Prologue
The Tutorial or This Tutorial ? ?
Life is a series of choices.
A phrase I once read in 3rd year of highschool.
Life truly is a series of choices.
But what the **** am I supposed to do about it?
That phrase hasn’t helped in any way for me to make better decisions on improving my life.
When I told that to my friend, my friend replied.
Your decisions can change the direction of your life. You will have always have the opportunity to make choices as long as you walk the path of the living. What this means is that you should stop suffering over your past mistakes, and live while looking forward.
Bullshit. The bastard dares to say such stupid things even when he knows my situation.
Because of one foolish choice, my life was ruined.
There were plenty of excuses.
I was drunk.
Which is why I could not think straight.
When a strange hologram message invited me to somewhere, I just snickered.
I always loved novels and cartoons. I’ve dreamt of those fantasy-like events happening to me.
So, I became audacious.
[Will you enter the Tutorial world?]
Without hesitation, I answered Yes.
I was an ex-pro gamer. Damn it. This was the biggest problem. Because of that stupid sense of pride and need to boast. Full of confidence, I couldn’t tell between game and reality.
[Choose the Tutorial difficulty. Depending on the difficulty, the dangers of the Tutorial stages increase along with the growth rate and reward.]
The Tutorial’s difficulty ranged between Easy, Normal, Hard and Hell.
Boldly, I chose the Hell difficulty.
Because of that stupid mistake, I’m still stuck here.
Life is a series of choices.
A phrase I once read in 3rd year of highschool.
Life truly is a series of choices.
But what the **** am I supposed to do about it?
That phrase hasn’t helped in any way for me to make better decisions on improving my life.
When I told that to my friend, my friend replied.
Your decisions can change the direction of your life. You will have always have the opportunity to make choices as long as you walk the path of the living. What this means is that you should stop suffering over your past mistakes, and live while looking forward.
Bullshit. The bastard dares to say such stupid things even when he knows my situation.
Because of one foolish choice, my life was ruined.
There were plenty of excuses.
I was drunk.
Which is why I could not think straight.
When a strange hologram message invited me to somewhere, I just snickered.
I always loved novels and cartoons. I’ve dreamt of those fantasy-like events happening to me.
So, I became audacious.
[Will you enter the Tutorial world?]
Without hesitation, I answered Yes.
I was an ex-pro gamer. Damn it. This was the biggest problem. Because of that stupid sense of pride and need to boast. Full of confidence, I couldn’t tell between game and reality.
[Choose the Tutorial difficulty. Depending on the difficulty, the dangers of the Tutorial stages increase along with the growth rate and reward.]
The Tutorial’s difficulty ranged between Easy, Normal, Hard and Hell.
Boldly, I chose the Hell difficulty.
Because of that stupid mistake, I’m still stuck here
“I-can’t stand it anymore~ Ooh ooh ooh~”
Before being summoned to the Tutorial world, I was walking through the residential district on the 60th floor singing a song that I heard from a movie.
It seemed like a sweet and romantic song in the movie, but when I sang it it sounded more like an elegy.
Anyone listening would have told me to stop singing at once. Truth is i’m tone deaf and beat deaf as well.
But I didn’t stop.
I’m the only one here anyway.
The empty streets and the empty buildings reminded of the movie starring Will Smith, ‘I am Legend’.
Other than my footsteps and my song, no other sound could be heard.
A dreadful silence.
At least Will Smith had a bitch of a dog with him. So jealous.
It was a bad choice by me. In the end, it is my responsibility to bear.
From the beginning, no almost the beginning, I was alone.
It wasn’t surprising that I was alone in the residential district on Floor 30 as well,
but back then I wasn’t tormented by the feelings of gloom and loneliness.
Back then I was moving forward although it was hard to the point of almost dying.
But now that I’ve reached Floor 60, I can’t go forward anymore.
It’s complicated, but to quickly summarise
It is impossible to clear the floor from 61 onwards alone. No matter what path you take.
Similar to the game ‘Portal’. Just like their coop mission, it’s a stage impossible to progress alone.
