Chapter 11: 11 – Karmic Resolution

[Let us commence with his Awakening first.]

Before I could react, a giant hand came to rest on the top of my head.

I flinched, especially as I felt a flood of divine power race throughout my body. But the moment it did, it stopped, suddenly retracted.

[Hoh? He already possesses a Mana source?]

[And multiple Innate Abilities. How is this possible?]

[I see. I get it now!]

[A heaven-sent genius that would thrive no matter where he is!]

Several different voices resounded in my head. A voice ringing with supreme arrogance. A thunderous voice filled with rage. A lazy voice filled with annoyance. A sensuous voice that would stir at one's hidden desires.

Hearing them, I subconsciously guarded my mind.

[Hm?! Resisting our presence...?]

[Such talent... Is this truly the same person, Gula?]

[This... It would appear that small wish had a greater effect than anticipated.]

[Indeed. To have these capabilities... Is he not the equivalent of a level three already? No, a level four?]

[Enough. We must decide on his class, must we not?]

[Yes... But can such a thing be done so easily? His talent and innate abilities would allow him to thrive in any class.]

[The insight would create a masterful Archer.]

[Such heaven-defying luck would allow great strides as a Priest.]

[His combat prowess and physique would make a never before seen Warrior!]

[But what of his mana?! To possess High mana from a world with such scant amounts... Not only that, but to intuitively have such control so as to develop an innate ability... How can we not choose a magician?!]

I frowned and said, "I'm flattered by the praise... but I'd like to be a Warrior."

Silence. And then-

[A warrior... Yes. I suppose that could be best.]

[He already possesses great talent in mana. There would not be much aid as a magician.]

[But we can take that talent even further as a magician!]

[Enough! We have little time!]

[A vote then?]

[Yes, a vote.]

[Magician]

[Magician]

[Warrior]

[Warrior]

[Warrior]

[Magician]

[...Gula? Why haven't you said anything?]

A presence loomed over me. A familiar one, and yet at the same time foreign.

[I...]

xxx

A surge of energy coursing through my veins, swiftly being sucked into my energy source.

My body was soaked with sweat while I walked out of the chamber.

The moment I did, I noticed dozens of eyes staring at me.

Odelette was the first to speak up. "I knew this would happen." She smiled and said, "I'm guessing that you're now a Magician as well."

It was a smug look, an expression that said 'I knew it.'

I smiled back. "Sorry to disappoint you, but..."

xxx

"A Warrior?" Agnes frowned and muttered, "I suppose it makes sense considering your physique. But..." She let out a wistful sigh.

As we discussed, I came to meet Agnes after I got my class. At the moment, we were standing a bit off to the side from the notice board in the plaza.

"Very well." Agnes shook her head and said, "Then let us begin with sensing your mana-"

"No need."

"Pardon?" Agnes frowned. "What do-"

I held up my left hand and snapped, causing a flame to spark into existence.

Agnes blinked, staring at the flame and then at me. Then, in a flat voice, she said, "Your class... is a Warrior, correct?"

"That's right."

"Then that flame in your hand... Is it magic?"

"Mmhm."

Agnes blinked again and then frowned. "Mister Seol. I understand if you are upset at my inability to properly train your physique, but jokes such as these-"

"Wait. We can show status screens right? In that case..." I muttered and then showed Agnes the relevant portions. Well, somewhat adjusted, of course.

When she saw it...

"...What?"

[4. Abilities]

1. Innate Abilities (redacted)
- redacted
- redacted
- redacted
- Mana manipulation (Grade Unknown)
- Mana Core (C)
- redacted

2. Class-related abilities (2)
- Magic Swordsmanship (A)
- Mirror's Edge Swordsmanship (Ungraded)

3. Other abilities(redacted)
- Elemental Magic (C)

I withdrew the information and then said, "I'm a bit special, it seems. The gods actually were split on which class to throw me in since I would apparently excel in all of them... But in the end they had a vote between Magician to maximize my strengths and Warrior to cover my weakness. Well, I did ask them for Warrior though since I'm already fairly familiar with magic."

xxx

Agnes began massaging her temples.

How could they be so similar and yet so different?

Sung Shihyun. Another Irregular from Area 1.

The road that Jihu was walking was far too similar to Sung Shihyun. No, could it be said that he excelled beyond Sung Shiyun what ever did?

There were stories about Sung Shiyun stubbornly refusing to take the magician class and choosing the life of a warrior.

But Jihu's instance was a bit different. Rather than him choosing, the gods decided to make him a Warrior- No. He was already skilled in magic from the beginning.

'This... This isn't a matter I can interfere with.'

Not only that, but the breadth of abilities he had... And the fact that he showed them to her.

