Aftermath (2)

As I was testing out a few swings with the sword, the door to my hospital room opened and a familiar face walked in.

It was Seo Yerim.

“You're awake? Seeing you swing that sword, I guess you're feeling better.”

“Yerim, why are you here...?”

“... You were in danger because of me. Why? Can't I look after you?”

“Look after me?”

She nodded.

'Have we gotten closer?'

Maybe I'd scored some points by sending her into the clear zone while I took a beating from all three of them at the end.

'Not bad.'

Now she'd probably take my well-meaning advice to use a bow more positively.

I'd have to brainwash her little by little.

“How long was I out?”

“About five hours.”

Then, looking at me, she continued.

“On that note, what are you planning to say in the interviews? They're bound to ask about our respective contributions and things like that.”

“What's public opinion like?”

“The consensus is that you played a decent part too.”

“Really?” I asked, tilting my head.

All anyone had seen was me coming out in tatters. They might be able to tell I'd had a rough time, but that was hardly a measure of my contribution.

Wouldn't it be stranger for a low-ranked awakener to enter a high-ranked gate and come out unscathed?

'Oh.'

I looked at Yerim.

“I was wondering why you were asking. You haven't done any interviews yet, have you? Did you come straight here?”

“... Yes.”

People were probably making that assumption because of the Sword Phoenix's behavior. She'd always seemed rather aloof, after all. She wasn't remotely the type to make a fuss after coming back from a gate.

'Interviews, huh.'

I thought it over for a moment. My original plan had been simple.

'I was going to reveal my strength.'

I'd wanted the rewards for a gate's first clear. The way things worked, revealing my strength was unavoidable if I wanted them.

A solo clear of a B+ gate.

I'd made that decision because I'd grown considerably since level 1.

'Is anything really different now?'

No.

Level 151. I'd reached D-rank.

With my titles and the stats I'd gained from elixirs, I was practically a monster.

Assassins?

Let them come.

I had a sword and a sword art now. If anything, I could beat them up instead.

'An S-ranker would be a bit rough, though...'

Still, even nations and organizations would struggle to send out an S-ranker casually. Openly assassinating a celebrity wasn't easy.

And even if one really did come, taking them down wasn't impossible.

“Let's call it fifty-fifty.”

We'd each done about half the work. That had been true when we killed the Unorthodox Alliance leader at the end, too.

Without Precision Snipe, I couldn't have killed him. I would have been the one getting ganged up on and killed instead.

“You're going to reveal it?”

“I need some money.”

Revealing my strength had plenty of advantages.

For starters, money poured in around successful awakeners, from investments to recruitment offers.

'I should use this chance to get another investment.'

I could earn money through crafting, too, but considering how much I'd need going forward, crafting alone wouldn't cover it.

No, to be precise, it could.

'It would just take a damn long time.'

The skeletons' crafting skills were E-rank. If I decided to raise them to a high rank and hole up in a workshop to make money, I'd have to sink at least several months into it.

Investment, on the other hand, came in one shot. Refreshingly large sums, too. Nothing beat it as a way to get stronger fast.

Besides, building my reputation would make it easier for Ilseong to invest in me. People wouldn't accuse them of throwing money at me just because I was the chairman's son.

“Are you going to enhance the C-rank ones to +9 too?”

“Of course. If I can.”

There were still quite a few awakeners up through C-rank, so the supply of skill books shouldn't be too scarce.

From B-rank onward, I honestly wasn't sure. Those were upper-mid-tier awakeners, so their numbers dropped sharply.

And then there were the top-grade elixirs.

B-rank started at level 251. At least the number of levels I needed jumped from fifty to a hundred, giving me a little more time.

I'd leave those headaches for later.

“What rewards did you get, Yerim?”

“The martial arts manual I got at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering changed. From A-rank to S-rank. But... it gave me swordsmanship at first, then changed to archery.”

“That's great. Smart gate. It even tailors the rewards.”

She'd only used a sword during the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. Once the chase began, though, she'd mainly used a bow because it made shaking off our pursuers easier. And she'd finished by shooting the Unorthodox Alliance leader with an arrow.

The reward had probably taken that into account.

'Jackpot.'

This wasn't some mediocre martial art. It was S-rank.

She couldn't abandon that. Whether she had to grit her teeth and bear it or not, she'd practice archery seriously. In time, she'd develop archery skills and might get more and more invested in the bow.

