Chapter 4: Using the Privileges |
『An unknown energy is making your strength more powerful. Strength has slightly increased.』 『An unknown energy is making your agility more powerful. Agility has slightly increased.』 『The mana within you is increasing explosively! It's reaching an uncontrollable level! Magic Power has greatly increased!』 『The goddess of luck smiles upon you! She holds a deep interest in you! Luck has greatly increased!』
Looking at the messages, it seemed I couldn't expect a significant increase in Strength and Agility. It couldn't be helped. Strength was one thing, but an Agility of 96 points was a high enough value to be counted among the best even in Hall Plain. However, I had high hopes for Magic Power and Luck. Although it felt like a special event, a unique message had appeared.
'It's been a long time since I've felt this kind of excitement. It's a bit disappointing that my Stamina didn't increase, though...'
I hadn't even expected to receive any privileges in the first place. This alone was incredible, so I calmed my racing heart and immediately refreshed my Player Status window.
⚔ PLAYER STATUS ⚔
1. Name:
Kim Su-hyeon (Year 0) 2. Class:
- 3. Nation:
- 4. Clan:
One Who Needs to Prove Their Worth, Prospective User · Republic of Korea 6. Sex:
Male (23) 7. Height · Weight:
181.5cm · 75.5kg 8. Alignment:
Lawful · Chaos
(Before Change) [Strength 86] [Endurance 92] [Agility 96] [Stamina 78] [Magic Power 48] [Luck 36]
(After Change) [Strength 94] [Endurance 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 78] [Magic Power 90] [Luck 88]
< Achievements(0) > < Special Abilities(0/1) > < Potential Abilities(0/4) >
'Strength up by 8 points, Agility up by 2, Magic Power up by 42, and Luck up by 52. A total increase of 104 points.'
Good. Very good. The stats that had been so meager before were now recording eye-poppingly high numbers after the messages.
However, while I should have been happy, my Stamina stat kept nagging at me. Comparing it to the others, a sense of disappointment lingered in a corner of my heart.
'If only Stamina had increased instead of Luck...'
Stamina was so important that it could be called the 'pillar' or 'root' of all other stats. If Magic Power was the engine of a car, Stamina would be its frame. My current Stamina of 78 points was a very awkward number.
'I should be able to generate decent output... *Sigh*.'
It seems human greed knows no bounds. Even though I had much better stats than before, the feeling of disappointment wouldn't fade.
It wasn't that I didn't have various thoughts, but I decided to put my complaints aside for now. There were still many privileges left to receive. I didn't want to waste time just dawdling like this.
"User Kim Su-hyeon. Would you like to proceed to the next privilege?"
"Mm. Yes, let's... No, wait a moment."
Just as I was about to nod unconsciously, I reflexively shook my head. The stats were something I couldn't control, so I had accepted them immediately, but from now on, it was different. I could choose and shape my own path. As such, I had to be careful with every single decision.
"Seraph. Tell me how much time is left until the Rite of Passage."
"1 hour, 42 minutes, and 23 seconds."
"Just a moment, let me think for a bit. 30 minutes... no, even just 10 minutes."
"As you wish."
I immediately closed my eyes and sank into thought.
In Hall Plain, I was strong. I had enough power to get my hands on the Zero Code. I certainly deserved to be called strong, but I knew myself that I couldn't be called the 'best' or the 'strongest'. I was far from such titles. My remarkably low Magic Power had always held me back.
Although I've now solved the Magic Power problem, in a way, this might be my limit. My current body has already reached its peak. It's listed as Year 0, but I've actually loaded the body of a 10-year veteran. While there are other ways to raise stats, such as rewards, equipment, and elixirs, it would be difficult to improve through 'training', the most common method.
Of course, this by no means meant I was at a disadvantage. It varied from person to person, but on average, growth through training often stopped between 70 to 80 points. Considering that, my current stats could be considered ultra-luxurious.
'But that's only in a typical case.'
There are always special cases that defy expectations. I had to consider those who started with stats over 70 points. No, from now on, I had to think on their level. There was no guarantee that the miracles and coincidences I experienced in the first run would happen again. For the sake of my goals, I absolutely needed enough power to achieve them.
I opened my eyes. Seraph was still sitting on the altar, waiting for me to speak. Looking at her, I quietly opened my mouth.
"Seraph, I'd like to request Class Selection for my next privilege."
"Yes. User Kim Su-hyeon's request has been received. You are granted the priority to choose a class before the Rite of Passage and entering Hall Plain. Additionally, all classes shrouded in secrecy will be temporarily revealed."
Class selection is a process that can only be done after proving one's qualifications during user setup. To be more specific, it was originally a step that could only be taken in the Summoning Room after surviving the Rite of Passage and before entering Hall Plain. In other words, I was skipping all those steps and going straight into setting up my information from the very beginning.
I planned to choose a swordsman-related class this time as well. My increased Magic Power opened up paths to other classes. I had considered them, but I still felt that a swordsman was the best choice. It was a path I had already walked. When there's a shortcut, I saw no need to forge a new path.
A chart filled with dense information floated up in the air. Without a second glance, I closed the Rare chart. Leaving only the Secret chart open, I began to slowly examine it.
『Class List (Secret)』
[War Mage] [Maestro of the Battlefield] [Requiem Assassin] [Soul Commander] [Jewel Mage] [Copy Archimage] [Death Knight] [Brilliance Priest] [...]'Not this one... Not this one either... Hmm... The class that guy had was definitely...'
Were there this many Secret classes? I was momentarily at a loss for words at the sheer number of classes that appeared. After struggling to find it on my own, I decided it would just waste time and asked Seraph for help.
