As soon as I pressed the ‘Next’ button, My surroundings started to morph and my view gradually shifted.
Yet Another window popped up.
[Current Avatar is based on your current body. Changes will appear according to level rise and job selection. In addition to that, certain packs can be purchased that enhance your character.]
It was very different from what was normally seen; it wasn’t a 3rd person perspective of my body. I wasn’t some mere observer. This felt as if my soul itself had settled into this very body.
The game functioned quite simply. Warriors developed a muscular body while thieves became leaner as they progressed in the game. As for scholars and sorcerers, they had completely different sets of enhancements while levelling up.
However, one could have a muscular body as a wizard if he or she exercised enough in reality since the game reflected some aspects of the actual body onto the game avatar.
As far as I remember, Taejin mentioned how this was exploited by players as a way to hide their true class by wearing a different class’ outfit while training your body to look like a different class in real life.
This method was widely popular as it was quite useful during battles.
Just like performers, players who boast a peak physique in the real world soon became celebrities because of the game’s mechanics favouring them. In a way, the game asked for you to grind both inside and outside.
However, one should not forget the importance of one’s class, or as some like to call it, ‘Job’. Playing around one’s class’ strengths and weaknesses is essential for reaching higher ranks.
Then there is the concept of ‘potential’, a hidden stat in the game and something that wouldn’t be announced till a year later. Training the mind is the best way to increase the level of ‘potential’ in the game.
Maybe this was the reason why Taejin took up meditation along with both Kendo and Taekwondo after returning to the past.
After checking through multiple settings, I noticed one that stood out amongst the others;
[Current experience level is 30%, which is the default. This can be adjusted according to the user’s choice. However, please note that if you want to change after initial setting, you have to purchase a paid package.]
Then there was a gauge window that extends from 1 to 70. The more I lowered it, the more detached I felt from my avatar. The opposite was true when I raised it.
It was possible to raise it to a level where you could feel pain when your in-game character takes damage. The pain-system had a max cap though. It protected them from shock and pain that would be beyond their limits, preventing players from actually getting hurt in real life.
This was something that confused many. How did the pain-system work? Was there some type of device installed in the capsule that would zap the players whenever they took damage? Perhaps. Or it was the work of the devil yet again?
Despite the confusion and the ongoing debates, no accidents happened because of the shock system of [New Century]. Thus, there was no legal investigation into the subject matter.
I will leave it at that. This mystery was but a pebble in a world of time regression.
Anyway, there was more to the gauge than just the ability to feel pain, if set higher, it was possible to level up faster than normal. Perks that depend on your physical capabilities also get a boost. To put it simply, Taejin who practised both Kendo and Taekwondo would get better results in the game if he were to set his gauge higher. His mastery in those arts would start reflecting in his character.
Achieving higher ranks becomes a lot easier if one keeps the gauge high while maintaining a physique that compliments their class in real life. It is no exaggeration to say that this was a high-risk, high reward scenario.
So I chose a number.
[You have selected 1% experience. While you will experience little to no fatigue when playing, skills will take much longer to be learned and mastered.]
My purpose in this game is to travel and keep an eye on Taejin. I absolutely refuse to indulge myself any further than that.
‘-I will enjoy the game as if sleeping with minimal fatigue.’
[Would you like to make the final choice 1%?]
“Yes.”
When I confirmed, the world began to change again.
Connecting…..Please Wait…..
“It’s hazy… … .”
It felt like I was dreaming. My body was moving, but I felt like I was nothing but a ghost that loomed over it, possessing it. I felt unnaturally relaxed.
I pinched myself but it didn’t hurt. I could feel my skin being squeezed between my fingernails but I felt none of the pain that was oh-so-familiar after pinching.
When I took a bite while eating, I could feel the texture of the chunks in my mouth and how they slowly got smoother and smoother as I chewed them, before turning into a fine paste, yet I couldn’t taste any of it. From putting it in my mouth to swallowing it, I tasted nothing.
This was the 1% experience connection.
It felt like a more pronounced lucid dream. As I continued playing, I came across a helper who taught me the basics of the game. She guided me through the do’s and don’ts as a traveller as well as how to use basic weapons such as the beginner’s knife and spear.
After the long explanation, the helper said-
“Now you must pick a county, dear traveller.”
As soon as she said that, a window popped up in front of me
[Please select a country]
A map of enormous size unfolded. Starting points that sparkled like stars in the vast sky appeared.
