Chapter 3: Seraph, Flustered |
I had turned back time by ten years. Seraph, who had been with me for those ten years, was gone.
‘So, what happens now...?’
The altar was currently empty, but an angel would soon be summoned upon it. It could be a new angel, or it could be Seraph once more. The former wouldn't matter much, but what about the latter? I could guess she would appear with no memory of our time together, but a flicker of curiosity still arose.
After waiting for about three minutes, I felt a reaction, just as expected. The space above the altar began to ripple like waves. In my first playthrough, I would have been unconscious by this point. Having never witnessed an angel's summoning process, I watched the altar with keen interest.
Like ripples on water, the waves spread out in concentric circles, and from the center, a pure white light leaked out. The light flickered for a moment before exploding brilliantly like a firework, beginning to form a figure. I watched every moment of the new angel's creation.
Soon, the creation was complete, and an angel stood on the altar. Her eyes were still closed, but her form was achingly familiar. Shimmering wings exuded a sacred aura. A radiance that boasted an untouchable dignity and a noble light. The angel who appeared looked perfectly, flawlessly identical to Seraph.
As if sensing my gaze, Seraph's eyes slowly opened. For a brief moment, as her light green eyes met mine, a peculiar glint flickered within them.
Beautiful, and noble.
Like an angel from a novel or a comic, Seraph possessed a charm overflowing with a tranquility and sacred energy that was difficult to put into words.
Yet, seeing her beautiful form stirred not a single thread of lust, not even a hint of desire. We were beings of different dimensions from the very beginning; the emotions we felt for each other were fundamentally different.
I could feel Seraph's gaze on me, perhaps surprised that I was conscious. Her calm eyes scanned me from head to toe, as if observing me. Feeling her watch me, just as she always had, I could finally be certain.
‘Seraph. It's you from ten years ago.’
At that moment, Seraph's fine lips parted.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Yeah."
"Welcome to the Room of Summoning. Planet: Earth. Country of Origin: Republic of Korea. Age: 23. Name: Kim Su-hyeon. Identity verification complete. From now on, the human Kim Su-hyeon will be referred to as 'User' for convenience. I am Seraph, the helper assigned to guide you."
"Yeah."
"User Kim Su-hyeon, after you are briefed on the basic information in this Room of Summoning, you will be transported to a place called the Rite of Passage. There, you must prove you are worthy of becoming a true User."
"Yeah."
"..."
Seraph, who had been speaking rapidly, fell silent. She tilted her head with a look that said, 'This isn't right.' Seeing her like this stirred a slightly novel feeling in me. But first, I had to get what was coming to me.
"I have a question..."
"If your question is about where this place is or why you are here, I would advise against asking. You have only two hours before the Rite of Passage begins. Of course, I understand that your current situation is confusing. However, if you wish to live, and if you wish to return..."
Seraph, seeming to think she was back on track, began to speak rapidly again. I was used to it now, but honestly, it had been quite frightening at first. Her expressionless face and calm tone made me feel as if I were seeing a ghost.
Recalling that time, a smile came to my lips unbidden. After a short chuckle, I answered calmly.
"Ah. Right."
"I recommend the User spend the allotted time adapting to their circumstances as much as possi—"
"I get it, I get it."
"..."
Despite my ready agreement, a slight frown creased Seraph's brow. Her hand seemed to float slowly in the air as she blinked a few times and muttered uncertainly.
"Not a psychopath... His mental state is also remarkably stable. Peculiar."
"Who are you calling a psychopath... Anyway, it doesn't matter. Isn't it easier for you if I just follow your instructions, Seraph?"
"That is true, but."
"Then it's settled. What are you grumbling about?"
"I was not grumbling. In any case, very well. User Kim Su-hyeon's attitude is highly commendable. If you can maintain such an attitude, your survival rate will increase dramatically. Now then, first..."
This time, I just raised my hand. Seraph finally saw my signal and stopped talking again.
"I said I had a question."
"Is that so? Very well. As long as the question does not pertain to the matters I mentioned earlier, I will specially permit it."
"It's not about that. Don't you have anything to give me?"
"Give you? I do not understand the precise meaning of your question. I require a more detailed explanation."
"Hmm~. Ah, I heard I just have to say 'Tanay'?"
"!"
