Villain Hides His True Colors

The weekend after the ceremony. A peaceful interior with a lit fireplace.

At this golden time when I would normally be enjoying my games and eating pizza, I was reading a booklet I had no desire to.

“Huu…”

I sighed and closed the thick booklet I had been reading. Then, the title printed in a rustic font caught my eyes.

[Hero Training Institute Guide]

That’s right.

After this weekend, I’ll have to enter a place called the Hero Training Institute.

As it turned out, just because I passed the hero exam, didn’t mean I could work as a hero right away.

Obtaining a license was simply a method to check my qualities and abilities to become a hero. I still had to learn how to act as a hero and know the various detailed rules.

Therefore, I’ll have to live at the training institute in the future and follow the curriculum there.

“Haa…”

According to the booklet I had read a moment ago, life at the hero training institute will last a year.

Honestly, I had always wanted to go to school at least once out of curiosity, but thinking about having to live a boring life for a year, I didn’t feel very pleased.

At least I could find comfort in the fact that the curriculum was thoroughly organized based on my practical skills.

“Noah, I’ll put your notebook and writing utensils in this pocket.”

Elizabeth was next to me packing on my behalf. A notebook with penguins and sharks drawn on the cover could be seen being put into my bag.

While looking at her, I spoke.

“I don’t need either. I can just ask noona during the theoretical tests anyway.”

I had no desire to devote my time to studying useless knowledge.

Elizabeth replied with a rather firm tone.

“That won’t do! Class attitude and sincerity are also included in the evaluation at these places, so it would be better to follow everyone else.”

“Hmm…”

What she had said certainly made sense.

This woman probably knew better than me in this field, so I better take it with me for now.

Soon, she could be seen packing pajamas with animal ears on them into my bag. These were the clothes she had suddenly given me as a gift the other day.

I didn’t really want them, so I had left it unattended. Why did she put these in?

“I don’t need pajamas.”

“That won’t do! When you go to a place like this, it’s standard to wear cute pajamas. Ah, and it’s really important to take a proof shot and send it to me.”

“But the booklet I had read earlier didn’t mention such a thing?”

“O-oh? Isn’t it because it’s such a natural rule?”

“Hmm…”

I watched her with doubtful eyes.

Even though I didn’t know the norm of a place called ‘school,’ according to my common sense, did I really need such pajamas?

As I observed her, Elizabeth, who was muttering to herself, forced a pillow that was taller than me into my bag.

It was a pillow with a print of her in a swimsuit.

“…Don’t tell me this is necessary too?”

“Y-yes! When you go to a place like this, it’s good to bring pictures of your precious people.”

Puff–!

The cotton inside the pillow fluttered in all directions.

“Euaak! No! It was almost done!”

Elizabeth hurriedly picked up the cotton that had fallen on the floor.

Just in time, Choi Bokhui, who was coming down the stairs, saw the scene and clicked her tongue as she walked by.

“Just wrap it up at this point. If he needs anything, you can just go and give it yourself.”

“Y-yes! Okay! Leave it to me!”

“…”

Looking at Elizabeth in the second round, it was really doubtful whether this idiot was the ‘Black Witch.’

Still, her abilities were steadily developing, so it was ambiguous to say.

“Anyway, I have some work to do in my room now, so don’t disturb me unless I call you.”

“Oh~ Hehe okay! I won’t disturb you at all. Relax~ Do what you want to do.”

For some reason, Elizabeth was looking at me with an unpleasant smile.

Her expression felt quite uncomfortable, but it wasn’t just a day or two that she had done something strange, so I ignored her and went up to my room.

There were really important matters waiting today.

* * * * * * * * * *

Entering my room, I immediately opened my status window.

Body: 5.05

Dexterity: 4.28

Mana: 5.08

Spirit: 5.06

*0 Fragments of Growth

My growth was tremendous this time.

It was all thanks to the various opportunities during the hero exam.

In fact, in terms of level, the stats were similar to me being between level 70 and 80.

Anyway, it was time to slowly decide on my career path.

Most games had different character development methods depending on the beginning and the second half of the game.

In the beginning, you would have high offensive power as you were busy acquiring items and skills, but as your character grew and you progressed to the second half of the content, it could be said that it was advantageous to set a goal and foster your career path.

You would only end up as a jack-of-all-trades if you were greedy, and your skill set would be crippled compared to those of the same level.

In that sense, it was necessary for me to have a goal in mind.

And my ultimate goal was to clear the content called the ‘demon invasion.’

If so, it would be best if my skills synergized.

I opened the notebook I had brought with me earlier and briefly summarized the skills I currently had.

