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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Avatar Creation
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3. Avatar Creation
"Black Scythe."
The system responded to the nickname he uttered without a moment's hesitation.
[Would you like to register the avatar's nickname as 'Black Scythe'?]
"Yes."
[This nickname is not a duplicate. It has been registered.]
There was a simple reason why Ryu Min chose Black Scythe as his nickname.
'Because it's a nickname that sounds strong.'
Usually, when asked to create a nickname, most people just make up something random.
Or they'd waste the thirty seconds overthinking it, and their real name would be chosen by default.
But based on his experience from previous regressions, choosing a nickname was surprisingly important.
'A nickname determines the impression you make on others.'
The place you're transferred to via soul transmigration is a new world.
In that place, which could be considered another dimension, you don't use your real name.
Everyone strictly calls each other by the nicknames they've just set.
No one wants to reveal their real-world identity.
Because everyone wants to wear a mask.
'Using your real name during avatar creation is something only a fool would do.'
It's the same reason you don't use your real name in a game.
Especially in a survival game where you have to compete by stepping on others, it's even more crucial to hide it.
'That's why a nickname is so important. It's one of the factors that determines a first impression.'
Whether it was intentionally hidden or not, there was one thing the angel hadn't mentioned.
A nickname always floats above the avatar's head.
'Just like in a game.'
Therefore, anyone can see your nickname.
This was why a nickname was considered a key element of a first impression.
'From my past experiences, there's no benefit to looking like a pushover. The stronger and more memorable the nickname, the better.'
At first, he had carelessly registered his real name or his online handle as his nickname.
But perhaps because he looked like an easy target, pests were drawn to him, and he ended up wasting precious time.
'In this place, you have to look strong, no matter what. It's good to make a powerful impression.'
Later, while thinking of a strong-sounding nickname, he came up with Black Scythe.
'It's my main weapon, and the class I'll change to later is Reaper.'
There are roughly thirty different classes in this other world.
They're called classes, and in the case of the Reaper, it was a unique class that only one person could have.
'This time, too, I must change my class to Reaper. There's no class stronger than this.'
It's still too early to choose a class, but there's no harm in deciding the path ahead.
[Please set your body type and appearance within three minutes.]
[Strongly visualizing the image in your mind will apply it.]
[When you have finished visualizing, please say 'Visualization complete.']
[If you do not decide within the time limit, your original appearance will be applied automatically.]
'Time for appearance customization.'
Appearance, much like a nickname, is a crucial part of determining a first impression.
'Normally, everyone would try to make themselves look handsome or pretty here.'
They would focus on using customization to enhance their appearance, as if getting plastic surgery for parts they disliked.
It was obvious without even looking.
'But if you have any sense, you should never do that. Especially women.'
A beautiful and striking appearance certainly has the effect of drawing attention.
It's also good for leaving a positive first impression.
However, this other world is a place where the law of the jungle reigns.
If your appearance is too outstanding, you're likely to become a target.
Women are especially at risk.
'Everyone's mistaken; they're absolutely not just creating a game character right now. This other world is a reality, too.'
If you die in the other world, you die in your current life as well.
Countless people forget that fact, get deceived by the game-like system, and make poor judgments.
'As for appearance, it just needs to not stand out. Not too handsome, not too ugly.'
His real appearance was exactly like that, but since it was better to hide his identity as much as possible, he changed his looks.
'An impression that's different from reality and doesn't look like a pushover.'
Once again, Ryu Min visualized his appearance without delay.
He created a cold and composed impression with a sharp nose bridge, a defined jawline, and an intense gaze.
He changed his physique from his usual slight build to a moderately muscular body.
It was a strong-looking impression befitting the nickname Black Scythe.
"Visualization complete."
[Customization complete.]
[Creating avatar.]
...…
...
[Creation complete.]
[Transferring your soul to Round 1 immediately. Good luck.]
In that moment, a bright light struck Ryu Min's eyes.
When he opened the eyes he had reflexively shut, a new world unfolded before him.
'It was instantaneous.'
The setting for Round 1 was a vast grassland.
The kind of place where cows and sheep might leisurely graze on grass.
