Chapter 3: Tutorial (2)

Most players believe this:

The purpose of the tutorial is to test whether you have the minimum strength to kill 10 goblins or the cooperation skills to handle them with others.

So, players going through the tutorial usually fall into one of two categories:

They either take out the goblins solo and clear the tutorial quickly,
or they cower in fear, unable to fight, relying on others for help.

Regardless of the group, all players who enter focus solely on “killing 10 goblins.”

“That’s not wrong. After all, that’s how the Tower set it up.”

Pushing past the goblins in his way, Lee Jin-hyuk ventured deeper into the forest.

“But if you only follow the Tower’s rules, you’ll never get stronger than everyone else.”

To surpass others, you must exploit system flaws or uncover hidden features.

Even if it’s just a tutorial, it should never be taken lightly.

What matters in the tutorial isn’t the number of goblins but their quality.

Once you kill 10 goblins, the tutorial ends immediately, and you’re sent to the 1st-floor test waiting room.

In other words, the tutorial area doesn’t contain just “normal goblins.”

Which 10 goblins you choose to kill is entirely up to you.

“Even if it takes longer, it’s more rewarding to hunt stronger, special goblins.”

Lee Jin-hyuk’s goal is to defeat a Constellation powerful enough to destroy the Tower.

To do that, he needs power far beyond what ordinary players could even imagine.

So he had to take paths others avoided, exploit loopholes in the system, and sometimes take dangerous roads.

Screech!

Kyaaah!

The deeper he went into the forest, the more goblins there were, but none could stop him.

They were just meat to be sliced by his blade.

Perhaps it was his unprecedented behavior?

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is observing you.]

A Constellation began to watch Jin-hyuk.

“Already? A Constellation?”

Constellations enjoy watching players ascend the Tower in exciting, dramatic battles.

But the tutorial is mostly boring — new players adapting or dying.

“That’s why most Constellations skip watching the tutorial.”

<Eternal Flame> is known as an underdog-enthusiast Constellation, rooting for weak players.

Lee Jin-hyuk felt firsthand how varied Constellation personalities could be.

“Same as before regression… this one’s still a weirdo.”

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> wonders why you’re not killing the goblins.]

Lee Jin-hyuk already knew who <Eternal Flame> was.

“They control fire and favor good-natured players.”

Constellations have vastly different personalities.

<Eternal Flame> rarely favors players but is extremely generous toward ones they like.

In other words, a pushover.

“Not all Constellations are my enemies. At least until I’m strong enough, I’ll use them if I have to.”

Grin.

“No need to make a bad impression. I’ve got something to gain here.”

With those thoughts finished in an instant, Jin-hyuk gave an answer tailored to <Eternal Flame>’s tastes.

“Goblins are living beings too.”

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> listens intently.]

“So unless I absolutely have to, I don’t want to kill them.”

Utter nonsense.

The real reason he avoided killing goblins was because he didn’t want them counted toward the “10.”

It had nothing to do with morality.

But does that matter?

People can have whatever reasoning or feelings — the result is what counts.

And if it meant gaining favor from a Constellation, that was enough.

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> agrees it’s better to offer a chance than kill needlessly.]
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is pleased with your answer!]
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> has donated 1,000 points to you.]

“Thanks for the support.”

Constellations reward players they like with points or items.

<Eternal Flame> is a major Constellation in the Celestial Realm of <Olympus> and has plenty of wealth and power.

“Not on the level of <Pure Radiance>, but still.”

Rustle.

Even while chatting with a Constellation, Jin-hyuk kept going deeper into the forest.

Eventually, he found a meaningful trail.

“These burn marks… I doubt any new player could’ve made them.”

“Seems like a fire-using goblin is around.”

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is impressed by your observation skills!]

Satisfied, <Eternal Flame> continued watching him.

“Let’s go check it out.”

Following the scorch marks between the trees, he soon heard a rhythmic chant.

-Ke. Kekereuk! Kereuk!
-Ke. Kekereuk! Kereuk!

In time with the beat, goblins danced around a campfire.

“Found them.”

A goblin with a skull necklace and mad eyes, commanding others.

That one was the Goblin Chieftain.

Jin-hyuk had been hunting for him from the start.

“Kyaaaah! Bring more humans! Show them our fury!”

Following the command, goblins dragged in human corpses.

The chieftain smeared their blood on the others’ faces.

