"Hmm? All races are good… but the Byuma is more interesting than the rest," he whispered.
'If the game can really simulate animal traits this precisely, then it's worth testing.'
"I'll choose Byuma."
A large status screen materialized behind Administrator Alice.
—————
/ Byumas /
Byumas present a largely human silhouette softened by a suite of animal features that mark their tribal heritage. They stand roughly human height with muscular, athletic builds and humanlike hands, but several distinct bestial traits are woven into their form. Kharun Vale is the principal Byumas settlement, a ring of stout longhouses and raised platforms built among wind‑scarred plateaus and thorned scrublands. They revere Albus, the God of Magic, as the source of their clan rites and the raw, untamed sorceries they channel in battle. Clan shamans and rune‑carvers invoke Albus to temper feral power into controlled bursts, inscribe warding marks on weapons, and lead seasonal rites that bind luck and storm to the hunt.
Choosing this race grants +5% Affinity with byuma NPCs.
[ Notice ] Maximizing NPC affinity may activate hidden quests, grant exceptional rewards and legendary equipment, and could unlock a unique race class.
[ Race Specific Passive: Feral Momentum ]
+8% Attack Damage; +8% Critical Damage; +6% Movement Speed
[ Unique Skill: Albus' Blessing ]
God of Magic, Albus watches those under his care with a careful eye. Certain conditions can draw his attention.
Progress: 0.00%
—————
"Player Ji‑ho chooses the Byuma race. Would you like to continue?" Alice asked.
"Yes."
"The Byuma race consists of many tribes. Your appearance will be chosen at random. Still, would you like to continue?"
"Yes."
A female AI voice chimed as a pop‑up screen appeared.
[ Player 'Ji‑ho' chose the Byuma race … ]
"Please choose your desired Class."
A list of classes appeared in front of him. [ Please check the Auxiliary Volume explaining all the basic classes and their stats distribution. ]
Ji‑ho's eyes narrowed at the glowing list. His mind sharpened, dissecting each option.
'Efficiency requires elimination. Weaknesses first. Strengths are irrelevant if the flaws outweigh them.'
"What's the least popular class right now?" Ji‑ho asked, his eyes never leaving the glowing screen.
"According to our database, the least popular class is Spellweaver. Only 2% of registered players worldwide have chosen it."
Ji‑ho's expression remained flat. 'So this Alice can answer a question. Interesting.'
"What does Spellweaver do?" he asked.
Alice's tone shifted into explanation mode.
"Spellweavers are support magicians who specialize in debilitating enemies. They excel at curses, debuffs, and battlefield control. Alone, they are fragile but in a party, they can cripple opponents, reduce defenses, and manipulate combat flow. Their strength lies not in raw damage, but in weakening foes so allies can strike decisively."
Ji‑ho's gaze remained steady as he pondered. He studied the options with steady focus, reducing them to their most fragile points.
'Warrior and Guardian — too obvious. Archer and Musketeer — fragile. Sorcerer — unsustainable. Shaman and Paladin — mediocre balance. Priest — dependency risk. Assassin — very unstable. Spellweaver — fragile, but efficient in manipulation, crowd control, party synergy.'
His lips pressed into a thin line.
'That aligns with my preference: control from the backline, dictating flow without wasted effort.'
Without hesitation, he decided, "Spellweaver. I'll take that class."
Alice's eyes flickered, her tone adjusted slightly as she spoke. "Few players dare to choose Spellweaver. Its fragility makes it unpopular, and many underestimate its potential. Only 2% of registered players worldwide have taken this path."
Ji‑ho's expression didn't change. 'Unpopular means underestimated. That suits me. Efficiency thrives in what others ignore.'
Alice continued, speaking calmly and choosing each word with care. "Spellweavers specialize in curses and debuffs. Alone, they are vulnerable. But in a party, they can cripple enemies, dictate tempo, and open countless strategies. It is a class of manipulation, not brute force."
Ji‑ho's gaze remained fixed on the screen. "Then it's decided."
[ Player 'Ji‑ho' chose the Spellweaver class … ]
Ji‑ho stayed resolute with his decision.
Alice regarded him with her usual composure, though her words carried a faint edge of emphasis.
"Very well. The Spellweaver class has been confirmed. From this point forward, your path is bound to manipulation and control. Remember — fragile alone, but decisive in a party."
'Fragile, yes. But fragility is irrelevant if control is absolute. Efficiency lies in dictating the flow, not brute force.'
