Canon Fodder

CHAPTER 325 NEW SCREENS

We weren’t the only ones making our way to the park at that hour. On the bus that went to the stop closest to Hyeuk-Chin Park there were another dozen men and half a dozen women dressed like us. 

Hancock was in a thick black flak jacket. The jacket itself was really just a vest, buckles at the sides there was Kevlar plating in it and lots of little pockets at the front. Her arms bare, she showed off her firm muscles as she held onto the overhead handle. Her pants were a dark camo with plenty of pockets. She reluctantly wore a backpack. 

I was in much the same attire, but I wore a black long sleeved shirt. My backpack was bigger. I expected to be the mule of our journey. Knives, water bottles, snacks, and other survival items secreted away I wasn’t sure what I would need but it was better to be prepared. 

The other bus passengers were quiet. We looked like we were off to war. Some not so well stocked, they appeared nervous as they headed to the same location in simple jeans and a shirt. 

When the bus stopped we all piled out. No one was talking. I mentally went through what I remembered of the beginning stages of the tutorial. After that I double checked I’d taken care of everything. 

Hancock’s parents hadn’t found us again, but she had called to let them know it would be some time till she returned. I’d given my folks most of the money we stole after laundering the bank bills through one of the information brokers we had found. My parents would be able to take care of some bills and I didn’t feel as bad leaving them without word of where I was going. They were honestly happy to see me out of the house. Not believing Hancock was my girlfriend I didn’t blame them, but I expected to be worthy of her looks soon enough. 

People wordlessly stopped outside of the park. Each of us counting down until midnight. More than a few eyes on Hancock, she ignored them. 

“I’m cold,” she said, rubbing her hands on her bare arms. 

“I told you to wear a shirt.”

“You also said this would be hard. I expect to sweat,” she said. 

“Got me there,” I said. Pulling my pack off I gave her a small blanket. She smiled wide as she draped it over her shoulders. Her chest hidden by the tight jacket I was able to focus on her face. Smooth skin, big eyes, dark hair in her face, she was beautiful in the cold night. 

“We need to get you some snake earrings,” I noted. 

“I feel naked without them,” she said, grabbing her earlobe. 

“I wish you were,” I said, giving her my best grin. She blushed and slapped my chest. 

We had continued our dates leading up to the tower entrance. And I could honestly say I enjoyed my time with her. Sex off the table for now, we focused on us. Whether it was grabbing some food, working out, or going to a club, we did it all together. 

There had been more than a few fights with guys trying to show their manliness to her. Practically dismissing me and my squishy body. I still had plenty of skills that I was able to use to wipe the floor with them. 

“This is exciting,” Hancock noted. “Past me would have never done something like this. But she always wanted an adventure.”

“Sounds like the real you,” I said. “At least it looks like we are in the right place.”

“Yes, unless there is some gang war going on we don’t know about,” she joked. 

“Let’s hope we are on the winning side if that’s the case,” I said. 

We continued to wait. Everyone was nervously shifting their feet. The anticipation was thick, like we were all in line for the next great game that had been talked about for the past decade. 

“Where is the protagonist of this story, anyway?” She asked, looking around as if he would appear at any moment. 

“If things stick to canon he shouldn’t appear for a week or so,” I admitted. “If this is the same season as the one he joins, we should be able to steal all of his cheats before he has a chance to.” 

“And you remember all he did?” 

“At the beginning, most of it,” I said. “Just keep your Haki up, and remember what I told you.” She nodded but then frowned cutely.

“Husband, make the time go more quickly.”

“I’m trying, wife,” I said 

“You have to be kidding,” one of the men from a nearby group said. “This guy is your husband?”

“You know, we get asked that at least 5 times a day, and I’m sick of it,” I barked. “Yes, we may look different. But I love her. You people judging her based on her looks will not make me break up with her.”

Hancock let out a laugh before covering her mouth. “Yes,” she said. “I wish people would stop trying to make you see that you could do so much better.”

We were drawing more than a few eyes by that point. The guy that had made the comment gave us a stunned look, unable to speak. I was ready for him to try to talk sense into Hancock. The knight in shining armor syndrome was strong in these boys. I guessed they pictured that if her standards were so bad she went for me, then they were a shoe in. All they had to do was make her see the error of her ways. 

Before anyone else could say anything, a white light appeared on the green grass just ahead. People stepped back as the light turned into 2 large brown wood doors. Sitting out in the open the people closest hesitated, but then one person moved toward it. 

Opening the door slowly, inside was revealed to be a room, not the park behind the door. Excited whispers breaking out we all began to stream in. Hancock and I near the back a few people held letters in hand that I guessed were invitations to the Tower. 

Hopeful that they weren’t needed for something, we stepped into the door without issue. Inside was a hallway made of gray brick. The floors and walls were the same dull gray stone. 

The line of people continued on until we came to a huge room. More halls connected to it. People dressed like us walked in from other hallways as well. I guessed there were a good 1,000 men and women in the hall. Hancock and I in the middle she stuck close as people murmured all around us. 

A great boom sounded in the room, much like the sound of multiple doors slamming shut. Some jumped but the room quieted, the anticipation growing as we waited. 

Then another bright light flashed at the front of the crowd. Smoke billowing out of seemingly thin air, a man appeared from it. Green skin, black suit and top hat, he looked like a tall goblin. He floated up in the air, high enough for everyone to see. Looking down on us he had a sharp teeth filled grin. 

“Hello to all of this Season’s Tower Climbers,” the green man said. A monocle in his eye he looked over the large crowd of people, his smile only growing wider as he did so. “I am the Manager and Guide for Floor 0. You may call me Ibeulkera.”

A stunned silence followed. “This is where you clap,” the man said. His voice was a whisper that sliced through the crowd so all could hear. A few people clapped, but not many. 

“Very good,” Ibeulkera said with a bow as if a great applause had followed. 

“For those of you who know what is going on. I welcome you. Your invitations may be turned in for a lodging voucher after you pass the tutorial. Other than that they are useless.” A few people grumbled and put the letters away. 

“For those of you not invited, welcome to what will most likely be the hardest test of your lives. The doors are shut and will not be opened to let you out. This is a pass or die test. I wish you luck. First, gifts.” The green man snapped his fingers and I received multiple notifications. 

Second Life Ranker Quest 1: Complete

The next batch of Tower Climbers have been picked.

Join them as they embark on an adventure of a lifetime

Reward:

Identification

Identification was added to my Status Screen. A common skill in isekai manga, I assumed it worked like most any I saw. Focusing on a small dagger someone was wearing at their belt a small pop-up appeared. 

Item: Dagger

Quality: Fair

Rarity: Common

Description: A fair quality dagger that can be bought most anywhere.

Nothing too fancy. I was sure the skill would prove useful later on. I looked through my other notifications. 

Your screens have been updated with:

Second Life Ranker

Only skills added to your main status screen can be

used in other Manhwa worlds.

Other Screens

Companion Screens

Companion Notifications

Second Life Ranker

I brought up my Second Life Ranker Screen, but received a waiting screen. 

Scanning body...

After a few seconds the screen disappeared and more took its place. 

Nature Detected: All Seeing

You are impossible to sneak up on. Your understanding

of what is going on around you makes you immune

to Fear and Shock. Items of interest will be easier to spot.

I guessed this was because I was currently using Observation Haki. I couldn’t remember what the main protagonist's nature was, but this sounded fairly useful. 

Second Life Ranker Screen
Profile Name: Weston Woon
Nature:	All Seeing
STR:	8	AGL:	5
STAM:	6	MP:	15
SKILLS:

I assumed that the average was 10 points. I couldn’t remember when MP became useful, but from my years of games I was fairly certain it stood for Mana Points. “Interesting,” I mumbled. There were no skills, but my Observation Haki gave me All Seeing, so… I forced some of my Tremor Fruit through my hand. The air began to vibrate and I got more notifications. 

New Skill Developed - Quake Fist:

Your attacks cause everything in front of your palm to shake.

