“Do you have a name?” I ask the AI.
There are five minutes left before my detention, so I make casual talk with the Artificial Intelligence. I am very curious about its existence, and also the Great Sage. Maybe, there is a hidden piece or something. I want to get stronger, and I am very reluctant to steal the opportunities of others.
Hajin alone has so many opportunities I can pilfer, but I won’t do him dirty like that.
The Cube AI’s emoji interface shows a look of confusion. “Dddo you mean my identity? I am the Artificial Intelligence working on fostering the future generations of heroes who shall defend this world from monsters.”
I nod at her answer. Maybe expecting a name from an AI is too much. I throw several more random questions, just passing up the time.
“Are you a female or a male?”
“Iiif in terms of feminine or masculinity, then yes, I am a female, as my voice interface falls under the category of feminine. However, I lack the biological capability of a neither as I am an information-state existence.”
“Are you beautiful?”
“Iii apologize. I don’t know.”
“What is the complete pi?”
“Rrroughly 3.14, it is an irrational number.”
“Please recite the full number of pi.”
“3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197…”
The Cube AI recites the pi for the next following seconds until my detention ends. For a short while, I fear that the AI might break because I made her recite a transcendental number. Fortunately, she stops reciting the pi the moment my detention ends.
“Ssstudent Hyon Hyung. Rank 1111, you are free from detention. This is the first warning. A repeat offense will cause you your suspension.”
I leave my detention and head for the Training Grounds. Time to break a leg.
Through my own psychic retrospection from a viewable interface that I can summon in my eyesight, I check on my current stats and gifts.
▷ [Nobody Knows] [Low-intermediate rank] [Null attribute] [Evolving — Grade 8] [Proficiency EXP 3%]
— Always Here: Blend with the background and be unnoticeable. Can attach effects on other objects.
— Not Here: Become invisible. The more Magic Power, the longer the duration, and stealthier the effects. Instant activation. Can attach effects on other objects.
*Variable Stats [Strength 3.91] [Stamina 4] [Speed 4.3] [Perception 4] [Vitality 3] [Magic Power 3.1]
*Invariable Stats [Intelligence— 4/10] [Perseverence— 4/10] [Luck— 4/10] [Charm— 4/10]
> Gift (1/1)
> Arts (0/3)
> Physique (0/3)
I must say. Still average. It will be miraculous if I manage to snag a high rank at the Ranking Exams with these stats. But I can only do my best. I should practice not just my throwing skills, but also a few hidden weapons. I can also try unorthodox weapons. It will be difficult, but the effort will not betray me.
There is no use envying others. I can only focus on myself.
The Essence of the Strait has recently declared its dividends. There is also the commission I receive from the consignment deal with Essential Armory. I have enough money to buy myself a good pair of daggers, and even a few hidden weapons. I am feeling a strong temptation to buy some shuriken stars.
***
The days go by, with no time to waste. Kim Hajin is always busy. Training especially has a special place in his heart. It gives him a sense of peace, and every time he glances at his data, he always feels a sense of fulfillment.
Training is just that good of a distraction.
▷ [Master Sharpshooter] [Low-intermediate rank] [Spirit attribute] [Evolving — Grade 8] [Proficiency EXP 13%]
— Master Sharpshooter’s Training: Familiarity with all long-ranged weapons
— Thousand-Mile Eyes: Can see far away and predict a target’s movement path. Has increased speed and perception by 0.3 points.
— Bullet Time: Only in combat and once every 24 hours, you may spend 10 seconds in bullet time.
— Sharpshooter of Reversal: You may deal bonus damage against a stronger enemy depending on your luck.
Not to mention, his physical stats are reaching the standard of a Cube Cadet’s average. Even if he doesn’t want to, he cannot fail his classes anymore. No longer the shameful displays of his patheticness in front of his classmates.
He recalls the Anti-personnel training when he savagely starts biting a certain female instructor’s hair.
*Variable Stats [Strength 4.1] [Stamina 4.7] [Speed 4.5] [Perception 4.9] [Vitality 4] [Magic Power 2]
*Invariable Stats [Intelligence— 4/10] [Perseverence— 4/10] [Luck— 10/10] [Charm— 4/10]
> Gift (2/3)
> Arts (0/3)
> Physique (0/3)
In the shooting range, he continues firing one bullet after another.
~Bzzt…
Hajin’s smartwatch starts vibrating. He checks on it to see a message from Yoo Yoenha inviting him to attend the Noble Society. This makes him curious. It is a social gathering for the elites, so why is he invited?
No. To be more specific and accurate, it is a gathering of childhood friends of Yoo Yoenha.
