One B-grade, four C-grade, and two F-grade. Above people's heads, just like monsters, there were grades, health, and mana displayed along with names. Surprisingly,
[F-grade Mawiren
Health 141/141
Mana 1,523/1,523]
The F-grade had an incredibly high amount of mana. Other hunters or guards, perhaps. Another F-grade behind the guard also had close to 2,000 mana. On the other hand,
[B-grade Jesiumin
Health 3,055/3,055
Mana 591/591]
The lone B-grade had high health but relatively low mana compared to the grade. Considering the equipment effects, B-grade seemed to have average stats when compared to monsters. Among the remaining C-grades, one had high mana, and the other three had high health and low mana.
It seemed like they were divided into melee, ranged, and support classes, but the differences were too significant. The amount of mana was no joke. With that much, it seemed like B-grade should have A-grade mana stats.
As expected, something was off.
"Today's weather is nice. Not too cold, not too hot. Perfect for a night stroll."
I deliberately raised both hands, speaking. They didn't seem to hear anything.
"Which faction are you from?"
Jesiumin asked. This gentleman has a name that sounds somewhat Korean. Although he looks like a foreigner.
"I am an ordinary civilian from the Medsang City. Could you please show me the way?"
Might as well try to get some information. Shouldn't there be an NPC appearing around this point, giving a detailed background explanation like, "You, the new adventurer, our city A is currently in battle with city B. The conflict began ten or so years ago, blah blah blah."
"An ordinary citizen?"
"Team leader, an Awakener, C-grade."
He revealed his C-grade to the B-grade. It seems he can confirm others' grades. Jesiumin got off his bike lightly.
"Fuel or auxiliary?"
...What are you talking about? This NPC is quite unfriendly.
"I'm sorry, but I'm new to this town. Could you please explain kindly, friendly, and in detail? If you provide keyword choices, I'd be even more grateful."
[What is Guard?]
[Goldberg Park]
[Medsang City]
[City Defense Department]
Something like that. Although I expected it, the choices didn't appear. Instead, the original sub-quest popped up.
[Anyone here?
Let's gather information through conversations with people!
Acquired Information 0/5
Reward: 500L, 500P, 3rd Grade City Pass]
Yes, understood. If you ask me to, I'll do it. Politely, I asked Jesiumin again, who was looking at me strangely.
"Respectable sir with a magnificent presence, could you please tell me where this is? I will deeply engrave your kindness by continuing the three bows."
Jesiumin looked at me even more strangely, as if I were a weirdo.
"...It's the Sorghone Central Area."
With his answer, the acquired information increased by 1. The park should be the Sorghone Central 7th Road, if I remember correctly.
"Then what's the road number here?"
"Hey, are you an unregistered person?"
"Oh, yes. I just awakened. If you could also tell me the location of the City Defense Department, I would appreciate it."
Jesiumin laughed at my response. The other three C-grades also had mocking faces. On the contrary, the F-grades and the C-grade with high mana seemed strangely sympathetic.
"A C-grade with an empty fuel tank; that's rare. Hey, I guess I can leave work early today."
Jesiumin patted my shoulder lightly. Two C-grades got off their bikes. Somehow, the atmosphere became awkward, as if peaceful conversation had gone wrong.
Well, I've talked enough.
"Nicely─"
Thunk, the head of the B-grade flew off. Taking out the gun from my inventory, shooting was instantaneous. The mana-50 bullets didn't take much time to recharge, and it had enough power to crush the unprotected head of the defenseless B-grade right in front of me.
My body was pushed away by the recoil. This time, I was prepared, and my foot slipped just a bit, but I didn't fall.
Quickly recovering my swaying body, I threw the dagger at the C-grade. The C-grade, who stood dumbfounded in an unexpected situation, let out a groan as the blade stuck into his leg, causing him to collapse. Then, aiming the gun at another C-grade.
Thunk.
The body of the headless B-grade collapsed.
"C-Crazy bastard attacked out of nowhere!"
"Don't blame me too much. I'm usually a pacifist, you know."
I don't like killing people, unlike monsters. However, these are already dead people. It's just a virtual reality, part of the information.
...It feels uncomfortably realistic, though. Isn't there a mode for 15-year-olds? When I shot the gun, the recoil was the only thing I felt; I didn't experience blood and flesh splattering, just like when I caught a leopard.
"This is an A-grade gun, everyone. It takes down B-grades in one shot."
Originally S-grade, but it's not good that C-grades are walking around with S-grade weapons. A-grade is decent; there's no need to aim higher intentionally.
"If you answer my questions peacefully, I won't attack anymore."
"We're just fuel tanks!"
One C-grade with high mana shouted. The F-grades nodded quickly.
"What's a fuel tank?"
They've been talking about fuel all along; what on earth is it? One of the F-grades spoke, eyeing the uninjured C-grades.
"It refers to Awakeners for mana replenishment. They are fuel tanks that replenish the mana of Guard when it's low."
"...So, it's like a substitute for mana potions? Why not use mana potions?"
"Well, mana potions are incredibly rare. Only high-level guards or for emergencies, you know."
The F-grade stated as if it were obvious. Mana potions are that rare? Is this town unable to produce potions? So that's why mana potions in the point shop were strangely expensive. I need to use them sparingly.
"So, do Awakeners with exceptionally high mana...
No."
Wait a minute. Earlier, B-grade definitely said to me that C-grades are fuel tanks. After saying that I'm an unregistered person.
