Chapter 37

On the day of the graduation ceremony.

All the trainees had gathered in the auditorium. While our party was just feeling like the graduation ceremony had finally arrived, most of the other trainees were sitting with anxious expressions.

‘Well, it’s because they have nowhere to go after the ceremony.’

Most of them probably have nowhere to go.

It would be fortunate if they received offers from medium-sized clans, but those who only received offers from completely unknown clans or didn’t receive any offers at all must be extremely nervous right now.

After the graduation ceremony, the time they spent at the training facility might feel like heaven. Most of them are now in a position where they have to worry about their next meal and a place to sleep.

After some time passed, Kang Seong-jun appeared on the stage.

“Hello, trainees. The three months at the training facility have already passed. Now, you will live as proper players, not as trainees.”

“I believe there’s no need to talk further about the basic knowledge required to survive in this world, as we’ve already taught you. Instead, let’s talk about something else.”

At the mention of ‘something else,’ the trainees began to focus on Kang Seong-jun’s words.

“Whether you are active in a party or a clan, you will inevitably go on expeditions. Be it large-scale or small-scale expeditions.”

I also listened intently to his words because I had many questions about expeditions.

“Expeditions are never easy. They are dangerous because you have to risk your life. That’s why individuals or parties often avoid expeditions.”

Of course, that’s natural. If you join a clan, the clan will send you on expeditions suitable for your level, but if you’re active as an individual or in a party, there’s no way to distinguish that.

“So, many avoid expeditions, don’t build up their strength, and end up on the streets as their money dwindles. Or they settle in slums or become outlaws. A lot of cases fall into this category.”

Most of the people here will probably end up like that.

“What I want to say is… don’t be afraid of expeditions. If you fear expeditions and activities on this continent, you won’t achieve anything. Not even basic living.”

“If you’re really afraid of going on expeditions… even large or medium-sized clans, or even the country, hire laborers, so do some odd jobs. You must contribute to society. Otherwise, it’s just death.”

Among those listening to Kang Seong-jun, those who didn’t receive clan offers seemed to realize the reality they faced, as their eyes began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Also… I’ve mentioned this a few times during training. There are outlaws on this continent. They are foreigners like us.”

‘They target or kill people and steal their property rather than going on expeditions or fighting monsters.’

“Well, you can call them outlaws or criminals, but I’ll call them outlaws. One piece of advice: never associate with outlaws.”

“…….”

“Outlaws especially need to be cautious around people like you. They often target newcomers.”

I’ve heard that there are clans formed by these outlaws or criminals.

No surprise, Kang Seong-jun began to explain this.

“There are clans formed by outlaws. These guys usually don’t operate in cities but outside. Sometimes they even operate in areas with monsters.”

“Most of the criminal groups formed by these guys are weaker than the large clans in the city… but there’s one. A very dangerous criminal group. The problem is that we still don’t fully understand this group. We know they exist, but we don’t even know the group’s name or who their leader is.”

All the trainees seemed shocked by the fact that even the Clan Master of the Hwashin Clan only knows of their existence but not their name.

Even I was no exception.

‘… Even Kang Seong-jun doesn’t know?’

Kang Seong-jun is a top-tier powerhouse in this world and the Clan Master of one of the three major clans.

If Kang Seong-jun hasn’t fully grasped it, it’s highly likely that other large clans haven’t either.

If Kang Seong-jun says it’s a very dangerous group, it’s highly probable that they are organized by outlaws with military power comparable to top-tier players.

I glanced at Seo Yoo-ju’s expression, and it was very complicated.

‘… Does she know?’

As a Returner, Seo Yoo-ju is likely to know something about that group. No, beyond that, there must be a reason she returned, so it’s highly probable that this criminal group will hinder her path in the future.

“And I will give you all a clear warning.”

At the word ‘warning,’ everyone’s attention focused.

“Never become an outlaw. Outlaws are not treated as humans on this continent. Meeting an outlaw results in immediate execution, and since they are wanted, they can’t operate in cities.”

Everyone was overwhelmed by Kang Seong-jun’s forceful words.

“Outlaws are never forgivable. If anyone here becomes an outlaw and faces me…”

Gulp.

Someone swallowed hard.

“You will regret being alive.”

Everyone was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere that not even a breath could be heard for several tens of seconds. Kang Seong-jun relaxed his expression and spoke.

“Hmm… Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. I’ll take a few questions and then conclude the graduation ceremony. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

Now that they were no longer trainees, realizing that the opportunity to ask questions was gone, a few people raised their hands and began to ask Kang Seong-jun questions.

“I have a question about the outlaws you mentioned earlier. You said they target newcomers like us. Could you tell us how they target us?”

Good question. The person asking seemed to be a male around my age. He seemed sharp and likely to survive long.

Curious, I opened his status window.