“Why not take this opportunity to learn archery properly? The way I see it, you're destined for greatness with a bow.”

“Do you tell fortunes too?”

“No. Just a hunch.”

“... I thought you actually did. As for archery... fine. I might as well give it a try.”

It happened at that very moment.

● The fate of 'Seo Yerim,' one of the main characters, is beginning to twist!

● This is uncharted territory! Special bonus points will be awarded!

● The story is beginning to change!

● Achievement Points will be awarded!

● Your total earned Achievement Points have exceeded 500!

● 'Silver'-tier items are now unlocked.

● A limited-time item has been generated as a reward for your first tier increase and for pioneering uncharted territory!

[Opening the Achievement Shop!]

[Tier: Silver (Total Points Earned: 530)]

[Available Achievement Points: 230]

Kim Minwoo's eyes widened at his available points.

He'd had thirty points before. Merely getting her to decide to practice archery had earned him two hundred.

'How does that make sense?'

Killing the supporting character Lee Seoyun had earned thirty points. Getting Park Siwoo to achieve an SSS-rank achievement had earned three hundred.

'Uncharted territory. Is that why?'

Why was this uncharted territory?

There was only one plausible explanation.

Come to think of it, Park Siwoo had always been destined to wield a sword.

But Seo Yerim?

The bow hadn't even been on her list of options before. Now it was. It felt as if she'd veered onto an entirely different track.

Maybe that was why.

Of course, I wasn't certain. There might be some deeper secret, but it was hard to deduce anything from the information I had.

I checked the product list.

[Product List]

[1. Limit-Breaking Elixir]

[Required Achievement Points: 100]

[2. Cocktail of the Dead]

[Required Achievement Points: 100]

[3. Random Necromancer Equipment Draw Ticket (Legend–Ancient)]

[Required Achievement Points: 300]

[4. S-Rank Bound Skill Book]

[Required Achievement Points: 500]

[5. ♚♚Class Change Ticket☆$$SUPER SPECIAL DISCOUNT☜☜99% BARGAIN SALE※♜♜Buy now￥§§Guaranteed value§§Right this instant@$#LIMITED-TIME OFFER*&^]

[Required Achievement Points: 230]

[6. ???]

...?

Something strange seemed to have slipped into the list.

'Class Change Ticket?'

Like the Limit-Breaking Elixir, it was an item name I'd never seen in my life.

Could it really let someone change classes?

I inspected its details.

[Class Change Ticket]

[Allows the user to change classes.]

[Your 'first class skill book' will be obtained anew through a reassessment in a subject suited to your selected class.]

[Existing skills and titles will also be transformed to suit your new class.]

[* Time remaining until sale ends: 10 minutes]

[* Valid for use within 1 minute of purchase]

'...?'

Kim Minwoo blinked.

Changing classes. That much I could accept.

But it could change the first class skill book, too? By giving you a reassessment in a subject suited to your chosen class?

'That's insane.'

In other words, it effectively fixed the awakening condition in the user's favor.

Naturally, that meant you could aim for a high-grade first class skill book. Something like the EX-grade Death Lord or the SSS-grade Holy Sword.

And as if that weren't enough, it even transformed your existing skills and titles to suit your class?

'All this for just 230 points?'

I could see why it said ninety-nine percent off. Frankly, it wouldn't have been strange for something like this to cost 23,000 Achievement Points.

There was just one problem.

'This isn't being sold for me to use, is it?'

I'd already picked necromancer and was thoroughly satisfied. I had no reason whatsoever to change classes. And the fact that it had to be used within a minute of purchase meant...

“... Is there something in front of you? What are you staring at?”

Seo Yerim.

Obviously, this thing was being sold for me to use on her.

“Seo Yerim.”

“Yes?”

“I'm going to ask you something very seriously, so think carefully before you answer. All right?”

“Wh-what is it?”

“Want to change classes?”

“...?”

“Want to?”

“H-how would I change classes?”

“Want to?”

“I mean...”

“Want to?”

“Oh, come on! Stop bringing your face closer!” she cried, her face flushing bright red.

I backed away a little and said, “I'm not joking. You know you have a talent for archery now, right?”

“... Yes.”

“If you change from swordsman to archer, your potential will skyrocket. Instead of barely making a name for yourself domestically, you could aim for the world rankings.”

“...”

“Don't doubt me. Trust me. I have a way.”

