Chapter 4 - The Second Trial (1) (1/2)

Chapter 4: The Second Trial (1)

The information the administrator wanted to convey was simple.

囗囗囗: I will teach you how to use the points you’ve gained from clearing the tutorial.

No mention of how to go back to Earth.

Those who may have been disappointed by the lack of that information may not have absorbed the information given just now.

However…

‘I have to remember everything.’

Unfazed, I stared blankly at the following messages.

Disappointment?

That’s a luxury only those who have expectations could afford.

I never expected this tower to let us go so easily.

If they had any intention of letting us go, they would have offered ‘return’ as a penalty instead of ‘death.’

I fixed my gaze on the community window and concentrated.

囗囗囗: Points are the main currency of the tower and are mainly used in the marketplace.

囗囗囗: Points can also be transferred and traded over the community.

囗囗囗: Within the tower, you will not be allowed a single drop of water without points.

囗囗囗: Points can only be earned in the trials.

囗囗囗: That is the end of announcements.

「 Administrator 囗囗囗 has left the chat. 」

「 Chat is now unlocked. 」

All the people watching the chat started talking at once.

Kang Sunwoo: …… That was it? Just how we can use the points? Really?

Kim Seunghoon: Fucking shit. I’m gonna climb up and kill him.

Lee Seungjin: You got anger issues or something? Stop cursing so much.

Lee Heejin: If all their skills and stats got reset it’s understandable.

Hyuk Sukjin: Excuse me? Admin? Can you please tell us a way to get back?

Park Jinwoo: Does this mean we’re never getting back?

I read the flood of messages as I gathered my thoughts.

“Like it or not, we’d better get used to it.”

It’s likely impossible to climb this tower in a short amount of time.

We’re probably going to be here for a while.

Would it be possible to stay in the waiting area the whole time?

Probably not.

‘Points can only be earned in the trials.’

That means I won’t be able to wait it out here.

I can only go so far with the points I earned from the tutorial.

After a quick look at the marketplace, 1500 points was clearly not enough.

‘Within the tower, you will not be allowed a single drop of water without points.’

The only solution was to go through the trials.

I sighed as I stared at the sword I laid next to the bed.

A well-sharpened longsword that I received from the tutorial.

‘I don’t know if that can get me through the second trial.’

If the second trial is anything like the first…

“I could die.”

Even with the extra stats from the spirit I absorbed, I was barely an F-rank player.

My capabilities hadn’t exceeded those of a normal human’s yet.

I needed something that I could use to protect myself.

As a lowest-ranked player, I had to rely on equipment.

‘I don’t think the sword will be enough.’

I’d tried out different weapons in the last 7 years, so I knew how to handle most weapons.

There was no real reason to choose a different weapon and throw away this sword.

‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’

My lack of talent was no exception even when it came to weapons.

Same with techniques that just used my body.

A spear might be best for a beginner.

‘But there’s no reason to spend points to get one.’

At the very least, I needed something defensive to increase my chances of survival.

‘Preferably something that could block or misdirect attacks.’

My body wasn’t built to take multiple hits from monsters.

“Marketplace.”

I pondered for an hour before making a decision.

The basic sword was about 30 inches long. Not too short.

I had some experience using a sword and a shield at the training center, so I decided to buy a shield.

It may sound basic, but it was a good combination that worked well together.

Even experienced hunters used either a sword or spear combined with a shield.

I browsed for a bit until I found one similar enough to the one I used before.

‘The closer it is to the practice shield, the more I’ll be used to it.’

I’ll still practice just in case.

「 You have bought a Crude Dwarf Shield(E). 」

「 700 points deducted. 」

「 Remaining balance – 800 」

A little expensive, but it was made of high-quality timber.

People might think wooden shields are weak, but that’s not always the case.

「 Crude Dwarf Shield 」

「 Grade: E 」

「 One-handed shield crafted by a beginner dwarf. 」

「 Surrounded by a layer of metal, it is stronger than it looks. 」

The Great Calamity changed everything.

Seemingly fragile shields like this were light and sturdy because of their high rank.

It exceeded anything made before the calamity.

“This is worth at least $30,000 in real life…”

My sense of money numbed a little.

It’s because I just got my hands on something that even officially registered hunters couldn’t get.

I guess it didn’t matter because I couldn’t even take it with me.

Calmed down, I positioned myself in a stance with my new shield.