“Wi-Fi……?”

Several people wore bewildered expressions.

A Wi-Fi password as a reward.

But once they grasped the situation, people began responding with enthusiasm.

“If we have internet, we can contact our families, right?!”

Currently, communication within the Education Facility was restricted.

Not only phone calls but internet access was entirely blocked.

Under such circumstances, Ahn Nabi’s offer was inevitably quite attractive.

“It is possible. However, transmitting videos or photos is restricted.”

“Are we not allowed to tell them we’re here?”

“You may tell them.”

People’s faces lit up instantly.

Not only could they contact the outside, but they could also receive news from beyond these walls.

For ordinary people, it was a reward more desperately needed than any item.

“Then I will continue with the explanation.”

After quieting the crowd, Ahn Nabi resumed speaking.

“Each room has a clear requirement. For the first room, there is no limit to the number of attempts, but leaving the room will reset your progress.”

Having said that, Ahn Nabi pointed to the totem pole standing at the center of the hall.

It was one of the objects that had been stealing everyone’s attention since earlier.

“If you sustain injuries, you may take the medicine pills provided to you, or return to this lobby where the totem pole’s effect will automatically heal you.”

To others, it might look like an ordinary totem pole, but I knew just how extraordinary that pole was.

═══════════════

[Name] Protective Jangseung1

[Rank] Third Dragon Grade

[Description] A totem pole bearing the energy of mending deficiency and suppression. It restores humans who approach within its range and prevents demon beasts from approaching.

═══════════════

Selling just that one item would be enough to comfortably purchase a couple of buildings.

I also noticed that special items were placed throughout the Education Facility.

It was possible because they were an organization with power as formidable as the Fate Protection Bureau.

For an ordinary person, even building such an Education Facility in the first place would be unthinkable.

“And these are items commonly provided to everyone. Please collect yours.”

Ahn Nabi lined up small boxes on the table.

I collected my share of the supplies.

[You have acquired a First Insect Grade Sword!]

[You have acquired Recovery Potions!]

In the early stages, acquiring items was difficult, but trainees who entered the Education Facility could start with basic equipment.

They could also continue to receive recovery potions, which were quite expensive.

People didn’t seem to understand their value yet, their faces showing little interest.

After distributing items to everyone, Ahn Nabi spoke again.

“And finally, before the full-scale training begins. I must inform you that the Bureau will not take responsibility for any injuries or deaths that occur here.”

At the words ‘injury’ and ‘death,’ several people visibly wavered.

Ahn Nabi continued slowly.

“That said, it does not mean murder will be tolerated. In the event of severe injury or murder among trainees, we will punish the offenders strictly.”

“…….”

“Please refer to the manual for detailed regulations. Now, excuse me.”

After finishing her explanation, Ahn Nabi departed swiftly.

Once she disappeared, silence returned to the hall.

Just then, someone raised their hand and shouted.

“E-excuse me! I’m looking for people to go with me! My special ability is First Ghost Grade!”

It seemed the bait Ahn Nabi had cast was indeed effective.

Once one person started recruiting companions, the rest began bustling about as well.

The hall grew noisy in an instant.

“Anyone want to team up!”

“My grade is……!”

It was like watching a day labor market.

While I was observing the crowd, a man approached me.

“Hello. I was, um, one of the people in that building with you.”

A quick glance confirmed he was indeed a face I’d seen in the building.

I didn’t know his name, but I remembered his face well.

In my past life, he was one of those who dismissed me as Insect Grade.

“I was so shocked seeing you take down that monster with a utility knife! If it hadn’t been for you, things could have gotten really bad.”

In my past life, he’d looked at me like I was trash every time he saw me, but now he was clinging to me.

The man continued with slightly excited flattery.

“Strong, composed……. I really admire you in so many ways!”

“…….”

“So I was thinking……. This is fate bringing us together, right? Would you like to go hunting together? Your grade must be really high too…….”

It seemed he was clinging to me because he assumed my grade was high.

I tossed my words at him casually.

“Back then, you were too busy running away. Why should I hunt with someone like that?”

“Th-that was……. I was so panicked at the time…….”

“If you panic in there too, you’ll just run away again.”

The man looked quite flustered.

Eventually, he stammered out some excuses and hastily retreated.

After that, a few more people approached me with party invitations, but I refused them all.

I found it somewhat amusing.

In my past life, they couldn’t leave fast enough when they saw me, but in this life, they were flocking to me of their own accord.

Just then, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“Hello, Mr. Kangrim.”

Shin Sooa had approached me without my noticing.

It was just like when I first met her in my past life.

She spoke warmly.

“Mr. Kangrim, it seems you haven’t found a party yet……. I happen to be without a companion as well. If you don’t mind, would you like to team up?”

Others approached me because they thought I was strong, but Shin Sooa was different.

In my past life, I was a weak Third Insect Grade, yet Shin Sooa had reached out her hand to me then just as she did now.

