“Mage,” I answered.

“Umm…”

“L-Leader is…”

Both of them had similar reactions. Park Deok-Gu looked really disappointed and while Kim Hyun-Sung seemed okay with my decision, he also seemed a bit disappointed.

I was more drawn to the archer that could use a bow, but agility was the foundation of an archer’s strength and my agility stat was low. It'd be different if there was a possibility that my agility stat was going to increase later on, but my potential agility stat was the worst.

No, more than that, I wasn’t the physically active type. It was obvious that even if I picked archer and then changed to a rogue later, I would probably contemplate on a similar issue.

Honestly, the mage job was the same. I already knew that my mage stat wasn’t that high, but…

‘I need to bring out my strengths.’

I thought this was the best way to put my intelligence stat to use. When thinking about the jobs I could possibly change to, later on, I was sure that I would see a job that I would be efficient in despite my low magic stat.

“Do you mind me asking why you picked that job?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.

I nodded lightly and then answered. “It’s just a gut feeling.”

I had no choice but to pick this job. Even if I picked the leader job, I would only get one measly stat point. But the mage job was going to give me three points to my magic stat that was basically nonexistent, so that was a huge advantage on my end.

“I see,” Kim Hyun-Sung commented.

It was as if he understood what I meant.

I felt a bit bitter because I couldn’t openly come out and say that it was hopeless because my stats were low in the first place.

[Acquiring basic knowledge of basic magic.]

[The effects of the job have increased your magic stats by three points.]

[Checking Player Lee Ki-Young’s Status Window and Stats.]

[Name - Lee Ki-Young]

[Title - None. Please work harder.]

[Age - 25]

[Nature - Cautious strategist]

[Job - Mage]

[Job Effects - Acquired basic magic knowledge]

[Stats]

[Strength - 10/Below average growth limit]

[Agility - 11/Below average growth limit]

[Stamina - 12/Below average growth limit]

[Intelligence - 19/Above epic growth limit]

[Endurance - 12/Below average growth limit]

[Luck - 21/Above epic growth limit]

[Magic - 03/Below average growth limit]

[Gear - None]

[Talent - Mind’s Eye]

[Overall Review - Your stats are still hopeless, however, I applaud you for knowing the importance of getting a job. Choosing the mage job may be the best choice because, with your stats, it must’ve been difficult to feel magic. You must feel hopeful since your magic stat increased by three points, but I recommend not having expectations in growing as a mage. The bigger your expectations, the bigger your disappointment.]

‘Why you…’

For some reason, I felt that the overall review wasn’t all that bad. Even though there was criticism, I was satisfied by the fact that I obtained magic.

The information on the status window definitely changed.

I think I had an idea about what it meant when it said that I acquired basic magic because new knowledge started pouring into my head.

Since it was basic magic, it didn’t look too complex, but I did understand the concept of magic, how to move magic, using mana to manifest magic, and the concepts of anthromorph and chants.

“Not bad,” I commented.

It was a bit different than what I imagined.

I couldn’t really describe it with words, but I felt like I solved an unknown formula or built a tower using magic. Chants and anthromorph were completely unfamiliar concepts to me, but they continued piling up in my head, which helped in building my foundation in magic.

‘I think I can use it right away.’

Unlike the leader job, once I adapted to this power, I would be able to use it right away. I slowly closed my eyes and when I felt the magic move inside of me, I immediately received a reaction. Even though the magic was as big as a fingernail, I was thankful that it moved according to my will.

As I continued controlling the magic in my head, Kim Hyun-Sung spoke while looking at me. “We’ve slowed down too much, so let’s head back for now. As for the food…”

“Two bags should be more than enough,” I said, interrupting him.

“Okay.”

After Park Deok-Gu grabbed two bags, I handed the rest of the bags to Kim Hyun-Sung. I guess he thought that we were being considerate because after nodding briefly, he looked at us with a slightly thankful look.

There were a total of 12 leather bags at this starting point and considering Park Deok-Gu’s contribution in attracting the aggro of the monsters, we should receive more than two.

“Thank you for being considerate,” Kim Hyun-Sung said, thanking me.

“There’s no need to thank me since we wouldn’t have been able to get these if it wasn’t for your help…considering how many times you’ve helped us, this is only right,” I explained.

“Still…”

“Just take those and feed everyone,” Park Deok-Gu said, interrupting him.

“Okay, got it,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“By the way, what are you thinking about doing with the others? You can’t just leave them there like that,” Park Deok-Gu pointed out.

“The people that aren’t willing to fight will only hinder us and since we can’t have any victims…I think it’ll be a good idea to take them out to hunt monsters consecutively after they are done with their adaptive training,” Kim Hyun-Sung explained.

“I’m not sure if that’ll work,” Park Deok-Gu commented.

Thinking about it now, Park Deok-Gu had also completed his adaptive training, but I didn’t bother saying what was on my mind.

“I’m sure it’ll be somewhat effective. As a test, I think it’ll be best to take one person, but only if you two agree with it. Is that okay?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked us.

“I don’t mind, but…hyung-nim, what do you think?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“I don’t mind either, but would it be okay if we picked the person?” I asked him.

“Is there already someone…”

“If she’s willing to do it, I was thinking about taking Jung Ha-Yan,” I said.

