"Let the system explain in detail... Tutorial, start!"
Right after the fairy sprinkled some weapon and flew away.
"Hello? Mr. Myeolchi (Anchovy)?"
"Yes, hello... What did you say?"
I approached Myeolchi to shake hands.
This is the same Myeolchi who gave me the admirable [C] trait in the past.
And now, I wanted to test if I could extract the same trait from him again.
"Well, I have something to show you. Will you follow me for a moment?"
Anyone would be hesitant if, right after being summoned to a tower, a suspicious man suddenly appeared asking them to follow.
It's natural to be suspicious when a stranger in an unfamiliar environment tells you to come along.
But then...
"...Should I?"
After some contemplation, Myeolchi obediently followed me.
The reason is simple.
- Curiosity [A]
- People naturally feel an inexplicable curiosity towards you, instinctively paying attention.
It's thanks to the 'curiosity' trait I got from Ji-won.
Traits named after emotions basically amplify those emotions.
And since the rank of this trait is A? Even the slightest curiosity can be amplified greatly.
So when Myeolchi followed me to the pile of weapons...
Swish!
I swiftly drew a sword and showcased my own sword dance.
As flashy, cool, and sexy as possible.
This was different from the swordsmanship I showed to the group of men at the weapon pile in the past.
I'm much stronger now, and my swordsmanship has improved.
" ...! "
The onlookers stepped back in awe of my prowess. My swordsmanship might be only F-grade, but by ordinary standards, I'm a master.
It must feel like watching a martial arts film. I know the feeling, that's how I feel watching Ji-won.
"...Look at that!"
I noticed Ji-won's eyes widened in the distance, but I didn't care. I planned to regress soon anyway.
"So, what do you think?"
I asked Myeolchi after finishing my sword dance.
Sweating profusely, Myeolchi couldn't answer immediately. He avoided my gaze, mouth agape so wide a fly could enter.
"That...was amazing. Fast, flexible, and above all... cool."
Although Myeolchi was praising me, he unconsciously stepped back.
It seemed the 'awe' trait had activated, but I didn't sense any emotions from him.
Apparently, you can't obtain the same trait from someone more than once.
So, moving on.
"How about you join me? Outside this training ground as well."
I extended my unarmed hand to Myeolchi.
"At a glance, I can tell you have a great trait. I'll protect you."
"I promise. I'll do my best to protect you. What do you think?"
Assurance, relief, or a sense of uplift.
Any of these positive emotions were good. They would all nourish my 'hero' trait.
Come on, Myeolchi. Take my hand.
This is a golden opportunity. I believe you're not foolish enough to pass it up...!
"...Alright."
Myeolchi gently took my hand. His face turned red.
"...?"
Why is he blushing?
"It's very... reassuring. I've met many flashy types in my time... but next to you, they're nothing."
Blushing, Myeolchi lowered his head.
"From now on... please take care of me, big brother."
"Eh, eh..."
The way he called me 'big brother' gave me chills, and I unknowingly let go of his hand.
"Ah..."
Desperately reaching out to me, Myeolchi's eyes pleaded.
This isn't it. It isn't...
Without thinking, I slapped myself hard.
Slap!
[You have taken damage.]
[You will regress to the moment you first entered the 0th floor.]
Although the process was odd, I confirmed you can't get the same trait from the same person more than once.
While I succeeded in eliciting the emotion of 'relief' from 'awe', I didn't feel any absorption of the emotion.
So, what's next?
I guess it's time to practice swordsmanship by defeating the Minotaur."Do you have a way to do all three at once?"
"Yes."
"I came from the future."
"... What on earth are you talking about? Who are you?"
"First, take a look at my swordsmanship."
It was about recreating the situation where I was defeated by the Goblin Shaman as closely as possible.
The difference this time was that I revealed my return to the past to Choi Ji-won.
I saved the people, practiced swordsmanship with Choi Ji-won, and patiently waited for firefighter Park Chul-jin to find us.
What followed next was the same.
*Thunk!*
"Kuoooo!"
The Minotaur fell into the swamp, and the exhausted Goblin Shaman staggered towards the base of a tree.
*Swoosh!*
I swiftly slit its throat from behind.
You ambushed me once, so I did the same.
Now we're even, Goblin Shaman.
"Is that... a portal?"
"Wow, wowww!"
This time, we could confirm that people were entering the portal correctly.
I wish I had seen this scene in the previous loop.
