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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Avatar (3)
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Another new skill had been acquired.
This one seemed to be a sub-skill linked to my unique skill.
And when I checked its details, I finally saw the ability I'd been hoping for.
The Avatar was practically another body of mine.
Having two bodies came with plenty of upsides, of course, but it wasn't without its downsides.
The fact that food costs would double was a minor issue by comparison.
'The fatal part is that I have no choice but to take in the Avatar's sensations and the emotions they bring, unfiltered.'
Ignoring those sensations by putting the Avatar into hibernation only worked in low-stimulation environments—it wasn't a foolproof ability.
'For example... death.'
Or when suffering a mortal wound, there was no way I could ignore the intense emotions and pain.
Of course, since it was an Avatar that could be reverse-summoned in danger, it might be fine.
That's what I'd been banking on when I planned to send it to the other world in my place.
'But crises can strike anytime, anywhere. A moment of carelessness could lead to death, or an unexpected situation might inflict a fatal injury.'
Or even if it didn't happen to me directly, if someone right in front of me suddenly died, my fragile modern-day psyche—more delicate than most—would take a massive mental hit.
In that regard, this new skill was incredibly useful.
Now, through the Hub—a relay—I could filter and selectively process all stimuli and emotions coming from the Avatar.
In other words, not only had I overcome dimensional motion sickness, but I was immune to all mental contamination, including death.
I could control the Avatar like a game character, going anywhere and doing anything.
"All from the cozy comfort of my room!"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Avatar's potential has increased. Growth acceleration enhanced.
As if that wasn't the end of it, another message appeared.
This meant additional growth bonuses for the Avatar.
'Wait, the Avatar originally had the exact same conditions as me, but now...'
Didn't this mean it would end up superior and more talented than my main body?
'Well, since the Avatar will handle all the dangerous stuff anyway, it'd be great if it got stronger. It is good, but...'
A subtle mix of emotions washed over me, leaving a wry expression on my face.
A main body inferior to its clone.
'No! I'm the brain, so it's fine. A commander doesn't need to be stronger than the troops. Anyway, let's check how much Karma I have left.'
Unique Skill Enhancement (500,000)Held Karma: -900,213
So much Karma, and over half was already gone.
Judging by the escalating costs, this next enhancement would likely be the last.
I knew it was greed, but I couldn't help smacking my lips in regret.
After a brief moment of thought, I selected Unique Skill Enhancement one final time.
It was far more efficient than boosting other stats, so I didn't hesitate.
Unique Skill Enhancement (600,000)Held Karma: -400,213 ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Unique Skill has grown, unlocking new potential. All Avatars acquire one random skill.
The final enhancement didn't let me down either.
Skill awakening for the Avatars.
I'd basically had no combat abilities up to now, so this was like rain in a drought.
'Of course, it won't match the unique skill from the first awakening, but even a minor skill is precious right now.'
And the changes didn't stop there.
I'd become three people!
We took turns looking at each other.
Multiple enhancements had steadily boosted my multitasking and mental fortitude, and with Mind Hub helping out, there was no confusion at all.
'Avatars will keep increasing from here, so eventually it might get confusing. I need a way to distinguish them...'
Simply put, names.
"Can't keep calling them Avatar 1, Avatar 2 forever."
"Not great at naming things."
"Names... names..."
After huddling with my clones and racking our brains for a while, I sighed and shook my head.
Three heads, same sense—naming wasn't any easier.
"Han... Hans. Let's go with 'Hans.' Easy to say, and it has a nice ring. Yeah."
I pointed to my first summoned Avatar and assigned the name that popped into my head.
The unexpected came right after.
Bzzz—
"Huh? What's this all of a sudden..."
A faint vibration brushed through my mind.
No pain, no discomfort, but I instinctively knew something had changed.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 📋 Entity Name: Hans 🔗 Common Traits: 「Mind Hub」, 「Super Recovery」 🎭 Entity Trait: 「Mana Affinity」 📝 Special Notes: Han Seonghyeon's first Avatar
"...Didn't see that coming."
As the Avatar skill grew, 'Hans''s info was etched into my mind.
If using Karma was a full 1-point evolution, this growth was maybe 0.1 at best.
Negligible compared to the Karma Shop method.
'This is probably the standard way to grow abilities, though.'
Skills evolve in line with the user's intentions.
Naming the Avatar must have triggered it this time.
'Funny how the Avatars get status screens when I don't even have one.'
Without a dedicated viewing skill, no status window appears.
This new info panel was likely the Avatar skill evolving to better manage my entities.
'"Entity" makes it sound kinda lame. Should've picked a cooler name. Gotta think harder for the next one. Anyway, Mana Affinity.'
A skill that helps sense mana more easily and handle it better.
Useful for growth, but no immediate combat boost.
The second Avatar's skill was even Sturdiness, boosting physical durability.
"Feels like I drew blanks... Oh well. Now for the last thing..."
There was something I absolutely had to test.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Hoo... hoo..."
I stood at the front door, trash bag in one hand, taking deep breaths.
Throwing out even a single bag used to be a huge ordeal.
I had to go in the dead of night when no one was around, eyes on the ground, rushing back.
Stumbling out and back in trembling, I'd spend ages bedridden, drenched in cold sweat.
Now it was time to test Mind Hub.
I'd checked the ability countless times—it promised no issues—but stepping out in broad daylight still tensed me up.