The moment I said 'Tanay,' I could see Seraph visibly falter. Just as I expected. Her reaction was amusing, but I felt a slight worry that I might not receive it after all. I couldn't give up the privilege. Deciding to get it even if I had to force the issue, I spoke in a gently coaxing tone.
"Tanay, that's what they said. It's fine to start whenever you want, but I should get what I'm owed first..."
"..."
Seraph quickly regained her composure. But it was only her expression that recovered. I could clearly see her struggling desperately to hide her agitation. Her usually slow, shimmering wings were fluttering relentlessly, a sure sign she was flustered.
"P-Please wait a moment."
Seraph immediately closed her eyes. However, her fingers were tapping the air at an incredible speed, and her lips were moving ceaselessly. She was probably confirming this 'Tanay' and communicating with the other angels.
Enough time passed to drink a cup of tea. During that time, Seraph's expression shifted through numerous changes, and I watched in silence. It wasn't a common sight, so the wait didn't feel boring.
And then, Seraph opened her eyes. But her face still held a look of disbelief.
"I would like to have a conversation with User Kim Su-hyeon."
"I'd rather not."
"It will only take a moment."
"If your question is about where this place is or why you are here, I would advise against asking. You have only two hours before the Rite of Passage begins. Of course, I understand that your current situation is confusing. However... hmm, what else did I say?"
As I repeated Seraph's earlier words back to her, she instantly shut her mouth.
"Anyway, just as you said, there isn't much time left before the Rite of Passage... You give what you're supposed to give, I get what I'm supposed to get. Wouldn't that be the rational thing to do?"
When I deliberately emphasized the word 'rational,' Seraph bit her lip. Right. She must be furious. She probably never imagined she'd be outmaneuvered verbally by a human when she came here.
Honestly, I had always wanted to experience a situation like this at least once. When I first arrived here, Seraph's reaction was incredibly cold. It felt like I was some kind of lab rat. She ignored my pleas to be sent back, and when I ran around causing a ruckus, I was immediately thrown out.
Perhaps because of that memory, this situation gave me a subtle sense of pleasure.
A feeling of satisfaction brought a relaxed smile to my face. Seraph stared at me blankly for a moment, then lightly snapped her fingers.
Snap!
A sound like flesh hitting flesh echoed, and the flow of time around me slowed ever so slightly. With my body reset, I couldn't sense it in detail, but ten years of experience weren't for nothing.
Seraph's voice followed shortly after.
"User Kim Su-hyeon's argument is rational. Therefore, I will compensate you for the lost time. The flow of time encompassing the Room of Summoning has now been slowed. Are you satisfied?"
"Yeah."
I answered calmly. Seraph seemed to study me carefully for a moment before speaking quietly.
"I also have questions about User Kim Su-hyeon. However, if you are unwilling, I will not insist."
"Oh, really? I was thinking of just telling you."
Wanting to tease her a little more, I gave a slight shrug, and Seraph's eyes lit up.
"Ah, is that so? It is true that myself and all the other helpers are currently in a state of confusion. If I may, I would like to hear the full story."
"But I don't want to."
Only then did she seem to realize I was toying with her, and her cheeks flushed red. Seeing that made me want to clap and laugh out loud. She shot me a pouting glare before composing her expression and speaking calmly.
"While appropriate sanctions can be imposed for actions that cross the line, the first principle for helpers is to do no harm to Users. As such, I ask that you refrain from wordplay at the expense of helpers in the future."
"You're beings from another dimension with a vastly superior status, aren't you? You can just forgive me with your great magnanimity."
"...The verification of the 'Tanay' you mentioned is complete. It is a type of covenant that has already been paid for, possessing an 'irrefutable' effect from our perspective. In particular, after thorough review by all parties, the privileges granted have been determined to belong unequivocally to User Kim Su-hyeon."
"Hmm. You accepted that pretty quickly for what it is. How boring."
"That is what 'Tanay' means to us. We can review it, but we cannot exert any influence over it. Therefore, the privileges granted to User Kim Su-hyeon cannot be revoked. You may rest assured."
"But starting with this kind of power from Year 0 will definitely make me an exception, right? Like, it might upset the balance or something..."
"It will not affect the balance."
Seraph answered curtly, without hesitation. Then, with a slightly stern expression, she continued.
"I have read the contents of the privileges. There are certainly many exceptional items. However, complacency is forbidden. Even if you accept all the privileges, it is not as if there are no beings with abilities that surpass them."
