Seraph was flustered.
I turned back the clock ten years. The Seraph who had been with me for a decade was gone.
“So, what happens now…?”
The altar was empty for the moment, but soon an angel would be summoned. It could be a new angel, or perhaps Seraph would return. If it were the former, it wouldn’t matter much, but if it were the latter, what then? I could only guess that she would emerge without any memory of our time together, yet a flicker of curiosity stirred within me.
After about three minutes, I sensed a reaction. The space above the altar began to ripple like waves. In the first cycle, I would have lost consciousness by now. Having never witnessed the summoning of an angel, I watched the altar with keen interest.
From the center of the concentric ripples spreading like waves on water, a pure white light began to seep out. The light flickered for a moment before bursting forth like fireworks, forming a shape. I observed the creation of a new angel with rapt attention.
Finally, an angel appeared, fully formed on the altar. Though her eyes were still closed, her presence felt all too familiar. Her wings shimmered with a sacred aura, exuding an untouchable elegance and a noble radiance. The angel looked exactly like Seraph, down to the last detail.
Sensing my gaze, Seraph’s eyes slowly opened. For a brief moment, a flicker of recognition passed through her jade-green eyes as they met mine.
Beautiful and noble.
Seraph possessed an ethereal charm, like an angel from a novel or comic, exuding a serene and holy aura that was beyond words.
Her silvery-white hair, as if bathed in moonlight, shimmered like silk. Her skin was as pale as snow, flawless and smooth. Her eyes, with their delicate double eyelids, sparkled with a jade hue. Even the glimpses of her skin were mesmerizing.
Yet, despite her beauty, not a single thread of desire stirred within me. She was a being from another realm, and the emotions we felt for each other were fundamentally different.
Noticing that I was awake, Seraph’s gaze lingered on me. Her eyes, calm and observant, scanned me from head to toe. Feeling her familiar gaze, I finally felt certain.
“Seraph. It’s you from ten years ago.”
At that moment, Seraph’s delicate lips parted.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah.”
“Welcome to the summoning chamber. Origin: Earth, South Korea. Age: 23. Name: Kim Soo-hyun. Identity verification complete. From now on, you will be referred to as ‘User’ for convenience. I am Seraph, your guide.”
“Yeah.”
“User Kim Soo-hyun will be briefed on basic knowledge in this summoning chamber before being transported to a place known as the Rite of Passage. There, you must prove your qualifications to become a true user.”
“Yeah.”
”…”
Seraph, who had been speaking rapidly, suddenly fell silent. She tilted her head, as if something was amiss. Seeing her like this, a fresh feeling arose within me. But first, I had to get what I came for.
“I have a question…”
“If your question is about where you are or why you’re here, I advise against asking. You have only two hours before the Rite of Passage begins. I understand the situation is confusing, but if you wish to survive and return…”
Seraph seemed to seize the opportunity and began speaking rapidly again. Though I had somewhat adapted by now, I remembered how intimidating it had been at first. Her expressionless face and calm tone made her seem almost ghostly.
Recalling that time, I couldn’t help but chuckle. After a brief laugh, I replied calmly.
“Ah, I see.”
“I recommend that you spend the given time adapting to your situation as much as possible…”
“Alright, alright.”
”…”
Even though I agreed, Seraph’s brow furrowed slightly. Her hand floated slowly in the air, and she blinked a few times, muttering uncertainly.
“Not mentally unstable… quite calm, actually. Interesting.”
“Who said anything about being unstable? Anyway, isn’t it easier for you if I just go along with what you say?”
“That is true, but…”
“Then that’s settled. Why are you grumbling?”
“I’m not grumbling. Anyway, User Kim Soo-hyun’s attitude is commendable. Maintaining such an attitude will significantly increase your survival rate. Now, then…”
This time, I raised my hand to stop her. Seraph finally noticed my signal and fell silent.
“I said I had a question.”
“Very well. As long as it doesn’t pertain to the previously mentioned topics, I will allow it.”
“It’s not that. Do you have anything for me?”
