A small, metallic cube appeared in his palm. This was it. The key to his future empire. Most players would spend weeks trying to find a safe zone with a blacksmith. He carried the forge in his pocket.
"Get up, Sang-woo," Han Jin said, grabbing the two Monster Essences left behind by the Goblins. "The dorm is a death trap. We're going to the cafeteria."
"The cafeteria? But that's where most of the students are! It'll be crawling with those things!"
"Exactly," Han Jin smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "More monsters means more materials. And I have a lot of weapons to forge."
He looked out into the smoke-filled hallway. In the distance, he could see the massive Tower pulsing with a dark, rhythmic light.
Arthur, I hope you're enjoying your 'Hero' status right now, Han Jin thought, gripping his club. Because I'm building a ladder made of your nightmares, and I'm coming for your head.
****
As the smoke from the dissolved Goblins cleared, Han Jin didn't look at his new level or his gold. His first instinct was to reach into his pocket.
His fingers, still stained with green coloured blood of the goblin, trembled slightly as he pulled out his cracked smartphone.
In his past life, he had been too confused, too terrified. He had waited three days for the chaos to settle before trying to reach the Seoul Central Hospital. By the time he got there, the 'Mana Plague' had already mutated the patients, and his sister's bed was an empty, blood-soaked ruin.
He wouldn't make that mistake again.
He dialed 'Ling-er.'
Ring... Ring... Click.
"Jin? Is that you?" Her voice was thin, punctuated by a wet cough. "The hospital... the power went out. People are screaming in the hallway. I'm scared."
Hearing her voice felt magical. She was alive and breathing. It hit Han Jin harder than any Goblin's club.
"Ling-er, listen to me very carefully," Han Jin said, his voice dropping into a low, commanding tone. "Lock your room. Move the heavy medical cabinets in front of the door. Don't open it to anyone, not even the doctors. Do you understand?"
"Jin, what's happening? They say a tower…"
"The world is changing, Ling-er. But I'm coming for you. I'm going to get the medicine you need. Just hold on for forty-eight hours. Can you do that for me?"
"...I'll try," she whispered.
The line went dead as the cellular towers finally succumbed to the mana interference. Han Jin stared at the black screen for a second before shoving the phone back into his pocket. His gaze turned toward the door, his violet eyes burning with a new, fierce intensity.
"We're going to the cafeteria," Han Jin told Sang-woo, who was still shaking on the floor. "And we're doing it fast. I have a hospital to reach."
Sang-woo looked at the two dissolving monster corpses, then at the splintered door. "But... but it's dangerous out there! We should just stay here, try to call for help!"
"There is no help, Sang-woo, not anymore. The Tower has descended, and humanity is on its own. If you want to live, and if you want to help me save my sister, you follow my orders." Han Jin's tone left no room for argument. "We need more materials, and we need a way to move through the city. The cafeteria is our best bet for both."
He picked up the two Monster Essences the Goblins had dropped. He had 500 Gold from his first quest.
"Here," Han Jin said, tossing Sang-woo a sturdy, slightly dented metal trash can lid. "Use this as a shield. And stop looking so terrified. Fear is how they catch you."
Sang-woo gripped the lid, still trembling, but a flicker of resolve entered his eyes. "Okay, Jin! Just... tell me what to do."
"Stay behind me. Don't hesitate to hit anything green that moves."
Han Jin pushed the dresser aside, revealing the mangled door. He peered into the deserted hallway. Bodies lay twisted on the floor, some still with horrified expressions, others half-eaten. It was a scene from a nightmare, but Han Jin had lived through worse. His All-Seeing Eye flickered over the corpses, identifying them as former students. There were no usable materials on them.
They crept through the dormitory hallway. Every shadow seemed to hide a monster. Han Jin's Splintering Club was held ready. The screams from other parts of the building were faint now, replaced by the guttural growls of unseen creatures.
They encountered two more Goblins near the stairwell. Han Jin, now more experienced, moved like a predator. He feinted, drawing one Goblin's attack, then used the momentum to smash its head against the concrete wall. Sang-woo, emboldened by Han Jin's ferocity, bravely charged the second, giving it a blow with his trash can lid before Han Jin finished it with a swift strike to the neck.
[Ding! You have slain a Lesser Goblin (Lv. 1).]
[Experience Gained: 20%.]
[Ding! You have slain a Lesser Goblin (Lv. 1).]
[Experience Gained: 20%.]
[Level Up! You have reached Level 3!] [You have 5 Stat Points to distribute.]
Han Jin quickly distributed the points: 3 into Intelligence (for better crafting) and 2 into Strength (to hit harder). He had now killed 5 Goblins, and got enough Monster Essence for his next goal.
They reached the cafeteria, a vast, echoing hall that now littered with overturned tables and more unfortunate souls. However, it was also crawling with Goblins, drawn by the scent of fresh food and terror. At least a dozen of the creatures were tearing into vending machines and student bodies.
"Too many," Sang-woo whispered, shrinking back.
"No," Han Jin said, his eyes scanning the room, ignoring the gruesome sights. "Just more materials."
He spotted a discarded metal lunch tray, its edges were slightly bent. Next to it, was a broken broom handle.
[Item: Broken Broom Handle]
Durability: 5/5
Hidden Potential: Can be converted into [Basic Wooden Haft] (Rank F).
Materials Required: None.
[Item: Dented Metal Tray]
Durability: 20/20
Hidden Potential: Can be converted into [Crude Iron Shield] (Rank F).
Materials Required: 1x Monster Essence, 1x Iron Scraps.
Han Jin pulled out the Portable Mini-Forge. The small metallic cube hummed to life, unfolding like a futuristic origami flower, revealing a tiny anvil, bellows, and a miniature crucible. It glowed with a faint, steady heat.
"What is that?!" Sang-woo gasped.
Han Jin ignored him. He touched the Monster Essence he had just collected to the metal tray. His golden light flared, as the tray began to reshape itself, the dents smoothing out, the edges thickening. He then touched the broom handle to the forge, and it hardened, forming a solid grip.
[Ding! Crafting Successful!]
[Item Created: Crude Iron Shield (Rank F - Quality)]
Defense: 10-15
Durability: 50/50
Special Effect: Increased guard break resistance.
Crafting Experience Gained: 10%.
[Ding! Crafting Successful!]
[Item Created: Basic Wooden Haft (Rank F)]
Durability: 30/30
Description: A sturdy handle, suitable for attaching other components.
Crafting Experience Gained: 5%.