Chapter 8 : The Aftermath
<Test Director's Office>
The test director of the second floor, Hansung Yu was seated on the floor. In his hand, there was a cup of coffee.
Seated opposite to him was another person. It was a beautiful girl with crimson red hair and a matching set of eyes. But there was an eye patch covering her left eye.
"What were the findings, Hwaryun?" Hansung asked her.
"As we suspected. The boy who was registered as The Twenty-fifth Bam is an irregular. I couldn't see his fate. The same as other irregulars." Hwaryun replied.
"I see. Then what about the other one?" He further queried.
"..." Hwaryun did not reply.
"What's the matter?"
"There was... something strange about him. While his fighting prowess was unnaturally high for a regular on the test floor, his fate was visible to me."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Guides like me are able to see the fate of every person in this tower, except for irregulars. And yet, I was able to see his fate." She clarified.
"And exactly what did you see, when you glanced at his fate?" He was curious.
"... Death. Death awaits him."
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<Bam's Room>
"So, how is he?" Jinwoo asked Khun, who was seated near a sleeping Bam.
"He'll live if that's what you are worried about." He gave a slight chuckle. "Though it's still a mystery on when he will wake up."
"That being said..." Khun got up from his chair. "It's surprising to know that a member of another team cared to visit Bam."
Jinwoo gave a light smile. "Well, after his performance in the final round, I am surprised no one else bothered to visit."
"One person did, actually. Remember Shibisu?"
"That guy in the tracksuit?"
"Yes. He visited earlier."
"I see. Well, if there's nothing else, I'll get going." Jinwoo waved a hand and got ready to leave.
"Wait. There is something I've been meaning to ask you." Khun stopped him. "Were you previously acquainted with the team of that red-haired girl?"
"The one who injured Bam? No. That was the first time I've ever seen her." He replied.
Khun looked at him for a few seconds.
'It doesn't look like he's lying.' He sighed.
"I see. Sorry to waste your time."
Jinwoo merely nodded and left the room. Just as he left, he saw one of the hooded people from the last round outside. It was the blond-haired girl. She didn't pay him any mind and entered the room.
Shrugging it off, he went back to his room and opened the system.
The rewards for completing the crown game were well worth the effort. He even unlocked a new function in the system.
[Function: Skill Upgrade
Certain skills can be upgraded by using unallocated stat points.]
'While the function is great, currently I should focus more on improving stats than improving the skills.' The image of Ghost, Endorsi and Anak came to Jinwoo's mind as he clenched his fist.
Especially Ghost. Apparently, the guy also had powerful regenerative abilities. A few seconds after the game had ended, the guy seemingly got up, wounds healed, took the cleaver and walked away.
'I need to get stronger.' Jinwoo was determined.
For winning the crown game, he got a new runestone, a few health potions and stamina recovery potions.
[Runestone: Bloodlust
Break the stone to gain the skill 'Bloodlust']
Without a second thought, he crushed the stone.
[Active Skill: Bloodlust
MP Cost: 100
Targets are inflicted by 'Fear' status effect, reducing their stats by 50%]
This surprised him greatly. After all, a 50% drop in stats was nothing to scoff at.
Other than this, he also acquired a new passive skill thanks to him using a dagger so much, and a new title.
[Passive Skill: Dagger Arts
Level: 1
Indicates the proficiency of the player in using daggers. Inflict 10% more damage when attacking with daggers. ]
[Title Unlocked: One versus all
Effect: When facing more than one opponent at the same time, all stats get a temporary gain of '+1' for each additional opponent.
Max stack: +10]
Overall, he was satisfied with the results. But at the same time, another thought was still on his mind.
The situation back on earth.
Jinwoo had never really forgotten about it. Others may have had different reasons for climbing the tower - Wealth, fame, money. But his reason to climb the tower was ironically to get out of it.
He had no idea of knowing what was going on back on earth or even the reason why he was summoned here. The condition of his mother and sister, the survivors of that cursed expedition, he knew nothing about it.
If by the time he somehow made it out of the tower nothing was left back on earth...
What was the whole point?
But he also knew worrying about it changed nothing. The responsibilities he had to shoulder when he became a hunter toughened him. Besides, that was a problem to worry about later. None of it mattered if he never managed to get out of the tower in the first place.
Calming himself down, Jinwoo closed his eyes as he fell into a deep sleep.
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<Two days later>
Currently every regular, except for Bam, were seated in a room. The test administrator Lero Ro had called them for an important meeting.
"It's been a while, regulars. Did you all get a good rest?" He began the meeting. "I am assuming you all are eager for the next test. Remember, this might be the single most important test on this floor. It will be the position test."
While there was a look of realisation on some of the regulars, most of them were confused. Lero Ro continued.
"As you all may know, battles in the tower are usually between teams. Your position signifies your role in the event of a battle. While there are numerous positions in battle, they are mainly classified into five."
"Fishermen, the main offence of the battle. Fishermen are to dash into the heart of the enemy forces and decimate them, usually through physical attacks."
"Spear Bearers. They act like snipers for the team, throwing their spears with deadly accuracy, but they can also serve a purpose similar to the Fishermen by using their spear like a staff for close-combat. Technically speaking, they take all long-range matters into their own hands."
"Scouts. They are tasked with reconnaissance, which usually involves running ahead and investigating enemy forces for information, then returning and delivering the intel to the Light Bearers. Additionally, they can help the Fishermen with offence if necessary."
"Light Bearers. They are responsible for gathering, storing and delivering crucial knowledge to their teammates while guiding them with the light of their Lighthouse. Light Bearers are usually the most support-oriented position."
"Lastly, Wave Controllers. They are the directors of the battle, aiding their comrades by healing their wounds, annihilating enemy forces or subtly changing the tide of the battle, all through the use of shinsu."
"From today onwards, each of you will be assigned a role from these five positions and receive training for one month after which a test will be conducted. Remember, the number of passing members will differ for different positions. This is the list of positions for each of you, based on your performance till now." Lero Ro's lighthouse showed a large display of the list.
'So it's kinda like back on earth, where there were tanks, mages, short-range and long-range damage dealers, healers and such.' Jinwoo found the comparison.'If that's the case, then my position should be...'
He looked through the list till he finally came across his name.
Sung Jinwoo - Fisherman
He also saw that both Endorsi and Anak were also in the same category. And it appeared as if both of them saw this too, as they shot a glance in his direction.
'Just you wait.' He was determined.
'In one month, I WILL surpass you.'
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[Name: Sung Jinwoo
Level: 10
Class: None
Title: One Versus All
HP: 1192
MP: 231
Fatigue: 24
<Stats>
Strength: 24
Vitality: 20
Agility: 22
Intelligence: 22
Sense: 22
Available Stat points : 0
<Active Skills>
Sprint(Lvl 1)
Dagger Throw(Lvl 1)
Bloodlust(Lvl 1)
<Passive Skills>
Tenacity(Lvl 1)
Dagger Arts(Lvl 1)]
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