Chapter 14: Tutorial (14)

“You’re here.”

After purchasing the couple straps, we met Lee Han-seong in the town square as planned.

He’d acquired some new gear since I last saw him a few days ago. Somehow, he was getting hidden pieces like they were cake.

“It seems you’ve made thorough preparations,” he observed.

“Of course. We don’t know what to expect. We have to do everything we can.”

“A good attitude. It’s crucial to always be prepared.”

Lee Han-seong’s eyes scanned me and Yoo Ha-na. He quickly looked away after taking in her rather daring outfit.

I reacted the same way the first time I saw her. I felt a strange sense of camaraderie with him.

“Hey, zip up your jacket.”

“It’s stuffy. Why don’t you zip it up for me, Oppa?”

After indulging her a few times, she was completely uninhibited now.

She pushed herself towards me, a mischievous smile on her face as she enjoyed my flustered reaction.

Her flirtatiousness levels were exceeding the acceptable limit. Time for a lesson.

“Come here.”

“Eh? Ehh?”

I grabbed the zipper with slightly clumsy hands and pulled it all the way up, ignoring her weak protests. A real man doesn’t back down from a little resistance.

“Ugh… It’s tight.”

“Leave it like that for now unless we’re in combat.”

“Fine…”

Haha. Look at that dissatisfied pout. It was a satisfying sight.

[The quest has ended.]

[Initiating transfer. Brace for impact.]

While we were bickering, the quest window suddenly appeared. At the same time, commotion erupted at the edge of the square.

“No! I don’t want to die!”

“Help me! Please!”

“Someone help! Please save me!”

The source of the commotion was the climbers who had become destitute. As the Tutorial Fairy had stated on the first day, those who failed the quest would die.

They were paying the price. Failure to adapt always resulted in elimination. It was a cruel but undeniable reality.

“Oppa, I can’t watch.”

“No, Yoo Ha-na. Open your eyes and look closely.”

The cries of those facing imminent death were terrifying and agonizing.

This scene might have resonated particularly strongly with Yoo Ha-na. She had almost experienced that kind of despair herself.

“Remember this sight. And make a firm resolution.”

“That I won’t end up like them?”

Learning from others’ mistakes. A good mindset. But not enough. Heroine Yoo Ha-na. As the heroine of this story, you must aspire to something greater.

“No. Resolve that one day, you will save people in that situation. That you will become strong enough to save them. Strong enough to climb the tower with them.”

Heroine Yoo Ha-na. As the heroine, you are destined to be the protagonist’s trophy. You’ll fall for the regressor protagonist and become like a tamed sword at his side.

Petty behavior, pragmatism, and a “me-first” mentality will taint your heart.

Not that that mindset is inherently bad. But it’s not good either. One should always be righteous, not cowardly. Trampling on others to get ahead is a cowardly act.

So, feel compassion for their deaths. And feel anger at your own powerlessness to save them.

If you can do that, you will surely become a hero.

“I understand. I won’t forget. Just like how you saved me, Oppa, I will save others someday.”

“…Good.”

All I wanted was for her to become a hero.

The transfer was instantaneous. I found myself in a dense forest.

I felt dizzy and nauseous, but that wasn’t important right now.

“Ha-na! Han-seong!”

Yoo Ha-na and Lee Han-seong. If we were separated, finding them would be my top priority.

“I’m, I’m here!”

“I’m here too!”

Fortunately, we avoided the worst-case scenario. Even in a new environment, the reassurance of having companions was invaluable.

“It’s a relief we’re not separated.”

“I know. I didn’t expect that kind of transfer.”

Yoo Ha-na was right. The quest window had clearly stated a transfer to the starting point.

So, I assumed it would be similar to the first floor, gathering everyone in a square for an explanation from the Tutorial Fairy.

But the second floor was completely different. There was no Tutorial Fairy and no other climbers besides us.

“Whew. I’m so glad. From now on, we need a communication method in case of emergencies. If we get separated after a transfer, we need to regroup quickly.”

