[The tutorial will begin.]

“What the...”

Just as I was going to swear, I looked around and saw the interiors of a dark building. I saw unknown patterns through the faint light. The interior was completely different from the buildings that were on Earth. My mouth naturally widened because of the things I’d never seen before. While I’ve never seen the inside of a pyramid before, it probably looked like this.

I rolled my eyes because of the extremely unrealistic situation I was in. The last thing I remembered doing was eating with my little sister.

‘What in the world happened...’

This was what I remember. I had received an unknown text through my phone.

- Will you participate in the game? -

I had pressed the button without thinking because I thought it was a game invitation from a friend. That was it. That was all I remember.

My chin and legs began trembling because I couldn’t understand this situation. I was suddenly at a place I had never seen before; it was only natural that I was confused.

The atmosphere here was eerie. Maybe it was because the surroundings were similar to a scene from a horror movie, but all the people here were terrified. 

Before I could start thinking of anything else, I heard many whispers around me.

“Wh, what is this place?”

“Don’t ask me. I, I don’t know either.”

“I… is there anyone else here? What is this place… and why are there swords and weapons here?”

“Would we be standing here like this if we knew? Everyone seems to be in the same situation as us. Do you remember anything?”

“Excuse me! Is anyone there? Excuse me!”

Everyone started talking and acting in their own way. A person was even sitting on the floor and another was pinching their cheeks to see if they were dreaming. 

‘It’s not a dream.’

It wasn’t a dream and I am not alone here. Nothing felt out of place; everything felt real.  

Just as I gulped, the small cave echoed with the system’s voice. 

[Players, you have been invited to this world. We sent out invitations and the players accepted. You have all been chosen as warriors in order to save the dying Continent.]

“Damn it! We’re not warriors!”

“Stop joking around and come out, you jerks!”

“I, I’m going to call the police. I, I’m going to call the police.”

“Are you doing a hidden camera prank? You can get sued. Sued!”

[However, not everyone can go to the Continent. Only a handful of people that survived the tutorial are qualified to go.]

“What the hell are you talking about?!”

[Please pay attention to what I am about to say. It is directly tied to your survival.]

When I heard the word ‘survival’ within this strange room, I suddenly came back to my senses.

[I will say it once more. Only a handful of people that survived the tutorial are qualified to go to the Continent.]

“What… are you saying that you’re going to kill us or something?”

[That’s all up to you. What I am about to tell you is related to your survival. They are going to be necessary elements moving forward. This is not a dream. This is the reality that you’re facing. I do not recommend being in denial. As the guide of this tutorial, my job is to help all of you.]

“Stop playing around! Damn it!”

“P, please let me out. Please!”

I heard many voices, but the woman continued to calmly explain.

[I will begin the guide. Number one, you are all standing at the starting point that has been created for the purpose of waiting before the tutorial starts. You can think of this place as a waiting room. At the starting point, you will find essential items you will need - water, food and the weapons you will be using from now on. The weapons are ranked as such - average, rare, epic, legendary. The weapons here are below average.]

A few items caught my attention. In the corner of the room, there was a canteen made out of leather and not a plastic bottle like the ones frequently seen on Earth.  

But that wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention.. The strange weapons drew my attention the most. Bow and arrow, sword and shield, spear and mace - they were all weapons often used in the Middle Ages and the way they were lined up was strange and unfamiliar.

It’s real.

They weren’t fake. A majority of the weapons were either chipped or old, but they looked sharp.

The reality of my predicament started to sink in.

[With these weapons, you will be able to protect yourselves. For your information, the goal of the tutorial is survival and attack. Besides you, the residents of the Continent are also here; they are called monsters. They will target you and you will have to fight against them.]

It was like a fantasy novel.

The funny thing was that people started screaming less and less as they focused on the voice that resounded through this place. But there were a few that started retching.

[Your strength will probably not be enough to fight against them. But please do not  worry. This is not the only thing that has been prepared for you.”]

“What in the world is going on...”

[You are all chosen players. You arrived here from different places with different characteristics. This place maximizes those characteristics and helps you grow. If you say ‘status window,’ you will understand what I am saying.]

I didn’t say the phrase ‘status window.’ I thought it would be best to move cautiously in an unknown situation like this.

Fortunately, at that moment, someone mumbled.

“Status window.”

“Status window? Oh? What’s this?”

“Kyah!”

I saw a woman screaming towards the sky and people looking at something invisible with surprised looks.