He has been very busy recently with his personal training and experimenting with his laptop. His laptop recently have an upgrade, thus he has a lot of experimentation to do.
“Should I go?” He asks himself.
***
Today’s Noble Society takes place at a coffee shop in Seoul.
Yoo Yeonha is someone who is very future-oriented. Her career pathway, her future husband (obviously Shin Jonghak), and everything. This is due to her meticulous nature.
The Noble Society is a social leadership meeting that happens every even-numbered Friday. She wants to establish important connections after graduation, but one of the important figures doesn’t seem to care. For Chae Nayun, Noble Society is simply a reunion with her childhood friends.
However, today seems to be a little different.
Sitting beside Kim Hajin is Chae Nayun who is prettier than usual. “Hey, what coffee do you like?” She asks Hajin with curiosity.
“No cream, no sugar, I like it bitter.” At his words, Nayun excitedly orders a cafe noir for Hajin.
There is no particular reason why Yoenha invited Kim Hajin. She is just curious about the man himself who seems to be actually a genius entrepreneur. Yoenha cannot even imagine that all that transpires with Hajin as the center is actually a result of a passionate friend’s masterful scheming.
The Hajin Page is one hell of a business idea, and Yoenha can sense a touch of genius to it. With this alone, Hajin can potentially monopolize the gun industry with just his name. However, this is just potential.
Yoenha’s inner circle of friends is something more than just potential.
For her, Kim Hajin is merely here as a guest and a subject of curiosity.
That same Kim Hajin is sitting in front of her, and sipping his coffee with calm. Chae Nayun is similarly drinking her coffee while being at peace. To Yoenha, this is just weird. Like… the atmosphere is wrong.
Nayun seems to be unaware of it. Hajin seems to know what is wrong as he shifts in his seat, moving away from Nayun. Yoo Yoenha’s brain starts working at an impressively fast pace.
Currently, the only people who are at the café excluding the barista are Yoenha, Nayun, and Hajin. There is not really much to talk about, thus explaining the silence. Yoenha sips a coffee as she stalls for time, and thinks of a topic.
Yoenha doesn’t really like Nayun as she is her rival in love, not that Nayun acknowledges it, so Yoenha has too little to talk with her. Then there is Hajin. Yoenha recalls the day after the Academic Club when the guy sneaks a Coke into her bag. “I am in a bad situation, am I not?”
There is Kim Hajin who is potentially her stalker and has a crush on her evident in his flirting attempts after the Academic Club. On the other hand, there is Chae Nayun who is Shin Jonghak’s crush.
“Hmmm…” Chae Nayun hums contemplatively. Then, she places her cup of coffee on the table. “Hey, handsome, so how is business?” She casually addresses Hajin.
Yoenha starts spitting her coffee at Hajin, surprised at the ‘Handsome’ remark of Nayun. Thankfully, her coffee is iced.
“Ack~!” Hajin cries. The coffee might not be hot, but it sure is cold.
Yoenha panics as she stands up, and grabs a towel to wipe Hajin’s face, but the liquid only spills on his shirt more. That doesn’t stop there as Yoenha bumps into Nayun’s coffee which spills on Hajin’s pants. It is pandemonium.
“…” Chae Nayun is speechless.
***
After learning that Kim Hajin is joining them in their Noble Society, Chae Nayun immediately makes apt preparations. Honestly, she thinks of Noble Society as too childish of a name at some point that she thinks of just quitting this meeting with friends so that she can focus more on training.
However, she immediately changes her attitude after learning that Hajin will be joining them as a guest. It must be due to ‘The Hajin Page’ that Yoenha decides to suggest that. Suho agrees to Hajin joining, but Jonghak doesn’t. Still, three beats one.
Suho, Yoenha, and Nayun are in favor of Hajin joining.
Thus, Hajin is here.
Chae Nayun is feeling very jittery. To break the ice, she decides to use one of the lower-level pick-up lines she learns from the newspaper. “Hey, handsome, so how is business?” She asks that as casually as possible, inquiring about Hajin’s recent Video Featurette.
Now, it has come to this— Yoenha panics, spits coffee, spills more coffee, and Hajin gets wet.
After Hajin gets soaked in coffee, Yoenha has no choice but to give him the spare clothes she prepared. The moment that Hajin leaves to change clothes, Yoo Yoenha flares up in anger at Nayun.
“You idiot! Handsome? Really?” Yoenha’s unladylike cussing is very unlike her as she is someone who obsesses with maintaining her image.
“Hey, I am sorry…” Nayun weakly defends herself, realizing that she is wrong. It looks like the 'handsome' pickup line is a bust. “But why did you have spare clothes?” After she asks that, Hajin returns to their table with a miserable face.
