Chapter 3 – That Word

A blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty approached him.

“What is this pig?”

It was a gaze reserved for looking at something loathsome.

Se-min was hurt for a moment, but more than that, he first expressed his shock at this incomprehensible phenomenon.

“Uwaaaaaaaaah!”

Se-min screamed and rushed toward the door.

“Ah, stop squealing.”

“Gack…”

Se-min’s body froze. Even his voice did not come out. An unseen force was binding him.

“What is this, why are you so weak? What is this?”

Se-min’s body floated into the air. With his chubby belly exposed, he was forced to spread his limbs wide toward the woman in front of him.

Se-min was unable to move a muscle and had his entire body scanned by her.

“This makes no sense.”

For the first time, an emotion beyond contempt appeared on her face.

“You are a transcendent? You are just trash. How did you connect? What happened?”

She scanned the floor, picked up a burnt-out fluorescent bulb that Se-min had left lying around, and poked Se-min’s belly with it.

“Hey, fatty. What are you?”

“Uuugh…”

“Speak.”

The force that had been blocking his mouth was released. Se-min coughed.

“Keugh, cough! Wh-who are you! Who are you!”

“Me? Iana.”

She poked Se-min’s cheek with the tip of the fluorescent bulb.

“You were acting so cheeky earlier, but are you scared now that you meet me in person? What are you?”

“I-I’m just a normal person…”

“You said you were a Raider? What is that?”

“That is…”

Se-min explained desperately, trying to somehow continue a conversation that did not fit together.

Her expression grew strange.

“Then try using that aura.”

Suspended in the air and bound by her, Se-min exerted his strength in his own way to manifest aura. It was aura concentration.

Another new expression appeared on Iana’s face.

It was shock.

“Is this… all?”

“Pardon?”

“Are you joking?”

Iana pressed her hand to her forehead and began to giggle. Soon, her laughter grew louder.

At the same time, pure white energy gushed out from her body in streams.

The room shook.

Then, the house began to shake.

Se-min could not believe his eyes. It was an output that could not even be compared to the faint aura concentration he had shown.

Following her will, the aura danced and shook the earth. It was a massive power he had never seen or heard of before.

“You…”

Soon, the earthquake stopped.

Se-min swallowed hard.

Killer intent loomed in Iana’s eyes.

Who was this woman?

Was he really going to die here like this?

How on earth was this situation going to unfold?

It was at that moment.

“Hey! Young man! Are you okay? Wasn’t that an earthquake just now? Are you hurt anywhere?”

It was the landlady of the studio apartments.

Se-min and Iana’s gazes met. Silent looks were exchanged. Soon, the force binding Se-min was released.

Thud!

Se-min collapsed to the floor. That force now wrapped around Se-min’s neck, crawling over his skin. It was a clear threat.

Se-min hesitated before moving to the door and sent the landlady away, saying everything was fine.

He heard the landlady moving around busily. She seemed to be checking all the rooms.

Se-min watched Iana’s reaction.

The mysterious blonde beauty was pondering something with her hand on her forehead. Se-min decided to just huddle in a corner and not disturb her.

“To think I spent all my points because of a piece-of-trash pig like that…”

He huddled even further. He wanted to avoid drawing attention as much as possible, but it was impossible due to his body size.

“Penalty or not, should I just kill him…”

“Excuse me…”

“You, shut up.”

“Yes…”

“Sigh…”

Iana looked at Se-min. Se-min flinched.

“You. Speak. How did you connect?”

“I don’t know well either. I just turned on the computer…”

“What is a computer?”

“Well…”

Se-min tried to explain, but his brain was not working at all.

So he simply pointed.

“That thing.”

Spurred by curiosity, she inspected the computer. Currently, it was connected to the Transcendent Network. She stared at it and tilted her head.

“Is it something like a magic crystal ball of this world?”

“That’s right. Yes.”

“And you just connected?”

“Yes. I don’t know anything. I just thought it was a community site.”

