Chapter 2

EP.2 First Rune Hunt (1)

In this world, runes are the exclusive property of Holders.

Therefore, obtaining a rune signifies the awakening as a Holder.

If you are chosen by [Sword], you become a sword-wielding Holder.

If you are chosen by [Flame], you become a fire magic-wielding Holder.

Once chosen, the rune soon represents the talent of that Holder.

For example, performing 2001 slashes in a proper stance to obtain [Sword]...

Or shooting 1880 arrows into the air to obtain [Bow].

These are hidden pieces of information not known to the public.

“Songhyun… was it?”

Songhyun, born into a famous swordsmanship family, was not chosen as a Holder. His overwhelming desire for the sword led him to swing it thousands of times, and what seemed like meaningless movements eventually produced the [Sword] rune, awakening him as a Holder.

In the original story, Songhyun created his rune through his own efforts.

He was the first Holder of the hidden piece.

Of course, this doesn't mean that ordinary people can become Holders using this method.

It was later revealed that Songhyun had the talent to become a Holder.

Only those with the talent of a Holder and a close affinity to runes can obtain runes through this hidden piece.

This method remains obscure even over time.

At the start of the story, no one knows about it.

However, as a devoted reader of the original, I knew all of this.

Including the other runes I obtained, such as [Bow] and [Spear].

The process is similar, only the characters who obtain them differ.

This is why, as a possessed extra, I was able to obtain seven runes in just one month.

“……”

But excluding such special cases.

The runes given to Holders are those obtained at the time of awakening.

Or runes obtained during growth or as dungeon rewards.

These are the only ways to obtain runes.

Therefore, most Holders strive to develop the runes given to them to the best of their ability.

Even if the rune is ordinary, they know it will ultimately become their means of livelihood.

The first rune given to me was [Dagger].

A basic rune that allows me to advance as an assassin-type Holder.

If I had followed the original path, I would have become an ordinary assassin.

The seven normal runes I obtained through the hidden piece.

And the legendary rune that just appeared before my eyes.

If it weren't for [Rune Hunter], an epic rune.

“Can you take the opponent's rune if you win a duel?”

I rubbed my eyes and read the information window carefully.

Even after reading it again, it feels unreal.

Well, what kind of legendary rune is this?

I don't know the exact criteria for a duel, but the ability to take one of the opponent's runes is an incredibly powerful effect.

Even if the criteria are strict, it won't require a life-or-death battle.

Then, the runes that can be obtained through [Rune Hunter] are endless.

From various normal runes to rare runes with unique effects.

Including top-tier epic runes like Park Jin-woo's [Sweat of the Seeker] and Kang Joo-yeon's [Unextinguishable Flame].

I could obtain all the core runes that drive the story.

“Ah, I can't get Kang Joo-yeon's.”

Unlike Park Jin-woo, a growth-type genius.

Kang Joo-yeon is an overwhelming genius who has never lost her top position.

There's no way I, still at an ordinary level, could beat her.

I would have to wait for a much later time to obtain her rune.

Regardless, it's a rune with a ridiculously powerful effect.

The fact that I'm even having these wild fantasies.

Even if it's not a famous epic rune.

A useful rare rune or an ordinary normal rune.

The important thing is that I now have a way to obtain them.

The more runes you have, the better.

“I was just really lucky….”

The reason why I, an extremely ordinary person, obtained such a legendary rune.

There was only one reason.

The luck of a possessor, matching the beginner's luck.

The hidden piece of the unknown 'method of obtaining runes'.

It was all clearly in my memory.

After finding seven runes, I obtained this legendary rune.

This is a unique content that has never appeared in the original novel.

I can only attribute it to my incredible luck as a possessor.

“What's so lucky about it?”

A familiar voice rang out.

A style with her hair braided to one side and casually hanging down.

A casual outfit that subtly reveals her figure.

A woman with a slightly cold appearance.

My next-door neighbor, Kim Chae-eun, was there.

We became friends on the first day we dropped into this world.

At the academy building where the enrollment application was being processed.

Kim Chae-eun approached me first.

-Oh? You're from next door?

In <Next Rune Holder>, she was a character I had never seen before.

Like Doo Jae-hyun, she was an ordinary extra.

But, come on?

How can such a pretty girl be an extra?

After looking in the mirror.

After confirming Doo Jae-hyun's plausibility, it made sense.

Extras.

They're only played by good-looking and pretty people.

The academy staff member who gave me a harsh reprimand on the first day.

She was actually a fair and just person who doesn't judge people by their appearance.