I needed a partner.
I went to my favorite pub.
Of course there’s no bartender or other customers.
I sat on my usual seat and ordered a drink.
[300 points are deducted.]
I grab onto the glass which appeared on the table and flicked a coin off my thumb.
“Here’s a tip, mister.”
The coin spun through the air, hit the ground and rolled off somewhere.
[81st round will begin shortly.]
[Remaining time : 10 minutes]
Finally!
Every time a new round starts Players are forced into the Tutorial stage.
Only those who are in residential districts are excluded, which I’m currently at.
There is only one reason for me, who was safely tucked away in the residential district, to anticipate for the new round.
When the new round begins, new Players enter. Please, let there be someone who will become my companion…
“Community open.”
I may as well look at the community to waste the remaining time.
The first thing I see is…
[Difficulty Hell, Forum (1/1)]
What this means is, in the ‘Hell difficulty’ there is one survivor, and one person who is browsing the forums.
I move my eyes and look at the other forums.
Although it’s called Hell forum, it doesn’t mean that only Players in Hell difficulty could use it. The forum is to talk about Hell difficulty and additionally show the population in the Hell difficulty.
[Difficulty Normal, Forum (42/86)]
So many. I’m jealous.
At that moment, a new post was made on the Hell forum.
[Lee Joon Suk, Floor 90 : Ho Jae-hyoung, sup. Are you waiting for a newbie?]
It’s Lee Joon Suk, who is at Floor 90 in Hard difficulty. I usually stay in friendly terms with Hard Players. I became close with them as we shared our tips and how we raised our skill levels. The highest rankers of Hard difficulty could have information which can help me aswell.
Lee Joon Suk is someone who is currently grinding in the Tutorial world even though he has the opportunity to return to the real world once he advances through 10 more floors.
The Tutorial is made from Floor 1 to Floor 100 and Players who were able to reach Floor 100 are sent back to the real world.
And those Players who are strengthened through the Tutorial become ‘The Awakened’ and protect the earth from monsters.
How the Awakened grow is not through experience or training but through level ups like in a game and they can no longer become stronger the moment they leave the Tutorial.
They may become more experienced and efficient, but that’s the limit.
The evolution of their skills and growth of their stats simply become impossible.
It is the reason why Lee Joon Suk was grinding in the Tutorial. To become stronger before leaving the Tutorial. To return to reality as the strongest.
Well he’s a nice guy for having a chat with me and I’m thankful and jealous as well.
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : Yeah. Although I’m not sure if there will be one.]
I was a 1st round player. I came here without knowing anything. I didn’t know where this was. Blindly choosing the Hell difficulty.
But the situation changed by the 15th round when a few people cleared Floor 100 and left the Tutorial.
Those who left the Tutorial told the world of its existence.
It was a good thing. Those that were still in the Tutorial were able to forward messages through the Players who cleared the 100th floor. Allowing them to tell their parents, their family and friends not to worry. Not to mention it gave them the hope of returning to real world if they could finish the tutorial.
Those in the real world gained information about the Tutorial which randomly kidnapped Players. Information like how to survive and what was dangerous.
That was the problem.
The dangers of the Hell difficulty was exposed.
Clear rate 0%, survival rate 0.01%.
Who would enter, unless they were incredibly insane.
Afterwards, the number of newbies entering Hell plummeted.
[Lee Joon Suk, Floor 90 : Hyoung, if there is a newbie, what would you want from them?]
An interesting question.
All this time I was hoping for someone to just come, rather than what kind of person would come.
Hmm…
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : Well gender and age doesn’t matter.]
They grow stronger when their level grows whether they are women or children.
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : But the most important factor is their mental strength.]
Those who enter Hell difficulty are nine times out of ten insane.
About half of them were people who should be in asylums. ‘Patients’ who couldn’t think normally.
Of course their survival rate was 0%.
The other half are delinquents and school kids with chuunibyou full of empty boasts.
Their survival rate was 0.01%.
On a side note among the 3 categories, I was the chuunibyou. Although I wasn’t in school anymore. Shit.
