Chapter 8

Seong Si-yeon couldn't help but keep thinking about what happened last night. In fact, such a dangerous situation wasn't something that should stick in one's memory. After all, Seong Si-yeon's life had always been on the edge of death.

As usual, she went to the casino to steal something, and she was looking for an opportunity to take a noticeable bracelet.

That's when a guy named Lee Han-sung appeared.

A new student who ranked first in the practical exam but was considered ugly.

'Right. It's just that much, yet...'

She couldn't understand why she kept thinking about it.

Because he saved her? Or because he killed the night creatures with an absurd use of magic? Or perhaps because he didn't blink an eye at the overwhelming attack of 'that' person?

'Si-yeon, stay right there. Until I can see you.'

At that moment, those words kept coming back to her.

Really... she didn't know why.

Seong Si-yeon pulled the white blanket up over her head.

"Ah! I want to kill him! Killing him would feel good, right? That's why!"

Seong Si-yeon threw off the blanket and sat up abruptly.

"Right, if I kill him, it'll be over. If I kill him, it'll be fine."

But how?

Even though he was only ranked 500th, as seen in the measurement test, he possessed strength comparable to the top rank. Moreover, considering what happened yesterday, he was far beyond the level of a mere candidate.

His incredible magic usage, precise swordsmanship, and bizarre abilities. He killed two night creatures and remained calm in the face of Bento's attack.

"No, I might end up being the one to get hurt."

But as an assassin, she could kill someone much stronger than herself.

Seong Si-yeon made up her mind.

From today, her target is Lee Han-sung.

"First... I won't lose sight of him."

This was the moment Seong Si-yeon's stalking began.

* * *

Lee Han-sung spent a whole day in the hospital.

It was due to magic exhaustion and multiple stab wounds. Fortunately, they weren't serious injuries, and with the healer's treatment and a few potions, he was fully recovered.

"Unexpectedly, it was a big success."

First, the Barbarian sword and bracelet had blossomed to the [Treasure] grade, and his recognition points had reached 261. Additionally, his stats had increased overall.

In just two days, his total stats had risen by 30. His magic had increased the most, followed by slight increases in mental and physical stats.

Moreover, his Magic Mastery was at D grade, and Information Viewing had risen to E grade.

"System Shop."

An interface appeared before his eyes, a system only users could see, invisible to others.

Han-sung entered the random box list.

- Low-grade Weapon Random Box (100P)

- Low-grade Armor Random Box (100P)

- Low-grade Consumable Random Box (100P)

- Low-grade Ability Random Box (100P)

...

- Mid-grade Weapon Random Box (1,000P)

"Mid-grade is still far off."

Recognition points become harder to obtain over time, but the points gained also increase, so there's no need to be overly frugal.

"Low-grade Random Box."

This costs 200P and includes all categories, such as weapons, armor, and consumables.

What will I get?

- Purchased Low-grade Random Box.

- Using Low-grade Random Box.

Whirr.

The box quickly rotated and stopped, opening.

- Jackpot!

- Strange [Luck] activated.

- Unfathomable [Luck] activated!

- Once-in-a-lifetime [Luck] activated!

- Obtained Auxiliary AI [Helen (Soul)].

He was so shocked he almost stopped breathing.

The hierarchy of auxiliary AIs varies.

Man-made 'products' are classified from [Low-grade] to [High-grade], while 'artifacts' found in dungeons and ancient ruins are classified from [Rare] to [Legendary].

And the [Soul] grade that Han-sung obtained.

A combination of a 'soul' that couldn't leave this world for some reason and an ancient 'artifact,' enhanced by human technology. Therefore, it doesn't have a fixed 'grade' classification.

'That's why it could come out of a low-grade box.'

An auxiliary AI is worth at least 1 billion in this world. Even the lowest grade is a personal assistant, and the more expensive it is, the more functions it has.

From a personal assistant to combat support, hacking nearby devices, small-scale magic, and granting abilities, it can do everything a small human can do.

Among them, the [Soul] grade auxiliary AI.

A 'growth type' that grows with its owner.

Initially, it has the performance of a mid-grade product, but it can grow endlessly without limits.

"Is this for real?"

'Once-in-a-lifetime [Luck] activated.'

From the wording, it was clear that this was not an easy feat.

"What is this?"

Han-sung used [Information Viewing] out of curiosity.

- Using [Information Viewing].

- Target [Helen (Soul)] resists.

- [Information Viewing] level is too low to view target information.

"..."

Han-sung searched the internet.

But there was no information about an auxiliary AI named Helen anywhere. He tilted his head, but considering the scale of this world, it wasn't surprising.

After all, that's why buying a random box is better than buying directly.

Han-sung ignored it and activated Helen.

- Activating [Helen (Soul)].

- Please set the main body.

Here's a 'bug' that isn't really a 'bug.'