The system's voice followed, mechanical yet solemn, "Class confirmed... Passive skills will be calibrated based on personal data."
"Height, gender, and exact appearance will remain the same inside the game. Talents, skills, and the innate nature of the player outside the game will be scanned and evaluated by the system. These scanned data will then be converted into appropriate passive skills to aid the player in their journey through Phantasy Realm. Changing gender is not possible. Changing the registered in‑game name is also not possible."
Alice continued, "Your name, class, and level will be visible to others. However, under certain conditions, you may conceal your level. This option is rare, requiring specific items or administrator approval. Use it wisely."
"Are there any more questions?"
'I really don't have any more questions.'
"None."
"Very well. For the final step, the system will now scan your personal data. Would you like to begin the evaluation?"
Ji‑ho's gaze remained steady, "Yes."
[ Scanning … ]
[ Calibrating … ]
[ Scanning Complete! ]
—————
[ Player Information ]
Name: Kim Ji-ho
Talents and Skills: Excels in fencing, Taekwondo, musical genius, pudding connoisseur.
Nature: Apathetic, Calculative, Detached, Intelligent, Charming, Resilient, Innate Sociopath, Suspicious
Background: Born into the wealthy Kim family, Ji‑ho is the only son of the current president of South Korea. He grew up in privilege, surrounded by bodyguards, yet his life was marked by tragedy. His mother passed away when he was still young, leaving a void that shaped his cold and detached nature. Despite his father's immense power and expectations, Ji‑ho carried the weight of loss quietly, never allowing it to show in public.
Education: Enrolled at C Academy, an elite private school known for producing South Korea's top scholars and leaders. Ji‑ho consistently ranked at the top of his class, excelling in academics, music, and martial arts. His brilliance earned admiration from teachers, but his aloof personality and clinical detachment kept him isolated from most peers.
—————
'Pudding connoisseur? What kind of bizarre talent is that…'
Ji‑ho's eyes narrowed, his chest tightening as he read the glowing text. Restlessness broke through his usual composure. "How do you know all of this?" he demanded, his voice sharper than before.
Alice's tone remained calm, deliberate. "This is the result of a system scan. Nothing more."
Ji‑ho pressed further, "You're telling me the system can see my family, my school, even my mother … and it's just a scan?"
Alice did not waver. "Yes. It is restricted data. The system only evaluates what is necessary for conversion. No further information can be disclosed."
Ji‑ho's lips tightened into a thin line. His suspicion lingered, but Alice's unwavering insistence left no room for argument.
"I understand," Ji‑ho finally relented, though his eyes remained sharp with suspicion.
Alice, resolute in her stance, offered no further explanation. Her calm insistence made it clear that the matter would not be discussed.
"Analysis of data completed. Would you like to begin the conversion?" Alice asked.
"Yes."
Ji‑ho's gaze lingered on the screen, suspicion gnawing at him even as the pop‑up windows surrounded him with glowing text.
[ Converting … ]
[ Calibrating … ]
[ Conversion Complete! ]
[ 8 Passive Skills and 1 Unique Skill converted! ]
A golden shimmer pulsed around Ji‑ho, the light folding inward until it condensed into a single, hovering interface. Eight glowing panels rotated slowly in front of him, each etched with runic text.
Ji‑ho narrowed his eyes. 'So this is what the system calls "passives"…'
With a flick of his hand, the first panel expanded.
—————
[ Passive Skill: Cold Resolve ]
Your emotions are locked away, granting resistance to fear, charm, and confusion.
Effect: Grants resistance to fear, charm, and confusion effects. Emotional suppression increases focus in battle
Permanent Buff: +50 Max HP, +0.5/s HP Recovery
Character Points: 1,500CP
—————
Ji‑ho smirked faintly. 'Figures. Even the system knows I don't bend easily.'
The second, third and fourth panel unfolded.
—————
[ Passive Skill: Calculative Mind ]
Your analytical nature reduces your skill cooldowns.
Effect: Permanent cooldown reduction scaling with level
● Reduces skill cooldowns by 0.5% every 5 levels, capped at 15% at Level 150.
Permanent Buff: +30 Max MP, +0.5/s MP Recovery
Character Points: 1,300CP
—————
[ Passive Skill: Arcane Precision ]
Your spells strike with surgical accuracy.
Effect: Spell critical strike chance scales with level.
● +0.5% Critical Rate every 2 levels.
● Capped at 20% Critical Rate at Level 80
Permanent Buff: +5 Magic Damage, +2% Critical Damage
Character Points: 1,200CP
—————
[ Passive Skill: Arcane Footwork ]
Your rhythm and movement enhance casting stability.
