NOVEL NEXT chapter 122
122 – Theme: Role-Playing (1)
The result of the practice was, of course, my victory.
Even without wearing the Atlas Armor, my abilities surpassed those of the main characters.
As my talents grew, I was able to excel in close combat, making it easier to win than I thought.
Of course, the main characters didn’t use their full strength or S-grade weapons, which contributed to the outcome.
But I didn’t use my full strength either, so the result would be the same.
Anyway.
The first day of the second semester.
The villain response training ended with my victory.
Still, my peers all struggled during the training.
So, I gave each of them a single elixir.
To prepare for future dangers, everyone needs to become stronger.
Giving them elixirs like this is a good idea.
I won’t just hand them all out, though.
I’ll give them one by one, unlocking each step like a puzzle.
With that plan in mind, I ended the day and moved on to the next.
And now, I’m…
“Make sure all safety devices are functioning properly, and check them.”
I stand in front of a rift.
“Has everyone checked?”
“”Yes, normal operation confirmed!””
“Alright, before we enter the rift, I’ll remind you of the precautions.”
Gangcheolsu looks at us with a more serious expression than usual.
“This rift, which will be used for your practice, is not a simulation. It’s the real deal. So, no one knows what will happen inside. When you enter, first assess your surroundings. Check the terrain, the theme, and where the core is located. And figure out how to destroy the core.”
“Of course, there will be people who are familiar with rifts.”
Steelsoo spoke, glancing at me.
“I, too, am new to a normal fissure.”
He’s not wrong about being familiar with fissures.
But the fissure we’re entering this time is an uncorrupted, regular fissure.
To me, who has only experienced variant or high-risk fissures, it’s new and my first entry.
Does he know my thoughts, or not?
Steelsoo continued.
“But still, don’t be complacent. Unlike variant fissures, where you can escape by destroying the core after a corrupted being interferes, a regular fissure requires you to clear the given quest to destroy the core.”
Indeed, a regular fissure is different from a variant fissure.
In a corrupted variant fissure, you can leave the extra-dimensional world by destroying four sub-cores and the main core.
However, in a naturally generated regular fissure, it assigns a goal to the person who enters, like a game’s dungeon.
Only after achieving the given goal can you earn the qualification to destroy the core.
‘(If unlucky, everyone who enters must achieve the goal to destroy the core.)’
But that only happens in extremely unlucky cases.
After all, gaining the qualification to destroy the core after acquiring all qualifications is a one in a hundred chance, even after entering the fissure a hundred times.
So, there’s no need to worry…
[Master, I think it’s better not to think that way.]
‘…Alright.’
Alright, I won’t be complacent.
Tera’s warning made me reflect and become vigilant again.
“And don’t worry if you can’t acquire the qualification to destroy the core or if a dangerous situation arises.”
As Steelsoo said this, he put on a bracelet similar to the one we wore.
Then, he pressed a slightly protruding button on the bracelet’s surface.
A flow of energy came from the bracelet, enveloping Steelsoo’s body like a shield.
He maintained this state for about 10 seconds while pressing the button.
*Blink!*
Steelsoo’s body disappeared and reappeared.
“…This bracelet allows you to protect your body and teleport to a designated location outside the fissure or to a specified safe zone. That’s how it works. So, everyone, designate this place as your safe zone. To do so, press the button twice. Oh, and by the way, the creator of this bracelet is our principal, so there’s no need to worry about it being destroyed or malfunctioning.”
The anxious expressions of the children eased when they heard that the bracelet’s creator was the principal.
As I gazed at that figure, I pressed the button on my bracelet twice, setting the location.
“Location set, got it?”
“”Yes!””
“Alright, now let’s enter the rift in groups of 10, starting from the front row.”
Following Gangcheol-su’s instructions, I took a deep breath and stood in front of the rift. Then, Gangcheol-su shouted loudly, as if to make sure everyone heard.
“If the rift isn’t cleared within a week, in this world’s time, the instructors will intervene. So, don’t feel pressured to clear it, and focus on gaining experience. Got it?”
“”Yes, got it!””
“Alright, then let’s enter!”
“”Enter!””
I took a step forward.
I pushed my body into the rift.
And just like any other rift, a strong wave enveloped my body.
I was sucked in, and for a moment, I let my body relax, closing my eyes.
The scenery changed with a bright light.
“…This is…”
I looked around.
“…A mansion?”
An old, worn-out mansion came into view.
An ancient fountain was visible.
A garden overgrown with weeds was visible.
There was nothing else.
“Is there no one here?”
I said, but I didn’t think anyone would be here.
This place was so desolate, it felt abandoned.
“First, I need to get a sense of this place’s layout.”
As soon as I thought that, I tried to use my clairvoyance.
No, I couldn’t use it.
Tingling.
Suddenly, a system message appeared before me.
────────────────────
Your designated role is 【the last descendant of the fallen House of Yggdrasil】.
Assist the 【Hero】 of this world and defeat the 【Demon King】.
And restore the reputation of the Yggdrasil family.
□ Reward: Qualification for Core Destruction.
□ Failure: If the Hero dies, the world will collapse.
□ Penalty: Power sealed outside the otherworld (※ Balance adjustment / The closer the Hero gets to the Demon King, the more the seal will be lifted.)