“A community site?”

“Well, it’s something similar to that…”

Se-min explained desperately. Though she did not understand well at first, she seemed to get the hang of it and soon nodded.

“It is a dimension with an incredibly advanced civilization. This is my first time seeing such a place.”

It was her impression.

“So you really know nothing.”

“Yes.”

Looking back, Se-min found nothing peculiar either. It was as if he had been possessed by a ghost, connecting automatically.

“Explain more.”

“I have nothing else to tell you…”

“Just say anything more.”

“Yes…”

Se-min was forced to ramble about this and that, eventually beginning to pour out his life story.

It was a mundane story about how he grew up as an orphan, was taken in by foster parents, discovered his talent by chance, and aspired to become a Raider, but because his aura did not increase, he gave up everything and despaired every day until he stumbled upon the site.

Iana, who had been nodding with her chin in her hand, finally spoke.

“What a boring story.”

“Yes. That’s true.”

“Whatever, it’s time for me to go.”

“Yes!”

Se-min replied in a rigid posture.

In any case, it became clear with her appearance.

The Transcendent Network actually existed.

There were dimensions other than this one, and it was a community where access rights were granted to the true powerhouses of those worlds.

Why was such a site linked to him?

“If you act up on the board anymore, I will seriously kill you.”

“Yes!”

“Write an apology.”

“I understand!”

“Act polite.”

“Of course!”

“And…”

She let out a sigh.

“The world is originally unfair, so stop whining and go outside, kid. You should live like a human. You’ll ruin yourself at this rate. If you don’t have friends, at least write posts on the board.”

“…!”

At that moment, Se-min felt something.

It was a feeling he had not felt in a long time.

Right.

It was warmth.

Although it was a relationship that began with violence and threats, for some reason, he felt as if he had already grown attached to her.

Besides, she was an incredible beauty.

He felt it was a pity to part like this.

“Will I be able to see you again?”

Se-min asked without realizing.

Iana burst into laughter.

“Do you still want to see me after all that?”

“Yes.”

“Tsk tsk.”

She chuckled.

It was an unforgettable, beautiful smile.

“Then, ‘transcend’.”

A transcendent in the truest sense.

It was a message telling him to become a transcendent of a true dimension who could stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

With that, she disappeared beyond the gate.

Se-min sat blankly. The cold wind that had blown from her dimension was still chilling his room.

A single petal had fallen in the room.

It had clearly drifted in from the scenery visible beyond the gate, from the flowers blooming there.

It was a world he had only briefly peeked at, but it was beautiful.

Se-min looked at the Transcendent Network board again.

The transcendents were already chattering about their encounter.

Dragon Lord Imuncazer: Are you two fighting,,,~? Are you okay, Iana,,,~?

Sword Demon Ferzen: Still, they are transcendents lol A fight between a dragon and a tiger will likely occur lol

Death Lord Geherdt: Did she really waste her points and go? What a scary woman.

The Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma: The winner is the truth. Who won?

He grabbed the keyboard with trembling hands.

Iana did not seem to be looking at the board anymore.

“Phew…”

He wrote the title first.

Title: I bow my head in apology to the transcendent hyungs and nunas.

Did he ever expect such a day to come?

That the day would come when he, a keyboard warrior, would get tracked down in real life and have to write an apology.

He typed meticulously, letter by letter.

I will slam my head hard as an expression of apology to my hyungs and nunas…

***

A few days passed.

Se-min laminated the single petal that had drifted in from Iana’s dimension as a souvenir.

That petal served as proof of Iana’s visit and evidence that the Transcendent Network actually existed.

He wanted to commemorate that meeting.

Watching the Transcendent Network all day became Se-min’s daily routine. The method of connection he had figured out was simple.

If he focused his thoughts strongly in front of the computer, the site popped up on its own.

“Kaien? This hyung didn’t visit often, but he posted after a long time.”

Eavesdropping on their conversations, Se-min also learned about their respective life journeys.

“Kaien hyung really went through a lot of hardships too.”

Black Lion Kaien.

He was born the son of a slave, but his soul was not that of a slave.

When his mother was killed by their master, he escaped the mansion and became a mercenary using swordsmanship he stole while taking blows himself. After a desperate struggle, he became the strongest mercenary, the ‘Black Lion’.

Eventually, he returned to his former noble family and slaughtered their entire bloodline to avenge his mother. That family was a martial house renowned as the strongest on the continent.

In this way, Kaien obtained the qualification to access the Transcendent Network.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Kaien hyung! It’s been a long time! Loyalty, loyalty ^^7

Black Lion Kaien: You’re the rookie from back then… Have things been fine in the meantime…

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: I’m always doing great ^^ I heard you had a son, is he doing well?

Black Lion Kaien: Ah… My son… He is healthy. Wait a moment… I shall show you in person.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Gasp~~ No, you shouldn’t. Your points must be precious…!

Black Lion Kaien: ^^

Black Lion Kaien: (photo)

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Wow~~~ He looks exactly like hyung and sister-in-law!! So cute!!

Lee Se-min adapted to the Transcendent Network with his characteristic easygoing nature.

The fact that he was not a transcendent actually seemed to come across as refreshing to the community members.

Title: Hey~~ lol Se-min~~! (Only Se-min look)

Author: Sword Demon Ferzen

No content lol Se-min, leave a comment when you come lol

This was Ferzen, the self-proclaimed continent’s greatest sword master whom he had first seen in the community. Now, he had slammed his head hard, posted an apology, and become a younger brother.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Yes! Hyung!

Sword Demon Ferzen: Quick response~~ Do you only do this all day~? lol Anyway, Se-min, this hyung has something I’m curious about.. lol

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Just say the word. Loyalty, loyalty ^^7

Sword Demon Ferzen: This hyung found a lady I like.. lol

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: And?

Sword Demon Ferzen: I’m asking how to steal a woman’s heart lol

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: No… Hyung, I’m also a guy who has never dated a girl… TT How can you ask me such a thing…

Sword Demon Ferzen: Hey, hey… To be honest, this hyung has no friends.. lol I only slash swords all day, so I have nothing but enemies.. lol Everyone here only knows how to fight… Can’t you, who is at least normal, counsel this hyung a bit~~? TT lol

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: TT If that’s the case! I’ll listen to you!

Grand Wizard Iana: Two peas in a pod showing off. Sigh.

Sword Demon Ferzen: Iana nuna, please quietly hit the back button~~ ^^ lol Since we are talking about private matters lol

Lee Se-min desperately mobilized all his common knowledge of dating to advise him.

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: First, try to shake her heart with an emotional line. Stare at her back, act surprised, and drop a line like, “Huh? Where did your wings go?”

Sword Demon Ferzen: Wings? What do you mean?

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: It’s high-level wordplay, implying that you thought she was an angel.

Sword Demon Ferzen: Wow, you’re amazing lol Are you a Casanova~~? lol

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Then lol the lady will laugh in disbelief. Then immediately straighten your face and say, “Don’t laugh.” You must be expressionless.

Sword Demon Ferzen: Doesn’t the mood turn cold if I straighten my face~~? lol

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Right after that, smile gently and deliver a sweet twist like, “Because your smile makes my heart feel like it’s going to burst,” bam~~!

Sword Demon Ferzen: !!!!!!!!

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: Without stopping, raise your wine glass and throw a follow-up combo like, “Cheers to your beautiful eyes.” Slam it home like that~~!!!

Sword Demon Ferzen: Wow, this guy is no joke~~~? lol Se-min, you’re a playboy, aren’t you? How do you throw such cool lines like that~~~? lol It’s over, it’s over, she has no choice but to fall for it lol

Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min: lolol

Sword Demon Ferzen: Thank you!! If it works out, this hyung will definitely repay you, punk!! lol

Mingle with the transcendents like that, Se-min came to realize one thing.

