NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 1 - In the Slums (1)
Chapter 1 – In the Slums (1)
There’s a game called
A console game released a full five years ago.
It was a work that gained great popularity among many gamers and communities when it first appeared.
Diverse and distinctive playable characters, various storylines unique to each, and vast content with plenty to do…
It was a game that was called a masterpiece in the past and still is today.
The reason for using past tense is because two years ago, major updates stopped,
and now it’s essentially a game whose lifespan has ended, with only occasional bug fixes.
The narrative itself isn’t anything special.
Countless dimensions were reduced by an unknown force, and as a result, some alien races either crossed over to Earth or parts of their habitats merged with Earth’s continents.
But it wasn’t just them who crossed over—beings with strong powers and malice, commonly called ‘Calamities,’ also came through.
Humans and alien races joined forces and, after numerous sacrifices, sealed away the Calamities. And 150 years later, the seal…
“Ah, enough.”
I don’t care about such yawn-inducing narratives.
“The Calamities that were sealed away with great difficulty are trying to awaken again, and the protagonists from the academy established for future generations are trying to stop them.”
That’s basically the rest of the story.
Oh, you’re not curious? Sorry.
But you should know at least this much, right?
Yeah, well, that’s not what’s important.
“This is what’s important!”
I stared at the monitor screen, unable to hide my excitement.
[Your narrative will be remembered forever.]
[Hidden Route Ending Clear confirmed]
[Executing pre-test beta version]
[Applying update 70%…]
Various other notifications popping up and questions asking if I agree.
After checking everything, I leaned back in my chair and hummed a tune.
About a day ago, I received a sudden email.
The content stated that they were developing a mobile version of Ernel Saga,
and were recruiting beta testers for the PC version among players who had shown the most diverse activities.
At first, I clicked my tongue thinking, ‘Why release a masterpiece game as a mobile version full of pay-to-win incentives….’
But regardless, the mere fact that it was coming out was a blessing for me, a long-time user.
‘And well, I can see what it’s like just from the preview experience.’
I’ve heard that K-mobile games these days have pretty aggressive monetization tactics. If this one seems that way, I can just quit.
While the update was in progress, I quickly looked over the newly posted patch notes.
‘Oh ho…’
To summarize, unlike the usual method of playing with predetermined playable characters,
you can now create a new character that you can play as.
‘That’s innovative. In simple terms, it means we can also know about side stories, right?’
This game strictly proceeded from the perspective of playable characters, i.e., protagonists, so there were many stories that were impossible to know.
The true purpose of the sealed calamities, or the backstory of a hero who fell to become a villain, and so on.
Being able to find out such things directly was a great attraction.
Shortly after, when the completion message appeared, I quickly pressed the generate button.
[Welcome]
[As a pre-tester commemoration, we are giving you one Trait Ticket (E-grade).]
[The skill acquired through the Trait Ticket will transform into a unique ability (one-time)]
[The current beta version is structured so that the user’s own talent also has an influence.]
‘My own talent…?’
There was no such mention in the description,
I didn’t think much of it, and soon the character avatar unfolded on the screen.
‘Oh, more diverse than I thought?’
Not only the basic facial features but also body hair and such can be set.
‘Ah, but I haven’t really done this kind of thing before… huh?’
While thinking I should just make something quickly and start, I noticed a button labeled ‘Full of Personal Preference’ at the bottom corner.
‘What is this?’
When I pressed it out of curiosity, a figure was instantly created and soon transformed into a handsome man worthy of admiration.
‘He looks a bit young though…’
About 17 years old? To my eyes, he was definitely a youthful-looking man.
‘He’s really handsome.’
Broad shoulders, a height that seemed to exceed 185cm at a glance, well-developed pectoral muscles, shoulders, calves, etc.
Not just the face, but the body also looked perfect.
I don’t know who created it, but this is the realm of art.
Even Han Suho, the only male among the five main characters, is known for being handsome, but personally, I thought this was a level above.
‘This makes things easier and better for me.’
I pressed confirm appearance without needing to worry further.
‘Now I just need to get a good unique ability from the special benefit…’
While I hoped for something good, the description said that abilities would be set at D-grade or below based on the Trait Ticket, so it seemed better not to have high expectations.
