"For the time being, let's focus on escaping from this place," I suggested as we contemplated our situation. The first item on our to-do list was obtaining a class, but the question remained: how do we get one? Unfortunately, I couldn't provide a definite answer to that.
Park Deokgu appeared shocked by my lack of knowledge on the matter, but I assured him that I wasn't all-knowing. I might have seemed trustworthy compared to those who only knew how to study, but in truth, I wasn't an exceptional game player myself.
"To gain classes, it seems the only way is by hunting monsters," I explained, recalling the information we had heard earlier. Our classes would depend on our hard work and efforts. It was crucial that we took action, whether by engaging in combat or simply honing our skills with the sword.
With determination, I emptied my leather bag onto the ground, and Park Deokgu watched curiously as I began to assemble makeshift armor for him. When he realized my intention, he was touched by the gesture. However, he questioned whether I needed it more than him since he would be at the front lines during battles.
"I'm afraid I might not live up to your expectations, but I'll try my best," he said earnestly, to which I nodded in agreement.
In the following days, it became evident that Park Deokgu was living up to my expectations and even surpassing them. His basic stats were significantly higher than mine, especially his endurance, which was almost twice as much. Despite his fear, he faced the monsters head-on, wielding his sword and shield like a skilled gladiator.
While he kept the monsters at bay with his shield, I took advantage of the opportunity to strike them with my spear. However, it wasn't as easy as it appeared, and we both struggled. Although with Park Deokgu's assistance, the task was somewhat more manageable, our varying basic stats still presented a significant challenge.
Eventually, after a few intense minutes, we managed to defeat the creatures. I felt exhausted and covered in sweat, realizing that this endeavor was far more demanding than I had anticipated. Park Deokgu offered me water, and I gratefully accepted, catching my breath.
"Your stamina seems quite low," Park Deokgu remarked.
"I've never exercised before," I replied.
Though I had seen a slight improvement in my stamina since we began hunting monsters, I couldn't help but feel envious of Park Deokgu's much greater progress. His endurance had increased from 30 to 33, a remarkable achievement compared to my mere one-point gain. It seemed talent might play a role in the rate at which stats improved, and his endurance growth potential indicated he could even reach the heroic grade and beyond.
However, my concern was not just about envy; it was the worry that Park Deokgu might outshine me to the point of not needing my support. At least, for now, he seemed unaware of this possibility. I decided that surviving while relying on him would be in my best interest.
"By the way, maybe today we could explore a bit more, hyung-nim?" Park Deokgu suggested.
"Lower your voice when you speak," I reminded him. "We need to be cautious; noise attracts more monsters."
He pondered the possibility that the excessive noise during the tutorial attracted the monsters to the starting point. I shared my observations, emphasizing the need to minimize noise during fights, as attracting multiple monsters at once could be fatal. I was amazed at his innocent admiration for my insights.
Considering that all the monsters from this area might have been lured to the starting point, there was a chance that other survivors had faced a similar situation to ours.
"Let's take a break and have something to eat," I suggested, and Park Deokgu agreed.
As we sat down to eat our tasteless food, we heard a distant voice. Park Deokgu believed it to be a human's voice, but I doubted it. However, the voice grew louder, indicating someone else was approaching.
"I think we have company," Park Deokgu said.
"Prepare your weapon," I instructed.
Soon, a woman appeared, being chased by three monsters. She was unarmed, and her appearance showed signs of exhaustion and fear. She didn't fit the criteria of a helpful ally, as she lacked both weapons and provisions.
Despite the inconvenience, we couldn't leave her to fend for herself. I sighed and readied my spear, prepared to face the monsters chasing her. As I approached, I noticed she was just a civilian woman, defenseless against the monsters' attacks. I quickly assessed the monsters' abilities and then used my Eyes' Check to analyze the woman.
[Checking the Show Details and talent levels of the player Jung Hayan.]
[Name: Jung Hayan] [Title: None. You should try a little harder.] [Age: 21] [Disposition: Pure Advocate] [Class: None] [Stats] [Strength: 10/Growth potential: rare or lower]
[Agility: 11/Growth potential: rare or lower] [Stamina: 12/Growth potential: heroic or lower] [Intelligence: 22/Growth potential: heroic or higher] [Endurance: 14/Growth potential: rare or lower]
[Luck: 23/Growth potential: heroic or higher] [Magic Power: 10/Growth potential: legendary or higher]
[Summary: You have above legendary grade magic potential growth. While your overall physical ability is low, you can experience explosive growth as a wizard or priest in the future. You are currently unable to feel magic. It's not an exaggeration to say that player Kee Miyoung has the potential of an ant in comparison.]
'What on earth…'
The sight of this girl, barely able to catch her breath, with such extraordinary abilities was hard to fathom. Her potential to surpass the legendary grade was unprecedented for a human, and her magic power stat was already at 10 while mine still lingered at a mere 0.
"We've never dealt with three at the same time," I spoke as I analyzed her stats, abandoning any thoughts of discarding her and forming a new plan instead.
"We'll have to fight them," I continued, considering our options.
"Can we win?" my companion inquired.
"We need to lure them to a more confined space," I suggested.
"Fighting while backed against a wall will give us an advantage, even though our escape route will be blocked. I don't think we'll lose that easily."
I tightened my grip on my spear as the girl spotted us and raced towards our position. I signaled for her to join us, and she seemed to understand, nodding in agreement.
"Wait in the corner," I instructed her.
"O-okay."
When the woman finally reached us, Park Deokgu swung his shield heavily, forcing the monsters back momentarily as they turned the corner.
"Now!"
"Haa!"
Though Park Deokgu managed to repel them briefly, one of the creatures attempted to rush him again.
"Hyung-nim!" I called out in concern.
Acting on instinct, I thrust my spear into one of the monsters, causing it to collapse under Park Deokgu's sword. However, this left him vulnerable as his stance was compromised. Dealing with three enemies simultaneously was no easy feat.
The only support I could provide for Park Deokgu, still holding up his shield, was to keep wielding my spear relentlessly. As I bit my lips in determination, a sword suddenly protruded from the chest of the last monster.
"Tha-thank you."
"No problem."
It was someone who had come to our aid. The familiar face of the man who had helped me at the starting point.
"What the…"
[Checking the Show Details and talent levels of the player Kim Hyunsung.]
[Name: Kim Hyunsung] [Titles: The Regressor of Altanus, The Swordsman Who Started the 2nd Round, The One Who Failed, The One Who Embraced Sacrifice, The Enlightened One]
[Age: 22] [Disposition: Well-Meaning Arbitrator] [Class: Swordsman (Common)] [Stats] [Strength: 19/Growth potential: legendary or higher] [Agility: 28/Growth potential: legendary or higher]
[Stamina: 23/Growth potential: legendary or higher] [Intelligence: 18/Growth potential: heroic or lower] [Endurance: 22/Growth potential: heroic or lower] [Luck: 23/Growth potential: heroic or higher] [Magic Power: 11/Growth potential: heroic or higher]
'What is this…?' I couldn't help but widen my eyes at the sight of the Show Details displaying unexpected information.
'Regression? Turning back time?' It dawned on me that this man had experienced this situation before.