1. Passive skill.

, ,

2. Defensive skill.

3. Offensive skill.

4. Utility skill.

,

5. Miscellaneous skill. 

, 

6. Item skill. 

, , , ,

“Hmm…”

Looking at it like this, it certainly seemed to be a baseless career path.

In addition, compared to the skills I had strengthened, there were quite a few skills with low grades.

It seemed it would be necessary to gradually adjust the grades and direction of my skills through synthesis from now on.

Anyway…There were many unused goods piled up in front of me right now.

3x Random Box (Medium).

1x Random Box (High).

2x Skill Selection.

Rewards I had received after passing the hero exam and for saving the candidates. In addition, two Skill Selections for reaching level 45 and 50.

This was a good opportunity.

The decisions this time should be chosen a little more carefully with regard to future content.

After organizing my thoughts, I decided to use the Skill Selection first.

[ Used Level 45 Skill Selection. ]

[ One of the following skills can be learned. ]

.

.

.

“Hmm…”

Was it because I didn’t gain any achievements when I reached level 45?

Unfortunately, there were no notable skills. I made up my mind after looking at the list for a while.

…At least this should be useful?

[ You’ve learned the skill . ]

A simple magic attack skill. As I currently lacked a range attack skill, it could be said to be a passable decision.

Huu…next was the real thing.

Unlike level 45, which was just plain, I had gained as many as two achievements for the level 50 Skill Selection.

Skilled Warrior and Doom Slayer.

Both achievements were expected to relate to demons.

I used the Skill Selection with anticipation.

[ Used Level 50 Skill Selection. ] 

[ One of the following skills can be learned. ]

.

.

.

I carefully looked through the skill list.

And at the bottom of the list, as expected, the Special Selection was sparkling and waiting for me.

(a)

Classification: Mortal 

Grade: B

Description: Killing technique created by the legendary warrior Avan. Gather all the strength in the body to launch a powerful attack.

(b)

Classification: General

Grade: B

Description: High bonus damage against targets with the demon attribute.

[ Level 55 Skill Selection will be forfeited if you select a Special Skill. ]

“As expected! There’s this.”

An advantageous skill had come out to deal with demons. It was more useful than I had expected.

Unfortunately, I also wanted the skill . It was a waste, but…I had to endure it.

It was simply a shortcut to becoming ruined if I board a career path without a clear goal.

The first thing to do now was build towards the final content. I was shaken for a moment, but I quickly set my mind straight.

[ You’ve learned the skill . ]

And that was how I had completed both Skill Selections.

Fortunately, thanks to the useful Demon Hunter skill, it could be said that it was now easier to devise a career path.

General attack skills would also be adjusted to some extent to cause fatal injuries on demons from now on.

Should I say it was a good start?

I moved onto the next step with a satisfied smile.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Huu…Gacha’s time is back.”

My heart would always beat fast and I would always feel nervous before doing gacha.

But that wasn’t the case today because I had reassurance.

Hehe…no matter how unlucky I was, I was bound to get at least one decent thing today.

Today’s gacha spree was as many as three medium-grade and one high-grade boxes.

If I didn’t get anything today, I could only chalk it up as an administrator’s prank.

I opened one of the boxes with a light heart.

“Come on, let’s go!”

[ Used 1x Random Box (Medium). ]

The box rotated in the air and began to emit a blue light.

Good!

The blue light effect that I liked! For now, it was confirmed that a D-Grade or higher will come out.

There were many chances, but it was better to be lucky right from the start.

And soon a message appeared in front of me.

[ Obtained the skill . ]

Bondage?

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar name that I couldn’t even begin to guess the meaning.

Classification: Magic

Grade: C

Description: Summon a strong rope to completely bind the target. First-class bondage technique created by a master with a secret hobby.

“Oooh!”

Reading the skill description, I exclaimed.

There was no downside to having a crowd control skill.

And it was C-Grade!

Even if it wasn’t, I was lacking a CC skill. The perfect skill had come out.

“…Hmm?”

As soon as I was ecstatic, I then noticed another phrase marked a little further down.

*The target will be released from the bind if the target speaks of the agreed password or sincerely wants to escape.

Wh-what was this…?

It was hard to understand.

No way…Did that mean the person who wants to be released could release it themselves?

I tried to understand it by reading the description again and again.

But the more I read, the less likely there were any other possibilities.

N-no…There couldn’t be such a skill in the world?

I contacted Elizabeth to experiment. A shadow formed on the floor, and she appeared in an instant.

“Noah, why did you call me all of a sudden…Kyaak!”

I immediately used the bondage skill. Then, a red rope was created in the air and it bound her body.

