Chapter 41: Chapter 41

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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Chapter 41: Aptitude Test (5)

"Pathfinder?"

I muttered the sudden title to myself without realizing it.

Just then, Jieun, who had finally caught her breath, approached and asked.

"Eunho! Did you receive your reward?"

"Yes, 2 points and 500 points. What about you, Jieun?"

"The same here. You should've gotten more for all your hard work, Eunho."

"Haha..."

When I let out an awkward laugh, Jieun pouted her lips.

Seeing her genuinely regretful expression made me feel oddly apologetic.

Because...

[Congratulations!]

[The number of actual survivors has significantly increased compared to the simulation.]

[A bonus reward exclusive to the ‘Rebel’ trait has been granted.]

...I had already received more.

For the number of fates I had twisted.

[Resistance Stat (+71)]

‘71?’

If I count the 51 people from Namsan and the 21 from the other side, that makes 72 survivors in total.

Excluding myself, I had received rewards for 71 people.

‘And that strange title.’

[Would you like to view the effects of the 'Pathfinder' title?]

The message had been hovering since earlier.

Pathfinder...

I felt curious, so I excused myself from Jieun and quietly moved to a less crowded area.

Then,

"View."

The system began explaining the effects in a calm voice.

[When leading from the front, your movement speed increases.]

[You gain defensive abilities for entering enemy lines first.]

[Buff effects increase the more followers you have.]

The more people follow me, the stronger the effects become.

I had no idea how that would play out, but...

‘Guess I'll find out soon enough.’

I immediately returned to the small groups of people gathered here and there.

The people who had once been enemies in the dark but now stood shoulder to shoulder again.

"I'm telling you, I'm telling you!"

An elderly cleaning lady was enthusiastically slapping Lee Yeji’s shoulder, echoing her sentiments.

"I was so happy to get that armor!"

"And who ever heard of taking back what you gave? Ridiculous."

Ah, they were talking about the armor and helmet that vanished as soon as the mission ended.

Even the security guard beside them clicked his tongue in regret, still seemingly disappointed.

However—

"At least we’re alive! If it weren’t for that young man, we’d have been..."

The security guard let out a sigh of relief, saying, “Still, we made it,” clearly grateful to be alive.

A piece of armor wasn’t more precious than a life, after all.

"Oh, there you are."

"Just in time! Young man! Have we told you how grateful we are?"

I approached, and the cleaning lady suddenly grabbed my hands and said,

"You already did. More than ten times."

"Did we? Well, even a hundred times wouldn’t be enough!"

"I don’t know how we can ever repay you!"

The security guard chimed in.

"If it weren’t for Mr. Eunho, we’d have been done for. Either beaten to death or erased entirely."

Even Lee Yeji shuddered as though recalling a nightmare, bowing repeatedly while thanking me.

Her eyes sparkled with genuine gratitude.

So much so that I blurted out without thinking.

"You really want to repay me, right?"

"Huh? Oh?"

"You don’t know how to repay me, do you?"

"That’s... true..."

The cleaning lady’s eyes went wide, clearly startled by the abrupt question.

Lee Yeji, on the other hand, shrugged casually.

"Should I give you my sword?"

"Excuse me?"

"Here you go."

Swoosh.

Lee Yeji offered her one and only weapon, a blue steel sword, as if she were lending me a pen.

‘She used to be so standoffish.’

Lee Yeji had changed a lot, whether because of the situation, because of me, or for some other reason.

Whatever the case, it didn’t really matter.

"The sword’s fine. Instead..."

What I needed right now wasn’t a weapon.

"Please follow me for a moment."

What I needed was people.

To test the effects of the Pathfinder title with me.

* * *

"Hyung! We’re almost there!"

"What should we do when we get there?"

Lee Yeji, full of enthusiasm, clenched her fists as she asked.

But I replied,

"There's nothing you need to do."

"Huh?"

It's already done.

Testing the effect of the "Pathfinder" title.

[The more followers, the greater the buff effect.]

As expected from such an intuitive system, both the conditions and the buff effects were precise.

[Followers: 9]

[Movement speed increases by 0.9%.]

[Defense increases by 0.9.]

First, it activates when more than five people follow.

Second, the movement speed increases proportionally to the number of people.

Third, the same applies to defense.

Since I tested it by adding followers one at a time, the results should be accurate.

I’d love to test it cleanly with ten people, but I'm one person short.

"By the way, where’s that foul-mouthed guy?"

"Ah… I don’t know. I saw him right after the tunnel mission, but…"

If he were here, there’d be exactly ten.

When I asked regretfully, Lee Yeji unexpectedly recoiled.

"Why? Did he cause some trouble again?"

"Ah, no."

"Hmm, maybe he got lost?"

Even as she said that, Lee Yeji craned her neck and looked around anxiously, clearly worried.

Just as I was wondering where he could have gone at such a crucial time, a familiar white cloth fluttered past my eyes.

— Swoosh!

‘This is…’

A pure white robe flapping in the wind.

A bowl-cut haircut sharp as if carved with a knife.

Icicles already regrowing on their calves.

[Monster!]

[Scammer!]