Everyone thought it was a bug, but the operator didn't block it. There was no official response, but it felt like 'I'll let you have this one.' Later, the in-game [Disaster] increased by about 20%, so that's probably the right nuance.

"System Camera."

- Setting main body to [System Camera].

A faint light spread over the camera and screen.

Usually, an auxiliary AI is destroyed when its main body is destroyed. You can buy a new one, but it's very difficult to retrain an AI that acts as a personal assistant.

However, the system camera can never be destroyed.

Under any circumstances.

Of course, to remove an AI once it's embedded, you need to destroy the main body, so this 'bug' is only useful in the late game. But for a [Soul] grade AI that can grow indefinitely, it's a different story.

In the future, three cameras will be Helen's eyes, and the screen Han-sung sees will facilitate Helen's information delivery.

- Hello, this is Helen.

Helen's voice came from the screen's speaker.

"Nice to meet you, Helen. What functions are available now?"

- Since I'm still mid-grade, I can only perform basic personal assistant functions and create a faint shield.

A personal assistant is just that, a personal assistant.

It connects to the user's smartwatch or laptop to manage schedules, accounts, and communications.

"Faint shield? Can you do that already at mid-grade?"

- Yes, it's still very faint, but it's possible. It seems related to my abilities in life.

A [Soul] grade auxiliary AI starts unlocking memories from its past life as it grows.

"Engraved magic?"

- No, it's classified as an ability.

"Really?"

Indeed, a [Soul] grade AI is different.

Usually, a mid-grade AI has a shield built-in through enchantment, or 'engraved magic.' You need a high-grade AI to cast a shield using magic directly.

An ability is only possible with an artifact.

It was a surprisingly excellent function.

"Great, manage my schedule for me. I don't have much else to do. Oh, create a securities account for me."

- Understood. I'll start linking to your smartwatch and laptop.

You can't make money just by gambling.

Gambling is for building a base, and using the information Han-sung knows to trade stocks is the main goal.

"There are countless things to spend money on."

There are many things you can do with money.

Han-sung ordered a few items he needed and got up.

Although his magic movement was still stiff, he couldn't stop physical training. After changing into workout clothes, Han-sung moved to the nearest sword training ground.

* * *

Korean Hero Academy.

Since this game was made in Korea, Korea was a major power in the world, and the 'Korean Hero Academy' was one of the top three academies in the world in terms of system, faculty, candidate level, and history.

Therefore, a significant portion of the students were international.

Sergei Novikov.

Born in Russia, he was the son of the [Sword Saint] Mikhail, who was among the top-ranked in the world.

Novikov inherited his talent and wielded a sword, and he was a sword genius, ranking 5th among the new students at the 'Korean Hero Academy,' known for gathering geniuses from around the world.

Swish. Whoosh.

His sword path was clearly infused with magic. In an instant, dozens of sword paths adorned the air, and a small whirlwind of magic formed around him.

Whoosh.

The magic's movement pushed the air, creating a wide circular wave.

Sergei smiled in satisfaction and sheathed his sword.

"Hey? Sergei?"

"Lee Han-sung? Do you know me?"

It was in Russian, but in this world, all languages are translated in real-time by smartwatches.

"Oh, no. You're famous..."

Han-sung realized his mistake. He had called out to him out of familiarity, as Sergei was one of the few characters he had been with from the beginning to the end of the previous playthrough.

Fortunately, he liked being known as strong and famous.

"A little... But more importantly, aren't you famous, Han-sung?"

"Only a fleeting moment. I prefer your swordsmanship."

His pride in swordsmanship was sky-high, and he loved compliments.

"Ahem. Han-sung, your main weapon is a sword, right?"

"Yes, I'd like to learn a move from you. Is that possible?"

Han-sung used [Information Viewing] to check his affinity.

- 'Sergei Novikov's' affinity with 'Lee Han-sung'.

- Trust: 43

- Affinity: 55

- Friendship: 30

'So detailed...'

He knew there was an affinity system, and in the previous playthrough, he had a grade A [Information Viewing] ability, allowing him to check it roughly.

But [Information Viewing] provided incredibly detailed information.

40 to 60 is a level of no real interest. A low friendship level was expected.

'If used well, this could be useful.'

"One move... I was hoping to ask you."

"Sure."

Sergei and Han-sung faced each other with wooden swords.

'The first way to easily become friends with Sergei.'

Overwhelm him with your swordsmanship.

"Shall we start?"

Sergei spoke first, and Han-sung quietly raised his sword.

In a battle, Han-sung would lose due to his physical stats.

But Han-sung had been with him for decades. At least within this world, he was the only one who knew his swordsmanship, weaknesses, and habits. In a sparring session focused on 'swordsmanship' rather than 'combat,' Han-sung was confident.

Confident in losing.

Regardless of the outcome, he would know.

How much experience Han-sung had.

And how sloppy his swordsmanship was.

The End

ⓒ [Dongju]

=======================================