Did he have no sense of self-preservation? No, he was too insightful for that. Then... Did he trust her that much?

Agnes gave Jihu a reevaluating look.

"Hm?" He tilted his head and said, "What is it, Agnes?"

"...It's nothing. Since it's like this, we will begin your class-related training right away." She paused, remembering the skills listed in his class skills section. "Though I doubt it will be of much use..."

xxx

I lowered my weapon and frowned. "That's the limit of practice, huh?"

Agnes sighed and adjusted her glasses. "It appears so." She shook her head and said, "You... have learned everything I have to teach you."

I bowed my head and said, "Thank you, Miss Agnes- No. Teacher."

Agnes flushed and shook her head. "No. Calling me Teacher when I did only this much-"

I raised my head and said, "Regardless of the extent, you imparted your knowledge and experience to me. Furthermore, you took the time to carefully consider my future pathways and give me the information I need to decide for myself." I smiled and said, "If that is not a teacher, what is?"

Agnes averted her gaze and muttered, "So this is that sensation, is it?"

"Hm?"

Agnes coughed and said, "Well... Since it's come to this, there is only one thing left for you to improve."

"...The missions, right?"

Agnes nodded. She paused and then said, "I heard rumors that you accomplished a Very Hard mission by yourself on the first day. Is that true?"

"Mm... Somewhat." I scratched the back of my head and said, "I really just dragged out the time instead of completing it."

Agnes nodded. "That is the result of jumping in without taking the requisite steps. You might possess the talent and insight to do so, but efficiency is gained through deliberate practice. Furthermore, being able to do something is not the same as doing something well."

"So it appears." I nodded and sheathed my sword. "Then... I suppose it's time to get going for real."

Agnes nodded and then bowed her head. "It has been a pleasure instructing you, Mister-"

"It's Jihu. Seol Jihu."

"Pardon?"

I smiled and said, "After this much, I'd like to think we're close enough to drop that, right?"

"In that case, Jihu." Agnes straightened and said, "Call me Claire."

"Claire? Ah." I frowned and said, "...Was your first name not Agnes?"

She smiled. "While I am quite infamous under that name, I would prefer if you called me Claire."

"Huh." I nodded and said, "It's girlier than I expected."

"P-Pardon?"

"Nothing." I shook my head and said, "Anyway, I'm heading out now, Claire. Don't be a stranger!"

xxx

Odelette Delphine stood in shocked silence.

She wasn't alone.

A small crowd had gathered around the noticeboard. As for the reason...

"Hm. Still too easy."

...It was a young man with a perfectly trained body and a pair of swords sheathed at his sides.

Reaching out to tear a parchment, he vanished, whisked away to the mission space. But then, scarcely a few seconds later, he returned. After another few to gather his bearing, he reached out to grab the next one on the board, working his way up.

Her party members, Leorda Salvatore, the man from the same area as Odelette, and Hao Win, were just as shocked.

Leorda narrowed his eyes and said, "I heard rumors that he was doing missions again, but to think that it's like this..."

Hao Win frowned and said, "Is this even the level of a human anymore?"

Seol vanished once more.

Seeing that, Odelette walked up to see the mission he took.

[Survive the Lizardmen encirclement! (remaining number of attempts: 49/60)]
Difficulty: Hard
When successful: +1000 SP
When unsucessful: Death
Cooperation possible (up to 4 people)

Odelette stepped back, her expression blank. The moment she did, Seol reappeared, covered in blood. But it wasn't his blood. Not a single scratch could be seen on his clothes or body.

He frowned again and then reached for another parchment, tearing it before anyone could react.

Leorda let out a bitter chuckle. "At this rate... Won't our missions run out and be monopolized by him alone?"

Odelette blinked and said, "...Is he really a Warrior?"

She remembered the words that Seol told her after he existed the chamber. But from the speed that he was clearing the missions...Was that even possible as a warrior?

Hao Win shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe he lied to you to make you feel better?"

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Leorda shook his head. "No. He isn't the type of person to lie about his capabilities. Rather..." Leorda watched as Seol reappeared and took another mission, vanishing again. "Isn't it possible that he could already use magic before coming here?"

"What?" Hao Win frowned. "Something like that's impossible."

"Is it?" Leorda stared at the board and said, "Innate abilities exist on the Status Screen for a reason. Furthermore, he's a Gold Mark. The only one since that person."

"Well, at least he isn't shameless." Hao Win muttered as he looked at the board. "He hasn't done a mission more than once, has he?"

"Not yet," Leorda said. "But-"

At that time, Seol reached out to grab another mission. Having rapidly made his way up the list, the one he picked now was a Very Hard mission.

One that Odelette recognized.

Just before tearing it apart, a smile passed on Seol's face. "...You guys won't get away this time."