“So one of them got caught, huh?”

Likely a player who failed to group up.

Goblins often used isolated or terrified players in their dark rituals — to make themselves stronger.

-Ke! Kekeke! Kereuk!

The dance intensified, and those marked with blood raised their weapons and roared.

They had become Goblin Berserkers.

By using blood from another species in a ritual, they gained monstrous strength — but lost reason.

“The ones who left are probably hunting tutorial players now.”

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is curious about your next move.]

A few minutes after the berserkers left…

Jin-hyuk crouched low and sneaked forward.

“Not much cover, but it’s doable.”

Ordinary goblins had low intelligence and poor senses.

Only a few berserkers remained, making it easier to approach the chieftain’s tent.

No stealth skill, so slipping into the tent unnoticed was impossible.

In the end, he was spotted by two berserkers.

He quickly stabbed one in the eye.

Screech!

The other one, powered by magic, charged at him violently.

Jin-hyuk dodged, spun, and sliced its nape in a smooth motion.

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is amazed by your combat skill.]

The goblin didn’t die right away — it had tougher skin.

“Don’t die yet. I can’t waste you as one of my ten.”

Another berserker charged.

Jin-hyuk crouched, sprang up, and slammed his sword flat against its throat.

Thwack!

The goblin collapsed unconscious.

The weakened first berserker was then easily finished off.

“Kereruk? Human?”

The chieftain emerged, fiddling with his skull necklace.

“Foolish human! You dare come here alone?!”

He was shocked — most humans were weaklings. Even in large groups, they couldn’t beat his forces.

But one had come alone?

Suicidal.

“That stupidity…”
Fwoosh!
“…shall be repaid with death!”

The chieftain’s dagger burst into flames.

“Kill him!”

[<Status Effect: Slow> — All movements are reduced.]
[<Status Effect: Curse> — All stats are reduced.]

As his minions attacked, the chieftain cast curses.

[<Status Effect: Burn> — You take continuous damage.]

His dagger shot flames at Jin-hyuk.

The chieftain had judged Jin-hyuk too dangerous — even willing to sacrifice his own men to kill him.

A logical decision — if only he’d known Jin-hyuk’s true power.

[Skill <Tenacity> activates: All status effects are nullified.]

The chieftain miscalculated.

Jin-hyuk was immune to all debuffs.

He wasn’t slowed, weakened, or burned.

Using his superior stats and experience, he flipped the battlefield.

He even used the goblins as shields against the fire.

Slash!

He carved through the goblins and charged forward.

“Damn you!”

In a last-ditch effort, the chieftain threw a spear.

Whish!

Jin-hyuk dodged, rolled, and kicked a fallen weapon.

“Guh?”

Caught off guard, the chieftain faltered.

Jin-hyuk leapt and—

Slash.

“Gyaaaah?!”

A line of blood traced down the chieftain’s arm.

“Chief.”

He knew this one could speak.

“You must serve a Constellation too. Where’s their relic?”

“……!”

“Tell me, and I’ll give you a painless death.”

Bloodstained Hair.

A relic tied to her — and one Jin-hyuk needed.

Goblins become rare on higher floors, so now was the best time to obtain it.

“Kekeke… Just kill me. I’ll never tell you.”

“Then…”

Slash.

“So be it.”

The chieftain’s world flipped upside down.

His head dropped to the ground.

[You have slain the <Goblin Chieftain>!]
[You gain 100 points!]
[Level Up!] x2
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> is shocked by your combat sense and intelligence.]
[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> says they’ve never seen a tutorial player like you!]

The goblins, having lost their leader, scattered in panic.

The Goblin Chieftain was meant to be “unbeatable” during the tutorial.

Because new players had no way to resist debuffs like curse or burn.

Not only that, you couldn’t reach him without killing 10 goblins first.

“Kill 10 goblins along the way and you’re sent out before you can reach him.”

But Jin-hyuk had pre-existing knowledge and abilities that let him take down the boss.

[The Constellation <Eternal Flame> wonders why you want the relic.]

“I’ll show you later.”

Jin-hyuk reached down.

The chieftain’s flaming dagger lay on the ground.

“Well then…”

Grin.

“This’ll do nicely for a lower-floor weapon.”

[Item <Bloodstained Claw> acquired.]
[Item <Bloodstained Claw> may break under certain conditions.]