Barbara is a bustling metropolis located in the heart of the northern continent, while Mule is just a small town situated to the north. Despite its early discovery, Mule remained stagnant, stuck at the level of a frontier town.
The difference between “big” and “small” might seem like just a single character in writing, but in reality, the gap felt as vast as the distance between the sky and the earth. The size, the flow of people, and the level of activity among users were incomparable.
For those who had only traveled between these two cities, the sheer scale of Barbara was often overwhelming at first sight.
The kids were no exception. Although they had spent three months at the User Academy, they were confined within its walls and immediately transported via warp gate upon completion, leaving them unfamiliar with the city’s inner workings. As a result, Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoo-jung found Barbara to be quite alien.
Even the area surrounding the inn where we were staying seemed to have left a significant impression on them. We deliberately chose a modest inn, named Morning Sunshine, which was considered low-grade. Although we had more than enough money to stay at a luxury inn, I wanted the kids to experience and understand the life of ordinary users.
Users mourning the loss of comrades after an expedition, those begging for money to eat and sleep, users wandering around after being expelled from caravans, and those who lacked the skills for exploration and had to take on part-time jobs just to survive. I hoped the kids would gain some perspective on their own situation by observing these users.
Four days had passed since we arrived in Barbara. Each day brought news that was either despairing or delightful, depending on the clan. As more communications came in, the dynamics of the northern continent shifted rapidly. I was closely monitoring these changes, comparing them with the futures I remembered.
Of course, I wasn’t only focused on external factors. As I mentioned earlier, I was also addressing unresolved issues within the clan and among its members. I aimed to resolve what I could and at least understand the progress of ongoing matters.
The week we spent in Barbara could be a time of rest for some clan members, while for others, it was an opportunity to solve problems and enhance their abilities. Although the clan’s cohesion seemed strong, from a clan leader’s perspective, there were still rough edges.
It felt like the clan was growing in a haphazard manner. Some issues required my intervention, while others did not. However, as a clan leader, it was my duty to pay attention to all matters, even those that might not require my direct involvement.
The first user I focused on was Shin Sang-yong. Having inherited a rare class just before leaving Mule, he seemed unfamiliar with his new role. He needed time to understand his class and contemplate his future growth. Fortunately, he had a great mentor in Vivian, so I decided to trust her guidance rather than interfere.
Next, I turned my attention to Ahn Sol, who was the most problematic user among the clan members. I believed it was best to address her issues one by one, starting with the most manageable.
I planned to discuss her luck attribute, which I had been contemplating for some time. I concluded that raising it to 101 would be beneficial. Although I had four reward points, I was hesitant to invest them in luck.
Consider this example: Suppose a wizard, A, has a strength of 50 and magic of 59, while another wizard, B, has a strength of 30 and magic of 60. Assuming all other variables like class and equipment are equal, B would have a 70% chance of winning. The remaining 20% would be a draw, and A would have a 10% chance of victory.
This example highlights the importance of magic attributes for wizards and priests, which differ from other classes. If Ahn Sol’s luck attribute had been below 100, and if she hadn’t obtained a ring that increased her magic by one point in the Ruined Laboratory, I wouldn’t have considered this. The allure of reaching 101 points was hard to resist.
Despite my thoughts, I couldn’t help but worry about the unknown. In my first life, I had never seen or heard of a luck attribute reaching 101. Unlike strength, endurance, agility, stamina, and magic, luck didn’t seem to yield immediate results at 101. This made me hesitant to bring it up.
Luck was inherently mysterious. Even after over a decade in the Hall Plain, I still defined it as an unknown attribute. However, Ahn Sol’s sense of direction and danger detection during our explorations in Mule left a strong impression on me. The value of her abilities was immense, and the potential for further development was a tempting prospect.
Of course, this was just my opinion. As a clan leader, I couldn’t impose my desires on others. Respecting the rights of each user was essential, and Ahn Sol’s opinion was paramount in this decision.
The kids were unaware that I knew their user information. Since the User Academy days, I had always advised them to keep their attributes hidden and never reveal their information to others, even to us. Changing my stance now was a delicate matter, as it might reveal that I knew their attributes.
I pondered how to gently persuade Ahn Sol. Ultimately, there was only one way: subtly guiding her to express her own opinion. However, asking for her opinion was no easy task. Despite my preparations, I experienced a sense of resignation for the first time in my second life.
“Yes! Sol’s luck attribute is 100!”
”…….”
“And her other attributes are… let’s see…”
“Ah, no. Hey, no, Sol. Wait, just hold on a second.”
Right. I had forgotten the most crucial fact: my conversation partner was Ahn Sol. The concerns I had before the conversation were all overshadowed by her spontaneous revelations.
“Ugh….”
“Hmm?”
When I interrupted her, Ahn Sol pursed her lips. Her round eyes and bright smile were certainly a pleasant sight, but I suddenly felt dizzy. It was as if I was denying myself.
In the end, the main point—suggesting we raise her luck attribute by one point—only came up after a lengthy lecture on user information security.
“We’ve benefited a lot from your help during our explorations. I believe your abilities are closely linked to your high luck. As far as I know, there’s no upper limit to attributes. So, I was wondering what would happen if we increased it by one point from 100.”
“Yes! I like it!”
”…It feels a bit wasteful to use reward points that way, but you do have a ring that increases your magic by one. Anyway, that’s what I think, but I wanted to hear your thoughts too.”
“Yes! I like it!”
“Sigh… No, Sol. Listen. I, your brother, want to hear your thoughts. Don’t just say you like it. It’s your attribute and your user information. Let’s think about it. Please.”
