Chapter 3

No matter how strong a Hobgoblin is, it's nothing compared to an Orc.

Orcs are over 2.5 meters tall with pig-like physiques, providing them with very high natural defenses.

Asking a level 1 player to deal with two Orcs is basically saying, "Don't bother trying to win."

The difficulty was so brutal that even seasoned players would lose hope.

'Still, someone did clear it.'

One of the players who betrayed him, James Marcus.

The strongest Paladin on the American continent and the only player who had cleared the fourth stage.

'The fourth stage should already be cleared.'

James Marcus, an early player, had already surpassed level 500 by now.

To catch up with him, Jeong-hoon had to clear the fourth stage no matter what.

"Raaah! Foolish human, if you give up now, I'll let you keep your limbs."

The Orcs looked down on Jeong-hoon.

"We'll see about that."

Jeong-hoon raised his spear, aiming it at the Orcs.

"Stupid human!"

An Orc swung its axe.

Jeong-hoon smoothly stepped aside, easily dodging the attack.

Whoosh.

A powerful gust from the Orc's swing ruffled Jeong-hoon's hair.

Despite this, Jeong-hoon's expression remained calm.

Back when he was an All-Master, Orcs were easy prey for him.

Whoosh!

Even if he couldn't see the Orcs' movements, predicting their attacks was simple.

Jeong-hoon moved in the opposite direction of their attack paths, causing all of the Orcs' attacks to miss.

[Agile Body]

- Type: Passive

- Level: 1

- Grade: Normal

- Increases reflexes by 10%.

- Increases movement speed by 10%.

- Adds +2 to agility stat.

The Agile Body skill made moving a lot easier.

Jeong-hoon thrust his spear.

The spearhead pierced through an Orc's eye, straight into its brain.

No matter how tough its skin, the eyes couldn't be fortified.

[Martial Artist exclusive skill, 'Steadfast Will' activated.]

[Acquired skill, 'Vital Strike (Normal)']

Taking down an Orc 20 levels higher with one blow earned him a new skill.

'Vital Strike, it's been a while.'

It was a skill that was immediately useful.

"Aren't you going to attack?"

Jeong-hoon asked, pointing his spear at the remaining Orc.

"Raaah... Human, what are you? Why are you so strong?"

"I'm level 1. Have you considered that maybe you're just weak?"

"Lies!"

The Orc, unable to believe it, swung its axe in a frenzy.

But with Vital Strike acquired, the Orc's weak points were glaringly obvious to Jeong-hoon.

He dodged all the axe swings and, when close enough, grabbed the spearhead and thrust it into the Orc's neck.

"Grrk!"

The Orc's eyes widened as it died with the spear through its throat.

[You have successfully completed stage 4 of the tutorial!]

'Got it!'

Jeong-hoon had become the second player to clear the fourth stage of the tutorial.

[Would you like to exit the tutorial? If you continue to hunt monsters, the rewards will be upgraded!]

'What? What's this?'

Jeong-hoon frowned.

He had cleared up to the fourth stage, and it wasn't over yet?

No one had mentioned a fifth stage.

Had James Marcus lied?

'If it's stronger than an Orc... it might be a level 30 monster.'

This could be quite a tough fight.

But Jeong-hoon made his decision without hesitation.

"Next stage."

There was no reason to hesitate.

Whatever it was, if it led to a quicker path, he would take it.

[Starting stage 5 of the tutorial.]

[Only users who completed the tutorial within 1 hour can attempt this stage.]

Ah, now he understood.

James Marcus probably didn't know about the fifth stage.

He had barely managed to clear the fourth stage after spending almost an entire day on it.

But Jeong-hoon had cleared the first four stages in less than an hour, so he qualified for this stage.

[Achieve recognition of the pinnacle of martial arts '???'.]

[If you fail to gain recognition, the tutorial will end immediately.]

However, this stage didn't involve monster hunting.

Instead, a faint figure appeared before him.

It was just a small misty shape, impossible to identify clearly.

The shape stared at Jeong-hoon for a while and then disappeared.

[You have been recognized.]

[You are the first to successfully complete all stages of the tutorial!]

[Commencing rewards calculation.]

Did it end this easily?

It was a bit baffling, but a win was a win.

[You have received 10,000 achievement points.]

[You have received 10 gold.]

[You have received the title, 'Perfect Beginner'.]

[Your level has increased by 10.]

[Hidden achievement unlocked! Check your achievement rewards.]

As the first to conquer the tutorial, the rewards were incomparable to those before his regression.

[Perfect Beginner]

- Type: Title

- Grade: Epic

- Permanently increases all abilities by 10%.

- Permanently increases all stats by +10 (excluding willpower).

It provided both an overall ability boost and a significant stat increase.

A title that put him 10 levels ahead of other beginners.

Even James Marcus hadn't obtained this title.

Jeong-hoon clenched his fist in triumph.

"Wait, a hidden achievement?"

In addition to the title, a hidden achievement was unlocked.

Jeong-hoon opened the system to check the achievement section.

Among the hidden achievements he couldn't unlock before his regression, one was now open.

'The description for '???' has appeared.'

Jeong-hoon read the conditions and rewards for the achievement.

[You have received the 'Perfect Beginner's Mark'.]

"A mark!"

Jeong-hoon shouted in surprise.

