Memorize - Episode 4
4 Using Privileges
"An unknown energy is making your strength even stronger. Your strength increases slightly."
"An unknown energy is making your agility even stronger. Your agility increases slightly."
"Your internal magic is explosively increasing! It's beyond control! Your magic increases significantly!"
"The goddess of luck is smiling at you! She has deep interest in you! Your luck increases significantly!"
Looking at the messages, I realized that strength and agility wouldn't increase much. It was inevitable. Although strength was one thing, my agility of 96 points was already remarkably high in the Hollow Plane. However, I was excited about the increases in magic and luck. The special messages were eventful.
"I haven't felt this kind of excitement in a long time. It's a shame that vitality didn't increase, but..."
I hadn't expected to receive privileges initially, so this was already a significant gain. I calmed my racing heart and immediately updated my user information.
< User Information (Player Status) >
Name: Kim Su-hyun (0 years of experience)
Class: -
Nation: -
Clan: -
True Name · Nationality: One who needs to prove qualifications, Preliminary User · South Korea
Sex: Male (23 years old)
Height · Weight: 181.5 cm · 75.5 kg
Personality: Lawful · Chaos
(Before Change) [Strength 86] [Endurance 92] [Agility 96] [Vitality 78] [Magic 48] [Luck 36]
(After Change) [Strength 94] [Endurance 92] [Agility 98] [Vitality 78] [Magic 90] [Luck 88]
< Achievements (0) >
< Special Abilities (0/1) >
< Latent Abilities (0/4) >
"Strength increased by 8 points, agility by 2 points, magic by 42 points, and luck by 52 points. Total increase of 104 points."
Good, very good. The ability scores, once mediocre, now showed impressive numbers after the messages.
However, I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed that vitality didn't increase. It was crucial, serving as the foundation or root of all other abilities. If magic was like a car's engine, vitality was like the car's body. My current vitality score of 78 was quite average.
"I wish vitality had increased instead of luck..."
Human greed seems endless. Despite having much better stats than before, I still felt unsatisfied.
I decided to put aside my dissatisfaction for now. There were still many privileges to receive, and I didn't want to waste time.
"User Kim Su-hyun, shall we proceed to the next privilege?"
"Hmm... not yet."
I reflexively shook my head, even though I had initially nodded. Ability scores were beyond my control, but from now on, I could choose and create my own path. Therefore, I needed to be cautious with each decision.
"Seraph, how much time is left before the Trial of Passage?"
"1 hour, 42 minutes, and 23 seconds."
"Wait, let me think for a bit. Thirty minutes... no, ten minutes."
"As you wish."
I closed my eyes and focused on my thoughts.
In the Hollow Plane, I was a strong user. I had enough power to wield the Zero Code. While I was certainly strong, I knew I wasn't the best or the strongest. My previously low magic score had always been a limitation.
Now that I've resolved the magic issue, I wondered if this was as far as I could go. My body, though labeled as a 0-year user, was actually that of a 10-year veteran. While there were ways to increase abilities through rewards, equipment, or elixirs, relying solely on training was difficult.
Of course, this didn't mean I was at a disadvantage. On average, ability growth through training stopped around the 70 to 80 point range. Considering this, my current abilities were exceptional.
"But that's only for typical cases."
There were always exceptions that exceeded expectations. I had to consider cases where abilities started above 70 points. I needed to prepare for such scenarios, as the miracles and coincidences from my first run weren't guaranteed to happen again.
I opened my eyes to find Seraph waiting for me.
"Seraph, I'd like to choose my class next."
"Yes. User Kim Su-hyun's request has been received. You have the priority to choose your class before entering the Trial of Passage or the Hollow Plane. Additionally, all secret classes will be revealed temporarily."
Class selection was a process that typically required proving one's qualifications. Normally, it happened after surviving the Trial of Passage and before entering the Hollow Plane. I was skipping this process and starting from the beginning.
I intended to choose a swordsman-related class again. With my increased magic, I could consider other classes, but I still thought being a swordsman was the best choice. It was a path I had already experienced.
A chart filled with information appeared in the air. I dismissed the Rare chart and focused on the Secret chart.
