsters.

However, the monsters didn't just sit and watch.

They evolved and adapted to Earth.

Africa had long become the land of the undead, demons, and monsters, and the Amazon had become the largest ecosystem of monsters on Earth. In parts of China, black orcs had declared a country, and in North America, snowmen, fairies, and elves lived in villages.

Earth was not just for humans, and the war between humans and monsters was still ongoing.

So humanity,

began to establish 'Hero Academies' to cultivate 'heroes,' and the [Korean Hero Academy] became a representative of Korea and one of the top three hero academies in the world.

The end

ⓒ [Dongju]

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