To the Whole Plane!

The Whole Plane, when simplified, can be divided into four main continents: the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern continents. These areas are currently under the jurisdiction of both users and the original inhabitants of the Whole Plane.

However, the reality of the Whole Plane is that there are far more unexplored regions than there are developed ones. If one were to venture into these uncharted territories even for a day, the dangers lurking there would be known only to the traveler.

To alleviate the anxiety surrounding these unexplored areas, the only solution was to form expeditions and conquer these regions. Even if pathways were established between continents or cities, the presence of unexplored zones on all sides would always leave one feeling uneasy.

Ahn Hyun and his group were assigned to start in the Northern Continent. Those who proved their qualifications in the rite of passage were first summoned to a place called the “Inn of Beginnings” in the major cities of each continent. There were five such inns, indicating that the rite of passage was conducted in five separate spaces simultaneously.

Thanks to the angels’ guidance, Ahn Hyun’s group was the first to arrive. Following the instructions they received, they descended to the first floor after waking up in the inn. They sat around a visible table, waiting for other users to arrive.

The inn was nothing special. It seemed to be built solely for sleeping and waiting for someone. There were doors and windows leading outside, but when Ahn Hyun looked through the window, he gave up on leaving. The world beyond was enveloped in a sea of blue, with a bluish barrier encircling the inn, making it impossible to see beyond. It felt as if the inside and outside of the inn were separate worlds.

Inside the inn, a quiet silence lingered, as if no one else had arrived yet. Ahn Hyun paced around the window for a moment before cautiously sitting down. Familiar faces came into view: Ahn Sol, Lee Yoo-jung, Kim Han-byeol… He hadn’t exchanged a word with them since they met. Or rather, he couldn’t.

Glancing at his sister, he saw her trembling, her teeth chattering, clearly in a state of distress. Ahn Hyun knew she was tormented by guilt. He, too, felt an inexplicable anxiety filling him. The source of this unease was the realization that Kim Soo-hyun was no longer with them. He could no longer be their shield, and the space they relied on had vanished.

Suddenly, Soo-hyun’s face flashed in his mind. His calm demeanor, composed attitude, and quiet voice somehow instilled confidence. Though they had known each other for less than a week, he had left a deep impression on their hearts.

“Run! You fools! Get to the warp gate!”

In his final moments, struck down by the monster’s tail, he had smiled and waved at them. Now, Ahn Hyun felt acutely aware of his own insignificance. He realized that he had been able to step forward because Soo-hyun had been there, solidly supporting them from behind. Unknowingly, he had relied on him far too much.

Every time he recalled that Soo-hyun had sacrificed himself to save his sister, Ahn Hyun couldn’t bear to look at Lee Yoo-jung and Kim Han-byeol. But he mustered the courage to lift his somber face, wanting to see the others.

Yoo-jung had buried herself in the table, having collapsed as soon as they came down, and hadn’t moved since. Her shoulders occasionally trembled, indicating she wasn’t asleep. She probably didn’t want to show her vulnerability to others.

Ahn Sol was no different. Though she wasn’t wailing like before, tears clung to her delicate eyelashes as she stared at the floor. It seemed she still had tears left to shed. Even the angels had to gently console her during the initial setup. Only Kim Han-byeol maintained her initial cold expression. Ahn Hyun couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but a chilly aura seemed to surround her.

The inn was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional sound of someone sobbing. However, as time passed, the inn gradually became more lively.

The noise was coming from the second floor, where several people were making sounds simultaneously. They could hear the doors of the rooms they had left opening and the voices of unfamiliar people. Instinctively, Ahn Hyun knew these were others who had survived the rite of passage. And in that moment, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning.

“Soo-hyun might be there. He might have escaped. If that’s the case….”

Ahn Hyun stood up abruptly. The sudden noise drew everyone’s attention to him. Even Yoo-jung, with her swollen eyes, looked up at him unsteadily. Ahn Hyun spoke with an excited tone.

“Hyung, Soo-hyun might be here.”

“What are you talking about?”