I felt overwhelmed by its sheer size alone.
I was able to find the names of countries I was familiar with even though the map was enormous. It was an easy pick as I had already decided which county I wanted to choose, even before I ordered the capsule.
Lantinol Empire.
Taejin was in that country. There he had acquired the position of a general.
[Please select a starting point]
As I put my gaze there, it gradually expanded and showed me the region’s boundaries.
The starting points then sparkled again.
As I looked closely, I saw no big cities. All of them were distant villages located in the mountains. It seemed that one had to start their adventure from a village and journey to the cities later on.
It was my goal to keep an eye on Taejin but I did not wish to disturb him. I wanted to observe him from a distance and not cross his path in any way,
As I continued thinking, I heard a dry, raspy voice say –
[You have not selected for 1 minute. Do you want to make a random choice? Or would you like to go to the place with the highest traveller’s access rate?]
The window opened vertically. In that list were the names of each village. Ranked as if they were stock price fluctuates.
‘-He started his game in…? I don’t remember it clearly.’
I wanted a place with fewer people so that I could quietly mind my own business and play at my own pace. I scrolled down the list and found one with relatively low connection rate.
I chose the village of ‘Galen’, it was ranked 113th on the list.
The voice from earlier spoke again-
[You have made your selection. You will be transported to your desired location in 10 seconds.]
After the dry voice said it’s piece, the world became dark. Then everything became white as a blinding white light engulfed me.
***
As the world around me reformed, I found myself sitting on an old bed.
My clothes had changed from what I wore moments ago.
It looked like the attire of an old medieval peasant; with long sleeves and loosely fitted casual clothes. I couldn’t feel the texture but it looked rough and worn out.
Apart from that, it would appear that I was in some sort of inn.
I noticed that there was a bright light emanating from a door.
‘-Do I need to walk outside?’
Sadly, there was no guide to help me out in this low-cost capsule.
‘-Looks like I am on my own.’
This was the reason why most people found this game to be difficult in its early stages. People got dropped in this world without any objective or purpose. There are all the ‘Stop the demon king!’ and ‘Find the traitors!’ shenanigans, but there are no hints that point towards it being the ultimate goal.
However, even in its early days, [New Century] was all about nations trying to coexist in a large landmass while competing for various resources.
In other words; a player is just a traveller who can choose to involve themselves in informing the history of the continent, or just watch from the sidelines as a spectator.
In the end, he was like a socially inadequate person who was interfering in a system which would have worked on its own, albeit a bit differently if he hadn’t intervened.
The new century is such a game.
A virtual world with an infinite degree of freedom.
This is what fascinated people.
After undergoing three resets, gamers who clearly understood the meaning of the subtitle “Travelers who challenge history” began to make themselves a part of history.
For example, a noble or royal family with a half-bone statue was made to confess little by little to cause rebellion, or a wizard made a chimaera or summoned demons directly to conquer a kingdom.
When high-level gamers worked on such schemes, low-level gamers participated as helpers or footsoldiers and became attackers or blockers, thus writing history in their wake.
[New Century] was meant to provide players with complete freedom over the path they chose while keeping their actions relevant, no matter how small they were. This was seen when travellers who did not actively take part in forging the history of the continent were not disregarded. They channelled tales and legends with their travels. Indirectly shaping history in their own way.
‘If you travel, you can increase your contribution.’
In a fantasy world where swords and magic exist, there was also a way to make ones’ name known by performing actions that were, well, peculiar.
For example, setting records such as-
‘Most time spent dancing’
Or
‘Most time spent sitting still’
Or
‘Most swords polished.’
Even such absurdities were welcomed in [New Century]. These records were immortalised as tales and legends in its fantasy world.
One such man was a warrior who was defeated 10,000 times in PvP confrontations. He received 7 million won after the reset because of how much he contributed in strengthening some players who later on did marvellous feats of valour, like defeating the demon king etc.
He even had an armour named after him, which later on became an ultra-rare magic item and was the centre of many gossips in the years to come.
“Whoo~.”
I sighed. Once I opened that door, I was going to be a part of this world.
‘-Let’s go then!’
It was my time now. To go see what this world has to offer.
-Thruk-
A note popped up.
[If you leave this room, you will never hear the helper’s advice again. Have you learnt all the basic information?]
