Ensemble Leveling
Chapter 31: The First Trail of Odyssey
[60 days left until Alvorna’s Rite of Ascension]
After the opening ceremony last night, Jihoon was still in a half-asleep trance as even Karim have to drag him toward the boat that will take the contestants to the location of their first trail. Apparently, the performance last night has taken a significant toll out of him that he decided to skip the wedding ceremony of the Merfolk King of Sargasso taking place after his performance.
If Aquarius haven’t met him and learned the Forgotten Melody from him back during their stranding in heaven’s know-where, she would probably cause ceaseless trouble in her rebellion and deceiving random strangers to fight back her father’s decision. It would be misunderstanding upon more misunderstanding until it become irreconcilable.
Actually, Karim also handed him another letter from her saying that while she still understandably disdainful of what eventually come, she decided to at least stand strong on her own accord and not acting like a petulant child.
Many were still buzzing about the wedding of the Merfolk King and the Sea Witch, a union that held significant political importance. Some spoke in hushed tones about the Sea Witch’s mysterious origins, others debated the implications of Aquarius being a central figure at such a pivotal event.
The letter he held brought his thoughts back to her. Her words echoed in his mind.
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Dear Jihoon,
I once rebelled against the idea of my father remarrying. I fought him, in my own way, and caused a great deal of pain. But, now I understand. Though the pain of losing my birth mother is ever-present, I have come to realize that life moves on, and so must I. Thank you for showing me a way forward, for teaching me to look past my fears. I won't act like a child anymore. There is strength in standing tall, even if I’m standing alone for now.
I wish you well in the Odyssey. I know the path ahead will not be easy, but if anyone can face the trials, it’s you.
Aquarius
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Around him, the contestants whispered among themselves, their conversation inevitably veering toward the grand wedding that took place last night. Some marveled at the Sea Witch’s powerful presence, while others mocked the Merfolk King’s swift remarriage.
“Two years and already a new queen? Feels rushed if you ask me,” a beastfolk muttered. Another chimed in, “Did you see the guards? I heard some of them were from the Sea Witch’s own entourage. Seems like she’s consolidating power.”
But the Odyssey lay ahead, and the conversations around him soon shifted from wedding politics to speculation about the first trial.
Contestants from all races whispered theories and shared half-baked strategies. They wondered if the first trial would mirror the legends of old, and Jihoon, silently observing, couldn't help but recall the myths from his own world’s retellings of the Odyssey. The boat cut through the fog as an organizer appeared before them, their voices booming over the sound of the water.
A merfolk, one who had enough proficiency with their Water Magic to lift themselves in the air without resorting to transformation. Don’t ask Jihoon how one comes to figure that out. Just like how people of Absence managed to figure out healing magic from all elements even with Fire and Shadow.
“You will soon arrive at the shore of Cicone. There, your first trial will begin.”
The merfolk organizer, hovering in mid-air thanks to their mastery of Water Magic, continued to address the gathered contestants. Their voice, smooth yet firm, carried easily over the mist-shrouded waves.
"This will be the site of your first trial in the Odyssey. The rules are simple: it is a long-distance running contest, but along the way, you will face ‘sentinels’— humanoid constructs stationed throughout the course who will attack you on sight. Your objective is to make it to the designated point and return, as quickly as possible.”
A pair of merfolks made their jump into the boat as they entered bipedal transformation state. Carrying on each of their backs is a large backpack. During their transformed state, they are physically unable to speak at all, as if the creator of this world really takes inspiration from the Little Mermaid and applies it on the entire race.
Silently, they take out a bracelet and hand it to each of the participants. Jihoon received one and looked at the smooth and stainless metal surface with embroidery design and a cerulean jewel at its center. Using [Observant], he analyzed the item.
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Shield Bracelet
Classification: Accessory
Rarity: Heroic
Effect:
Shield its wielder and take in the damage host would otherwise
receive to itself. Will break if received too much damage
either accumulative or at once.