This mark was the missing piece that had prevented him from completing an item.

So, clearing the fifth stage of the tutorial was the requirement.

"Wow, so this was the way to get it... No wonder I couldn't obtain it no matter what I tried."

Jeong-hoon's mouth hung open.

His heart was pounding faster than ever.

Pssshk—

"Why did I have to need the bathroom at a time like this?"

The capsule door opened, and Ha-jin got up.

It had already been two hours.

He hurried to the bathroom.

Pssshk—

When he returned, Jeong-hoon opened his capsule door just in time.

"Whew."

Jeong-hoon sighed and stepped out, taking a drink.

"What's up? Did you have fun?"

At this point, Jeong-hoon should be adjusting in the starting village after finishing the tutorial.

"Yeah. Finished the tutorial. I'll take a short break and dive back in."

Jeong-hoon had no intention of stopping after just finishing the tutorial today.

Although he had regressed, he was still years behind the early players.

To catch up, he had to move quickly.

"Wow, you... have no talent for gaming."

Ha-jin commented sympathetically.

"No talent?"

He didn't expect to hear that from anyone, let alone from Kang Ha-jin.

It was almost laughable.

"Yeah. Why'd you take so long in the tutorial? Just hit a goblin and move to the starting village."

"...Ah, right. You said you went to the starting village after only doing the first stage?"

"Did I say that?"

Kang Ha-jin tilted his head, puzzled.

Of course, he wouldn't remember.

Jeong-hoon had told him this long ago before he first started using the capsule.

At that time, Ha-jin was envious of Jeong-hoon for clearing up to the second stage, saying he had set a perfect first step.

"Yeah, you mentioned it before."

"So, how far did you get in the tutorial?"

"Um... just enough."

"Ha, seems like you struggled with the second stage. Dude, the second stage isn't meant to be cleared. Throwing three goblins at a total newbie is too much."

Jeong-hoon smiled silently.

Ha-jin had been envious of him clearing the second stage, so he'd never believe he'd cleared the fifth stage.

Instead, Jeong-hoon reflected on the earlier events.

He had gained far more than he planned in the tutorial.

Especially the Perfect Beginner's Mark.

In the future, the process involved combining marks, and he had failed to make a weapon because he couldn't get this mark.

'Overlord Titan', a weapon desperately needed by Jeong-hoon, the All-Master.

The only weapon beyond legendary status, called god-tier.

He now had the foundation to make Titan.

'Unbelievable... So this mark could only be obtained in the tutorial.'

The mark he had so desperately wanted.

Having obtained other marks before, Titan would be his eventually.

"Hey, anyway, let's eat. It's already lunchtime."

Capsules didn't take care of meals.

"Sure."

Jeong-hoon followed Ha-jin to a restaurant next to the capsule room.

The place was bustling with people using capsules.

"Oh, there's a free spot over there."

Ha-jin quickly took the empty seat.

"Are you having ramen?"

"Of course. The ramen here is awesome."

"Really?"

"I guarantee it. I'll bet 1,000 won you'll love it."

"Cheapskate."

"Just follow me."

The ramen Ha-jin boasted about was egg cheese ramen.

Ramen in a large bowl with cheese and egg toppings.

But Ha-jin chose the mild flavor.

"You eat mild?"

The ramen came in both spicy and mild flavors, but Jeong-hoon preferred the spicy one.

The mild one was... a bit bland.

Honestly, he didn't understand why people liked the mild version.

"What's with that disgusted face? Disrespecting mild flavor?"

"No, it's just not my taste."

"Tsk tsk, must have a weird palate. Bet you can't eat mint chocolate."

"Why would I eat that?"

Jeong-hoon frowned.

He couldn't understand people who liked mint chocolate, especially Ha-jin, who loved mint to the point of obsession.

He even preferred original mint lattes.

"Wow, dude. Better keep quiet unless you want a fight with mint chocolate lovers."

"Mint latte is ready."

Sure enough, the capsule room also served mint lattes.

Jeong-hoon ordered an Americano and sat down.

Slurp—

The ramen was indeed delicious.

"Hey, if you go to the starting village, watch out for scammers. There are always jerks who target newbies."

"I know."

Jeong-hoon had entered New World quite late in his past life.

He often encountered territorial players.

He remembered getting scammed out of his hard-earned 1 gold and 11 silver by some weirdo early on.

Pssshk—

After finishing his meal, Jeong-hoon went straight back to the capsule.

Having laid the groundwork, it was time to solidify it.

[Logging in.]

The starting village.

After completing the tutorial, all beginners passed through this village.

A medieval fantasy city setting.

Jeong-hoon stood in the middle of the town square.

Blue mist rose from the ground.

This was the portal.

The portal in this square was a one-way trip from the tutorial, so it was impossible to use it to return.

"Let's move."

Jeong-hoon walked briskly.

While most beginners would be gawking, Jeong-hoon was quite familiar with the place.

"You leveled up?"

"Of course. Yesterday, I even hunted level 10 Hobgoblins."

The square was bustling with players.

Armored players, players wearing hoods, and players in robes.

All wearing gear suited to their classes.

Jeong-hoon passed them and stopped in front of a shabby dojo.

Unlike the other areas, this place was deserted.

'Should I go in?'

Jeong-hoon entered the dojo.