Chapter 2 (2/2): Top Ranker’s Second Life Begins

It’s impressive enough that the ruler of the underworld came here in person.

It just shows how much Jason values information about the possessors and cares about their relationship.

“I’m off. By the way, I saw those kids calling you a pushover again earlier.”

“Mind your own business.”

“Sometimes you should get angry, threaten them or something. That’s how you stop being called a pushover.”

“I told you, I’m a nonviolence advocate.”

Jason chuckles at Hio’s answer and waves his hand.

“Fine, do as you like. I’ll be back soon, so see you then.”

With that, Jason’s figure fades and disappears.

‘No matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing.’

He knows it’s some kind of spatial trait and stealth skill, but the exact conditions are a mystery.

Even in the game, there were only rumors about him—it was extremely rare to meet Jason face-to-face.

“Phew… everyone else must have gotten way stronger in these two years.”

The only one standing still is himself.

And it’s all because of this Hidden Trait he got for being ranked #1.

“…Status window.”

[Name: Hyunseung Lee (Jon☆Heavenly Demon★)]

[Strength: 10]

[Agility: 10]

[Stamina: 10]

[Mana: 10]

What stands out is how his stats haven’t changed a bit in two years.

Since Ventair doesn’t have levels, you have to build fame and achievements to get points to increase your stats, but that’s impossible for Hio.

Next, his Hidden Traits catch his eye.

[Main Trait: Genius of Mana Resonance]

[Sub Trait: Cannot Live Without Style!]

[Support Trait: Everything is Doubled!]

[Hidden Trait: Violence is Forbidden! (Patience: 721 / 1000)]

“…Damn it.”

Then there’s that patience stat next to it.

Two whole years.

He’s tried everything imaginable to build up his patience over those two years.

But… he has so little to work with, and if anything he does is judged as violence, all the patience he’s gathered will be reset.

Even a small mistake will result in the loss of all his skills.

He has no choice but to be careful.

If his skills are deleted, it’s really over.

And even if he fills up his patience, what’s the point if he has no skills to evolve?

But at this stage, he can’t even get new skill books… It’s all so hopeless.

After two years, he’s only managed to gather about 721 points.

It seems to rise faster if he endures or suppresses his anger, but it’s not easy to create those situations.

Even traveling is difficult.

If he runs into a monster…

There are only two choices: die, or lose all his skills.

‘Still, maybe I can fill it up in another year or so.’

Just hang on a little longer.

“Because of my traits, even using skills isn’t easy.”

He was randomly given three basic skills.

Normally, you develop these basic skills or combine them if they’re compatible.

If they don’t suit your traits, you can build fame and achievements to buy skill books that fit better.

Hio also received three basic skills:

[Skill: Spark]

[Skill: Triple Strike]

[Skill: Physical Acceleration]

They’re as basic as basic gets.

But there’s a problem…

[Sub Trait: Cannot Live Without Style!]

The sub trait.

Its effect is to make skill effects dramatically flashier.

But that’s not all.

[Support Trait: Everything is Doubled!]

This support trait, which would’ve been a jackpot on its own, doubles even the sub trait’s effect, making his already flashy skills twice as spectacular.

To put it simply, they’re ridiculously over-the-top.

The first time he tried using ‘Triple Strike’ without thinking, he was shocked.

Triple Strike is a skill where you strike quickly three times with any weapon.

He’d used it on the Test Server before, so he just picked up a branch and tried it—almost fainted on the spot.

A giant old man appeared behind him and swung a sword three times with enough force to split a mountain.

Of course, the actual effect was just Hio swinging a branch around, but the old man’s fierce glare and presence were so realistic that even Hio, looking up from below, was scared stiff.

Even though he used the skill a bit outside the village, the villagers were terrified by the appearance of a godlike old man, calling it divine wrath or heavenly punishment, so he had no choice but to seal the skill.

If he used it again, people would probably pack up and leave the village.

“If I could just fill up my patience…”

Slurp.

He can’t help but drool at the thought.

But when he sees his patience stat refusing to rise, he sighs again.

“Sigh… let’s just clean.”

