Kapitel 3: 3. Synchronization and joy
"True happiness is nothing more than an inner feeling of satisfaction and contentment."
-William E. Channing
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All events involving Shin Jonghak, Yoo Yeonha, and Shin Jonghak himself are uncertain.
***
Five minutes from Dormitory 1, there was a training center called 'Novice Fitness Center.' This 1000-square-meter facility was filled with magical devices and exercise equipment. The amount of money needed to build such an environment would be well over a hundred million won, but almost no one used the facility.
But just because the training center was empty didn't mean that the future of the Heroes was bleak.
While the cadets were future heroes who would receive the admiration and envy of billions of people, they were still just teenagers. Simply put, there weren't many high school students willing to train on the first day.
"I knew you would be here."
The sudden voice made Kim Suho, sweaty and exhausted after an intense workout session, look surprised. He turned to find Chae Nayun approaching with an ironic smile.
"Chae Nayun? Are you here to train too?"
"Yes, but I won't be as barbaric as you."
Chae Nayun pointed to the gravity room with a casual gesture. Kim Suho frowned upon seeing the imposing cylindrical room.
"That's tough. I can never last long in there."
Kim Suho wiped the sweat with a towel and looked at her with curiosity.
"It's not that you can't; you simply don't need to. I'm an archer, so I need to train there. Besides, it's not that hard. I've been doing it since I was 8."
"8 years old?" Kim Suho repeated, surprised.
"Yes. I have one at my house."
"Ah..."
Creating a gravity room would cost at least several hundred million won. From what Chae Nayun said, it could be understood that she came from a very wealthy background.
Just like Shin Jonghak, Chae Nayun was from a very rich fourth-generation clan. But rather than having a distorted superiority complex, she carried a sense of rivalry. She believed she could surpass her rivals through hard work and self-cultivation. But in front of the monster standing before her, her belief always seemed to waver.
"...Oh, right. There's another shooter in our class now."
Kim Suho mentioned, to which Chae Nayun tilted her head with curiosity.
"...Shooter? Oh, that Chisato or something?"
"Uh, yes, he... What's with that look? Don't you like him?"
As Kim Suho pointed out, Chae Nayun's face was becoming ominously rigid.
Chae Nayun furrowed her brow slightly. There was something strange about that person, a feeling of familiarity she couldn't explain.
"He's not an elite shooter. Firearms can only shoot up to a kilometer at best. I still don't understand why that guy, Araki, picked a revolver."
His name had changed unknowingly from Chisato to Araki, but Kim Suho was not foolish enough to point out her mistake.
"I think he gave up. Maybe there were problems at home or something. Since being a Cube cadet won't be on your records if you leave early, he'll probably stay for a while."
"Gave up? Don't say something like that so easily."
"...Who are you to tell me what or what not to do?"
For a moment, a slight irritation emerged in Chae Nayun's eyes, but there was also something else - an inexplicable unease. She shook her head, trying to shake off the feeling.
"...Umm. Sorry."
"Anyway, if you don't want to lose, keep working hard. I'm leaving now."
"Yes, see you later."
"Please, I'm right next to you..."
Chae Nayun smiled and entered the gravity room.
The gravity room multiplied the gravity by a certain factor, thereby increasing the pressure on the bloodstream. Training in this cylindrical room required operating magical power under strong gravity, and it was easily one of the most painful training methods.
For Kim Suho, just looking at the room made him shiver. Seeing Chae Nayun enter it with indifference, he could only shake his head.
Meanwhile, Chae Nayun tried to focus on the training, but the unsettling feeling of déjà vu remained, like a shadow on the edge of her memory.
***
Inside our protagonist's room, he was sweating profusely but had a blooming smile.
Waiting with a big smile for the synchronization he longed for to finish.
== [Synchronizing... 70% complete]==
. Nariyuki Chisato
▷ Statistics
* Variable Statistics
[Strength 4.5]
[Vigor 4.2]
[Speed 4.7]
[Perception 3.4]
[Vitality 4.4]
[Mana Power 4.2]
* Fixed Statistics
[Intelligence - 4.083 / 10]
[Perseverance - 5.690 / 10]
[Luck - 4 / 10]
▷ Skills: ???
▷ Arts: ???
... ???
... ???
...
...
... ... Attachment... ...Configuration Table ...
== [Synchronizing... 70% complete]==
With a big smile, 'Chisato' exclaimed excitedly, almost shouting: "Now I'm really enjoying this."
His heart was racing, and sweat was dripping from his forehead as he waited anxiously. Suddenly, the phone screen went dark.
On the black screen, a part of a face appeared. It wasn't the usual question mark, nor his original face. Since he was dark-skinned, he knew it wasn't him.