With that ominous muttering, the sound of a torn parchment echoed again.

xxx

A clear blue sky. A war horn in the distance.

Seeing the approaching Orc army, I cracked my neck and drew out my sword.

"...Let's go."

I channeled mana into my feet and kicked off the ground. At the same time, I manipulated my kinetic energy to amplify my speed.

Limbs flying through the air. Screams of shock and agony. Wind, fire, ice, and earth flying...

And before I realized it, I was standing back in the lobby with my sword drawn.

The crowd standing there instinctively took a few steps back. Among them, I noticed Odelette and Hao Win.

I coughed and sheathed my sword. "Sorry about that. Ended sooner than I thought."

Odelette shook her head. "No... No worries."

I nodded and walked past them, heading back to my room. Before I did though, a flicker of conscience passed through me and I said, "I wouldn't try the very hard missions just yet. You need to be able to have area of effect abilities or magic to be safe. Well, that or be an expert-level warrior..." I shrugged and then walked off.

As I did, I didn't notice the uproar start behind me.

xxx

Since I was covered in muck and sweat from speedrunning the missions... and since I probably caused enough chaos, I decided to take it easy for a bit with a nice shower.

But before that, I stopped by the VIP store to pick up the two bottles of Ambrosias there. I saved one, but out of curiosity, I drank one. When I did...

[Your Innate ability, Nine Eyes, is evolving.]
The upper direction (1) of your innate ability, Jewel color: Karmic Resolution, has been unlocked.
The lower direction (1) of your innate ability, Black color: Fated Demise, has been unlocked.

"Karmic Resolution?" I muttered. Out of curiosity, I focused on the message with my insight.

[Karmic Resolution]
Bonds of fate, symbolizing the consequences of your actions and relations.

The color symbolizes the relation as well as the potential karma that lies between you and the target.

A vivid color indicates a strong karmic bond, a thin color indicates a weak bond.

Common colors:
- Red, love
- Black, ill-fate
- Blue, strong bond
- Gold, trust/reciprocation

Hm.

I absently continued my way up the stairs.

A 'jewel color', huh? And then that color representing karmic ties...

It was a bit abstract, but useful. I'd need to tinker with it a bit more and test it out, but-

A splash of golden light from above. Right in front of my room.

I blinked and then muttered, "Speak of the devil."

"How rude." The person standing there turned around to look at me and said, "Though I suppose I'll give it a pass considering what you've accomplished."

I nodded and said, "It's been a while, Kim Hannah."

She beckoned towards the door and said, "Can we go inside? It's a bit awkward to talk out here and all."

"Sure." I unlocked the door and led her inside.

Walking inside, Kim Hannah whistled. "Wow. I'm envious. To think that the man who threatened me by that river would end up in a fancy suite like this... Life takes some strange turns, doesn't it?"

"Tell me about it." I sighed and then walked over to a sofa nearby.

Kim Hannah followed me and then plopped herself beside me.

I blinked and then looked at her. "You're a bit shameless today, aren't you?"

"Considering all the stress you gave me, deal with it."

"...Fair."

Kim Hannah sighed and then leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.

It seemed like she wasn't faking her stress. Now that I looked up close, I could see some faint dark circles around her eyes.

After a few moments, she lowered her gaze and looked at me. "Your family's fine by the way. I took care of the mess your sister was in and had your father's medical bills paid for. He'll make a full recovery."

I blinked, caught off guard at the change in topic. But then, recognizing what the words meant, I felt a weight come off my chest that I didn't realize was there.

"Jinhee's safe, then? And Dad..."

"It's really convenient that you started freelancing, you know?" Kim Hannah looked at me and said, "Since you did, it wasn't hard to make a cover story about you joining Sinyoung and working under me after seeing your work. Though I did have to reveal that you were the producer of that game and those social media apps to your family."

Kim Hannah stuck out her tongue.

I sighed. "I suppose that's a small price to pay."

Kim Hannah paused and then frowned, staring at me. "You... Aren't you surprised to see why I'm here?"

I rolled my eyes and said, "I can read, you know. The letter said I was allowed a helper."

"Hm. Right. You aren't an idiot."

"Obviously."

"Well then..." Kim Hannah leaned back and said, "Mind satisfying my curiosity?"

"Considering what you helped me with, I don't see why not?"

"Just what tricks did you get to flip those violent Sicilian gangsters over to your side?"

I blinked. "Who?"

That time, Kim Hannah blinked. "You... Didn't know? Miss Cinzia and Miss Agnes."

"Mm... I thought they seemed a bit rough. But they didn't seem that bad."

Kim Hannah blinked and then said, "Right. I suppose someone like you would have a distorted standard for people."

