The path lined with stakes grew dark as the sun went down. Once night fell, the forest became dangerous. Inside the village, the system’s protection ensured safety, but the lakeside, crawling with beasts, was another matter.
“So, what’s this concern of yours?”
“…Sehyun-ssi, what’s your position?”
Sehyun’s steps halted at the lakeside. Turning back, he saw Gwak Junghan staring down at his own hands. He looked shaken. His bluish skin was webbed, and his nails had sharpened into claws.
They looked sharp enough to kill at a touch. Under the moonlight they gleamed colder and deadlier.
“And why should I reveal that?”
“…You don’t have to. My apologies. I just… wanted to ask something.”
“Then ask that.”
“Are all combat types like this?”
His gaze lifted from his hands to Sehyun. The desperation in his eyes was plain. Sehyun watched him for a moment, then stepped closer.
He reached out and took hold of Gwak Junghan’s clawed hand. The hand jerked at his touch. The skin was colder than expected.
Brushing over the webbing and running his fingers along the hardened, gleaming nails, he felt the smoothness of marble.
“How was it for you, Gwak Junghan-ssi?”
“…I don’t know. It didn’t feel like me. I… couldn’t control myself. My vision went red, my head turned to mud, my heart was pounding… and when I came to, I was lashing out nonstop at living things. I couldn’t stop myself. I never meant to catch that much, but…”
In short, he had scared himself with the aggression that burst out when he was fishing. Seeing him so dejected, Sehyun knew better, but he felt his resolve soften. With a sigh, he said,
“I’m a support type.”
“…What?”
“Support. Don’t know how much it’ll help, but I’ll tell you what I know. What’s your level and attack stat? Say ‘Stat Window’ and it’ll appear.”
“…Stat Window.”
Startled, perhaps because it was his first time opening one, Junghan hesitated. Then, with a serious expression, he studied the air.
“Level 1, Attack Power 30.”
Sehyun nearly bit his tongue. Thirty? His eyes widened in shock and locked onto Junghan’s.
“Is that strange?”
“…No. Just surprising. That kind of stat usually doesn’t show up until about level 10. Having it at level 1 means you’re already at the top of the combat type players. Your race itself may be innately gifted at fighting.”
That was an understatement. It was top-tier even among the top. Most combat players had 12–15 attack power at level 1. Thirty was nearly double. Compared to Sehyun’s own 6, it was an unbridgeable gulf.
“I see… Can you look at my other stats too?”
“Yes, but never reveal them to others. If you must, say they’re around 15.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Gwak Junghan then recited his full stats. As Sehyun had guessed, the rest were extraordinary. Water attribute, Health 36, Attack 30, Defense 32. It was the kind of build people would call a jackpot character. Perfect synergy.
“It seems your race traits from the aptitude test matched perfectly with your natural abilities. That almost never happens. Usually they’re close, or balanced. For you, the synergy’s perfect. Likely there are extra factors — your temperament, diet, physique — things like that.”
“…That’s a good thing?”
“Yes. Imagine everyone starting on the same line. You’re not 50 meters ahead, you’re 100. The lack of control came from that too — your stats are too high for you to manage yet. As your level grows and you adapt, it will settle down. Right now you’re just sensitive. But you must keep managing your aggression.”
“How do you know all this, Sehyun-ssi?”
“…Who knows. Maybe I’ve been through it.”
A bitter smile flicked over his lips. It was vague, impossible to tell if he meant directly or indirectly. But Junghan didn’t pry further.
“So it’s on me to adapt.”
“You like the water, don’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“Then practice there for now. Move, get used to it. But hold off on skills. Once you’re comfortable moving, then train your skills.”
“Yes, I’ll remember.”
As he spoke, Junghan pulled back the claws and webbing. His hand returned to a human shape, though still faintly blue. Yet with his striking features, it wasn’t a flaw. If anything, it lent him an otherworldly look, as if submerged in water.
“That’s all then. Let’s head back. It’ll be dangerous if we stay any longer.”
Stretching, Sehyun walked past him and back the way they had come. Footsteps followed, but then stopped. A low voice called after him.
“Sehyun-ssi.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. I’m sorry, always receiving.”
“Fine, but do me a favor and stop rolling onto me at night. I’m fragile, you know.”
“…I’ll try.”
Junghan’s small, unsure answer made Sehyun grin. He jerked his chin, signaling him to hurry. At night, it was safer to have someone big at your side. To his credit, Junghan realized it quickly and jogged up to walk beside him.
Seeing the lightness in his face, Sehyun decided the talk hadn’t been a waste. Having a strong one in the village was no bad thing.
So they returned with the night breeze. But their going off alone had not sat well with someone.
Before Sehyun could even push the door open, it slammed outward. Someone stormed out, growling like they’d been waiting.
“Where the hell were you? Don’t you sleep?”
“It’s not even bedtime yet. If you’re tired, you could’ve slept first. What, can’t sleep alone? Scared?”
Sehyun’s mouth curved up. Baek Dohyun’s face twisted. In his hand was a sword Sehyun hadn’t seen before. A crude wooden scabbard — no doubt wrung out of their dear Pithecus, Kim Gapjun.
“What’s with the sword? You know how to use it?”
“Better than you. Want me to prove it?”
“You practiced kendo? …Forget it, it’s cold, let’s go inside.”
Rubbing his arm against the chill, Sehyun’s words made Baek Dohyun unexpectedly retreat. Watching him, Sehyun shook off the useless thought and stepped inside.
But he stopped short. A voice came from behind.
“Hyung?”
Both he and Junghan turned. There was Lee Jaeyoung, staring wide-eyed at him from only a short distance.
“Jaeyoung-ah, did you go out? Don’t wander at night, it’s dangerous. Come here.”
“Uh? Uh… I went looking for you, Hyung…”
“Good. Let’s go in.”
Something about him was unsettled. He kept glancing at Sehyun as if gauging him. Sehyun pretended not to notice and guided him inside.
It was a little early for sleep, but they all lay down for tomorrow’s sake. Besides, Sehyun’s frail body with its 8 Health was demanding rest.
As he lay on the dry grass Baek Dohyun had laid out, Jaeyoung edged over and clutched his clothes again. The light went out quickly. In the silence and darkness of the hut, the atmosphere felt heavier.
Something had changed. Hard to pinpoint, but instinct said it was true. The boy beside him wasn’t the same crying child he’d first met.
He Awakened.
His appearance was unchanged, so likely his race resembled humans. Otherwise, he might have hidden it with a skill or ability.
If so, it meant he was excellent. And yet, he still clutched Sehyun’s clothes to sleep, trembling like before. Sehyun reached out and gently brushed back his hair.
Yes. Fourteen was still young. Still an age that needed care. Thinking of him hiding away to Awaken alone, Sehyun felt both sorry and proud.
Now, only Sehyun and Baek Dohyun remained unawakened in the village.