Ignoring the strange sight, he waited for the phone to restart. When the screen came back, the message appeared:
[Nariyuki Chisato, synchronization with Oreki Houtarou incomplete.]
[All statistics are reset.]
"What? Oreki Houtarou? But isn't that... wait."
Shocked, he quickly got up and ran to the bathroom, looking at himself in the mirror. The reflection didn't show Nariyuki Chisato's question mark or his original face, but that of an anime character he liked, Oreki Houtarou.
"WHAT?!"
He shouted in shock, his mind spinning with the revelation. He expected to see Hajin's face, not another character, especially not Oreki.
Confusion took over him. His thoughts were racing so fast that his mouth couldn't keep up, and he momentarily forgot to breathe.
Realizing he was running out of breath, he took a deep breath to calm his nerves. After a few seconds, he regained his composure and decided to think clearly.
"O-okay, this is confusing and strange. I'll deal with it later. Now, it's time to check my status."
Speaking more calmly, he left the bathroom and sat on the couch to check his phone.
As he settled, he looked at the phone screen, feeling growing discomfort.
=== [Synchronization with... Error... Error] ===
Why was it giving an error?
=== [Error partially fixed] ===
He sighed with relief, dispelling the discomfort he felt.
=== [Synchronization Complete] ===
=== [Resetting Nariyuki Chisato's statistics. Oreki Houtarou and Gabriel's statistics will be transferred and will remain the highest among them.] ===
The sensation was strange, yet comforting. He trusted that his variable statistics were superior to Oreki's, but his fixed statistics were better.
=== [All statistics have been reset.] ===
[Oreki Houtarou]
▷ Statistics
* Variable Statistics
[Strength 1.746]
[Vigor 1.7]
[Speed 1.864]
[Perception 2.278]
[Vitality 1.691]
[Mana Power 1.8]
* Fixed Statistics
[Intelligence - 5.608 / 10]
[Perseverance - 7.500 / 10]
[Luck - 3.5 / 10]
[Charm - 6.5 / 10]
* Random Increase: One of your statistics will be chosen randomly and will increase to a random number.
▷ Skill (1?/2)
「Observation and Reading」
[Null Attribute]
-Observation
This skill grants the user the ability to observe minute details of characters within their line of sight, providing valuable insights during interactions or confrontations.
-Reading
Through the "configuration book," the user can access detailed information about objects, locations, and living beings, partially revealing hidden secrets and special characteristics.
▷ Arts (0/2)
X
▷ Physical (???/1)
???
• Novice Learning: Just this time, you can create an art for free. Its strength and capabilities will be decided by the AI.
• Creation or Modification of Skills, Arts, and Physical: You will be able to create or modify physicals and arts at certain times. Their strength and capabilities will be decided by the AI.
==================================
This... I don't have world intervention. Living here will be more challenging than I expected.
But I already anticipated not having it, after all, I'm not the author of this world.
Moreover, why is the physical listed as a question mark?
But setting that aside, there are other things I need to check.
His eyes returned to the statistics.
But they stopped at the skill.
"Is it just me, or is there more here?" A visible doubt was heard in his tone.
My memory wouldn't fail on something as minor as this. I'm sure there is more description than Kim Hajin's.
"I'll take this as a bonus." I shrug, satisfied with this extra benefit.
And also, why is there a question mark next to the Skill?
I'll leave that for later; I'm more interested in the statistics.
Again, I shift my gaze to the statistics.
"Yeah, my variable statistics compared to Nariyuki Chisato's are total crap."
I thought Oreki's intelligence would be a bit higher, but I believe this is due to the partial correction of the error.
I don't understand why Perception is so high. It doesn't make sense for Oreki to have it so high, and I don't believe I have it that high either.
An average adult human has 1.5 in Variable Statistics. While I have only a margin of 1.121 less than Nariyuki, he is a superhuman.
"Could Oreki's Observation ability have been calculated into Perception?" I leave this thought at the back of my mind for when it's needed.
Satisfied with the new statistics, I turn my attention to the random increase. Luck, I know, isn't exactly my ally. But at least there's a chance.
With a light touch on the phone screen, I activate the random increase roulette. The columns spin frantically, displaying all the statistics, both variable and fixed.
"I hope it lands on a fixed one," I murmur to myself as the roulette speeds up.
Strength, intelligence, speed, and other statistics pass by the pointer, each flashing quickly before disappearing. The roulette begins to slow down. First, it passes through speed. Then, charm. Next is strength. And finally, it stops at...
.
.
.
Perseverance.
I blink my eyes in disbelief.
"F***ing hell. What a stroke of luck to get a fixed stat."