I lifted my hand.
‘Is there anything more to listen to besides the basics?’
Besides, I couldn’t figure out where the helper was here. So I tried to call it in any case.
“Helper????”
“Helper?????”
[Ask me.]
The dry voice answered. I searched for an invisible helper and sat back on the bed.
It seems like this ‘helper’ is not very bright.
“Can you show yourself?”
[This service is not supported by the connected capsule. If you want visual effects, we recommend upgrading your device or purchasing paid content.]
“Then you can change your voice?”
[This service is not supported by the connected capsule. We recommend upgrading your device or purchasing paid content.]
‘-… … This is…’
That’s why this capsule was dirt-cheap.
“Would you give me the information I need to hear?”
[At initial setting, 1% sense of experience. You have chosen a warrior-type body that values strength. Since the status window has changed, it is recommended to check and apply the undistributed points.]
I opened the status window following the helper’s guidance. A small window opened and a few numbers appeared. There was strength, agility, wisdom, and contribution.
These numbers were simple, but applying them was complex as it involved a lot of variables.
There are only three types of classes for travellers in the new century. Each specialising in one of the three attributes. Strength-based Warriors, Agility-based Thieves and Wisdom-Based Wizards.
However, learning skills are not restricted by class. Even as a Wizard, it is possible to learn skills from other classes.
Therefore, it is said that the number of combinations is infinite.
High ranked players have their own secret combinations.
My current sensitivity is 1%.
Looking at the status window, my numbers were simply displayed.
{Strength: 5. Agility: 5. Wisdom: 5. Contribution: 0. Additional points: 10.}
However, if the sensitivity is increased, the anatomy of the human body is displayed instead of a simple window, and each number is displayed in detail to the decimal point for each muscle part.
Using the high sensitivity option, it is possible to apply points to certain parts of the body and strengthen the muscles of that certain part. This too was one of the secrets of [New Century] that most people were unaware of.
Although there is an automatic distribution function for those who aren’t sure about where they should put their points.
In the past, Taejin said. “The difference between the beginner and High Ranker is experience, the difference between a High Ranker and the High Ranking Master is the Mastery of skills”.
So in the end.
‘-Knowledge is power’
As soon as I pressed the ‘Next’ button, My surroundings started to morph and my view gradually shifted.
Yet Another window popped up.
[Current Avatar is based on your current body. Changes will appear according to level rise and job selection. In addition to that, certain packs can be purchased that enhance your character.]
It was very different from what was normally seen; it wasn’t a 3rd person perspective of my body. I wasn’t some mere observer. This felt as if my soul itself had settled into this very body.
The game functioned quite simply. Warriors developed a muscular body while thieves became leaner as they progressed in the game. As for scholars and sorcerers, they had completely different sets of enhancements while levelling up.
However, one could have a muscular body as a wizard if he or she exercised enough in reality since the game reflected some aspects of the actual body onto the game avatar.
As far as I remember, Taejin mentioned how this was exploited by players as a way to hide their true class by wearing a different class’ outfit while training your body to look like a different class in real life.
This method was widely popular as it was quite useful during battles.
Just like performers, players who boast a peak physique in the real world soon became celebrities because of the game’s mechanics favouring them. In a way, the game asked for you to grind both inside and outside.
However, one should not forget the importance of one’s class, or as some like to call it, ‘Job’. Playing around one’s class’ strengths and weaknesses is essential for reaching higher ranks.
Then there is the concept of ‘potential’, a hidden stat in the game and something that wouldn’t be announced till a year later. Training the mind is the best way to increase the level of ‘potential’ in the game.
Maybe this was the reason why Taejin took up meditation along with both Kendo and Taekwondo after returning to the past.
After checking through multiple settings, I noticed one that stood out amongst the others;
[Current experience level is 30%, which is the default. This can be adjusted according to the user’s choice. However, please note that if you want to change after initial setting, you have to purchase a paid package.]
Then there was a gauge window that extends from 1 to 70. The more I lowered it, the more detached I felt from my avatar. The opposite was true when I raised it.
It was possible to raise it to a level where you could feel pain when your in-game character takes damage. The pain-system had a max cap though. It protected them from shock and pain that would be beyond their limits, preventing players from actually getting hurt in real life.
This was something that confused many. How did the pain-system work? Was there some type of device installed in the capsule that would zap the players whenever they took damage? Perhaps. Or it was the work of the devil yet again?
