Chapter 4

00004 Using the Special Privilege.

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『An unknown energy is making your strength even stronger. Your strength has increased slightly.』

『An unknown energy is making your agility even stronger. Your agility has increased slightly.』

『Your internal mana is explosively increasing! It is beyond control! Your mana has increased significantly!』

『The goddess of fortune smiles upon you! She has a deep interest in you! Your luck has increased significantly!』

After reading the messages, it seemed that the increases in strength and agility were not as substantial as I had hoped. It was inevitable. Even if my strength was not as high, my agility at 96 points was already one of the highest in the Hol Plain. However, the increases in mana and luck were quite promising. Although the event was heavily weighted, a special message appeared.

‘It’s been a long time since I felt this excited. It’s a bit disappointing that my stamina didn’t increase…’

I never expected to receive any special privileges at the beginning. Even this much was already incredible, so I calmed my racing heart and immediately updated my user information window.

< User Information (Player Status) >

1. Name: Kim Suhyun (0-year user)

2. Class: -

3. Nation: -

4. Clan: -

5. True Name · Nationality: A user who needs to prove their qualifications, Pre-user · Republic of Korea

6. Gender: Male (23)

7. Height · Weight: 181.5cm · 75.5kg

8. Alignment: Lawful · Chaos

(Before) [Strength 86] [Endurance 92] [Agility 96] [Stamina 78] [Mana 48] [Luck 36]

(After) [Strength 94] [Endurance 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 78] [Mana 90] [Luck 88]

< Achievements (0) >

< Special Abilities (0/1) >

< Potential Abilities (0/4) >

‘Strength increased by 8 points, agility by 2 points, mana by 42 points, luck by 52 points. Total increase of 104 points.’

Good. Very good. The ability values that were previously mediocre now showed a significant increase after the messages.

However, despite the situation that should have made me happy, my stamina ability value stood out. Compared to the other ability values, a sense of disappointment lingered in my heart.

‘If only my stamina had increased instead of luck…’

Stamina can be considered the ‘pillar’ or ‘root’ of all other abilities, much like the body of a car compared to the engine. My current stamina ability value of 78 points was quite mediocre.

‘I can probably manage to get some output… sigh.’

Human greed seems to have no end. Even though I now have much better ability values than before, the feeling of disappointment doesn’t go away.

I had some thoughts, but I decided to stop complaining. There are still many special privileges left to receive. I didn’t want to waste time idly.

“User Kim Suhyun. Would you like to proceed to the next special privilege?”

“Hmm. Let me… No, wait a moment.”

I was about to nod unconsciously but shook my head reflexively. Since I can’t control my ability values, I decided not to proceed immediately. I need to make choices and progress on my own. Therefore, I must be cautious with each decision.

“Seraf. How much time is left until the initiation ceremony?”

“1 hour, 42 minutes, and 23 seconds.”

“Wait, let me think for a moment. 30 minutes… no, 10 minutes.”

“As the user wishes.”

I immediately closed my eyes and immersed myself in thought.

In the Hol Plain, I was a strong user. I was able to obtain the Zero Code because I had some power. While I had the qualifications to be called strong, I knew I couldn’t be considered the ‘best’ or the ‘strongest.’ My significantly low mana ability value always held me back.

Although I have resolved the mana issue now, this might be as far as it goes. My current body has already reached its limit. Although it is marked as a 0-year user, I have actually loaded a 10-year user’s body. While there are methods to increase ability values, such as rewards, equipment, and elixirs, it is difficult to improve through the most common method of ‘training.’

Of course, this doesn’t mean I am at a disadvantage. On average, most users’ growth through training stops between 70 and 80 points. Considering this, my current ability values are already at a luxurious level.

‘But that’s only in general cases.’

There are always exceptional cases that exceed expectations. I need to consider the possibility of starting with ability values over 70 points. Without the miracles and coincidences from the first round, there’s no guarantee they will happen again. To achieve what I want, I need the power to make it happen.

I opened my eyes. Seraf was still sitting on the altar, waiting for my words. Looking at her, I quietly spoke.

“Seraf, I would like to request the next special privilege, which is class selection.”

“Yes. I have received User Kim Suhyun’s request. You are granted the priority to choose a class before entering the Hol Plain during the initiation ceremony. Additionally, all classes that are normally shrouded in secrecy will be revealed temporarily.”

Class selection is a process that requires proving qualifications, similar to user settings. In more detail, it is a process that can only be experienced in the Summoning Room after surviving the initiation ceremony and before entering the Hol Plain. In other words, I am skipping all these processes and starting with the information setup.

I intended to choose a class related to a swordsman again. Although the increase in mana opened up the possibility of choosing other classes, I still thought that a swordsman was the best choice. It’s a path I’ve already taken. There’s no need to explore a new path when there’s a shortcut available.

A chart filled with information floated in the air. I immediately turned off the Rare chart without looking at it and began to carefully examine only the Secret chart.

『Class List (Secret)』

[War Mage]

[Field Maestro]

[Requiem Assassin]

[Soul Commander]

[Jewel Mage]

[Copy Archimage]

[Death Knight]

[Brilliance Priest]

[………….]

‘This isn’t it… this isn’t it either… hmm… I’m sure it’s the class he had…’

I was surprised by the number of Secret classes. I lost my words for a moment, seeing so many classes. Eventually, after struggling on my own, I decided to ask Seraf for help, as I felt I was just wasting time.

