Ji Won—wearing a pair of black pants and a button up shirt was standing in a dark void. A few white dots in the sky—like stars shining in a way that resembled a die. But there was just a pattern that seemed to pop out, making a sentence.
[Welcome To The House Where Luck And Misfortune Meets You. The Dealer Function Has Not Been Unlocked Yet.]
The ground rippled beneath his feet like water—the dark expanse of the realm going on for seemingly infinity.
He was surrounded by many floating slot machines—each one a different color and different design. All of them spinning around Ji Won wildly, like planets orbiting a star.
'Where am I?'
He took a few steps forward—the 'ground' itself seemed to be like floating over water, it even sounded like water crashing against the shore of the beach, the faint smell of musk and wine was in the air.
Suddenly, a slot machine plopped down in front of him, its display shining brightly as words slowly appeared on them—like someone was very slowly typing away on a keyboard.
[Greetings {Redacted} Cheonjiwang awaits your awakening Restless Gambler. Your progress is commendable but slow. Grow and grow. A hunter must devour everything that can be devoured. Whether it be his money or possessions. Even your life shall do.]
Ji Won's eyes snapped open at the message—he tried to reach out a hand to the screen. He wasn't that familiar with Cheonjiwang, but what he did know was that this being—was basically the equivalent of god.
Ji Won awoke in the infirmary—startled and shook. He had just realized something, that no matter what. The systems which were thought to be a divine gift, were connected with something.
'Just.. Just what have I been entrusted with? This system—its too strong for someone to suddenly get. Maybe.. It's divine intervention?'
His life replayed in his minds—all the lows and the occasional high. But he was right. There was just one thing that was always off... No one understood his tendency to seek pain.
'I should check if I really got a class or not... I'm too weak to waste time for contemplating.'
He slowly stood up and off the infirmary bed—opening the system screen as once again.
The melody of the music that he heard whenever he got a new class came through, just a bit more enthusiastic this time.
[Congratulations User! You Have Unlocked The Healer Class (Uncommon)? Shall You Take The Whole Class By Itself? Or Shall You Take A Trait? Press (+) To See Possible Traits.]
Ji Won paused—holding himself back from just taking the new class as he clicked his tongue in annoyance. Crossing his arms over his chest.
'I don't wanna be a useless healer! I basically wasted a Gambling Token for this?!'
His frustration was boiling over, but then—the message from presumably 'Cheonjiwang' that was ingrained in his memory now, flashed before his eyes.
"A hunter must devour anything that can be devoured..."
He mumbled under his breath—putting his hands inside the pockets of his pants. A frown on his face, would he really become a hunter that would do anything for strength?
'Damn it all. I don't care anymore. The Club Leaders, their not even in the top ten thousand hunters—yet I'm struggle against them.'
His expression hardened, the memories of how he lost every time—and now that he had unlocked his system. He was still losing.
He wouldn't accept that.
'Sanity? My body? They can go to hell, I want to be strong.'
He pressed on the plus sign to see the traits. His eyes immediately landing on the one and only trait he could take.
[Option 1: Self-Heal (level:1)]
[Description: Allows The User To Heal Any And All Physical Injuries Instantly. Uses 24-MP And If Used Incorrectly—It May Cost Your Sanity. Choose Wisely. User.]
This was the first time the system had warned him about anything. It usually just taunted him with the usual 'You Will Die' penalty and the stupid smiley face. But.. This ability didn't make sense? Why would it cost Ji Won's sanity?
Ji Won's train of thoughts were interrupted as he realized something—he didn't need to guess the number that the die landed on this time, it was basically a free roll.
He swiped away the screen, another smaller window opening up besides it, the golden holographic screen displaying a message with none other than Cheonjiwang's name across the top.
[{Redacted}. I have decided to grant you a freebie for now. This is the last message you shall receive from me. Until then my {Redacted}]
Ji Won stared at the name with wide yet still skeptical eyes—why was Cheonjiwang contacting him? Maybe Ji-hye could help him with this dilemma but first. He needed to choose that trait.
'I think that my system is just trolling me. Cheonjiwang I think is nothing like this.. He's supposed to be this cosmic being that's fair and stuff. Not someone who gives freebies... And why am I being called redacted?'
He pressed on the trait. The words glowing as the screen slowly disappeared—fading away completely. The original stat screen opening up in front of Ji Won.
His stats were the same but besides his username was now a sort of electric blue bar,
[MP: 100 (100%)]
Ji Won slowly walked out of the infirmary, it felt like the atmosphere itself was heavier, more... Tense. Like a dynamite fuse, ready to go off at the smallest of spark.
He silently approached Ji-hye's office, the door already opened, like the teacher was expecting his student to come.
Ji-hye was leaning back on his chair—sitting behind a large mahogany desk, the high ceiling having intricate designs that reflected off the marbled floors.
"So uh. What brings ya here?"
He began as soon as Ji Won walked into the office, not wasting time with any pleasantries that don't matter at all.
Ji Won took in a deep—composing breath of air to clear his thoughts.
"I'm a dumb student. I didn't pay attention in class and stuff, so I don't know a lot about our history, especially about the system. Can you maybe.. Teach me?"
Ji-hye raised an eyebrow—a mixture of amusement and intrigue on his face. He put his feet up on the table, the boots gently clinking against the hard wood.
"Sure. Lets do it. Sit down. I'ma give you the basic introduction."
He let out a small huff. Looking at Ji Won with a little bit of a taunting smirk on his face.
"I'm not surprised though, you got your ass beat by Hae Kwan. I see why you wanna be a scholar now."