They were certainly outstandingly talented. They were absurd geniuses. They were people who understood ten things upon seeing one, and realized sword principles and magic even from a gentle breeze in the air. However, that was not all.

Execution capability.

They never postponed anything.

The moment an idea for magic came to Iana nuna, she immediately shut herself in her magic tower to ponder it. Even that half-witted Ferzen hyung, though already the strongest on the continent, swung his sword all day.

In a good sense or a bad sense, they did not run away from reality. They did not abandon themselves to laziness and inertia.

They faced what was before them directly, and if there was work to be done, they did it.

“…”

Se-min’s face, which had been smiling at the monitor, gradually stiffened into an expressionless look.

He stood up from his seat.

The chair, half-broken from supporting his heavy body, squeaked.

“Reality.”

Se-min muttered, looking around the room.

The scenery of a person who had fled from reality unfolded before his eyes.

“Right.”

Se-min nodded.

Like water rising beyond surface tension and soon spilling over.

As he mingled with the transcendents over the past few days, the despair lodged in Se-min’s chest also crumbled.

Tears welled up.

Now, it was time for him to resign himself.

He had to face reality.

“Let’s admit it now.”

Several years had passed since he declared that he would become the world’s best Raider.

Now was the time to admit it.

“I cannot become a Raider.”

He could not become a Raider.

***

Se-min had also once been a boy full of confidence.

When he tested his aura compatibility and was recognized for his Raider qualities, he thought he could do anything.

Though he started at 103, he did not doubt that if he made unceasing efforts, he could multiply that figure several times over and become the world’s best Raider.

In this way, six years passed.

For three years, he trained like crazy.

For three years, he lived as a wreck.

His high confidence had instead turned into poison, eating away at him. Obsession bound his heart.

There was nothing gained. His numerical value was still 103.

He had merely doubled his weight, becoming trash whose only pleasure was holed up in a room helplessly, wasting away delivery food and posting malicious comments on the internet.

Now, he had to face reality.

But how on earth?

He had already come too far.

Habitual helplessness held him back.

He was afraid of the world’s gaze.

He was a coward.

Se-min took out a bottle of soju from the refrigerator.

“Life…”

He took a gulp straight from the bottle. Although he was not good with alcohol, he could not bear the depression unless he drank in this kind of mood.

“If it was going to be like this, they shouldn’t have given me aura in the first place…”

He tried blaming God.

Se-min sat down and turned on the internet. The browser immediately displayed MangoNet. The number one search term was ‘Ahn Seong-jun’ again. He must have hunted some big monster.

No matter where he went, that guy’s name would pop up.

Se-min switched to the Transcendent Network.

A completely different world unfolded.

A world incomparable to the rock bottom where he lived. It was a world of true monsters who could dispose of a guy like Ahn Seong-jun with a single finger.

He envied them.

He also wanted to change.

He wanted to stand tall before the world.

Lee Se-min drank heavily of the soju again. The repulsive sensation of the bitter liquid passing down his throat was actually welcome. It was a sensation fitting for a guy like him.

Se-min clicked the write button.

The intoxication made him sentimental.

Knowing he would regret it, he began to hammer the keyboard.

Title: I want to change…

Author: Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min

***

He met Ahn Seong-jun in high school.

Ahn Seong-jun was part of a bully group, and Se-min was an ordinary student. The point of contact arose after they took the aura compatibility test.

Only two people in the entire school were determined to possess the talent of a Raider.

Having his aura recognized, Ahn Seong-jun began to torment the kids called shuttles even more viciously. He wielded absolute power in school.

Unable to watch any longer, Se-min blocked his way.

A fight broke out.

A fistfight between prospective Raiders.

The result was Lee Se-min’s overwhelming defeat.

He could not defeat Ahn Seong-jun, who had studied martial arts from the start.

He ended up getting beaten and knocked down in front of the girl he had a crush on.