“Seraf. Can you show me only the swordsman classes among the Secret classes?”

“It’s not difficult. Are you considering choosing a swordsman-related Secret class?”

“Would you recommend it?”

“I recommend it. It’s an excellent choice. Please wait a moment. I will select them for you immediately.”

The reason I am so focused on the class is because it is closely related to special and potential abilities. I decide the class based on ability values, and the special and potential abilities based on the class. This is the order I have set. Since I have ‘unique abilities’ in mind, I need to be prepared for the two potential abilities that will be randomly selected.

“The selection process is complete. I will display the chart.”

“Okay.”

I began to carefully examine the classes Seraf had filtered. What I was looking for was a class that could easily handle mages. In the first round, my low mana and luck values made it difficult to fight mages, which still sends shivers down my spine.

‘Found it.’

As the list progressed, I finally found the classes I was looking for.

[Sword Specialist]

[Spell Sniper]

Each Secret class has a unique ‘power.’ Both classes appeared in the first round and were incredibly powerful.

The Sword Specialist’s power gives an advantage in all sword-related actions and the ability to cut anything in the world. The Spell Sniper’s power allows a certain probability of complete resistance to mana.

To elaborate on the Spell Sniper, it can resist all spells cast with a mana value of 75 points or less. It reduces 80% of the damage from spells with a mana value of 85 points or less and 50% from spells with a mana value of 90 points or less.

If I had chosen the special privilege without thinking, I would have chosen the Spell Sniper without hesitation. By combining the resistance to mana, one of the potential abilities, with the power, I could reduce most mages to mere dummies, except for the most powerful mages.

However, after careful consideration, my heart was leaning towards the Sword Specialist. The power to cut anything in the world is a fatal charm that I cannot give up. I recalled a user who excelled as a Sword Specialist. His prowess was truly remarkable. He cut and nullified numerous spells, and the many mages he faced were swept away like fallen leaves.

The Spell Sniper is good, but the Sword Specialist is no less impressive.

“……”

After much deliberation, I ultimately chose the Sword Specialist. It was a risky choice, but I felt a sense of relief as I spoke with a calm voice.

“I’ll choose the Sword Specialist.”

“Sword Specialist, you say? It’s not bad, but the Spell Sniper is also a very good class. Considering your current mana ability value, there are few mages who can harm you.”

“That’s true.”

“Then why….”

“Conversely, it means there are still some.”

“……”

Seraf still looked displeased. Although I was momentarily swayed, I quickly regained my composure and spoke with more conviction.

“Let me give you an example. There’s a target system with a certain level of guaranteed success and a non-target system that depends on control. The former has a certain level of safety but clear limitations. The latter, however, depends on pure skill. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I understand.”

“Then I’ll choose the Sword Specialist.”

“As the user wishes.”

Seraf seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. At the same time, I saw a message indicating that another piece of information had been updated.

『Congratulations. You have obtained the Secret Class, Sword Specialist. Your user information has been updated.』

Seeing the message, I felt a strange sense of relief. Perhaps it was because I had successfully passed the first hurdle, but my heart felt much lighter. However, it was too early to relax. I immediately composed myself and prepared for the next special privilege. Since the next special privilege involved elements beyond my control, I raised my tension again.

‘3. Grant special and potential abilities. Users generally have one special ability slot and four potential ability slots, but for User Kim Suhyun, an additional potential ability slot will be opened. This includes all hidden special and potential abilities, and you can choose the ones you want.

Alternatively, you can open a ‘unique ability’ slot. A unique ability is a higher-level ability than a special ability. If you give up the unique ability, you can choose one special ability and five potential abilities of your choice. (In this case, the open slots are automatically included in the potential abilities.)’

I slowly mulled over the information in my head.

Special and potential abilities have the characteristic of blooming according to the user’s alignment over time. Therefore, starting with predetermined abilities is a significant advantage. It means starting from a different starting line compared to other users. However, it also means that I need to be cautious in my choices.

To reiterate, special and potential abilities are the most important aspects that affect a character’s efficiency. If you obtain abilities that match your class, you become stronger. Conversely, if you don’t, you fail to maximize your class’s efficiency. Therefore, to become stronger, you need to harmonize your ability values, class, and abilities.

“Seraf. Let’s proceed with the next special privilege, which is ability granting.”

“Yes. Then, please tell me whether you want to activate the unique ability slot. The differences are….”

“I know. I’ll choose the unique ability.”

“Understood. I will consume one potential ability slot. Additionally, two of the remaining four slots will be randomly selected.”

I have some confidence. Just as the user’s growth was considered in the increase of ability values, a similar rule applies to ability opening. In simpler terms, there is a high possibility that my body, which has achieved Sword Mastery, will influence the selection. If my reasoning is correct, there is a high likelihood that two of the abilities I had in the first round will be selected.

While I was calculating in my head, Seraf signaled that she was ready.

“I have brought up the chart for unique abilities, special abilities, and potential abilities. Would you like to make your selection first, or would you like to open the two potential ability slots first?”

I had a slight sense of unease, but it’s better to take the first step. I decided to open the two potential ability slots first.

“I’ll open the two potential ability slots first.”

============================ Author's Note ============================

1. Content about the Hol Plain and Kim Suhyun has been deleted.

2. Content about the blooming of special abilities has been revised.

3. Typos and context have been corrected.