Chapter 2: Imprinting

[Rebirth- - Prominence complete! The user has been granted access to limited system privileges and settings.]

[Will User.00 initiate reset and calibration sequence?]

[Yes/no ?]

"User.00? Is that supposed to be me?"

DING!

Another prompt flashed in front of me.

[User.00 will continue to be listed as User. 00 until calibration and imprinting are carried out. Will User. 00 initiate reset and calibration sequence?]

"Um- what exactly is the reset and calibration sequence?"

I was expecting to see another blue box of light but this time it didn't respond.

Seems this 'system' was selective in choosing which questions deserved answers.

Doing so is just making it more suspicious. I don't like it.

But it doesn't seem like it's tied to this dungeon since nothing has happened so far since it reached 100%.

But does it really expect me to say yes to something that came out of nowhere? After literally getting stabbed in the back, who's to say this won't just kill me?

DING!

Another notification? Did it hear me?

[User. 00 will not be placed in immediate danger by the system during this selection.]

DING!

[To have access to limited system privileges and settings granted to User. 00, it is necessary to undergo the calibration and imprinting process.]

[Will User.00 initiate reset and calibration sequence?]

[Yes/no ?]

So I guess it can respond to my thoughts.

I cracked a smug smile and decided. What could I lose?

The chances of a solo F-rank contractor like me surviving a dungeon by himself are pretty much zero.

If I don't do anything I'm pretty much dead anyways.

Either wolves, hemorrhage, or sepsis will kill me at some point.

On the off chance, that this could give me the edge I need to escape this place, I'll be able to beat the cock-suckers who did this to me half to death.

No. Screw that.

Their asses are mine, they'll die the worst way possible.

"Yes."

DING!

[User. 00 has initiated the reset and calibration sequence procedure. System will now begin the imprinting process. Initializing...]

[The System will bring User. 00 into pocket subspace during the imprinting process. During this transfer User. 00 may experience nausea.]

My eyes widened when I caught that part of the notification.

"Pocket subspace-?"

A black portal roughly the side of a doorway suddenly appeared next to me.

I could see nothing inside it.

DING!

[Transfer of User. 00 in process.]

Before I could mutter a sound, the black portal swept through and swallowed me whole.

I can't see except the darkness that stretches infinitely around me. The only thing that tells me I'm still alive is my jagged breathing and pounding heartbeat.

My body is weightless, but I can still feel the ground.

It's not dirt, but it's not exactly linoleum either.

DING!

[Transfer of User. 00 complete. Welcome to System sub-space]

The sudden blue light of the notification blinded me for a bit before my eyesight settled.

There seemed to be more on the text box.

[In this sub-space, User. 00 will be temporarily immune to physical, mental, and magical abnormalities and injuries.]

I couldn't believe what I was reading.

"Temporarily immune?"

Speaking of injuries, I haven't been able to feel my stab wound at all since I entered.

It's a lot to take in, but it's amazing that this 'System' can stop me from dying while inside.

This is literally a cheat code.

I'm starting to gain a little hope- maybe I will have the chance to beat those fuckers into a paste after all.

Well, the F-ranks at least.

I have to find another way to deal with that E-rank, seemed like he was the bastard in charge.

DING!

[Reset and calibration sequence has completed initialization. The imprinted process will begin commencing procedure...uploading User.00 data into System database.]

[Loading...]

In quick succession, numerous blue windows began to open in front of me.

It looked like a character page straight out of an RPG game trying to load some information.

My information?

DING! DING!

[User. 00 information has been uploaded. User. 00 designation has been changed to User Song Jin-Ho. Imprinted procedure completed.]

[User Song Jin-Ho's Character, Status, and Inventory page have been updated.]

---

Character Page:

Contractor: Song Jin-Ho

Level: 4

Class: Initiate

Renown: 0

HP: 23/150

MP: 15/70

Stamina: 32/50

---

Status Page:

Strength: 12

Agility: 8

Dexterity: 12

Intelligence: 8

Vitality: 11

Available Stat points: + (10)

Proficiency-

Essence: 0

Weapon Proficiency:

Sword- Initiate (15.3%)

Unarmed Combat- Initiate (21.4%)

---

Inventory Page:

Weapons: Empty

Armor: Empty

Consumables: Empty

---

It really is like a video game- everything is there.

Imprinting must be the way for the system to quantify my abilities and status.

Seeing it now, I really am a shit-tier contractor.

Now I get to see how I'm clearly on the verge of death, but what's more surprising is my stats.

I've played my fair share of RPGs, but I never would have thought they'd be so pathetic.

Aren't I supposed to be at least above human physique?

No wonder I ended up like this. Although, I did see something curious.

Three things caught my notice-

I have 10 additional stat points.

Can I distribute those? How much of a difference would they even make to my current ability?

My class even- what is an initiate?

DING! DING! DING! DING!

Four bright notification boxes flooded my already saturated vision.

"Whoah."

[System has completed imprinted. User Song Jin-Ho has been granted limited system privileges and settings.]

[System has delivered (STARTER GIFT BOX) into User Jin-Ho's Inventory as a reward for completing imprinting procedures.]

[System has recommended using Tutorial Dungeon setting to familiarize yourself with new system privileges. Would User Song Jin-Ho like to enter the tutorial dungeon setting?]

[Yes/ No ?]

Damn, that was a lot to take in.

So this is what system privileges are. It really just made me a character of some RPG.

The fact I have a level is kind of nuts.

I can't help but bite my lower lip in excitement.

This means it's possible to get stronger, just like any game.

If I do this right, I just might be able to murder that E-rank bastard.

Wait.

It suddenly hit me.

"No...even further beyond that E-rank bastard."

With this 'System', I can cheat this fucking system and reach SSS-rank eventually!

Then nobody will be able to stab me in the back or fuck with me.

"System, take me to the tutorial dungeon."

DING! DING!

[User Song Jin-Ho has chosen to enter Tutorial Dungeon under System recommendation. Transfer in progress.]

[During this transfer User Song Jin-Ho may experience nausea.]

Another portal materialized next to me, this time blinding white light radiating from it

I raise my arm to shield my eyes and the portal swallowed me.

DING! DING! DING!

I hear the system notification and I open my eyes.

The first thing I see is thick green foliage and vegetation surrounding me.

It's moist and the temperature is balls hot.

Looks like I was transferred to a jungle-setting dungeon.

In front of me are the 'System' messages I heard earlier.

[Welcome to the Tutorial Dungeon! Familiarize yourself with the system and its functions before moving from the safe area. You may call upon system functions by calling out or thinking 'System'. The safe area is a 2 km x 2 km square area with the spawn point at the center.]

[Mission Objective: Slay the dungeon boss (Tapukh, The Steel-Wood Behemoth Ape) (0/1)]

[Failure in Mission Objective will result in the death of User Song Jin-Ho. Good luck!]

My eyes were wide open looking at the notifications dumbstruck.

"...Holy fuck."