Effect: Permanent Movement Speed scaling with level.
● +0.5 Movement Speed every 2 levels.
● Capped at +20 Movement Speed at Level 80
Permanent Buff: +5 Magic Damage
Character Points: 1,200CP
—————
Ji‑ho brushed through the remaining panels, his fingers moving with detached precision.
—————
[ Passive Skill: Musical Genius ]
Your mastery of rhythm extends your skill buff/debuff duration.
Effect: +20% buff/debuff duration when casting supportive or control skills
Permanent Buff: +5 Magic Damage, +2% Heal Rate
Character Points: 800CP
—————
[ Passive Skill: Pudding Connoisseur ]
Your love for sweets has given you an advantage!
Effect: Restores +2% HP and MP when consuming food items; rare chance to gain "Sweetened Focus" (+5% INT)
Permanent Buff: +20 Max HP, +20 Max MP
Character Points: 500CP
—————
[ Passive Skill: Arcane Suspicion ]
You detect hidden magical effects and disrupt enemy spells.
Effect: Passive detection of hidden magical effects, illusions, and enemy buffs.
Permanent Buff: +5 Magic Damage, +2% Critical Damage
Character Points: 1,000CP
—————
[ Passive Skill: Inherited Charisma ]
Your presence sways others, increasing persuasion success.
Effect: +10% success rate in negotiations and persuasions on NPCs
Permanent Buff: +2% Heal Rate, +1% Double Attack chance
Character Points: 1,000CP
—————
The interface pulsed violently, brighter than before. Ji‑ho had brushed through the eighth panel when a new notification suddenly erupted across his vision.
—————
[ Achievement Unlocked! ]
Title: Master of Innate Potential
Condition: Obtain more than 6 passive skills during character creation.
Reward: +250 Max MP, +5% Critical Damage, Random Special Skill
Character Points: 2,000CP
—————
Just as the glow began to fade, the interface flared again — sharper, more unpredictable.
[ Random Special Skill Generated! ]
—————
[ Special Skill: Fake Mimic ]
Type: Special (Randomized)
Categorization: Special
Rating: F (Upgradeable through repeated usage)
Effect: Allows the user to replicate a party member's skill, including its damage type (magical or physical)
Damage: Fake Mimic Damage = (Copied Skill Base Damage + Users' Relevant Attack) × Mimic Efficiency
Mimic Current Efficiency: 0.8x
Mana Cost: 2× the original skill's MP cost
Cooldown: 240 seconds
Character Points: 5,000CP (Increases through higher rating)
Special Note: Increase in rating greatly improves Mimic Efficiency, reduces Mana Cost, and shortens Skill Cooldown.
—————
Ji‑ho's eyes widened, his usual calm expression breaking for the first time. 'What…? A mimic? The system is giving me the ability to copy others?'
The phantom glyphs of Fake Mimic had barely dissolved into Ji‑ho's body when the interface pulsed again — heavier, darker, almost oppressive. A new panel forced itself open.
—————
[ Unique Skill: Gluttony ]
Type: Storage / Absorption
Categorization: Unique
Rating: F (Upgradeable through usage)
Current Storage Capacity: 0/1
Effect: Grants the user the ability to absorb monster skills upon defeating or weakening them
● Absorbed skills are stored in a Gluttony Archive, a hidden reservoir accessible only to the user
● Stored skills can be recalled and cast as if they were his own, but at reduced efficiency depending on rating
Failure Chance: Absorption attempts may fail depending on the skill's rarity and the user's current Gluttony rating
Storage Capacity: Limited number of absorbed skills, increasing with rating
Mana Cost: 1.5× the original skill's MP cost
Cooldown: 30 seconds for each stored skill
Rating Progression: F
● Storage Capacity: 1
● Success Rate: 30% absorption success rate
● Efficiency: 70% of original skill power
Character Points: 5,000CP (Increases through higher rating)
Special Note: The higher the rating, the greater the storage capacity, the higher the success rate of absorption, and the stronger the efficiency of recalled skills.
—————
Ji‑ho read the description in silence, his expression hardening. 'Absorb monster skills… store them… recall them later.'
For a moment, his composure cracked. Shock flickered across his face — not from fear, but from the sheer audacity of the system.
'It's not enough that it knows me. Now it wants me to devour others. To carry their power like trophies.'