The twins.

Field agents dispatched by the Bureau, Setani.

"How did you know to come here?"

[We can see you!]

[From above!]

These two must not have any work to do.

Their so-called “office” at the Namsan Tower observatory is just a spot to spy on who comes and goes.

[What are you doing?]

[Going for a stroll?]

"None of your business."

[Why?]

[We’re allies now!]

Come to think of it, it’s only been a day since I crushed them and snatched their employment proposal during the admission test.

And yet, they’re not the least bit scared.

Buzzing around and chattering like this, they’re just like…

‘Flies.’

Their tiny builds make them perfect for the comparison.

"Go away. You're distracting."

[Race?]

[Workout?]

The sight of their robes fluttering as they zipped back and forth could almost pass for a butterfly if you squint hard enough.

[We’re faster!]

[Look at us!]

As I watched the flapping hem of their clothes, a message popped up.

[Followers: 11]

[Movement speed increases by 1.1%.]

[Defense increases by 1.1.]

Apparently, the system’s definition of “following” doesn’t strictly mean physically staying behind someone.

The number remained the same even as the twins flitted around me, darting ahead and falling back.

"Oh."

[What?]

[What?]

Realizing I could make use of this in many ways, I couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing my expression, the twins buzzed around more excitedly, but I shook my head and said,

"That’s enough—"

Only to stop mid-sentence.

Sola, a few steps away, was giving me a strange look.

Actually, she wasn’t just looking strangely; she was outright staring at me like I’d lost it.

"Uh… mister…?"

"I’m just talking to myself."

"Oh, okay…"

I decided not to reply further.

As I walked silently, one of the twins suddenly perched on my head.

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, they dangled upside down, blocking my view entirely.

Sigh.

"Don’t you two have work to do?"

[Done!]

[Break time!]

‘Done?’

Come to think of it, these twins were dispatched by their company for an initial survey of Earth’s environment.

You could call them subcontractors conducting preliminary research before the full-scale restructuring began.

"Does that mean your project is finished?"

[Yep!]

[Exactly!]

Ah.

Now that I think about it, the protective barrier around Namsan Tower does seem a bit thinner.

It looks like their office at the observatory has served its purpose.

Which means…

‘The next mission location isn’t here.’

Well, this place is too cramped for the final mission of the aptitude test.

Not to mention, too many people survived.

In that case...

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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‘Time to get ready to leave.’

"Then go play somewhere else."

[Hmph!]

[Tch!]

Shooing away the pesky ghost-like creatures with a wave, I called out to the living people.

"Everyone, pack your things."

"What? Right now?"

"Yes, right now."

Even without hearing any mission updates or broadcasts, I told them to start packing.

Perhaps finding it strange, Jieun tilted her head curiously.

"Sola, Yeojin, let's go together."

"Okay."

Despite that, they went inside the tower to gather the backpacks they had hidden there.

— Crackle!

Just as the group started scattering to prepare.

"Goddammit! You climbed all the way up here?"

The foul-mouthed man ran up, shouting.

"I’ve been searching for ages! …Uh!"

Speaking in a tone that was neither formal nor informal.

"You’re just now getting here?"

"Come here for a moment. ...Uh."

Either he was lost, or he’d been up to something suspicious he didn’t want others to find out.

It had to be one of the two, so I interrogated him.

In response, the foul-mouthed man hurriedly dropped the heavy load he was carrying on his back.

"Where were you? You couldn’t have had business in the middle of this mountain…."

Clang! Clatter! Crackle!

"?!"

No, the question was wrong.

Instead of "where were you," I should’ve asked, "what is that?"

"What’s all this?"

"Um…."

Whatever it was, and wherever it came from, it was a lot of stuff he didn’t have earlier, now laid out like a street vendor’s wares.

"Don’t tell me…."

I had some suspicions, but no certainty.

As I silently stared at him, the foul-mouthed man scratched his head under his black cap and spoke.

"You know, that guy who died back in the tunnel…."

The one who got kicked, had his head crushed while trying to climb over the wall, and left me with that disgustingly heavy mace before collapsing.

The guy who probably met his end in the tunnel.

"I looted him."

"……."

"...Uh."

"That bastard, he kept bragging about having a stash of weapons."

Saying that, the foul-mouthed man began pulling out items one by one: a spear, an iron sword, and a shield.

"I brought it all, but… it’s not much, right?"

Despite his nonchalant words, he glanced at me nervously, like a puppy seeking praise.

"The spear is a bit old, but decent. The iron sword and shield are just so-so."

"Wait a second. That guy had a shield but didn’t use it?"

"He beat everyone with just that mace. I mean, it was nothing to you, but still."

Well, even if he had used it, it wouldn’t have made much difference.

No shield could stop a sword that could slice through with accelerated skills.

Anyway.

"You’re just giving this to me? Just like that?"

He didn’t seem like the type to share, let alone give things away.

I could still vividly remember how jealous he was when I first received a "gift" from the anonymous observer.

As I squinted at him suspiciously, the foul-mouthed man hesitated and mumbled.

"…You saved me."

Now he looked exactly like a scolded puppy trying to make amends.

