GIJS

Chapter 147 The Noble's Spear

The reward for topping the music program had given the scholar three rewards.

The first was two points; the second reward was the ability to look into the past of the original owner of this body, 'Yu Gun-ja.'

Two of the rewards had already been used, but one reward remained unused.

[Calming Pill (鎭靜丸) (10/10)] 
A reward with the name 'Calming Pill.' He also remembered the added explanation. It was specifically for controlling the rampage of status windows.

The rampage of status windows. It didn't make sense back then, but seeing the blue windows covering his vision now, he could understand. If this wasn't a rampage, then what could be?

It seemed like the right time to use this reward.

At that moment, a new status window appeared in front of the scholar. Even among the countless multiplying status windows, this particular one shone more brightly, as if determined to catch the scholar's eye.

"...A window..."

It was as if the status window was straining itself for the scholar.

The rampage wasn't the will of the status windows. The scholar and the status windows were, after all, companions. The fact that this Calming Pill was given might have been in the same context.

'Don't doubt it. Trust my long-time friend.'

As he reached out to press the blue window, the number displayed as (10/10) changed to (9/10). At the same time, the blue windows that had filled his vision began to disappear rapidly.

"Whew, whew..."

But the condition was still not good. The landscapes of Joseon and modern times were still mixed up, and the unpleasant voice of his uncle seemed to ring in his ears.

...Jaya... 
...Gun-ja... 
...Hey! Why is your condition...

The voices of his companions brought the scholar back to his senses. As the status windows vanished from his view thanks to the Calming Pill's effects, he could finally see his companions' faces. Six blurry faces were looking down at the scholar.

"Yu Gun-ja! Are you okay!?"

"Hyung, try to breathe!"

"This won't do. Let's move to an open space. He doesn't like closed spaces. It might be because of that."

Before the scholar could explain the cause of his symptoms, the members moved swiftly. When Tae-woong spoke, In-hyuk picked up the scholar without hesitation. Although there was no elevator in the slave quarters, In-hyuk ascended the stairs with the scholar in his arms.

In no time, In-hyuk reached the rooftop and carefully set the scholar down. Meanwhile, Hyun-jae quickly spread a sheet under the scholar.

"Paha—"

Once he was laid down in the open space, the scholar regained his breath. After a few deep breaths, his pulse also returned to normal. With a calm expression, Si-woo took the scholar's pulse and spoke with his usual smile.

"Pulse is back~"

"Phew—"

"Gun-ja, can you speak? Are you okay?"

"You can speak slowly. First, breathe deeply!"

"...Gun-ja hyung... don't be in pain..."

Barely regaining his senses, the scholar forced a smile at his companions.

It's thanks to Chang-a and his friends that he was saved.

"...I'm sorry, I must have worried you."

But as soon as he said he was sorry, Tae-woong's palm slapped the scholar's shoulder.

"Ouch, that hurts!"

"Stop talking nonsense."

"Nonsense, you say..."

"It's natural to help a friend who's struggling. Why would you be sorry for that?"

"Well, that is..."

"Actually, we should be the ones apologizing."

"...?"

"We were too focused on our own discomfort, only complaining about becoming slaves."

As Tae-woong spoke, he tapped the scholar's shoulder once more. The scholar flinched, but this time it was not the strong slap it had been before.

"I'm sorry. From now on, I... no, we will pay more attention."

"..."

"Gun-ja, are you okay? If you think you can't handle it, should we tell the production team? That you can't live in the basement?"

"..."

"That's right. Rules or whatever, if you can't breathe, it's most important that you stay healthy."

"..."

"I agree."

"...Me too..."

"Hahaha, so if we leave, we'll be free from slavery~"

Though the scholar had felt guilty just moments ago, hearing his companions express their concern and willingness to fight alongside him gave him renewed strength.

Although the slave quarters were cramped and scary, it didn't seem unbearable. If the status windows started rampaging again, he could use the Calming Pill to stabilize them, just like now.

Moreover, he had reliable companions by his side.

"I'm fine. I don't want to quit here."

"Are you really okay?"

"Yes."

With that, the scholar clenched his teeth.

"I can't stop here, even to take revenge on those who made us slaves."

"That's right. Those vile people are trying to break our spirits, 100%."

"If we quit now, it would mean fulfilling their wish."

That couldn't be allowed.

The scholar resolved to fight rather than quit. After taking a deep breath of the cold November air, the scholar and the members descended the stairs again.

As soon as they reentered the slave quarters, Tae-woong and In-hyuk quickly joined seven beds together.

"Alright, from now on, we're sleeping close together."

"The center will definitely be Seon-bi hyung."

"Of course. We'll have three people on each side..."

"...I'll sleep next to Gun-ja hyung..."

"Really? Since when did you make that decision?"

"...You're being too much..."

"I'll be next to Gun-ja."

"Eh, why?"

"Asadal is the husband of Asan-nya..."

"No, this hyung still can't get out of that world."

"Forget it, let's decide with rock-paper-scissors."

