After descending about halfway, Do-Jun instinctively pulled out his smartphone only to see a message that he was in a restricted service area.
As the Hunter’s Bureau Chief had mentioned, it seemed clear that this place was indeed a Fissure.
Suddenly, Karsiel tugged at Do-Jun’s collar and pointed west.
Following the direction of her finger, Do-Jun spotted a middle-aged man gasping for breath, looking as if he was about to collapse.
“It’s a person, Master.”
“You think so? It looks like a monster to me.”
It clearly looked like a human.
Do-Jun pulled out a book from his bag and opened the first page.
[Interpreter – Ataraxia]
Category: Miscellaneous / Support
Grade: Relic of the Deep Realm
Magic Resistance: 10 (+0)
Description: Encyclopedia of the Core compiled by Epicurus, a traveler of the Deep Realm (incomplete). Tap the magnifying glass button on a blank page to record information about a target. As the completion increases, magic resistance will also increase (for use in the Core only).
Do-Jun tapped the magnifying glass button displayed at the top right of the blank page.
[Please choose the target you wish to identify.]
He chose the middle-aged man lying on the ground. Then, a faint glow illuminated the once-empty page, which began to fill with a brief description and illustration.
[Human Trap has been added to the encyclopedia.]
Category: Trap / Plant
Description: A plant that grows at the entrance to the Core. It lures new challengers into its snare by mimicking a human form. Once the victim gets close, it attacks. Almost had my face skinned off last time. Better be cautious from now on.
[The completion percentage of Interpreter – Ataraxia has increased.]
[You have earned the title Traveler of the Deep Realm.]
[Additional Magic Resistance has been granted.]
“A Human Trap?” Karsiel’s eyes widened as she read the text on the page.
Do-Jun used his SpacePad to take a picture of the Human Trap and recorded the information before saying to Karsiel in a rather forced parental tone, “No touch. Don’t go near it.”
“I see... but, Master, why are you talking like that?”
“I... I heard it on TV, so I’m not entirely sure either. Whatever. Just stay close to me.”
Watching Do-Jun, whose face seemed to redden slightly for some reason, Karsiel tilted her head in confusion.
At the infamous five-hundred-meter mark that even Behemoth Guild’s expedition team had been unable to cross, Do-Jun lifted his head to look at the sky.
In contrast to the warm sunlight shining down from the blue sky filled with fluffy clouds, an endless expanse of darkness lay below them.
[Are you sure you want to use your entry token to enter the Tutorial Zone?]
[Warning! Once you enter, you may never return.]
[Recommended magic resistance for the tutorial zone is 0.5. Challengers with lower magic resistance are advised to proceed with caution.]
“M-master...” Reading the message, Karsiel looked up at Do-Jun with anxious eyes, a natural reaction to the clear warnings.
In a nutshell, it meant, Leave now if you don’t want to die.
Even though Karsiel was a dragon, the unknown still seemed to frighten her. Honestly, Do-Jun felt the same way; if it weren’t for Pocket Watch, that is.
“If you’re scared, you don’t have to go any further. I’ll take you home.”
Hearing this, Karsiel bit her lip and looked at Do-Jun’s serious expression. “Master, are you not afraid?”
Do-Jun’s strength could be described as unparalleled, to the point that it even made sense that Izaas would bow to him. But just because someone was strong didn’t mean they didn’t fear death.
But... how is he so calm?
Karsiel glanced down at the dark, seemingly bottomless abyss beneath them. Every cell in her body was warning her of danger, but somehow, she felt that turning back now would haunt her for the rest of her life.
“If I follow you, won’t I just hold you back?” Karsiel asked with concern.
“I won’t give you a chance to slow me down.”
Karsiel’s eyes widened as she looked at Do-Jun, whose face was brimming with confidence.
Do-Jun held out his hand to Karsiel. After hesitating for a moment, she cautiously placed her hand on top of Do-Jun’s.
[Now entering the Tutorial Zone.]
“Are you awake?” Do-Jun asked from nearby.
Karsiel slowly opened her eyes, having briefly lost consciousness. She squinted against the bright sunlight and slowly sat up.
Looking around, her mouth dropped open in shock. Twelve small islands, each about a hundred and sixty square meters in size, were floating in the air.
Do-Jun and Karsiel were on one of those islands.
“What... is this...” Karsiel asked haltingly.
A massive central island was located in the middle of the small islands and connected to them by suspension bridges.
Karsiel tilted her head back to look up at the sky.
Before entering the Tutorial Zone, everything had been pitch-black, and they couldn’t see anything. But now, the surroundings were unbelievably bright.
“Master, what are you doing...?” she asked, seeing Do-Jun holding a fishing rod as a bobber floated peacefully on the lake’s surface.
Utterly confused, Karsiel wore a puzzled expression. Do-Jun handed her the Interpreter – Ataraxia.
Karsiel took the book and started flipping through the pages.