Yoo-jung asked in a hoarse voice, and Ahn Hyun pointed to the stairs leading to the second floor. The door from which the survivors would emerge was there.

“We’re not the only ones who survived. Others who made it through are being transported here too. Maybe he’s among them….”

As soon as Yoo-jung heard Ahn Hyun’s words, she sprang to her feet and dashed towards the stairs. Ahn Sol, thinking it might be possible, lifted her head and followed Yoo-jung. Only Han-byeol seemed reluctant, as if she had no expectations from the start.

Humans are truly sorrowful creatures. Here they were, rationalizing once again. They had all seen Kim Soo-hyun fall before that monstrous creature. They remembered shedding tears at his final farewell. Yet now, the thought of “what if” dominated their minds.

“If it’s Soo-hyun, he must have escaped. Right? He would have.”

“Of course. If it’s Soo-hyun oppa, he’d survive somewhere and come down, just like he did in that city. He’ll burst through the door any moment now. Yes, he will.”

Ahn Hyun and Yoo-jung nodded at each other, their voices trembling. Just as they reached the stairs, ready to ascend, they heard the sound of a door clicking open. As if by magic, their movements halted, and all eyes turned upward. A tense anticipation filled their bodies.

The people who emerged through the door, however, were not Kim Soo-hyun. They were familiar faces, people Ahn Hyun’s group had met before. Four people descended the stairs, and the one leading them noticed Ahn Hyun’s group below.

“Oh. You guys got here first. It’s good to see you alive.”

“Huh? Woo Jung-min. Who are they…? Oh, those rookies from before? I thought they were all dead. Didn’t they say they were heading to the warp gate?”

”…Cheon Seung-hyun. Stop talking.”

Woo Jung-min, Cheon Seung-hyun, and Sun Yu-woon exchanged words as they descended to the first-floor lobby. A woman named Won Hye-soo, who had lost her brother, followed them, her face full of sorrow, hinting at what had transpired.

But Ahn Hyun’s group couldn’t afford to care about that now. Seeing Soo-hyun alive was their top priority. So when they saw Woo Jung-min’s group, disappointment quickly settled on their faces. Sensing the strange atmosphere, Sun Yu-woon led Won Hye-soo to a chair around the table. Only Cheon Seung-hyun grumbled with a dissatisfied expression.

“Tch. No need to look so gloomy. We’re all in the same boat, you know. It’s awkward. Alright, I’m sorry about the dagger back then.”

”…It’s fine.”

“Really, I’m sorry. I’ve reflected a lot since then.”

”…It doesn’t matter.”

“Is that so? Well, that’s a relief. Haha…ha….”

Cheon Seung-hyun’s face turned even more awkward after Yoo-jung’s response. He seemed to be thinking, “This isn’t like me,” as he tilted his head. Woo Jung-min, sensing the odd atmosphere, calmly surveyed the surroundings before speaking.

“Now that I think about it, one person is missing. Where’s the young man with the crossbow?”

In response to Woo Jung-min’s question, the group remained silent. Quick-witted and sharp, Woo Jung-min seemed to piece together the situation in his mind. The fact that someone wasn’t present likely meant they had perished during the rite of passage.

“Don’t tell me…he didn’t make it? I told you not to go to the warp gate, but it seems you didn’t listen. So how did you….”

“He’s not dead!”

“He’s not dead!”

Before Jung-min could finish, Yoo-jung and Ahn Sol shouted in unison. Cheon Seung-hyun nodded at Yoo-jung’s outburst. Jung-min felt a bit awkward but turned his head towards Ahn Hyun.

“Did you encounter that monster? The one that looks like an alien.”

Ahn Hyun nodded slightly instead of answering. But he turned his head away, as if he didn’t want to say more. Understanding his feelings, Woo Jung-min gave a bitter smile and quietly sat down with Sun Yu-woon and Won Hye-soo. Cheon Seung-hyun also plopped down on a nearby chair, stretching with all his might.

“Ah, it feels good to sit on a chair after being on that cold stone floor. So, did they meet that monster too?”

“Seung-hyun, don’t speak so loudly. It’s similar to the situation when we lost Jin-tae.”

