ushernet Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Tick-tock—.
“Hmm.”
“What on earth should I choose...?”
Time passed, and one by one, they chose their skills.
Everyone opted for defensive skills.
No one disclosed what they had chosen.
“Why should I tell you?”
Jin Cheol-hwan’s sharp response created an awkward atmosphere where no one wanted to speak.
From my standpoint, it wasn't a bad situation.
【Skills Owned - (1/1)】
【Strong Blow (F)】
I had acquired the most practical-looking skill among the numerous options: Strong Blow.
There were two reasons I chose Strong Blow.
‘If everyone’s attributes are the same, defense will always have the advantage.’
But what if I could showcase overwhelming destructive power that sets me apart from others?
‘...Then offense becomes advantageous.’
The other reason was the skill conditions.
‘Park Ji-hoon mentioned it felt like a game. Therefore, skills are likely to follow a similar approach.’
I skipped over actions that required applying poison or wrapping bandages, just in case.
After eliminating those options, Strong Blow remained as the final candidate.
Strong Blow.
A cheap F-rank skill that inflicts physical damage by delivering a powerful strike.
‘It fits me perfectly.’
Strong Blow has no conditions.
You just need to strike.
While others might consider this simplicity a drawback, I saw it differently.
Its simplicity was what made it attractive.
‘That means it can be used in any situation.’
Finally, Park Ji-hoon completed his skill acquisition.
Dae-eng—. Dae-eng—.
The clock chimed.
[We will now begin the tutorial. Please move through the stone gate to the next room.]
“......”
No one was eager to step forward.
Eyes darted around, as everyone silently observed one another.
They felt pressured about taking the lead.
It was understandable.
Who would dare to take initiative when they didn’t know what might happen?
‘Unless they’re really bold...’
At that moment, a message appeared.
[Players who move first will receive rewards. After all, this is the Tower of “Struggle.”]
As soon as the message was confirmed, Park Ji-hoon bolted forward.
He was incredibly fast.
‘He’s quick!’
His footwork was more agile than I expected.
It surpassed the realm of simply “running fast.”
Jin Cheol-hwan, who followed behind late, sighed and asked.
“Did you use a skill?”
“Yes. It’s a skill called Light Steps.”
“...What was that again? I can’t quite remember.”
With 10,000 F-rank skills available, it was normal not to recall all of them.
Even if I disliked Jin Cheol-hwan, it would be unreasonable to point fingers at him for forgetting.
“It’s a skill that increases movement speed by 10% for 10 seconds.”
Park Ji-hoon explained.
Hearing this made me remember.
There were no conditions, but since the coefficient was fixed at 10%, I had ruled out that skill.
Suddenly, Jin Cheol-hwan was trying to pull me into the mix.
‘This changes things.’
I didn’t want to be at a disadvantage by remaining silent.
“Let’s decide later? We don’t even know who will come back alive.”
“What?”
A wise saying goes, "Words are fair if they are kind."
Perhaps due to everything Jin Cheol-hwan had said so far, my tone toward him was less than polite.
‘Why should I have to bow down?’
The Strong Blow skill instilled courage in me.
“If by any chance, I can’t return, I’ll handle your share then.”
“...Are you telling me I’m going to die here? You little brat!”
Jin Cheol-hwan stepped forward, trying to throw a punch.
[Players, please do not fight among yourselves.]
It was a brief warning.
Its effect was certain.
Jin Cheol-hwan, who seemed uncontainable, was the first to retreat.
[Though I didn’t say it, cooperation among players is crucial in the Tower of Struggle. The tutorial is a process to practice that.]
“......”
[So please unite and pass the tutorial together.]
The message ended.
“Let’s take one area each for now.”
Park Ji-hoon suggested the same idea he had earlier.
No one voiced a disagreement.
The players each chose their preferred stone gate.
They all looked identical on the outside, so it seemed like there wouldn’t be any difference in the content of the trials no matter which they chose.
Jin Cheol-hwan also quietly settled into position.
Though he had been glaring at us earlier, he didn’t refuse his share.
He seemed to have a surprisingly conformist nature.
I also took my place.
Beyond the stone gate, a dark passage extended.
It exuded a completely different atmosphere from the previous rooms.
My feet wouldn’t move.
“......”
It seemed everyone shared a similar sentiment, hesitating at the entrance and exchanging glances.
At that moment, Jin Cheol-hwan stepped into the passage.
From the way he strode forward, it was clear he was filled with rage.
Sss-.
Darkness enveloped him.
In an instant, Jin Cheol-hwan vanished from view.
The passage before me seemed to connect to an unknown space.
I could no longer hesitate.
I worried that if Jin Cheol-hwan was the first to clear and receive rewards, it would be a disadvantage for me.
“Tch!”
Park Ji-hoon seemed to be thinking the same thing as me and hurried into the passage.
A vast void.
In the center stood someone.
A blonde knight.
“...Why are you here alone?”
Muttering something, the knight shook her head.
“Enough. I don’t need to care about what choices new players make.”
“......”
“I’ll ask. Are you my opponent?”
“Uh...”
This was entirely different from what I had anticipated.
‘I thought a monster would appear.’
I never dreamed I would find a human being capable of conversation waiting for me.
So I awkwardly replied.
“...It seems that way?”
“Hmm.”
Swish—!
In an instant, the knight drew her sword and charged at me.