Chapter 156

Once I had played a game to a certain extent, not only was a "no death" run common, but I often achieved "no hit" clears without taking a single blow.

And yet, to lose a heart so absurdly right from the start.

It was something I had never experienced once while gaming.

Of course, this was a Trial, but it still didn’t feel great.

Upon reviving, the first thing I checked was the Pudding Slime.

"Roasted Chestnut. Are you hurt?"

It felt like he was asking on purpose, even though he knew I was fine.

I think I understood what he meant. It was a signal to punish the insolent creature.

After confirming Dominic’s safety, I looked up.

Everyone was staring at the "trash-tier" recruit who had fallen out of the stage immediately upon entry.

Won Tae-beom asked with a stiff expression.

"Trainee Han Goyo. What happened?"

Trials were generally designed so that people within a certain range entered in a random order.

It was entirely possible for someone who entered before me to target me and push me off.

There were thirteen trainees in total, including myself.

At this point, I couldn’t pinpoint the culprit.

Even if I demanded to know who pushed me, it wouldn’t end well.

The opponent likely acted with that exact outcome in mind.

For now, it was wiser to just pass it off as my own mistake and observe the situation.

Since there was a very small possibility it actually was an accident, I intended to let it slide once.

"I apologize. I was careless."

However, Won Tae-beom didn’t back down easily despite my answer.

As an instructor, he couldn’t be unaware that losing a heart in Hop Drop Pop caused no actual damage.

He must have developed some camaraderie with me during The Cell X.

Recalling the peanut butter jelly sandwich Won Tae-beom had shared with me, I put on an expression that suggested there was nothing to worry about.

He finally tore his gaze away from me.

"...Be careful, Trainee Han."

After giving a warning laced with concern, Won Tae-beom briefly scanned the trainees who had entered to check the headcount and gave an order.

"Everyone, check your quests."

A cheerful yet frantic background music blended with Won Tae-beom’s voice.

It was a beat combining bouncy synth-pop and chiptune sounds, with catchy brass and a funky baseline.

The light, beeping dissonances sprinkled throughout were quite whimsical.

Listening to the music that naturally lifted the mood, I belatedly read the main quest.

◆ <Hop Drop Pop> Main Quest: Jump over obstacles, defeat competitors, and complete the race to the finish line.

[You have once again entered a trial that is far too easy and simple.]

[I don’t think it’s necessary for you to enter trials like this anymore.]

[There is nothing left to show of the Young God’s abilities.]

[Whether you clear it with a True Ending or not, it would be best to get out quickly and enter another trial.]

[Success: Survival!]

[Failure: Regression to 0% Recognition!]

...I had been disgusted when entering PTB, but Hop Drop Pop was practically at the level of contempt.

The system window didn’t even tell me to close it with a True Ending anymore.

Looking at the system window pouring out curses as if saying "do whatever you want," I felt like I absolutely had to enter the next trial with at least three stars.

Furthermore, this time it didn’t just say a "significant drop" in recognition upon failure, but the terrifying words "regression to 0%."

I had only just started earning star fragments; I couldn’t afford to lose my eligibility to use the Galactic Trading Post.

As I read the quest window thoroughly, I recalled the theoretical training I had learned from Mo Hae-in.

There was a fact I had discovered for the first time yesterday.

It was that the quest windows for others were different from mine.

They never had detailed explanations attached to the quests, and even the one-line descriptions were far more concise.

For example, if another recruit received the main quest window for Hop Drop Pop, it would probably look like this:

◆ Hop Drop Pop> Main Quest: Complete the race.

The ambiguity of the quest window was one of the primary factors that made it difficult for people to clear trials.

The system had been giving me relatively detailed additional explanations.

I wondered if it was the difference between a god and a human.

"All trainees are to change their outfit colors and equip at least one accessory item. Ensure you can be distinguished from one another."

Hop Drop Pop basically provided a variety of accessory items.

New items were unlocked as the number of plays accumulated or whenever one finished in first place; besides accessories, there were several outfit skins.