Lastly are the misfortunate. For example, those who were summoned while riding a rollercoaster. Those who pressed Hell difficulty while they were waving their arms in the air.
Of course their survival rate was 0%.
Well if I were to rank them, it’s Misfortunate > Chuunibyou > Delinquents > Insane.
[Lee Joon Suk, Floor 90 : I think the rank for delinquents is too low. Hmm… I don’t get it. Hyoung, tell me why.]
I am kind therefore I gave an answer.
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : Hell mode is fair to all. There is only 1 way for newbies to survive. Listening to what I say. That’s it. So the rankings reflect the rank of those who will listen to me.]
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : But that’s not the most important factor. The most important factor is the Class.]
Class. The Class for RPGS.
Such as the warrior, mage, archer and priests.
Truth is Classes are only mentioned by the Players.
To be accurate it meant the weapon they chose when they entered the Tutorial. From this starting weapon, their play style changes.
They can change their weapon half way, but most follow the style of their original weapon.
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : Definitely a warrior. It has to be a shield warrior. You can’t survive without a shield.]
[Jung Gi Joon, Floor 51 : But Ho Jae-hyoung doesn’t use a shield.]
Jung Gi Joon. He is a Hard mode player just like Lee Joon Suk.
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : I did use it. Back then … ]
Suddenly, the topic of the conversation became the tales of my adventures.
As I talked about my past, we came to my early days in the Tutorial.
The beginnings in the Hell difficulty.
Whether there were many who were curious or there were simply a lot of people browsing the Community due to the start of 81st round, a lot of people gathered at this forum.
Then, a new name posted on the forum.
[Jung Won Sik, Floor 33 : Even so, aren’t you just a loser? There’s no way you can clear Hell mode anyway. Why do you guys like him so much?]
I froze as soon as I read those words.
[Goo Dae Ho, Floor 53 : That retard lololol. He sure got balls for an Easy player lol.]
Easy mode. If it’s Easy difficulty, it’s likely he hasn’t been in the Tutorial for long despite being on Floor 33. The clear speed for Easy difficulty is very fast.
I massage the tension on the back of my neck, and continued to write.
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : I remembered your name. I don’t know how many years it will take, but when I’m out I’ll find you first.]
These weren’t empty threats. When I leave, I’ll find him.
But he won’t be first, unlike how I’ve written it.
There are 7 more I must visit before him.
The bastard Jung Won Sik didn’t post anymore.
[Jung Gi Joon, Floor 51 : By the way hyoung, what’s your level now?]
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : 251]
A series of comments explode after those words.
[Lee Joon Suk, Floor 90 : 251? Hyoung went over 200? Why’s it so high?]
[Goo Dae Ho, Floor 53 : Level 251 kek lolololololol Are you human? lololololol.]
[Lee Won Ill, Floor 17 : Lolololol that guy before must be shitting his pants lolololol pissed off a level 251 lolol.]
Anyway this world is a tutorial. It’s not a death game aimed at killing people.
Its aim is for Players to grow. It’s just the person who chooses Hell is at fault. ****.
The system clearly said that danger increased along with difficulty. And that the growth rate and reward increased accordingly as well.
The system is true. That’s it.
After reading the comments, my anger subsided a little.
I am petty and childish, I know.
And I always remember my grudges. I’ll never forget.
I open the memo on System and write down the name Jung Won Sik.
[81st Round will begin.]
The system message that I had been waiting for finally popped. I quietly closed my eyes.
Please let there be a newbie…
I began to pray. Similar to praying for an item enchant to succeed in an RPG.
I can feel the heart pounding, probably from my desperation. Please… Please…
And with those desperate feelings, I slowly open my eyes.
[Difficulty Hell, forum (1/2)]
IT’S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In 2014, a strange event swept across the globe.
Monsters appeared from all over the world, and began to attack towns and cities.
Most of the monsters were neutralized by the military, but there were a select few that were able to survive as they were immune to bullets.
Many cities across the world were destroyed, and the number of casualties were innumerable.