■ Qualification for Core Destruction (0 / 10)
(※ To destroy the Core, 10 qualifications must be gathered.)
────────────────────
“Seriously… did I really get caught?”
Entering the rift a hundred times, and maybe getting caught once.
I have to acquire all the qualifications to have a theme for destroying the Core?
And it just had to be ‘role-playing’?
“…Does this even make sense?”
How can I be this unlucky?
“To get stuck with such a troublesome theme….”
I pressed my hand against my forehead and let out a deep sigh.
Then, to check the penalty written in the message, I opened the status window.
And damn it.
────────────────────
[Name: Lee Yoo-jin][Role is set.]
[Role Name: Yoo-jin Yggdrasil]
■Physical Ability: 296(+510) / Current: 95
– Stamina: 133(+180) / Current: 33
– Strength: 68(+180) / Current: 21
– Agility: 95(+150) / Current: 41
■Mental Ability: 428(+700) / Current: 110
– Magic Power: 93(+150) / Current: 19
– Mind: 270(+150) / Current: 91
– Strength: 60(+250) / Current: 0
– Spirit: 5(+150) / Current: 0
■ Special Abilities
– Health Regeneration: 10% / Current: 2%
– Cold Resistance: MAX / Current: 20
– Heat Resistance: MAX / Current: 50
– Disease Resistance: 70 / Current: 15
– Flame Resistance: 50 / Current: 30
– Mental Resistance: 50 / Current: 40
– Strength Resistance: 40 / Current: 0
– Magic Resistance: 30 / Current: 5
– Curse Resistance: 20 / Current: 0
– Soul Resistance: 10 / Current: 0
– Demon Resistance: 10 / Current: 50
■ Talents
– Demon Slayer (S)(Sealed), Indomitable Will (S)(Sealed), Sniper’s Keen Sense (A+)(Sealed), Master of Close Combat (A+)(Sealed), Sturdy Physique (Sealed), Supreme Mage’s Flame Control (A+)(Sealed), Alchemist’s High Alchemy (A)(Sealed), Shadowless Step (A), Hero’s Magic Management (A)(Sealed), Artisan’s Craftsmanship (A)(Sealed), Truth Insight (A), Evil is Evil (-)(Sealed), Blessing of the Great Saint (-)(Sealed)
■ Skills
– Visualization (S)(Sealed), Clairvoyance (A), Telekinesis (A)(Sealed), Insight (A), Teleportation (A)
■ Derived Active Skills
「Sniper’s Keen Sense (A+)(Sealed)」
– Live Focus.
+ Dead Shot.
「Master of Close Combat (A+)(Sealed)」
– From now on, it’s close combat.
「Hero’s Magic Management (A)(Sealed)」
– Rapid Magic Recovery.
■ Derived Passive Skills
「Demon Slayer (S)(Sealed)」
– Contempt for the Weak, Rage, Demon Hunting, Indomitable.
「Unyielding Will(S)(Sealed)」
– Overcoming.
「Master of White Battlefield(A+)(Sealed)」
– Efficient combat, deadly attacks.
「Muyeongbo(A)」
– Stealth, swiftness, secrecy.
────────────────────
I could confirm that most of my true abilities and skills were sealed away.
“No, how long has it been since I became top-tier…?”
And yet, I’ve fallen back to mid-top-tier again.
And the fact that most of my abilities and skills are sealed away is just too much.
“Ugh… I’m going crazy.”
What am I supposed to do?
I’ve become too weak.
I let out a deep sigh, similar to when I first started.
“And since I can’t receive ability-enhancing items, I guess I can’t use S-grade items either.”
Which means… I can’t use my inventory?
“That’s a huge problem if I can’t use my inventory.”
Not only have I become weak, but I also can’t use my gun.
It wasn’t like this even when I first started.
“No, but maybe… just maybe.”
My inventory and cheat tools were given to me by the developers, the gods of the real world.
It’s literally omnipotent.
So, the laws of this world might not apply.
I thought to myself, feeling a mix of anxiety and anticipation, and opened my inventory.
Then.
Ding.
Along with the system alarm sound.
────────────────────
[Inventory List] [62/100]
[1][Supply Box][9999+]
[2][Grenade (Non-lethal) Box][9999+]
[3][Mine (Non-lethal) Box][9999+]
[4][Live Ammunition Box][9999+]
[5][Master’s Pork Over Rice][9999+]
.
.
.
[20][Holy Blessed Bullet (A)][9999+]
[21][(Special Modification) Thunderbolt (A)][9999+]
[22][(Special Modification) Angel of Death (A)][9999+]
[23][Imperfect Aegis (S-)][9999+]
[24][Atlas Armor (A+)][9999+]
.
.
.
[59][Faded Resolve of the Guardian (S-)][9999+]
[60][Astra (S)][1]
[61][Spear of Courage (S)][1]
[62][Leviathan (S)][1]
────────────────────
The inventory appeared.
And it was equipped with the ‘Infinite Items’ cheat.
“The fact that the cheat is active means…”
The cheat hasn’t been sealed, right?
I immediately opened the cheat tool to check.
And the results confirmed it.
“This changes everything.”
The cheat was fully operational.
As such, the first episode of the second semester.
‘The Underworld, Real-World Experience.’
It’s more than enough.