NOVEL NEXT chapter 20
20 – Episode 20 – Training Center (1)
“Ugh… where is this…?”
“Uhhhh…”
After something sparkled, it seemed like everyone briefly lost consciousness.
I woke up and found myself in front of a sudden, bewildered sight – two men who had just appeared from behind.
The two men, after a moment of dumbfounded expressions, opened their mouths.
“What, what is this?! It hasn’t even been a month yet…?!”
“This is insane! Hey, quickly contact people. It’s a major incident…!”
One of them started to rush somewhere, while the other slowly approached us and spoke.
“Uh, by any chance, are you the ones who cleared the tutorial?”
In response to the man’s question, Seo Yooju replied, “Yes…”
“But seriously… how… it hasn’t even been a month…”
“Did we clear it too quickly?” I thought, looking at the man’s reaction. Our speed in clearing the tutorial seemed to be unusual.
“Moreover… who is this person?” I wondered as I opened the man’s status window.
[Name: Park Hyunwook]
[Age: 34]
[Occupation: Senior Inspector (Hero Rank)]
[Title: Education Center Security Guard, Participant of the Matters Canyon War]
[Unique Trait]
Group Bonding (Hero Rank) – The abilities of all allies within a 20-meter radius increase by 1 for each individual. The maximum increase is 5.
[Traits]
Master of Swordsmanship (Hero Rank) – Understanding of swordsmanship significantly increases.
Intermediate Understanding of Martial Arts (Rare Rank) – Understanding of martial arts increases to some extent.
Magic-infused Swordsmanship (Hero Rank) – The ability to temporarily infuse magic into a sword for use.
[Attributes]
Strength – 72 Agility – 68
Stamina – 74 Luck – 41
Magic Power – 42 Resistance – 70
“Insane…the attributes…”
Firstly, the man appeared to be Korean. His name and the fact that he was not wearing a helmet allowed his face to be seen.
The man continued speaking.
“First… I believe you all must be feeling bewildered, but if you wait a bit, people will come to guide you. Please wait a moment.”
I cautiously addressed the man.
“May I ask a few questions while we wait?”
“Yes. I will answer within the limits of what I can reveal.”
“Where exactly is this place?”
“Haha… This is the Neutral Country of Baronia. To be more precise, it’s an educational institution within the Neutral Country of Baronia.”
“… An educational institution, you say?”
“It’s an institution that educates those who have just cleared the tutorial like all of you and arrived in Eras.”
I understood. This place seemed to be where we received the basic education necessary to live in this world.
“Well… I believe someone more senior will explain in detail later, but you will receive three months of education here, and those with talent will receive offers from various clans.”
“… Could you explain what clans are and what these ‘offers’ mean?”
“Of course. In this continent, people like us who have come from different worlds are called ‘outsiders.’ The natives of this continent refer to us as such. Clans are groups formed by people like us. There are many clans in this world, and while this continent does have its laws, it ultimately revolves around power, so you can think of clans as a type of power group.”
“….”
“Additionally, talented newcomers are usually offered positions by clans. Well… since you all cleared the tutorial exceptionally quickly, you will likely receive offers from at least mid-tier clans or higher.”
So, it seemed that the clans here could roughly be compared to guilds or clans in a game, although here, they would be groups operating with their lives on the line.
Anyway, there are several clans, and each clan needs newcomers like us.
However.
“They probably don’t want just anyone.”
“Then are we obligated to join a clan?”
“No. Joining a clan is not mandatory. You can operate as an individual… honestly, those who haven’t received any offers or those who prefer to operate individually or in parties, they don’t join clans. But more than 99 percent of those who receive offers from good clans end up joining.”
“…….”.
“It’s my personal recommendation, but if you receive an offer from a good clan, I highly recommend joining. The reason why you should join a clan is that clans nurture talented newcomers to increase the clan’s power. From a clan member’s perspective, joining a clan provides support, protection, and stable growth.”
If what this man says is true, it seems joining a clan is definitely beneficial. No, even if you want to join, you might not be able to.
Anyway, joining a clan means having their power behind you and being able to grow with the clan’s help.
There is a high chance that large clans have expertise or tips on new recruit training.
Especially given the significant difference between learning from someone and learning solely based on individual power, it seemed unquestionably advantageous to join a clan.
While having a conversation with the man, about ten people who had left with him earlier arrived here. As they saw us, we heard them talking.
“… It’s unbelievable. They’ve already finished the tutorial?”
“Damn, I told you…! Can’t believe it!”
“… This batch must be crazy. There must be chaos up there…”
A man arrived promptly, and others hurriedly made way for him. He looked at us, his eyes widening in surprise, then composed his expression and spoke.
“Nice to meet you all. I am Kang Sung-jun, the head instructor here.”
Even from his appearance, he seemed far from ordinary. His attire set him apart from the person I had been talking to earlier.
I immediately opened the man’s status window.
