NOVEL NEXT 14 - A Shocking Incident
“And don’t unnecessarily suspect people.”
At Jeff’s words, Kedrick slowly nodded. It wasn’t just because he was afraid of Jeff that he agreed. Kedrick acknowledged that his judgment had been wrong.
‘He’s this strong…?’
Auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations. A skill from the illusion category? He wasn’t sure exactly what it was. He felt pain throughout his body and couldn’t make even the slightest movement or resistance. Kedrick, the man called the Authority King. It was the first time in years that he had felt such helplessness.
‘Nothing… I really couldn’t do anything….’
Kedrick is someone who doesn’t fear even the monsters that emerge from the labyrinth. He was someone who wouldn’t succumb to any person’s threats. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have trauma.
‘Why did those memories…’
Painfully excruciating memories. The memories of that day he wanted to forget had the vividness of unfolding in reality. He was terrified. He struggled desperately, wanting to run away immediately. But.
‘Still… this time I didn’t run away.’
Kedrick didn’t run away. The fact that he tried to confront his trauma.
Kedrick felt somewhat grateful to Jeff. Later, when he would meet Main, who had made him live in hell, this experience might help a little.
‘I should properly apologize later….’
With this level of skill, it would be normal not to have anything to say even if he received 500 gold instead of 300 gold. It’s not a matter of money’s worth. He was no different from top-tier personnel. It was a moment when Kedrick’s claim of Jeff being a scammer was directly refuted.
Above all.
“Mr. Jeff… are you okay? That person seems strange… I don’t understand why he suddenly doesn’t believe me and talks and acts badly on his own….”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s go.”
Looking at it now, isn’t the reaction of that girl called Ariel strange for someone who’s being threatened? Furthermore, the aura of mana she possessed was also unusual.
Kedrick dusted himself off and stood up.
‘Monsters have entered this exam….’
◈
Inspector Mellin walked toward the waiting room where the applicants were.
“Now, preparations are mostly underway, and while stabilization work is being done, please ask if you have any questions. Well, if you want to give up midway, go outside and you’ll be automatically disqualified, so you don’t need to tell me separately, just leave.”
Then, many instructor exam applicants began to ask about things they were curious about.
“Um… Inspector Mellin. I don’t intend to give up midway. I’ll participate in the exam, but isn’t it too dangerous to directly confront monsters? If I get hit directly by a Minotaur without proper weapons or accessories…”
Mellin nodded as if she understood and replied.
“Of course. Safety measures have been prepared for all of you. The inside of the stadium is a space separated from reality. Simply put, the monsters inside the stadium are just illusions. They’re just illusions created by magic. The difference is that inside, you can actually feel sensations like fear, dread, and pain. In simple terms, you can feel sensations in the stadium, but even if you die, you’ll be fine in reality, so don’t worry.”
“How much pain would be felt…?”
When an applicant asked, Mellin smiled and said.
“I was about to explain that to you now. Before entering the stadium, I’ll ask each of you what level of synchronization rate you want to use. Synchronization rates start from 1, and the higher the synchronization rate, the more pain you feel as in reality. Simply put, if your synchronization rate is 1, you’ll only feel about 1% of the pain you could feel in reality, and if your synchronization rate is 100, you’ll feel the pain as it is in reality.”
“T-then, isn’t 1 percent definitely better?”
Inspector Mellin sighed and looked at the instructor applicant.
“The lower your synchronization rate, your movements or abilities you could use in reality will be reduced by a similar percentage. At 1%, you might even find it difficult to walk properly. Additionally, the higher your synchronization rate, the more artifacts and various additional benefits I’ll give you. Since this cooperation task will be graded on a relative evaluation based on how much you contributed, you might get a failing grade if you’re not careful. Of course, it’s entirely up to you to decide what to do. It’s high risk, high return.”
At that moment, a man beside spoke.
“T-then I’ll go with a synchronization rate of 70%!”
Mellin smiled and said.
“Once you set the synchronization rate, you can’t change it, is that okay?”
“W-well, didn’t you say we won’t die anyway? I think I can endure that much pain?”
“While the space separated from reality won’t lead to death, let’s assume your body is cut in half by a Minotaur’s axe. If your brain recognizes that level of pain, you might go into shock and lose consciousness. You could even end up in a vegetative state if you’re not careful. Decide your synchronization rate carefully after thorough consideration.”
After Inspector Mellin’s warning was heard, everyone fell silent.
Eventually, one by one, they told Inspector Mellin their synchronization rates.
“I… I’d like 10%, please.”
“Is just that much okay with you?”
“I’m… I’m afraid of getting hit directly by a Minotaur…”
“Well, do as you wish. You’re the one who’ll lose out. At 10%, there are no additional benefits provided. Remove all accessories and items, and stand by the entrance over there.”
Most people chose synchronization rates between 10 and 40 percent. That’s understandable, considering they are facing Minotaurs. If they’re unlucky and get hit directly by a Minotaur, damaging their head, not only would they fail the third stage exam, but they might even be unable to perform daily activities. The human brain can be damaged if it receives a shock beyond a certain level.