Despite the confusion and the ongoing debates, no accidents happened because of the shock system of [New Century]. Thus, there was no legal investigation into the subject matter.
I will leave it at that. This mystery was but a pebble in a world of time regression.
Anyway, there was more to the gauge than just the ability to feel pain, if set higher, it was possible to level up faster than normal. Perks that depend on your physical capabilities also get a boost. To put it simply, Taejin who practised both Kendo and Taekwondo would get better results in the game if he were to set his gauge higher. His mastery in those arts would start reflecting in his character.
Achieving higher ranks becomes a lot easier if one keeps the gauge high while maintaining a physique that compliments their class in real life. It is no exaggeration to say that this was a high-risk, high reward scenario.
So I chose a number.
[You have selected 1% experience. While you will experience little to no fatigue when playing, skills will take much longer to be learned and mastered.]
My purpose in this game is to travel and keep an eye on Taejin. I absolutely refuse to indulge myself any further than that.
‘-I will enjoy the game as if sleeping with minimal fatigue.’
[Would you like to make the final choice 1%?]
“Yes.”
When I confirmed, the world began to change again.
Connecting…..Please Wait…..
“It’s hazy… … .”
It felt like I was dreaming. My body was moving, but I felt like I was nothing but a ghost that loomed over it, possessing it. I felt unnaturally relaxed.
I pinched myself but it didn’t hurt. I could feel my skin being squeezed between my fingernails but I felt none of the pain that was oh-so-familiar after pinching.
When I took a bite while eating, I could feel the texture of the chunks in my mouth and how they slowly got smoother and smoother as I chewed them, before turning into a fine paste, yet I couldn’t taste any of it. From putting it in my mouth to swallowing it, I tasted nothing.
This was the 1% experience connection.
It felt like a more pronounced lucid dream. As I continued playing, I came across a helper who taught me the basics of the game. She guided me through the do’s and don’ts as a traveller as well as how to use basic weapons such as the beginner’s knife and spear.
After the long explanation, the helper said-
“Now you must pick a county, dear traveller.”
As soon as she said that, a window popped up in front of me
[Please select a country]
A map of enormous size unfolded. Starting points that sparkled like stars in the vast sky appeared.
I felt overwhelmed by its sheer size alone.
I was able to find the names of countries I was familiar with even though the map was enormous. It was an easy pick as I had already decided which county I wanted to choose, even before I ordered the capsule.
Lantinol Empire.
Taejin was in that country. There he had acquired the position of a general.
[Please select a starting point]
As I put my gaze there, it gradually expanded and showed me the region’s boundaries.
The starting points then sparkled again.
As I looked closely, I saw no big cities. All of them were distant villages located in the mountains. It seemed that one had to start their adventure from a village and journey to the cities later on.
It was my goal to keep an eye on Taejin but I did not wish to disturb him. I wanted to observe him from a distance and not cross his path in any way,
As I continued thinking, I heard a dry, raspy voice say –
[You have not selected for 1 minute. Do you want to make a random choice? Or would you like to go to the place with the highest traveller’s access rate?]
The window opened vertically. In that list were the names of each village. Ranked as if they were stock price fluctuates.
‘-He started his game in…? I don’t remember it clearly.’
I wanted a place with fewer people so that I could quietly mind my own business and play at my own pace. I scrolled down the list and found one with relatively low connection rate.
I chose the village of ‘Galen’, it was ranked 113th on the list.
The voice from earlier spoke again-
[You have made your selection. You will be transported to your desired location in 10 seconds.]
After the dry voice said it’s piece, the world became dark. Then everything became white as a blinding white light engulfed me.
***
As the world around me reformed, I found myself sitting on an old bed.
My clothes had changed from what I wore moments ago.
It looked like the attire of an old medieval peasant; with long sleeves and loosely fitted casual clothes. I couldn’t feel the texture but it looked rough and worn out.
Apart from that, it would appear that I was in some sort of inn.
I noticed that there was a bright light emanating from a door.
‘-Do I need to walk outside?’
Sadly, there was no guide to help me out in this low-cost capsule.
‘-Looks like I am on my own.’
This was the reason why most people found this game to be difficult in its early stages. People got dropped in this world without any objective or purpose. There are all the ‘Stop the demon king!’ and ‘Find the traitors!’ shenanigans, but there are no hints that point towards it being the ultimate goal.