“Oh.”

I saw Kim Hyun-Sung nod as if it was a good choice. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Jung Ha-Yan was a lottery ticket that had already won.

I already checked her potential stats using my Mind’s Eye. There was a good chance that Kim Hyun-Sung was also curious about Jung Ha-Yan’s future.

I couldn’t help but laugh after seeing him express his happiness so openly.

The journey back to the shelter was pretty comfortable. In order to go to the other starting points, we needed to leave the shelter for quite a while. This was the result we reached after planning ahead. As expected, when we approached the shelter, Lee Ji-Hye and a few others ran out and greeted Kim Hyun-Sung.

“Oh, Mr. Hyun-Sung! Deok-Gu oppa and Ki-Young oppa, thank you for your hard work as well. We’ll take the…”

I saw the people naturally grabbing the bags that Kim Hyun-Sung was carrying. When a man with an injured leg discreetly extended his hand out towards us, I shook off his hand and spoke.

“We’ll carry our bags.”

“Oh, okay…” was all the man said.

I was basically telling him that we would be taking care of our supplies. Funny enough, the man looked disapprovingly at us. If I were to translate his expression, it seemed like he was saying, “Who gave you the right?”

I raised the corner of my lips momentarily, but it seemed like the man didn’t see it. Regardless of what was happening to me, Kim Hyun-Sung was quietly delivering information to Lee Ji-Hye.

“We obtained the food from a different starting point. I would appreciate it if you could distribute them to the people that are inside,” he explained.

“Okay! Leave it to me, Mr. Hyun-Sung. Were there other survivors…”

“I didn’t see any,” he said.

“I-I see. That’s unfortunate,” Lee Ji-Hye said.

“There could be some nearby, so we’ll probably search that area one more time sometime soon,” Kim Hyun-Sung explained.

“Oh! Okay…”

I don’t think there was going to be enough food since Kim Hyun-Sung only brought 10 bags. Sharing that food amongst 30 people wasn’t going to fill their hunger. They may be able to endure it for now, but their hunger would remain.

While holding the two bags, Park Deok-Gu and I passed by the hungry demons and entered the shelter. During that moment, people kept looking at us with a strange gaze, causing Park Deok-Gu to talk with a bit of anxiety.

“Hyung-nim, are we really not going to share?”

“We’re not philanthropists,” I answered.

“I mean, I know that, but…I don’t feel good about this since it makes us look like the bad guys. I also can’t help but feel a bit bad after seeing the people that came outside…” Park Deok-Gu explained.

“Why are you worried about how they’re feeling?” I asked.

“I-It just makes us look bad…” he said.

“Deok-Gu, they should be thanking us for getting food while putting our life on the line. The fact that they were trying to just casually take our food too was amusing. This shelter that we’re in belongs to Kim Hyun-Sung, not them. We helped just as much as we received help and not only that, we handed over a portion of the food that was originally ours. I think that’s the least we could do. Moreover, Kim Hyun-Sung clearly knew about it, he didn’t say anything to us…” I explained to him.

“Hm…”

“If they want better treatment, then they need to start fighting too, although, I don’t think they’ll be able to do that…Kim Hyun-Sung may also be thinking that others will get motivated after seeing us, but I can’t say for sure what the outcome will be,” I told him.

“Oh…so is it his plan to help people realize that they’ll get better treatment if they fight by letting them see us carry a lot of food?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“I’m sure he’s hoping for that to happen,” I answered.

Kim Hyun-Sung wasn’t stupid, so I’m sure a part of him was expecting that to happen.

While walking to the place we were staying at, I didn’t see Jung Ha-Yan. I thought those that didn’t go out to hunt had things to do here and it seemed like everyone was working. They were either cleaning up the place or moving heavy rocks to build a barrier. Jung Ha-Yan was probably helping those people out.

It was obvious who was placed in charge while we were gone.

‘Lee Ji-Hye.’

She was in charge of the people in this shelter. It was her job to distribute, to report to Kim Hyun-Sung, and to also be the first to greet him. I couldn’t help but smile after getting an idea of what she was up to.

“Deok-Gu,” I called out.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“You remember Jung Ha-Yan, right?” I asked.

“You’re talking about the lady with the injured leg that you helped, right?” he asked me.

“Yeah,” I answered.

I took out some items from the bag and handed them to Park Deok-Gu.

“Give them to her and take care of her for me,” I requested.

“Hyung-nim why…oh…” he said.

Park Deok-Gu looked like he was up to something.

“I understand. Just leave this to me!” he said excitedly.

He immediately understood what I wanted. Even though we only got together recently, it seemed like he quickly caught on to what I wanted since we were always together.

He understood that I was laying down the foundation in order to get her to our side. Of course, it was far from having romantic feelings, but making her rely on us could be pretty simple, especially in a situation like this.

I recalled Jung Ha-Yan’s nature as an innocent supporter while Kim Hyun-Sung’s nature was a kind-hearted mediator and even though they sounded similar, there was a clear difference. Being innocent and kind-hearted were two different natures.

“Tainting something innocent is easy,” I said.

“What are you talking about?” Park Deok-Gu asked.

“It’s nothing,” I told him.

She would probably prove what I just said through a small experiment.