"Seraph. Is it possible to filter the Secret list to show only the swordsman classes?"
"That is not difficult. Are you planning to choose a swordsman-related Secret Class?"
"What if I am?"
"I recommend it. An excellent choice. Please wait a moment. I will filter them for you right away."
The reason I was so fixated on my class was because of its connection to Special and Potential Abilities. I would decide my class based on my stats, and then my Special and Potential Abilities based on my class. That was the order I had decided on. I was keeping the 'Unique Ability' in mind, so I had to prepare as much as possible for the two randomly selected Potential Abilities.
"The filtering is complete. I will display the chart for you."
"Okay."
I began to carefully examine the classes Seraph had filtered for me again. What I wanted was a class that was advantageous against mages. In my first run, my low Magic Power and Luck stats meant I always struggled when fighting mages. Just thinking about it now sent a shiver down my spine.
'Found it.'
And just as I passed the midpoint of the list, I finally found the classes I was looking for.
[Sword Specialist] [Spell Sniper]
Each Secret Class possesses a unique 'Authority'. Both of these classes appeared in my first run, and their power was enough to make the world tremble.
The Sword Specialist's Authority grants an advantage to all actions related to the sword and allows one to cut anything in existence. The Spell Sniper's Authority was a certain probability of complete magic resistance.
To explain the Spell Sniper in more detail, it could resist all magic cast with a Magic Power stat of 75 or lower. It reduced damage by 80% from those with 85 or lower, and even reduced it by 50% from those with 90 or lower.
If I had received the class privilege without thinking, I would have chosen Spell Sniper without a second thought. If its Authority was stacked with Magic Resistance, one of the Potential Abilities, it could turn ordinary mages into scarecrows, with the exception of Grand Mages who had reached the pinnacle of magic.
But after careful consideration, my heart was leaning sharply toward Sword Specialist. The Authority to cut anything in existence was a fatal attraction I couldn't possibly give up. I recalled the user who had been a Sword Specialist. His martial prowess was truly incredible. He cut, slashed, and nullified countless spells. The many mages who faced him were swept away like autumn leaves in the wind.
Spell Sniper is good, but Sword Specialist is no slouch either.
"..."
I deliberated for a while, but in the end, I chose Sword Specialist. In a way, it was a gamble, but I opened my mouth with a lighthearted voice, as if possessed.
"I'll go with Sword Specialist."
"You mean Sword Specialist? It's not bad, but Spell Sniper is also a very good class. Considering User Kim Su-hyeon's current Magic Power, there will be few mages who can harm you."
"That's true."
"Then why..."
"To put it another way, it means there are still *some* who can."
"..."
Seraph still looked displeased. For a moment, my resolve wavered, but I quickly firmed it and spoke with more conviction.
"Let me give you an example. Imagine there's a targeting system that guarantees a certain level of success, and a non-targeting system that depends on control. The former has a degree of safety, but it also has clear limitations. With the latter, however, the efficiency changes based purely on my skill. You understand what I mean, right?"
"I understand."
"Then I'll go with Sword Specialist."
"As you wish."
Seraph seemed to think for a moment before giving a single nod. At the same time, I saw a message that another piece of information had been updated.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
『Congratulations. You have obtained the Secret Class, Sword Specialist. Your player information will be updated.』
Seeing the message, I felt strangely relieved. Perhaps because I had smoothly passed the first hurdle, my mind felt much more at ease. But it was too early to relax. I immediately composed myself and prepared for the next privilege. Since the next one involved an element that my will couldn't entirely control, I tensed up again.
'3. A privilege regarding Special and Potential Abilities will be granted. Users typically have 1 slot for a Special Ability and 4 slots for Potential Abilities, but for User Kim Su-hyeon, one additional Potential Ability slot will be opened. All Special and Potential Abilities, including hidden ones, will be revealed, and you may choose what you desire. Alternatively, you may open a 'Unique Ability' slot. A Unique Ability is a higher tier of ability than a Special Ability. If you forgo the Unique Ability, you may choose one Special Ability and all five Potential Abilities as you wish. (In this case, the opened slot is automatically included among the Potential Abilities.)'
I slowly chewed over the information stored in my head.
Special and Potential Abilities had the characteristic of blooming one by one according to one's disposition over time. In other words, just being able to decide on them from the start was a huge advantage. It meant I was starting from a different line than other users. However, that also meant I needed to be extremely careful with my choices.
I repeat, Special and Potential Abilities are the most crucial parts that affect a character's efficiency. If you acquire traits that match your class, you become that much stronger. But what if the opposite happens? You wouldn't be able to bring out the full potential of your class. Therefore, if you want to become strong, you must create a harmonious balance between stats, class, and abilities.
"Seraph. Let's make the next privilege Ability Granting."
"Yes. Then I shall ask. Please state whether you wish to activate the Unique Ability slot. The difference is..."
"I know. I'll go with choosing a Unique Ability."
"Understood. One Potential Ability slot will be consumed. Additionally, two of the remaining four slots will be selected at random."
I had something to count on. Just as the stat increase considered the user's level of growth, a similar rule applied to unlocking abilities. Simply put, it meant there was a high probability that my body, which had achieved Sword Master, would influence the outcome. If I was right, there was a very high chance that two of the abilities I had in my first run would be selected.
While I was calculating in my head, Seraph signaled that she was ready.
"The lists for Unique, Special, and Potential Abilities have been loaded. Would you like to make your selection first, or would you like to open the two Potential Ability slots first?"
It wasn't that I didn't feel a shred of anxiety. But it's better to get the bad part over with first. I decided to roll the two Potential Abilities first.
"I'll open the two Potential Ability slots first."
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