I said this to Yoo Ha-na while gauging Lee Han-seong’s reaction. He likely knew what was going on.

If we had been separated, he would have been the first to figure out a solution. Even if he excluded me, he would have told Yoo Ha-na.

“Let’s get some signal flares and discuss how to use them. It might be helpful for regrouping if we get separated later.”

“Good idea.”

We took a moment to reflect. Nothing serious had happened today, but it was a close call.

“Now that we’re done reflecting, let’s check the quest window.”

Impatient from waiting, Lee Han-seong urged us to check the quest window.

[Tutorial Quest 2: Survival]

[Time Limit: 29 days, 23 hours, 46 minutes, 54 seconds remaining]

[Survive until the time limit.]

[Choose one of the following conditions:]
[Condition 1: Reach the safe zone, Base Camp, located somewhere in the field.]
[Condition 2: Adapt to the environment without entering the safe zone.]

[Rewards will vary based on the chosen condition.]

The second-floor quest was much simpler than the first floor’s. But simple wasn’t always best. In this case, it was the worst.

“Survival. Not an easy task.”

“Tell me about it. We’re not Bear Grylls. Dropping us in the middle of nowhere and telling us to survive.”

It was a m@licious quest. How long could a modern person, accustomed to civilized society, survive in the wilderness?

Unless we were survival experts, we’d become monster food within three days.

“It’s a good thing we learned wilderness survival at the vocational training center.”

“Right? How about you, Han-seong? Do you have any wilderness survival knowledge?”

“I know a bit.”

This quest wasn’t a major issue for us. Yoo Ha-na and I had taken wilderness survival courses at the vocational training center whenever we had free time. And the regressor, Lee Han-seong, was undoubtedly prepared.

“Then all that’s left is to choose a condition.”

I gauged their reactions. The quest’s intention was obvious.

“I think the second condition is better,” Lee Han-seong said.

The regressor chose the high-risk, high-reward option. I expected as much. It’s standard for protagonists to go for the high-risk, high-reward route in web novels.

“I, I also think the second condition is better.”

Surprisingly, Yoo Ha-na also chose the second condition. It wasn’t a bad choice. Challenging oneself builds character.

Seeing her willingness to push herself warmed my heart.

“Well, since both of you agree, I have no reason to object.”

Choosing the first condition would have been more beneficial for me. I wouldn’t get any clear rewards for completing the harder quest because of my curse.

But I wasn’t alone. Without access to my status window, my companions’ strength was my strength.

“Then we’ll choose the second condition.”

We selected the second condition on the quest window. A new window popped up.

[Condition 2 selected.]

[Adapt to the environment.]

[Quest Completion Rewards: Access to 3rd Floor, Beginner Climber Set (Top) (Unable to acquire), Beginner Climber Set (Bottom) (Unable to acquire)]

[Additional Rewards for Choosing this Condition: Additional Skill Points (Unable to acquire), Superior Healing Potion (Unable to acquire), Title: Survival Expert (Unable to acquire)]

What the f*ck! I kind of expected this, but it was still infuriating. It was like having a bunch of liens slapped on things I couldn’t even use.

At least with liens on your house, you can still use the stuff inside. These rewards were like having liens on things I never even possessed. Rewards for sale. Never used.

Ah, Hemingway, you must have felt like this too.

Just like the first quest, I couldn’t get anything. As my motivation plummeted, another window appeared.

[Due to ‘Curse: Proof of Beginner’s Mind’, you cannot receive quest rewards.]

The blue window mocked me with its blinking text. I dismissed it with a sigh.

I’d bottle up this rage for now. I’d punch that author in the face when I finally met him.

I couldn’t let my anger distract me from what I needed to do now.

“Let’s check our supplies.”

Yoo Ha-na and Lee Han-seong agreed and revealed their belongings. Three days’ worth of rations, water, and medical supplies. They were well-prepared.

Preparedness made everything so much easier.

“We’re good on food and water for now.”

“In that case…”

“Yes, let’s find shelter.”

Our first survival task: securing a good location.