Of course, there were no such things as cows or sheep here.
'Though there are monsters.'
Ryu Min looked down at his body.
A solid, muscular frame of 180 cm moved according to his will.
It was the body he had customized just moments ago.
'I've made it so many times, it feels like my real body now.'
Ryu Min had maintained this appearance since his twelfth regression.
Perhaps that was why, despite having just created it, it felt as familiar as his own body.
He wasn't surprised or flustered like the others.
Because he had experienced soul transmigration countless times.
"Wh-where is this? A grassland?"
"I don't know where it is, but this is nice…"
"I feel so at peace."
People who had created their avatars began appearing one after another on the grassland.
"Huh? My body's changed?"
"Don't tell me we've entered the bodies we configured before coming here?"
"I'm this muscular? Then my face, too…?"
"I changed my face to a celebrity's just in case… and it actually worked?"
As the number of people grew, so did the murmuring.
People staring in fascination at the nicknames floating above others' heads.
People fumbling with their celebrity-like bodies, satisfied.
People panicking because they'd missed the time limit and couldn't change their appearance.
People who forgot to panic, captivated by the vast grassland scenery.
They showed a variety of reactions, but Ryu Min alone wore a dry, emotionless expression.
He had already experienced this to the point of boredom.
Instead, Ryu Min's gaze was fixed on one spot.
'It's about time he showed up.'
A moment later.
*Ssshhh-*
A person appeared in the spot where his gaze rested.
'There he is. Hwang Yong-min.'
Hwang Yong-min, with a body far more rugged than usual, was looking around.
'As expected, he only made his body muscular this time, too.'
Since he hadn't changed his face, he was easy to recognize.
The nickname floating above his head was also [Hwang Yong-min], his real name.
He must have panicked and failed to change his name.
'Then again, thirty seconds is shorter than you'd think for choosing a nickname.'
Looking around, it wasn't hard to find others besides Hwang Yong-min who still had their real names.
Just then, his eyes met Hwang Yong-min's by chance.
But, not recognizing him, Hwang Yong-min quickly looked away.
'Of course he wouldn't recognize me. I changed my appearance to that of a completely different person.'
Hwang Yong-min didn't know Ryu Min, but Ryu Min knew Hwang Yong-min.
'That's all that matters.'
As soon as he confirmed this, Ryu Min averted his gaze from Hwang Yong-min.
He had already exacted more than enough revenge, so he was no longer interested.
'I'll make my move when it's a good time to use him.'
He was keeping him alive for now only because he had some use.
[Kyohohoho, has everyone gathered now?]
An angel descended from the sky, accompanied by a halo.
Her name was Briel.
The same angel from before.
[It seems you're pleased with your newly created avatars?]
"…"
At the angel's appearance, the surroundings fell deathly silent.
'She must have left a strong first impression for it to be this quiet.'
No one wanted to act up and risk having their head explode again.
The angel, as if knowing this, twisted her lips into a smile.
[Kikikik, your frightened faces are quite a sight. Don't worry. As long as you aren't rude, I won't kill you.]
No one let their guard down at those words.
[Let's see, a total of 1,802,910 people. It seems all the humans in Seoul have gathered.]
"1.8 million people?"
"All here?"
People muttered, looking all around them.
There were, at most, ten thousand people on the grassland.
The same number of people who had been at Bosingak.
No matter how they looked at it, it didn't seem like 1.8 million.
As if hearing their muttering, the angel furrowed her brow and answered.
[Do you think this is the only grassland? Of course, not all 1.8 million of you are gathered here. If you were, would there even be room to stand?]
"Ah…"
[Honestly, you inferior humans. You're each proceeding with the round on different grasslands with different angels, so don't worry about it.]
Still, ten thousand was quite a large number.
Enough to make the vast grassland seem crowded.
'But this is only the beginning.'
I don't know if everyone realizes it, but this is a survival game where only half can make it out alive.
As the rounds progress, the number of people decreases exponentially.
It gets particularly difficult in the later stages, and the number of people who die without even meeting the clear conditions increases.
Eventually, it reaches a point where he's the only one left in the final round.