It was then when the psychics known as the Awakened appeared.
Once every month, people were randomly kidnapped into the Tutorial world. If they were able to clear the Tutorial, they would receive powers and were returned to the real world.
[Round 81 will begin.]
It had been 30 days since Round 80 had started and now was time for Round 81 to begin.
As usual, 100 new players were kidnapped.
[Difficulty Normal, Forum (71/106)]
[Welcome newcomers.]
[Must-know tips before you beginning the Tutorial.]
[Basic introductions for Tutorial cla.s.ses.]
[Basic rules for the community waiting room. Newbies please read.]
[System interface configuration.]
[Punishment for breaking the rules.]
Such topics could be found and more are posted on the forums.
Most of the posts were uploaded by the NPCs in the residential districts.
Residential NPCs were Players who had given up on progressing through the Tutorial. They had chosen to settle themselves in the residential districts located on Floors 30, 60 and 90.
They give advice to first time Newbies and maintain public order in the residential areas.
I might become one of these NPCs too.
Afterall, I can’t get past Floor 60.
And…
[Difficulty h.e.l.l, Forum (1/2)]
It’s here! A Newbie!
How long have I waited for the number ‘2’ to appear.
I’m about to cry.
Please, come on the Community. Please…
Please… Someone normal… Please…
[Difficulty h.e.l.l, Forum (2/2)]
They’re here!
I had to make a post quickly, so the Newbie could see it.
At that moment, a new post was made on the h.e.l.l forum.
[Uhh…]
[Lee Yeon Hee, Floor 1 : Uh… am I in h.e.l.l difficulty sdalkhfiuoqrg. I think I pressed the wrong b.u.t.ton. Please help me. HELP MEDSKLFJGLKG]
I can feel her sanity crumble with each pa.s.sing word.
It may have been the greatest misfortune in her life, but for me it was my only ray of hope! Hoorray!
Meanwhile, the Newbie’s post received enormous attention.
[Lee Joon Suk, Floor 90 : Uh… Hm, I. Uh… Cheer up.]
[Lee Gi Suk, Floor 22 : Ah… mistakes were made. You misclicked and now you’re in h.e.l.l. fbm.]
[Goo Dae Ho, Floor 53 : Uwaa lolololol. Press the wrong b.u.t.ton and into h.e.l.l you go lololol.]
[Lee Won Ill, Floor 17 : Cheer up. The survival rate isn’t 0%, it’s just 0.01% kek.]
[Jung Gi Joon, Floor 51 : Don’t make fun of her you a.s.sholes. How sad would she be right now.]
I added a comment before the Newbie Lee Yeon Hee’s sanity would shatter into million pieces.
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : Don’t be so scared. If you listen to me, you can survive. Calm down.]
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : I’m sorry, but can you introduce yourself quick?]
I have to know her age at least.
There is no age limit for those who are sent here.
Which means that even a 100 year old grandma or a 5 year old kid could be sent here.
[Lee Yeon Hee, Floor 1 : h.e.l.lo, my name is Lee Yeon Hee. I’m 20 years old. My school…]
[Lee Ho Jae, Floor 60 : You can forgo details like your school. What weapon did you start with?]
[Lee Yeon Hee, Floor 1 : Bow.]
She’s screwed.
[Lee Gi Suk, Floor 22 : Archer, LOL. Pretty sure even Robin Hood couldn’t beat h.e.l.l difficulty.]
[Lee Won Ill, Floor 17 : What gave you the idea to pick the bow in h.e.l.l..T_T]
I thought the Newbie would of had a major breakdown completely if she read the comments so I sent her a 1:1 chat invitation.
[Lee Yeon Hee has entered.]
[Lee Yeon Hee : Is the bow really that bad? I heard it’s good in the early stages?]
A question as soon as she enters.
Well, her life depends on it. I should understand.
The bow is a very difficult weapon for beginners.
Unless you practice archery….
[Lee Yeon Hee : I am an archer. A national represent.]
Ah, is that so…
Those who start with the bow are often called Archers.
