c1 part1 (1/2)

Chapter 1. The Path of Manliness

Part 1

Translated by End

Kim Jiha, age 21, ranked first in school, and never missed a day of cla.s.s. While I was a bit sheepish about my university admission test, in my 3 years of occasional application to University, I had never once failed with my transcripts. But I had one fatal disadvantage…

“..... Mr. Jiha? Mr. Kim Jiha?”

“Ah, yes, yup.”

“Will you not answer the questions in our interview?” The professor asked, not masking the irritation in his gaze. At that moment, my throat felt completely blocked.

I could not even say I heard the question because I was so nervous. If I had said as such in this place, I would make a proper fool of myself. “My, my, my, my, answer…….” The palm of my hand was damp with sweat.

Then, without me knowing, my left leg began to shake like crazy. I drew in a big breath and pressed down on my leg tightly with my hand.

Everyone in the vicinity whispered about unpleasantly, and asked again, “So your response?”

“I, I, I, I, I, uh…...” The moment I met their eyes, I stopped breathing. I felt like the very air was pressing down heavily on my chest.

In the end, the professor couldn’t take it anymore. He slammed on his table and asked again, “So what was your reason for the charity work you did with UNICEF?!?” Ah, he asked about that. Thank goodness.

At least now I knew the question. Feeling a bit relieved, I opened my mouth and, “Yes, as a highschool student, I often thought about what I could do for the poor and needy people. So I was determined to volunteer personally for the UNICEF during my holiday.”

The professors looked impressed by my words. “During my time, I experienced various cultures and people. Above all else, it was a great opportunity to learn what it truly meant to ‘share’. Without a doubt, I think this was a gift I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world. ”

“.......” The interviewers seem really touched and impressed that they were silent. No, thinking about it, the silence was too long. No, it was way too long. Right at that moment, I realised it wasn’t admiration but astonishment. ‘What cause such reaction……?’ I realised right at the spot.

I was biting on my thumb. My teeth were biting my nails out of sheer habit during the interview….. I was so surprised that I didn’t even realize my left leg was shaking.

Shake, s.h.i.+ver, shudder…….

*****

I received a phone call from my father in Busan as soon as I left the interview. It was the usual threat that, it’s my absolute last chance, that if I failed next year’s scheduled university admission test… he reminded me that the army was always waiting.

Doorway to a University is wide. But, the reality is, not being admitted to the so-called top universities made the whole thing meaningless. I have tried my utmost. At every midterm, at every exam, I studied exhaustively. For my university admission test, it was literally do or die, I wrote that test as if my life depended on it.

I attended not just the cram school in Jong-ro, but roamed all the way to cram school in Noryangjin as well. But not one cram school could fix my problem of freezing up.

For me, who don’t always score excellent grades in my university admission test, getting preselected by a university was everything. Above all else, the University preselection saw the interview as most important.

Yet, at the same time, when my parent sh.e.l.led out money for 14 years of private education, lowering my expectation and going to a rural university would not be tolerated at all by my parents. In the end, the only thing I could change myself.

If I didn’t change, whatever I do, there is no use. ‘I want to be cool.’ But the winds of fate never once blew in my direction. At that moment my phone beeped. Wondering what it was about, I tapped on it. Click, with that sound, I heard a girl’s voice.

[Ah, h.e.l.lo. Sunbae!]

“Oh, how are you doing?”

[I am doing great obviously. I heard that you did an interview at our school! How was it? Did it went okay?]

She studied business management at the University of S-mo, where I just had my interview. At my silence, she just let out a big sigh.

[Ah, if only Sunbae stopped being so shy, you could be so great…… Our school doesn’t seem to have the eye to see such talent.]

After saying such cool words, she erupted in warm laughter. A comforting laughter that settled my uneasy heart, which made me spill out everything that happened today. After listening to my story, she just gave out a big sigh.

[Sunbae, at this point isn’t this some kind of illness? Maybe you should visit a psychologist and get some kind of treatment?]

“Yeah, I actually went there yesterday.”

[What did they say?]

“They said I should try playing Virtual Reality game as a form of treatment. If I do this with my consultation, they think it will be quite effective.”

[Oh, right. I think I read an article about this being used to treat an autistic child.]

As if she realised her slip of the tongue, she chuckled awkwardly.

[Right... as I said, if you did this anonymously, you can express your inner self. I think it’s a brilliant cure. Ah! That game, I have a Sunbae who plays it. Should I introduce him to you?]

I wavered slightly. If I wanted to play a Virtual Reality game, I had to buy a Game Capsule. That entailed spending the tuition fee my parents gave me on a capsule. I wonder if I could possibly make up for it later.

[Sunbae, do you think you could possibly get into a better university by attending more cram school? If you think so, then do as you like.]

As the memory of the interview surfaces unexpectedly, my teeth began to clatter without me knowing. This was impossible. 100% completely impossible. There was no way back for me to run away or even a path forward for me to go. My parent will refuse to try and understand my situation, and on top of that, I had already failed three times.

Trying to use the same method again will only result in an inevitable fourth failure. ‘Should I give it a try? Should I listen to the Doctor? Is this new method the only way?’

With a shaky voice, I asked, “So about this Sunbae. Is he attending S University?”

[Yeah, it’s really famous. They even showed it on TV a few times.]

“How old is he?”

[Umm, I only know his student ID…… But he already graduated]

After hearing her side, I almost let my laughter come out. This guy graduated from a prestigious university and is still a hardcore gamer. While others were worrying about having a family or trying to get a job, this guy was staying at home and playing games. These types of people were so easy to dislike.

[Should I introduce you to him?]

Driven by the necessity to reply I said, “Yeah. Please do so.”

He must be of some help if he had such expertise. Worst comes to worst, at least I would be able to mooch off some items from this guy.

Of course, I would come to regret such thought for the rest of my life.

[Oh, right! About the Game Capsule, what kind are you going to get?]

“What kind?”

At my stupefied response, she laughed lightly.

[You don’t need to worry, there is a cheap version you can buy where the interest is free for 12 months. The engine is G-Force12000 and…….]

She began to speak words that I could not even begin to fathom. Later, as she meandered into the topic of mainframe and reconstruction, I waved the white flag.

“Alright, I will order what you suggested.”

[Okay! You have nothing to worry about!]

*****

The Capsule she chose for me was white, oval and made of some glossy material. The technician installing the Capsule was full of praises after seeing with his expert eye, so it must be quite a famous brand.

I decided to jump right in and connect the Capsule without bothering to read the instruction manual. Soon after completing the simple sign up, my surroundings became pitch black.

One, two……. You are now connected.

My body felt like it was being lifted and my surrounding scenery began to change rapidly.

Welcome to Trikia. Dear traveler, I am your Guardian Deity, Tethys. Will you create a new character?

Her skin was transparent and without any flaws. She was an impossible beauty that you would never be able to see in reality, and I being so fl.u.s.tered, stumbled at my word’s, “Yeah…… Create.”

Please choose your Race.

Around me, 10 mirrors suddenly appeared. In the mirrors were reflections of what I will be if I choose an Elf, or Dark Elf, or Dwarves and such.