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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 4: F-Rank Dungeon (1)
The next day, as soon as I opened my eyes, I touched my stomach.
There were abs. Whew, it wasn’t a dream.
I opened my inventory and pulled out a book to read.
[To my past self. Congratulations on your awakening, but from now on, your path will be filled with thorns. Distributing your stats equally is like choosing to live as an ordinary person in the early stages. Hunting monsters will be incredibly difficult. That’s why you need the double EXP buff. Since your abilities are weak, you’ll need the buff to keep pace with others.]
Ah, so the early stages are tough.
Is this what they call slow-and-steady growth?
[At Level 5, your rank will rise to E-Class Awakened, and you’ll have an opportunity to choose a class. However, you must continue as a novice until Level 25. It will be challenging to reach Level 25 without selecting a job, but you must advance to D-Class before making a class change. Keep your stats balanced. Minor differences are acceptable, but significant gaps are not allowed.]
So I have to level up to 25 without even choosing a class...
If I only had one stat window, it would’ve been extremely tough, but with the synergy from having two stat windows, it felt manageable.
I put the book back into the inventory and reached for the black rod and orb, but a notification said they could only be accessed by D-Class Awakened individuals.
D-Class...
Currently, the highest rank among humans.
For now, they’d just be useless items sitting in my inventory.
Anyway, let’s head to register.
The Hunter’s Office building at Yeoksam Station.
Among the high-rises along Teheran-ro, it stood out as the tallest and most luxurious-looking building.
The entrance was already packed with people.
There were ten machines that looked like the ones used for physical checks at airport immigration.
Following the guidance of the staff, people entered and exited the machines.
Most had no issues, but some were kicked out—probably for lying about being Awakened.
I stood in line for about 20 minutes.
“Please show me your ID.”
At the male staffer’s request, I handed over my ID.
He scanned it with his tablet and gestured for me to proceed.
I retrieved my ID and entered, where a green light blinked.
“Awakened confirmed.”
“Congratulations on your awakening. Please proceed inside.”
Following the guidance, I entered the building, signed various documents, received a booklet, and attended an orientation.
It was a whirlwind of a day.
“Everyone, you must be thrilled to have awakened, but please understand that this is just the beginning. If an F-Rank Hunter fails to advance to E-Rank within six months, their Awakener qualification will be revoked. More than 50% of F-Rank Awakened individuals lose their qualifications. Combat isn’t easy for everyone...”
Although Director Shin Hajin lectured for over an hour, this was the only part I remembered.
More than half of F-Ranks fail...
I heard that even in the tutorial, nearly half fail to defeat that weak Imp.
Not everyone who awakens is a physically fit man.
Random selection includes women who’ve never killed a bug and elderly individuals who can barely move.
It’s definitely not an easy path.
I need to tackle a dungeon before my growth buff expires.
“Those entering the F-Rank Dungeon, please gather here!”
After the lecture, as I exited the room, an association staff member waved.
People were already lining up.
The line wasn’t too long yet, so I quickly got in and was about 40th.
By the time a long line had formed behind me, the staff shouted.
“Seventy people. We’ll stop here for today! Please head to the underground parking lot.”
In the underground parking lot, we were divided into groups of ten.
Most were sturdy men in their 20s or 30s, but there were also young women and middle-aged men and women.
My group, Team 4, consisted of eight men and two women.
We boarded Bus #4, which was prepared in the underground lot, and drove through the city.
Maybe because everyone sat separately, the bus was silent.
Well, there wasn’t much reason to socialize—F-Rank dungeons are solo endeavors.
“Excuse me, may I sit here?”
As I was lost in thought, wondering about my next steps, a woman sitting in a single seat a row away smiled and asked.
She wore a white T-shirt and jeans.
With black hair and a pretty face, her fashion looked like that of a college student, but her mature aura suggested she was more likely a working adult.
Her figure and face, both.
“Sure.”
I nodded, having no reason to refuse, and she immediately sat beside me.
What does she want?
“By the way, what’s your purpose?”
“Well, since we’re on the same team, I thought it was too quiet on the bus. I was getting bored.”
"Well, it must be because the dungeon is meant for individuals. Even if we're calling this a team, they're just dropping people off at the dungeon portal on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s not much different from riding a village bus with random passengers, is it?"
"Heh, a village bus. That’s a good analogy. But you know, I think of it this way. Didn't the Association President scare the awakened ones earlier? Talking about how you have to get used to combat, and how over half will be eliminated? After hearing that, most people would probably lose all desire to challenge the dungeon today. But the ones here still lined up for their turn to enter the dungeon. Doesn’t it make sense to get to know them?"
"So, you're saying they're people with the right mindset?"
"Better than those who rushed out of the lecture without even glancing at the Association staff. This could be a form of networking, don’t you think?"
Hmm.
That makes sense.
At least they're people who have the will to challenge.
"You're right. So, are we introducing ourselves now?"
"Sounds good. My name is Lee Jihyun, and I’m twenty-five."
"We're the same age. I'm Kim Jiho."
"Oh my. Meeting someone my age, what are the odds? Should we speak casually?"
Why is this girl so forward?
Well, I don’t mind a pretty girl being forward, so I agreed.
"Sure, let’s drop formalities."
"Okay, Jiho."
From there, we started chatting casually about light topics, like where we lived.
After about ten minutes of small talk, Jihyun suddenly asked,
"By the way, Jiho, what's your overall?"
"Overall? You mean my total stats?"
"Yeah, just curious. Mine’s 24, including extra stats."
Wow!
Her stats are impressive.
Mine's 16, including one bonus stat added to my 5-5-5 base.
But 24?
That’s an 8-level difference in stats.
"I’m at 16."
"Whoa. Without the tutorial bonus... you’re part of the 555 Club? I can’t believe those really exist."
"Uh… don’t pity me. It’s depressing."
Was it just my imagination?
When Jihyun mentioned the "555 Club," her tone felt like it lost some of its enthusiasm.
Still, she said things like,
"So, that’s why you’re diligently clearing dungeons, huh? Once you hit E-rank, let’s run one together. I’ll help you out."
She then left, saying she needed to introduce herself to others.
"See you around!"
Hmm... I don’t think she was outright dismissive, but it brought back memories of being strung along in the past.
Feeling a bit uneasy, I stared out the window and overheard Jihyun talking to someone else.
She was having a similar conversation, but then I heard,
"Oh my, your overall is 26? That’s amazing, oppa."
"Oppa, can I take a look at your status window? It’s not that I don’t believe you, but with an overall of 26, you must be exceptionally talented. I’m just curious."
"If you show me yours too."
"Okay, let’s show each other. One, two, three."
Then there was clapping and her saying, "Oppa, you’re so amazing," in a sweet, playful voice.
She’s really putting in the effort.
Jihyun's great at socializing.
Although she said she needed to meet others, she just stayed by that guy's side, fawning over him.
"We’re near the F-rank dungeon now. The current location is Jungwon-gu, Seongnam City. Is anyone getting off here?"
"Me."
"What's your name?"
"Kim Jiho."
"Number 40, Kim Jiho. Confirmed. You may disembark."
As I stood up to get off, Jihyun waved at me.
"Jiho, good luck!"
I looked at her and saw the guy next to her smirking with a subtle sense of superiority.
Geez... they’re having fun.
Suddenly, I felt an intense urge to go beat up some monsters.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!
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