8
The first stage of Eternity, Daiewolf training.
The first words Hajinwoo spoke to the survivors who successfully rescued people in the game were these:
“Alright, you all did well. You’re all eliminated.”
Hajinwoo made a shocking statement to the bewildered survivors.
The girl and the boy in crisis were carrying something called “Mines.” And you just died to those Mines.
Following that, there were explanations about why the two were Mines, but he couldn’t quite remember the specific reasons.
In any case, it was clear that the identities of the two were Mines contracted with demons.
I aimed the stone imbued with energy at the girl. Since it was virtual, there was no hesitation.
“I’ll crush her head with a single blow.”
I had to target the girl first and then eliminate the man. Since they were just minor Mines, it wouldn’t be too difficult to kill them by surprise.
But still, a mine is a mine. Since even a slight misstep could lead to a counterattack and cause a headache, there was no room for mistakes.
“Hoo.”
After calming my mind with a deep breath, I gripped a rock.
Talent, the “genius of Vidosul,” laid out the optimal path to kill them both in one breath.
Ssaaah…
Following the drawing, I wet the hand holding the rock behind me. Just as the wind blew, rustling the grass.
Whoosh!
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The rock flew. Like a beam of light, it pierced through the grass, soared over the wolves, and pierced the head of the girl.
When the startled man turned to look at me, another rock had already pierced his forehead.
Puh-ung!
After all the mines were dead, the wolf pack belatedly rushed towards me. Just as their fierce teeth were about to sink into my shoulder, they crumbled down like porcelain.
-Practice session complete.
Hajinwoo’s voice echoed in the training ground. The practice had ended by killing all the mines.
“Phew. It worked.”
Wiping the sweat trickling down from tension off my forehead, I left the training ground. The novices, who didn’t understand the situation, murmured in confusion.
“What? What did we just do?”
“Why did we kill people?”
“Wow, the senior really messed up this time.”
Ignoring the pouring gazes, I returned to my seat.
Amelia asked straight away.
“Why did you kill them?”
“Because there’s a reason.”
“You’re not going to tell us?”
“The class isn’t over yet.”
“… “
Amelia puffed her cheeks slightly. But she didn’t ask any further.
Whether she was trying to figure it out herself or anticipating the next practice, Amelia stared intently.
As the practice was coming to an end, Amelia’s eyes widened as if she had realized something.
“Could it be those people…”
As expected of Amelia. She catches on fast. When I smirked, Amelia’s mouth fell open.
As the last novice entered the waiting room, Hajinwoo concluded.
“You all did well. You must have noticed the differences in how your peers handled the situation. There was even one who killed a person in the middle of it.”
Smiling and looking in my direction as he spoke, Hajinwoo asked the novices around.
“Does anyone here know why Haesol killed people?”
“… “
The waiting room fell silent. Amelia suspected but remained silent. Then Hajinwoo turned to me and inquired.
“Haesol, you answer. Why did you kill people?”
“Because they were mines.”
At my words, the waiting room buzzed. Hajinwoo’s eyes sparkled.
“And what led you to that conclusion?”
The man and the girl didn’t seem anxious as if they were in danger. Moreover, if they had been chased by a direwolf in such a dense thicket, there should have been grass or dirt on their clothes, but there was nothing, it was neat. There was no sense of threat from the direwolf towards them either. Saying that a direwolf was following them was pure nonsense.
I don’t know if this is true. I just blurted out whatever came out of my mouth. Anyway, it was certain that the two were mains.
And Ha Jinwoo’s lips curled up. He turned to the students and said,
“Did you all hear well? Eui Sol’s words are correct. However, let me provide some supplementary explanations…”
Ha Jinwoo praised me, presenting crucial evidence that I had not yet known.
“…That’s it. It wasn’t actually a problem to solve. It was a trap made not to trust people easily, but there was someone who understood that correctly.”
The disciples, who had believed that the mains were women in danger, marveled at the reactions, realizing that the chief had a different perspective.
“Today’s practice ends here. The recorded practice video will be posted in the class cafe for analysis. And Eui Sol.”
“Yes.”
“Come forward from now on. It’s the 1st place reward for practice.”
***
The reward given for finishing first in the first practice at Eternity is random.
Of course, whatever you receive as a reward will be useful, so it doesn’t matter, but there was one thing to avoid.
The Karma Bead. A one-time magic tool that increases magical capacity, a valuable item that can only be obtained in Eternity in the whole world, but to me, who had no magic, it was the most useless magical tool.
“Please don’t just give me the Karma Bead. Please.”
Then, Ha Jinwoo smiled and offered the reward.
“Congratulations. It’s the Karma Bead.”
“…”
“A one-time magic tool that increases magical capacity. Originally, the reward was a body-protecting magic tool, but since growth is a priority for you, I specially requested to change it.”
Just giving and receiving, why bother with such useless things.
“Oh, my magic tool…”
“Applause.”
Clap clap clap!
Forced to smile amidst the disciples’ applause, I returned to my seat, shedding tears in my heart.
As I pondered how to deal with this Pandora’s box called the Karma Bead, I suddenly felt a gaze from the side.
Glancing over, I saw Amelia looking at me, or rather, at the Karma Bead in my hand, with envy-filled eyes.
I moved my hand to the right to see if Amelia’s pupils moved in the same direction. This time, I tried moving it up and down. Again, Amelia’s pupils followed suit.
