Tutorial (4)

"Hello there, everyone!"

The sly and slimy voice of the administrator echoed through the lush forest. It was as if there were hundreds of snakes creeping up the Climbers' backs.

"Welcome to the tutorial, dear Climbers who aim to be at the top!"

The being that stood at the top of the tutorial stages descended, now at the same level as the eager Climbers.

"Ah, there sure are a lot of them this time around. Seems like doomsday is near~"

A hearty and goofy laugh resounded through the tutorial fields. But it didn't ease up the stiff faces of the Climbers. They didn't like the joke.

Seeing the obstinate faces of the Climbers, the Starter of the Tutorial concluded that his attempt had gone down the drain. Of course, he was not shaken even a little. He was used to such things. No, you could say that the real fun began now.

He fixed his loosened monocle and eyed the crowd. He supposed that the cue was in order now.

"Hoho, it seems like my conduct wasn't very lovely. Well, let me start over."

This time, he bowed low and scrupulously, spoke.

"Dear Climbers, I am Kevin, also called the Starter of the Tutorial. Though I am pretty sure you all knew this."

Once again, the man's snake-like eyes scanned the crowd, checking their reactions earnestly.

An amused expression crept up on his face, as though someone caught his eyes' light.

But he didn't let the cat out of the bag and kept it to himself.

"Well then, let me explain the tutorial, and again, I am pretty sure all of you know about it. But just in case…"

Tick—

With a snap of his fingers, a large transparent panel, as huge as a wyvern, warped the air above the crowd and appeared before them.

Three sections, each titled A, B, and C were shown in the panel with Stats glowing under A, Soul Power under B, and Elimination under C. It didn't take a genius to understand what it meant.

Even then, Kevin went through the explanation.

"The first part of the tutorial is a simple one. Your capabilities will be tested. Everyone will be given a different stage, a different scenario, or a different objective. But know that your body's capabilities will be tested. Of course, if you can't fulfill the objective, you will be kicked out of the tutorial. Points will be given based on time. The quicker you finish, the more Points you get. By the way, Points are the currency of the Tower, but I am, once again, pretty sure you all know that."

Kevin paused to let the crowd process the information, but as he expected, the crowd could care less about his explanation.

"Ahem… moving on to the next one, the second part will test your soul strength, otherwise known as Soul Power. You will be transferred to the bottom of a certain tree. However, a rather mysterious force is going to be exerted on your soul by the tree. What you climbers have to do is climb the tree until the timer runs out. However, the force will continue to grow more and more with each step. You will be eliminated if you can't climb at least ten steps. Points will be given based on the number of steps climbed. Easy enough, right?"

There was no answer and only heated gazes of frustration and contempt were shot toward the fellow.

But as usual, he was unhindered and continued.

"Hoho… seems like my significance has dropped quite a lot these days. Anyway —"

"Shut up! Just let us go now! We are sick of it!"

A hoarse voice, loud as a Minotaur.

It was a man of huge stature, probably in his thirties. Judging by his gear and temperament, it did not seem to be his first time in the tutorial.

"...Please, don't test my patience, Climber Rowen. This is your third attempt at the tutorial, right? Even though I am being quite lax, that doesn't mean I will tolerate such actions. I hope you remember the 'Teardrops Incident'. Please don't act out of line."

Kevin's firm declaration shut the man up and tensed the atmosphere around the Climbers. Rowen was fuming, but he couldn't do anything except stay still and calm his anger. It was best for the Climbers to keep the fact in their minds that the being speaking to them was one of the Tower's administrators, responsible for the 'Teardrops Incident'. No one in the Tower didn't know about it.

***

Except me…

'Teardrops Incident? What was that?'

I should've learned more about the tutorial and its history. But oh well…

"But still, Climber Rowen has some sense in his words so I shall not stall for long and wrap it up quickly. The third part is a battle royale. Survive until the timer runs out. And it's a good opportunity to earn some currency as well. Kill other Climbers and their Points are now yours. If you are the last one standing, you will pass the tutorial. At the end of the tutorial, you will be given rewards based on your rankings. So everyone, do your best."

Tick—

He snapped his fingers and the space around me warped. My head felt fuzzy and my body felt weird. I was being transported to another place.

"Woah—"

Thump!

There was soft grass beneath me. The horizon that stretched in front of me seemed endless, and I was thrown here, all alone.

"The first part…"

Tring—

{Reach the 'End'}

In the endless grasslands, where was the 'End'?

***