Chapter 107

“Wow…!”

“This place is amazing!”

After finishing their meal in the first-floor hall, the members of the *Hongbaek* guild all moved up to the second floor to the capsule experience room.

In this room were the latest capsules from *Klaus Capsule Corporation*, not yet available to the public, each equipped with holographic screens displaying real-time gameplay.

“There are virtual reality sports programs like bowling, golf, and baseball batting. Each program has a fixed synchronization rate of 60%... except for the reaction speed test program, which is at 40%. The difference between this and other companies' programs is quite significant,” Chris explained with a grin, placing her hand on one of the central capsules.

“The difficulty of the projectile speed and angles increases up to ten levels. Currently, it's only used for testing the reaction speeds of professional athletes and virtual reality AOS gamers."

“What else is different?”

“Hmm... Since this isn't a private facility just for our guild, it's not a big secret. But this is something *Klaus Capsule Corporation* developed exclusively.”

Chris winked, pressing a finger to her lips before continuing.

“These latest capsules allow most senses to operate at nearly 100% efficiency, regardless of overall sync rate. That’s a result of the research conducted by me and other virtual reality researchers. Though it’s still a challenge to bring body movements up to the level of real life.”

“Oooooh!”

The guild members let out amazed gasps, and I was impressed as well.

I knew Chris-unnie worked for *Klaus Capsule Corporation*, but I didn't realize she was researching the connection between virtual reality and sensory perception. I had heard that human senses are intricately linked, and even with future technology, it’s difficult to separate them.

When people ask, “Can’t you just directly connect to the brain?” the answer is that it’s not overly complicated.

But to feel all senses as realistically as in real life means that even pain would feel real.

This is the main issue—raising the sync rate of the entire body would result in dangerous overloads.

I’m the prime example of that.

“Well, while there are other activities we can do at home, I think we should try the reaction speed program.”

“Haha! Hopkins, want to challenge me?”

The two massive figures, *Hopkins* and *Gandal*, stepped forward confidently, each selecting a capsule.

The remaining guild members gathered around the capsules, eager to watch the competition.

*Buzz*

“Ooh, this feels similar to *Astra Online*.”

“Did they sync the international standard avatars?”

Wearing only their current outfits, Hopkins and Gandal appeared in a clean white test room on the holographic screens atop their capsules.

*Beep*

[Test Program Level 1, starting]

The capsules emitted a sound, and soon, projectiles began flying toward Hopkins and Gandal from all sides of the room, except the floor.

*Whoosh, whoosh!*

“Whoa!”

“Whoa!”

They staggered at first, but quickly adapted, dodging the incoming projectiles with increasing skill.

Though a few projectiles hit them in the early stages, they didn’t fail the initial tests.@@novelbin@@

[Evade rate: 91.0%. Passed. Proceed to Level 2?]

[Evade rate: 89.0%. Passed. Proceed to Level 2?]

- Haha, see, Gandal? I’m slightly ahead.

- What? It’s the final level that matters, winner takes all!

Their competition continued, intensifying with each stage.

Finally, they reached Level 6.

*Thud, thud!*

“Urgh!”

“Ahh!”

Despite their best efforts, the fast and unpredictable projectiles overwhelmed them in Level 6, and both Hopkins and Gandal were hit multiple times.

[Evade rate: 66.8%. Failed. Retry Level 6?]

[Evade rate: 64.1%. Failed. Retry Level 6?]

- Man, Level 6 is really tough. But it looks like I won, huh? Haha!

- Grr, let’s go again!

*Whirrr*

The capsules opened, and the two emerged, looking refreshed despite their defeat.

*Clap, clap, clap*

“You both did well! Is Level 6 pretty good?”

“Considering the highest record is Level 8, it’s a strong performance for non-professionals.”

More guild members, like *Yeon Mina*, *Dalboreum*, *Redhot Chicken*, and *Eohaekryang Ilwi*, attempted the reaction speed test but couldn’t surpass Level 6 either.

Then, the rangers *Seopseop-i* and *Go Seung-woo* faced off.

“Oooooh!”

“First to reach Level 7!”

*Thwack, thwack, thwack!*

[Evade rate: 71.4%. Failed. Retry Level 7?]

[Evade rate: 70.9%. Failed. Retry Level 7?]

- Ah... so close!

- Phew.

While Go Seung-woo sighed in disappointment, Seopseop-i smiled victoriously as he exited the capsule.

*Clap, clap, clap!*

"Reaching Level 7... That’s impressive, rangers! Didn’t you say the pass rate is 80%? With practice, you could reach Level 8!”

