Floor 2. (Part 2)

—-------------First Person POV—---------------

"Nnghh.." Opening my eyes, I saw a white ceiling and frowned at the light.

I raised my body forward to sit, and think about what happened.

"I, survived…?" I even pinched my thigh to confirm I'm not dreaming. It hurts, but it doesn't prove anything.

I looked around and saw a similar sight. It was the Regular's room while they were taking tests from the 2nd floor, the floor of the Tests.

'I should be alive… Thank god…' Sighing in relief, I recalled my near death experience. It was terrible. I feel so hopeless at the end I can't even do anything.

'I need to get stronger fast!'

Suddenly, a *ding* rang in my mind.

*Ding! [Quest- Survive for 30 minutes.

Mission details: Survive for 30 minutes under the massacre of two powerful participant.

Rewards: 2000 System points. A bottle of [Recovery potion(E)]. Knowledge of Basic Spear Usage.]

*Ding! [Mission completed. Handing out rewards...]

-----

As soon the System notifications rang. An influx of new knowledge about the spear entered my mind.

'This reward is just perfect for my needs!' Definitely important because while I had chosen a spear, I don't know how to use it properly yet. Also, I don't think I'll be receiving spear lessons here.

Most spear-bearers in the Tower specialize in long distance spear-throwing.

But of course, they can still use it for close combat, though secondary. And even if they can, why will they teach me personally? That's a waste of time considering most Regulars don't even pass the floor of tests.

Also, this is more convenient for me since the knowledge is directly imprinted in my mind.

I wanted to try it out immediately, but my aching body prevented me from doing so.

'Guess I'll rest for the whole day then...'

'Five days till the next test... I'll use this time to recuperate and train at the same time...'

I could use the [Recovery potion(E)], but that'd be a waste. I've got five days to recover and surely, my body will be fully rested by then.

With that thought in mind, I laid down and closed my eyes.

-----------------------------

The next day.

After I woke up, I found that my body is still aching, though not as bad as yesterday.

In earth, it's a popular belief that letting your muscles get used to strain together with proper rest is the most effective way of getting muscles.

While I aim only to get stronger, not to get hulking muscles, it's still a process I must go through. But first, learning how to properly wield the spear is the priority.

With that in mind, I immediately started practicing the knowledge ingrained in my mind.

While my mind may know how to wield the spear, my body doesn't. I need to integrate this knowledge into muscle memory in order to properly respond in battle.

Still, the knowledge I acquired are the most basic of the basics, such as; how to properly hold a spear, how to defend, stab, sweep and pierce using it.

The E-rank spear I received was quite heavy, weighing around 18 pounds. But I think it's just the right weight, it'll get easier for me to wield this spear as time passes.

Due to enthusiasm, I trained for the whole morning and only stopped when it's lunch.

At lunch, I went to the cafeteria and ordered a bibimbap. Then sat on an empty seat.

There are some familiar faces dining at this moment too. Shibisu, Hatz, Laure, Rak, Anaak and Khun.

Well, they are not together though. Only Shibisu and Hatz, Khun and Rak are eating together. I don't know the rest of the people. They're most probably fodders during the canon.

Shibisu and Hatz are quite near, they are just on the other table beside mine.

'Hmm... This Bibimbap is honestly delicious...' I've never tried this dish before, but ordered it anyway since I'm curious about its taste.

And while I was dining, someone came beside me while holding plates. It was Shibisu.

"Hello, my name is Shibisu, do you mind if I sit here?" He asked.

'What a social butterfly. He's already dining with Hatz and the others yet he still came here...'

If you ask me, Shibisu is the main reason why Bam befriended all of them. If not for Shibisu going to Bam and asking him to add him to his friends, I doubt they would even interact with each other much. Khun is naturally unfriendly, while Rak treats everyone as prey.

Also, I doubt Hatz would even go ask Bam's team to be his friends if not for Shibisu.

"Sure. My name's Arata, nice to meet you." Then I extended my hand to Shibisu.

He looked at my hand puzzledly.

Then I realized, handshaking might not be a thing here. So I slowly retracted my hand and explained.

"Oh, my bad. It may not be known here. But extending my hand is asking for a handshake, a greeting from where I came from."