[ Name: Kang Sung-jun ]
[ Age: 39 ]
[ Occupation: Warlord (Legendary Grade) ]
[ Titles: Troll Slayer, Wrath of the Volcano, Legend of Eterinté ]
[ Unique Abilities ]
Warlord’s Roar (Legendary Grade) – Roars like a warlord, reducing enemies’ morale and boosting allies’. Increases own and allies’ Strength, Agility, and Stamina by 3 each.
Endless Determination (Legendary Grade) – Tenacity never wavers as battles rage on, permanently increasing Stamina by 10.
Rending Mastery (Heroic Grade) – Your body possesses the strength to rend anything apart. Permanently increases Strength by 8.
[ Attributes ]
Martial Unity (Legendary Grade) – Exceptional understanding of martial arts.
Magical Armor (Heroic Grade) – Temporarily imbue the body with magical energy.
[Attributes]
Strength – 97 Agility – 85
Stamina – 89 Luck – 65
Magic Power – 80 Resistance – 91
As I looked at the man’s status screen, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Is this… is this the same person?”
Our entire group would be wiped out in just 10 seconds if we went up against this man. His attributes were beyond my comprehension.
The man began to speak.
“To clear the tutorial this quickly… truly remarkable. Anyway, welcome. Are these your guards?”
“Yes, they are!”
When Kang Sung-jun called them, the others responded with tense expressions.
“I’ll personally guide them. Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course!”
As the others responded to Kang Sung-jun’s words, a sudden flash of light behind us revealed the arrival of more people.
Judging by their appearance, they were the ones who had gone through the tutorial alongside us.
“Huh?… Huh?!”
“What, what is this place? Has it moved…?”
*Sob*… I’m alive! I’m alive, I tell you! *Sob*… *Sniff*…
Except for Kang Sung-jun, the others immediately started controlling the people who had just appeared. However, as the newly arrived individuals approached them with weapons, they began shouting.
“What, what are you guys?! Don’t come any closer!”
“Please follow the instructions. You have passed the tutorial. We are the guides of the training center. Please cooperate.”
“F-Fuck, don’t touch me!”
*Bam!*
“Forget the guides and let us go home! What kind of training center is this? Don’t bullshit!”
“This bastard…!”
*Thud!*
“Ugh…”
Unlike the attitude they had shown us, they were not kind to them. There were even cases where violence was used against those who resisted control.
“Please comply with the instructions. This is not a request.”
Soon, people started obeying the instructions with fearful expressions. It seemed that they realized through some examples that these individuals were much stronger than them.
Kang Sung-joon approached us with a gentle expression on his face.
“Haha… You must have felt embarrassed. Occasionally, situations like this arise when new recruits like you finish the tutorial and come in.”
Seo Yoo-joo responded to his words.
“…I see. Excuse me, may I ask where we are heading right now?”
“Of course. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Since you’ve already cleared the dungeon, we’re taking you to your accommodations. Once you’re comfortably settled in the lodging, just follow the guide when they arrive.”
After hearing his words, I asked the question that had been on my mind.
“By any chance… Is the head instructor also a member of the clan?”
The man seemed momentarily surprised that I would ask such a question. However, he soon wore an expression that seemed to welcome such inquiries and answered me.
“Yes. Of course. I am the clan leader of the Divine Clan. It seems like you’ve already heard about the clan?”
“Yes. After moving here, I had a conversation with someone and heard various things.”
I sensed a slight increase in our group’s evaluation from the man’s inner thoughts. It seemed like he believed that we were adapting to this place very quickly.
“Hmm… It’s embarrassing to say this myself, but the Divine Clan I lead is one of the three clans representing the neutral nation of Baronia. We always recruit and invest in talented individuals who adapt quickly.”
‘…Is he trying to recruit us into the clan?’
Considering the reactions we received from everyone we encountered, including Kang Sung-joon, it was not unreasonable to think that they had a desire to recruit us.
Recalling the conversations and stories we had over the past month, I realized that our group’s clear time was ridiculously fast.
Of course, the reason I was able to clear it so quickly was only one thing.
“The existence of Seo Yujuism.”
However, it seems that Kang Sungjoon has not yet seen the true face of Seo Yujuism, or is still unaware of her value.
But even if I educate her from that side, she will come to know her value whether she wants to or not.
“… I don’t know if Seo Yuju will reveal my abilities.”
Perhaps even if she only shows half of my abilities, everyone will go crazy to recruit her, I think.
“… Before I get exposed as an empty shell, I have to somehow stick with her.”
In the tutorial, the will was more important than the abilities, as it was literally a tutorial. But I’m not sure if it’s the same here.
My abilities are definitely the lowest, and I know better than anyone that I have no talent.
During the three months of training, will the instructors completely overlook the fact that I have no talent?
It’s the worst-case scenario, but it is possible that Seo Yuju and the others receive offers while I do not.
“Well, rest here for now, and when someone comes, follow the instructions.”