Description:
A masterpiece of magitech engineering, this bracelet is forged from enchanted mithril alloy, mined at the depth of Trench of the Lost. Intricate runes of protection are etched along its surface, pulsing with a faint blue light. The central cerulean jewel serves as both a power source and damage indicator, gradually dimming as it absorbs harm. When activated, it projects a shimmering, translucent barrier around the wearer.
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"The Shield Bracelet you've been given is your lifeline in this trial. It will protect you from attacks by the sentinel guards, but be warned – its power is not infinite. As you progress through the course and time passes, more sentinels will be deployed, and they will grow stronger. If your Shield Bracelet fails or turns off, you are considered 'dead' and immediately disqualified from the trial. At that point, the sentinels will cease targeting you, and you will be swiftly evacuated from the premise." The merfolk organizer continued to elaborate on the rules of the first trial.
Questions immediately erupted from the crowd. The participants, hailing from various races and cultures, were all eager to clarify the rules and strategies they could employ in the trial. A tall, stern-looking elf with emerald eyes was the first to speak up.
“If the Shield Bracelet is damaged but not fully destroyed, will it recover over time?” the man asked, his voice calm yet insistent.
The organizer shook their head. “The bracelet will not regenerate or heal. Once damaged, it remains compromised. The only way to protect yourself is to avoid further damage until the trial is complete.”
A burly warrior with bull horn, seemingly hail from a distant desert tribe somewhere based on his getup raised his hand next, speaking with a deep, gravelly tone. “What if the sentinels focus all their attacks on one person? Can we split their attention somehow?”
Jihoon listened intently as more hands shot up. A young woman with pale skin and shimmering silver hair and wolf ears, likely from one of the moon-blessed races of northern tundra of Absence, inquired, “Can we use magic or external tools to reinforce our shields? Or is the Shield Bracelet our only defense?”
The organizer gave her a brief nod. “Evacuations happen the moment a bracelet is destroyed, but only for the individual whose bracelet has broken. The trial continues for the others. There will be no reprieve once it starts. You must adapt to the chaos as it unfolds.”
Jihoon could see some of the participants visibly tense up at this clarification, the weight of the trial dawning on them. Some were already strategizing in hushed whispers, while others seemed lost in thought, considering their options.
Then, just as Jihoon was about to ask his own question, the organizer added one more rule.
"For those of you who seek greater challenge, know this: you can choose to partake in additional laps. If you complete them without disqualification, your final score in this trial will increase significantly. However, the risk grows with each lap. You may find that what seems like a small advantage turns into your downfall."
A lizardfolk participant with gleaming scales on his cheeks raised his hand next. “You mentioned that additional laps could increase our final score. Can you clarify the risks associated with this? Will the sentinels reset between laps, or do they retain their strength and numbers?”
The organizer’s gaze narrowed slightly. “The sentinels will not reset. They will continue from where they left off, and their strength will compound. If you choose to push for additional laps, you must face not only new waves but also the remnants of the previous ones. It is a choice for the bold—or the reckless.”
The crowd murmured louder now, and Jihoon could see several participants weighing the cost of this added risk. The promise of a higher score was tempting, but the threat of compounding difficulty was enough to make many reconsiders.
One participant, a tall and muscular beastfolk, shouted from the back. “What happens if we try to work together to destroy as many sentinels as possible? Is cooperation allowed, or will it hurt our individual scores?”
“Cooperation is allowed,” the organizer replied. “However, the final scores will be assessed individually. If you believe working together will benefit your survival, that is your decision to make. Just be aware that only the strongest will stand out.”
“What happens to those who fail? What is the consequence of ‘death’ in this trial?”
“Those who fail the trial will be disqualified. But in this place, disqualification does not mean actual death. You will simply be removed from the challenge.” The organizer’s gaze darkened slightly as they answered, seemingly deliberate to strike fear in the hearts of those around.
Murmurs spread through the crowd as participants weighed the risk versus reward. Jihoon, though, was lost in thought. His mind raced back to the ancient myths of his world, searching for something familiar. Then, it hit him—the myth of the Cicones.
In his world’s Odyssey, Odysseus and his men had landed on the shores of the Cicones after a hard-won victory in Troy. Drunk on the spoils of their recent triumph, they allowed themselves to be overtaken by hubris. Rather than leaving after the initial raid, they lingered, indulging in their success.