[Secret Job List]
[War Mage]
[Field Maestro]
[Requiem Assassin]
[Soul Commander]
[Jewel Mage]
[Copy Archimage]
[Death Knight]
[Brilliance Priest]
[...]
"This isn't it... neither is this... hmm... I remember a class that someone had..."
I was taken aback by the number of secret classes. Eventually, I decided to ask Seraph for help.
"Seraph, can you show me only the swordsman-related secret classes?"
"It's not difficult. Are you planning to choose a swordsman-related secret class?"
"Yes."
"I recommend it. It's an excellent choice. Please wait a moment while I filter them for you."
I was so focused on classes because they were linked to special and latent abilities. Abilities were determined by class, and class by abilities. I had to prepare for the two random latent abilities, considering the "Unique Ability" option.
"The filtering is complete. I will display the chart."
"Yes."
I carefully reviewed the filtered classes. I wanted a class that would make it easier to counter mages. In my first run, my low magic and luck scores made battles against mages frustrating.
"I found it."
As I scrolled through the list, I discovered the classes I was looking for.
[Sword Specialist]
[Spell Sniper]
Both classes had unique "Authorities" that were incredibly powerful. They had appeared in my first run, and their strength was renowned.
The Sword Specialist's authority allowed for advantages in all sword-related actions and could cut through anything in the world. The Spell Sniper's authority provided a chance for complete magic resistance.
The Spell Sniper could resist all magic with a magic score of 75 or less, reduce damage by 80% for magic with a score of 85 or less, and by 50% for magic with a score of 90 or less.
If I hadn't thought it through, I would have chosen the Spell Sniper without hesitation. Combining its authority with a latent ability like anti-magic would make most mages ineffective, except for those with extremely high magic scores.
However, after considering my options, I leaned heavily towards the Sword Specialist. The ability to cut through anything was an irresistible charm. I remembered a user who excelled as a Sword Specialist, effortlessly cutting and countering numerous spells and mages.
"...."
After deliberating, I chose the Sword Specialist. It was a bit of a gamble, but I spoke with a clear voice.
"I'll choose the Sword Specialist."
"Sword Specialist? It's not bad, but the Spell Sniper is also a good job. Considering your current magic score, there are few mages who can harm you."
"That's true."
"Why did you choose...?"
"In other words, there are still some who can."
"...."
Seraph looked displeased. I briefly wavered but reaffirmed my decision.
"Let me give you an example. There are target systems with guaranteed success and non-target systems that depend on control. The former has some safety but clear limitations. The latter's efficiency depends purely on skill."
"I understand."
"So, I'll go with the Sword Specialist."
"As you wish."
Seraph nodded after a moment, and another message appeared.
"Congratulations! You have obtained the secret class, Sword Specialist. Your user information has been updated."
Seeing the message, I felt a sense of relief. Passing the first hurdle had eased my mind, but I couldn't relax yet. I prepared for the next privilege, knowing that my will could only partially influence it.
"3. Privileges for special and latent abilities. Users typically have one special ability slot and four latent ability slots. For User Kim Su-hyun, an additional latent ability slot will be opened. This includes hidden abilities, allowing you to choose any special or latent ability you want.
Alternatively, you can open a 'Unique Ability' slot, which is superior to special abilities. If you choose a unique ability, you'll consume one latent ability slot and can choose abilities for half of the remaining slots (the other half will be random)."
I reflected on the information in my mind.
Special and latent abilities would develop over time based on one's tendencies. Choosing them from the start was a significant advantage, allowing me to start on a different level than other users. However, this meant I had to be cautious with my choices.
"Seraph, let's proceed with the ability privileges."
"Yes. I'll ask: will you activate the Unique Ability slot? The difference is..."
"I know. I'll go with the Unique Ability option."
"Understood. One latent ability slot will be consumed. Additionally, two of the remaining four slots will be randomly selected."
I had faith that the abilities would align with my growth, similar to how ability score increases were influenced by potential. Simply put, there was a high chance that abilities from my first run would be selected.
As I pondered, Seraph signaled that she was ready.
"The charts for Unique Ability, special abilities, and latent abilities are ready. Would you like to choose first or open two latent ability slots?"
There was a bit of anxiety, but it was better to get the bad news first. I decided to open two latent ability slots first.
"I'll open two latent ability slots first."