Chapter 1

EP.1 I Was Possessed by the Weakest Character

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At dawn.

The roar of thunder.

The sound of raindrops hitting the cobblestones.

I was huddled inside the ice barrier that had formed.

The raindrops slid down the semi-transparent ice barrier and froze, becoming part of it.

I stared at this scene endlessly.

“Ah...”

It’s been three days. Three days.

No matter how I think about it, I’ve been possessed by the game I’ve played for seven years, <Merhen’s Magic Knight>.

And not just any character, but a third-rate extra with no connection to the main characters.

It’s really the most cliché scenario.

Now, it seems to have entered a stable phase, and I can’t think of anything.

It’s just vague.

The feeling of hopelessness I felt when I saw the pile of books taller than me during the early days of my college entrance exam preparation.

Perhaps this is my punishment.

I wanted to retread the story for the first time in a while, so I started a new game with the only applicable cheat, maxing out the stats to 100, to make it easier.

I’m a seasoned player, but I shouldn’t have done that...

‘So, that’s why I was possessed.’

Haha, crazy.

All sorts of thoughts come to mind.

But being possessed by <Merhen’s Magic Knight> is a fact.

After living here for three days, I confirmed that this is indeed the Merhen Academy from the game.

Even more, today is the day of the opening ceremony, the starting point of the game.

I knew this from the date on the banner hanging at the main gate and the dormitory calendar.

At first, I woke up in the dormitory.

I used the academy’s unique currency, given as a benefit for new students, to have a meal.

Every day, I silently wandered around.

I was gradually realizing this unbelievable reality...

Moreover, I could sense and use mana, and this [Ice Barrier] is proof of that.

Really... it’s not funny.

While lost in thought, listening to the rain, a terrifying fact suddenly came to mind.

‘This... is indeed Hell Mode.’

<Merhen’s Magic Knight> starts with a choice of Easy, Normal, or Hard difficulty. From the second playthrough, you can choose Extreme, and from the third playthrough, the notorious Hell Mode.

Hell Mode changes the atmosphere from the start.

Originally, today should have been a sunny day, marking the beginning of the protagonist Ian Fairytail’s tumultuous academy life.

The cheerful background music and bright atmosphere of that day are vividly etched in my memory.

But if you choose Hell Mode, the game starts with a gloomy, rainy day.

The background music is absent, and the sound of rain is the only white noise, foreshadowing the arduous journey ahead.

In this mode, Ian fights an enemy even before the opening ceremony begins.

‘Why did I have to be possessed...’

Hell Mode is notorious for its insane difficulty.

The enemies’ levels are higher, their patterns more difficult, and the story itself changes, introducing enemies that didn’t appear in the original difficulty levels.

It’s a difficulty level that only the most seasoned players can barely clear.

‘But I...’

When I willed it, a semi-transparent window appeared before my eyes, the interface I often saw in the game.

[Status]

Name: Isaac

Level: 20

Gender: Male

Grade: 1

Title: New Student

Mana: 280 / 300

- Mana Recovery Speed (D-)

- Health (D-)

- Strength (D)

- Intelligence (D)

- Spirit (B)

Potential <<Details>>

[Combat Abilities]

Elemental Type 1: Ice

- Elemental Power (D-)

- Elemental Efficiency (D)

- Elemental Synergy (C)

Elemental Type 2 (Locked)

[Skills]

Active

- (★1) Ice Creation (D)

- (★2) Ice Barrier (C)

- (★1) Cold Emission (C)

- (★1) Basic Protection Magic (E)

Passive

- None

Skill Tree <<Details>>

[Unique Traits]

- None

Indeed, the abilities of a third-rate extra are pitiful.

First, the level is 20. According to my memory, the average level of new students is around 40. There are exceptional students, but they are the exception.

In this game, level 20 is the level you can reach during the Hell Mode tutorial. It’s too low.

High spirit only increases resistance to hallucination-type magic, which isn’t very helpful in combat.

‘How can I not even reach a basic level?’

The same goes for skills. Considering that the worst grade is E, it’s easy to imagine how weak the [Elemental Power] D- is.

How did such a weak character get into the prestigious Merhen Academy?

Recalling the game’s content, it’s clear that he must have excelled in written exams rather than practical skills.

So what? My mind is a blank.

I had to worry about my future.

I didn’t know if I would return to reality or have to live here forever.

The worst-case scenario is that the protagonist Ian Fairytail dies, leading to a bad ending, and I die as well.

So, if I can’t return to reality, the safest strategy is to...

Clear the game.

‘At least the cheat is applied, so it’s a relief...’

After checking the status window for the past three days, the stat 100 cheat key was indeed applied.

Stats don’t directly affect abilities; they are used to invest in potential. Therefore, dramatic effects are hard to expect.

The problem is that this character ‘Isaac’ has very poor potential and specs...

‘...[Ice Creation].’

The ice chunk I created in the air using mana is only as big as a soccer ball. It’s the maximum size I can create with the available mana.

「Ice Creation (Ice Attribute, ★1)」

When I released the force, the mana chunk fell to the ground due to gravity.

...Really, it’s very weak.

Can’t I create it inside the enemy’s body? No, that’s not possible. There’s a setting that you can’t cast magic inside someone else’s body due to the ‘Mana Reverse Field’.

In other words, my only power is to drop an ice chunk.

So, I had to confirm it with my own eyes.

Whether the protagonist Ian Fairytail can survive the Hell Mode.

Whether I can survive.

...

The first boss of <Merhen’s Magic Knight> Hell Mode, ‘Trevion of Evil’.

He will meet the protagonist today, before the opening ceremony.