As he keeps sighing and cleaning, he suddenly notices a commotion outside.

In this quiet rural village, it’s rare to hear the rowdy voices of spirited men.

It can only mean one thing.

‘Travelers have arrived.’

Today is the day the village’s only inn, bar, and restaurant can actually make some money.

Hio tosses the rag into a corner and puts on a big smile, ready to greet the travelers.

And soon after—

***

Bang—

The door bursts open as if it might break, and four men stride in.

Men with knife scars on their arms, shoulders, and faces, looking every bit like mercenaries, enter the inn.

“Welcome!”

Of course, the nonviolent Hio bows even deeper to greet them.

The men don’t even glance at Hio as they swagger in and take seats at a table.

“Hey!”

“Yes?”

“Yes? What’s with this dumbass? When customers arrive, you should bring out drinks and food right away!”

“Ah, yes! Please wait just a moment!”

Moving quickly, Hio heads into the kitchen.

His friendly smile vanishes, replaced by a cold expression.

‘Thank goodness the innkeeper isn’t here.’

This isn’t the safe Republic of Korea.

Here, power and strength are everything.

Even a handful of low-level mercenaries like these, if they’re properly armed, you have to keep your head down.

“Haa… Why do we have to come all the way out to this hick town?”

“We had no choice. We need to lay low for a while.”

“Just think of it as a vacation. We can have some fun with the local girls.”

“There are no girls in a dump like this…”

Listening to the mercenaries, Hio frowns slightly.

They seem pretty rotten.

There’s nothing in this small village that could stop guys like them.

There are young men in the village, but they’re few, and the only fighting they’ve done was childish scuffles.

They wouldn’t stand a chance against tough mercenaries with sharp weapons.

And as for himself…

‘Damn it. Nonviolence.’

Violence is forbidden.

After enduring for two years, there’s no way he can throw away all the patience and skills he’s managed to gather.

‘Keep your head down. Keep your head down.’

Forcing a smile, Hio carries food and drinks to the table.

“This is our inn’s best dish! Please enjoy your meal!”

He bows politely and turns to leave—

“Hey, you bastard.”

The meanest-looking of the four mercenaries calls Hio back.

He’s the one with a scar by his eye.

“Yes! Did you call me?”

“Don’t smile, you bastard.”

“Excuse me? I didn’t catch that?”

“…Ha, come here.”

As Hio approaches, the mercenary taps his cheek.

“Don’t go grinning like some woman. Makes me want to kill you.”

His voice is low and full of bravado.

Even knowing this, Hio can only stiffen his face and bow his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Not only are they rotten, but they know exactly where they stand.

No matter what kind of guys they are, in this place, they’re the absolute power.

And when their opponent acts submissive, they get even more excited.

They want to test you. Show off.

Show how great they are.

That’s why—

Smack—!

“This bastard really knows how to read the room!”

They slap Hio’s bowed cheek.

“Hahaha! Hey, you’re lucky, you know that!”

Whack—!

And hit him on the back of the head.

“Today we’re in a good mood, so we’ll let it slide. If it was outside, we’d kill you on the spot!”

They keep on mocking him.

“Yes… thank you.”

[Hidden Trait: Violence is Forbidden! (Patience: 722 / 1000)]

Still, Hio endures.

Even as his lips split and bleed, and his cheek burns red.

[Hidden Trait: Violence is Forbidden! (Patience: 724 / 1000)]

Even as his head is struck and he’s forced to bow deeper, even as humiliation washes over him.

[Hidden Trait: Violence is Forbidden! (Patience: 725 / 1000)]

He endures, and endures again.

There’s not much left to go.

But unfortunately, he’s not the only one in the inn.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

A girl intoxicated by her own specialness.

With striking red hair and a beauty rarely seen in the countryside.

That was more than enough to catch the mercenaries’ attention.

And Claire’s eyes were about to turn in a different way.

“You… you… you filthy, rotten scum!”

For a pure girl who’d hardly ever met outsiders, lowlife mercenaries were like villains straight out of a fairy tale.

‘Ah…’

Wiping the blood from his lips, Hio can only sigh.

‘This just got troublesome.’