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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Live Moderately
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'Let's live moderately.'
It's the philosophy that's kept my life peaceful from my mid-twenties epiphany all the way to my early thirties.
Disasters that befall people mostly stem from desires that outstrip their abilities, so the conclusion is that letting go of those leads to a smooth life.
"Phew~ Another boring day of routine done, but damn overtime just won't quit. Those kids over there are still grinding away, huh. Lucky youth. Yeah~ Oh, am I too young at early thirties to say that?"
Some truths never change, no matter how eras or worlds shift.
Yeah, even if monsters suddenly appear one day, bizarre entities called Constellations show up, and people gain fantasy-like powers through something called 'Awakening'—my truth holds firm.
"Always fascinating, no matter how many times I see it~"
I voice my thoughts while watching students draw magic circles from their hands and emit light from their swords.
This is Academia Seoul in South Korea.
Adults who Awaken head to training camps for basic education before becoming Hunters right away, but minors need general education as citizens, so they're gathered in facilities like this for schooling.
"Eutcha, not my house, but home sweet shelter~"
I've been a Staff member here for nine years, and thanks to my Team Leader position, I even scored a private dorm just for me.
"Phew~ Feels good. TV on, beer and snacks set! This is what life's about."
After a grueling day, I kick back with news and variety shows on TV, watch my elf knight character auto-farm on my phone, and chug a beer.
Not luxurious, but a place to truly relax—simple, solid happiness.
"Let's see. News is nothing new. Slaughter King's rampaging up north, China's still fractured in the west, and Eternal Wrath's shut down sea routes east again. Same old, same old."
When crises, horrors, and threats have been the backdrop since birth, it all blends into routine.
Sure, humanity scores some wins—dangerous Constellations get swapped out, monster types shift—but it's just normal now.
"Here we go with the usual debate. 'Give Hunters more budget 'cause they suffer' vs 'Taxes aren't your pocket money?' Classic. Kyaa! Nah, boring—channel surf."
I down my beer and flip channels.
Some things never change with the times: the winners keep winning, scandals and corruption roll on.
The world looks changed, but truths endure.
"World's full of scary stuff, they say, but the big shots grab all they can, so we're far from done."
Even amid threats from Constellations dubbed Demon Gods who unleash monsters, hostile Scavengers, and Demon terrors, humans still scheme, blinded by greed.
No one's stepping up to improve things even a bit—reality's that bleak.
"If the smart, capable folks act like that, what can a guy like me do? No talent, just aging—only choice left is live moderately. Oh? Unique item dropped? Lucky day—chicken money earned."
I long ago realized I can't change squat when even the brilliant ones don't.
Dreams, hopes, effort? That's for teens and twenties. Doesn't fly for a thirty-something uncle.
So my hard-won truth: 'Let's live moderately.'
"Not something to shout about, but damn, it's comfy~"
No family, no relatives, no girlfriend—looks lonely to others, but it's freeing, perfect for moderate living.
Family? Orphan from birth—no complaints there.
Girlfriend? Thought about it years back, but now dating feels exhausting, and I dread if I could even support a family.
"Know your place—that's key."
Letting go eases the mind.
Besides, Christmas couples fill hotels and motels without judgment these days.
Some might call me a loser wallowing in defeatism, but I say I'm wise.
No strength, power, wisdom, or money—what am I supposed to do? Best I've got is one vote on election day.
Taxes, pension, insurance—all paid up. National defense duty done. After that, my life, my rules.
"Yawn~ Bedtime? Oh, one more auto-run and inventory sort. Right, tomorrow's training gear warehouse cleanup. Yawn~ Sleep time."
Savoring simple joys, I prep for another day and hit the sack.
The more you let go, the lighter life gets.
No crying over fruitless effort, no blaming lack of talent, no pitying shortcomings or envying others.
Shoulder what you can, ditch the rest moderately—that's the best.
"Zzz..."
Bzzzzt!