On an impulse, Ji‑ho thrust his hand toward Alice, crimson glyphs spiraling into existence. The Gluttony Archive extended outward, inching toward Alice.
[ Unique Skill: Gluttony — Absorption Attempt ]
Target: Administrator Alice
[ Absorption Failed — Rating F ]
[ Storage Capacity: 0/1 ]
The light died instantly.
Alice's gaze sharpened, "What do you think you're doing?"
Her tone was flat, but the sudden chill in her words was undeniable. Ji‑ho froze, his breath caught in his throat. For the first time, the administrator's composure felt dangerous.
He lowered his hand slowly, "… I wanted to see if it worked."
Alice's eyes narrowed, her expression unreadable. "Gluttony is not a toy. It is a system function designed for monsters, not administrators. Attempting to use it on me is reckless. Do it again, and the system will not forgive you."
His voice came out clipped, almost dismissive,"… It's not possible."
Alice brushed his reply aside without hesitation, "Of course it isn't. The system does not allow Gluttony to touch administrators. Remember that."
Her gaze held him for a moment longer, then shifted away, as if the attempt was beneath her notice.
Without giving Ji‑ho the chance to respond, the administrator's interface flared again, projecting a new panel before his eyes.
—————
[ Character Points System ]
Current Total: 20,500CP
Function:
● Character Points increase as skill ratings improve
● CP serves as a measure of progression, unlocking advanced features and hidden system functions
● Higher CP thresholds grant access to rare upgrades, passive conversions, and unique skill evolutions
Special Note:Every increase in skill rating contributes directly to your Character Points. CP is the foundation of your growth.
—————
Alice's gaze remained cold, "Do not mistake this for generosity. The system tracks your evolution. Every skill you use, every rating that rises, feeds into your Character Points. That is the measure of your worth."
Before a word could escape Ji-ho's mouth, Alice's voice cut through the silence, "That if there's no more question, you will be brought to Silestal Town."
The fog thickened until it consumed everything, swallowing Alice's form completely. Her voice lingered in the emptiness, calm yet chilling, "Player Ji‑ho, I wish your success in your adventure. Until next time."
The words echoed in the silence, and Ji‑ho felt goosebumps crawl across his skin. A realization struck him. From the very beginning, the administrator had never once used his chosen player name. She had always addressed him directly as Ji‑ho.
His eyes widened, 'No… it can't be. My alias was Shade. That's what I registered.'
Instinctively, he reached out to the player information screen to appear. But the void collapsed around him too quickly. The blackness swallowed everything, cutting him off before the panel could respond.
It was too late.
Ji‑ho stood suspended in the emptiness. He couldn't verify it, couldn't prove it but the truth was already carved into his mind.
'The system knows me. Not the mask. Not the alias. Me.'
Then, without warning, the darkness shattered, replaced by the sound of water trickling and faint chatter in the distance. Ji‑ho blinked, disoriented, and found himself beside a stone fountain at the center of a bustling town square.
Before Ji‑ho could even react, a pop‑up screen shimmered into view before his eyes.
—————
[ System Notification ]
Location: Silestal Town — Starting Hub
Silestal Town was founded generations ago at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, its central fountain built over a natural spring said to carry faint traces of magical energy. Merchants and adventurers alike settled here, turning the town into a bustling hub where newcomers begin their journeys.
Functions Available:
● Fountain of Recovery: Restores HP/MP instantly.
● Market District: Purchase basic gear, potions, and supplies.
● Training Grounds: Practice skills and test combat efficiency.
Special Note: Progression begins here. Character Points will accumulate as skills evolve.
—————
Before Ji‑ho could even react, another pop‑up forced itself into view.
—————
[ Divine Intervention Detected! ]
[ The God of Magic, Albus was extremely satisfied seeing your remarkable stats ]
—————
[ Unique Skill: Albus' Blessing ]
God of Magic, Albus watches those under his care with a careful eye. Certain conditions can draw his attention.
Progress: 8.00%
—————
[ The God of Magic, Albus acknowledged you as a candidate to inherit his power ]
—————
[ Unique Skill: Albus' Blessing ]
God of Magic, Albus watches those under his care with a careful eye. Certain conditions can draw his attention.
Progress: 13.00%
—————
[ The God of Magic, Albus wants you to accept his quest ]
[ Would you like to accept his quest? Upon accepting, progress will rapidly increase ]
—————
Ji‑ho's eyes widened, goosebumps prickling across his arms. "…What in the world…"
The divine panel hovered, pulsing faintly, waiting for his choice.