Won Tae-beom, who had entered Hop Drop Pop several times already, was wearing an outfit skin to distinguish himself from the trainees.

It was a grey tracksuit set that suited him well.

The trainees, following the instructor’s orders, used the wardrobe function.

However, the reaction wasn’t great. It seemed to be because the Hop Drop Pop accessories were all quite "cute."

Their expressions were sour, as if they had expected something like athletic gear.

’They’re cute, though..."

While I was thinking to myself, Won Tae-beom spoke with an indifferent expression.

"Items in Hop Drop Pop are simple decorative items with no additional abilities, but in other trials, a single item can mean the difference between life and death. Keep in mind that this is a practical training exercise."

Because he spoke in a rigid voice as if stating a fact, the dissatisfaction among the trainees subsided.

When I opened the wardrobe, an item list and a full-length mirror appeared in the air.

The Pudding Slime reflected in the mirror caught my eye first.

He looked a bit empty...

I checked my surroundings and whispered softly.

"Mr. Dominic."

"Yes, Roasted Chestnut."

"By any chance, are you able to wear accessory items?"

"Hmm..."

It didn’t seem like Dominic had entered as a formal participant, but based on his reaction, wearing items seemed possible.

I knew the horrific thing that resided inside that squishy exterior.

’Still, it’s better to be cute to the eye for now.’

It would be less scary that way.

Therefore, I recommended the towel-wrap sheep head accessory to Dominic.

It was a basic item in Hop Drop Pop, and a headpiece I personally liked.

I worked hard to persuade the reluctant Pudding Slime and got him to equip the item.

And the moment the sheep-headed Pudding Slime looked at me...

All my previous memories vanished, and a powerful urge to adore him welled up.

"Mr. Dominic... you look... so cool...!"

When I spoke in a moved voice, Dominic squished his body left and right a couple of times for me.

It felt somewhat like someone playing with a child, but regardless, I was satisfied since I had achieved my goal.

Having finished decorating Dominic, I thought deeply about which accessory I should wear.

The basic attire for Hop Drop Pop consisted of a short-sleeved anorak, shorts, long socks, and rounded sneakers.

I was about to pick a plain accessory that would go well with my current look when...

[Item unlocked.]

[Item unlocked.]

[Item unlocked.]

[Item unloc-]

Suddenly, notification windows popped up in a row. I froze as I looked at the items that had appeared in my wardrobe.

They weren’t items I had unlocked in the Archive game.

[Happy Smile Mascot Suit: Smiley is the happiest in the world.]

[Zombie Transformation: Today, I’m the best zombie too!]

[Cleaning Maid Outfit: A cleaner must wear a maid outfit, after all.]

[Click Camera...]

The completely new items I had never seen before all had names related to the trials I had closed.

I examined the items one by one and glanced around.

The accessories the other trainees were wearing were only basic items.

It seemed I was the only one who had new items added to my wardrobe.

Previous trials were influencing Hop Drop Pop.

While feeling a dazed shock at this newly discovered connection between trials, I also felt a bit nostalgic.

Looking into the full-length mirror, I tried on the items one by one.

Chuckling to myself at the memories resurfacing, I tried on various things.

Despite rapidly equipping and unequipping them several times, I couldn’t easily make a decision.

I liked them all, which made it difficult.

Actually, it would be better to wear a basic item to avoid standing out, but I couldn’t resist the temptation and pulled out one of the newly added items.

[Orca Headband: Anywhere with an orca is like the blue sea!]

Since the others seemed too flashy, I kept the outfit basic and chose the orca headband as the most modest accessory.

For the outfit color, I chose a white and black color scheme like an orca.

With the basic color change, I could add things like stripes. I put one thick white stripe in the middle of the black top, and it gave off a decent orca vibe.

I thought Orca would like it if he saw me now.

Having finished my dressing, I closed the wardrobe.

And then I was slightly bewildered.

"...?"

Because once again, all the trainees and Won Tae-beom were staring at me.

Everyone had a look of horror on their faces.

Wondering why they were acting like that, I realized it belatedly.