In the end, the closest bodyguards were decided by rock-paper-scissors. After a fierce competition, Tae-woong and Yu-chan won the spots next to the scholar. The two boys who had first paired up with the scholar.

"Ha, as expected, we're the basics."

"...Gun-ja hyung, let's hold hands while we sleep..."

"What? Hold hands while we sleep!?"

"It's okay, why are you so startled? Just hold hands."

"That's another kind of torture, isn't it!"

"Puhaha, you don't like it that much?"

"I, I think it would be fine just to have the beds close together..."

"Really? Then fine. But if you still can't breathe, give us a signal right away."

As Tae-woong finished speaking, Si-woo presented a small buzzer. When the buzzer was pressed, a voice saying 'Snack' came out.

"What is this?"

"Hahaha, it's something our house's cutie used."

"Cutie?"

"When you need to signal, use this. It makes a sound even if you press it lightly."

"...Thanks."

"Do you need anything else? Chocolate?"

"Should I play some sleep-inducing music?"

"I'll stand watch."

"Hyung, what's with the watch? Are you some barbarian?"

Although he found himself being cared for by six companions, it wasn't as burdensome as it seemed. The bed he lay on was no different from before, but somehow it felt different from earlier.

...Uuuu...

As he was about to close his eyes, a status window suddenly appeared before him.

[...I'm sorry...]

"!"

The status window was apologizing to him.

Although it was still an unknown entity, the scholar now understood.

This auspicious light must be deeply connected to the former owner of this body. Perhaps the status windows and his soul had merged into a different form.

However, a disease is still a disease. The former owner of this body couldn't completely control the rampage of the status windows. That's why situations like today occurred.

The status window was apologizing for the rampage. It was the first time he had communicated with the status windows after hearing the words 'Thank you.'

The scholar closed his eyes tightly and shook his head.

There's nothing to apologize for. He has received countless help from it. Without it, the scholar might not have overcome the disease and might have perished.

'It's okay. And always thank you.'

As he thought this in his heart, the status window changed its form and displayed something new.

"!"

But this time, it wasn't text. The status window transformed into something like a window, depicting the blue sky beyond.

"...It's Chang-i."

Though there were no windows in the underground, the scholar had his own window. Realizing this, even the remaining anxiety seemed to vanish.

"Eh? A window? What window?"

"It's nothing. Just sleep comfortably."

"What are you talking about..."

As soon as he closed his eyes, sleep, like a cloud, enveloped the scholar's body.

Perhaps due to the seven beds lined up together and the status window in front of him, the scholar did not wake up again.

* * *

The next morning, the speaker in the quarters woke the seven boys early.

[Participants with the slave status, please gather in the Dynasty Castle main hall.]

Hastily tidying up their bedding and heading to the main hall, they saw no other teams, only the Guardian members of the same slave class sweeping with grim expressions.

"Oh, so it's like this..."

Only then did the members understand the intention behind summoning the slave class first.

It was to have them do the work, as expected of slaves.

Soon, the 7IN team was also assigned tasks. They had to move simple chairs to create seating areas for commoners, nobles, and royalty. As was customary in a class-based society, each class had different types of chairs. The royal class had chairs with massage functions.

"Wow, this one has a massage function!"

"Haa, I'd love to try sitting in it just once."

"Hey, no way. If you sit in it, they'll probably consider it a rebellion and give you a penalty."

"Damn this class-based society..."

As the slaves swept the floor and set up the chairs, the higher-class participants soon arrived and took their places.

The royalty class, Velocé, the noble class, SHINO and Teibo, and the commoner class, QUAN and AKIRA, took their respective seats. The slaves were given nothing more than a straw mat to sit on.

"God Damn!"

"What the Fxxking straw cushion!"

"Ahh, my butt!"

While the Guardian members were suffering from the rough straw mats, the MC, Jeong Hae-jin, who had appeared from somewhere, stood at the podium.

"Good morning, citizens of Dynasty Castle. I am the butler, Jeong Hae-jin."

"Waaah—"

"Last night, your initial social statuses were determined. Are you all satisfied with your status?"

"Yes—!!"

The upper-class members responded loudly, but the slaves only showed displeased expressions. Naturally, the straw mats felt much worse compared to the massage chairs for the royalty.

"Haha, this mat is the essence of contentment in poverty."

Of course, amidst it all, there was one person enjoying the mat.

"Wow, did you become satisfied with being a slave because you can sleep better now?"

"That's definitely not the case."

The one enjoying the mat didn't seem to have any intention of staying a slave for long.

"If given the chance, I will definitely turn things around."

As if understanding the slaves' feelings well, MC Jeong Hae-jin continued.

"Of course, there will be participants who are not satisfied with their initial status."

"..."

"But don't worry. The initial status determined by the preliminary evaluation is just that, an initial status. During your time in Dynasty Castle, you will have the opportunity to rise in status."

"..."

"And the first opportunity for status promotion will be announced right here and now!"

"!"