Se-min dropped out of school immediately. He had no interest in studying anyway. He straightaway entered a Raider training facility and trained like crazy.

He wanted to become a true Raider and prove that he was not wrong.

He believed that the one who laughed last was the true winner.

However.

His aura value did not increase.

He clenched his teeth and made efforts. He achieved excellent grades in every field. Still, the most important aura value never changed.

The cursed number 103.

The shackle that always followed him.

No matter how much he practiced, no matter if he learned aura methods from active Raiders, and no matter what kind of special treatments he received, his value did not change.

Still, he did not give up. He exerted himself. He made efforts without resting for a single day. For three years, he poured water into a leaking vessel. He believed that the hole would be filled someday.

Still 103.

He eventually gave up.

Eking out a living with government loans for Raider candidates, he gradually grew accustomed to helplessness.

Now, he could not even remember what his former self was like. The grit that made him charge ahead when he saw something unjust was also gone.

Every time Ahn Seong-jun, that bastard, made a name for himself, his sense of defeat was compounded.

He lacked the confidence to step outside his blanket, let alone his room.

He knew better than anyone else that he had to change. However, the fear in his heart held him back. He would rather have someone beat him up and drag him outside.

He was a coward.

With such a mind, he wrote a post on the Transcendent Network.

After pressing the upload button, Se-min drank the remaining soju in one gulp. Then, he collapsed over the keyboard and fell fast asleep.

***

When he opened his eyes again, it was dawn.

Shaking his head, he fumbled through his hangover and looked at the lit monitor.

He came to his senses.

He remembered posting about his life story while drunk. He held his head in his hands. Why did he do such a thing?

He saw that countless comments were attached.

Title: I want to change… [24]

Author: Unemployed Jobless Lee Se-min

Se-min closed his eyes tightly.

To those who had lived truly rough lives, his lamentations would surely be laughable. The transcendents who had looked upon him kindly must have also learned the reality of the human called Lee Se-min.

How pathetic would the lament of a loser who succumbed to just this level of frustration look to those who crossed borders of life and death to transcend their limits?

Se-min clicked on the post with trembling hands. He intended to delete the post immediately and vanish from the Transcendent Network.

He hesitated before scrolling down to see the first comment.

Sword Demon Ferzen: Se-min… I won’t say much… This hyung lacks points right now… Once I gather enough, I’ll visit, so let’s have a drink together then… lol

Sword Demon Ferzen: If you’re still depressed then, you’ll get scolded by this hyung… Got it~~? lol

Se-min couldn’t help but chuckle. He had thought the man was a bit foolish at first, but he was actually very warm-hearted.

Death Lord Geherdt: Go outside, no matter what. Even if you die, die beneath the sun.

Death Lord Geherdt: No one will drag you outside by force. You are the one who goes out and fights. You have no choice but to overcome it yourself.

Se-min chuckled. It was a bit funny to hear a necromancer who experimented on corpses in a small room tell him to die under the sun.

All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak: For a scoundrel who even spat curses at me to show such a weak side, sigh… Where has that spirit gone? I am disappointed!

All-Knowing Beggar Kim Bong-hak hyung was still sulking. Se-min became glum.

Shadowless Killer Dam Woo-gwang: There is nothing like martial arts for building confidence. Go wield a stick right now. Bear in mind. You cannot become strong without starting.

This was Dam Woo-gwang hyung, whom he had left a malicious comment on first. He had thought the man was chuunibyou at first, but he was as broad-minded as the ocean.

Dragon Lord Imuncazer: Kid,,, life is short,,, anyway, when the time comes and you die, life is over,,, dammit,,, a shitty life,, just slam right into it,,, got it,,,~! This hyung also had a time like yours,,,~!

Dragon Lord Imuncazer: Live hotly,,, aren’t you a man,,,~~!

Not a human but a dragon, and the strongest among them, Dragon Lord Imuncazer. His middle-aged man way of speaking always brought a laugh.