In the Tutorial, the Archer is a cla.s.s which does not simply fire arrows from afar like other RPG games.
In terms of combat, rather than being a sniper who shoots from afar, they are more like a ranger who sweep through battle like Legolas.
It was dangerous, but everyone’s forced to play Solo during the beginning, so as they progress through the Tutorial with a bow, they naturally developed such skills from difficult close quarters combat that occurred frequently.
As they go past the start, they begin to form parties,
These Archers become core members of the party due to their agility, survival and offer great utility such as excellent eyesight.
To make it brief, they are like the amalgamation of a rogue, adventurer and archer from a normal RPG game.
Everyone recommends to have at least 1 archer in all parties due to being multi-skilled and their ability to survive.
So, Lee Yeon Hee is correct about how good it is in the early phase. It’s dangerous on the first 5 floors where the Start of the Tutorial lies, but it’s not a bad weapon for Floors 20 and below which is considered the early phase.
But, that’s not the same for h.e.l.l difficulty.
Because it’s so hard to go past the first 5 floors.
[Lee Ho Jae : Archer is not a bad choice. Don’t worry. In truth, Archers are one of the best surviving cla.s.ses.
[Lee Yeon Hee : Really?]
[Lee Ho Jae : Yes. So don’t worry, follow my instructions and you’ll survive. Don’t believe anyone else and just follow my advice.]
After calming down Lee Yeon Hee, I explained about the basics of Tutorial. How to use the Shop and Community. How to gain and raise Skills.
[Lee Yeon Hee : Uh, is it really alright? Will I survive?
[Lee Ho Jae : You will survive if you follow my instructions. Not anyone else, but mine. Ah, did you ever hear about me?]
I asked as I repeated what I said before.
It’s embarra.s.sing to say it myself, but I am quite famous. Both inside and outside the Tutorial.
I am the lone survivor in h.e.l.l difficulty in Korea.
And also the highest ranking h.e.l.l Player in the world.
Apparently I’m a famous urban legend in the real world.
[Lee Yeon Hee : Yes. Uh, the lone survivor of h.e.l.l… Right?]
[Lee Ho Jae : Yes. That’s right but I’m not exactly alone. There are plenty of survivors in h.e.l.l on other different servers too.]
Apparently there are 11 survivors in the American server. Crazy b.a.s.t.a.r.ds.
Most of them are stuck in the residential area of Floor 30, but it’s still impressive to have more than 10 Players.
What’s even more surprising is that there are still people challenging the h.e.l.l difficulty.
I wasn’t aware that America was so Macho-tastic.
[Lee Yeon Hee : Uh, this may sound rude but, what’s the highest record for h.e.l.l difficulty?]
[Lee Ho Jae : Floor 60 which is where I’m at.]
It felt embarra.s.sing yet proud when I complimented myself.
[Lee Yeon Hee : Can you tell me what the records are for Players other than yourself?]
I thought briefly before I could answer. Should I tell her the truth, or hide it.
On the side note, the highest in Korea is Floor 17, while the World record is Floor 32.
[Lee Ho Jae : There are a quite a number of people who got past Floor 30. It’s a lot if you consider the fact that there aren’t many who enter h.e.l.l difficulty to begin with.]
[Lee Ho Jae : Most importantly, there’s a residential area on Floor 30. If you get there, you won’t have to worry about dying.]
Of course Lee Yeon Hee cannot remain on Floor 30. She had to come up to Floor 60 and help me clear Floor 61.
Anyway, I carefully chose words that would help her regain her calm.
However, I’m not sure how effective that was.
[Lee Ho Jae : Well then, I’ll give you a detailed explanation about the start of Tutorial, Floor 1.]
Now I needed to drill her about the pattern and tips on how to get through the start.
The h.e.l.l Tutorial had sent countless lives to their doom, but it wasn’t impossible to beat.
The most effect path was to memorize the order and pattern of the Tutorial.
The Tutorial is fair.
It brings equal challenges to all.
In the same order and pattern.
Before I started my explanation, I began to remember the days.
The days when I first fell into this h.e.l.l.
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