‘By the way, with D-grade, unless I struggle exceptionally hard, I won’t survive and will just die right away, right?’
In Ernel Saga, a talent-based game, D-grade was practically the same as being told to die.
‘Well, I can just remake or quit if needed…’
Not thinking much of it, I waited.
The system changed to a blue light and began to formally start something.
[Proceeding with the narrative]
[The special benefit will be provided later]
[Please press the button if you agree. Y/N]
‘Oh, are we starting right away?’
In the original work, I would have chosen more options before starting.
This is better actually. My way is to dive into things.
I pressed the button with excitement,
And at that moment
Flash!!!
I lost consciousness, enveloped in a strong light that made my eyes close involuntarily.
*
*
*
…and that’s the conclusion of the current situation.
‘Sigh…’
I spread both hands with a sigh. Clearly smaller than my original body, like little ferns…
The fingertips were stained black from not being properly washed, and the soft flesh of an approximately 8-year-old child was visible in places.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
How confusing it was to open my eyes and find myself in some dangerous-looking neighborhood in the form of a beggar child.
‘Sigh…’
With a sigh, I muttered while looking around to make sure no one was listening.
‘Status window.’
Ding!
Instead of the message that should have appeared with the clear sound, a short phrase was displayed.
[Selected ability is being applied.]
[User’s own talent is currently being applied.]
[Creation takes time.]
[Progress: 65%…]
I read it calmly and felt relieved.
The content of the message, the familiar font, and the system with its slight blue tint…
I was certain that I was inside Ernel Saga.
Of course, this wasn’t good.
If I could at least see the status window, I might get some idea of what state I’m in and what I should do.
‘It seems like it’ll take some time before it’s complete.’
Is gathering information the most important thing right now?
I got up carefully and walked out, wary of my surroundings.
Rusty doors everywhere and shabby houses built of earth.
Thud… thud thud!
I could also hear the sound of someone being beaten in a secluded place.
‘A neighborhood that’s clearly poor and run-down, with violence in broad daylight.’
Most residents weren’t wearing proper clothes and were looking at each other with hostility.
‘If my guess is correct, this must be that place?’
The slum ‘Jeden’
Known commonly as the slum alley, it was an area mainly inhabited by those without proper citizenship or fugitives who had committed crimes.
It wasn’t a place that was prominently featured in the original work, but in my case, it was a place I visited frequently.
I usually came here to train the protagonist
Unlike the impoverished surface, there was a black market underground, so I came to buy items that were difficult to obtain elsewhere.
Especially in the early stages, I came here to get various illegal elixirs and hero serums that had a significant impact on growth…
‘Normally, a place like this should be demolished immediately.’
It was a place operating under the tacit approval of the association because it ran large-scale and diverse businesses at dirt-cheap prices.
Well, the ones who rake in all that money are limited to a few big shots from the underworld and their subordinates.
Since this doesn’t really apply to the residents here, the security around the area is in this sorry state.
‘And judging by my condition, I seem to be an orphan from this place…’
This is the worst?
If I were just from any orphanage, I could have had a decent childhood narrative and then focused on entering the Academy as I grew up.
Looking at the situation, I needed to worry about finding food and shelter for today, not to mention being careful not to get my organs harvested.
‘Let’s get out of here first.’
If I go to any downtown area, I could get help from the police, heroes, or magical girls who act as vigilantes.
Well, there’s a lot I could gain from this place.
But I’d need to grow stronger first to get my hands on it.
If I act recklessly, I might end up dead or kidnapped by some nameless thugs, only to be worth the money for a single meal.
I hurriedly turned toward the exit.
Then.
Ding!
A blue notification window that I’d seen countless times in the original work rippled before my eyes.
‘It’s already completed?’
It shouldn’t have been time yet. With curiosity, I pressed it.
──────────────────
Your childhood narrative begins now.
Kill ‘Spider Han Aejeong,’
one of the corrupt bosses of the slum ‘Jeden.’
Condition: Within 30 days, do not leave the slum Jeden
Failure: Death
──────────────────
‘…fuck?’