Many enemies will come after the protagonist Ian Fairytail in the future. This is because Ian has special powers.

‘The rain has stopped.’

It’s about time.

I looked at the clock tower standing in the center of the academy.

It was 8:00 AM, and the sun was shining through the gradually dissipating clouds.

I recalled the game and went to ‘Joseina Forest’ outside the academy’s main gate.

Climbing the hill, I reached a small inn where the protagonist Ian Fairytail stayed briefly on his way to Merhen Academy. Ian will start his journey to the academy from this inn today.

My destination is the open field that appears after cutting through the forest path. It’s a place Ian will pass on his way to the academy.

‘Here...!’

When I arrived at my destination, I hesitated.

A black-haired man was leaning against a tree, his head bowed.

He was wearing the same uniform as me and was spitting blood from his mouth.

Seeing his familiar appearance, I immediately recognized who he was.

Ian Fairytail, the protagonist of <Merhen’s Magic Knight>.

[Ian Fairytail]

Level: 30

Race: Human

Attribute: Light

Danger Level: X

The information window that appeared in the air confirmed that the black-haired man was Ian Fairytail.

After completing the Hell Mode tutorial, the level is 30. The protagonist, who is unconscious, seems to have completed the tutorial.

In front of the unconscious protagonist, a tall, dark-skinned man was standing.

The dark-skinned man’s body was wobbling, and his hands, extended to the sides, were moving in a wavy pattern.

Spiky white hair. The first villain who drove many players into despair from the start of Hell Mode.

[Trevion of Evil]

Level: 80

Race: Demon

Attribute: Darkness, Water

Danger Level: High

‘Trevion of Evil.’

‘Level 80... definitely Hell Mode.’

Trevion of Evil, the enemy who foreshadows the hardships to come right after the game starts, is level 80 in Hell Mode.

In contrast, Ian’s level is 30. With this level, Ian would fall into a near-death state with a single light attack from Trevion, and he would die with two.

Such a high level is only possible in Hell Mode. Even if you defeat him, the experience gained is not much different from other difficulty levels.

The developers’ intention to discourage players without high control skills from even starting Hell Mode is excessively felt.

Story-wise, it’s impossible for the current Ian to defeat Trevion.

Ultimately, during the fight, the second-place new student in the Magic Department, Kaya Astraean, will appear and defeat the enemy.

So, the goal is to ‘endure’.

But...

‘What is Ian doing now?’

Is he already failing from the start?

That can’t be. Please, no...

Of course, Hell Mode requires high-level control from the start, but even so, this is a bit much...

Trevion approaches the unconscious Ian. Two dark spheres appear in his hands, a combination of darkness and water magic.

...On the first day of the opening ceremony, the world is already in danger of a bad ending.

‘What will happen to me if he dies...?’

What will happen to me if there’s a bad ending? Will I return to reality, or... die?

...It’s ominous. My vision is dark.

The most likely way to ensure my safety is to clear the game.

In the ending, Ian becomes a successful magic knight.

With the prestigious Merhen Academy’s diploma, you can live a comfortable life in this world.

However, to do that, you must defeat the final boss, ‘Nephid the Evil God’.

Obviously, without the protagonist, this game cannot be cleared.

Let’s think of a way. The best way to resolve this crisis now is...?

‘Ah, the cheat.’

The stat 100 cheat!

I quickly opened the status window and went to the potential <<Details>>.

[Potential]

Owned Stats: 100

◆ Growth Speed

- Physical Training Efficiency (D+): 16/100 [UP]

- Magic Training Efficiency (D-): 10/100 [UP]

- Learning Efficiency (D): 12/100 [UP]

◆ Elemental Resistance

- Fire Elemental Resistance (E): 0/100 [UP]

- Water Elemental Resistance (D): 6/100 [UP]

- Ice Elemental Resistance (C-): 24/100 [UP]

- Lightning Elemental Resistance (C): 29/100 [UP]

- Rock Elemental Resistance (E): 2/100 [UP]

- Wind Elemental Resistance (D): 13/100 [UP]

- Neutral Magic Resistance (D): 8/100 [UP]

◆ Combat Power Against Races

- Combat Power Against Humans (E): 4/100 [UP]

- Combat Power Against This Race (E): 1/100 [UP]

- Combat Power Against Celestials (E): 0/100 [UP]

- Combat Power Against Demons (E): 0/100 [UP]

The stat 100 cheat I inputted was indeed applied without issues.

The [UP] button for each potential is active because I have owned stats.

The already allocated potential seemed to be innate to Isaac.

Ignoring everything, I poured all my stats into [Combat Power Against Demons].

Ding-♪

[Combat Power Against Demons has improved from E to S!]

[Unique Trait [Demon Slayer] acquired!]

[Combat Power Against Demons] at its maximum level. I have acquired the unique trait [Demon Slayer].

It’s natural to focus on combat power. When fighting demons, my combat power temporarily increases.

Most official villains in <Merhen’s Magic Knight> are demons. The more you invest in [Combat Power Against Demons], the more specialized you become for boss battles.

And [Demon Slayer] is a unique trait acquired when [Combat Power Against Demons] is maxed out. It amplifies the effects of [Combat Power Against Demons].

Therefore, from now on, I can exert strong combat power against the demon Trevion.

I stepped into the open field.

Trevion, who was approaching Ian, sensed my presence and turned his gaze toward me.

“...”

[...]

His eerie purple eyes, human-like face, and elongated body. He smiled widely, as if his mouth was about to tear.

[Hello?]

Trevion greeted me with a creaking voice, nodding his head repeatedly.

People have given him a nickname. It’s ‘Highman’.

Trevion only knows how to say ‘Hello’.

[HelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHelloHello