“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”
Raul, in the form of Bae Dohyun, said as he stepped into a small room surrounded by white walls.
“Ah, you mentioned you passed it once in a previous life, right?”
Rabel, who had somehow appeared on Bae Dohyun’s shoulder, looked around in amazement and responded. Given that Raul had been here early in the game in his previous life, over 15 years had passed.
However, for some reason, there was no sign of anyone around. Considering the Tower of Graduation had appeared and a multitude of players had flocked here, it should have been bustling with activity.
“It’s incredibly intricate illusion and space magic. Honestly, even I might have a hard time fully understanding it.”
Rabel said as he adjusted his glasses, examining the magical array with interest. This was to be expected, as the CONNECT system had created this place.
A practically god-like cheating entity wielding near-omnipotent powers. Other players who entered the tower likely entered similar rooms on their own.
Then, words magically appeared on the blank white wall in front of him and a voice was heard.
“Welcome, player, to the Tower of Graduation. Here, you can test the skills you’ve honed in CONNECT.”
Simple explanations appeared on the wall. The tests were broadly categorized into individual and group tests, and further divided into combat and non-combat professions.
The tower had a total of 10 levels of tests, ranging from simple capability assessments to real battles.
“… Based on your player’s attributes, skills, and growth direction, we recommend certain test formats. While you may attempt tests from other classes, please be aware that you may face disadvantages if you are not part of that class.”
After the explanation ended, a message appeared on the magical screen on the wall: “Measuring player’s status. Please wait a moment.”
“Last time, I was recommended the psychokinesis test without hesitation. Wonder what it’ll be this time?”
“Yeah. But this test, don’t you think it might be based on Raul’s original abilities?”
“No way. If that were the case, before even taking the test, I’d be given a message like, ‘You don’t need to take this test, player.’”
He definitely didn’t want to test that out. With so many worthwhile rewards at stake, it would be a huge loss if he were denied the opportunity to even take the test.
Thankfully, such a disaster didn’t occur. However, the content displayed on the screen was far from ordinary.
『Recommended Test List』
Melee Combat. Ranged Combat. Psychic Power. Magic. Summoning. Scouting. Assassination. Crafting. Cooking. Gathering. …..
Almost every profession’s test was densely listed, with an indication to scroll through the screen.
“This seems like…?”
“It’s probably because of the skill compendium. What will you do? It’d take ages to go through all of them.”
Bae Dohyun scratched his head. There were over fifteen hundred skills registered in the skill compendium already. Due to the skill quests, which were randomly set weekly to fill the compendium’s experience, he had managed to reach intermediate level 1 for quite a few non-combat skills as well.
Since he decided not to be selective, he gathered skills from non-combat professions too, which led to the current situation.
“I’ll just complete the crucial ones. There’s no way I can clear all of them, anyway.”
Just because his proficiency was at the intermediate level didn’t guarantee passing the tests. And his goal was not merely passing the tests; it was to obtain rewards from the 『Defeat the Instructor』 event.
Attempting the tests relying on half-baked skills would only waste time. Particularly, there was no reason to bother with non-combat profession tests.
However, before he could dwell on his concerns, a new system message appeared before his eyes. The number of individual test types one can challenge is limited to three. Please choose wisely.
“Heh. No need to worry, then. Let’s start with the psychokinetic ability test. It should be perfect for a warm-up.”
Since he already knew the test content, it wouldn’t take long.
“Raul, don’t forget there’s something you need to obtain this time!”
“I know. I’m not too keen on it, but it can’t be helped.”
As Bae Dohyun shrugged his shoulders, Rabel pouted and disappeared into the compendium.
「You don’t need my help, right? Just call me during that exam.」
Bae Dohyun chuckled to himself, now alone. Anyway, it would be troublesome if Rabel appeared during his main combat tests. He planned to create a video and upload it.
‘Well then, let’s get started.’
Bae Dohyun chose the 『Psychic Ability Test』.
*
Raul, who was climbing the tower at a rapid pace, soon found himself in front of the final level, the 10th floor.
The 1st and 2nd floors tested the basic knowledge and skills required of any player, regardless of their profession.
The 3rd to 5th floors consisted of various basic tests to measure psychokinetic abilities.
The 6th to 9th floors involved practical tests, sparring, hunting, and combat-related examinations using psychokinetic abilities.
Bae Dohyun easily passed these tests by using only psychokinesis suited to a level just above 50 and intermediate proficiency, making it seem effortless.
When the video is eventually released, everyone will be in awe of Bae Dohyun’s textbook strategies.
Finally, the 10th floor.
As Bae Dohyun opened the door, he stepped into a large plaza bathed in sunlight, with a training ring set up in the center.
“Welcome, challenger.”
In the training ring stood a man who appeared to be in at least his mid-40s, waiting for Bae Dohyun. Analyzing him, the instructor’s name was Stefan Lake.
A dual psychokinetic with A-rank Body Strengthening Technique and B-rank Wind Control Technique.
‘The instructor has changed, but the combination of abilities is similar. This would be challenging for a typical psychokinetic.’
Psychic abilities are generally divided into two categories. One is the ‘Enhancement’ type. This includes abilities that enhance or transform the user’s body or objects, typically suited for close combat.
The second type is the ‘Phenomenon Manipulation’ type. These abilities involve manipulating elements like psychokinesis or natural elements, altering and distorting nature.
This type often prefers long-range combat or versatility (utility). Most psychokinetics are specialized in one type, so facing an opponent like the instructor in the training ring, who handles both, can be tough.
Of course, this wasn’t an issue for Bae Dohyun.
“Oh, a player who handles psychokinesis? Given its high versatility, if used well, it can be extremely powerful.”