The phone screen changes again, this time to a roulette with numbers: 7.8, 8, 8.4, 9.4, 9.5, and 10.
Without hesitation, I touch the screen to spin the roulette. The pointer spins, passing over the numbers.
7.8
.
.
.
9.5
.
10
.
.
8.4
.
10. The roulette stops at 10.
.
Haha...
.
.
Hahaha, f***ing hell. I'M A F***ING SHOUNEN CHARACTER, DAMNIT.
I abruptly rise from the couch, jumping with joy until the excitement subsides and I sit down again, ready to move forward.
"Ready"
Oreki Houtarou relaxed on the couch, his thoughts racing with the recent boost in his perseverance. The feeling of victory still made him smile, but his gaze soon fixed on the question mark next to the Skill.
"Why is this question mark here?" he muttered to himself, frustration mixed with curiosity in his voice.
Unconsciously, his hand went to his bangs, fiddling with them as he tried to concentrate. "Could it be a hidden skill, something I haven't unlocked yet? Or maybe an indicator that there's something more I need to do to activate it?"
He raised an eyebrow, eyes focused on the question mark on the phone screen. "Or it could be a bug. But if it were a bug, the system would have fixed it, right? So, it might be an intentional feature."
Oreki leaned back, starting to mentally trace his assumptions while continuing to fidget with his bangs. "Maybe it's an indicator that there's an additional level or a special condition to unlock it. What if I need a specific type of experience or to complete a mission to reveal it?"
He leaned forward, as if that might help clear his thoughts. "The same goes for the Physical. If it were a bug, it would have been fixed by now. Although, during synchronization, it was mentioned that the error was partially corrected. That means there's a chance both could be errors."
He shook his head, frustrated by the lack of concrete answers. "I just don't know. There are too many possibilities, and I don't have enough information to come to a conclusion."
Oreki got up again, pacing the room while trying to organize his thoughts. "I hope it's not a mistake and that my assumption about it being an unlocked Skill and Physical is correct."
He returned to the couch, still restless. "For now, better focus on what I already have. I've increased my perseverance and still need to create a Skill. And, if all goes well, it should help me face the challenges ahead. As for the Skill, it will be an issue to resolve over time."
He looked at the phone screen once more before deciding which Skill to choose. "Let's see what else this world has to offer," he murmured, his mind spinning in search of inspiration.
"The fact that I got permission to create a Skill and, if it's not a mistake, perhaps an additional Skill. This might indicate that the world will be more challenging. Interesting and worrying at the same time."
He pondered the options. "Parkour is out of the question; I already have some experience due to... a few minor crimes. I need something that enhances and expands my abilities simultaneously."
As he selected the Skill, a dark thought crossed his mind. "With this Skill, I can manipulate situations to my advantage, both in combat and outside of it." The pleasure in his voice revealed a shadow of something deeper and more disturbing.
He began to write down the Skill.
======
[Corporeality]
- The user gains massive body coordination and exceptional balance.
- Greater control over their body.
======
As Oreki pondered the benefits of the Skill, his mind lit up with visions of impressive feats. From daring acrobatics to enhanced combat techniques, "Corporeality" would be the key to unlocking his body's potential.
Moreover, the Skill would provide a significant advantage in learning, allowing him to absorb new skills that required body mastery more quickly.
And, of course, the ability to use two weapons simultaneously adds an extra layer of versatility to my arsenal. With "Corporeality," I'm ready to face greater challenges with renewed confidence.
These thoughts ran through my mind as I waited for my phone to work its magic in modifying my description.
[Beginner Consideration Activated. A Skill will be created.]
[Due to your increased Perseverance, you have gained improved body control, and the Corporeality Skill will be enhanced.]
"How so?" Oreki was confused. "I don't remember anything like this in the story."
====
[Corporeality] [Proficiency 0%]
[Low Ranking]
- Enhanced coordination, providing more precise movements.
- Refined balance, reducing fall risks and improving posture.
- Accelerated muscle recovery, minimizing fatigue and preventing injuries.
- Deep mind-body connection, unlocking physical and mental potential.
- Allows sensing and adjusting movements, organs, posture, and muscle tensions.
=====
Whistling in surprise at the change in description, Oreki didn't hesitate to click [save]. He was amazed by the unexpected modification.
With the increased Perseverance and the Skill acquired early on, along with statistics surpassing Kim Hajin's, he felt incredibly prepared.
With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he murmured to the darkness around him: "I don't know who brought me here, or why, but one thing is certain: I will survive, no matter what." His low and disturbing laugh sounded like nails scraping a chalkboard. "Kukuku."
He stood up, still smiling, and decided to test his new abilities. "Now it's time for a bit of action."
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