「New message arrived.」
"Uh, hmm? What? Schedule change tomorrow? Please, no disasters needing cleanup..."
Drifting off, my phone buzzes. Jolt awake—message waiting.
Off-duty wind-down—no emergency summons, please. Unlock, close game, check.
「♚♚Want to become an Awakener?♚♚100% Constellation match guaranteed☜☜※ ♜Life-changing chance♜Apostle appointment: Awakening system, trait skill, gear FREE@@Trendy! Lv up, stats system complete✫✫✫Just say yes for instant match[email protected]@Not spam.」
"What? A joke? Who even uses old-school phishing scams anymore? Not funny~"
But the message hits weird.
Want to become an Awakener? Who wouldn't?
Even F-rank boosts Academia Staff pay—obvious yes.
"Sigh, if wanting made it happen, world'd be screwed. Sleep. Woke up for spam."
Bzzzzt!
Another buzz, ignored. Crash.
If urgent or real emergency, they'd call. I'll claim I was asleep.
Anyway, shrug off nonsense, sleep for another moderate day.
***
Next day.
Slept like a rock ignoring the spam. Wake up, grab phone—check for missed calls first.
[Missed Calls: 0]
[New Messages: 7]
"Phew~ Safe. No calls. That Awakener scammer sent seven? Creep. Good I ignored… Wait? Shit? What's this? A chest?"
Glance at stacked messages, fix sheets, sit up—strange chest in view.
Wooden like in games, iron-banded.
Freak out like seeing a ghost, look around.
"What? This? No way?"
Link to yesterday's message—frantic check.
If this happened, that spam was real.
[Consent and approval confirmed. Constellation matching and system granting commencing shortly.]
"No, I thought 'nice,' but never consented? Total scam!"
[Matching canceled as subject is asleep. Awakening system granted. Promised 'trait skill' randomly provided. 'Gear' randomly placed—use well.]
"That chest has the gear?"
Eye unopened RPG chest, read on.
Straight-up hard sell. Messing with my peaceful routine—want refund bad.
[P.S. No refunds for cold feet. Fighting!]
"Seems legit, but 'fighting'? Next one's manual?"
Telling me to suffer? Pure malice.
Next message: 'system' usage, stats, etc.—basic manual.
"St-status window? …Whoa, saying it aloud feels badass."
[Lv.1 Yoo Seongwon]
Growth Stats:1/1/1/1
Str:14 Dex:12 Vit:14 Mag:0
[Trait]
Path of the Great Knight
"Whoa, it's real. Holy shit...."
Transparent window hits—finally feels real. I'm an Awakener.
No denying reality, so check the random trait.
"Probably basic? No Constellation blessing, just random roll..."
Standard handout—common starter trait.
Any class bumps promotion points, bonus pay—no loss.
Yeah, small luck. Good thing.
[Trait-Path of the Great Knight]
Rank:SSS
View Details
SSS? Rub eyes, double-check.
Three S's clear as day.
"Phew~ Hold up, hold up~ Wait. Phew~"
Haven't read powers, but SSS trait sinks in. Deep breaths, eye chest cautiously.
Feels like this won't end quietly.
SSS trait that'd thrill normals? Crushing pressure, cold sweat.
And fate, loving twists, piles on trials.
"Whoa, really telling me to fuck off proper?"
[Random gear granted: 'Legend: Golden Guardian Beast Armor'.]
Chest holds golden plate armor, sunlight-blinding like the sun.
Full plate mail, but helmet and suit sealed, sci-fi vibes.
SSS trait skill plus Legendary gear—life-reversing jackpot.
Ten years ago? Five? I'd be ecstatic, jumping.
"Mm...."
But now's different.
Know my place, limits, contentment.
Lack's trouble, but excess destroys worse.
This 'blessing' is a life-wrecking curse—I know it.
"Dump it."
To escape fate's grasp stealing my moderate life, I hunt for trash bags.
Now! Toss this damn curse!