However, even in its early days, [New Century] was all about nations trying to coexist in a large landmass while competing for various resources.
In other words; a player is just a traveller who can choose to involve themselves in informing the history of the continent, or just watch from the sidelines as a spectator.
In the end, he was like a socially inadequate person who was interfering in a system which would have worked on its own, albeit a bit differently if he hadn’t intervened.
The new century is such a game.
A virtual world with an infinite degree of freedom.
This is what fascinated people.
After undergoing three resets, gamers who clearly understood the meaning of the subtitle “Travelers who challenge history” began to make themselves a part of history.
For example, a noble or royal family with a half-bone statue was made to confess little by little to cause rebellion, or a wizard made a chimaera or summoned demons directly to conquer a kingdom.
When high-level gamers worked on such schemes, low-level gamers participated as helpers or footsoldiers and became attackers or blockers, thus writing history in their wake.
[New Century] was meant to provide players with complete freedom over the path they chose while keeping their actions relevant, no matter how small they were. This was seen when travellers who did not actively take part in forging the history of the continent were not disregarded. They channelled tales and legends with their travels. Indirectly shaping history in their own way.
‘If you travel, you can increase your contribution.’
In a fantasy world where swords and magic exist, there was also a way to make ones’ name known by performing actions that were, well, peculiar.
For example, setting records such as-
‘Most time spent dancing’
Or
‘Most time spent sitting still’
Or
‘Most swords polished.’
Even such absurdities were welcomed in [New Century]. These records were immortalised as tales and legends in its fantasy world.
One such man was a warrior who was defeated 10,000 times in PvP confrontations. He received 7 million won after the reset because of how much he contributed in strengthening some players who later on did marvellous feats of valour, like defeating the demon king etc.
He even had an armour named after him, which later on became an ultra-rare magic item and was the centre of many gossips in the years to come.
“Whoo~.”
I sighed. Once I opened that door, I was going to be a part of this world.
‘-Let’s go then!’
It was my time now. To go see what this world has to offer.
-Thruk-
A note popped up.
[If you leave this room, you will never hear the helper’s advice again. Have you learnt all the basic information?]
I lifted my hand.
‘Is there anything more to listen to besides the basics?’
Besides, I couldn’t figure out where the helper was here. So I tried to call it in any case.
“Helper????”
“Helper?????”
[Ask me.]
The dry voice answered. I searched for an invisible helper and sat back on the bed.
It seems like this ‘helper’ is not very bright.
“Can you show yourself?”
[This service is not supported by the connected capsule. If you want visual effects, we recommend upgrading your device or purchasing paid content.]
“Then you can change your voice?”
[This service is not supported by the connected capsule. We recommend upgrading your device or purchasing paid content.]
‘-… … This is…’
That’s why this capsule was dirt-cheap.
“Would you give me the information I need to hear?”
[At initial setting, 1% sense of experience. You have chosen a warrior-type body that values strength. Since the status window has changed, it is recommended to check and apply the undistributed points.]
I opened the status window following the helper’s guidance. A small window opened and a few numbers appeared. There was strength, agility, wisdom, and contribution.
These numbers were simple, but applying them was complex as it involved a lot of variables.
There are only three types of classes for travellers in the new century. Each specialising in one of the three attributes. Strength-based Warriors, Agility-based Thieves and Wisdom-Based Wizards.
However, learning skills are not restricted by class. Even as a Wizard, it is possible to learn skills from other classes.
Therefore, it is said that the number of combinations is infinite.
High ranked players have their own secret combinations.
My current sensitivity is 1%.
Looking at the status window, my numbers were simply displayed.
{Strength: 5. Agility: 5. Wisdom: 5. Contribution: 0. Additional points: 10.}
However, if the sensitivity is increased, the anatomy of the human body is displayed instead of a simple window, and each number is displayed in detail to the decimal point for each muscle part.
Using the high sensitivity option, it is possible to apply points to certain parts of the body and strengthen the muscles of that certain part. This too was one of the secrets of [New Century] that most people were unaware of.
Although there is an automatic distribution function for those who aren’t sure about where they should put their points.
In the past, Taejin said. “The difference between the beginner and High Ranker is experience, the difference between a High Ranker and the High Ranking Master is the Mastery of skills”.
So in the end.
‘-Knowledge is power’
