32 Han Jiho
Eleven years ago, Monster Stampede Incident.
"Mom! Dad! W-wake up!
"M-mom...? H-hey! D-dad!"
The voice of a man — who became mature at an early age — reverberated throughout the forest where towering trees that exuded the aura of tranquility were deeply rooted under the rich soil; there, a village that was secluded from the modern society, named "Sanctus Solaris" was situated.
The man was holding the right hand of his mother, and then the left hand of his father; the signs of life couldn't be found in them.
Body after body, under the rubbles of death, were scattered within the village; bodies that were mutilated and unrecognizable.
Whether it was considered fortunate or unfortunate that he was one of the few survivors in his village, he was the only one who could tell.
Having been trained in various life skills at an early age, Han Jiho excelled in adapting to live alone in the forest that was far from the influence of other humans that were either lavishly or miserably living in modern society.
Be it the threads of fate or pure coincidence, during the Monster Incident, a traveler had passed by the Sanctus Solaris village, who then saved the remaining villagers including him that was hanging between life and death; the survivors did what they could to fend off the different kind of monsters until that traveler appeared.
...
After two years of living on the remains of the Sanctus Solaris village; procuring whatever was left; renovating the entire village that almost face complete ruin, and burying the bodies of the dead for the past year — Han Jiho and the other survivors had deep gratitude for the traveler who helped them and also stayed with them until the village was completely rebuilt.
"...I haven't been able to ask you this before because we are occupied with village renovation, as well as burying the dead bodies, but how did you manage to find this place?"
A seemingly matured Han Jiho asked curiously.
"...I was on a mission to detect the cause of abnormality of the Strayed Dungeon in a nearby city that's adjacent to this village."
The man responded; both he and Han Jiho were sitting on a thick tree trunk that had been cut down, looking at the bonfire with a raging blaze in front of them which served as their light in this forest during this deep and cold night.
"...Strayed Dungeon? What's that?"
Han Jiho, with a clueless look on his face, asked; surprisingly, the traveler didn't find his reaction peculiar since this village was very far from modern society; the traveler then answered his question which was delivered with innocence and wonder.
"...It's where the monsters that attacked this village came from; if the stampede of monsters were not prevented, it would move to the next city. Luckily, I managed to get here on time that day. But... I'm still sorry for your loss.
"You're 6 years old, right? That's why you don't have the System yet."
Although it had been two years since the Monster Stampede Incident, it was only during this time that these two were having such a conversation because the traveler was someone who didn't stay every time, but rather came back intermittently.
"Ohh! I heard about it from Mom and Dad. They shared some stories with me; the start of something called the Emergence and their life in modern society before they came to this village before I wasn't even born yet."
The traveler — who was listening to Han Jiho — became lost in thought, forming an expression of nostalgia as he looked at the innocent-looking yet mentally mature Han Jiho.
"Alexander... You can call me by that name."
Randomly said the traveler as the night reached its peak.
...
Eleven years later since the Monster Stampede Incident, in the Obelisk City, Central Olympia.
"Jiho, I hope you remember everything I taught you, and everything that your parents had taught you when it comes to modern society.
Alexander told Han Jiho; the two were sitting while facing each other inside a fancy-looking office; the former was sitting with an office desk situated in front of him, while the latter was sitting on a single couch on the side of the office.
A silver-plated nameplate was placed on the middle of the office desk with a name written: Alexander Akalchelt.
Alexander — throughout the years of coming back and forth from the Obelisk City to the secluded Sanctus Solaris — taught Han Jiho swordsmanship that he unlocked the moment he turned 7 years old, acquiring the System.
Alexander also taught him about basic human etiquette and human psychology; he also shared stories regarding modern society such as the years of the past or the Pre-Emergence that was considered the "Old World", and presently, the Post-Emergence years were called the "Star Era".
"...I will... Don't worry, Alexander... Or should I say Chancellor Alexander of the Obelisk Academy?"
Alexander revealed a faint smile upon Han Jiho's remark.
...
At present, in an Elective class: General Overall System Theories (GOST).
"Good afternoon everyone. I will be your instructor for this Elective during this semester.
"I am Scarlet Netherdawn, and I am 29 years old; I'll be teaching you the General Overall System Theories or for short, GOST.
"...This is unexpected... You are more than 20 here, I thought my students will be less than 15."
The professor, Scarlet, said as she glanced around the classroom, scrutinizing every face of the students.
Russell — who was also a part of the GOST class, along with Han Jiho — knew the identity of the professor who was standing and speaking in front.
'I really shouldn't have put much Charm stat to these characters.'
Russell lampooned in his mind as he scrutinized the physical appearance of Scarlet.
She has waist-length golden crimson hair, golden crimson almond eyes, and perfect stature. Her height was around 175 cm.
As Scarlet glanced around, her golden crimson eyes screened Han Jiho, sitting in the middle left of the classroom; her gaze stopped for at least two seconds before she retracted it.
Russell — knowing the "story" — didn't miss that stare; and if someone didn't know enough, no one would find anything strange, and would probably think that she was looking at Han Jiho because he was the Rank 5 in A-1 class.
...
"Okay class, based on the Curriculum Guide provided by the Obelisk High Education Department (OHED), these will be the following lessons that will be discussed in the entire semester.
"Please, refer to the holographic screen."
Pressing some keys on the tablet she was holding, a holographic screen that overlapped with the whiteboard appeared in every student's eyes.
...
[General Overall System Theories]
– This Elective subject discusses the basic nature of the aftermath of the Emergence; this subject gives priority to answering the basic questions of what was, who was, and when was, except for the how and why.
– First lesson: Player's Data.
– Second lesson: What is Mana?
– Third lesson: ...
...