Therefore, people chose a safer approach, even if there were some demerits.
One by one, they made their choices, and near the last turn, a brave-looking man stepped forward and spoke to Inspector Mellin.
“I’ll go with 70%.”
The highest synchronization rate so far. Mellin tilted her head and said.
“Hmm… are you sure?”
“I think at this level, my body will move freely.”
[It’s… it’s Kedrick.]
[Who’s Kedrick?]
[Are you crazy? You don’t know Kedrick, the one called the Authority King? He’s the man famous for having never lost a fight with bare fists. During his academy student days, he’s said to have beaten up thugs in a 12:1 fight…]
[The rumors must be true… 70% must be impossible without considerable confidence….]
People chattered, saying how amazing Kedrick was. They looked at Kedrick with adoration and respect, saying that as expected, someone called the Authority King is different.
Kedrick didn’t care about their words and crossed his arms, looking at the remaining people. Kedrick’s interest was solely focused on Jeff, one man.
‘I wonder… what percentage of synchronization rate will he choose?’
Kedrick’s heart began to race.
It was scary but also enjoyable. A cooperative task with someone of that level of skill.
“E-excuse me, Mr. Kedrick, I look forward to working with you.”
“Are you Mr. Kedrick? If you could move with us….”
“Be quiet.”
Kedrick silenced the hangers-on around him and focused his gaze on Jeff.
◈◈◈◈◈
What remained were Ariel and Jeff.
Jeff said to Ariel.
“You choose first.”
Ariel thought for a moment, then spoke to Mellin.
“I… I’d like 70%… please…”
Ariel had the mindset that she should not be a burden to Jeff at the very least, and a desperate desire to pass the instructor exam no matter what. Therefore, she chose the same value as Kedrick, who had selected the highest value among the instructor applicants.
[Oooh! As expected of a 3-element magician?]
[The outstanding ones are different from the very distribution. Since this task is about cooperation, they will be of great help.]
[Isn’t it a relative evaluation anyway?]
[Even so, the point of cooperation doesn’t change.]
Kedrick was impressed. As a 3-element magician, he thought her distribution was also extraordinary.
“Now, only you remain.”
Mellin looked at Jeff with an expression full of anticipation.
Jeff thought for a moment, then spoke to Mellin.
“Is 100% the limit for the synchronization rate?”
— Hesitation
Mellin feigned a surprised expression and played dumb with Jeff.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Inspector, you said earlier that at a synchronization rate of 1%, one would only feel about 1% of the sensations felt in reality, and at 100%, one would fully feel the sensations felt in reality. But you didn’t explain what the maximum synchronization rate is. So I’m asking. How high can the synchronization rate be raised?”
Isn’t the minimum value 1% to begin with? If there’s an option to feel less sensation than reality, naturally, there should also be an option to feel ‘more’ sensation than reality, that is, above 100%.
“You’re sharp. The maximum configurable synchronization rate is 200%. But if you set it to the maximum, you might become disabled due to shock just from having one arm severed. That’s why I didn’t particularly explain it.”
“You clearly said there are additional benefits the higher the synchronization rate, right?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
“I’ll go with 200%.”
“What…?”
“Synchronization rate, 200%.”
Mellin looked at Jeff with a surprised expression.
At that moment, the men around started to talk noisily.
[Th-tha-that crazy bastard. He’ll only come to his senses after getting an arm or leg cut off.]
[Looks like we’re going to see someone die today. Even if you get high scores in the second stage exam, it’s of no use if you become disabled. And even with additional benefits, what can a mere 1-element magician do? How arrogant.]
[Don’t people without ability usually act recklessly? Does he think he’s Kedrick or something?]
[Let’s ignore that guy and quickly go to Kedrick. At least if we stick with Kedrick, we won’t be prey to the Minotaur, right?]
Jeff gathered the wearable artifacts and consumable artifacts that were additionally provided.
But next to him was only Ariel.
“Mr. Jeff… won’t it be dangerous…? You don’t have to go that far for me….”
“It’s okay. As long as I don’t get hit, this is actually beneficial.”
On the other hand, numerous people began to flock towards Kedrick.
“Brother, how about joining us? I think the more people, the better.”
“Mr. Kedrick. I envy you. Aren’t you the protagonist for this task? A task that uses force. Let’s do well together.”
Numerous people flattering him. Hearing their words, Kedrick chuckled.
Kedrick looked at Jeff, who was fiddling with artifacts with an indifferent expression, and thought.
‘Stupid fools… the protagonist of this exam is not the likes of me.’
Kedrick slowly walked toward Jeff.
“Mr. Jeff, I apologize for earlier. Would you like to work together with me? As an apology for earlier, I’ll run at the forefront, finding the Minotaur’s weakness or becoming bait.”
Jeff looked at Kedrick indifferently and replied.
“No. Why would I with you?”