[You can acquire a new ability.]
"... Ability?"
Suddenly? I can acquire an ability now?
The moment I thought that, my body froze in the middle of scratching the back of my head.
No, it wasn't just me.
The guy lying prostrate and begging, known as "anchovy."
The woman clutching her throat, perhaps struggling to breathe from seeing the fallen thug.
The bespectacled man, trying his best to remain calm, but unable to hide his trembling legs.
And the extra man who slumped to the ground from loss of strength in his legs.
All of them, not moving an inch. No sound is heard.
It seems more like time has stopped than me being frozen.
[You can acquire a new ability.]
"... So what?"
Whether it's the tower's kindness or something, it's great that it stopped time to let me leisurely choose an ability, but...
It only told me to choose without showing any options before me.
Shouldn't there be options like:
1. A good skill.
2. A better skill.
3. A skill that seems trashy at first glance but is actually overpowered, so the protagonist will definitely choose it.
Just telling me to choose an ability without any explanation is absurd.
Except for my eyeballs, nothing else moves... What is the creator of this status window even doing?
"... Huh?"
While I was grumbling internally, I suddenly felt a peculiar energy that made me pause.
A feeling that's simultaneously repulsive... yet sacred... and frightening.
Surprisingly, this energy was emanating from the "anchovy" guy lying down. Three kinds of energies seemed to be intertwining, pushing and pulling against each other, creating a peculiar shape.
I knew instinctively, without anyone teaching me or the status window notifying me.
Those are emotions. Emotions the "anchovy" harbors towards me.
Just by looking, I can vividly feel each emotion as if I'm tasting them.
The red energy represents fear.
Fear of me, who has the power to instantly kill the thug.
The blue energy stands for loathing.
Loathing of a murderer who ruthlessly takes away another person's life.
Lastly, the yellow energy is reverence.
A primal sense of awe for someone with great power. Admiration, astonishment, a hint of fear.
So this anchovy guy saw me this way.
A formidable and frightening murderer.
Personally, I think anyone with the ability to revert would do what I did, but from an outsider's perspective, it would seem impressive.
Murderer... yes, that's true. But didn't you also just try to kill someone? Pot calling the kettle black.
So, why is the tower showing me these emotions?
It's obvious. Likely, if I choose one of these emotions, it will become my ability. Since it initially said [You can acquire a new ability].
"Hmm..."
I was now contemplating which ability to choose.
If reverting makes the ability disappear... then there's no harm in casually choosing one now.
I could experience all three abilities, see which one is best, and then properly choose when I decide to progress to the next level of the tutorial.
But what if the ability becomes permanent once chosen? What if it remains even after reverting?
This is the first ability I'm acquiring. Let's exclude the reversion ability for now.
The abilities you get early in a game usually dictate the playthrough.
If I choose fear... perhaps I'll get an ability to paralyze enemies with fear. Or it strengthens when an enemy is scared. It seems simple and powerful.
Choosing loathing... well, it's not as intuitive. It might enhance the instinctual loathing, or given that it originated from murder, it could be an ability to kill more efficiently. That sounds psychopathic.
Lastly, reverence. It's not as direct either.
It feels different from the usual delusional 'aura' people talk about.
Reverence means 'respect mixed with fear.'
Pure respect is one thing... but why mix in fear? I'd like to complain.
But, if someone suddenly started slashing people in front of me, I'd probably be scared too. "Hmm...
Fear? Loathing? Or Reverence?
My contemplation was short, and my decision was quick.
Whooosh!
The moment I made up my mind, the yellow energy surged towards me as if it had read my thoughts.
I had chosen 'Reverence.'
The reason is simple.
Fear? Loathing? They seem like abilities that can be easily mastered and are powerful.
For fear alone, there are endless applications. If I use the knowledge from my reversion to tell someone, 'I know everything about you. You're going to die tomorrow,' even the strongest person would probably pee their pants in terror.
Instantly becoming powerful? It's crucial. But I had bigger dreams.
When I conquer this tower.
When I get out of this tower.
When I become a global hero.
If my abilities only induce fear or loathing... would I truly be treated as a hero?
Wouldn't my achievements be overshadowed by some handsome and decent-looking guy, and I'd end up being just an urban legend known to a few?
Even if that's not the case, emotions like fear and loathing would make cooperation with others very difficult.
It means I'd always have to act alone.
Considering the nature of this 'tower', it didn't seem like a good choice.
In a web novel I read titled 'The Tutorial is Really F***ing Hard,' the protagonist, despite having overwhelming power, ends up trapped in the tower.
Why? Because he lacked allies.
If there's a floor where a common goal needs to be achieved, fear and loathing could be severe drawbacks.
In the end, I'm convinced that choosing the neutral and seemingly cool 'Reverence' was the right decision.
The flow of the yellow energy stopped.
I didn't feel any different physically. I felt just the same.
But I had an excellent way to self-reflect.
"Status Window."
[Name: Kim Junho] [LV: 5]
[Abilities]
- Reversion [EX]
- Reverence [C]
"...Hmm."
I lightly tapped on 'Reverence.'
- Reverence [C]
- Pay homage to your greatness. Fear the incomprehensible.
"...What is this?"
Did the creator of this tower graduate with a degree in literature?
Or do they just enjoy giving vague options to watch me struggle?
The explanation was just a string of words that made little sense.
I don't expect a game-like description like 'Deals 160% damage.'
But shouldn't they explain what it is and how it works?
Without thinking, I went to scratch the back of my head, realizing my hand could move.
Oh, right. I did touch the status window with my hand...
Time had resumed. It was so quiet that I didn't notice immediately.
"Please... save... me..."
The 'anchovy' was still trembling on the ground...
The reactions of the bespectacled man's group had significantly changed.
The bespectacled man, whose legs were trembling earlier, had regained some composure.
The extra man, who had slumped, was now barely standing.
And the woman, who was gasping for breath, had a flushed face.
Her face was so red it made me wonder if she was about to die.
"...Are you okay?"
I asked without thinking because she looked in such bad shape.
However, she didn't respond.
She covered her mouth with both hands and whispered softly.
"...You look cool."
"...?"
I wondered if I heard her wrong.
Cool? Me?
When I'm covered in blood? With the stench of blood all around?
Nobody knows better than I that being cool is the last thing on my mind right now.
So, the answer is clear.
This is the power of 'Reverence.'
To others, I genuinely appear cool because of the power of this amazing ability.
It wasn't the effect I had initially anticipated, but I felt I made the right choice in the ability.
Finally, can I experience being popular for once?
"Oh, is that so?"
I naturally took a step towards the woman in front of me.
Thud.
But simultaneously, everyone took a step back.
It seemed as if they were wary of my approach.
Wait, didn't you just say I looked cool? Why are you running away? My expression must have shown my confusion, as the woman, upon seeing my face, frantically waved her hands.
"No... It's not that I dislike you... It's just that our vibes don't match... Because you're so exceptional... It's just a bit intimidating."
I quickly glanced at the status window still hovering.
-
[ C ] Reverence
- Pay homage to your greatness. Fear the incomprehensible.
"...Fear."
Were the options Fear, Loathing, and Reverence?
Damn, they were all pretty similar...