Proficiency: 0.5%

Warning:

A new power has been detected in you. Method of technique

not recognized.

Congratulations:

You have created a new skill never seen in the tutorial before.

Reward:

500 Karma

“Cool,” I mumbled. From what I could remember, Karma was the currency of the Tower. You received it for doing most anything, but I had no idea what the exchange rate was. 

“What?” Hancock whispered. I leaned over to her ear and explained. “So we should use our other skills?”

“Not here, and maybe limit it. Never know who is watching,” I reminded. I knew that near the top of the tower people were interested in rookie Tower Climbers, so it was best not to stand out too much. 

“You care if I look at your notifications?” I whispered. She shook her head, engrossed in them. 

Nature Detected: Eye Catching

You draw the eye of everyone in the room.

Foes have an increased likelihood of missing attacks

focused on you. You can sense all eyes on you.

New Skill Developed - Irresistible:

People are entranced by your beauty.

Proficiency: 8%

Second Life Ranker Screen
Profile Name: Hancock Byeun
Nature:	Eye Catching
STR:	8	AGL:	12
STAM:	10	MP:	24
SKILLS:
Irresistible (8%)

The Irresistible skill must have been the Second Life Ranker version of her Irresistible Beauty bonus. I knew that doing certain actions would make the percentage raise, but I couldn’t help but get curious about what would happen if it got to 100%. Would it evolve her main screen skill, like when I used a Bonus Slot Upgrade? That sounded very possible. 

Too much going on I focused back on the problem at hand. I looked at Ibeulkera. He was eyeing me. Worried that he could see my notifications, I dismissed them. The conversation lulling from those around us the green goblin continued. 

“I’m sure you have many questions,” he said. “Unfortunately, I prefer to let you sink or swim. Ahead is the test of Floor 0. If you can make your way through there the path will be fairly self explanatory for Blocks A through D. After that, Blocks E through G will have more explanations when you reach that point. Let us make our way to Floor 0, the test with the most deaths.”

Turning around as he floated in the air he began retreating. We all followed as a large group until we came to a single man door. The door didn’t appear very special to normal eyes, but the Spiritual Energy glowed brightly. A new quest appeared as I studied the door. 

Second Life Ranker Quest 2:

Pass the tutorial.

Reward:

Dependent on Results

The tutorial was much like the Hunter Exam from Hunter x Hunter. I wondered if I could get a Bonus Challenger Slot like I had for HxH. 

“Beyond this door is the test of Floor 0,” Ibeulkera announced. Those in the back tried to see, but there were too many people. “You all have 30 days before the tutorial is up. During that time as long as you progress you will be able to earn Karma points. The more Karma points you have, the better you will do. Those with the highest amount will receive prizes at the end of the 30 days.”

The goblin gave us an evil grin. “Who would like to try their luck first?”

“What?!” “That’s it?” “What does Karma look like?” People yelled, trying to get more information. The goblin didn’t appear to care what they said though. 

No one offered themselves up. I didn't see why not, so I raised my hand. “Very good. Weston, is it?” He asked, cutting off those trying to ask more questions. I frowned, unsure how he knew my name, but nodded as a path was made for Hancock and I. 

“Going as a team?” Ibeulkera asked. 

“No,” I said as we got to the front. “I understand that we get more Karma the harder we make it for ourselves.”

“That is correct,” the goblin man said. 

“Then we will go separately,” I said. I guessed that the test was instanced, at least while there were so many people. This would make each person/group taking the test able to focus on only worrying about the test and not running into other Climbers. 

“You can join our team, Hancock,” one of the men at the front said. More than a few had recognized her from her past career. 

“Sorry, but this is my husband,” Hancock said, grabbing my arm. A stunned silence moving down the line of people I ignored them. 

“Very good,” the goblin said. “You may go when you are ready.” 

“Good luck, dear,” Hancock said, kissing my cheek. 

“You too, remember what I said,” I reminded. She nodded and I stepped through the dark door. Darkness all around me, I was used to doors like this.