Shibisu immediately understood and extended his hand too. "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know about it. Here, take my hand."

"Uh..." Awkward as it may be, I still shook his hand since he offered one as an apology.

Then he settled down next to me, chatting with me while eating.

"I haven't seen you before. You're not from our testing area, are you?" Shibisu asked casually.

"Nah. I came from another testing area. Together with that huge guy and cloaked girl."

"Woah, that's crazy! I heard they killed every regular in that test!" Shibisu exclaimed. It must be unexpected for him since Akryung's team was made popular due to the massacre.

"Yeah, they're crazy. If the test admin hadn't interrupted, I might've been killed by that huge guy." I replied, then took a spoonful of my Bibimbap seemingly nonchalant about the experience.

Well, my cold-blooded ass already forgot that feeling. It'd be more of an exaggeration to fake my emotions.

And being too dramatic about it would just ruin the atmosphere. It's better to keep it casual.

"Great! You're really lucky that a test admin arrived in time! But it must be due to your skills too, holding on long enough for the test admin to save you. If I was in the same place as them, I'd probably be dead already."

"Nah, I think you'd fare better than me in that place. I only hid and avoided them until the last minute, that's why I survived. And looking at your tracksuit, I think you're great with your feet."

Shibisu seemed embarrassed. "A ha ha. Indeed."

I can see why he's a little embarrassed. For him, it was his only strong point, but reality is far from his assumptions. He is one of the most vital team members of their group in the future. He had keen eyes, that's why Khun trusts him the most other than Bam.

"Hey, old man, who's this?" While we're talking, a feminine but tomboyish voice interrupted.

It was Serena Rinnen.

"Ah, he's Arata. I just met him. You should sit with us too now that you're here, old lady." Shibisu replied.

"Who the f*ck are you calling an old lady?!" Annoyed, she exclaimed. Then she sat in front of Shibisu.

----------

After lunch, I walked around the area with Shibisu, Hatz and Serena.

Shibisu and Hatz are already familiar with each other so they arrive and leave together. While Serena tagged along cause she had nothing else to do.

It was just a simple walk around and chat to help in digestion. I still have to continue training after all, and they might also be doing the same.

"By the way, Arata, I didn't see you yesterday at the crown game. Endorsi and the others participated." Shibisu asked.

"I didn't participate. That game's obviously going to attract a lot of people, so Injury is unavoidable. If you don't win the game, and you were injured, then you could possibly fail the real tests. I'd rather take it slow and steady, than make a risky move like that."

Shibisu nodded. "You're right. Hoo, fortunately I wasn't injured then! I was too focused on the rewards and I forgot the risks."

"'Cause you're an idiot, Shibisu. You're the only one excited yesterday, as if you've already won the game. I was surprised you came out unscathed." Hatz said.

I nodded inwardly at what he said. Shibisu was confident about their win because he had Anaak and Hatz in his team.

"I already know, okay?! Stop saying it like that, you make me sound stupid!" Shibisu complained.

"Are you not?" Hatz questioned with a straight face.

"That's right, are you not?" Serena added.

"You can't say that to your teammate, idiot!" Shibisu tried retorting back to Hatz.

"Are you my teammate? Did you forget that teams were disbanded after the Crown game?"

But his plan backfired.

"Hey, I'm still your teammate..."

"No."

"Hey, don't say that..."

---------------

After returning to my room, I rested for half an hour before continuing my training.

Fortunately, the room is large enough after moving the bed and a few things to the corner. If I only swing my spear around normally, I wouldn't have to worry about hitting anything.

*Whoosh* *Whoosh*

Though still a beginner in spear-wielding, I know I'm definitely improving. I just need to master the basics, and everything will eventually follow.

I trained once again till dinner.

And once again, Shibisu ate together with me. Of course, Hatz is there too. Shibisu probably fetched him to eat.

This time around though, there are more familiar people. Endorsi, Rachel, Akryung and Hwa Ryun.

When I saw Endorsi, she also looked at me. She's not as irritable as before, but she's still a snob.

Rachel was trying to get Endorsi as a teammate, so she's accompanying her if possible. And as always, Akryung is just following Rachel around.

