A Legendary Korean Gamer Stuck in a Japanese Isekai – Chapter 12

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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“…It seems like there are about 10 people left.”

Looking around, I confirmed that Luna’s statement was true. Many people had disappeared. It was inevitable, considering it took over a hundred people time just to select their professions. Even if it took just 5 minutes per person, it would still take over 8 hours. The Gods’ Pantheon inside the portal was the same, but this place was also a space where the flow of time was difficult to discern, so much more time had likely passed on the outside.

“…I think implementing physiological needs was a bit overkill.”

This was a game where even hunger was felt, as it had a satiety system. I had been wondering if they had implemented hunger and eating properly, but when I saw they had really implemented physiological functions, I lamented. I hadn’t wet the bed since elementary school, so surely I wouldn’t relieve myself inside the capsule, right? Or maybe they were periodically emptying it.

“Next, will the last hero please come forward?”

As I filled my head with useless thoughts, I heard the priestess’s voice next to me. Unlike the pseudo-religious figures I often saw on the streets, she truly looked devout. Even though she had been standing without a break from the moment the profession selection began, her posture remained straight and her sturdy frame didn’t waver even slightly.

At the end of her gaze, the last user she had called out to was standing. He was probably a middle schooler. He was a bit short, likely as he hadn’t gone through puberty yet. He had a pretty face like a gigolo, but his physiognomy made him look socially inept. He was… a hikikomori? The type of person who lives a voluntary vampire-like existence, avoiding even sunlight. He looked exactly like that. It was amazing he had even come to the bustling Tokyo Game Show, considering how antisocial he looked.

He was the one who had engaged in a staring contest with me, refusing to enter until the very end, even though I was supposed to be the last, 108th, to choose my profession. I had wanted to see if there was an achievement or special bonus for being the last to enter and select a profession, but this unlikeable Japanese junior high schooler had stubbornly stood his ground until the very end. It wasn’t something worth fighting over, and even if there was a reward, I had already received so much at the beginning, practically starting with a cheat, so I had conceded.

“…His eyes are just as unlikeable.”

He might have tried to hide it, but his eyes radiated hostility. Wasn’t Japan also a Confucian country in Asia? Why is there no sense of hierarchy? Did I beat his beloved team in a terrible defeat in an international competition?

The Japanese junior high schooler approached the portal, following the priestess’s instructions.

Thwack.

He shoulder-checked me. Of course, due to the difference in our sizes, he was the one who stumbled.

He looked so embarrassed when he stumbled after initiating the shoulder-check, his pale face flushed red, his gaze sending shivers down my spine. He then plunged into the portal without a word of apology.

What kind of a rude kid was he? He was definitely the kind of unlikeable junior high schooler who would become a malicious troll in online communities, jealous of professional gamers like myself. Back in my day, even during the awkward junior high school years, I was already earning my own money as a future pillar of industry

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“You really chose a priest, huh?”

Luna spoke, and I momentarily put aside my thoughts about how to properly discipline him as an adult, now that he had chosen his profession. Luna’s gaze was filled with curiosity as it landed on my staff, which resembled a walking stick. I shrugged.

“To be honest, I thought it wouldn’t suit you at all, seeing as you always played aggressive champions.”

“I’m too valuable to be stuck doing support work. It’s not that I can’t play those roles, it’s just that I’m not going to play them.”

“Hu hu. Sounds reliable.”

My gaze was drawn to Luna’s weapon, or rather, her armor. A Defender. A warrior class, clearly specialized in tanking. It was also the profession I recommended to her when she asked for advice on which profession to choose, as her party member.

Luna was an A-rank, ranking in the top 10% of heroes. Right now, I wasn’t sure about her mentality or talent, but her potential specs were high, so there was no reason not to use her.

“I chose this profession because you said you’d let me join your party. Don’t leave me behind, okay? If you do, I’ll spread rumors about how you’re using me for your own amusement and then ditching me.”

“…Don’t talk so menacingly.”

Don’t ruin the bright future of a young man.

“…But are you sure it’s okay? I’m not sure about me, but shouldn’t you be choosing a damage dealer, Kid?”

“If it were the type of AOS game I used to play, then of course that would be the answer.”

But since this is an RPG, this is the right choice. It’s true that it takes me away from my preferred playstyle, but this isn’t the time to be playing for fun, is it?

‘More importantly,’

[Skill: Hespada’s Arts – Goddess’s Blessing (E)]
The blessing of Hespada, Goddess of the Hearth. Increases the ability of the target being blessed.
Consumes divine power to strengthen the target (Unlocks at F or higher)

The number of targets that can simultaneously receive the blessing is increased to a maximum of 3.

