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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Round 1 Begins
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[Random Rune Fragment]
-Category: Consumable
-Grade: Unique
-Effect: Randomly obtain a rune.
-Usage Restriction: Level 1 or below.
-Description: An event item created for players. Cannot be used after leveling up, so use it without saving it.
[As you can see, the Random Rune Fragment is a one-time use item. It can only be used at level 1 and is a unique item given only at the beginning.]
At the angel's explanation, people stared with curious eyes.
Only Ryu Min, a veteran of a hundred battles, maintained a blank expression.
'They don't know what's what yet. Not how to use items, nor what runes are.'
Runes were consumable items that could occasionally be obtained from killing monsters or completing quests.
'In game terms, they're a kind of passive skill.'
Using a rune would imprint it on the body, granting the corresponding ability.
Of course, the more, the better.
There was no limit to how many runes one could obtain.
'If you could get a lot, that is.'
The drop rate for runes was on par with unique items, making them difficult to acquire.
'The reality is that most people can't even get 10 runes throughout all 20 rounds.'
But that was only for ordinary people.
'In my case, I had 30 runes during my last regression.'
With a unique class and plenty of runes, I was able to become overwhelmingly strong.
Though I was absurdly annihilated in front of the boss room without even getting to show my true strength.
'This time has to be different. Since this is my last chance, I have to grow more overwhelmingly than in any other regression.'
Not just 30 runes, but 50, 100, and more.
I must acquire them like a madman and become unrivaled in strength.
[You can use the item by holding it in your hand and saying 'Use' in your mind.]
As the angel taught them how to use it, the runes in people's hands began to disappear one by one.
'Use.'
As Ryu Min did the same, the rune fragment crumbled with a soft hiss.
[You have used the Random Rune Fragment.]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the 'Rune of Time Reversal'!]
[The obtained rune will now be automatically imprinted on the player's body!]
The rune was being imprinted, but Ryu Min's face showed not even a hint of anticipation.
He already knew what message would appear next.
[A remnant of the corresponding rune remains in the player's soul.]
[Imprinting has failed due to the rune's properties.]
Imprinting failed.
It was an expected result.
If a new one were imprinted, it would mean he could regress infinitely.
'I knew it wouldn't work, but it's still a shame. To think this is really my last regression...'
When he first regressed and used the rune fragment, Ryu Min had thought:
That he might get a different rune.
But that wasn't the case.
'I tried using it at different times, even intentionally waiting until the next round...'
No matter what I did, the result was the same.
It was as if it were predetermined; only the Rune of Time Reversal ever appeared.
'That's why the imprinting failed every single time.'
Unlike others, he couldn't have a rune imprinted, but he didn't consider it a loss.
After all, he still had the experience and knowledge from his 99 regressions.
But then, something unexpected happened.
[Through the rune remnant imprinted on your soul, you have been confirmed as the 100th Time Regressor.]
[You have acquired the title 'The Final Time Regressor'.]
'What? A title?'
The imprinting had failed, but he'd gained a title.
This was a first, and a brief look of bewilderment crossed Ryu Min's face.
'Is this a title given only on the 100th regression?'
It seemed to have recognized this as his final regression by detecting the accumulated rune remnants, just as the description said.
A new title was registered in the title slot, which had previously read 'None'.
When Ryu Min lightly tapped the title, an information window popped up.
[Title - The Final Time Regressor]
-Acquisition Condition: Obtain the Rune of Time Reversal for the 100th time.
-Effect: Upon death, you can remain in a spirit state for 1 minute. You can resurrect with all health restored at a time of your choosing. This is a one-time ability; the title will disappear upon resurrection.
'Resurrection?'
At first, Ryu Min didn't know the difference between titles and runes.
Both had effects similar to passive skills.
But now he knew.
Titles were a higher concept than runes.
'Which means their effects are better than runes, and they're harder to obtain.'
And he had obtained such a title instead of a rune.
It was undoubtedly a gain.
Furthermore, unlike runes, titles could be displayed under one's nickname if desired.
In other words, you could reveal it to others and show off your existence.
'Though it's probably best to hide the title 'The Final Time Regressor'.'
Of course, the ability would still apply even if the title wasn't displayed, so it wasn't a problem.
'Resurrection. I've gotten something incredible, haven't I?'
Even Ryu Min, who had regressed 100 times, had never seen or heard of a title with a resurrection ability.
'Priests have a resurrection skill, but...'
He'd never seen it in a rune or an item.
Moreover, since it restored all health, it was a superior ability to the standard resurrection skill, which only restored 30% of health.
'Even though the title disappears after one resurrection, that's still something, right?'
In a dead-end situation with no more regressions, a resurrection ability was like rain in a drought.
[Has everyone imprinted their runes?]
At the angel's words, the people nodded.
Some wore flushed expressions, as if they had gotten good runes, while others frowned.
[Judging by your faces, your fortunes are mixed. Whether you got a good rune or a crappy one, accept the result. That's the luck of you humans. Kehehe.]
The laughter was grating, but no one voiced their complaints in front of the angel.
Their first impression of it had been too intense.
[Now that the rune imprinting is done, shall we start the real fun?]
