The next day had finally come — time to take our first real steps into the game world.After finishing the tutorial, every player had to choose a "path."You could either become an adventurer and explore the world solo to learn the game mechanics on your own,or enroll in an academy where other players would teach you how to get good — basically, a proper school.
Me and my friends?We weren't about to go to school in real life and in-game. No way.Still, that option was weirdly popular with older players.
"The weight of regret and the longing to relive better days," I thought.
I've always wondered — is there someone like me in this world?Or in any world?Someone with a second chance?It was impossible that I was the only one.
After the tutorial, we arrived in the first major town: me, Marie, and Kaiser.We'd been given basic gear — a leather armor set and a class-based starter kit.In my case, a sword and shield.
Kaiser: "Isn't it weird they gave us weapons? Aren't we supposed to fight using formulas?"
Marie: "Did you even read the beginner's guide, idiot? Formulas can enhance weapons and armor too."
Kaiser: "Marie, could you try not being mean for once? I'm the one who has to heal you now, remember?"
Me: "Sorry to say this, but Marie's right, Kaiser. If you really want to climb the rankings, you better get your act together."
I hated being harsh with him, but he needed it.
We entered the first PvE zone.Enemies ranged from level 1 to 5 — nothing too hard. Mostly boars and wolves.There were neutral creatures too — rabbits, hares, foxes — which you could kill for materials.
We approached a boar.The system window showed its stats:
[Boar][Level 3][150/150 HP]
Me: "Marie, want the honor?"
The first formulas were gifted to us along with the starting gear.But Marie forgot to say it aloud and just slashed with her sword.She did zero damage.
Kaiser: "Marie, what the hell?! The formula system exists for a reason!"
Marie: "Shut up and heal me!"She had just been hit — and the boar being a higher level did a lot of damage.
Kaiser: "Restorative Essence!"
Contrary to what you'd expect, early-level formulas were way longer and harder to pronounce.Why? Because players were supposed to learn and grow.
Then, something strange happened.
{Passive Skill [???]: Your understanding of the formula [Restorative Essence] has increased.}
WHAT THE HELL?! I didn't even use that formula. I can't even cast that one!I'd have to figure out this strange skill eventually.
Marie's HP nearly maxed out.This time, she was ready to attack.
Marie: "Ethereal Blade!"
Her blade glowed with a faint blue light and struck the boar hard — it lost half its HP.
Same system message popped up again.
{Passive Skill [???]: Your understanding of the formula [Ethereal Blade] has increased.}
I couldn't waste time worrying about my weird skill now — Marie was exposed.
I raised my shield.
Me: "Void Shield!"
A barrier appeared in front of her, blocking the boar's attack.She slashed again and finished it off.
We all leveled up to level 2.Time to assign attribute points.
Marie and Kaiser chose the ones that matched their classes — Dexterity and Intelligence.
As for me…
{Passive Skill [???]: Your attribute points have been absorbed by the skill.}
YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING. This is supposed to be a skill? How is this supposed to help me if I can't even upgrade myself?!I wanted to scream — but I stayed quiet.No way I could explain this mess to my friends.
Suddenly, a wounded boar ran past — it had almost no HP.It was fleeing from something, which was odd.Mobs weren't sentient, they only ran if something way stronger was chasing them.
Kaiser, unfazed, hit it with one of his few offensive spells.
Kaiser: "Fire Dart!"The boar dropped, and he gained a bit of EXP.
My [???] skill activated again.
Then, a group of players approached.
"Hey hey! Looks like some losers are out here stealing other people's kills,"said a guy named Zack.
I noticed his level — 25?!What's someone like him doing in a starter zone?
Zack: "Seeing as you're low level, I'll go easy on you. Just hand over all your gear or I'll kill you."
The usual bully.He didn't need our rusty weapons or cheap armor — he just wanted to mess with newbies.He looked like he was in his twenties.
Me: "What a loser! Picking on new players? That's a major skill issue, buddy."My friends and even Zack's own team burst into laughter.
Zack: "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
He punched me — but since he didn't use a formula, it did no damage.
Is he really level 25? Or is his UI glitched?
A girl from his party stepped forward — Sofie, also level 25.
Sofie: "Guys, chill. It was just a boar. Who cares about some XP and leather?"
Me: "Not our fault your friend's pathetic enough to come back to the newbie zone to play tough guy. Get a life, duh!"
My friends laughed again.
Zack lost it.
Zack: "DUEL! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL!"
Me: "Seriously? With how strong you are, do you really need to fight me? …Fine. I'm in."
My friends were pale with worry.
Me: "Just give me two weeks to get used to the combat system."
Zack agreed — and punched me again. Still useless.
Sofie turned to me.
Sofie: "Sorry… he always acts like this," she said with a sad look.
She was too cute to stay mad at, so I replied:
Me: "No worries. Not your fault."
After Zack's party left, Marie jumped on me.
Marie: "JH—NERO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?! YOU'LL GET KILLED!"
Kaiser: "She's right! You're always calm — what's gotten into you?"
Me: "Relax, guys. I'll come up with something. I'll win."
They both looked at me with concern.We logged out.
That night, lying in bed, the reality of what I'd just done finally hit me —and it made my skin crawl.