Chapter 8 (1/2)
The Guide remained shocked for a considerable amount of time, being unable to complete his sentence. Then, his lips began twitching in an ugly manner, before he hurriedly covered up his monocle with his hand. Seol still got to see the lens emit some sort of light before it was covered, though.
”What the f*ck. The one who invited that man, are you watching right now?” (Han)
The Guide growled quite menacingly.
”What is the meaning of this? Why do you even require the presence of a Guide, if you plan on doing things this way?” (Han)
It seemed that Han was really ticked off.
”Are you making fun of me? Was your experience during the Tutorial that unpleasant? Are you trying to completely rip it to shreds, is that it? Just how did you even know what that man would need in here…..?!” (Han)
Suddenly, the light from the lens vanished. The Guide issued a short but sharp groan, and began chewing his lips.
Completely and utterly disregarding Han, the blonde maid simply picked up the golden bag and gracefully brought it to Seol. Han didn't try to interfere, but his complexion was visibly complicated.
Just what was in this bag, then? Seol couldn't help but become quite curious now. Even the taciturn Yun Seo-Rah craned her neck slightly to sneak a better look.
Seol confirmed that there were six items listed on the tag attached to the bag.
- Necessary Box, x3
- Survival Points, 5,000 points
- Mark of Survival, x1
- Diary of an unknown student, x1
The first thing to attract Seol's gaze was the so-called 'Necessary Box'. He heard that both the bronze and silver Marks got Random Boxes. His had a different name.
”Please, open and apply your bonuses here.” (Han)
Unlike before, Han's voice seemed to possess far more urgency than before. Since he was planning to do that anyways, Seol slowly unlocked and opened the bag.
[5000 Survival Points has been accredited to you.] [You have secured (1) Mark of Survival.] [The diary of an unknown student is currently being updated.]
The smartphone buzzed and vibrated in his pocket, but Seol couldn't feel it. Why? Because, his attention had been stolen away by the three boxes with all sorts of intricate symbols and runes covering them, neatly tucked to the bottom of the bag.
”There should be three boxes inside the bag. You can just open them. Nothing complicated to worry about.” (Han)
Han tried to add some explanations in a friendly manner, but he failed to hide his eagerness to see what were inside those boxes.
”Eii, dayum. All this suspense is really killing me here. Hey, excuse me? Is it fine if we open the box together?” (Kahng Seok)
Kahng Seok, who had been staring at Seol's bag with barely-disguised greed, stood half way up from his chair. It was right then.
”Sit back down.” (Han)
A powerful but still well-mannered voice slammed into Kahng Seok's eardrums.
”I mean, I was just….” (Kahng Seok)
”I told you to sit back down.” (Han)
Han's voice sounded incredibly cold. Kahng Seok nervously swallowed his saliva and parked his b.u.t.t back down on the chair.
The Guide, Han, snorted out once, and then began fiddling with his monocle.
”….His bonuses are reserved only for that person. They are things you, Mister Kahng Seok, should neither see nor even desire.” (Han)
Han then s.h.i.+fted his gaze back to Seol.
The a.s.sembly hall fell into the grips of the deathly silence yet again. Not even the sounds of breathing could be heard now.
As for Seol….
Each of the boxes were no bigger than an adult's clenched fist. Pressured by the silent stares, Seol reached inside, and carefully opened the first box.
[The Necessary Box (x1) has been opened!] [Scanning for the most 'needed item' during the current situation…. Please wait.] [The awakening of the Innate ability, ”??”, has been initiated.]
When Seol blinked his eyes once, new messages began popping up one after the other.
[Your Innate ability, Future Vision, is responding to the awakening of the new ability!] [The Innate ability, ”??”, has evolved into ”Nine Eyes”.] [The central direction (1) of your Innate ability - Nine Eyes, the Green colour: General Observation, has been fully unlocked.] [Please confirm through your Status Window.]
'Green colour? General Observation?'
Hearing the announcement that he should check the Status Window, Seol raised his head. Which led him to peek at the top of Yun Seo-Rah's craning head.
[Yun Seo-Rah's Status Window] [1. General Information]
Summoned date: March 16th, 2017
Marking Grade: Silver
s.e.x/Age: Female/20
Height/Weight: 166.2 cm/53.4 kg
Current Condition: Good
Job: LV. 0 (Invited)
Nationality: Republic of Korea (Area 1)
Affiliation: N/A
Alias: N/A
[2. Personality] Temperament:
- Cool headed. (Her actions and thoughts are not swayed by emotions and is always calm.)
- Indifferent. (She's not easily interested in anything particular.)
Apt.i.tude:
- Brilliant. (Possesses a smart brain as well as good overall talents)
- Highly observant. (Will carefully a.n.a.lyse and study items and events all around her.)
She must've sensed his gaze - Yun Seo-Rah raised her head then, and Seol almost reflexively cried out. He quickly averted his gaze, but her Status Window didn't disappear from his sight. It wasn't just her general information and her personality, either - her physical level, talents, and even her consciental awareness were laid bare.
Not knowing what happened, Yun Seo-Rah could only tilt her head.
From Seol's perspective, this whole thing felt absurd. Didn't Han say that one's Status Window couldn't be observed by others without permission from the person herself?
[Yi Surl-Ah's Status Window] [1. General Information]
Summoned date: March 16th, 2017
Marking grade: Bronze
s.e.x/Age: Female/18
Height/Weight: 160.6 cm/49.8 kg.
Current Condition: Good
Job: LV. 0 (Invited)
Nationality: Republic of Korea (Area 1)
Affiliation: N/A
Alias: N/A
[2. Personality] Temperament:
- Virtuous (Possesses a fine, gentle, and benevolent personality.)
- Deeply caring. (Possesses deep love and care.)
- Dependent. (Unconsciously seeks someone to depend on.)
Apt.i.tude:
- A jack-of-all-trades. (Good at various activities.)
- High concentration. (Can focus 100% of her concentration while performing an action.)
When Seol sneaked a glance at Yi Surl-Ah to make sure, he also got to see her Status Window, as well. Now feeling somewhat befuddled, Seol was about to raise his hand when he realised his mistake and quickly lowered it.
”Yes? Are you curious about something, sir?” (Han)
However, the Guide didn't miss Seol's actions.
”Have you opened your boxes?” (Han)
”….Yes, I have.” (Seol)
Seol's throat suddenly dried up. He couldn't be sure why, but he thought that not saying anything right now was for the best. So, he decided to change the topic slightly.
”I just received a message to confirm with my Status Windows, so….” (Seol)
”Oh, I see. Your Status Windows, is it…” (Han)
Han's anxious expression seemed to brighten up in an instant.
”So, what was updated? Your attributes? Or maybe, abilities?” (Han)
When Seol wordlessly stared at Han, the Guide awkwardly laughed. Seeing that reaction, it wasn't all that difficult for Han to figure it out.
”Oh, my. Please, excuse my thoughtless behaviour. You do not have to worry. As long as you don't permit it, not only me, but no one else alive in this world can take a peek at your Status Windows.”
The Guide was inwardly breathing a sigh of relief while saying this. A Necessary Box usually gave out something outrageous to those who were privileged enough to open them, after all. Not only personal attributes, abilities, but also physical statuses as well, all of them were fair game. So, to hear that Seol only got to hear his Status had been upgraded, this wasn't much to fret over.
Of course, this line of thought was only possible because Han had no idea just what kind of an ability had awakened inside Seol at this very moment.