Chapter 6

<Chapter 6: The Reverted Warrior at Level 2>

"Unaffiliated in first place? Is this for real?"

"Who is Seong Jihan? I don't know anyone by that name."

It had been 10 years since BattleNet spread throughout the world.

Unlike before, the Bronze League, which was categorized as a deep sea, had long been a league outside of people's interest.

At least, it was thought that one had to reach Silver to make it worth watching.

In particular, most guild officials did not pay much attention to tutorial matches.

However, the story was different for the Gangnam 1 Area.

"Unaffiliated in first place for the Gangnam 1 tutorial?"

"I heard that this batch was of a very high level..."

The required abilities to participate in Gangnam 1 were considerable.

An average stat ability of 9 or higher, and a Gift grade of A.

Guild officials believed that one needed to meet these standards to place in the top 50 in the tutorial.

However, this was just a standard based on averages.

The cutoff for passing the tutorial varied for each batch.

'The previous batch had relatively less competition, so even a C-grade Gift managed to pass by luck.'

'But this time, the competition was quite intense.'

The scouting teams of the top 10 guilds in Korea often exchanged information, so they knew the players participating in the Bronze League this time.

League participation applications started in July, with the Gangnam 1 Bronze League beginning on July 31.

This league, starting in the second half of 2020, was expected to be one of the most competitive in history.

Moreover,

"Lim Gayoung from Reason is also participating. I thought she would naturally take first place."

"Four kills is a top score in the regular league. Six kills is just unbelievable."

Lim Gayoung from the Reason guild.

She was a promising talent that the Reason guild had ambitiously put forward, known to possess an S-grade Gift.

The scouts of Reason, known for their cold and calculated nature, had unanimously predicted that "Lim Gayoung will definitely take first place."

Moreover, Lim Gayoung lived up to their expectations.

Four kills.

If it weren't for the irregular Seong Jihan, she would have naturally taken first place.

"Ah. It's a shame we can't collect data. Why don't they broadcast the tutorials, anyway..."

"First, investigate this Seong Jihan. The surname is quite unique, so we might find something."

"Yes, understood."

Thus, the various guild scouting teams began their investigations, but the story was different for the two guilds that had directly faced Seong Jihan.

"The data is well received, sir."

The warrior and archer from the Turtle guild, who had been killed by Seong Jihan, had the Kill Cam feature provided by BattleNet.

A third-person video of the 30 seconds before their death.

"Really... I can't believe it."

The team leader of the Turtle guild's scouting team replayed the video several times, marveling.

BattleNet, a game known for its poor balance...

'Is this even possible? Is he really level 2?'

The warrior and archer standing before him, heads bowed, had abilities that were objectively not lacking.

Both had A-grade Gifts, and their equipment was the best B-grade available.

In particular, the warrior was equipped with the highest-quality full plate mail, known for its thick defense.

'Urak weapons are at best F or E grade. To pierce B-grade armor with such a crude weapon...'

Seong Jihan's speed was particularly impressive.

To the team leader, his agility was at least 15, almost 20.

Of course, his strength was also around that level... or higher, given that he pierced the armor with a crude weapon.

What kind of traits did he possess to show such prowess at level 2?

The team leader's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

'He's not even a guild member. We have to recruit him somehow!'

Wearing only a loose T-shirt and sweatpants, he participated in the game and achieved six kills with an almost defenseless body.

The team leader nodded several times, then looked at the two before him.

While it's easy to think others are better, we must encourage the guild's promising talents.

"Please don't be too discouraged. I, as the team leader, vouch for your abilities. You will definitely pass in the next opportunity."

"Ah..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Just think of this as... a natural disaster. It might be better to participate in the next league. You'll lose the chance to upgrade to Silver if you're in the same league as that monster."

The two nodded, their faces pale.

To face that monster in the league again?

Just thinking about it was terrifying.

"Then, rest well today."

"Yes..."

"Understood."

Thus, the Turtle guild reported on Seong Jihan's performance, and the team leader took action.

At the Reason guild, the head of the Personnel Department's Third Division observed the situation.

"Is this Seong Jihan's data?"

"Yes..."

Do Hyukgyu, who had tried to kill Seong Jihan at the start but ended up being the first to die, couldn't take his eyes off the head of the Personnel Department's Third Division.

'This is the rumored parachutist...'

Lee Hayeon.

According to rumors, she was still in her 20s.

A beauty that could rival any famous celebrity.

Her face suggested she should be a new employee, but she held the title of head of the Third Division.

Despite the widespread rumors of her being a parachutist and the many backroom talks,

'She's not to be underestimated...'

Do Hyukgyu, in his prime, didn't care whether she was a parachutist or not.

His furtive glances turned into bold stares, causing Lee Hayeon to frown.