But their complacency would cost them dearly as the reinforcements of the Cicones arrived. Fierce warriors, fresh and prepared with powerful weapons. What began as a triumph quickly turned to tragedy, as Odysseus's men were caught off-guard, outnumbered, and devastated significantly as they are forced into a shameful retreat.
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The price of their arrogance was steep, as many of their number were lost in that ambush. And since then, Odysseus has been in deep water both literally and figuratively because of it.
Jihoon’s gaze lowered to the Shield Bracelet, his thoughts thick with the weight of realization. The first lap of this trial was much like Odysseus’s initial victory—a chance for glory, a test of skill. But the additional laps, the temptation to push further, mirrored the reckless decision to linger in Cicones.
He glanced around at the others—some already strategizing for those additional laps, their eyes filled with ambition. He could feel the stirrings of overconfidence in the air, a sense of invincibility that came before a fall. He wondered how many of them saw the danger. How many would succumb to the same hubris that had claimed Odysseus's soldiers?
"Know your limits," Jihoon thought grimly.
That was the lesson of Cicones, the one Odysseus’s men had ignored until it was too late. The first lap might be winnable for most of them. Perhaps even the second. But beyond that lay chaos, danger multiplying at a rate no one could predict or forethought.
He had seen what came next in the myth. The reinforcements and the collapse of Odysseus’s army. And yet, despite everything, despite the clarity of his thoughts now, he felt that same pull—the desire to push forward, to test his own limits. Even with the lessons and insights of the Odyssey, saying it didn’t mean fulfilling it. Knowing the path to destruction didn’t make it easier to avoid.
Because when the time came, could he really resist the temptation at all?
While his mind still remains the train of thoughts, the hazy mist that surrounds them slowly dispersed as they eventually arrived at this world’s Cicones. A coastal city with much semblance like any other tourism site in his world. A glimmering expanse of stone and steel rising from the shore, though far humbler than the grand metropolis at the center of Absence.
The buildings here were smaller, less imposing, but there was a rough charm to the place. A sense of history woven into the cobblestones and weathered docks. Despite its less impressive stature, the city was still alive with activity. People were everywhere, gathering in throngs along the streets and lining the edges of the harbor. Jihoon could hear the hum of excited voices, their eager chatter carried on the salty sea breeze.
Above, flying vehicles hovered, capturing the scene from every angle. They moved with the grace of birds, their sleek metallic frames glinting in the midday sun. The sight of them gave Jihoon an eerie sense of déjà vu—it was all too familiar.
The gathering crowd, the spectacle of the moment—it was like an event pulled straight from the Olympic Games of his world before the Gates. The cheers, the anticipation, the countless eyes watching from the skies, waiting to see who would rise and who would fall.
Jihoon let his eyes wander to the starting line, visible at the edge of the square, marked by a grand stone archway that had clearly stood for centuries. As he approached, he could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, on all the participants. The air buzzed with expectation, the tension of the moment settling deep in his bones.
This was it, the beginning of this trial. And although the surroundings were unfamiliar, the feeling wasn’t the most foreign as he had seen in on broadcast, just that the anticipation of being in one still feel palpable no matter what.
He glanced up, catching sight of this world’s equivalent of a helicopter, with a camera operator observing from its side toward the below. Focusing its gaze on him and the others partaking in this trial. Jihoon exhaled slowly, letting the weight of the moment wash over him.
As he joined the others at the starting line, the cheers of the crowd grew louder, as if forming a roar that seemed to shake the very air around them. Jihoon felt his heart quicken in response, but he kept his face neutral, eyes set forward.
The story of Odysseus echoed in the back of his mind, a reminder of the thin line between victory and ruin.
As the last of the participants gathered at the starting line, the merfolk organizer from before ‘stepped’ forward, their voice booming over the crowd, amplified by unseen magics or technology.
"Welcome to the first trial!" they began, eyes sweeping across the eager faces before them. "From here, the journey will test your endurance, strategy, and resilience. The path you must take has been prepared, and it begins in the heart of Cicones."