“Something for you? I’m not sure I understand. Could you elaborate?”
“Hmm~. Ah, I heard I should say ‘Tanay.’”
”!”
The moment I said “Tanay,” I could visibly see Seraph’s reaction. Just as I expected. Her response was amusing, but I worried for a moment that I might not receive what I was due. I couldn’t forgo the special privilege. Determined to get it, I spoke in a gentle tone.
“Tanay, yes, Tanay. It’s fine to start on your own, but I should still receive what I’m owed…”
”…”
Seraph quickly regained her composure. But it was clear to me that she was struggling to hide her agitation. Her usually gentle wings fluttered wildly, a sure sign of her fluster.
“Please wait a moment.”
Seraph closed her eyes immediately. Her fingers tapped the air at an incredible speed, and her lips moved silently. She was likely verifying the Tanay and communicating with other angels.
Time passed, enough to finish a cup of tea. During that time, Seraph’s expressions changed numerous times, and I watched in silence. It wasn’t a sight one could see often, so the wait didn’t feel tedious.
Finally, Seraph opened her eyes, though her face still showed disbelief.
“I would like to speak with User Kim Soo-hyun.”
“No, thanks.”
“It will only take a moment.”
“If your question is about where you are or why you’re here, I advise against asking. You have only two hours before the Rite of Passage begins. I understand the situation is confusing, but… um, what was it again?”
Repeating Seraph’s earlier words verbatim, she immediately fell silent.
“Anyway, as you said, there’s not much time before the Rite of Passage. Shouldn’t we just get on with it and do what’s necessary?”
Emphasizing the word “necessary,” Seraph bit her lip. Yes, it must be frustrating. She probably never imagined she’d be outmaneuvered by a human.
Honestly, I had always wanted to experience this kind of situation at least once. When I first arrived here, Seraph’s reaction was quite cold. It felt like she was observing a lab rat. She ignored my pleas to be sent back and tossed me aside when I caused a ruckus.
Perhaps because of those memories, this situation gave me a peculiar sense of satisfaction.
A smug smile crept onto my face. Seraph watched me for a moment before snapping her fingers lightly.
Snap!
The sound of fingers snapping, and the flow of time around us slowed slightly. Though my body was reset, my ten years of experience hadn’t vanished.
Seraph continued speaking.
“User Kim Soo-hyun’s argument is reasonable. Therefore, I will compensate for the lost time. The flow of time surrounding the summoning chamber has been slowed. Are you satisfied?”
“Yeah.”
I replied calmly. Seraph studied me closely for a moment before speaking softly.
“I, too, have questions about User Kim Soo-hyun. But if you don’t wish to answer, I won’t press.”
“Oh, really? I was thinking of telling you.”
Feigning indifference, I shrugged, and Seraph’s eyes sparkled.
“Oh, is that so? Indeed, all the guides, including myself, are confused. If possible, we’d like to hear the full story.”
“But I don’t want to.”
Realizing I was teasing her, Seraph’s cheeks flushed red. Seeing that, I felt like clapping and laughing out loud. She glared at me with a pout, then composed herself and spoke calmly.
“While I could impose appropriate sanctions for excessive behavior, the first rule for guides is not to harm users. Therefore, I ask that you refrain from playing pranks on the guides.”
“You’re beings from a different realm with lofty ranks. Surely you can forgive with magnanimity.”
”…I have confirmed the Tanay. It is a kind of pledge with ‘irrefutable’ authority, already approved. The special privilege granted has been thoroughly reviewed and is confirmed to belong to User Kim Soo-hyun.”
“Hmm. You seem to accept things rather quickly. That’s no fun.”
“For us, Tanay holds that kind of significance. We can review, but we have no influence. Therefore, we cannot revoke the privileges granted to User Kim Su-hyun. You can rest easy.”
“But starting with such power from year zero makes him an exception, doesn’t it? Like, it could disrupt the balance…”
“It doesn’t affect the balance.”
Seraph replied without hesitation, her voice firm. Then, with a slightly stern expression, she continued.