I can transfer my high specs to the party as buffs.

‘If my thoughts and reality clash, I can always switch professions.’

Even though it was just a passing comment, the Pope’s words were right. It seemed that you could change your main class if you paid a certain fee.

‘That’s why I’m not using my skill points indiscriminately right now.’

It’s just the tutorial stage. Once we reach the actual game, I’ll be able to make some judgments.

‘I wonder if Goddess Hespada would be upset.’

However… if I do end up changing professions, it would mean I’d have to face Goddess Hespada, and to be honest, asking her to change my profession in front of her is…

‘…I’ll think about it later.’

As I said, it’s still just the tutorial stage. The overall game system, as well as the professions and skill tiers, haven’t been fully sorted out yet.

“Just trust me. After all, Korea is the land of MMORPGs, for better or worse.”

“…I guess it’s alright to trust you?”

“After you made me choose this profession, you’re doubting me now?”

Seeing my confident attitude, Luna’s expression relaxed a bit. To be honest, even if it was my own idea, it’s impossible not to worry in this situation.

“So what about the rest of the party?”

“For now… I need to observe them a little. To be honest, I haven’t even finished analyzing the professions yet.”

“It is true that we’ve only just chosen our professions…”

“Don’t worry too much. As long as you and I don’t fall apart, we have a tank and a priest who will be the pillars of the team, no matter what, and we have an abundance of potential damage dealers.”

It really was an abundance of damage dealers. We definitely wouldn’t be lacking in damage dealers.

“I’m tired from being with you. Shall we head out?”

“Yes.”

As we were leaving the area where our task was complete,

“Woah there! A staff? You chose a priest? I thought you were that Korean pro gamer or whatever, but you’re a coward choosing a support class? A little disappointing.”

There definitely was something fishy about this guy. There was a reason why I kept encountering guys who would actually say and act like this in real life, within a short span of less than a day, right?

The reason was easy to grasp. I could feel the guy’s eyes glancing quickly at Luna, like a drawn image. But this punk, who was just a novice, was caught by Luna’s senses, unlike my perfect gaze, and she cringed in displeasure.

“Besides, giving a shield to a woman and putting her in the front… isn’t that a little bit?”

Samurai. A-rank. His name slipped my mind, but he was a comic-book-style punk who was showing off with the Japanese sword he received as a hero’s weapon. You know, those swordsman characters who don’t wear their swords at their waist but instead put them on their shoulders? To be honest, I wasn’t so much angry as I was embarrassed to the point where my face flushed red. How can he not be embarrassed?

He took my reddening face as something else and gave me a disgusting smile.

“Well, this is just a game, but it’s 100% immersive and we could die. So, even a pro gamer would be scared. ‘Real-life’ combat, where fists and blades fly and lives are at stake, is different, you see. It’s wise, in a sense.”

Couldn’t you just stop being so damn embarrassing? Even though it wasn’t entirely wrong, his tone made it hard to bear, even with my 11 years of pro gamer mentality.

“Well… both of you are A-rank, and if you want, I could put you in my party.”

He was already looking at Luna, not me, as he spoke.

‘My party’

A possessive wording.

I looked at the five party members behind him. None of them seemed particularly strong. Especially the boy who looked like a priest, he was so timid, I could feel it. This was the downside of a realistic immersive game. Introverted people get thrown around. It seemed the punk who’d picked on me was acting on his own, as the others quickly averted their eyes when they met mine, bowing their heads in panic.

“We seem to have a tank and a priest already.”

“Huh? Ah, well, the more the merrier, right? If they’re not needed, we can just kick them out later.”

Wow… you’re really a comic-book character. I don’t think even someone trying to be trashy could speak like that. In fact, I’d almost believe he was some kind of trashy AI created specifically for story progression.

Some of the party members flinched at the punk’s words. Luna’s face looked as if it had gone sour.

“We’re being careful about our damage dealers.”

The punk’s face hardened when I spoke, looking at Luna. He’s not completely stupid, as he understood the meaning of my words.

“…You’ll regret it.”

What are you talking about? You’re a total loser.

As the punk was about to retort, the Japanese junior high schooler who had been the last to enter the portal emerged. People’s gaze momentarily shifted toward him, and I quickly took the opportunity to speak.

“Well, we’re a bit tired, so.”

“Huh?”

I quickly grabbed Luna’s arm and headed toward the door. I could hear something being said from behind, but I ignored it. To be honest, I was too embarrassed to stay any longer.

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