How To Use Regressors

37 – Graduation Ceremony

On the day of the graduation ceremony.

All the trainees were gathered in the auditorium. While our party simply felt like the long-awaited graduation ceremony, most of the other trainees appeared anxious as they sat with worrisome expressions.

“Well, they won’t have anywhere to go after the graduation ceremony.”

Most of them wouldn’t have anywhere to go.

If they were fortunate enough to receive offers from mid-sized clans, that would be good, but those who received offers only from clans they had never even heard of or didn’t receive any offers at all would be extremely restless right now.

After the graduation ceremony, the time spent in the training center probably wouldn’t feel like heaven anymore. Most of them would now have to worry about their next day’s meals and a place to stay.

As time passed, Kang Sung-joon revealed himself on the podium.

“Hello, students. Three months at the Education Center have already passed. Now, you will live as respected players, not as students.”

“I believe I have already taught you the basic knowledge necessary to survive in this world, so there is no need to discuss it further. Instead, let’s talk about something else.”

The students began to focus on Kang Sung-joon’s words at the mention of a different story.

“Perhaps many of you will participate in activities as part of a party, clan, or be required to go on expeditions. Whether they are large-scale or small-scale expeditions.”

I listened carefully to his words about expeditions as I was also curious about them.

“Expeditions are never easy. They are dangerous because you have to risk your life. That’s why individuals or those who engage in activities as part of a party often try to avoid expeditions.”

Of course. If you join a clan, they will send you on expeditions suitable for newcomers. But if you are acting individually or as part of a party, it would be impossible to differentiate.

“That’s why many people choose not to go on expeditions, neglect to build their skills, and end up becoming beggars on the streets. Or they settle in impoverished areas or become outlaws. Many cases fall into these categories.”

Most likely, the majority of those here will end up like that.

“What I want to say is… do not fear expeditions. If you are afraid of going on expeditions or engaging in activities in this continent, you will accomplish nothing. It is essential for even basic survival.”

“If you are afraid to go on proper expeditions… consider working for a large clan, medium-sized clan, or even as a day laborer hired by the country. You must contribute to society. Otherwise, it’s only death.”

Among those who listened to Kang Sung-joon’s words, those who did not receive clan offers felt the reality of their situation hitting them, causing their eyes to tremble uncontrollably.

“Also… I have mentioned this several times during our education. There are lawless individuals on this continent. They are like us foreigners.”

‘Rather than going on expeditions or fighting monsters, they target and kill fellow humans to steal their possessions.’

“What, whether you call them outlaws or criminals, it’s all about freedom, but in any case, I’ll call them outlaws. If I may offer one piece of advice, never negotiate with outlaws.”

“…….”

“Particularly in your case, you should be even more cautious around outlaws. Bandits usually target newcomers.”

I heard that there are clans formed by these outlaws or so-called criminals.

Sure enough, Kang Sung-jun began to explain this.

“There are clans created by these outlaws. They usually operate outside the city, not within the city. Sometimes, they even operate in places where there are monsters.”

“Most of the criminal organizations formed by these guys are weaker than the major city clans, but there is one group that’s exceptionally dangerous. The problem is, we still haven’t fully understood this group. We have a rough idea of their existence, but we don’t even know their group’s name or who their leader is.”

Even the Martial Clan Master was shocked to learn of the existence of a criminal organization whose name and leader were unknown.

I was no exception.

“…Even Kang Sung-jun doesn’t know?”

Kang Sung-jun is undeniably one of the top figures in this world, a Clan Master of one of the Three Great Clans. If Kang Sung-jun couldn’t fully grasp it, it’s highly likely that even other major clans couldn’t either.

If Kang Sung-jun says they are highly dangerous, there’s a good chance this group is composed of outlaws with combat abilities comparable to top-tier players.

Seo Yoo-joo’s expression was quite complicated.

“…Do you know about it?”

If it were Seo Yoo-joo, there is a high probability that she would know to some extent about that group since she is a regressor. No, apart from that, there is a high probability that the crime group will hinder her future for some reason she regressed.

“And I will give you a clear warning.”

Everyone’s attention focused on the word “warning”.

“Do not become outlaws under any circumstances. Outlaws are not treated like humans on this continent. If you encounter an outlaw, they will be executed on the spot, and they cannot operate in the city because they will be wanted.”

Everyone was overwhelmed by Kang Sung-joon’s words of strength.

“Outlaws are never forgiven. If there is anyone among you who becomes an outlaw and meets me…”

Gulp.

The sound of someone swallowing saliva could be heard.

“You will come to regret being alive.”

Everyone was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere that they couldn’t even hear their own breath for a few seconds. Kang Sung-joon relaxed his expression and opened his mouth.

“Hmm… Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. I will answer a few questions and then conclude the ceremony. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.”

Some people realized that they no longer had the opportunity to ask questions as they were no longer trainees and began to raise their hands to ask Kang Sung-joon questions.

