Chapter 38: To the Hall Plain! |
After reactivating the voice amplification magic, he looked up at the new users once more. When he had turned off the amplification moments ago, no one except the person he was speaking to could have heard him. With a dry expression, the murderous intent now subsided and in stark contrast to how he had dealt with Park Dong-geol, he quietly opened his mouth.
"I understand you've heard some things from the angels. Of course, I'm also aware that you must have many other questions. But if we were to try and resolve all your curiosities right here and now, a whole week of sleepless nights wouldn't be enough."
Well, of course. I, who wanted to enter the User Academy as quickly as possible, strongly agreed in my mind. As if reading my thoughts, Park Hyeon-woo continued to say things I was glad to hear.
"Also, as you have all just passed the Rite of Passage, you must be quite fatigued. Since I have already secured everyone's consent, I will briefly explain our future plans."
He cleared his throat for a moment and immediately began to speak.
"In the great city of Barbara, there is a building called the User Academy. Are there any new users here who have heard even a little about it from the helper angels?"
He emphasized the word "helper." Hearing Hyeon-woo's words, the users exchanged glances before one by one, they began to raise their hands. There was a slight murmur, but the number of raised hands steadily increased.
Even at a glance, it seemed more than half the people had raised their hands. No, with a few exceptions, most of them did. It was a testament to how highly the angels regarded the User Academy. Judging that a sufficient number of people had raised their hands, Hyeon-woo signaled for them to lower them and continued speaking.
"Good. From your perspective, this may be a repeat broadcast, but... it is of high importance, and it seems there are some who haven't heard, so I will explain it one more time. The User Academy is, as the name suggests, a type of training institution that helps new users adapt to and survive in the Hall Plain more easily. And having been recognized for its effectiveness, it is one of the official missions, the first of its kind in user construction, to be granted the authority to award reward points."
Hyeon-woo began by explaining the history and founding purpose of the User Academy. He then detailed the benefits of undergoing the training and graduating. To summarize the important points...
The training course at the User Academy takes three months. In the early stages, a user's stats tend to increase rapidly. The User Academy has efficient training programs tailored to one's stats and class. Therefore, one can expect a much higher rate of stat increase than through trial-and-error training. All trainees are paid a weekly wage of 20 silver. Users who complete the entire three-month course receive a stat reward of 4 points as a mission completion bonus. That was the gist of it.
Honestly, I was only in it for the 4 reward points, but for the other users, there were many attractive aspects. It was nicely packaged, but they were offering food, shelter, training, and money. A four-for-one deal, so to speak.
After explaining for a while, Hyeon-woo finally mentioned that there was a limit to how high each user's abilities could rise. While raising stat points depended on one's own effort, the ceiling for how high they could go varied from user to user. And the points obtained as rewards were one of the few ways to raise stats that had reached their limit, so it was best to save them for now. With that, he concluded his explanation of the User Academy.
"This concludes the basic explanation. Originally, I planned to move directly to the dormitories inside the academy after the explanation, but... it seems there are still some whose curiosity hasn't been satisfied, so I will take three or four questions."
As soon as he finished speaking, a female user from the area where the ranged combat users were gathered quickly raised her hand. The urgent manner of her hand movement made me extremely curious about what question she would ask. When Hyeon-woo nodded, the woman stood up and spoke in a cautious voice.
"Um... that is... can we... return home... alive?"
The disappointment was as great as the anticipation. To think that was all she had to ask. I clicked my tongue at the woman's foolishness and observed Hyeon-woo's expression. As expected, he was looking at the woman who asked the question with a face that suggested something was deeply bothering him.
To put her question into perspective, it was like she had taken everything he had just explained at length and traded it for a piece of candy. Hyeon-woo let out a visibly large sigh and replied in a dry voice.
"I made it clear at the beginning that we are not the ones who can send you home. If I knew how, do you think I would be standing here? That is something you new users must figure out together as you live in the Hall Plain."