“Really?”

“I don't lie about things like this.”

Seo Yerim nodded. From everything she'd seen, he was someone who became utterly serious when the situation called for it.

“... Something like that really exists?”

“Yes. If you want it, I can give you one. A Class Change Ticket.”

A Class Change Ticket?

She tilted her head. She'd never once heard of such an item existing.

“Did you get it as a reward for clearing this gate?”

“Does this sound like something you'd get for clearing a mere A+ gate?”

“... No, it doesn't. Then where did you get something like that?”

“I have my own purchasing channel.”

From beginning to end, none of it made any sense to her. Yet Kim Minwoo's expression was utterly serious.

“You can retake the test to get your first skill book again, and your titles and skills will change to fit your class.”

“... That's impossible.”

Seo Yerim's expression grew grave.

If something like that really existed, it would be an item that wouldn't drop even in an S-rank gate. How on earth had Kim Minwoo obtained it?

“This is your only chance. I won't be able to get it later either. We don't have much time.”

“B-but... if I suddenly change classes, what am I supposed to tell my grandfather...?”

“I know you can't achieve greatness with a sword, and so does the Sword Immortal. Do you think he'd dislike this? He'd welcome it.”

“...”

“If you're that worried, I'll come explain it with you, since your grandfather likes me so much. Just say you'll become an archer. Hurry!”

It was a decision that deserved thought. I knew I was rushing her.

But what else was I supposed to do? There were only two minutes left on the sale.

If I bought it in advance, it'd become worthless a minute later.

'Damn it.'

Kim Minwoo was just as anxious. Merely getting her to practice archery had been worth two hundred points.

How many points would changing her class be worth?

He had to make her an archer, even if he had to hold a sword to her throat.

Right this instant.

“Just go for it! I'll take responsibility!”

“R-responsibility?”

“Yes! If it goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility! So say you'll become an archer. Deep down, you've wanted this!”

“... Supposing I do... what should I give you in return? If I receive something that valuable, I'll have no way to repay you...”

Was repayment really important right now? I was on the verge of multiplying my Achievement Points.

Ignoring her concern, I quickly pressed the purchase button.

[Purchasing Class Change Ticket!]

As soon as I bought it, I put the book in Seo Yerim's hands.

“Use it! Right now! Choose archer!”

Startled, Seo Yerim had barely glanced at the book when messages appeared.

[You have obtained a Class Change Ticket!]

[State your desired class within 1 minute.]

Her face began to stiffen as she read them.

“A-archer!” she cried urgently.

[Target 'Seo Yerim's' class is changing from swordsman to archer.]

[All titles and skills will be transformed.]

[Beginning 'Reassessment.']

[Entering the Testing Grounds.]

In an instant, the scenery before her began to change.

The same went for Kim Minwoo.

An entirely white space surrounded him.

“What the hell? Why am I here?”

I wasn't taking the test again.

Just then, a stuffed bear came walking toward them.

“?”

Both of them tilted their heads.

Then the stuffed bear spoke with an air of importance.

“Ah-hem! I am Popo, your reassessment evaluator! You must be the candidate who used the Class Change Ticket?”

Still bewildered, Seo Yerim nodded.

“To have accumulated so many Achievement Points... I can tell at a glance. You must be someone truly remarkable.”

After addressing Seo Yerim with the utmost courtesy, the stuffed bear called Popo turned to stare at Kim Minwoo.

A moment later, Popo narrowed its eyes.

“Uh, you... What the heck? Why is some guy who didn't even use a ticket here?”

How was I supposed to know?

More importantly, this guy seemed like a typical profiteer. It fawned over Seo Yerim, who seemed to have spent a lot of Achievement Points, then immediately got rude with the person who apparently hadn't spent any.

There was only one way to deal with a guy like this.

“I'm the sponsor.”

“... Pardon?”

“I sponsored her ticket. What's with that attitude? Are all evaluators like this?”

“Uh... well...”

“Tsk, tsk. Kids these days are a complete mess, aren't they?”

“M-ma'am. Is what that man said true?”

“It is, but...”

“I-I'm sorry! I failed to recognize such an honored guest! I-I'm new, and I made a mistake!”

“That explains it. You're new?”

“... Yes. I was only recently transferred here, so... Please, just don't report me to the higher-ups...”

The stuffed bear trembled violently. It seemed awfully attached to its job.