In Mule, I had just seen them as kids. But now that we were in Barbara, I decided to treat them as users. With that mindset, I found conversations with her incredibly frustrating. Struggling to suppress my irritation, I raised my voice, speaking in a staccato rhythm.
This time, she seemed to understand. Ahn Sol tilted her head, and soon, a question mark appeared above her head, quickly turning into an exclamation mark. Her expression revealed her thoughts.
“Yes! I also think it’s a good idea to raise it!”
“Mm! Why do you think so?”
“Because you said it would be a good idea!”
”…….”
Seeing Ahn Sol’s bright smile, I felt a wave of shock and disbelief. I let out a deep sigh, covering my face with both hands. If she were an enemy, I might have slapped her or cut her down, but she was an ally who followed me willingly, leaving me at a loss for what to do. (Of course, I couldn’t deny that I was partly to blame.)
In the end, the issue of Ahn Sol’s luck attribute was resolved simply due to her enthusiastic attitude. Ahn Sol was a formidable user. Her cheerful acceptance and the phrase “What’s good is good” left me speechless.
In any case, Ansol decided to use one of the four points she received as a reward from the academy right then and there, boosting her luck stat to 101. Of course, this didn’t result in a sudden windfall of money or a dramatic increase in her abilities. Meanwhile, it seemed she had picked up some mischievous habits from Yujeong, as she suddenly fixed her innocent eyes on me, staring intently. Using the heat as an excuse, she slipped off her robe, revealing her shoulders slightly. Naturally, whatever she was expecting from me didn’t happen.
I gave her a firm pat on the head and sent her on her way. Having rolled the dice, I wasn’t in a rush. I had been hoping for improved navigation and danger detection during our explorations, so I planned to verify these abilities once we ventured outside the city.
With the most challenging issue—Ansol—resolved, I could finally turn my attention to other matters, namely the issues concerning Yujeong and Vivian.
For Yujeong, I decided to keep an eye on her a bit longer. Thinking back to our exploration of the Cave of Wails, I was tempted to take away her cursed sword immediately, but considering everything, it wasn’t a straightforward decision. Besides, she was quite attached to it, so it seemed best to leave her be, at least while we were in Barbara.
Vivian, on the other hand, had been spending a lot of time lost in thought lately. She was diligent in her research and in mentoring Shin Sangyong, but outside of that, she often seemed to be staring blankly into space. It appeared she had found a lead on the elixir refinement.
From my perspective, this was good news, but for her, it was a source of significant stress. Initially, she had expressed confidence, but the more she delved into the research and refined the process, the more she encountered factors that contradicted her expectations.
The ingredients involved—an 80 or lower +4 health elixir, a 70 or lower +2 health elixir, Vivian’s own refinement, the heart of the high-ranking demon Belphegor, and the magic stone of Horens—were all incredibly valuable. Failure would be a blow to her pride and a waste of rare resources. She seemed to think I had high expectations, occasionally sighing and looking fatigued. I reassured her that it was fine, but it would be a lie to say there was no pressure.
However, all I could do was wait. The refinement process would only truly begin once we had established a workshop, so until then, I would trust and wait for her.
While keeping an eye on the flow of the Hall Plane, I continued to refine and monitor the clan internally. The initial setup of a clan is crucial. The founding members must function well to instill confidence in new recruits.
After a general inspection, there was still one unresolved issue: the ambiguous relationship between Goyeonju and Ansol.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
Everyone, I have finished my exams. So why am I sitting at my desk doing assignments? And four of them, no less. It doesn’t feel like the exams are over at all. Friday and Saturday were great, but reality hit on Sunday. Haha. So, the conclusion is another all-nighter. I guess I’ll make some ramen for a late-night snack. It’s delicious with some microwaved dumplings. :)
PS. I’m replying to messages in order. Haha. If you haven’t received a reply yet, please wait a little longer. :D
『 Reader Comments 』
Ached: Congratulations on being first. Oh, you played League of Legends at dawn. I used to be a dawn player too. I had a team I played ranked games with. Sitting in a PC room all night playing games and eating a bowl of ramen was my joy. Now, everyone is busy with life and we’ve scattered, but I sometimes miss those days. ㅜ.ㅠ
Kim Minseon’s Teeth: Haha. I plan to continue a bit more before wrapping up the first part. Ending it now would make it too short. :)
juan: Hehe. Just a little hint, Hanbyeol wasn’t part of the advance team. Even though it’s a secret class, as a zero-year user, it’s a bit much to be in the elite. So, is it the main team or the rear guard?
EyeSeeYou: No! I oppose this relationship! How about Park Donggeol instead of Ansol? :)
Cheongeop Hyeol Sincheon Mu: Hmm. It’s very complicated and subtle. It’s hard to explain in words. Haha.
letzgo02: Yes. Broadly speaking, there are 3 or 4 chapters. You can consider them as volumes or parts. :)
Myungbak Jjang’s Yangyang Hapil: ……! Oh, no. First love? Lover? Crush? Absolutely, never. Oh dear. What are you saying? Haha. Hahaha. Hahahaha. No, absolutely not. :)
User Gandalf: Wow. You must have been very tired. Spending almost all of Sunday sleeping. Really ㄷㄷ.
Humnya~~: Thank you for the coupon. (__) I’ll try to handle these assignments and continue writing. Awakening! Kyaaa!
hohokoya1: Haha. My heart is for 100 consecutive updates, but reality is 2. ㅜ.ㅠ My body has recovered! Hehe. My body isn’t dead yet. :)
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