“Then he must be dead for sure. What a shame. I was hoping to give him a piece of my mind if we ever crossed paths again. Anyway, about Hyesoo…”

Cheon Seunghyun was about to continue when he caught Seon Yuwon’s sharp gaze and fell silent. But it seemed Won Hyesoo had heard her name mentioned. She lifted her head slightly and spoke in a weary voice.

“Whether he’s dead or not doesn’t really concern me. Honestly, it’s a bit disappointing. I wanted him to feel some of the pain I’ve been through. But now he’s the one who’s gone.”

Just as Yoojeong was about to explode at Hyesoo’s callous words, Jungmin cut in with a cold stare and a heavy voice.

“Don’t talk about people so carelessly.”

“I said it doesn’t concern me. Did I say anything wrong?”

“Then why wish that young man to suffer like you did? We’ve lost Jintae, and you’ve lost your brother. If you understand the pain of losing someone dear, shouldn’t you at least offer some comfort instead of speaking so rudely?”

“That’s…”

As Hyesoo hesitated, Jungmin snorted and continued.

“If you have nothing to say, just keep quiet. As I’ve said before, there’s no connection between that young man’s death and Hyeon.”

“Jungmin, Hyesoo, enough.”

Jungmin and Hyesoo glared at each other, with Hyesoo biting her lip in frustration. The atmosphere turned icy in an instant, and Seon Yuwon quickly stepped in to mediate, but their eyes remained locked.

Meanwhile, the rest of Ahn Hyun’s group, except for Yoojeong, seemed indifferent to the argument. They were focused solely on the staircase, waiting for the survivors to start coming down. After some time, the noise from the second floor indicated that the survivors were indeed being transported.

Voices of joy, sorrow, and chatter mixed together as the survivors began to descend the stairs in groups. The door to the second floor opened, and two figures emerged.

The next person to appear was someone Ahn Hyun’s group recognized.

It was Park Donggeol.

The sensation of mana coursing through every corner of my body was indescribably refreshing. Thanks to Hwajeong, even the tiniest pressure points at the tips of my fingers and toes were unblocked, amplifying the pleasure. As I calmly observed my inner self, I could see that both the quantity and quality of my mana had improved. But that wasn’t all.

All the impurities and blockages within me had been cleared, transforming my body into one more suited for wielding magic. This meant that even if I wielded the same sword as a fellow ability user, I had a better chance of gaining the upper hand.

However, mastering Hwajeong was still a distant goal. With my stamina at 70 points, it was a significant hurdle. Seraph had mentioned that to fully utilize Hwajeong’s power, a minimum stamina of 90 points was required, and to use it completely, over 101 points were necessary. (I was honestly shocked to hear this. The difference between 99 and 100 points is vast, and the gap between 100 and 101 points is even greater.)

With my current stamina at just 70 points, there was a high chance my body wouldn’t withstand the strain if I exerted myself fully. After calculating the points I could earn early on, I concluded I could gain a total of 14 points.

2 points from defeating a boss monster, 2 points from a stamina-enhancing elixir, 6 points from the Tears of an Angel, and 4 points from completing the initial user academy mission. I knew I should invest all the points I had and would earn into stamina, but a part of me was greedy.

In Hall Plain, an average stat of 60 is enough to hold your own on any continent. As you climb to 70, 80, and 90, your value as a user increases. Especially when a stat surpasses 90 points, each additional point becomes even more precious.

That’s why I was tempted. If I looked at my current stats:

[Strength 94] [Endurance 92] [Agility 98] [Stamina 70] [Magic 96] [Luck 88]

I had to set aside 2 points for stamina. That left me with 12 points.

If I invested 4 points in strength, 3 in agility, and 5 in magic, I could raise two abilities to 101 points and have 98 points in strength. Seraph would probably have a fit if she knew what I was thinking.

Stamina is the pillar of all abilities. Without a strong foundation, no matter how high the other stats are, it would be difficult to maximize efficiency. I knew it wasn’t rational, but I kept thinking, “What if?”