"...Could it be that Awakeners decide to be fuel tanks when they register?"
"Yes. C-grades and below receive mana infusion surgery without special and useful skills. All of the Awakener's abilities are pushed into the mana tank. So, even if the level goes up, the stats and skills don't grow, only the mana tank gets bigger."
Wow, it's like a living mana potion. This town is quite messed up. Judging by the atmosphere, these Awakeners called fuel tanks don't seem to be treated well.
"C-grades are useful as support. The three of us are also support. You don't need to be overly cautious; their offensive abilities are weak."
So, the question about fuel or support meant that. Treating B-grades and above as guards and hunters from C-grade onwards seems to be a strict town. It's a bit too much; even if I become a C-grade, the talent is there. Isn't this an excessive waste of resources?
During the conversation, the quest window's acquired information number increased. I'm debating whether to register as an Awakener or not. Carelessness might lead to being labeled as an unaffiliated fuel tank or receiving mana infusion surgery.
Next, I asked about the location of Goldberg Park and the Defense Department. Both were not far from here. Not within walking distance, but not too far.
"Is there any public transportation by any chance?"
"Of course, there is."
Why ask about something so obvious? Even to me, it must seem really strange. Acting like a self-proclaimed citizen of this town but behaving as if I fell from a completely different world.
During this time, the quest was completed. If the city pass suddenly drops from the sky, it will look even stranger, so I continued with the questions without receiving the reward.
Kwarung!
Thunder rumbled in the distance. Instinctively, I looked up at the sky. The dark sky had a large and round moon floating. Apart from the size of the moon, the sky was not much different from our town. There were few clouds, no signs of rain at all.
It seems like a signal for me to find my way, well then thank you, partner.
Successive sounds of tearing air were heard, and flashes of light appeared in the distance. Yes, let's go. I quickly started the engine of the abandoned bike. It might be a bike that B-grade used; the speed increased instantly. I rushed towards where the lightning had struck. While turning corners, I activated the notification window that had been sparkling since earlier. What's this message?
[!Caution!
Attacked and killed an opponent without an enemy present.
Penalty applied for killing multiple innocent citizens and may be wanted as a criminal. Be careful!
Current murder count: 1]
...No enemies? Unjust. Do I have to take a hit first and then attack? Or do I warn and then shoot? Is the system asking for a Wild West-style "draw and shoot" scenario? System, handle this properly! That guy was trying to catch me first and use me as a fuel tank!
'Is there no customer service to file a complaint? I'll need to protest.'
Nevertheless, being stabbed is acceptable. In the future, I should consider knocking off limbs when attacked. Of course, if it seems dangerous, I might as well cut off the head and be done with it.
The streets were still locked in silence. Occasionally, the growling of monsters could be heard, but they couldn't catch up with the speed of the bike.
Passing buildings showed no significant damage, and despite monsters roaming around, the road conditions were quite good. There were some damaged areas, but most of it was intact.
However, the area where Sung Hyunjae is located is likely to be formidable.
'If he uses skills so loudly, it's unlikely to be a mid-tier monster.'
I took out a mana potion and drank it, and then activated the stealth skill. Just in case monsters appear, attacking a solo-moving bike. I slowed down a bit in preparation for bouncing off when needed.
[9th Street
Burmadil Central Library 5JU
Residential Area 5-B 11JU]
A road sign attached to one side of the road caught my eye. It seems JU is a unit of distance, but I can't guess the actual measurement.
As I continued a bit more, traces of battle finally began to appear. Following the broken road and fallen street lamps, a severely torn-down building emerged. The road became more chaotic, with obstacles popping up here and there. Eventually, I had to stop the bike in front of a completely collapsed building.
Kurrung, somewhere, the sound of rolling stones could be heard. Maintaining the stealth skill, I jumped onto the debris of the collapsed building. Tapping, tapping, stepping on the protruding debris, I climbed to the top.
'Woah.'
The corpse of a giant monster came into view. More than half of its body was gone, and the remaining parts were burned to a dark red, making it impossible to recognize the shape, let alone the species. With only the remaining traces, it seemed to be about the size of a five-story building.
At least S-grade. A monster like that directly emerging in the city, are the people in this town okay?
Momentarily surprised, an unfamiliar face stood next to the monster's corpse. It was Sung Hyun-jae. I thought that with the possession, there might be a slight change in appearance, but there was barely any difference.
Just a slightly darker hair color? It could be just because it's night. The outfit was different from usual. He was wearing a black special forces uniform that fitted his body. There were no bulletproof vests or other protective gear; he just wore a simple cloth, but that should be high-grade equipment.
And again...
'...It's strangely blurry.'
Maybe it's because the distance is far, but the usual presence that stands out to my eyes felt faint. Anyway, I found one. Although I wanted to find Yoohyun first, joining forces with Sung Hyunjae would be more beneficial. He adapted the fastest among the fallen people here.
Wanting to pretend, I tried to release the stealth skill, but Sung Hyun-jae looked in my direction. Our eyes met precisely. ...Even with a buff from the stealth skill, it should be challenging to notice. In a state of embarrassment, his status window came into view a moment late.
[SS-grade]
That was it. Wait a minute, why SS-grade? Whether it's due to the high grade or not, not only were the health and mana not displayed, even the name wasn't visible. Maybe there's no other person at all. Appearance and skills are the same.
It seemed better to ask, so I released the stealth skill. Immediately after.
Puk!
A strong impact hit my abdomen, and my body rolled on the ground.
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