But I shook my head.

“No thanks. I prefer acting alone.”

I decided to keep a reasonable distance from her.

Because I believed it would be safer for Shin Sooa that way.

Baekyoung’s grade was First Divine Grade.

Even if I spent years preparing, the odds of defeating her were slim.

The same outcome as my past life might repeat itself.

In my past life, Shin Sooa had been murdered for one reason only: to protect me.

If she didn’t get entangled with me in this life, at the very least, Shin Sooa wouldn’t suffer when Baekyoung came for me.

When I refused, Shin Sooa showed a hint of disappointment.

“I see. I thought we got along quite well…….”

Seeing her like that made me feel a little guilty, but I ultimately refused her.

Even as she walked away, Shin Sooa offered me a wistful smile.

“Even if we can’t hunt together, I look forward to getting along.”

I simply gave a single nod.

I couldn’t be as close to her as in my past life, but since we were in the same Education Facility, treating each other like complete strangers wouldn’t be ideal either.

Just then, footsteps approached from behind, accompanied by an overly excited voice.

“Hey, Seo Kangrim! Sleep well?”

I turned to see Dokgo Jun walking toward me.

He must not have slept properly—dark circles hung heavily beneath his eyes.

Yet despite his exhausted appearance, his expression was bright.

“Seo Kangrim, you going alone?”

Unlike yesterday, he seemed remarkably well-disposed toward me.

Grinning broadly with his gaunt face, he radiated an even more peculiar aura.

“I am going alone. Do you have business with me?”

“I’m trying to go with you. I’ve been waiting for you.”

For him to propose accompanying me was unthinkable, considering my past life.

Because he had treated every weak person as trash.

He only accepted considerably strong Hunters as his companions, and it seemed he had mistaken me for one.

“Yesterday you abandoned me without a second thought. Have you changed your mind? I’m not particularly inclined to trust you.”

“Well, about that…….”

Dokgo Jun looked at me with a broad grin.

“After hearing what Ms. Shin Sooa said yesterday, I kept thinking about it. What kind of plot development is this? Am I really just a villain supporting character?”

I could guess how those dark circles had appeared.

Had he stayed up all night agonizing over something like that?

He continued in an animated voice.

“At first, you seemed like an extra prepared for my awakening, but that doesn’t seem to be the case!”

“…….”

“Someone of your caliber is definitely a supporting role—no, a lead. You seem like a co-protagonist who could stand shoulder to shoulder with me!”

I regarded Dokgo Jun for a moment.

Dokgo Jun was certainly not a good person.

No—he was undeniably a villain.

But no one could dispute the fact that he was a powerful awakened one.

He was dangerous to handle and unpredictable, but he had utility value.

When I assessed him with Fate Detection, the results weren’t bad either.

[Checking the fortune compatibility between targets ‘Seo Kangrim’ and ‘Dokgo Jun’!]

[‘Dokgo Jun’ appears to have an overbearing and capricious personality. He cannot be fully trusted, but as an ally, he will provide various forms of assistance.]

Furthermore, when I examined our Five Elements compatibility, there were advantages in my favor.

[Additionally, Dokgo Jun’s Five Elements attribute is Metal, and Seo Kangrim’s is Fire, forming a Fire Overcomes Metal relationship.]

[By the principle of fire melting metal, Seo Kangrim is likely to seize the initiative in their relationship.]

Dokgo Jun didn’t know me, but I knew him.

The fact that he clung to me without even knowing I was Insect Grade was proof enough.

He was a capable individual, so utilizing him would be beneficial in many ways.

I stared at him before speaking.

“Fine. Let’s go together.”

“Really? I knew you’d think of me as a comrade…….”

“However.”

I cut him off mid-sentence.

Dokgo Jun looked at me as if asking what was wrong.

“I don’t trust you yet. Not after what you did to me in that building.”

“Hmm, that’s true, but…….”

“If you don’t want to lose my trust, you’d better behave yourself from here on out. Keep that in mind.”

Dokgo Jun was showing me goodwill now, but I didn’t trust him.

The moment he thought I was even slightly weak or lost interest, he would change his attitude.

In that case, I simply needed to make use of him until that attitude changed.

“Well, fine! Becoming comrades all at once would be boring anyway.”

“Then let’s enter now.”

I approached the first door and grasped the handle.

A notification window appeared before my eyes.

[The energy of Ghost Kill is detected.]

[The energy of Metal Ghost is detected.]

Ghost Kill, and Metal Ghost.

Ghost Kill refers to the Sal spoken of in fortune.

The very Sal people speak of when they say killing energy has taken hold.

A force that adversely affects a person to the point of threatening their life.

Metal Ghost literally means disaster caused by the Metal element.

I already knew this, so it didn’t matter.

I turned the handle firmly.

[Confirming entry for ‘Seo Kangrim’ and ‘Dokgo Jun’.]

[You have entered the Blade Mountain Room.]