In addition to them, numerous transcendents left comments for him one by one. Even members he didn’t usually see gave him their own encouragement.

Tears welled up for some reason.

He expected ridicule and coldness, but they instead delivered comfort and encouragement.

How long had it been since someone said warm words to him?

Se-min was about to leave a message of gratitude to them.

It was at that moment.

He felt a somewhat familiar sensation.

A chilly wind.

Blew in from behind.

“Uh…?”

At the front of his neck, something sharp was pointed.

No physical form was visible. However, he could clearly feel it. A sharp, intangible energy surrounded him.

This was not something he knew just because he was aura-compatible.

It was a terrible energy that anyone, no matter who, would have no choice but to feel on their skin.

A voice came from behind his back.

[Are you. Unemployed Jobless. Lee Se-min.]

It was a harsh voice that sounded like grinding iron. Just hearing it caused pain to his eardrums.

Lee Se-min nodded, trying not to resist the energy surrounding him.

[Pathetic.]

As the man put negative intent into it, the pressure crushed him.

“Uuuugh…”

Se-min was certain that the man behind him was surely one of the members of the Transcendent Network.

But why on earth had he come?

Ignoring Se-min’s will, the transcendent behind placed a hand on his back. A chilly energy pierced his heart.

For a moment, he thought he was dead.

A blade-like aura passed over his heart.

Se-min trembled, feeling intense pain. The pain gradually intensified. The cold power swirled through his body.

It was a completely different sensation from when Iana scanned his body. While she had only measured his aura, this power felt as if it was thoroughly searching Se-min’s entire body, slicing open his internal organs, and looking at the cross-section.

His everything was being exposed.

A groan escaped Se-min’s mouth.

“Keuuugh…!”

[Ho…]

That power tormented Se-min even further.

Se-min closed his eyes and squirmed. Each time he did, his skin was cut and blood flowed due to the force surrounding his limbs.

Yet that was actually better.

It would be better to endure this hellish sensation with a different pain.

Se-min grit his teeth and endured.

Obstinacy flared up.

It was just like back then.

‘Cut it out, Ahn Seong-jun.’

A backflow surging from deep within his heart.

Although he was a morbidly obese, half-baked compatible with nothing to his name, an unemployed jobless person whom the world did not want, no one had the right to inflict such pain on him.

What on earth had he done wrong? Who allowed anyone to treat a person like this?

Se-min grit his teeth.

He was someone who bounced back if suppressed.

“Keuuuuuuugh…!”

A sound like a squealing pig arose. Still, he tried not to lose consciousness and tried not to show his ugly appearance. That was the maximum rebellion he could muster.

Gradually, the pain subsided.

[Severed meridians, I see.]

Se-min thought a faint admiration was imbued in his voice. It might be a delusion.

Soon, the pressure stopped.

Exhausted, Se-min collapsed onto the floor. He had no strength in his body to stand.

He could only feel the presence of the mysterious transcendent behind him looking around his room.

[Helplessness. Depression. Weak will. A cursed constitution that eats away at the mind and body. Most are short-lived. Yet you still have not given up…]

He laughed softly.

[Lee Se-min. A good name.]

The moment he spoke Se-min’s name, the surrounding air swirled around Se-min.

The world was taking a different shape according to the transcendent’s will.

[Gather points and access the Tip Board. I will arrange a post for you there.]

As his tone softened, the surrounding air gently embraced him.

An overwhelming realm where the world itself submitted.

He had thought Grand Wizard Iana was strong, but this opponent was truly a heaven beyond heavens.

As if possessed, Se-min tried to turn his head to check his appearance. However, his power stopped Se-min, blocking his view.

All that was permitted to him was only the voice.

He spoke.

[I, the Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma, speak.]

The possessor of terrifying power.

He was none other than the Greatest Demon of All Time Dokgo Cheonma.

Lacing his harsh voice with a hint of laughter.

He delivered a word that Se-min could never forget.

[You are not a coward.]