Memorize

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Kim Han-Byeol never took her eyes off me, even until the end. Her gaze seemed to plead with me, urging me to get up and run, but I had no intention of doing so.

It looked like my companions had thoroughly misunderstood my intentions.

Eventually, the bright blue light of the warp gate flashed one final time, signaling the completion of their teleportation. Everyone had gone, leaving only me behind.

Gone?

Gone.

Yeah, they're gone.

Before I knew it, a thick shadow had surrounded me. The boss monster didn't seem to care that its other prey had escaped, as it growled slowly while staring me down. Slowly, I planted my hands on the ground and pushed myself up. It had been a while since I rolled around like that, and my whole body felt stiff and sore. As I twisted my torso to loosen my back, the cracking of my joints echoed in the silence.

I glanced down at the crossbow I had relied on until now, then let it drop to the ground. I didn't need it anymore. With a dull thud, it hit the dirt, rolling slightly. Without hesitation, I brought my foot down on it.

"Crack!"

The crossbow broke cleanly in two under my foot. Unfazed, I extended my hand toward the spot where my companions had dropped their gear. With a surge of magic, I activated my telekinetic skill, and An Hyun's longsword spiraled through the air, landing firmly in my grip.

Finally, I held a sword in my hand.

One thing that had felt strangely off during the entire rite of passage was the absence of a sword at my side. In Hall Plain, my sword had been my lifeline. Whether I was sleeping, eating, or even bathing, my sword was always by my side. When I handed my sword to An Hyun earlier, it felt like I had been separated from a comrade.

It's finally over. I can return to Hall Plain. How long had I yearned for this moment? How many times had I desperately wished to go back? What once seemed like a dream became a reality when I obtained the Zero Code, and now, just one final step remained. My heart surged with emotion.

It felt as though the Hwajung within my heart, which had lain dormant, was now responding to my burning desire. My heart pounded wildly, and the blood coursing through my veins felt like it was igniting. My breath, which had seemed to still, and my heart, which had grown cold, were now roaring back to life. It was the moment just before the beginning of a long, renewed war—a new chapter just waiting to unfold.

"ROAAAR!"

The boss monster let out a thunderous roar. Before striking, I took a quiet moment to gaze at the sword in my hand. Even though I had gained powers that far surpassed my former self, there was no guarantee that I was the strongest. But there was no fear. Even if I fell into the abyss once more, even if I suffered great wounds again, I had sworn to never give up. With that unshakable resolve, I raised my sword and pointed it at the monster.

At the very moment I wielded the sword with true intent, the air around me changed completely.

『Special ability "Sword Heart" (Rank EX) is activated. From the moment you draw your sword, all sword-related actions receive additional positive corrections. With your years of experience, numerous accomplishments, and class bonus, your rank increases by 2.』

『Latent ability "Close Quarter Combat" (Rank A+) is activated. Your skills in close combat have surpassed the limits of ordinary humans. In close-range battles, you will never be outmatched. With your years of experience and class bonus, your rank increases by 1.』

I had once been a Sword Master, and now I was a Sword Specialist. I had abilities related to the sword and a class directly tied to swordsmanship. The difference in power when I held a sword and when I didn't was as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. If, before, my presence had been like a fleeting cloud, now it was an overwhelming storm filled with the intent, "I will kill you." My killing intent surrounded the monster like a suffocating force.

In my eyes, the monster seemed insignificant—like a mere insect, hardly worth my attention. As I took a step forward, the boss monster took a step back. It couldn't help itself. Despite its cunning, it was still a beast, and its primal instincts were intact. The difference in our power was too great. It had already sensed this, and I could tell it had lost its will to fight.

The foundation of my swordsmanship lies in the principles of Taiji. Rather than overwhelming my opponent with sheer force, I employ techniques that leverage both my own power and that of my adversary. Given that my physical strength pales in comparison to top-tier players, this is my only means of countering their attacks. To explain further, I utilize the principles of 'Electric Healing' (dedicated to softness) and 'Reason's Extremity' (overcoming the firm with gentleness), where the essence lies in subduing movement through calmness.[Ying-Yang]

I slowly lowered my sword, knowing that I could not expect the monster to strike first; I would initiate the attack instead. My current stance was a sort of preparation for my unique drawing technique. I was aware that it might appear vulnerable.

However, this vulnerability also meant that my opponent could not predict the direction of my first strike. If I swung my sword with lightning speed from this position, the enemy would often be caught off guard before they could read my intentions or end up relinquishing the initiative.

Gazing at the boss monster, which was trembling before me, I swiftly drew my sword.

At that moment...

My sword intent sliced through the air, advancing toward the monster without hesitation.

*

"'One Sword Kill.' A magnificent drawing technique. Player Kim Su-Hyeon. Congratulations on surviving the passage ceremony. This player has proven their qualification to enter the Hall Plain as of Day 6, 16:42:27."

With a single stroke, I had cleaved the boss monster in half. After returning to the summoning room, this was the first thing Seraph said to me. She was still gazing at me serenely, her shining wings fluttering above a small pedestal. Though it hadn't been a week since our last meeting, it felt like an eternity. I nodded vaguely and then collapsed onto the ground.