Next, left, then diagonal, again up and down…
“What are you doing right now?”
Amelia stared at me intently.
“My arm is itchy.”
“…”
Making a feeble excuse, I turned the topic to a thought that had come to mind.
“Amelia, would you like to exchange this?”
“What with?”
“The bracelet on your wrist.”
“What do you know about this?”
“Blackback Whale Bracelet.”
A magical tool that gives vitality to the wearer, one of the many artifacts held by the Star Seat.
As soon as I accurately identified the bracelet’s name, Amelia’s eyes widened.
“How did you know?”
“I have my ways of gathering information.”
“······Alright, let’s make the exchange.”
Amelia agreed without a second thought. Then, she cautiously observed my reaction.
Understandably, to Amelia, the black whale bracelet was merely an item that provided vitality.
So, she might wonder about the significance of exchanging it for the karma beads that enhance magical power. However, in reality, it was a much more beneficial deal for me.
While to Amelia, the bracelet might serve a simple purpose of regulating conditions, for someone with a glass body that could shatter at a touch like me, the enhancement of vitality from the black whale bracelet would even lead to an improvement in physical abilities.
In other words, it would make the body responsive to attacks it previously couldn’t react to.
“Moreover, if the bracelet is broken, the essence of the black whale will flow out, resulting in a permanent increase in abilities.”
Judging from her reaction, Amelia seemed completely unaware, but…
Anyway, the fact that I could take advantage of such a rare item from the start might have made me elated, but I maintained a composed expression as I nodded.
“I’ll pass on that.”
“Why, why?”
“I’d be at a loss.”
As I collected the karma beads, Amelia looked perplexed. On the other hand, I maintained an expression that showed no hint of regret. Unaware of this, Amelia urgently said,
“I’ll offer you Romano’s attire. Of course, custom-made!”
I couldn’t help but stifle a chuckle. Was this some kind of walking bank account?
The attire from the stellar brand, Romano, was renowned for its exceptional performance. And if it was custom-made, it was undoubtedly top-notch.
Even the clothes Amelia casually wore on a daily basis could easily fend off mediocre swords on thin cloth pieces.
Although they might look like everyday clothes, garments that appeared ordinary yet possessed strong defensive capabilities were referred to as “attire.” Needless to say, such quality came at a price that I couldn’t afford.
Amelia had offered to tailor such attire for me.
“What a steal.”
Despite wanting to burst into laughter at the outrageous offer, I solemnly nodded my head.
“Well, okay.”
“You’ve made a wise choice.”
Although I had suggested the exchange first, Amelia seemed delighted with a wide grin.
Every time she smiled, her upper hair strands swayed, oddly cute.
Anyway, as this strange deal, where the host was being led, was about to conclude, Hajinwoo finished the first day’s formalities.
As the disciples scattered, and I began to rise, Amelia spoke up.
“Let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“Where else, we have to get fitted for the attire.”
“So soon?”
When I widened my eyes, Amelia proudly pushed her chest out.
“Yes, there’s a Romano branch in Eternity too.”
***
We rode in a long limousine parked in front of the main gate, and arrived at the Eternity Romano branch.
Then, we were assigned designers at a place resembling an engineering workshop capable of producing mechanical suits, and began the process of creating the attire.
Choosing the fabric, selecting the design, taking measurements…
I went through various tests, hearing words like ergonomics that I didn’t understand.
It feels more like creating an advanced suit tailored specifically for me, rather than making clothes.
I’ve never had custom-made clothes in my life, but coming into the game and experiencing this was unexpected.
“The outfit you get fitted for today will be ready in a week.”
“You don’t have to make it a formal suit.”
“What are you talking about? Of course, it has to be a formal suit. Freida, also prepare a long coat.”
“Yes, miss.”
Amelia seems more enthusiastic about fitting my clothes.
She always seemed to enjoy styling, but since receiving Karma’s beads, she had been wearing a proud expression all day.
If I knew she would like it this much, should I have ordered something more expensive?
“It would be really appreciated if you could make a spare one as well.”
“Do you know how much this costs?”
“How much?”
“Just the material costs add up to 300 million.”
…It’s a shame, but I’ll have to be satisfied with today.
***
“Ah, I’m tired. hehehe.”
7 p.m. Returning to the dormitory, my body was tired, but my mind was rich with contentment.
I had obtained the bracelet of the Blackfin Whale and even had an outfit tailored that wasn’t part of the plan.
I could consider that I had taken everything I could in the early stages.
“Shall we try breaking it?”
With hopeful anticipation, I gazed at the Blackfin Whale’s bracelet. As I infused it with vigor, the bracelet easily shattered.
A faint milky iridescent energy flowed from the broken surface, seeping into my body.
Instantly, vitality surged through my tired body. And a refreshed status window appeared.
▶ Player Lee Haesol
[Stamina: 1.5(+2)]
[Strength: 0.8(+0.5)]
[Agility: 2.8(+1.3)]
[Endurance: 1(+1)]
[Dexterity: 3]
Except for Dexterity, all overall physical abilities had improved. Although still despairing compared to the average ability score exceeding 10 for ordinary players, this was a significant advancement. Moreover, the changes didn’t end here.
[With the enhancement of physical abilities, some of Gram’s gifts are unlocked.]
With a thud, Gram split open. My eyes widened.
“Oh!”