Chapter 7

I Became a Newbie Favored by the Transcendents Chapter 7

[‘Ernia Imperial Swordsmanship’ transcends into ‘God-King Style Sword Forms’!]

[You awaken as the advanced class, ‘Rookie’!]

[As a class privilege, the stat points gained upon leveling up increase from 2 to 4 (‘Luck’ excluded).]

“Gasp!”

Watching the messages continue to appear one after another left me breathless.

Because they were incredible.

‘An advanced class awakening and... crazy, increased stat points when leveling up?!’

There wasn’t a single dud among them.

If I told people I awakened an advanced class on my very first day after awakening, everyone would treat me like a pathological liar.

An advanced class, as the name suggested, referred to a class evolving to the next stage.

Naturally, the conditions for achieving it were known to be extremely difficult.

First, you had to be at least level 30, and becoming the Apostle of a Constellation was a basic requirement.

Then you had to clear a trial given by that Constellation, and those were fucking brutal too.

For example, clearing 15 Gates within three days, or doing 10,000 push-ups in a single day.

Anyway, you had to pull off some absurd feat that surpassed human limits.

Constellations fundamentally enjoyed watching their Apostles suffer, while also believing there could never be growth without pain.

Because of those conditions, there were countless Players who failed to awaken an advanced class.

‘I also spent all day hitting nothing but a wall, so I guess I pulled off an absurd feat too...’

But wasn’t my case fundamentally different from the normal ones?

For one thing, my level wasn’t even close to thirty yet.

And I didn’t have a contracted Constellation.

Yet I awakened an advanced class just by hitting a wall?

Huge win.

‘So what class did I change into?’

Status window, immediately.

=====

[Park Junbeom (Human)]

Affiliation: Earth (Republic of Korea)

Class: Rookie

Level: 6

Strength (31) Stamina (31) Agility (31) Divine Power (31) Luck (11)

Unique Trait: Access to <​Transdimensional Divine Intelligent Entity Exchange: Pantheon>

Skills: God-King Style Sword Forms (Growth-Type), Ernia-style Mana Cultivation Method

Assimilation Rate: 1.01%

Privileges: Experience Gain Rate x2.0, Stat Points per Level Up +4 (‘Luck’ excluded)

Penalty: Elemental Resistance -20%, Skill Cooldown +30%

=====

Oh.

I had changed from the fresh green ‘Newbie’ into a ‘Rookie’ that gave off the feeling of a promising prospect.

The resulting change in ability was,

‘Every stat except Luck increases by 4 whenever I level up.’

As expected, this was ridiculous.

Like I said before, the stats gained upon leveling up are always fixed at 2 points.

But if that increased to 4 points.

Simply put, it meant my growth rate was twice that of everyone else.

On top of that, I had the overpowered privilege from the tutorial reward that gave me 200% experience gain, so if the two synergized...

‘This is insane.’

Forget having wings. I was practically strapped to a rocket booster.

...It was so incredible that I almost wondered whether this was really allowed.

And I only realized it now, but setting aside privileges and everything else, even my current raw stats were already far beyond the average.

‘Can a Player whose level is still in the single digits... already have stats exceeding thirty?’

Calculating it according to the normal case.

It meant I currently had the same stats as a level 16 Player.

I was a full ten levels ahead of everyone else.

‘I never thought I’d experience what it feels like to be born on third base through something like this.’

No.

Wasn’t this all a reward I earned from fighting that Vibranium wall until I lost feeling in my wrists?

Sweet comes after bitter.

With my mindset adjusted, I continued examining the changes.

‘Ernia Imperial Swordsmanship disappeared from the skill tab and was replaced by God-King Style Sword Forms.’

The system described this not as a ‘replacement,’ but a ‘transcendence.’

Did that mean it was a superior version?

=====

<​God-King Style Sword Forms (SSS, Growth-Type)>

-The ultimate principle of the sword bestowed upon one who broke through their own limits.

-The stronger the opponent, the greater the power of the swordsmanship.

-When movements are linked accurately, there is a high chance of breaking through the enemy’s defense and striking only vital points.

-Every time the sword is swung, waves of Divine Power explode into the surroundings.

-Can cut what cannot be cut.

=====

“Yep, definitely a superior version.”

It retained all the existing performance of ‘Ernia Imperial Swordsmanship’...

On top of that, new effects had been added, and the skill rank itself had risen to SSS.

It was even Growth-Type!

I didn’t know the exact conditions right now, but it had to mean there were more hidden functions.

Even the abilities already listed gave off an extraordinary feeling just from reading them one by one.

‘The fourth effect in particular would be insane in a large-scale melee.’

Doesn’t that mean shockwaves or something explode every time I swing the sword?

If it goes well, I could reproduce that one-man-army stuff you only see in hack-and-slash games.

That was definitely worthy of SSS.

However, I couldn’t quite understand the final effect just from the wording.

‘What does it mean to cut what can’t be cut?’

What, can I cut lightning or something?

No way.

I’d get a chance to find out later, so let’s move on.