'Alright, let's do this for real!'
I took a deep breath, grabbed the handle, and flung the door wide.
The moment I stepped out, my reflexively trembling body gradually calmed.
I breathed the outside air, walked the hall, descended the stairs.
The usual urge to flee that tormented me every time was gone.
I casually strolled into the sunlit outdoors to the collection point and sorted the trash.
Finished, I looked around.
Cigarette butts on the ground, gossiping ladies across the way, kids' laughter from the distant playground.
Closing my eyes and inhaling, the stench of trash stung my nose.
"Kid, what're you doing here? Don't block the way—move so I can dump my trash."
"Oh, sorry."
I sheepishly bowed and slowly walked home, scanning the surroundings again.
The long-familiar neighborhood scenery swelled my chest with emotion.
And I watched it all from inside, like viewing a movie.
The one outside was undeniably me.
I controlled the body, thought, spoke—everything directly.
But the usual terror was absent. No shaking, no cold sweat.
I could even converse normally.
Fear, confusion, all emotions.
Every stimulus from the Avatar passed through a filter, leaving me unaffected.
Beep beep—click.
The front door opened, Hans entered calmly, washed his hands in the bathroom, and approached.
Test complete.
Mind Hub exceeded expectations. Now, I could do anything.
'Even head to the other world.'
And as I got used to the outside like this, someday I'd step out with my real body.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I spent a few days preparing before heading to the other world.
The risks were high, but so were the gains—and with my body's safety assured, there was no reason not to go.
Setting aside my personal desire to escape this room and explore another world, faster growth was possible too.
Time dilation benefits aside, otherworld awakeners got extra growth bonuses.
Factoring in my Avatars' accelerated growth perks, I'd power up much quicker.
'In this chaotic society, power is everything.'
I suppressed the memory of 'that day' and clenched my trembling hands.
...I never wanted to feel that powerless despair again.
Training for the other world let me fully appreciate Super Recovery.
Push hard, rest briefly, recover perfectly—maximizing gains as I trained relentlessly.
It was a shame Avatar training only affected that body, not mine.
But since they were separate physiques from creation, it was inevitable.
'Doesn't matter since only Avatars go to the other world. They get growth acceleration anyway. Plus, Karma Shop stat boosts seem to carry over on resummon.'
Unlike my home workouts hitting limits, Avatars could train outside efficiently.
To avoid attention with superhuman recovery, I used the empty complex gym to brutalize my body, then ran far when noticed.
Extreme pain filtered by Mind Hub made grueling workouts mere repetition.
Of course, my main body was giggling online at home, so no real boredom.
Uneasy about sending two identical faces out together, I focused training on Hans for the other world, while the other did home workouts and leisure.
"Whoa—stage boss cleared already!"
"Nice! Let's keep going!"
In perfect sync for two-player mode, the door opened—sweaty Hans heading to the bath.
Watching him return from ascetic torment felt oddly guilty, like I was slacking.
'Kinda iffy, but can't feel sorry for one arm while only training it and resting the body.'
I set the table before Hans finished washing.
Minor issue maybe, but food costs were skyrocketing.
Three grown men exercising beyond normal— one in near-martyrdom—burned insane calories.
Tears welled at the expense, but I saw it as investment.
Just bring back useful otherworld items via Avatar, and it'd pay off.
'Selling discreetly? We'll figure it out. Current Avatars are optimized for crime if needed.'
But no harming innocents for cash—not my style.
I've been a victim too.
I'd act honorably, no shame to my family.
'That's why the other world is essential.'
Weaker than other returnees, Earth offered few money-making paths.
Manual labor was all that came to mind.
"No info on 'Auterica Dimension,' huh."
"Am I the first? Or no one's returned yet. Bummer anyway."
Somehow, thinking felt like chatting with Avatars now.
Lack of conversation partners before...
Interacting with others would fix that in time.
And soon after.
I final-checked the heavily geared Avatar, like my first time.
Not my old gear—newly acquired items.
Couldn't send my parents' emergency prep to an unpredictable other world.
They'd likely stay unused.
"Phew... seems all set now."
Could go anytime, but I double-checked to ease tension.
Knew it was safe, but otherworld bound? Inevitable nerves.
"Alright, for real. Otherworld Transfer Circle."
The circle from before reappeared before me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Transfer to Auterica Dimension complete.
The process was simple.
Summon Otherworld Transfer Circle, have Avatar step on, activate.
Anticlimactically easy—tension from prep felt silly.
Opened my eyes post-transfer to the familiar forest.
Well, strictly speaking, it was different.
Towering trees matched, but surroundings were hard to see.
"It's night..."
Stranded alone in the dark forest heart.
Time flow differed by about tenfold—unavoidable, but disappointing.
Aimed for my first arrival time, but drift occurred.
Survival in nighttime woods right off the bat? Even daytime felt iffy.
After brief thought, I decided to move.
'Normally, wandering a night forest carelessly is bad, but...'
Short deliberation—I stepped forward without hesitation.
Enhanced physique from awakening and Super Recovery helped, but lack of危機 sense was key.
No dimensional sickness thanks to Mind Hub; feeling utterly safe turned perilous night hike into thrilling adventure.
Thus, lighthearted, immersed in otherworld romance, I looked up at the night sky.
The first thing I saw wasn't stars, but glowing yellow beast eyes.