As the angel spread its wings as if giving a signal, a message simultaneously appeared before everyone's eyes.
◀ ROUND 1 ▶
└Kill 100 goblins per person
[All Zones]
└Participants: 1,801,029,290
└Completed: 0/900,514,645
[Current Zone ESKS45-5]
└Participants: 10,286
└Completed: 0/5,143
"Kill 100 goblins?"
"The same goblins from video games?"
"What's this 'Current Zone'? Does it mean where we are?"
As the people murmured after checking the quest, the angel nodded.
[Yes, they are the same goblins you know. The current zone, ESKS45-5, refers to the group you belong to.]
The angel suddenly gave a meaningful smile.
[Since it's Round 1, I prepared something easy. You just have to kill 100 of them, and you can return to Earth. Simple, right?]
'We'll see if it's easy or not once we experience it.'
But funnily enough, not many people thought like Ryu Min.
"Aren't goblins super weak monsters?"
"Yeah. They're just trash mobs in games."
"This is easier than I thought."
"And here I was thinking it'd be some super difficult quest."
Seeing that it didn't seem as difficult as they had worried, the people regained their composure.
'If they underestimate them like that, they're in for a rude awakening...'
For Ryu Min, who knew the goblins' true strength, the situation was astounding.
[You all seem pretty confident, don't you? Then shall we skip any further explanation and jump right into the real thing? Kyohohoho!]
The angel flapped its wings with delight.
Shhh-
Shhh-
Beyond the meadow, monsters the size of elementary school students appeared.
They were the very same goblins from novels and games.
"What are those? They're goblins!"
"Haha, it feels like we've really stepped into a game, doesn't it?"
Even with the appearance of monsters, the people weren't very scared.
They were still far away, but more importantly, the waist-high goblins looked as non-threatening as children.
Was it because they felt at ease?
Eventually, some even began to deny reality.
"This can't be a dream, can it? Like one of those lucid dreams you hear about."
"Has that virtual reality game stuff from novels already been commercialized? Maybe we were secretly kidnapped and are being tested?"
"Huh? That actually makes sense."
With only game-like situations unfolding, their sense of reality and judgment grew clouded.
They even felt composed enough to ask a question of the angel that had seemed so terrifying.
"Hey, Angel! Aren't you going to give us any weapons? Those things are armed."
[Weapons?]
The goblins ahead were all holding daggers or clubs.
Seeing this, the angel shot the humans a mocking smile.
[There's nothing like that. Kill them with your bare hands or whatever, figure it out yourselves. Oh, and one more thing.]
Shhh-
Shhh-
"Huh?"
[Not all the goblins have been summoned yet.]
Twice as many goblins as before began to appear one after another beyond the meadow.
Even at a glance, the green monsters, outnumbering the humans, filled their vision.
[So far, 50,000 goblins have been summoned.]
"F-Fifty thousand?"
[10,000 humans versus 50,000 goblins. Sounds doable, doesn't it?]
Faced with a force at least five times their number, the people finally began to grow tense.
[Well then, humans and goblins? Fight like you're trying to kill each other.]
As if they understood the angel's words, the goblins, who had only been glaring, sprang into action.
"Kiyaaaak!"
The people in the front line flinched at the sight of the goblin horde charging recklessly toward them.
Actually seeing the goblins running at them with weapons in hand, they couldn't help but feel terrified.
'Well, people get scared when a dog runs at them, and now they have monsters with knives charging...'
Ryu Min, nodding as if he understood their feelings, stepped forward.
His sudden action drew everyone's attention.
"Look at that guy."
"He's walking out there alone?"
Ryu Min ignored the murmurs behind him and waited for the goblins to get closer.
He wasn't doing this just for attention.
'I will make my presence known to everyone here.'
First impressions are important.
To keep the annoying flies from buzzing around me, I need to show my strength here.
'It's especially important to catch the angel's attention.'
And for that, I'll need a bit of a performance.
"Hey, you!"
"Hey there! If you get any closer, it's dang—"
The people who were about to shout "dangerous" quickly shut their mouths.
Thwack-!
He had landed a clean back kick squarely on the face of a goblin that had run ahead of the pack.
"Kieeh..."
The goblin, its hooked nose broken, had only a moment to grimace.
Thunk-
Ryu Min grabbed its head with both hands and twisted.
Crrrack-
Leaving the goblin to die with a sickening crunch and its tongue lolling out, Ryu Min stood up.
He had snatched the dagger it was holding.
Stab- Stab-!
The dagger plunged into the nape and back of a nearby goblin.
Before the goblin could even fall, Ryu Min's body moved like lightning toward the next target.
Stab- Thrrust-!
The sound of air escaping came from the chests of two goblins.
In an instant, four goblins were already dead.
His fluid, efficient movements were reminiscent of a seasoned killer.
"Kiiiiiek!"
Its comrades charged forward in a rage, but Ryu Min's dagger was faster.
Stab! Stab!
Green blood splattered everywhere, but Ryu Min paid it no mind and continued to swing the dagger.
It was a scene of utter slaughter.
At the overwhelming display, the surrounding people stared with their mouths agape.