[ Name: Shin Yu-cheol ]

[ Age: 25 ]

[ Occupation: Intermediate Assassin (Rare Grade) ]

[ Title: None ]

[ Unique Traits ]

Poison King (Legend Grade) – Possesses a natural talent for poison. Has a deep understanding of various poisons.





This increases tremendously. You receive a high bonus for all actions involving poison.

[Traits]

Intermediate Dagger Proficiency (Rare Grade) – Slightly increases understanding of dagger techniques.

Basic Dagger Throwing (Common Grade) – Slightly improves understanding of dagger throwing.

Basic Trap Disarming (Common Grade) – Slightly increases understanding of trap disarming.

Tracking (Common Grade) – Can track traces of people or monsters.

[Stats]

Strength – 28 Agility – 30

Stamina – 25 Luck – 20

Magic – 09 Resistance – 15

“…Huh. Was there someone like this?”

Probably because the lectures were completely different, it seems I never encountered him.

Yoo Ju is a Returner, so she’s an exception, but this guy definitely has talent that puts him in the upper echelons, if not the very top. He probably received offers from large clans, or at least mid-sized ones.

Kang Seong-jun’s eyes lit up as he answered the man’s question. It seems Kang Seong-jun also noticed that the man was capable.

“That’s a good question. They usually don’t target people openly. For example, let’s say you’re heading to a dungeon for an expedition. In that case, they usually start by pretending to be victims or ambushing you stealthily.”

“Pretending…?”

“They might say they’re being chased by someone or that their comrades died in the dungeon and only they survived, using excuses to ask for help and evoke sympathy.”

“……”

“Usually, newbies haven’t completely shaken off their habits from Earth, so they easily fall for these sympathy-inducing tactics. They target you when you approach to help or when you’re asleep.”

“Are there other cases?”

“Of course. There are many cases, but… it would take too long to explain them all, so let’s leave it at that.”

“……”

“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is… outlaws use a wide variety of methods to target newbies. Be as suspicious as possible when you encounter strangers.”

This time, a woman raised her hand and asked a question.

“Um… c-can we receive training again? At the training facility…”

‘…She’s going to die early.’

She probably didn’t receive any offers. As expected, her status window didn’t show anything impressive.

This question seemed to catch Kang Seong-jun off guard, as he subtly frowned before answering.

“That’s not possible.”

“Ah…”

Immediately, another woman raised her hand and asked.

“I heard that this training facility opens when new foreigners arrive on the continent. So, how often do newbies usually come in?”

“Usually once a year. Sometimes it takes two years.”

“Huh… Is there some rule for coming in every two years?”

“No. The tutorial itself is held every year. However, there’s only one case where the training facility doesn’t open.”

“…?”

“If no one clears the tutorial, the facility doesn’t operate that year.”

‘Huh… So there are cases where no one clears it?’

This was news to me. Thinking about it, it made sense.

Even as we cleared dungeons, we felt that the tutorial’s difficulty was abnormal.

People seemed shocked to hear that there are cases where no one clears the tutorial.

“Usually… the average time to clear the tutorial is 40 to 50 days. You guys cleared it very quickly, but normally, even the fastest take at least a month. I’ve never seen anyone take more than two months.”

Now I understand why everyone was so surprised when they saw our party three months ago. With the average time being that long, it made sense for them to react that way since we cleared it in less than a month.

“Anyway, if there are no more questions, I’ll conclude the graduation ceremony. Congratulations on successfully completing the training facility.”

Amidst the applause, Kang Seong-jun stepped down from the podium, and various clan representatives came to pick up their new recruits.

There were so many people that it was incredibly noisy. As we waited a bit, the Eternity Clan Master approached us and greeted us.

I had seen her before, but her overall image was that of a mature woman with striking blonde hair.

“Nice to meet you, little chicks. Welcome to my clan. You won’t regret choosing the Eternity Clan.”

I opened her status window.

[Name: Gu Yeon-jeong]

[Age: 34]

[Job: Empress of Lightning (Legend Grade)]

[Titles: Empress of Lightning, Baronia’s Light Year]

[Unique Traits]

Power to Summon Lightning (Legend Grade) – Can imbue weapons with lightning. Greatly increases affinity with lightning attributes. Permanently increases Agility by 4 and Stamina by 4.

[Traits]

Sabre Mastery (Legend Grade) – Greatly increases understanding of sabre techniques.

Overcharge (Legend Grade) – Temporarily reduces Stamina by 3 and increases Strength, Agility, and Magic by 3. Also envelops the body in lightning, not just weapons.

[Stats]

Strength – 90 Agility – 92

Stamina – 88 Luck – 65

Magic – 87 Resistance – 82

‘She’s strong.’

Definitely stats befitting a clan master of one of the top three clans. She’s on par with Kang Seong-jun and Yoon Yeon.

My party and I greeted her. She seemed genuinely happy to have recruited us, smiling brightly as she spoke.

“Our clan house is located in a city called Runde, not too far from here. I’ll guide you there.”