[Island of Beginnings]
Description: I think I passed out for a moment when I first entered the Tutorial Zone. When I woke up, I was on a floating object. I decided to call this object the Island of Beginnings. The maximum time I could stay here was two hours.
Description: There was a lake in the center of the Island of Beginnings. Various items were submerged in it. It seemed like a mechanism to help challengers. Occasionally, there were artifacts imbued with magic resistance, and I was lucky enough to catch one. Sometimes, fish monsters get caught, and getting bitten would probably hurt. If you try to enter the water directly to fish, all the artifacts will disappear, so be careful.
Category: Tool / Support
Description: A fishing rod that can be used at Artifact Lake. When infused with mana, it creates a fishing line and a float, which can be used to catch artifacts. You only get three casts. Looking back, I realize it’s more about control than just pouring in a lot of mana. Can only be used in the Island of Beginnings.
Description: A place you can go once the Island of Beginnings starts to collapse. When you arrive, a Peculiar Eagle will appear. It is said that if more than five adventurers arrive, the strange eagle’s power weakens, but I think Tusitala was lying.
Description: Dickhead. Absolute dickhead. A self-proclaimed “helper” who occasionally shows up randomly anywhere in the Core. Emphasis on “self-proclaimed.” He enjoys watching challengers suffer. But don't even think about confronting this little shit, as it is stupidly strong.
Danger Level: ★★★★★★★★
Interpreter – Ataraxia already had seven more completed pages.
Karsiel thoroughly read the new pages, handed the book back to Do-Jun, and sat beside him. Do-Jun narrowed his eyes as he looked at the small horn sprouting from Karsiel’s forehead and the number nine that had now appeared on her cheek.
Her qi has amplified, he realized.
At least double, no, more than triple.
Do-Jun recalled what Karsiel had said before. “I’m certain our kind was born there, but I have no memories of the place.”
“Take a look at your reflection in the lake.”
Upon hearing that, Karsiel immediately went to the lake’s edge and looked at her reflection. She saw the horn protruding from her forehead and the number on her cheek.
Flustered, Karsiel touched the horn while her face turned red.
“D-don’t stare at me like that. It’s embarrassing.”
Do-Jun returned his focus to the fishing rod, which had a transparent fishing line created with his inner energy.
When he noticed artifacts and fish being drawn to the float, he flicked the fishing line with his finger.
An enormous sound reverberated as the shock shook the lake, causing the fish to lose consciousness and float belly-up on the surface.
They seemed to be knocked out.
Whistling, Do-Jun leisurely reeled in an artifact—one that appeared to be quite high-quality.
Watching him, Karsiel muttered, “That... that has got to be cheating.”
Yoon-Hee was picking up some groceries for dinner at the local grocery store not far from home.
While she shopped, Yong-Yong wandered around the sample stations, receiving plenty of affection from the employees.
“Here, try this, ohoho!”
“Whose dog is this? So cute.”
“Here you go, take the whole plate.”
With his belly now full, Yong-Yong let out a burp and waddled back to Yoon-Hee’s side.
“This place is heaven. Haha.”
Seeing his bloated belly, Yoon-Hee frowned. “If you eat that much, how will you eat dinner?”
“Ehem, that was my snack stomach. Dinner goes in a different one.”
“Sigh... Did you thank all the ladies properly?”
Seeing Yong-Yong avert his eyes, Yoon-Hee sighed as if she had expected as much. “Next time, make sure to thank them, alright?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll keep that in mi...”
Yong-Yong suddenly halted.
Yoon-Hee, who had been pushing the cart, also stopped and looked back. “If you don’t hurry, I’m leaving you behind.”
She got no reaction from Yong-Yong and asked, “What are you staring at?”
Eventually, Yoon-Hee walked over to see what had caught Yong-Yong’s attention. It was a pack of ramen.
“I saw this on TV. People were loving it.” Yong-Yong looked up at Yoon-Hee with pleading eyes.
Yoon-Hee smiled and said, “Nope,” then coldly turned and walked away.
Yong-Yong clicked his tongue and trotted after her. He gave up rather easily because whenever she was this firm, no amount of begging or pitiful expression could change her mind.
When Do-Jun lifted the fishing rod, a single leather boot was pulled out. Smoke rose from the rod, and then it disappeared.
[You have caught three artifacts.]
[Achievement unlocked.]
[Your magic resistance has increased by 0.5.]
[You have discovered a Hidden Piece. You may now combine the artifacts you have acquired. Would you like to combine three artifacts to create a higher-grade artifact?]
Whatever it was, it seemed like a good thing. Do-Jun selected “Yes” without hesitation, and the three artifacts he had fished from the lake merged into a single point, emitting light.
[You have crafted the Wizard’s Bracelet.]
Options: Increases all skill and magic damage by 30%.
Reduces mana consumption for all skills and magic by 10%.
Description: A bracelet used by Roy the Wizard.
While Do-Jun was reviewing the artifact’s options, a figure suddenly appeared out of thin air. It was a tiny person—no, a fairy, the size of a palm.
The fairy smiled and greeted him. “Hello there.”