In the original work, the player’s range of activity spanned the entire map of Earth.

The character could move anywhere on the map if they wished.

Of course, the main stage of part one is Shio-ram.

This is just a recommendation, not a necessity. The system doesn’t prevent players from escaping.

But the problem lies in the fact that if one were to bolt from Shio-ram, their growth graph would take a nosedive.

In the 7th cycle, unable to suppress my curiosity, I fled from Shio-ram and ended up failing miserably, on par with the 1st cycle.

My growth was painfully slow; maybe it was the price of my name once being associated with special admissions because I even had to fend off assassins.

With no backing forces and presumed turncoats targeting my life, my already slow growth was further delayed as I dealt with the aftermath and tended to my injuries.

They say you don’t know if it’s poop or soybean paste until you eat it.

The results of an unchecked curiosity cost me an entire cycle to learn.

That’s why, in part one, I was firmly planted in Shio-ram.

Theoretically, to achieve the fastest growth, one had to stick inside Shio-ram and suckle on the blessing of growth for four straight years.

In part two, after graduating from Shio-ram, the player can wander around various maps.

By then, dark clouds may loom over the world, but movement is still possible.

However, there are places one cannot travel to.

To be precise, there were almost no places that the system forcibly restricted.

Most of the time, it’s because a character’s condition or specs are lacking.

For example, in previous cycles, the Diamond Warrior was able to forcefully penetrate and infiltrate the floating island, which was otherwise inaccessible, even causing it to fall.

If conditions are met, practically any map can be turned upside down.

– Thunk

Suddenly, my body twitched. It was a minor creak. To most superhumans, such a slight dissonance would be undetectable, but my ears picked it up clearly.

I casually glanced around.

Details of the luxurious train interior were relayed to me. Unlike the usual setup, each seat was partitioned off like individual rooms.

For me, these were exorbitantly high-class seats. Yet, the touch of the handle in my grip was not unfamiliar.

It was similar to the sensation in the dorms. Had I become accustomed to such high-end items?

After leaving Edinburgh Gate Terminal, I immediately boarded a northbound train.

The Hidden Pieces near Edinburgh were not found in the original work, and since I had no purpose for sightseeing, I swiftly scanned the area with my spatial perception and promptly departed.

It was around 4 a.m. local time.

The sun was still hidden in this hour. There’s a time difference between Shio-ram, located in the middle of the North Pacific, and Scotland.

A day had already passed by the calendar, but as long as I return based on Shio-ram’s time, there’s no issue.

‘…It’s vast.’

Information outside the train shifts endlessly.

Urban areas pass by, and then the scenic splendor of green grassy fields.

Despite the train’s relentless travel, new information floods in ceaselessly. At a glance, it all appears similar, yet differences reside in the details.

Continuously receiving such information, I couldn’t help but be struck anew by how expansive the world is.

It felt similar to the first time I stepped out of the orphanage.

The difference now is that the sky is out of sight. There are no clouds obstructing the view, no sun, moon, or stars risen.

Back then, it was astonishing to learn that concrete structures weren’t the entirety of the world, and odd that no walls appeared no matter how far I walked.

Also, that there were so many people in the world other than myself, and that most of them seemed happier than I was made me feel so…

– Smack

I slapped my cheek just before descending into unnecessary sentimentality. The sting snapped me back to reality.

I shook my head furiously as if exasperated.

‘Maybe I really need to visit a mental hospital.’

Rubbing my burning cheek, worries flooded in.

Red flags were raised for my mental health.

Of course, even the original me wasn’t exactly mentally sound.

I knew my mental fortitude was on par with a vacant-brained idiot, but lately it seemed to have worsened.

Ever since using Gop-hwa, emotions bubble up unexpectedly, and sometimes, tears fall spontaneously during solitary training at night.

‘…Is it dangerous?’

The results from the psychological test I took with Professor Liana a few days ago hadn’t come back yet.

Depending on the outcome, I’ll need to carve out time to visit a mental hospital.

I felt averse to the idea of attending a mental institution, but it’s certainly better than suddenly going insane and hanging myself.

For a superhuman…precisely, for a hero in their prime, mental health is a critically important issue.