Chae Nayun immediately understands. There is no secret to Yoenha having a crush on Jonghak. There are many times that Yoenha plays little tricks to get closer to Jonghak.
With a glum look and a deadpan voice, she compliments Hajin. “Nice shirt,” She then turns to Yoenha. “Nice shirt too.” Yoenha and Hajin share a couple-shirt, and they even have the same stylized pants now.
“I… I can explain…” Yoenha cries.
No. There is no need for any explanation. After all, Nayun knows that the shirt is reserved for Jonghak after maybe spilling the coffee accidentally. But then. Something like that did not happen in the past timeline.
***
Kim Hajin is feeling greatly stressed. This is all happening because of that damnable series of messages.
[An incredible luck applies!]
[An incredible luck applies!]
[An incredible luck applies!]
His smartwatch cries in succession.
At first, he is feeling very eager as something good should happen any time soon. Contrary to his expectations, it is not something like this… He is now wearing a couple-shirt with Yoenha.
“I… I will leave now…” Hajin weakly tells them
[An incredible luck applies!]
“Oh, what the fuck is it this time?” Hajin internally cries.
From the door, Kim Suho waves his hand in excitement. Shortly after, Shin Jonghak with his lackeys enter the café.
With great luck comes great troubles.
***
“Ooooh~!” Jonghak’s lackeys cry in a chorus. There are even a few lackeys, crying tearfully.
Kim Suho is not helping either as he raises a double thumbs up. “I approve!” He says while grinning like an idiot.
Then. There is Shin Jonghak who cannot help but smile with his teeth showing. “If it is true love, then why not? I support you Yoenha. Kim Hajin, isn’t it? Break up with her, and I will kill you.” His threats seem genuine too.
Yoenha suffers from a headache. The blue shirt she is wearing has the bold cute font of “I love you,” on its front, and “I love you more,” on its back. Hajin similarly has the blue shirt, except the texts are in reverse with “I love you more,” in its front, and “I love you,” in its back.
The barista who owns the café then arrives at their table which is slowly getting crowded. “Lovely miss, we have a couple of discounts here on pastries, and even have a free giveaway cake for couples. I am sure that you, your boyfriend, and your friends will like it.”
“Ugh… Kill me…” Yoenha for the first time in her life is having second thoughts about living.
“Do you have a name?” I ask the AI.
There are five minutes left before my detention, so I make casual talk with the Artificial Intelligence. I am very curious about its existence, and also the Great Sage. Maybe, there is a hidden piece or something. I want to get stronger, and I am very reluctant to steal the opportunities of others.
Hajin alone has so many opportunities I can pilfer, but I won’t do him dirty like that.
The Cube AI’s emoji interface shows a look of confusion. “Dddo you mean my identity? I am the Artificial Intelligence working on fostering the future generations of heroes who shall defend this world from monsters.”
I nod at her answer. Maybe expecting a name from an AI is too much. I throw several more random questions, just passing up the time.
“Are you a female or a male?”
“Iiif in terms of feminine or masculinity, then yes, I am a female, as my voice interface falls under the category of feminine. However, I lack the biological capability of a neither as I am an information-state existence.”
“Are you beautiful?”
“Iii apologize. I don’t know.”
“What is the complete pi?”
“Rrroughly 3.14, it is an irrational number.”
“Please recite the full number of pi.”
“3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197…”
The Cube AI recites the pi for the next following seconds until my detention ends. For a short while, I fear that the AI might break because I made her recite a transcendental number. Fortunately, she stops reciting the pi the moment my detention ends.
“Ssstudent Hyon Hyung. Rank 1111, you are free from detention. This is the first warning. A repeat offense will cause you your suspension.”
I leave my detention and head for the Training Grounds. Time to break a leg.
Through my own psychic retrospection from a viewable interface that I can summon in my eyesight, I check on my current stats and gifts.
▷ [Nobody Knows] [Low-intermediate rank] [Null attribute] [Evolving — Grade 8] [Proficiency EXP 3%]
— Always Here: Blend with the background and be unnoticeable. Can attach effects on other objects.
— Not Here: Become invisible. The more Magic Power, the longer the duration, and stealthier the effects. Instant activation. Can attach effects on other objects.
*Variable Stats [Strength 3.91] [Stamina 4] [Speed 4.3] [Perception 4] [Vitality 3] [Magic Power 3.1]
*Invariable Stats [Intelligence— 4/10] [Perseverence— 4/10] [Luck— 4/10] [Charm— 4/10]
> Gift (1/1)
> Arts (0/3)
> Physique (0/3)
I must say. Still average. It will be miraculous if I manage to snag a high rank at the Ranking Exams with these stats. But I can only do my best. I should practice not just my throwing skills, but also a few hidden weapons. I can also try unorthodox weapons. It will be difficult, but the effort will not betray me.