"As you can see, the first lesson would be about the Player's Data, which pertains to the Player's General Information; what they are referring to, and so on.
"One of the best examples is the so-called 'Title'. Titles can be acquired by meeting various unknown conditions.
"Among the players, the common Title that can be acquired is the 'Goblin Slayer' — this can be achieved by killing 500 Goblins, while 'Orc Slayer' can be achieved by killing 500 Orcs.
"Then, by achieving both titles, the player will then be notified by the System regarding the phenomenon called 'Title Harmony'.
"Title Harmony grants a player a new title based on the two previously acquired titles; with the combination of Goblin Slayer and Orc Slayer titles, the player will acquire a new title: 'Slayer of the Green'.
"If you are wondering how the Title Harmony takes place, the reason is unknown even today; it's the System that decides about such matters.
"Whether there is a list of Title Harmony conditions within the System, we don't know yet."
...
The students of the GOST class listened attentively — without making distractive noises — to the fascinating lesson that was being taught by Professor Scarlet; Russell — who was also listening — aside from finding it interesting, was slapped by the information provided by Professor Scarlet.
Even though he was an author of a certain unpublished novel...
'I don't know how the Title Harmony works, too!'
He lampooned inwardly as various thoughts surfaced in his mind.
He knew of the conditions to acquire specific titles, and let them be harmonized with each other to produce a new title due to the Title Harmony; what he didn't know were the exact details of how Title Harmony was triggered.
He remembered the titles he received by meeting the Goddess of Night, witnessing "Her" materialization, and acquiring the True Key of Chaos, which gave him the Title: Holder of a True Key of Chaos. These three titles resulted in Title Harmony, which gave him a new Title: Resident of Chaos.
When he thought about it...
– Witnessing the Materialization of a Goddess (Title: The One Who Witnessed the Impossible).
– Meeting the Goddess of Night (Title: The One Who Saw The Night Up Close.)
– Acquiring a True Key of Chaos (Title: Holder of a True Key of Chaos).
By considering the conditions on how he achieved his first 3 titles, he didn't know how the System came up with the new Title: Resident of Chaos, but based on the description of his 4th title, the Goddess of Night had considered him as a resident of the Chaos Realm, though he had no clue "why", aside from the assumption that he became "Her" champion.
'It might also be the influence of the Goddess of Night on the System.'
Russell wondered inwardly.
"Remember this, the stat bonuses of the titles are not the most important, but rather their other effects.
"Please, refer to the following example titles."
Russell's thoughts were cut off by Professor Scarlet's words, he then paid attention to the holographic screen in the front as he thoroughly read the information that has been presented.
...
[Well-known Title Names, and their Effects.]
1. Goblin Slayer
Acquisition Condition:
- Kill 500 Goblins of any kind.
Effects:
- All Variable Stats increases by 2.
- The unintelligent Goblin-kind will start to "fear" you, and flee in your presence; the intelligent Goblin-kind will be cautious of you.
2. Orc Slayer
Acquisition Condition:
- Kill 500 Orcs of any kind.
Effects:
- All Variable Stats increases by 3.
- The Orc-kind will become cautious of you.
3. Slayer of the Green
Acquisition Condition:
- Acquire the titles; Goblin Slayer and Orc Slayer.
Effects:
- All Variable Stats increases by 3.
- The fear and cautiousness of the Goblin-kind and Orc-kind will be respectively amplified.
- You will be acknowledged by the beings under the "True Green Family", and they will have a favorable impression of you.
[Title Harmony]
Formula or Acquisition Condition:
Normal Title + Normal Title = Title Harmony
Example:
Goblin Slayer + Orc Slayer = Slayer of the Green
...
"If you notice the effects of these titles, you can see the additional effects apart from the increase in Variable Stats. These are the titles' effects that should you take note of.
"Alright, if you have any questions, just raise your hand."
Professor Scarlet asked after she discussed one of the important things that could be found in Player Data — Titles and their benefits.
Han Jiho — who was attentively listening while sitting in the middle left of the classroom — asked in curiosity.
"...Ma'am, what's the Green Family?"
His question also piqued the interest of some of the students who were afraid or embarrassed to raise a question.
"That's a good question. Alright, listen everyone.
"After the Emergence, as races from the other worlds were transported to Earth, apart from Dwarves and Elves that we have some contact and communication with, it is proven that races such as Ents, Treants, and Fairies, as well as some other nature-related races who are residing in the Forest of Evergreen near the borders of the country, Nereia, had made contact with several adventurers.
"Some of these adventurers were heavily injured due to Monster Beasts, and coincidentally, one of them happened to possess the Title: Slayer of the Green; they had asked for help from some Fairies, which they fortunately received.
"Basically, the Green Family is composed of nature-related races, though friendly contact with them is only available if the player has the Title: Slayer of the Green.
"Does that satisfy your question?"
Professor Scarlet explained and professionally asked Jiho.
"Yes, Ma'am Scarlet, thank you."
He replied politely, though he had some follow-up questions, he felt like he would take up much time of the class, so he refrained from asking.
'What a curious kid...'
Russell thought as he listened to the exchange between the two.
...
After the Elective class, inside Chancellor Alexander's Office.
"How was it?"
A man with short golden blonde hair, golden eyes, with a stature that one wouldn't think that the man was already in his 60s; asked Scarlet — who just finished her Elective class where Han Jiho was in.
His back was facing her as he looked outside the office through the window; he was holding a certain cigarette that was exuding a golden smoke.
"That... It's fine."
Scarlet spoke; her voice felt like it was going to crack.
"You know very well, we can not break the single rule laid upon us."
Chancellor Alexander spoke firmly; as if understanding what he said, Scarlet just nodded her head as her expression turned gloomy.