Sensing Hyeon-woo's pitying gaze, the woman's cheeks turned red as she discreetly sat down. A moment of silence passed, but soon a man from the magic-talented group raised his hand. He was a user with a neat sports-cut hairstyle and an intelligent-looking impression. When Hyeon-woo nodded, he too stood up.
"I am aware that this world is called the Hall Plain. And that ordinary people are called users. It also seems this city is called the great city of Barbara. Do people like us, called users, live only in this city?"
At the man's question, Hyeon-woo immediately shook his head and answered.
"No. As you've heard from the angels, the Hall Plain is divided into a total of four continents. And Barbara is the only great city on the Northern Continent. Besides this, there are four regular cities and eight small towns on the Northern Continent. Users like us are also distributed there. Although the safety of the entire Northern Continent has not been completely secured, it's safe to say that the areas around the cities are under the jurisdiction of users from the Republic of Korea."
"You said users from the Republic of Korea, so does that mean there are also users of other nationalities...?"
"Yes. The Hall Plain is not just for users from the Republic of Korea. The Eastern Continent is under the jurisdiction of Japanese users, the Western Continent under American users, and the Southern Continent under British users. Of course, there is some level of exchange between the continents. But if you look at the big picture, that's how it can be divided."
This question, at least, was not entirely useless. As the male user bowed his head and sat down, Hyeon-woo gazed at the new users with an indifferent expression. Since he said he would take three or four questions, it was highly likely that the next one would be the last.
People seemed to know this, as no one was rashly stepping forward. It was then that Hyeon-woo pointed to one person, and as I turned my head in that direction, I could see a female user who had timidly raised her hand.
When the female user stood up and I could see her face, I let out an inward gasp. The last woman to stand was none other than Kim Han-byeol. She was gazing at Hyeon-woo with her usual serene and cold face. I was well aware of her sharp reasoning, so a fierce curiosity arose as to what question she would ask. The boredom I had felt until now seemed to vanish in an instant.
Soon, her delicate lips parted slightly, and a beautiful voice flowed from between them.
"I heard that everyone here is scheduled to train at a place called the User Academy. So, what is the *actual* purpose of us training there?"
The moment she finished speaking, the hall briefly stirred. Most people were frowning, seemingly thinking she had asked a pointless question. And those people were the ones who failed to grasp the intent of her question. Only a few who understood the underlying meaning of her words had their eyes shining with a look of realization.
I, too, felt a sense of admiration for Han-byeol's sharp question. Hyeon-woo, being a man of some intellect, wore a different expression from when he had heard the first female user's question. He kept moistening his lips, appearing quite flustered.
That's how highly calculated Han-byeol's question was. Reason and purpose are different words, and purpose and actual purpose can be seen differently depending on one's perspective. Her words were not simply, "Why do we have to train?" It was a question that cut to the core, simultaneously asking about the actual purpose of training them and, beyond that, the intended use of the User Academy.
Hyeon-woo opened his mouth with a hesitant attitude, different from before, only to close it again, repeating this motion. It was a stark contrast to the man who had answered so fluently until now. The new users also sensed his strange demeanor, and the previously bustling hall fell silent in an instant. Finally, he opened his mouth, his tone slightly uncomfortable.
"...I have already sufficiently explained the utility of the User Academy. Does the user who asked this question have a complaint about the training?"
"I'm not trying to express a complaint. And I also agree with entering the academy. What I want to hear isn't the justification for the academy. Is that place truly a training space with the sole purpose of helping new users adapt?"
I could see Hyeon-woo's mouth clamp shut. Suddenly, the words she had said to me in the Hall Plain cabin came to mind.
"You're doing it again. It might work on An Hyeon-oppa or Yu-jeong-eonni, but please don't do that to me. Don't try to subtly change the subject."
It seemed he, too, had tried to subtly change the subject, but Han-byeol's direct question had left him speechless.