"Hmm."

This wasn’t the first time I’d saved him, but judging by his expression, he must’ve had a rough time while we were separated.

"Th-th-thank you!"

His face seemed to shout, "It’s embarrassing!" as he practically yelled the words.

Well, whatever the reason.

"I won’t refuse, then."

I picked one item from the three.

The one I needed most right now.

▣ Wooden Shield

-A simple wooden shield. Made of sturdy wood, it can block most ordinary attacks.

-Increases defense by 10 when equipped.

"A shield?"

"Yes. I thought having one would be nice."

The other weapons didn’t seem better than my blade, so I didn’t bother.

Then, as if waiting for this moment, the foul-mouthed man lit up and reached for the sword.

He seemed eager to have it.

"Then I’ll take the sword…."

"No."

In that case.

"Why don’t you give it to the older guy?"

"What?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"He doesn’t have a weapon."

"……."

Swoosh!

Before his hand could reach the sword, I slid it toward the older guy.

The foul-mouthed one froze in place, dumbfounded.

Swiish!

The tips of his fingers trembled in frustration.

And then, he moved to his next target.

"Then, how about the spear—"

"No."

No, not the next target.

"That one's for the lady."

"?!"

"The lady isn't here either."

"......"

Swiish!

Before the foul-mouthed man could reach it, I slid the spear aside as well.

His fingers quivered with disbelief, and his gaze, as shaky as if an earthquake had struck, turned to meet mine.

Finding his expression amusing, I deliberately added,

"A spear, with its reach, would suit ber better, considering how poorly you handle weapons."

"What?! Then what about me?!"

Thump! Thump!

Truly aggrieved, he thumped his chest and screamed in protest.

Thinking I might’ve teased him too much, I finally called out to Jaehyuk, who was walking over with his backpack.

"Jaehyuk."

"Yes, hyung?"

"What was your Strength stat again?"

"Currently at 21!"

As expected.

Jaehyuk likely met the minimum requirements for the item I’d obtained earlier in the tunnel—‘Flanged Mace.’

The minimum Strength stat requirement: 20 or higher.

Summoning the mace, I handed it over and said,

"Here, this is for you."

"What?! For me?!"

"Give me your old sword in return."

"My... my handcrafted sword?!"

Better to let it be used than to let it rot unused.

[You do not meet the minimum Strength stat requirement for the ‘Flanged Mace.’]

[You have incurred the status ailment, 'Muscle Pain,' due to excessive muscle strain!]

I couldn’t just pour all my points into Strength to use the mace.

Besides, I specialized in swordsmanship, so it wasn’t like I’d get much use out of it anyway.

"No, really! A good weapon is more effective in your hands, hyung!"

"I can't use it; I don’t have enough stats."

"Then just raise your stats!"

Even though the decision was long settled, Jaehyuk stubbornly refused to accept it.

So, I told him,

"You're not the type for delicate swordplay, are you?"

"What?"

"You just force it in with raw strength."

"Ugh! How did you know?"

Maybe brute force had worked for him so far, but the future might demand more finesse.

"Think of it as an investment."

"But..."

"So you can shield me up front."

I forced the mace into his hands.

"Not taking it? Then I'll end up with more muscle pain."

"Muscle pain...?"

"Hurry up."

He hesitated, glancing between me and the mace, before finally clutching it like a sacred relic.

"Then... I’ll borrow it! Just until you can use it, hyung!"

"Yeah… I doubt I’ll need it."

"What?! I haven’t even repaid you for saving my life, and now this gift..."

Looking deeply moved, Jaehyuk stood straight like a soldier receiving a medal and declared,

"I’ll protect us from the front lines!"

"Sure, that’d be helpful."

The foul-mouthed man, who had been watching silently, chimed in.

"I-I’ll use mine well too!"

"Of course you should."

Excited, he swung the sword around in endless slashes at the empty air.

…I didn’t expect him to be this happy.

His overwhelming gratitude left me a little flustered, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.

"Thank you, young man!"

"I’m not sure if I’ll manage at my age, but… I’ll use it well!"

Even the older man and woman seemed delighted.

“Whoa! The blade’s actually sharp!”

“Careful, Mr. Song!”

…They like it, right?

Watching the two regard the weapon like a dangerous beast left me feeling conflicted.

Because—

“What would we do without you, young man?”

“Exactly!”

“Haha…”

Unfortunately, they’ll have to manage without me soon enough.

And just then—

—Bzzzt! Bzzzt!

The signal, which had been faint, suddenly strengthened.

[This is a message for survivors in the ‘Yongsan District.’]

[The second mission, ‘Mock Battle,’ will begin shortly.]

A broadcast announcing the second mission came through.

—Ding!

Accompanied by the expected system notification.

[To improve arena efficiency, a survey will now begin.]

"A survey?"

"What now?"

If it’s a survey at this timing, there’s only one thing it could ask about.

Probably the format of the mock battle…

‘Hmm?’

Wait a second.

┌────────────┐

Q. You’re on the verge of being buried alive!

Which of the following locations would you prefer?

City

Mountain

Sea

└────────────┘

…What the hell is this?

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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