“I’ve read the details of the privileges. There are certainly many exceptional aspects. However, overconfidence is dangerous. Even if you accept all the privileges, there are beings with abilities that surpass them.”
Still, Seraph was Seraph, repeating the same cautionary words. But even her phrase “there are beings” was enough. It was a far cry from the “countless” evaluation I had received before. I decided to accept it.
“True, there’s no need to focus solely on the user. Other beings could exist in the Hall Plain.”
“Indeed.”
At the mention of “Hall Plain,” Seraph’s eyes flickered for a moment.
“I anticipate it will take considerable time to set all of User Kim Su-hyun’s privileges. The remaining time is 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 26 seconds. It seems tight to align with the rite of passage. I suspect you already know the internal workings of the Hall Plain…”
“Okay. Skip it. That’s what I wanted from the start.”
“We’ve artificially slowed the passage of time, but only within the compensated time. Some preparation time is required before moving to the next phase. Please wait a moment.”
While Seraph prepared, my thoughts drifted to the rite of passage.
The rite of passage is essentially a test to prove one’s qualifications as a user. It’s where people, like me, who were abducted without knowing why, gather. 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 necessary condition to prove one’s qualifications.
Those who succeed in surviving are summoned back to the summoning room. They are then assigned a class that matches their potential and finally enter the real space known as the Hall Plain. It’s a rather unfair and chilling test. If you fail to meet the survival conditions, you’re simply deemed ‘dead.’
“User Kim Su-hyun. All preparations are complete.”
Lost in thought, I was brought back by Seraph’s signal that everything was ready.
“The detailed contents of the privileges are…”
“I know. It’s all in my head, so let’s get started.”
“Understood. No need to convey additional information. Which privilege would you like to receive first?”
“Hmm…”
I recalled the first ability.
“1. Granting privileges related to User Kim Su-hyun’s original ability stats. First, you can ‘load’ the user information from the first round. Second, four out of the six basic ability stats will be randomly selected and enhanced. The degree of enhancement is also determined randomly.”
I couldn’t set the privileges as I pleased. There must be a reason Seraph specified the order. So, starting with number one seemed like the right choice. All settings begin with ability stats. If I inherited my previous stats, I’d naturally lean towards a warrior type, but I needed to check the increase first.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I spoke.
“I’ll start with the privilege of loading and enhancing ability stats.”
“Yes. Retrieving information registered under User Kim Su-hyun. 27%, 56%, 87%, 100%. Complete. Load successfully completed.”
As soon as Seraph finished speaking, I felt a surge of vitality throughout my body. Along with it, the slow flow around me became more palpable. Even though I was a 23-year-old fresh out of the military, it couldn’t compare to the body of a sword master.
Bang!
I thrust my right arm forward, and a sharp sound pierced the air. Satisfied, I checked my user information.
”…”
The ability stats were inherited. However, everything else was reset. I felt a twinge of regret for the lost titles and achievements, but I nodded, accepting it.
“User information load confirmed. Now, should we proceed with the additional privilege of enhancing ability stats?”
“Yes, of course. Just to remind you, four out of the six abilities will be randomly enhanced. The abilities and the degree of increase are all random, but they follow the user’s potential and growth. Please keep this in mind.”
“I’m aware.”
Simply put, the higher the ability stat, the less it increases, and vice versa. This rule applies equally to everyone, with minor personal variations based on potential. Excluding fortuitous encounters, elixirs, and achievement rewards, there’s a limit to how much ability stats can increase through simple training.
Strength, stamina, magic. I fervently hoped these three stats would increase.
I value magic the most, followed by stamina, with strength, endurance, and agility on equal footing. Luck is the least important. Of course, if one stat is high and the others are abysmally low, it could be problematic. But assuming the other stats are reasonably supportive, magic is the most efficient ability.
“Then, I will grant the privilege now.”
‘Luck doesn’t need to increase. Please, strength, stamina, magic. At least stamina and magic…!’
Whether my earnest wish was heard or not, the privilege seemed to have been granted. As Seraph waved her hand, four messages appeared in the air before me.