The unfortunate thing is that although I caught the Minotaur again, my achievement level did not increase.
It seemed that obtaining the same achievement level twice was impossible.
This means there's a limit to how strong one can get on each floor.
This isn't good news. It's impossible to grind levels and then break through to the upper floors.
"... Kim Jun-ho."
"Go."
"... Okay."
I saw Choi Ji-won pass through the portal and then I returned as well.
[You have taken damage.]
[Returning to the moment you first entered the 0th floor.]
Next, I needed to grind traits.
I found out that I can't obtain the same trait twice.
But that doesn't mean I obtained trait experience from everyone.
To put it bluntly, there were gaps.
I remembered everyone's faces, distinguishing between those I had saved and those I hadn't, to grind traits.
It sounds labor-intensive, but after only four repetitions, I was able to obtain traits from everyone.
Initially, when I pushed the Minotaur, I got traits from over 100 people... So getting them from the rest wasn't that hard.
For the record, all the emotions I obtained were classified under the 'hero' trait, and despite completing the grind, the grade did not increase.
It's a bit disappointing... but what can you do?
Finally, I decided to test the effects of the traits.
Which trait?
- Hero [C]
- In times of crisis, people think of you. You become stronger when fighting to protect someone.
That's the one.
Actually, I've never activated the 'hero' trait before.
After obtaining this trait, I never had the chance to fight while protecting someone.
Right after getting it, I chased after Choi Ji-won and defeated mutated goblins... When I took down the Minotaur, I was protecting the Goblin Shaman.
Therefore, I wanted to clearly understand the condition of "you become stronger when fighting to protect someone".
If you're curious, what to do?
Test it out.
"Wow, ahhhhh!"
Roaming the forest, when I heard a piercing scream, I rushed towards it.
A man paralyzed with fear, and a mutated goblin with a large club drooling.
A familiar scenario.
Here, if I intervene between the two...
[The effect of the Hero trait is activated!]
"Whoa..."
I felt a slight enhancement in my physical abilities.
*Swoosh!*
"Eeek!"
After swiftly slaying the mutated goblin, the trait's effect faded away.
As expected, the effect seems to last only as long as the enemy exists.
"Thank... thank you..."
"Kyaaaaa!"
Another scream from afar.
Without even responding to the thanks, I ran towards the source of the scream.
"...Whoa."
This time the situation changed.
Two women were frantically running, with a mutated goblin chasing after them.
If I intervene in this scenario...?
[The effect of the Hero trait is activated!] [The effect of the Hero trait is activated!]
As I predicted, I could see that the trait activated twice.
"...Nice."
With this...
I could defeat the Minotaur."It's been quite a long time.
I almost threw in the towel out of sheer frustration, working hard almost to the point of giving up.
I've gained attributes from everyone present in the dungeon.
I've examined every nook and cranny of this island to the point of familiarity, and as a result, I concluded that I haven't missed any hidden pieces.
There might be some, but... I didn't want to search any further. It felt nauseating.
I've finished all the possible groundwork.
Now, all that's left is to dive in.
If my plan succeeds... I might be able to defeat the Minotaur on my own.
Everyone in the dungeon will survive.
The Minotaur will die.
By my hand, and no one else's.
Crash!
[You've taken damage.]
[You regress to the moment of first entering the 0th floor.]
Although I regressed, I didn't panic, not even mumbling to myself.
It's because of the curiosity trait.
My trivial actions have the potential to ruin the plan out of unwarranted curiosity.
“Damn it! Where am I?"
I calmly wait for the right moment.
“Hello! To all you pitiful humans wasting your life, nice to meet you!"
Holding my breath, I simply stare down at the dirt floor.
“Detailed instructions will be provided by the system... Let's start the tutorial!"
And so, the tutorial fairy finally left the dungeon.
As the awkward silence settled,
I slowly rose and picked up a sword from the pile of weapons.
A familiar weight. A familiar grip. A familiar texture. Holding the sword gives me a feeling of security.
I then turned to look for Choi Ji-won. I already knew where she would be summoned.
" ... ? "
Choi Ji-won looked at me with a somewhat questioning gaze.
Watch closely. See what I do.
"Everyone."
I started speaking with a more solemn tone than ever before.
I knew what I had to say.
After all, I've said it several times in the past.
“My name is Kim Jun-ho. Please, look this way."
Choi Ji-won.
“I don’t know whose joke this is, but especially in times of crisis like this... we need to stick together."
This is my answer.