“Indeed, the *Hongbaek* Guild’s rangers have the reaction speed of top athletes.”

Chris smiled proudly, watching her guild members excel.

Then, it was my turn—along with *Deathmaster*.

*Buzz*

I maneuvered my wheelchair in front of the capsule and tried to transfer myself into it using only my arms.

“Ugh… Ah.”

Just as I was struggling, I felt Chris’s hands lift me from under my arms, placing me gently inside the capsule.

I blushed slightly. Everyone was watching.

“I could have done it…”

“Hehe.”

Chris chuckled softly as she laid me down inside the capsule.

Beside me, *Deathmaster* climbed into his capsule.

“Hah, I’ve been practicing with this test program for a while. Even though Rain has incredible adaptation skills in virtual reality, this will feel different from *Astra Online*.”

“Hehe, really?”

I gave Deathmaster a playful smile before the capsule closed.

*Buzz*

Inside the capsule, I found myself in the same white test room as the others.

“Hmm.”

I tried moving my body slightly.

It felt like I was moving underwater.

As expected, the sync rate was only at 40%.

My 100% synchronization rate only applies to *Astra Online*.

I had already tested this in Chris’s capsule.

My avatar’s sync rate is limited by the program's settings in other metaverses, but in *Astra Online*, it always stays at 100%, no matter the capsule. I still don’t know why.

In this reaction speed test, I was subject to the same conditions as everyone else.

But that’s okay.

*Beep*

[Test Program Level 1, starting]

I smiled as I watched the walls around me slowly begin to open.

With this cutting-edge technology, what you see and hear feels almost real.

And since this program didn’t involve handling weapons, my apparent lack of strength wouldn’t be an issue.

My movements might be slower.

But if the body reacts slowly, then you just need to move earlier.

The whooshing sounds of the projectiles and the visual cues of their launch points...

The ability to think in split-second intervals...

I could use all of these.

Even without mana, as long as I could move my legs.

*Whoosh, whoosh!*

I easily dodged the projectiles as they came flying toward me.

[Evade rate: 100%. Passed. Proceed to Level 8?]

[Evade rate: 100%. Passed. Proceed to Level 9?]

[Evade rate: 100%. Passed. Proceed to Level 10?]

[Evade rate: 100%. Congratulations, you’ve completed the final test.]

*Whirr*

“......?”

The room was quiet.

Everyone was staring, stunned, at the final test result screen above my capsule.

Even Chris, usually composed, looked a little dazed.

“I broke the record at Level 8 with 78%, and yet...!”

*Deathmaster* clenched his fists in frustration.

Chris chuckled, ruffling my hair as I sat up in the capsule.

“I guess we’ll need to adjust the maximum level for the reaction speed test.”

---

As the evening grew late, no one seemed in a hurry to leave. With rooms available at the Klaus Hotel, those who got tipsy could simply stay the night.

Everyone gathered in the hall, enjoying light desserts and wine.

As expected of a guild of adult gamers, there was plenty of alcohol—beer, wine, soju, and a variety of drinks ranging from high-end to casual.

“Hmm…”

I stared at the glass of red wine in front of me.

Technically, I’m of legal age in this world.

I vaguely remember drinking in my previous life, but it was at the beginning of this year that I tried beer for the first time. I immediately spat it out.

“This body doesn’t seem to handle alcohol well.”

I hadn’t tried drinking in *Astra Online* either, since I was clearly underage there.

But now? There’s no problem.

Even if my body isn’t fully developed, it should be fine to drink with adults.

And there are plenty of adults around.

I raised the wine glass to my lips and took a small sip.

*Sip*

And winced.

“Ugh…”

It’s bitter.

Maybe there’s a sweeter wine somewhere, but my body clearly rejected the taste of this one.

Dis

appointed, I wheeled myself around the room, searching for something else to drink.

Then, I found a bottle with a fruit-shaped label.

“Ooh.”

Juice, maybe?

I poured it into my glass.

*Sip*

“Wow!”

I let out a delighted sound.

It’s sweet.

I kept sipping, enjoying one of the few drinks I could tolerate in the hall.

As I drank the sweet liquid continuously, *Dalboreum* passed by and glanced curiously at the table.

“…Huh? I just brought this fruit soju over. Why is the bottle empty?”

“Hmm…?”

Dalboreum’s face started to blur slightly.

At the same time, I felt like I was floating.

I suddenly felt very, very good.

I smiled brightly.

“Hehe.”