Chapter 2: Synchronization (2)
“So it wasn’t a dream.”
Right after getting up from bed with the loud alarm ringing—
I checked the Status Window floating before my eyes again and muttered.
Name: Kim Han-ul
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Strength: 10
Agility: 6
Stamina: 13
Mental Strength: 5
Regeneration Lv.1
None
Up to here, nothing had changed.
In other words, it was no different from when I first Awakened.
Still unbelievably pathetic Stats.
“Back then… I was jumping around in joy even with this.”
30 years ago, after the Great Upheaval when Gates opened across the world and Monsters appeared—
Awakened who wielded scientifically unexplainable powers instantly became heroes.
Naturally, I thought I would become rich too.
I confidently said I’d succeed as a Hunter, fix my mother’s back, and repay my student loans.
That was before I was judged to have Stats no different from an ordinary person.
Naturally, a kind of sponsor that only approaches exceptional Awakened—
The Divine Throne didn’t even glance at me.
A grandly named Skill called Regeneration?
That was what the Awakened management doctor said, covering his mouth in surprise.
Amazing—for an ordinary person.
Thanks to that, even without ointment, new flesh grows after a few days.
Saved money on medicine, at least.
And I didn’t tire easily, so even after years of labor work, my body never really broke down.
Because of that, I could send money home and repay my loans.
Not the worst life, I guess.
“I thought my Stamina would increase after years of labor… but my Stats didn’t change at all.”
Some say a Hunter rose from Rank E to Rank A through pure training alone—but looking at this, that’s clearly nonsense.
For an Awakened, their growth potential is practically fixed at the moment they Awaken.
“But how do you gain a Skill just from playing a game?”
That’s why this made no sense.
I stared at the glowing text below the Status Window.
[You have acquired a new skill. Would you like to view details?]
I touched my earlobe.
Not a habit—this was how to respond to the window.
The Status Window expanded.
New information appeared.
[Conversation with the Lord Lv.1]
[Trade with the Lord Lv.1]
These were the two Skills I obtained last night.
The reward for clearing the 700th Wave.
But “Conversation with the Lord” was greyed out.
Not activated.
Then what about Trade with the Lord?
[Activating Trade with the Lord Lv.1.]
[You have not obtained sufficient Gold! Unable to load tradable list.]
“Trash game level.”
Unfortunately, still no detailed info.
But I had a rough idea.
The intuition of a 7-year veteran.
I got up and turned on my computer.
“First, the website is gone.”
I opened my bookmarks.
The site had completely disappeared.
Naturally, the launcher was gone too.
No way to play anymore.
“Then next…”
This was expected.
I turned on my stream.
Early morning—no viewers.
Except one.
[Viewer1 has entered.]
“Hyung.”
I called calmly.
[Viewer1: Good morning, What Kind of Trash Game Is This?]
“I have a question.”
[Viewer1: Please ask.]
“…Just call me Han-ul.”
[Viewer1: Understood, Han-ul.]
Viewer1 obediently followed.
“After clearing the 700th Wave, I got new Skills. Not in the game—but in reality. When you said the Lord Awakened…”
[Viewer1: Yes.]
He knows.
“What exactly are these Skills? How do I use them?”
[Viewer1: It would be best if you discover that yourself. I don’t know what Skills you received—and even if I did, I don’t have the authority to tell you.]
A firm answer.
“…I would, but they’re not activated. I can’t even test them.”
[Viewer1: Hmm… The first Skill likely means our Lord is not mentally prepared yet.]
So “Conversation with the Lord.”
Maybe she’s shy.
Didn’t look shy when she slaughtered everything though.
[Viewer1: The second Skill can be confirmed. When activated, the details appear.]
“Really?”
Even though you said you don’t know my Skills?
I held back the question.
“It says I don’t have enough Gold.”
[Viewer1: ?]
He seemed shocked.
[Viewer1: That shouldn’t be possible.]
“It’s true.”
[Viewer1: I clearly told our Lord… Didn’t you receive 50 Gold?]
“Not a single coin.”
[Viewer1: …Please wait.]
He disappeared.
10 minutes later—
[Viewer1: Apologies. There was an error. It will be deposited shortly.]
Ding!
A sound like a cash drawer opening.
[50 Gold has been deposited from ‘Dream Lord’s Castle’!]
Gold.
The game currency.
I tapped my earlobe.
[Selecting Trade with the Lord Lv.1.]
[Gold detected. Activating skill.]
The window updated.
I nodded.
“Still a trash game.”
The meaning of Synchronization became clear.
[Available Gold: 50]
Below—
A familiar list.
[List of Monsters Available for Trade with the Lord]
Goblin Slave: 50 Gold
Goblin Fighter: 70 Gold
Goblin Archer: 70 Gold
Goblin Elder: 100 Gold
↓
…
“This is literally the game.”
The hiring system.
No gacha for units—only for upgrades.
A scam system.
“I guess it’s good the item gacha isn’t here yet.”
I scrolled.
Everything was there.
Even new Monsters.
Only Goblin Slave available.
Then—
At the bottom—
[Dream Lord: 999999999999 Gold, Affinity 100]
“…You can hire the Lord?”
Ridiculous price.
And Affinity?
Still—
I remembered her.
Silver-haired female knight wiping out everything.
“I have to get her.”
There were also Dragon Lord, Void Lord—
New Monsters.
“But how do I earn Gold?”
Simple.
Clear Waves.
Kill Monsters.
Sell their parts.
“…Then.”
I nodded.
Kill Monsters → earn Gold → hire Monsters.
If it works the same in reality—
“Killing real Monsters should be the answer.”
I opened my drawer.
Pulled out a plastic card.
An E Rank Hunter License.
Embarrassing.
But now—
More valuable than anything.
“Getting into Hunters’ Den is harder these days…”
Good thing I got it early.