- I'm on my way home! Come with me!

Kim Chae-eun, despite her cold first impression, is quite active.

She seems to approach people she meets for the first time without hesitation.

Even though we only knew each other by face as next-door neighbors...

We quickly started talking and became friends easily.

We became close on the way home on the first day, and after meeting a few more times and having meals together, we developed a friendship.

If it weren't for her.

It would have been difficult to find my home at the time.

Thinking about it, after dropping into this new world.

I didn't even know where I lived.

“It's just that I was chosen as a Holder.”

“Pfft. What's so lucky about that? You need to get an epic rune from the start to be considered lucky... Ordinary Holders like us will have a hard time even in society.”

“...That's true.”

I immediately agreed, feeling a bit stung.

The lucky ones who receive epic runes from the start...

That was me.

“What time are you going tomorrow?”

“Enrollment test?”

“Yeah. It starts at 2, right?”

Tomorrow is the day of the Holder Academy enrollment test.

It's called an enrollment test, but in reality, admission is already determined.

It's a test to filter out those who falsely claim to be Holders.

The most important part of the enrollment test is the class placement.

From the top class to the lower class.

From the academy's perspective, which focuses on cultivating high-level talent, this is a natural approach.

“Still, you should go early... around 1, right? Why?”

“Lunch?”

“I need to eat before I go.”

“I want to eat at your place too!”

“...Again?”

“Yeah! The pasta last time was so delicious.”

The side effect of the [Cooking] rune.

After making pasta at home once, Kim Chae-eun kept coming over and begging me to make it again.

She must have been really impressed by it.

She must have come over today to say this.

“...Have you prepared for the test tomorrow?”

“Is there anything to prepare for a test? It's just about showing your usual skills. After all, it's an academy to learn.”

“I can't argue with you.”

I tidied up the surroundings and gathered the practice weapons.

This is a private training ground that you pay for and use for a certain period of time.

It was almost time to return the weapons and go home.

“Then come in the morning. Around 11.”

“Wow-”

“But bring dessert.”

“Dessert? What kind?”

“Pudding. Grape flavor.”

“……”

Kim Chae-eun's gaze, which now looked at me like a child, changed.

But there's nothing I can do.

This taste hasn't changed even in the new world.

* * *

On the day of the enrollment test.

After a light pasta feast at my house.

Kim Chae-eun and I were at the Holder Academy test site.

“Candidate number 311, Doo Jae-hyun. Please come forward.”

The enrollment test is divided into two main categories.

One is to confirm whether the candidate truly possesses a rune.

The other is to determine the Holder's level.

The former can be immediately confirmed by placing a hand on the measuring device in the test site, and the latter involves several tests to evaluate the Holder.

For me, who submitted [Dagger] as my possessed rune, there were light dagger skills, throwing skills, and various ability tests waiting.

Ding-

“The possession of a rune has been confirmed. Candidate Doo Jae-hyun is accepted into the Seoul Holder Academy. Congratulations. Please proceed to the adjacent test site for class placement.”

With a total of 9 runes, including [Dagger], there was no way I would fail the Holder confirmation.

After the Holder confirmation, I immediately went to the level assessment test site to take the test.

Ding-

Ding-

“……”

Various measuring devices displayed my scores in real-time.

The supervisor, seated on one side of the test site, read out my scores with a blank expression.

“Dagger skills F, throwing skills F... Overall Holder ability E... Candidate Doo Jae-hyun's temporary class placement is the lower class.”

The results were惨不忍睹。

尽管我拥有大量符文，但符文并未成长，所以这是意料之中的事。

顺便提一下，金彩恩的临时班级是中级班。

她是一名持有[冰结]的法师系Holder。

她的能力值和符文等级意外地不错。

她之前说我们这些普通Holder怎么样...

最终还是个骗子。

“请移步到旁边的测试场地。实战对练的最终测试还剩下。”

符文测量和能力值测量被称为“临时班级分配”的原因。

通过最后的测试“实战对练”来最终确定每个考生的班级。

这个对练只能与临时分配到同一班级的考生进行。

也就是说，高级班的考生和低级班的考生无法进行对练。

从一开始就存在水平差异，所以这是一种合理的安排。

而且...

‘朴振宇在这里被分配到低级班。’

我等待这个实战对练的原因。

主人公朴振宇。

他持有[求道者的汗水]这个史诗符文，他的临时班级和我一样是低级班。

[符文猎人]的力量的第一次考验...

比我想象的来得更快。