Endorsi doesn't seem to care about Rachel. She replies to Rachel's questions half-heartedly and looks like she wasn't interested at all.

After dinner, we separated and went back to our rooms. I didn't sleep immediately, instead I sat on my bed in a lotus position and meditated.

I can't forcefully integrate Shinsu in my body like some Xianxia character, but I feel like I can hasten the process of my body getting used to Shinsu. Though I think it will only be effective for a short period of time, since my body was just introduced to Shinsu and was taking it in and out like a sponge. As if to compensate for the time I spent without Shinsu.

But once my body gets used to it, maybe it'll slow down to a level similar to how people in the Tower normally grow stronger over time. Maybe a bit faster because I'm an Irregular, but I'm not sure, who knows?

I communicated with Shinsu until 10 in the evening before sleeping.

And that ended my second day in the Tower

----------

The next day.

Same as yesterday. After having breakfast, I continued my spear training.

Such a great time to spend. I wasn't able to go out too much in my former life, resulting in me investing my time watching anime and reading light novels in my spare time.

This time, it'll be different. I can experience extraordinary things here, so why would I sit around when I can now adventure like the characters I envied in the past?

So even though I'm always exhausted at the end of the day, the feeling of getting stronger beats my fatigue.

The feeling of accomplishing something, the feeling of learning what you've always wanted to learn. It's just so satisfying.

While training I thought of using the [Training efficiency potion(E)], but decided against it since my training is still too rudimentary and the effects wouldn't be that obvious. It's better to save it up for later, I've already got plans for it.

I also tried using Shinsu, but all I can do for now is to create one simple baang.

'I really need guidance for this... I don't know anything about Shinsu other than superficial knowledge from the original webtoon...'

Fortunately, tomorrow is the start of the next test. The position test.

There we would be divided into our most suitable position in a team.

Position is divided into; Fisherman, Spear-bearer, Light-bearer, Scout, and Wave controller.

Fishermen are the main offense of the battle, Fishermen are to dash into the heart of the enemy force and decimate their forces, usually through physical attacks.

Spear Bearers act like snipers for the team, throwing their spears with deadly accuracy, but they can also serve a purpose similar to the Fisherman's by using their spear like a staff for close-combat. Technically speaking, they take all long-range matters into their own hands.

Light Bearers are responsible for gathering, storing and delivering crucial knowledge to their team-mates while guiding them with the light of their Lighthouse. Light Bearers are usually the most support-oriented position.

Scouts are tasked with reconnaissance, which usually involves running ahead and investigating enemy forces for information, then returning and delivering the intel to the Light Bearers. Additionally, they can help the Fishermen with offense if necessary.

And lastly, Wave controllers.

Wave Controllers are the directors of the battle, aiding their comrades by healing their wounds, annihilating enemy forces or subtly changing the tide of the battle, all through the use of Shinsu. There are many variations in this position.

Like a Wonsulsa, a Wave controller who can create a perfect baang, allowing it to gain more power compared to a normal baang of similar size.

There's also Hwayeomsa and Jeonsulsa.

Hwayeonsa is also called a Flame-user. They are Wave controllers who can create flames from Shinsu currents.

Jeonsulsa is similar to Hwayeomsa, but they create lightning instead of flames.

'Based on my knowledge about Yu Hansung, he'll definitely place me into the Spear-bearer position or Fisherman.'

Why a fisherman? Because Yu Hansung probably already saw the recording of my battle against Akryung and Endorsi.

With his intelligence, he can probably infer my Full counter ability just by seeing it once. Let him see it once or twice more and he'll be certain about its effects.

And Full counter is perfect for close-range combat.

Also, as an Irregular, he might plot against me in order to rope me into FUG to be a slayer candidate.

But that's fine, that'll save me trouble finding someone who can train me. Why bother, when I can train under one of the best teachers out there.

Jinsung Ha.

He's so powerful even FUG Slayers and Elders dared not easily cross him.

Though he's a FUG member, he still has heart compared to other members. The scene of him extending his hand towards Bam and saying 'I'll teach you how to become God' was so symbolic.

Though I'll have to truly join FUG to avoid being threatened like Bam.

Well, that's fine too. I don't really mind joining them, though I won't do as they please. I won't let them control me.