The instructor nodded approvingly and offered some encouraging words, to which Bae Dohyun subtly bowed in acknowledgment.
“Shall we start right away?”
“Yes, please.”
“Very well, then head to the starting point.”
The training ring was enormous, likely to avoid any spatial disadvantage; it was a giant square almost 200 meters on each side. From one end, the instructor appeared quite small.
And then, a system message appeared before Raul’s eyes.
『 Event Quest: Defeat the Instructor 』
Grade: A
Objective: Defeat the psychokinetic instructor on the 10th floor of the Tower of Graduation
Additional Objective: Win using only ‘psychokinetic’ skills without using any other skills
Restriction: Both player and instructor are fixed at LV50, skill proficiency at intermediate level 1
Rewards: Random Exclusive Equipment Box (A), title (A), Large Amount of Experience, 50,000 Coins
Additional Rewards: Enhanced Effect of Exclusive Skills
‘As expected. The rewards are immense.’
The additional reward especially caught his eye. How much had he benefited from enhancing his psychokinesis in Zeinak’s dungeon?
He had no intention of missing out this time either.
‘I couldn’t obtain it in my previous life, but this time will be different.’
His combat experience was fundamentally different from then. For Bae Dohyun, who had already reached the pinnacle of psychokinetic mastery, being limited to intermediate level 1 posed no issue.
Moreover, he had a secret weapon. As Bae Dohyun pressed the ‘Challenge’ button floating in the air, the duel with the instructor began.
*
“Cough. This is absurd….”
Suspended in the air by Raul’s psychokinesis, instructor Stefan Lake coughed up blood, his voice weakened. His entire body was covered in wounds, and five daggers were embedded up to their hilts.
In stark contrast, Raul appeared unscathed and didn’t look like someone who had just been in a fight.
“Triple? Quadra?”
Incomprehensible words escaped the instructor’s lips.
“Who knows.”
But Bae Dohyun merely smiled enigmatically and didn’t answer.
“I lost. Congratulations, challenger. May your future be filled with blessings.”
With those words, the instructor’s form dissipated like smoke. From the outset, it was a match that couldn’t be won by the opponent. While both had their skill proficiencies restricted, Bae Dohyun wasn’t a typical player who relied solely on his skills.
He was already capable of utilizing abilities beyond the system’s displayed proficiency levels. Moreover, he had the cheat-like “Skill Codex.”
The Skill Codex provided three additional skill slots. Bae Dohyun equipped them with Flicker (B), Quick Reflexes (B), and Gravity Field (B-).
Combining these with his psychokinesis, Raul overwhelmed the instructor completely. Of course, it looked as though he only used psychokinesis and Flicker on the surface, causing the instructor’s misjudgment.
‘That was an appropriate penalty.’
However, if there hadn’t been the restriction of using only psychokinetic abilities, he would have finished even more quickly.
With Bae Dohyun’s nearly master-level swordsmanship, he could have easily defeated a mere body-enhancing psychokinetic, even with the intermediate-level handicap.
Whoosh.
The space of the 10th floor vanished, and Bae Dohyun found himself back in the small room he entered at the beginning. Messages congratulating his graduation and detailing the quest rewards popped up in front of him.
‘I’ll check them later.’
Ignoring the messages, Raul immediately opted to challenge the next test. Naturally, the chosen category was 『Melee Combat』. This test might end even more quickly. Why? Because.
“Master, care to stretch your legs for a bit?”
“Yes. Let’s see what this ‘Tower of Graduation’ is all about.”
Activating the first stage of Regnator, a semi-transparent Caldenas appeared, looking around with interest. He was someone who had been sealed for ages by ‘divine power.’
Hence, he was inevitably curious about the miracles created by the god-like CONNECT system. Bae Dohyun swiftly reached the 10th floor of the tower again.
“Welcome, challenger!”
Once again, a burly knight was waiting for Bae Dohyun in the training ring.
‘As expected, they can’t detect it.’
One of Regnator’s special features was 『Stealthy Predator』. It allowed the armor to absorb the functions of other inferior power armors.
And Raul had fed one of the power armors he obtained during the territorial war and the count’s house civil war to Regnator.
『Durensa D-type Internal Power Armor』
Grade: D
Output: 0.55 CP (Core Power)
Operational Time: 1h/max
Operational Mode: Mana Stone Consumption
Defensive Spells: 3 Circle
Special Features: Power armor worn inside a suit of armor. It’s undetectable from the outside.
Internal Power Armor.
An unusual piece crafted from special materials to conceal the power armor within an exterior armor. It’s effective for exploiting enemy gaps or infiltrating enemy lines without exposure, though it’s mostly obsolete now.
The reason for its obsolescence was its relatively poor performance compared to its high cost. Even the standard F-Grade power armor had an output close to 0.7 CP, whereas this one only had a mere 0.5 CP.
Moreover, its operational time was short, and its defensive field was subpar. While the concept was good, its practicality was severely lacking.
‘But it’s perfect for Regnator.’
Regnator, being a uniquely shaped power armor that didn’t cover the entire body, inevitably stood out wherever it went.
However, by absorbing this piece, it could overcome those drawbacks. Indeed, the instructor standing before Bae Dohyun had no idea he was wearing power armor.
‘They never would have imagined that a player could equip power armor in the first place.’
Why not exploit this blind spot?
And the result was immediately evident. In the ensuing duel with the instructor, Bae Dohyun defeated him effortlessly using only swordsmanship, without relying on any skills.
Even though his level was limited to an expert intermediate level, how could the instructor stand a chance against Bae Dohyun equipped with power armor?
Having cleared the second test easily, only the final test remained for Bae Dohyun.
“At last, it’s my turn.”
The waiting Rabel appeared once again.
(To be continued)