There is no use envying others. I can only focus on myself.
The Essence of the Strait has recently declared its dividends. There is also the commission I receive from the consignment deal with Essential Armory. I have enough money to buy myself a good pair of daggers, and even a few hidden weapons. I am feeling a strong temptation to buy some shuriken stars.
***
The days go by, with no time to waste. Kim Hajin is always busy. Training especially has a special place in his heart. It gives him a sense of peace, and every time he glances at his data, he always feels a sense of fulfillment.
Training is just that good of a distraction.
▷ [Master Sharpshooter] [Low-intermediate rank] [Spirit attribute] [Evolving — Grade 8] [Proficiency EXP 13%]
— Master Sharpshooter’s Training: Familiarity with all long-ranged weapons
— Thousand-Mile Eyes: Can see far away and predict a target’s movement path. Has increased speed and perception by 0.3 points.
— Bullet Time: Only in combat and once every 24 hours, you may spend 10 seconds in bullet time.
— Sharpshooter of Reversal: You may deal bonus damage against a stronger enemy depending on your luck.
Not to mention, his physical stats are reaching the standard of a Cube Cadet’s average. Even if he doesn’t want to, he cannot fail his classes anymore. No longer the shameful displays of his patheticness in front of his classmates.
He recalls the Anti-personnel training when he savagely starts biting a certain female instructor’s hair.
*Variable Stats [Strength 4.1] [Stamina 4.7] [Speed 4.5] [Perception 4.9] [Vitality 4] [Magic Power 2]
*Invariable Stats [Intelligence— 4/10] [Perseverence— 4/10] [Luck— 10/10] [Charm— 4/10]
> Gift (2/3)
> Arts (0/3)
> Physique (0/3)
In the shooting range, he continues firing one bullet after another.
~Bzzt…
Hajin’s smartwatch starts vibrating. He checks on it to see a message from Yoo Yoenha inviting him to attend the Noble Society. This makes him curious. It is a social gathering for the elites, so why is he invited?
No. To be more specific and accurate, it is a gathering of childhood friends of Yoo Yoenha.
He has been very busy recently with his personal training and experimenting with his laptop. His laptop recently have an upgrade, thus he has a lot of experimentation to do.
“Should I go?” He asks himself.
***
Today’s Noble Society takes place at a coffee shop in Seoul.
Yoo Yeonha is someone who is very future-oriented. Her career pathway, her future husband (obviously Shin Jonghak), and everything. This is due to her meticulous nature.
The Noble Society is a social leadership meeting that happens every even-numbered Friday. She wants to establish important connections after graduation, but one of the important figures doesn’t seem to care. For Chae Nayun, Noble Society is simply a reunion with her childhood friends.
However, today seems to be a little different.
Sitting beside Kim Hajin is Chae Nayun who is prettier than usual. “Hey, what coffee do you like?” She asks Hajin with curiosity.
“No cream, no sugar, I like it bitter.” At his words, Nayun excitedly orders a cafe noir for Hajin.
There is no particular reason why Yoenha invited Kim Hajin. She is just curious about the man himself who seems to be actually a genius entrepreneur. Yoenha cannot even imagine that all that transpires with Hajin as the center is actually a result of a passionate friend’s masterful scheming.
The Hajin Page is one hell of a business idea, and Yoenha can sense a touch of genius to it. With this alone, Hajin can potentially monopolize the gun industry with just his name. However, this is just potential.
Yoenha’s inner circle of friends is something more than just potential.
For her, Kim Hajin is merely here as a guest and a subject of curiosity.
That same Kim Hajin is sitting in front of her, and sipping his coffee with calm. Chae Nayun is similarly drinking her coffee while being at peace. To Yoenha, this is just weird. Like… the atmosphere is wrong.
Nayun seems to be unaware of it. Hajin seems to know what is wrong as he shifts in his seat, moving away from Nayun. Yoo Yoenha’s brain starts working at an impressively fast pace.
Currently, the only people who are at the café excluding the barista are Yoenha, Nayun, and Hajin. There is not really much to talk about, thus explaining the silence. Yoenha sips a coffee as she stalls for time, and thinks of a topic.
Yoenha doesn’t really like Nayun as she is her rival in love, not that Nayun acknowledges it, so Yoenha has too little to talk with her. Then there is Hajin. Yoenha recalls the day after the Academic Club when the guy sneaks a Coke into her bag. “I am in a bad situation, am I not?”