’Wait, could they see me equipping the items?’

It seemed the sight of me trying on various items one by one had been visible to others.

Since I had tried on all sorts of flashy items by myself, it was understandable they were surprised...

I glanced at Won Tae-beom.

His eyes were shaking, as if he were greatly shocked as well.

Since he had a lot of experience with Hop Drop Pop, he probably knew that the items I possessed were nonsensical.

’Still, he seems a bit too surprised.’

He had already entered The Cell X with me and should know that I caused many strange occurrences within trials.

Just as I was becoming slightly embarrassed by the way they glared at me, Won Tae-beom fortunately averted his gaze and organized the situation.

"All trainees, focus."

The trainees who hadn’t equipped their items yet because they were staring at me hurriedly started moving.

After confirming that all trainees were ready, Won Tae-beom spoke.

"As announced during the last session, today’s practice is to train your response when entering a trial without a specific strategy. From now until the completion of Hop Drop Pop, the instructor will not intervene under any circumstances."

He signaled the start by pressing the macaron-shaped start button next to him.

"We shall begin."

With that, a cheer erupted, jellybean fireworks exploded, and the castle gates opened.

As the gates, made of sturdy chocolate bars, opened, a suspension bridge made of wafer cookies appeared first.

One had to cross the long wafer suspension bridge to enter the castle.

As the trainees rushed to cross the bridge, wafers were crushed crunchily underfoot from all directions.

I stayed at the very back, pretending to run while watching the trainees.

Thirteen trainees stepped onto the bridge. When the leader had crossed about two-thirds of the way...

Rrrrrrip.

Something tore.

I quickly grabbed the left rope and counted seconds in my head.

Then, at the exact timing, I jumped upward.

Simultaneously, the right rope holding the bridge tore.

As the bridge tilted to one side, leaving the waters hanging from the rope, the trainees who were diligently crossing screamed.

I stood on the narrow gap of a vertically positioned wafer board and watched the scene.

The falling trainees widened their eyes the moment they saw me.

"What! How are you there..!"

Splash!

But before they could finish their sentence, they disappeared into the blue carbonated river.

It takes a bit of time to revive, and the more you die, the longer the revival time becomes.

Furthermore, since there are no checkpoints, you must start over from the beginning, so as you consume hearts, your rank naturally drops.

The key to a fast completion was to avoid dying as much as possible.

However, completing Hop Drop Pop was not an easy task.

Even if you were good, others would "troll".

Right now, there was a trainee nearby clinging to a wafer board desperately to avoid dying, but another trainee grabbed him, and they both fell together.

"Trainee Han Goyo!"

I looked diagonally down.

I saw the "Banana Headband" trainee holding on by jamming his hands into the easily breakable wafer.

At this rate, he would soon fall.

The moment our eyes met, Banana shouted immediately.

"Help me!"

I turned my gaze forward.

Including myself, there were six trainees who hadn’t fallen.

The four trainees other than Banana and me were struggling to move while clinging to a single strand of rope.

Originally, everyone was meant to fall here during their first play of Hop Drop Pop.

I had almost fallen during my first play as well.

He couldn’t have known the bridge would collapse; did he grab the rope purely by reflex?

I felt I should observe a bit more.

As I tried to walk forward, an angry shout rang out.

"Hey! What are you doing not helping! Fuck, just grab me already!!"

Since things weren’t going his way, Banana’s language quickly turned foul.

He was one of the trainees who had looked at me with disdain since I first entered the classroom, and he was one of the candidates who might have pushed me.

I stared blankly at Banana, who was now swearing, and then spoke.

"I’ll help you."

At that, Banana looked momentarily bewildered.

I walked leisurely toward him.

And I reached the wafer board he was clinging to.

Crunch!

I stomped down on the wafer board with my foot. Cracks spread through the board.

"You crazy bastard, what the hell are you..."

Regardless of whether Banana cursed or not, I kicked the board again, and the crunchy wafer board shattered instantly.

I gave a kind smile to Banana as he fell, screaming.

"Usually, when you’ve failed, a reset is the fastest way."