Was it because the magic was made by a Sorcerer Supreme? The way the rope was tied was also unusual.

As if looking at a magic device, her body was bound in a geometric pattern.

Elizabeth hung in the air with her back bent like a bow. It was a perfect bind where she couldn’t move her body at all.

I continued to observe the situation.

Hmm…It seemed like a perfect skill up to here.

However, the explanation of the skill I had read a moment ago was bothering me. Could the bound target be released if the target really wanted it?

As I thought about it, suddenly, Elizabeth shouted.

“Ah, no…D-don’t do this, Noah! I know you’re a growing boy, but…this is wrong…”

“Hang in there for a second. There’s something I want to try. More than that, noona. Try to release it.”

“Keuheuk…I can’t untie it. I’m tied up. I can’t get out of here.”

“Oh? You really can’t move?”

“Ah~ I’m really tied up now. I’m really, really defenseless~ No matter what you do here, I can’t resist at all~” 

Was there an error in the description of the skill? Elizabeth seemed to have simply become unable to move a finger.

But just in case, let’s experiment one last time.

Maybe it was related to the ‘sincerely’ part written in the description.

“Noona, if you can release it, do you want to go to the cafe you mentioned…”

Woosh–!

“Really? When should we go?”

“…”

Elizabeth had released the bondage even before I could finish my words. And she was now planning the schedule while looking at a calendar as if nothing had happened.

“…Can you leave the room now?”

“Huh? What about the cafe?”

“…Just go away.”

Elizabeth, who couldn’t abandon her idiotic thoughts, was pushed away as I closed the door.

This was a trash skill.

So much for a binding skill. I didn’t know why such a skill was even C-Grade.

“Huu…”

I wasn’t expecting anything in the first place. Still, I had high hopes after seeing the blue light but it had ended like this.

However, it was the first opening, so it was okay…

I opened the next box.

[ Used 1x Random Box (Medium). ]

This time, I purposely turned my eyes until the result came out. Otherwise, I might be disappointed like earlier if I had high expectations.

Please…just one hit.

***

[ Translator – Yasi ]

[ Proofreader – Karane ]

Soon, I slowly opened my eyes and checked the result. And unknowingly, I clapped my hands and cheered.

“Oooh!”

[ Obtained the skill . ]

Classification: Ability

Grade: C 

Description: Creates a powerful web that is difficult to observe with the naked eye.

That was more like it. At a first glance, I could see that a very useful skill had come out just by reading the description.

It was good for use as a crowd control to bind and trap, and it also had good utility.

Maybe I could use this skill for mobility, just like the main character from the popular Spider Man movies.

This was a perfect skill for heroes!

Reaching straight for the wall, I activated the skill.

Pa–! Pa–!

“Ooooh…Hmm?”

Where did it go? Obviously, there was a sound of spider webs firing, but I couldn’t see it at all. Was it because it was difficult to observe with the naked eye?

I got a little closer and used the skill again.

Pa–! Pa–! Pa–!

“Hmm?”

Still, there was no change on the wall.

But…

More than that, I had begun to feel somewhat strange since earlier.

Why did my pants feel so uncomfortable?

I sneaked my hand down the back of my pants. Then, I saw a bunch of sticky webs on my fingertips.

“…”

I stared blankly at the webs for a while.

“Hoho…”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I kept staring at it. Yeah, the skill of spider webs coming out of my butt. It may be useful somewhere.

When the enemy is off guard and I attack with my butt…Or when I’m sitting on a dirty floor and don’t need a cushion…

“Fuuuck!! That can’t be!!”

I collapsed on the floor and cursed. This was bad no matter how I stretched it.

How did I get two trash skills in a row?

Rather, the skill a while ago could interfere with the target’s movements even for a moment, but what on earth was this used for?

I opened the Synthesis window without hesitation.

Originally, I was going to synthesize cleverly as needed, but I couldn’t stand this insult.

[ Do you wish to Synthesize and ? ] 

[ The original materials cannot be reverted once synthesized. ]

“Synthesize!!”

Whatever the result was, I thought it would be better than these wastes now.

And…

[ Materials used in Synthesis have a Synergy effect. ] 

[ The skill’s potential has increased. ]

[ Synthesis completed. ]

Classification: Ability

Grade: B

Description: Can restrict the target’s actions by connecting invisible threads. (Affected by willpower and mana.)

“Yes! This is it!! I knew this would happen!”

My gambling had hit the mark. As expected, the spirit of gacha was to not give up until something good comes out.

“This god game is all about luck!”

Just like that, my new career path setup was unfolding little by little.