Now for the last one.

I checked the skill effects of the ‘Ernia-style Mana Cultivation Method,’ which was essentially the main point.

=====

<​Ernia-style Mana Cultivation Method (SSS)>

-A cultivation method established by the founder of the imperial swordsmanship after sixty years of harsh ascetic training.

-Awaken indomitable mental strength and maintain composure under any circumstances.

-Gain complete immunity to mental-type attacks.

-The more exhausted the body becomes, the faster the circulation of energy accelerates, increasing physical abilities.

=====

‘Now I understand, SaviorOfTheEmpire.’

Why she had suddenly turned dead serious when I asked what was so good about learning a cultivation method.

Complete immunity to mental attacks, maintaining composure, stats increasing the more exhausted you become...

If someone heard effects this broken and asked what was good about them, how could you not get serious?

Damn.

I was planning to bitch at SaviorOfTheEmpire after breaking the wall, but suddenly my resolve was weakening.

‘No. I should at least give her a little jab.’

If I hadn’t figured out the method, I’d still be slashing at that wall right now.

I should at least subtly let her know I nearly died from how hard it was.

Steeling myself, I accessed the gallery...

[‘SaviorOfTheEmpire’ has sponsored you 5,000 GP!]

“...?”

A sponsorship notification suddenly appeared.

And for a whopping five thousand points.

...Why?

I don’t really know, but I should reflect on myself.

‘I can’t believe I was about to give someone like this a hard time.’

Ah!

Park Junbeom, you ungrateful bastard!

She handed over the cultivation method and even threw in a sponsorship, and you don’t even know gratitude...!

Anyway, maybe because I received so many outrageous rewards at once?

I felt full even though I hadn’t eaten...

Grrrrr!

‘I’m definitely not full.’

The moment I finished checking my status window and relaxed, intense hunger suddenly hit me.

I had spent all that time swinging a sword inside my consciousness without eating or drinking anything, so of course I was hungry.

I picked up my phone to open a delivery app.

And.

“The 19th...?”

The instant I checked the date displayed on the screen, I doubted my eyes.

You’re kidding, right?

Four days passed?

I went four days without food or water and somehow didn’t collapse?

‘Is this another effect of the cultivation method?’

Aside from being a little hungry and absolutely reeking because I hadn’t washed, I felt perfectly energetic.

Food wasn’t the most important thing right now. I should wash first.

I immediately went into the bathroom and took a shower while deciding that today’s meal would be mala soup.

Shaaaaa-

Mm. Taking a warm shower cleared my head.

And once my head cleared... I realized this was not the time to leisurely debate which toppings to add to my mala soup.

“Ah, right. Awakening registration.”

I completely forgot.

There were still three days left, so I had plenty of time, but since I remembered now, I should just do it immediately.

Whew, if I had come out of the consciousness world just a little later, I might have ended up with a criminal record.

‘It would probably be safer to call the management bureau before going.’

Reporting an awakening wasn’t like going to the local administrative office to get paperwork.

They had to assign a person in charge and confirm whether the equipment and facilities needed for testing were available.

There was no point going there only to make a wasted trip, so making an appointment by phone would be better.

When I called the management bureau’s number, before long, I heard the soft and composed voice of a female employee.

[Yes, this is the Civil Administration Office of the Player Management Bureau. How may I assist you?]

“Yes. I’m calling because I awakened and wanted to report it...”

[Ah, yes. Hello, Player. May I ask your name?]

“Park Junbeom.”

[...]

What?

Why isn’t she saying anything?

Crash!

Suddenly, things became noisy on the other end of the line.

Did that sound like a chair falling over just now?

Is she okay?

“Hello?”

[Ugh. P-please wait. Please wait just a moment! Just a moment!]

The female employee’s previously soft and composed voice was now filled with bewilderment.

I ended up blinking in confusion myself for a moment.

[Ahem! Hello, Player Park Junbeom. My name is Lee Useok, Head of Planning at the Player Management Bureau.]

A rough male voice came through.

And he said he was the Head of Planning.

Wasn’t that a pretty high position...?

“Why would the Head of Planning...”

[I will personally assist you, Player. This is sudden, but are you currently at home?]

“What? Ah, yes. I’m at home.”

[You said you wished to register your awakening. If you don’t mind, could you please tell me your address?]

I don’t think they normally ask for your address right away over the phone?

And why was he asking whether I was home?

I told him anyway.

[Confirmed. Please wait at your residence for a little while. We will come pick you up.]

“No, well... It’s less than ten minutes away by subway.”

[No! Absolutely not! We will definitely come pick you up, so please do not come outside and just wait for us!]

“...”

Fuck, why are they acting so scary?

It’s not like an outbreak happened outside, so why are they making such a huge fuss?

I absentmindedly said okay, and the call ended.

And exactly five minutes later.

Ding-dong!

The bell rang, and when I opened the door, two management bureau employees were standing there.

“...”

“Player Park Junbeom? I’m Lee Useok, Head of Planning at the management bureau, whom you spoke with on the phone earlier. This is Assistant Manager Jeong Yewon from the Planning Office. Introduce yourself.”