A large map materialized in the air above them, suspended in a shimmering holographic display for all to see. The city sprawled beneath it, with a clear route marked from the center to the outskirts, winding through narrow streets and past the towering buildings. A glowing line traced the participants' intended course.
"The first leg of your journey will be through the city's core," the organizer continued, pointing toward the glowing route. "A path has been cleared for you to run through without obstruction. Your first checkpoint is Cicones' checkpoint gate, located at the city's edge. From there, the trial will truly begins."
The urban landscape gave way to rugged terrain, hills, valleys, forest. Each seemingly no less hazardous than the forementioned. Off in the hazy distance, the jagged outline of a mountain rose, its peak obscured by hazy clouds. At the top of the mountain, barely visible, was a small but unmistakable flag.
"Once you pass the checkpoint gate, the sentinels will be deployed," the organizer warned, voice growing darker. "They will hunt you, and they will not relent. But the route beyond is yours to choose. You may stay on the main path, or if you have the skill and courage, you may go off-road. Just know that venturing into the wilderness carries its own risks."
The map zoomed in on the mountain peak, the ultimate goal of the trial. "Your destination is the flag at the summit of that mountain. Once you reach it, you will be required to return here to the starting line. This will complete one lap of the trial. If you wish, you may then attempt additional laps. But be warned—each lap grows more dangerous, and the sentinels will become more relentless with each passing hour."
Jihoon’s eyes narrowed as he examined the map more closely. The distance from the city’s center to the mountain looked immense, far greater than he had anticipated. He quickly did the mental calculations in his head, matching the map’s scale to what he knew of terrain and geography.
It’s at least the distance of three marathons, he realized, feeling a twinge of unease. For a single lap, no less.
If this had been his world—where the average human was limited to a fraction of the physical capabilities seen here—the trial would have been impossible. The unawakened, those without the powers or enhancements in his world, would cap out at physical stats around 10. Enduring this trial in his world would be madness except for the Hunters, the kind of feat that would take a full day or more to complete, if it were even survivable.
Yet this was the norm of Absence. The place where its folks were far more hardy than he could imagine. His usage of [Observant] has shown that even untrained people can reach 2-digits easily, the participants here have at least 3-digits stats. In some fringe cases, even 4-digits with people like the Dwarf Ancestor of the Magni Conglomeration.
Then, Jihoon found himself exhaling slowly, his unease fading into a strange sense of relief. While the trial would still be a monstrous challenge, it wasn’t beyond him. Not here, not with his abilities.
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Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon
Level: 49
EXP: 162/690
Class: None
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: 13
-END: 14 (+8.4)
-AGI: 14
-DEX: 13
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 10.2
-CHA: 4
-MAG: 30
Attribute Points: 19
+Weapons:
-Judgement of Light (Decayed) – Halberd
+Musical Prowess: Early-Expert
+Active Skill:
-Doppelganger (Master)
-Mana Attunement (Intermediate)
-Light Magic (Intermediate)
-Judgement of Light – Halberd (Novice)
+Passive Skill:
-Deadly Obsession [Inactive] (Innate Trait Skill)
-Agony Resistance (Advanced)
+Song Magic:
-Forgotten Melody (Intermediate)
-Glint of Cold Steel (Intermediate)
-Belief (Intermediate)
-Exceed! (Intermediate)
-RiET-949 (Intermediate)
-SPIKA (Intermediate)
-Alvorna (Expert)
-Restia. (Expert)
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Agony Resistance
Classification: Mentality (Passive)
Rank: Advanced
Effect:
+60% to END
+Considerably reduce the effect of pain and agony on mental capacity.
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The goddamn beating that he received from his own Doppelganger, it really doesn’t pull its own punches as it proceed to demolish his body apart to no end during the day before the ceremony. Straight from Novice to Advanced with just how much pain he was in that he could not quantify it at all. If it weren’t for other participants providing him with their supportive magic, he would have kicked the figurative bucket in the attempt of fighting his own perfected combat self.
