The Second Trial (1)

The information the administrator wanted to convey was simple.

囗囗囗: I will teach you how to use the points you've gained from clearing the tutorial.

No mention of how to go back to Earth.

Those who may have been disappointed by the lack of that information may not have absorbed the information given just now.

However…

'I have to remember everything.'

Unfazed, I stared blankly at the following messages. 

Disappointment? 

That's a luxury only those who have expectations could afford.

I never expected this tower to let us go so easily. 

If they had any intention of letting us go, they would have offered 'return' as a penalty instead of 'death.'

I fixed my gaze on the community window and concentrated. 

囗囗囗: Points are the main currency of the tower and are mainly used in the marketplace.

囗囗囗: Points can also be transferred and traded over the community.

囗囗囗: Within the tower, you will not be allowed a single drop of water without points.

囗囗囗: Points can only be earned in the trials. 

囗囗囗: That is the end of announcements.

「 Administrator 囗囗囗 has left the chat. 」

「 Chat is now unlocked. 」 

All the people watching the chat started talking at once. 

Kang Sunwoo: ... That was it? Just how we can use the points? Really?

Kim Seunghoon: Fucking shit. I'm gonna climb up and kill him.

Lee Seungjin: You got anger issues or something? Stop cursing so much.

Lee Heejin: If all their skills and stats got reset it's understandable.

Hyuk Sukjin: Excuse me? Admin? Can you please tell us a way to get back? 

Park Jinwoo: Does this mean we're never getting back?

I read the flood of messages as I gathered my thoughts.

"Like it or not, we'd better get used to it."

It's likely impossible to climb this tower in a short amount of time.

We're probably going to be here for a while.

Would it be possible to stay in the waiting area the whole time? 

Probably not.

'Points can only be earned in the trials.'

That means I won't be able to wait it out here.

I can only go so far with the points I earned from the tutorial. 

After a quick look at the marketplace, 1500 points was clearly not enough.

'Within the tower, you will not be allowed a single drop of water without points.'

The only solution was to go through the trials.

I sighed as I stared at the sword I laid next to the bed.

A well-sharpened longsword that I received from the tutorial.

'I don't know if that can get me through the second trial.'

If the second trial is anything like the first…

"I could die."

Even with the extra stats from the spirit I absorbed, I was barely an F-rank player.

My capabilities hadn't exceeded those of a normal human's yet.

I needed something that I could use to protect myself.

As a lowest-ranked player, I had to rely on equipment. 

'I don't think the sword will be enough.'

I'd tried out different weapons in the last 7 years, so I knew how to handle most weapons.

There was no real reason to choose a different weapon and throw away this sword.

'Jack of all trades, master of none.'

My lack of talent was no exception even when it came to weapons. 

Same with techniques that just used my body.

A spear might be best for a beginner.

'But there's no reason to spend points to get one.'

At the very least, I needed something defensive to increase my chances of survival.

'Preferably something that could block or misdirect attacks.'

My body wasn't built to take multiple hits from monsters.

"Marketplace."

I pondered for an hour before making a decision. 

The basic sword was about 30 inches long. Not too short.

I had some experience using a sword and a shield at the training center, so I decided to buy a shield. 

It may sound basic, but it was a good combination that worked well together.

Even experienced hunters used either a sword or spear combined with a shield. 

I browsed for a bit until I found one similar enough to the one I used before.

'The closer it is to the practice shield, the more I'll be used to it.'

I'll still practice just in case.

「 You have bought a Crude Dwarf Shield(E). 」

「 700 points deducted. 」 

「 Remaining balance – 800 」

A little expensive, but it was made of high-quality timber.

People might think wooden shields are weak, but that's not always the case.

「 Crude Dwarf Shield 」

「 Grade: E 」 

「 One-handed shield crafted by a beginner dwarf. 」 

「 Surrounded by a layer of metal, it is stronger than it looks. 」

The Great Calamity changed everything. 

Seemingly fragile shields like this were light and sturdy because of their high rank.

It exceeded anything made before the calamity. 

"This is worth at least $30,000 in real life…"

My sense of money numbed a little. 

It's because I just got my hands on something that even officially registered hunters couldn't get. 

I guess it didn't matter because I couldn't even take it with me.

Calmed down, I positioned myself in a stance with my new shield.

My posture was pretty decent. I guess the training wasn't that worthless.