“N-nice to meet you for the first time, Player.”

The moment they saw me, Head Lee Useok and Assistant Manager Jeong Yewon bowed at ninety degrees.

“Please come with us. We have a car waiting downstairs.”

“...”

Is this a hidden-camera prank?

______________

Of course it wasn’t a hidden-camera prank.

I thought they might put me in a luxury limousine or something, but unexpectedly, I ended up riding in an ordinary passenger car, and I could roughly guess why they were treating me like a VIP.

‘It must be because of my tutorial ranking.’

The tutorial ranking alone was openly announced before everyone in the world.

And my ranking was number one in the world.

In a way, the management bureau’s extremely courteous treatment was only natural.

I also realized the moment I saw the management bureau building that there was another reason they had personally picked me up.

‘Oh my God.’

This wasn’t some famous restaurant featured on television, yet tons of tents had been set up in front of the main entrance.

Beside the tents were people wearing suits bearing various guild emblems.

They had to be scouts.

There was even... my God, the famous number one guild in the Republic of Korea, the <​Golden Dragon> Guild.

Thinking perhaps I was overestimating the situation, I asked Lee Useok, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

“Um, those people...?”

“They are all guild scouts who have been camping out here for the past several days in order to recruit you, Player Park Junbeom.”

“Ah.”

“If those people discover you, Player Park Junbeom, there will be a major commotion. That is why we personally came to pick you up.”

So they weren’t exaggerating.

That was why they had made such a fuss when I said I would come directly to the management bureau.

The reason they brought an ordinary passenger car was probably to avoid attracting the scouts’ attention as much as possible too.

“But, well, it’s not like my name is floating above my head. Was all of this really necessary?”

“Yes. Among the scouts of <​Golden Dragon>, there is an awakened person who can identify someone’s name simply by looking at their face. We cannot let our guard down.”

“Ah.”

So that was actually real...

Well, anyway. It was burdensome, but I didn’t dislike it.

I didn’t want to get surrounded by scouts and dragged around before even registering my awakening either.

Meanwhile, the car naturally entered the rear of the building while avoiding the scouts’ eyes.

Using the back entrance would allow us to enter without anyone noticing.

“We’ll guide you directly to the examination room. Please follow us.”

“Yes.”

I still felt dazed even as I followed them.

The only thing missing was a red carpet. They were treating me like a complete superstar.

Meanwhile, I was wearing sweatpants...

While various thoughts crossed my mind, we took the elevator and arrived at the examination room on the third floor.

But.

“We have brought the Player, Director.”

“Good work. Ah! I’ve been waiting for you, Player Park Junbeom!”

Uh.

The famous Director Kim Hyeonuk came over to welcome me.

I did my best to hide my surprise and shook the director’s wrinkled but thick, pot-lid-like hand.

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

“I heard you achieved first place in the world rankings during this tutorial. Truly... even calling it incredible feels insufficient!”

“No, not really... I was just lucky.”

“How could mere luck allow you to surpass Quentin De Niro!”

That was an excessive amount of flattery from someone as high-ranking as a director.

...Or so I would have thought, except his eyes were genuinely overflowing with emotion.

They were even moist, like those of someone who had won the lottery.

“My goodness! Why didn’t you come a little earlier? We’ve been waiting endlessly for you to appear!”

“Um, well... I went somewhere to celebrate awakening.”

He probably wouldn’t believe me if I said I was fighting a Vibranium wall in a room of spirit and time, right?

“Ah, traveling is great! I enjoy it too! You’ve worked hard!”

“...”

“Now, I wanted to carefully ask you about something... Oh, no. We should confirm your awakening first.”

“Yes.”

When the director nodded, Assistant Manager Jeong Yewon quickly brought over a pearl-white crystal sphere.

The director continued explaining.

“This is an item used to determine mana grade. Wrap mana around your hand and then touch the crystal, and your grade should appear.”

“Does a letter appear inside the crystal or something?”

“Haha, no. It can be distinguished by color. S-rank is red. A-rank is orange, B-rank is yellow... and so on, following the colors of the rainbow.”

“Then the lowest rank, F-rank, would be violet.”

“Exactly. Shall we begin? I can roughly predict the result, but... I’ll refrain from saying anything.”

Jeong Yewon held the crystal sphere closer in front of me.

The director said he could predict the result, but who knows.

My thoughts were a little different.

‘I use Divine Power, not mana... Is this okay?’

Would an item designed to measure mana react to Divine Power too?

What if there was no reaction at all?

Whatever. I’ll worry about that when it happens.

Wooooooong―!!

I wrapped Divine Power around my right hand.

“...?!”

“Huh...”

Director Kim Hyeonuk, Assistant Manager Jeong Yewon, Head Lee Useok. All three of their eyes widened.

Of course they did. Normal mana is blue, but mine is golden.

While all of them were too shocked to speak, I reached toward the crystal sphere.

Tap.

And the moment I touched the crystal sphere.