But the most important part here, is his Song Magic. With their effects to boost his physical stats by his own MAG. He could stand at equal measure with the other participants.
Still, Jihoon didn’t let his guard down. He knew better than to underestimate a trial like this, especially with the added threat of the sentinels. The fact that participants were given the freedom to choose their own routes meant that some would push the boundaries, attempting dangerous shortcuts or unorthodox paths. Some would succeed and others… would not.
The organizer’s voice echoed through the square, signaling the final instructions. “Remember: you must reach the flag and return. Speed is your ally, but so is survival. Choose your path wisely, and let the trial begin!”
The roar of the crowd swelled again as the participants prepared themselves. Jihoon glanced toward the distant mountain, eyes narrowing in focus. The path ahead was long, and the dangers many. But this was only the beginning.
Without a word of warning, a System notification panel popped up again. This time gives him another quest. The little goddess behind it has been quiet for a surprising amount of time. He didn’t even remember the last time he received a quest, was it back when he was at the dwarven conglomerate mall or something?
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The Great Escape
Difficulty: C+
Description:
A trial of endurance and strategy. You are to complete
a single lap of the trial course through the city of Cicones and beyond.
The route will grow increasingly treacherous as sentinels are deployed
to hunt down participants.
Survival is key, but speed is also rewarded.
Take caution, but know when to push your limits. Time is of the essence.
Objective:
-Complete the race with at least 1 lap.
Reward:
-5,000 EXP
-Depends on your performance
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Jihoon grimaced at the difficulty rating—C+ was no joke for the current him right now. Even for someone with his abilities, it would be a grueling challenge. After all, it was a race against time and survival, with hunters on their heels. The reward wasn’t bad, either. 5,000 EXP would push him further along, and if he performed well, there were even greater rewards to be had.
Just as he was about to contemplate the best strategy, the sharp crack of a starting signal rang out, cutting through his thoughts. The race had begun.
In an instant, the air erupted with movement. Participants surged forward, a blur of colors and forms as they raced from the starting line. Jihoon’s eyes widened as he was jostled, nearly knocked off his feet by the sheer force of the rush.
From all sides, beings of various races charged ahead—dwarves, with their stocky builds and surprising speed, barreled past him like armored tanks. Elves, their movements graceful and swift, slipped through the crowd like wind. Beastfolk, with their powerful strides, leaped forward with primal energy. Even the more exotic youkai of Eastern Absence with their otherworldly auras and swift motion sprinted ahead with ease.
Jihoon found himself struggling to avoid being trampled. A massive beastfolk, muscles rippling and bodily hair visible, nearly crashed into him as it leaped past. He barely sidestepped out of the way, his heart pounding. Elbows, arms, and feet blurred in his peripheral vision as everyone seemed hellbent on getting ahead.
The tide of bodies forced him to stumble back, almost sending him to the ground. He gasped, catching himself just before he hit the dirt, only to realize that the entire group had already pulled far ahead. When he finally regained his bearings, Jihoon looked up in disbelief.
He was dead last.
For a split second, frustration flared within him. The entire pack had surged ahead, and he had been left standing at the starting line. But Jihoon shook off the panic quickly. This wasn’t the time to wallow in self-pity.
With the mental gesture toward the System, he used one of his Song Magic, his own character theme.
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Exceed!
Classification: Song Magic
Rank: Intermediate
Effect (MAG 30):
-+[10*MAG]% (Currently: 300%) to all Physical Attributes of self.
'A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one’s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.’
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Gritting his teeth, he activated his Song Magic. The familiar hum of Exceed! resonated within him, flooding his body with a surge of amplified energy. His legs felt lighter, his muscles stronger. With the boost coursing through him, he launched himself forward, the ground blurring beneath him as he began to close the distance.
The city streets stretched out before him, and Jihoon pushed harder, his breath steady, his mind focused. The others were still ahead, but he could feel his momentum building. He wasn’t out of the race yet.
Without wasting another moment, Jihoon launched himself forward, feet pounding the ground as he sprinted after the others. The distance between him and the rest of the pack was wide, but not insurmountable. He could make up the ground.
The race had only just begun.