After a long period of silence, just chewing on his lip, a bitter smile spread across his face. It was the first living expression of emotion I had seen from him since entering the Hall Plain. Could it be that Han-byeol's question had struck such a deep chord within him?
"In any case... you will all find out naturally as more time passes. Whether you like it or not."
Hyeon-woo briefly moistened his parched lips with saliva and continued in a low voice.
============================ Author's Note ============================
Hello, this is Ro Yu-jin. Did you all have a happy Saturday?
First, to those who have favorited, recommended, commented, and sent coupons. Thank you, truly, so, so much. The revision work for chapter 38 was slow today, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to post it by midnight, but thankfully, I was able to gain strength thanks to all your comments. When my head gets complicated while writing, I just skim through the comments. Then, like magic, my head clears up. Hahaha. (It's true.)
『Replies』
1. HumanLife: Congratulations on getting first place! Of course. Friction between Su-hyeon and the clans is a basic feature. In fact, there are a few clans already gunning for him. Huhu.
2. Eintje: No, there's no nominal limit. However, in the first run of the Hall Plain, the highest stat points were 101 Strength for one person and 101 Magic Power for another. In reality, if you surpass 85, let alone 90, you can walk around the Hall Plain with your head held high. Hahaha.
3. POWERED: Me too! I really want to write about the process of Su-hyeon coolly establishing his position. However, I'm trying to avoid a rushed progression as much as possible. I want to write while calmly building things up one by one. Of course, fast when it needs to be fast, and slow when necessary. Please wait just a little longer. :)
4. Seolbiyeon: It's true. I never imagined so many people would show this much interest. Even now, I can't tell if this is a dream or reality.
5. GoodBody: Haha. I'm currently thinking about it. To be honest, my heart is leaning towards a harem. But even if I do go with a harem, I'm debating how many to include....
6. Demodex: Thank you! Typo has been corrected!
7. That'sFunny: I've added a supplementary explanation regarding that part. In the main text. :) The protagonist can check the class of all users, including himself. However, other people cannot check the protagonist's class. Therefore, when classifying classes, "lying" is also possible.
8. Neisha: Oh my. The protagonist's purpose has been hinted at here and there up to chapter 38. Huhu. It's impossible to hide himself forever. And Su-hyeon knows that fact well. Until then....
9. Blami: To be honest, it's half-setting, half-convenience. I selected the countries most suitable for the Hall Plain's setting based on the four continents. ㅇㅅㅇ Of course, I'm planning such a scene as well. :) (As for serial updates... I'm sorry... heu-heong.)
10. GradeDown: A huge number of people were forced to participate. As you go back in time, the number increases exponentially. That should raise one "question," which will be resolved when you meet Su-hyeon's brother. :)
11. Kriasen: +ㅁ+ Seraph... is. Uh... well... more than a heroine... um... ㅜ.ㅠ (Evades!)
12. Amsan: Not at all. It doesn't bother me one bit. Just seeing the comments fills me up. Hahaha.
13. ReaderC: LOL Now that I think about it, you're right. Ah LOL, just the author's notes are the length of a book... LOL
14. JoWoon: Yes...? Yes? Yes; Yes...;; This... is problematic. (ㅜ.ㅠ LOL)
15. GiaMojaNimKa: I apologize for the slow progression. However, this part is absolutely necessary, so I'm going a bit slowly. It won't always be slow; I'll go fast when it's time to be fast, and a bit slower when necessary. I will always try to maintain a chapter length of over 8k characters. I ask for your understanding, GiaMojaNimKa. (__)
To those who aren't in the replies! I check every single comment, so please don't feel left out. If there's anyone who absolutely must~ get a reply, please give me a signal beforehand. I will be sure to catch it.
Well then, I will take my leave for today.
I hope you can always read with a comfortable heart.
Favorites, recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.
Have a happy Sunday!