We’re not ordinary people; we’re superhumans. When such powerful individuals lose their minds, the damage isn’t limited to minor troubles.

If they truly snap, they could become villains causing significant harm, so managing mental health is an essential virtue for a hero.

Rubbing my cheek with the water bottle I had with me, I felt the transition from nature to city through my spatial perception.

I had reached my first destination.

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.
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My final destination is Shipnaha.

The goal is to acquire the Necklace of Confession, which can be obtained in a dungeon nearby.

But it would be a waste to spend an entire weekend here just for the Necklace of Confession, returning with only that in hand.

There are also gains to be made on the way to Shipnaha.

I planned to spend the whole weekend here, picking up a few easily obtainable Hidden Pieces.

Hidden Piece, a high-tier artifact ‘Jewel of the Lake’

An artifact shaped like a blue gem, it transforms absorbed magic power into water Qi (水氣).

This water Qi has properties of purification and healing, essentially functioning as a semi-permanent healing drug.

For someone sticking to a solo strategy, recovery-type artifacts are crucial, and the Jewel of the Lake is so effective it’s commonly sought even in the later cycles.

I remember its location. At a general store in the northern part of Scotland, it was on sale as clearance—

“Crystal orb? That decorative item sold out years ago. It was taking up space, so we barely managed to sell it off in a clearance sale.”

…Eh.

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…Hidden Piece, a high-tier artifact ‘Spear of Retribution’

A favorite of a hero active during the era of turmoil.

A weapon that roamed the battlefield under the grip of a hero burning with vengeance against monsters becomes inherently cursed through a series of coincidences.

If wounded by the spear, the wound is seeded with an evil Qi that hinders healing and festers the injury.

When overwhelmed with this evil Qi, it could even induce life-threatening complications.

The description is creepy, but the effect when killing something is outstanding. Most monsters sustain permanent damage with just one strike.

Similarly, this was tucked away in a corner of a small armory shop on the Scottish map. People failed to realize the weapon’s functionality due to the curse it bore.

After the 9th cycle, it was frequently sought—

“Ah, I see. About ten years ago, this place was a blacksmith that also sold arms. Business wasn’t doing well, so they cleared the stock and moved.”

Ack…

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…Hidden Piece, a material item ‘Beacon’s Horn’

A byproduct of the rare, fantastical species called Beacon, its horn is shrouded in a peculiar Qi, making it a tricky material to handle.

While difficult, if one has the necessary craftsmanship, it can be used effectively.

My own crafting skills are rudimentary, but according to plan, there’s someone willing to teach me.

I could commission that person to make some decent weapons, or I could just sell the horn later.

The method of acquisition—

“How about this price for it? Though it’s merely ornamental on our end, it should be quite a useful material for your purposes, so this price is fair, wouldn’t you say?”

‘Oh.’

I didn’t expect much. Before considering the previous two failures, Beacon’s Horn was a type of Hidden Piece that was desirable but hard to come by.

I nodded vigorously and pulled out some cash from my pocket. Even with technological advancements, the market still preferred cash transactions.

“A good deal indeed.”

– Nod

I felt the same. The price was a bit, well, quite expensive by my standards, but it was a bargain compared to the weapons that could be made from this horn.

I reached out my hand, about to grab the distinctively dark horn—

– Whoa!?

The moment it touched my grasp, Beacon’s Horn let out an alarmed tremble. It was as if it had touched something that it should never have, a fatal resonance.

I felt the same. Suppressing a wave of nausea, I managed to grasp it, but something fundamental rejected that horn.

The horn and my Qi clashed several times. The horn trembled precariously and then instantly disintegrated into dust.

“……”

“……”

A heap of black dust, once the seller’s hand, was scattered by the wind that blew through.

An unexpected silence fell upon us.

The seller’s eyebrows trembled. He rubbed the residue of dust in his hand and then said in a timid voice.

“…There was nothing wrong with the product.”

No, damn it. So the problem lies with me?

My head throbbed.

The world seemed hateful…

* * *

[The curse ‘Misfortune of a Beauty’ brings misfortune and unfortunate events your way.]

[Life force is consumed due to the curse ‘Misfortune of a Beauty’.]