Chapter 2: The Cost of Cube

In a secure metal room, many glass display cases were lined up. Some with racks, some were just cushions that presented a weapon.

The room was dim as almost all the light came from the lights in the display cases, highlighting just how important the moment was.

Students crowded into a group as they looked around in wonder, waiting for the teachers instructions.

"Any weapon you can think of should be here."

This is the moment where I have to pick a weapon to use for the rest of the year.

Minori hummed as he looked around for the weapon he's most familiar with.

A main weapon was exactly that, a main weapon. Higher ranking Heroes called their weapons 'treasured weapons', while weapons above a certain grade were given the title 'armament'.

"Stand in front of the weapon you want. We'll supply you with the training weapons. But don't look down on them just because they're training weapons. Their market price is 5 million won."

Minori almost flinched at the price but simply curled his lips into a wry smile.

And exactly how many are in this room alone?

He didn't want to know.

After a bit of searching Minori found the weapon he wanted, although the academy he went to had trained him in a variety of weapons, he never truly stuck to one he wanted. Eventually he became familiar with a simple but effective weapon.

The short sword. Too large to be called a dagger and too small to be a regular sword. Small enough to be used in close quarters combat, allowing for quick, precise attacks that suit his style.

Minori made his way to the sword section and stood at the short swords.

"Are short swords that unpopular?" He mumbled under my breath.

Did I pick something that'll make me stand out?

"Well, most people classify it as a sort of secondary weapon. It's not a bad weapon at all!" A voice caught Minori off guard as he looked up at the stranger.

The stranger had short black hair and navy blue eyes, so dark they could be called black. He was handsome and had a warm smile.

"Oh, did I surprise you?" He scratched the back of his head.

"No, it's fine." Minori shook his head.

"And yes, the short sword is a good weapon, it's not as flashy as great swords but are still good." I nodded without expression.

He looked a bit taken aback by my words but smiled.

"... Did you try to cheer me up?" Minori realised.

"Well, you looked a little gloomy is all. But it looks like you're fine." He chuckled.

"I'm Kim Suho by the way." 

He seems nice. Minori subconsciously smirked.

"Im Minori Nii. Nice to meet you." Out of habit Minori bowed slightly, a remnant skill from his previous job: a store clerk.

Please don't say anything about it. Please don't say anything about it. Please don't say anything about it. Please don't say anything about it.

Minori prayed in his heart.

Before Kim Suho could reply, Kim Soo Hyuk's voice rang out.

"Kim Chundong, why are you standing still?" His stern voice matched his face.

The boy continued to stand there, his face obscured by shadow and his features still blurry to Minori's eyes.

How strange.

"Kim Chundong." The instructor's voice became serious as everyone focused their attention onto the commotion.

When he finally moved, his figure arrived at a table without anyone near it.

Minori's eyes as well as the rest of the class widened in surprise.

What? Even Minori's face displayed a frown.

A handgun.

Yet, this wasn't the most surprising thing in this situation.

"...Kim Chundong." Kim Soohyuk repeated and activated his smartwatch.

"Didn't you use a sword?" 

He used to use a sword? Then why in the world would he–... it isn't impossible.

Minori formulated a theory in his mind.

"I decided to change my weapon." The boy, Kim Chundong spoke calmly, as if prepared to answer.

Enlightenment, a process I haven't personally gone through but know of. If someone were to go through an Enlightenment and suddenly realise their talent lies elsewhere… how unlucky to specialise in guns.

Minori shook his head at his theory. It was a theory without a single piece of evidence, yet he still pitied the boy.

"After coming all the way to Cube?"

"Yes."

Kim Soohyuk could only frown, despite this he nodded.

"That's fine. Cadets can make their own choices at Cube. Instructors won't interfere at all. But that also means the responsibility falls on cadets."

The instructor moved on but the class did not. Quiet chatters and whispers flowed like rivers as the attention remained on Chundong, once again, Minori pitied him.

"Now, we'll assign you your rooms and your personal belongings will be sent there. Afterward, you're free. Classes will start four days later, that's next monday."

So I have four days to settle in and familiarise myself with Cube.

…

Soon we arrived at the dorms, Six extravagant skyscrapers.

"Here are the dorms for the first years."

H-How much money do they have to throw into this? This is Korean taxpayer money!... No wonder taxes are so damn high in this country.

Minori broke out into a cold sweat as the cost of everything began piling up in his head, already ten times his family inheritance and he hasn't seen any of the club rooms yet.

According to Kim Soohyuk each building had 100 floors, each consisting of five rooms. The rooms were distributed according to grades, but even if one's grades were dead last they could still have their own room.

As for a transfer student like Minori, he was situated around the 50th floor.

"Guys are to the right, girls are to the left. The key to your rooms will be stored in the smartwatches you'll get now."

Halfway through the explanation, Minori noticed the other classes beginning to show up.

Casting his gaze back, Minori noticed that they were handing out the smartwatches mentioned before.

"Minori Nii." Kim Soohyuk called his name, so he looked him in the eye and took the watch.

"Oh, am I free to use it outside of Cube?" Minori asked out of curiosity.

"Yes, you can take it outside of Cube and use it however you'd like." Kim Soohyuk replied calmly.

Minori nodded and blended back into the crowd.

As Minori inspected the watch slowly, Kim Soo Hyuk's voice boomed once more.

"Chundong, Kim Chundong!"

Again?

Minori's opinion on the guy wavered as he felt irritation at the constant interruption.

…

The room assigned was large, larger than Minori's last house.

Looking around he didn't find many of his previous belongings. Most things in the room were given by Cube for free. The only thing of note was a Vr headset, a black pendant and a gold coin with engravings that resemble runes.

Other than that, was a bed, a couch, a desk, a chair, a lamp and most importantly, a coffee maker.

"...phew, my stuff has already arrived." Minori sighed in relief and lay back onto the couch.

Minori's tired eyes stared out the window, seeing the sun setting, the rays dyeing the room gold.

The room was quiet and cool, the subtle chill was wiped away by the setting sun's warmth.

The silhouette of Cube's skyline was wiped away by the blinding sun.

It's been way too long since I appreciated the sun… I should check if they sent the schedule… but first, a nap.

Minori closed his eyes and fell asleep just like that.