"What about the others?"

It was a vague question, but the passage ceremony was different from the Hall Plain. This was a space where there were no restrictions on observing players. It was clear she had watched my performance, so I assumed she had seen the other players who acted alongside me.

"Providing information about other players is not permitted."

"I'm not asking for their measurements or anything. You can at least tell me if they got in safely, right? You're being overly sensitive."

Hearing my words, Seraph let out a deep sigh and replied in a calm tone.

"Players An Hyun, An Sol, Lee Yun-Jung, and Kim Han-Byeol have been successfully transmitted to the summoning room. They are currently in a waiting state with their assigned angels."

"I see. They'll be receiving half a day's training before entering the Hall Plain?"

"The training doesn't take that long. However, it is necessary to unlock classes and abilities that fit the players' characteristics. Player Kim Su-Hyeon managed to complete this comfortably under his own guidance, but please do not share your experience with that of the other players."

At those words, I fell silent. In the past, after surviving seven days, I had returned to the summoning room, learned the basic knowledge about the Hall Plain, and could enter after setting my preferences. That time felt like it had taken half a day.

"All players are transmitted to the Hall Plain in bulk. Therefore, we must wait for players who qualify after completing Day 7 of the passage ceremony."

"Then I can go now…" 

"Absolutely not."

This was not the answer I wanted to hear, especially since I had dealt with the boss monster quickly. I hesitated to ask again, but before I could finish my thought, Seraph cut me off. I sulked, pouting my lips.

"So, you're saying I have to stay here for almost a day and a half? Just waiting around? Should I play a game of patty-cake with you or something?"

Despite my annoyed tone, Seraph replied clearly.

"I would be happy to assist you if that is your wish. For players who have passed early, we provide more detailed information about the Hall Plain."

"I don't need that."

"Then would you like to play patty-cake instead?"

"Ugh… No. Let's just talk."

Seeing Seraph's serious expression, I shook my head. She was definitely an angel who didn't understand jokes. Since things were this way, I decided to ask a few questions I had during the passage ceremony. Of course, I made sure to infuse my tone with a hint of grievance. Upon hearing my suggestion to talk, Seraph tilted her head slightly, then nodded.

"I've been playing through the passage ceremony, and I have to ask: have you considered the balance of your game?"

"Yes."

She answered in a terse manner.

"…Dropping us in the middle of a forest and the race was one thing. But what about summoning a boss monster? What were you thinking? Is this really how a passage ceremony should go? This way, potential players won't be able to pass at all."

"Is there a problem with that?"

"If I hadn't been there at the end, our party would have been wiped out. I just can't understand why you'd unleash such a monster."

At my words, Seraph opened her mouth without a moment's hesitation.

"The passage ceremony automatically adjusts the balance according to the levels of the participating players. Of course, this time it was done especially with the exception of player Kim Su-Hyeon. Nonetheless, throughout the years, this batch has seen many promising players who could be counted on one hand."

"No matter how you put it, I still can't understand the boss monster. players who can't even use mana are expected to take it down?"

"It's impossible to defeat it. There's a different strategy. Boss monsters are summoned randomly within a distance of 200 to 300 meters from the Warp Gate. It's impossible to face it alone, so having at least five people ensures that at least one can reach the Warp Gate."

I quickly grasped what Seraph was saying.

"…So you're saying the maximum of four can act as bait while one escapes."

"Correct."

I was at a loss for words. On one hand, I now understood why the boss monsters were positioned near the Warp Gate. Those who passed had to experience the grief of losing their companions. Such events were common in the Hall Plain, so it seemed they intended to start with a similar shock from the very beginning.

It felt morbid, but I had no arguments. My own return was, in a way, rooted in a similar inability to overcome the sense of loss. I sighed internally, and just as I was about to change the subject, Seraph spoke up first.

"I admit there was a certain level of difficulty. By the way, the four who arrived simultaneously first have been awarded a modest amount of gold points."

"...Oh? So there are no other players who passed before us? What about me?"

"Player Kim Su-Hyeon, you placed 5th. The four I mentioned are tied for 1st place. As a reward, each of them will receive 2500 gold points."

Oh, that was good news. Getting 2500 points early on would be quite helpful. Gold points, usable in player-exclusive shops, have immense utility in the beginning. I opened my mouth with shining eyes.

"Oh. Gold points. I want mine too."

"Unfortunately, only the 1st place players receive them. Typically, 10,000 points are given to one person, but this time it happened to be split among four, so you'll miss out, player Kim Su-Hyeon."

I nodded, feeling a bit disappointed. 2500 points would have been a significant cushion for the start in the Hall Plain, ensuring I wouldn't have to worry about money early on. I could even buy beginner weapons. Sensing my mood, Seraph looked at me with a puzzled expression and spoke.

"Player Kim Su-Hyeon. You seem to be quite disappointed. It's only 2500 points, after all."

"Gold points don't just come out of the ground, you know."

"That's true. However, player Kim Su-Hyeon currently holds exactly 3,784,720 points. I don't think you need to worry about 2500 points."

…Huh?

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