For now, I decided to put these thoughts aside. Once I entered Hall Plain, I planned to spend three months in the user academy focusing solely on stamina training. There was a high chance I wouldn’t gain even a single point, but I was willing to grasp at straws. By steadily increasing my stamina now, I could save ability points for later.

After carefully gathering the mana spread throughout my body, I opened my eyes. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but it was likely more than a day. As I turned my head to survey my surroundings, I saw that the portal to Hall Plain was already open. Feeling a bit foolish, I spoke to Seraph, who was quietly watching me.

”…Has the transfer already started?”

“Yes. Most have already been transferred, and only User Kim Suhyun remains.”

“Then you should have said something.”

“You seemed to be in deep thought rather than meditation, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Don’t worry. There’s still time.”

The kids must be worried. I wanted to go in early, talk things over, and clear up any misunderstandings, so I was a bit annoyed but got up without complaint. I walked towards the portal leading to Hall Plain.

I didn’t say a separate goodbye to Seraph. We’d be seeing each other often enough, so there was no need. However, Seraph seemed to think otherwise, as her words stopped me just as I was about to step through.

“User Kim Suhyun.”

“What?”

I answered without turning around, one foot already in the portal.

“Please take care of yourself. If I need to contact you, I’ll send a message through the temple.”

I simply nodded and threw myself into the shimmering blue portal.

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

Hello, this is Royujin. Many of you have been asking for more frequent updates. I feel guilty for only posting one chapter a day… So today, I’ve tried to pack in a bit more content. I sincerely apologize for not meeting your expectations. (__)

Also, regarding the three months in the user academy, I won’t drag it out. I’ll try to keep the story moving and wrap up the academy part in one or two chapters.

『Reader Comments』

1. [priest]: Congratulations on being the first to comment! Thank you for the praise. I’ve been feeling a bit down after reading some sharp comments from readers lately, but your comment really lifted my spirits. ㅜ.ㅠ

2. kjsl: Haha; December and January are incredibly busy. It must be because it’s the start of the year. I’m sorry.

3. GradeDown: Once a certain level of ability is reached, it’s hard to increase it through training alone. Each user has their limits, and those limits determine their strength. :)

4. Aintje: I’m torn. Should it be a harem, or should it be a sunflower? What do you think, Aintje?

5. Saramin: Suhyun is also pondering. Hehe. The 101-point ability is more amazing than you might think. Please look forward to it!

6. Seolbiyeon: Wow. If you’ve been reading since the remake, that means you started in March. There are quite a few who have been following since then! Haha.

7. Yongya Gyeonsi: I’ve been eagerly waiting for this question. It’s related to the Zero Code, so I can’t say much, but I can tell you one thing. Wishes aren’t all-powerful. There are restrictions, and the areas where they can be used are limited. The reason Suhyun didn’t revive his brother or the clan lord is related to these restrictions. (The reasons will be revealed gradually.)

8. Minjun’s Husband: Oops… I’m sorry. I’ve made the corrections.

9. Kriasen: That’s right. That’s why Seraph was so shocked. The sword is a perfect match for Suhyun. Hehe.

10. Sword Master: Suhyun is conflicted… Where will he invest his points? Hehe.

11. Biryoo: Most famous people know about it. However, Ahn Hyun’s group was killed by a boss monster during the first trial. Later, Woo Jungmin and Seon Yuwon, who lead the Red Fang Clan, recognized it. :)

12. Angel of Sadness: Haha; I’ll try my best. But I’m really busy these days… ㅜ.ㅠ

13. Fantasy Bloodstorm: I’ll try to keep things fresh. Please look forward to it!

14. ㄴCheonryeongㄱ: Wrong! It’s not Excalibur! Excalibur has a different owner!

15. Dicho: It was a humor I aimed for, and you’re the only one who laughed, Dicho. Thank you. ㅜ.ㅠ

For those not mentioned in the comments! I read all comments, so please don’t feel left out. If you really want to be mentioned, give me a signal. I’ll make sure to catch it.

That’s all for today. I’ll take my leave now.

I hope you always read my writing with a relaxed mind.

Feel free to leave a like, recommend, comment, critique, or ask questions anytime. Your feedback is always welcome.