[The status window is an indicator that displays your condition. Based on your efforts, your stats will either go up or down. Next is your job. Generally, they are classified into warriors, wizards, priests and archers and depending on your achievements, the jobs will be divided even further. For example, a warrior can become a savage warrior and then they can become a berserker. There are many different ways to grow and the direction of your growth solely depends on your decision.]

“Oh...”

[The job’s ranks are average, rare, epic and legendary. For wizards and priests, they must have an affinity for either holy power or magic. Please understand that you won’t be able to choose some of the jobs. When you have assigned missions, hidden quests or experience, you will be able to select your job.]

‘A job.’

The more I listened, the more it sounded similar to a story I’ve heard. It was similar to an online game. I guess priests and wizards were rare here too.

If there really were monsters and those monsters targeted this place, then the majority of the people here would probably avoid becoming warriors. I’m sure no one would be willing to fight for others.

I immediately spoke.

“Status window.”

[Name - Lee Ki-Young]

[Title - None. Please work harder.]

[Age - 25]

[Tendency - Cautious Strategist]

[Job - Unemployed]

[Stats]

[Strength - 10]

[Agility - 11]

[Stamina - 11]

[Intelligence - 19]

[Endurance - 12]

[Luck - 21]

[Magic - 00]

[Gear - None]

The screen that suddenly appeared in front of  me was unfamiliar.

It felt like I was in a game and just as I quietly opened my mouth, I heard the woman’s voice again.

[The last thing is the attribute. Whenever you reach a certain level, an attribute will open up. Each player has different attributes and just like the jobs, it’ll be based on the player’s individual characteristics. The player’s unique characteristic is the most important. Like jobs, the ranks are average, rare, epic and legendary and the higher you go, the better.]

“Uh...”

[Attributes also open up in a similar way as your jobs. Attributes also have a big effect in your growth direction, so please pay attention to the choices.]

I couldn’t focus on the last part because I saw shining letters at the bottom of the status window.

[Attribute - Epic Rank - Do you want to read it?]

‘Huh?’

The words ‘Epic Rank’ shone in purple.

The ranks of the attributes were average, rare, epic and legendary. She also mentioned that depending on the player’s characteristics, the attribute might only be revealed later.

‘Great.’

I wasn’t sure how I started out with this or whether the current situation was real, but it wasn’t bad.

[Attribute]

[Mind’s Eye - Epic]

[Allows you to read yours and other people’s status window and hidden talent rank.]

I wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, but obtaining something from the start was a big advantage.

The woman said that survival was the goal.

‘Survival.’

I needed to survive. Whether the current situation was fake or real, I would try my best.

‘What about Yul-Ha...’

When I recalled my younger sister being alone at home, I bit my lips hard.

Everyone had different reactions. Those that obtained attributes were discussing it with others and some of the men were either fiddling with their swords or looking for shields. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it seemed like they were looking for ways to survive since danger was nigh. There was a woman crying on the floor, a middle-aged man that was continuously yelling, and even a child that looked like a student.

I wanted to drop to the floor and yell too, but I didn’t have the time to do that.

‘Talent?’

I wasn’t really sure what it was, but I thought that it wouldn’t hurt to take a look. After all, obtaining an attribute was already a big achievement and it meant that I would have a different start over the others. I had a strange expectation that maybe I would become the main character in a situation that only happened in shonens or fantasy novels, but I immediately shook my head.

That’s impossible.’

[Checking Player Lee Ki-Young’s Talent Stats]

[Name - Lee Ki-Young]

[Strength - Below average growth limit]

[Agility - Below average growth limit]

[Stamina - Below average growth limit]

[Intelligence - Above epic growth limit]

[Endurance - Below average growth limit]

[Luck - Above epic growth limit]

[Overall Review - Your talent level is at its lowest. Working hard will not work. No matter how hard you work, it will be difficult for you to get out of the third-rate level. Almost all the stats are abysmal. Not only are you physically challenged, but it will also be difficult for you to develop your magic stats. Your intelligence and luck are fine, but…I’m worried about your future. You don’t need to wield a sword or try something else. The results are predetermined anyways.]

I did not expect my talent to be the best, but it was really different from my expectations.

I rubbed my eyes, but the result remained unchanging.

“Huh?”

Survival was the final goal.

I didn’t think that I was going to be the main character and since reality was different from comics, I couldn’t help but gasp after seeing my depressing stats.

“Damn it...”

My talent stats were below average.