'Round 15, in particular, is where a massive number of deaths occur.'
At that point, the number of players worldwide, which had reached two thousand, drops to less than fifty.
Far from half, 97.5% die, unable to proceed to the next round.
'In the end, I was the only one who made it to Round 20. All the others died.'
Considering it started with 1.8 billion people, it meant a countless number of deaths.
[Now that everyone's here, let's begin the explanation. First, say 'Status Window' in your minds.]
At the angel's words, the people complied with a sense of doubt.
They had nothing to lose, after all.
"Gasp!"
"What is this?"
A moment later, gasps of astonishment erupted from all over.
Everyone was staring into the empty air with their mouths agape.
Because the status window was invisible to others.
Ryu Min, like the others, recited the activation word.
'Status Window.'
-Name: Ryu Min
-Nickname: Black Scythe
-Grade: Novice
-Title: None
-Level: 1
-Class: None
-Strength: 3, Intelligence: 3
-Agility: 3, Luck: 3
-Common Skills: None
-Exclusive Skills: None
-Runes: None
-Gold Owned: 0
-Remaining Stat Points: 0
[???: Unlocks at Lv10]
[???: Unlocks at Lv20]
[???: Unlocks at Lv40]
[???: Unlocks at Lv60]
[???: Unlocks at Lv99]
It was a pathetic status window, one that wouldn't be out of place to sigh at.
Below it were slots for additional functions that could be used upon reaching certain levels.
'I have to start over from the beginning, but that's fine. I'm confident I can become even stronger this time.'
Even for Ryu Min, who had reached the final round, he hadn't been strong from the start.
'I only barely cleared Round 1 after dying twice.'
It was an expected outcome, as he had just been a high school student bullied by delinquents.
But as he repeated his regressions, Ryu Min grew stronger.
His survival time gradually increased, and so did the number of rounds he could withstand.
'It wasn't until after my 99th regression that I finally reached Round 20.'
He had to sacrifice quite a few lives, but for someone as ordinary as him to have reached that far was a miracle in itself.
'Of course, the seven who survived up to Round 18 without regressing are the truly talented ones.'
By Round 18, seven people besides Ryu Min survive.
In Round 19, two of them live, and in Round 20, only Ryu Min remains.
'I need to keep at least four people alive until the boss room.'
Ryu Min planned to choose his candidates to accompany him to the boss room from among these seven.
Because there were likely no stronger players in the entire world.
That didn't mean he wouldn't consider other candidates.
'There were plenty of strong individuals among the players who dropped out in previous rounds.'
There was no need to have exactly five people for the boss room.
The minimum requirement was five, but more was fine.
'The more survivors, the better.'
The problem was that those who survived until the boss room had to be definite allies.
Or Ryu Min had to possess enough power to control them.
'That much won't be difficult.'
Now, in his 100th regression, Ryu Min was confident he could become stronger than anyone.
After all, in his previous life, he was the only one to hit the max level of 99.
[Now, have you all seen your status windows? If you've played games, you'll know. You are currently at a pathetic, garbage level.]
"…"
[So, get stronger. If you survive until Round 20, you will be stronger than anyone. Survive like that, clear all twenty rounds, and then!]
The angel curled the corners of her lips into a grin.
[Not only will I free you from the survival game, but I will also grant you a wish.]
"A w-wish?"
At the word "wish," people's reactions were varied.
"They'll really grant a wish?"
"Nah, no way."
While some were doubtful or in denial.
"A wish…"
"So, if we just clear the final round, they'll grant a wish?"
There were also those who held hope or greed.
Of course, Ryu Min belonged to neither group.
Because he knew it was a game where just surviving to the final round was a struggle, let alone getting a wish.
[Then, before the round begins, I'll give you a simple explanation. Everyone, say 'Inventory' in your minds.]
'Inventory.'
As he recited the activation word, an invisible window appeared, just like the status window.
Inside it was a small, emerald-colored stone fragment.
[There should be one item provided by default in your inventory. Try taking it out with your hand and using it.]
People did as they were told, reaching into the empty air to pull out the item.
As they did, the item's information automatically appeared.