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

A good question. The one who asked seemed to be a man of my age. He seemed observant and gave me the feeling that he would survive for a long time.

Curious, I opened the man’s status window.

[Name: Shin Yoocheol]

[Age: 25]

[Occupation: Intermediate Assassin (Rare Grade)]

[Title: None]

[Unique Traits]

Poison King (Legendary Grade) – Possesses innate talent for poison. Greatly enhances understanding of various poisons. Receives high bonuses for all actions involving the use of poison.

[Traits]

Understanding of Intermediate Dagger Techniques (Rare Grade) – Increases understanding of dagger techniques to a certain degree.

Basic Dagger Throwing (Normal Grade) – Enhances understanding of dagger throwing to some extent.

Basic Trap Disarmament (Normal Grade) – Increases understanding of trap disarmament to some extent.

Tracking (Normal Grade) – Able to track the trails of humans or monsters.

[Stats]

Strength – 28 Agility – 30

Endurance – 25 Luck – 20

Magic Power – 09 Resistance – 15

“… Ah. Was there such a person?”

Probably because the lecture was completely different, he had not encountered the guy.

Seo Yoo-ju is a regressive, so she’s out of the question, and this guy is talented enough to be in the top ranks, if not the top, probably receiving offers from large clans or at least medium-sized ones.

When Kang Sung-jun answered the man’s question, his eyes showed a glimmer of interest. It seems that Kang Sung-jun also noticed that the man is worth considering.

“That’s a good question. They usually don’t openly target people. For example, let’s say you’re going to a dungeon for an expedition. Then they usually start pretending to be the victims or secretly ambush them.”

“Pretending…?”

“They pretend to be someone being chased or that they are the only ones who survived while their comrades died in the dungeon. They ask for help and evoke sympathy by making excuses.”

“……”

“Usually, newcomers still have some habits from Earth, so they easily fall for these sympathy-inducing methods. They aim to approach that person when you try to help them or when they are asleep.”

“Are there any other cases?”

“Of course. There are many different cases, but… it would be too long to explain all of them.”

“……”

“Anyway, what I want to say is… outlaws target newcomers in various ways. When you encounter someone you don’t know, be as suspicious as possible.”

This time, a woman raised her hand and asked.

“Um… Is it possible to receive education again? At the education center…”

“… I’ll probably fail early.”

It’s likely someone who didn’t receive an offer. As expected, he glanced at his status window and found nothing of interest.

Even Kang Sung-Jun seemed puzzled for a moment, then answered the woman’s question without a hint of hesitation.

“It’s impossible.”

“Oh…”

Another woman immediately raised her hand and asked a question.

“I heard that this training facility opens when new outsiders arrive on the continent. So, how often do newcomers typically enter?”

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

“Oh… Is there any specific rule for the two-year interval?”

“No, there isn’t. The tutorial itself happens every year. However, there is only one case when the training facility doesn’t open.”

“…?”

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

“Huh… Is it possible that no one clears it?”

This was news to him. Upon reflection, it made sense, considering that they had all felt the abnormal difficulty of the tutorial, unlike regular dungeons.

People were shocked to hear that no one had cleared the tutorial before.

“On average… it takes 40 to 50 days to clear the tutorial. You all cleared it very quickly, but usually, it takes at least a month. We’ve never seen anyone take longer than two months.”

Now I understood why everyone was so surprised when they saw our party three months ago. With the average time being that long, our clearing it in under a month had understandably caused a reaction.

“Anyway, if you have no more questions, we will conclude the graduation ceremony. Congratulations on successfully completing the training center.”

With applause, Kang Seong-jun stepped down from the podium, and various clan representatives came to greet the new recruits they had recruited.

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 a chance to open the woman’s status window.

[Name: Goo Yeon-jung]

[Age: 34]

[Occupation: Empress of Lightning (Legendary Grade)]

[Titles: Empress of Lightning, Baroness of Lightyears]

[Unique Ability]

Power to call lightning (Legendary Grade) – Can imbue weapons with lightning. Affinity for lightning attributes greatly increases. Also, permanently increases agility by 4 and stamina by 4.

[Characteristics]

Casual Sword Master (Legendary Grade) – The understanding of casual swords is greatly increased.

From Noble mtl dot com

Overcharge (Legendary Grade) – Temporarily decreases health ability by 3, while increasing strength, agility, and magical ability by 3. Also generates lightning not only on weapons, but also on the body.

[Stats]

Strength – 90 Agility – 92

Health – 88 Luck – 65

Magic – 87 Resistance – 82

“Powerful.”

Definitely the abilities of a Clan Master of the Three Great Clans. It is on the same level as Kang Sung-jun and Yoon Yeon, standing shoulder to shoulder with them.

Me and our team greeted her. She opened her mouth with a smile, so delighted that we joined her.

“As there is a Clan House of ours in the city of Lundra, which is a short distance away from here, I will guide you.”