Still, Seraph was Seraph; she was repeating the same lines as always. In any case, 'it is not as if there are no' was enough for me. It was a world of difference from the 'there are countless' assessment I received before. I decided to readily accept it.
"True, there's no need to limit my perspective to just Users. If we're talking about other beings, it's plausible they exist in Hall Plain."
"Correct."
The moment I said 'Hall Plain,' Seraph's eyes flickered for a brief instant.
"I anticipate that configuring all of User Kim Su-hyeon's privileges will require a significant amount of time. The remaining time is 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 26 seconds. It will be tight to make it to the Rite of Passage. It is my speculation, but it seems you are already aware of the internal affairs of Hall Plain..."
"Okay. Skip it. That's what I wanted in the first place."
"Although I have artificially slowed the flow of time, it is only for the duration of the compensated time. A small amount of time will be required for preparations before we proceed to the next step. Please wait a moment."
While Seraph prepared, my thoughts turned to the Rite of Passage.
The Rite of Passage could be simply defined as 'a place to undergo a test to prove one's qualifications as a User.' It's where people like me, abducted without reason, are gathered. There are only two conditions to pass the test: survive for seven days, or reach the warp gate within seven days. In other words, 'survival' is the prerequisite for proving one's worth.
Those who succeed in surviving are summoned back to the Room of Summoning. There, they are granted a class befitting their potential and finally enter the real space of Hall Plain. In a way, it's a deeply unfair and horrifying test. If you fail to meet the survival conditions, you are judged as 'dead.'
"User Kim Su-hyeon. All preparations are complete."
While I was lost in thought, I received Seraph's signal that she was ready.
"The detailed contents of the privileges are..."
"I know. They're all in my head, so I'd like to start right away."
"Yes. I understand there is no need to convey the information separately. Then, which privilege would you like to receive first?"
"Hmm..."
In order, I recalled the first ability.
"1. Granting a privilege related to User Kim Su-hyeon's original stats. First, you can 'Load' the User Information achieved in the first playthrough. Second, four of the six basic stats will be randomly selected and their values increased. The degree of increase will also be determined randomly."
I couldn't set the privileges in any order I pleased. There had to be a reason why Seraph designated an order. In that case, starting with number one was the correct choice. The foundation of all settings begins with stats. If I inherited my old stats as they were, I would naturally lean towards a swordsman build, but first, I needed to check the increase margins.
Without a hint of hesitation, I opened my mouth.
"I'll take the privilege for the Load and the stat increase first."
Yes. Loading information registered under User Kim Su-hyeon's name. 27%... 56%... 87%... 100%. Complete. Load successfully completed.
As soon as Seraph finished speaking, I felt vitality surging through my entire body. Along with it, the slow flow of time around me became much more palpable against my skin. Even for the young body of a 23-year-old who had just finished his military service, it couldn't compare to the physique that had achieved Sword Master.
Pang!
When I thrust my right arm forward, a harsh sound of displaced air followed. Satisfied, I checked my User Information.
"..."
The stats had been inherited. However, everything else had been reset. It was a shame to lose the True Name and achievements of The Summit, but I accepted it as unavoidable and nodded.
"User Information load confirmed. Now for the additional stat increase privilege, right?"
"Yes. Of course. I am telling you this out of an abundance of caution, but four of the six stats will be randomly increased. The stats that increase and the amount they increase by are all random, but it is based on the User's potential and degree of growth. Please be sure to keep this in mind."
"I already know that much."
Simply put, the higher a stat, the smaller the increase, and conversely, the lower a stat, the larger the increase. While there might be minor individual differences based on potential, it was a law that applied equally to everyone. Excluding fortuitous encounters, elixirs, and achievement rewards, there was a limit to how much stats could be raised through simple training.
Strength, Stamina, Magic Power. I prayed with all my heart for these three stats to be the ones that increased.
I consider Magic Power to be the most important. Next is Stamina, and I view Strength, Endurance, and Agility as equally important. And Luck comes last. Of course, having one high stat while the others are terribly low would be a problem in itself. But, assuming the other stats were decent, Magic Power was by far the most efficient.
"Then I shall grant it now."
‘Luck doesn't have to go up. Please, Strength, Stamina, Magic Power. At the very least, just Stamina and Magic Power...!’
I don't know if my desperate prayer reached anyone, but it seemed the privilege had already been granted. The moment I felt Seraph wave her hand, four messages appeared in the air before my eyes.
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