I shrugged. "Anyway, since you're here, did you plan to finally help me with something? Or is this just a welfare check?"

"Like you need any help." Kim Hannah scoffed and then said, "As for this visit... Actually, there's something I need your help with."

I nodded. "I'm all ears, Partner."

"Partner?" Kim Hannah blinked, her usually sharp eyes behind her glasses widening.

"That's right." I smiled and said, "We started this joint venture together, didn't we? Granted, I'm doing most of the work and we got off on a rocky foot, but it's turning out well, isn't it?"

Kim Hannah stared at me for a while, her expression turning unreadable. And then she smiled, a genuine expression. "You really like to keep overturning my expectations, don't you?"

"Gotta keep a foxy woman like you  on your toes if I don't want to get played, right?"

"Pft." She shook her head and said, "Smooth. But onto more serious business." Kim Hannah's gaze became serious and she said, "I saw that you cleared the Very Hard missions without much trouble, but I don't recommend doing the Impossible mission. Even if you're a heaven-sent talent, that's something that would be out of your capabilities."

I doubted that, but I didn't rebut her words.

"Moreover," Kim Hannah said. "You've been doing well alone, but the world outside here won't be by yourself. You need to find some reliable comrades as well."

I nodded. "I'm aware."

"Good. If I might make a suggestion, I'd suggest Odelette Delphine and Hao Win. Not because of their skills, but rather because of who they are."

"Alright."

"...You're awfully cooperative today." Kim Hannah frowned. "Definitely not like back then."

"I told you, didn't I? I return kindness with kindness and malice with malice. Since we've interacted, you've done nothing but help me. Why would I treat you any way but kindly?"

Kim Hannah blinked and then shook her head. "...Aren't you afraid that I'm just manipulating you?"

"I'm not a naive person, Kim Hannah. Or did you forget how you found me?"

"...Right. I did forget."

"..."

Kim Hannah coughed and said, "In any case, about the help I needed."

"Yes?"

Kim Hannah hesitated before opening her mouth. "Let me make this clear. What I'm about to say from here onwards isn't coming from me."

I narrowed my eyes. "They aren't pressuring you to take your place, are they? Because if they are, I would politely remind you that Sinyoung is responsible for almost ruining my sister's future."

Kim Hannah shook her head. "Nothing like that. And I wouldn't let you go even if they tried."

"Then... What is it?"

"Well... Someone other than me is asking you for a favor. You don't have to, but if you decided to do it, there are plenty of benefits for me. And you'd get to share in it too."

"A win-win, huh?" I nodded and said, "Alright, Partner. I'm game."

"...That'll take some getting used to." Kim Hannah muttered and said, "Anyway, you know Yun Seora, right?"

I froze. "I... do. Why? Did something happen to her?"

Kim Hannah blinked. "...Damn. Are you a precog or something?"

I shook my head. "Enough jokes. Seriously, did something happen?"

Kim Hannah nodded. "You could say that. My superior officer is her invitee and apparently she looks like she's going to fail at this rate."

I stood up. "But that's impossible. I healed her arm, didn't I?"

"You did. And because of that, my superior officer owes me a favor. But this is different."

"How? Was the healing not successful?"

"It was... Which is another mystery you need to tell me about later. But... it seems like the mental damage is still there."

I froze.

Mental damage... That's right.

Kim Hannah sighed. "It's understandable, really. She was a girl with high prospect, but having it shattered like that and then being indebted to someone like you who is shining so brightly beyond her reach... Well." She shrugged. "It doesn't matter too much. Like I said, he already owes me a favor from you healing her before. This would be just something extra. Of course..." She looked at me and said, "You seem to have already made up your mind."

I nodded. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Mm. Well then... He isn't asking you to do too much. Help her out a bit by tagging along with you in missions. Help her learn the basics... Essentially let her develop as any other person would. She's supposed to be a rising star invited by Sinyoung's greatest talent scout, so making him owe you a favor would be a good thing too."

"Right."

"Well... That's pretty much it from me." Kim Hannah stood up and said, "Whatever you decided, don't forget our deal."

"Don't get killed and negotiate with you first, right?"

Kim Hannah smiled. "That's right. Then... See you around, Partner Jihu- Ah." She paused and said, "Is there a message you want me to pass along? It's been a week now on Earth, so your family's starting to get worried."

I paused and then nodded. "Tell them I'll see them soon and that I'm safe and healthy."

"...That's going to make them worry more, you know?"

"Then I'll leave it to you, trusty Partner Hannah."

Kim Hannah rolled her eyes and then waved before walking out of the door.

When she closed it behind, my room was empty once again.

But when it was...

"What the hell...?"

...Blue light splashed off in every direction.

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