There is Kim Hajin who is potentially her stalker and has a crush on her evident in his flirting attempts after the Academic Club. On the other hand, there is Chae Nayun who is Shin Jonghak’s crush.
“Hmmm…” Chae Nayun hums contemplatively. Then, she places her cup of coffee on the table. “Hey, handsome, so how is business?” She casually addresses Hajin.
Yoenha starts spitting her coffee at Hajin, surprised at the ‘Handsome’ remark of Nayun. Thankfully, her coffee is iced.
“Ack~!” Hajin cries. The coffee might not be hot, but it sure is cold.
Yoenha panics as she stands up, and grabs a towel to wipe Hajin’s face, but the liquid only spills on his shirt more. That doesn’t stop there as Yoenha bumps into Nayun’s coffee which spills on Hajin’s pants. It is pandemonium.
“…” Chae Nayun is speechless.
***
After learning that Kim Hajin is joining them in their Noble Society, Chae Nayun immediately makes apt preparations. Honestly, she thinks of Noble Society as too childish of a name at some point that she thinks of just quitting this meeting with friends so that she can focus more on training.
However, she immediately changes her attitude after learning that Hajin will be joining them as a guest. It must be due to ‘The Hajin Page’ that Yoenha decides to suggest that. Suho agrees to Hajin joining, but Jonghak doesn’t. Still, three beats one.
Suho, Yoenha, and Nayun are in favor of Hajin joining.
Thus, Hajin is here.
Chae Nayun is feeling very jittery. To break the ice, she decides to use one of the lower-level pick-up lines she learns from the newspaper. “Hey, handsome, so how is business?” She asks that as casually as possible, inquiring about Hajin’s recent Video Featurette.
Now, it has come to this— Yoenha panics, spits coffee, spills more coffee, and Hajin gets wet.
After Hajin gets soaked in coffee, Yoenha has no choice but to give him the spare clothes she prepared. The moment that Hajin leaves to change clothes, Yoo Yoenha flares up in anger at Nayun.
“You idiot! Handsome? Really?” Yoenha’s unladylike cussing is very unlike her as she is someone who obsesses with maintaining her image.
“Hey, I am sorry…” Nayun weakly defends herself, realizing that she is wrong. It looks like the 'handsome' pickup line is a bust. “But why did you have spare clothes?” After she asks that, Hajin returns to their table with a miserable face.
Chae Nayun immediately understands. There is no secret to Yoenha having a crush on Jonghak. There are many times that Yoenha plays little tricks to get closer to Jonghak.
With a glum look and a deadpan voice, she compliments Hajin. “Nice shirt,” She then turns to Yoenha. “Nice shirt too.” Yoenha and Hajin share a couple-shirt, and they even have the same stylized pants now.
“I… I can explain…” Yoenha cries.
No. There is no need for any explanation. After all, Nayun knows that the shirt is reserved for Jonghak after maybe spilling the coffee accidentally. But then. Something like that did not happen in the past timeline.
***
Kim Hajin is feeling greatly stressed. This is all happening because of that damnable series of messages.
[An incredible luck applies!]
[An incredible luck applies!]
[An incredible luck applies!]
His smartwatch cries in succession.
At first, he is feeling very eager as something good should happen any time soon. Contrary to his expectations, it is not something like this… He is now wearing a couple-shirt with Yoenha.
“I… I will leave now…” Hajin weakly tells them
[An incredible luck applies!]
“Oh, what the fuck is it this time?” Hajin internally cries.
From the door, Kim Suho waves his hand in excitement. Shortly after, Shin Jonghak with his lackeys enter the café.
With great luck comes great troubles.
***
“Ooooh~!” Jonghak’s lackeys cry in a chorus. There are even a few lackeys, crying tearfully.
Kim Suho is not helping either as he raises a double thumbs up. “I approve!” He says while grinning like an idiot.
Then. There is Shin Jonghak who cannot help but smile with his teeth showing. “If it is true love, then why not? I support you Yoenha. Kim Hajin, isn’t it? Break up with her, and I will kill you.” His threats seem genuine too.
Yoenha suffers from a headache. The blue shirt she is wearing has the bold cute font of “I love you,” on its front, and “I love you more,” on its back. Hajin similarly has the blue shirt, except the texts are in reverse with “I love you more,” in its front, and “I love you,” in its back.
The barista who owns the café then arrives at their table which is slowly getting crowded. “Lovely miss, we have a couple of discounts here on pastries, and even have a free giveaway cake for couples. I am sure that you, your boyfriend, and your friends will like it.”
“Ugh… Kill me…” Yoenha for the first time in her life is having second thoughts about living.