The equipment also felt so much lighter now that my stats had increased. 

This was the best condition I'd ever been in.

It helped that I also bought a shield I was pretty used to. 

After testing it out, I put the sword and shield down to browse the marketplace again.

'The admin said that everything had to be obtained using points.'

That means there were smaller items I also had to get.

From the looks of it, the marketplace had enough variety to have some of the things I was looking for.

If I was a normal civilian, I would have had trouble in choosing what to buy. However…

「 Strength Potion 」 

「 Grade: F- 」

「 A special potion that recovers a small amount of strength. 」 

「 Slightly relieves fatigue. 」 

「 Regeneration Potion 」

「 Grade: F- 」

「 A spraying potion that heals injuries. 」

「 Limited only to light outer wounds. 」

「 Decrepit Throwing Knife 」

「 Grade: F- 」

「 An old throwing knife with dulled edges. 」

「 So old that it may be destroyed upon contact. 」 

All the items I wanted were in the store, so I didn't hesitate.

I only bought items I needed in an emergency.

Ones that could maximize my point use.

「 Remaining balance – 375 」

I had just enough points left to buy some food.

'This should be enough to keep me alive for a bit.'

The strength potion could get me through prolonged fights, and the regeneration potion could take care of emergencies. 

The throwing knife was for unexpected situations. 

As someone who'd been looking at hunters for 7 years, this was probably my best bet.

"I think that's enough battle equipment for now…" 

Wondering what to do next, I quickly thought of an answer.

There was still a lot of time left before the next trial so I should take this time to get used to the weapons.

I still wasn't used to the sword, and the shield was a little different from what I was used to.

If I couldn't get accustomed to them, it would cost me my life in a battle.

Both my mind and body were in top shape from the healing effects.

And even if I did tire out from training, the waiting area would quickly recover me.

The obvious choice would be to warm my body up for the next trial.

「 Floor 2 Community (3928/4321) 」 

「 Floor 2 trial starting in – 20hrs 53min 」

I moved the Community and the starting time to the corner of my eyes.

I had to keep my eyes on those windows even while I was training. 

'There might be some useful information.'

After the admin left, the situation calmed down a little and the community seemed to organize itself.

But that thought quickly left after seeing the following messages.

Kang Sunwoo: Holy shit. I can't use the sword or the shield because all my skills are gone. Fuck.

Lee Heejin: Me too. I'm a magic user and I don't know what to do without any of my skills.

Kim SeungHoon: I don't care about that. I just hate how low my stats are right now.

Lee Seungjin: I got my skill but I have to build up proficiency again. Damn.

Oh Choonsuk: At least you hunters know what to do. What are normal people like me supposed to do? Can I even pass the 2nd floor?

Kang Sunwoo: I don't know. But you should buy a sword or a spear with a shield and practice as much as possible.

Lee Seungjin: God damn. I wouldn't have to do this if I had my skills. This shitty ass admin.

There wasn't much difference between the messages. 

Anxiousness, nervousness, and despair.

None of the things they talked about even applied to me.

I wasn't a hunter, nor a civilian. 

'I guess my lack of talent kind of helped me.'

Because I was no different from when I was outside of the tower.

No, I grew within the tower.

Maybe this was a blessing I received for suffering the last 7 years.

'Let's think positive thoughts.'

Realistically, the only thing I could do here is train.

The playing field was even now that everything had been reset.

But there was still a difference.

They'd be able to learn previously learned skills and build up proficiency much faster than I would be able to.

'If I want to catch up, I need to keep on training.'

My growth will directly impact my survival.

I'd have to train two or three times harder than everyone else.

That way, I'd at least be able to stand side by side with them.

I have to move my body until it can react before my brain can tell it what we do.

I was a different person from someone who wanted to give up just a few hours ago.

Innate ability, skill, stats, etc… 

I'd gained so many things in the last couple of hours and lost my will to give up.

'If I can adapt, improvise, and overcome, I'll be able to be a hunter.'

My times of powerlessness are over.

If I live, I'd be able to get everything I'd ever dreamt of. 

No, I'd be able to gain more.

The tower wasn't a place for me to die a futile death.

The trials would give me rewards and award me points. 

That could make me stronger and possibly show me the way out of this tower.

My first goal was evident. 

'Clear the 2nd trial.'

And if that's what the tower wanted, I'd do it.

____