"Where are you looking?"

"Sorry, sorry."

"Pay attention to your gaze next time. Now, please leave."

"Yes..."

Do Hyukgyu was chased out, leaving behind a USB with the data.

Once he left, a cold-faced woman stepped forward from behind Lee Hayeon.

She was Lee Hayeon's bodyguard.

"Shall I kill him, Miss?"

"For heaven's sake. You always talk about killing. You've never killed anyone, have you?"

"I did this time."

"Pfft. In the tutorial? Forget it. There are plenty like him. Anyway, Gayoung. Come here. Let's look at the person who took your first place."

Lim Gayoung, the promising talent of the Reason guild.

She had been with Lee Hayeon since childhood, prioritizing her protection.

"Understood."

Curious about the person who took first place, she quickly approached Lee Hayeon's desk.

Soon,

The two were wide-eyed with surprise.

"Phew, lucky you, Gayoung."

"What do you mean?"

"That he wasn't summoned next to you."

"......I can't deny it."

Do Hyukgyu, who had been chased out of the office earlier.

He was actually expected to be in the top 20 in the guild.

Agility A.

In the tutorial, it was a standout Gift.

However, Seong Jihan had naturally dodged his A-grade Agility attacks.

"Maybe you should avoid him if you're matched with him in the next match. What do you think?"

"......"

Lim Gayoung didn't answer, only nodding silently.

Lee Hayeon looked at her.

She was biting her lower lip, which was slightly protruding.

Having spent a long time together, Lee Hayeon knew when this expression appeared.

When she received an order she didn't like.

'Ugh. Really.'

"Ah, no. Our Gayoung won't lose. Crush him in battle."

"It's fine, Miss. I'll avoid him."

"It's an order. For the sake of gathering information, fight him."

"Then... understood."

Swoosh.

Her lips returned to a neutral expression, and her face became expressionless.

Seeing this, Lee Hayeon smiled, knowing she couldn't change her mind, and looked back at Seong Jihan's face on the monitor.

His face seemed familiar.

'I've seen him somewhere...'

* * *

Back home, Seong Jihan first checked the message that appeared before him.

[You have achieved first place in the tutorial.]

[As a reward for first place, your experience gain is increased by 50%.]

[Your level has increased by 3.]

[Since this is a tutorial mode, no GP is awarded.]

'Levels are rising quickly at low levels.'

When he was a ranked player in the U.S., it took a month to level up.

To gain three levels in one game was impressive.

Seong Jihan happily allocated his stats.

'The remaining 3 stats will naturally go to Strength...'

This time, the Strength stat increased immediately upon allocation.

Once Strength reached 9, Seong Jihan looked at the empty title slot.

He had earned a title for achieving first place in the tutorial.

[Tutorial Master - Bronze]

[A title given to players who achieve first place in the tutorial.

+1 to all stats and a 20% increase in experience gain within the Bronze League.]

A title with decent effects, even if it only applied within the Bronze League.

Seong Jihan immediately equipped the title.

'Strength is now 10.'

He checked his status.

Name: Seong Jihan

Level: 6

Affiliation: Bronze League - Gangnam 1 Area

Strength: 10

Magic: 6

Class: Unassigned (Class acquisition possible)

Gift: Wanderer's Eye (Grade F)

-You can easily identify other players.

Title: Tutorial Master - Bronze

Achievement Points: 11,600

His stats had improved slightly from when he was level 2.

However, he still had no skills, and his Gift was only F-grade, so he had a long way to go.

Still, this was enough to breeze through the Bronze League.

'I need to reach level 25 quickly and pave the way for the budding sprout.'

At level 25, he wouldn't need to play every day; he could just wait for the Silver promotion match.

'However...'

The Class slot, marked as "Unassigned," was glowing.

Seong Jihan placed his finger on the Class slot.

[At level 5, you can acquire a basic class.]

[The available classes are as follows:]

-Warrior

-Archer

-Mage

-Supporter

[Do you want to choose a class?]

'The time for class change is approaching.'

Players start as Unassigned.

At level 5, they can choose a class.

Alternatively, if they are part of a guild, they can change classes early using the BattleNet Crystal at the guild headquarters.

'If it weren't for the achievement shop, I would have definitely chosen Warrior...'

In his previous life, Seong Jihan was a Warrior who had evolved into a Wu Sheng (武聖), a special job that accelerated the development of Strength and facilitated the use of martial arts.

Since it was a path he had walked before, choosing Warrior would make his growth smoother.

'However, considering the additional class in the achievement shop...'

For 10,000 achievement points, you can acquire an additional class.

This opened up another path.

'The time to aim for an additional unique stat.'

Seong Jihan's hand moved toward one of the four classes.