[Random Rune Fragment]
Classification: Consumable
Effect: Acquire a random rune skill
Usage Limit: Level 1 or below
Description: A special event item created for new players. It is recommended to use this item immediately, as it becomes unusable after leveling up.
"As you can see, the Random Rune Fragment is a one-time-use item," the Cheon-sa announced, her voice echoing in the space. "It can only be used while you are at Level 1, and it is the only unique item you will receive at the start of your journey."
The crowd stared at the celestial being with curious eyes, absorbing her every word. Only Park Jin-ho, who had heard this exact speech ninety-nine times before, remained perfectly composed.
"I don't get any of this," someone in the crowd muttered, confusion lacing their tone. "What even is a 'rune'? How do we use this thing?"
"A rune is a consumable item that can occasionally be obtained by defeating monsters or completing quests," the Cheon-sa explained patiently. "Think of them as passive skills, if you're familiar with video games. When you use a rune, it is inscribed upon your body, granting you its corresponding ability."
"Of course," she added, "the more runes you possess, the better. There is no limit to the number you can obtain."
That's assuming you can get them at all, Park Jin-ho thought wryly. The drop rate for runes was abysmal, on par with unique-grade items. In his experience, most people would be lucky to find even ten of them after twenty full rounds.
But that was for ordinary people.
In his last life, he'd managed to collect thirty. Thirty runes, combined with his rare class, had made him overwhelmingly powerful. And yet, it hadn't been enough. He'd been wiped out at the very door to the final boss room, never even getting the chance to unleash his true strength.
This time has to be different. It was his last chance. He had to become stronger than he'd ever been in any previous regression. Not just thirty runes, but fifty, a hundred—whatever it took. He would acquire them frantically, until he was an unbeatable force.
"To activate the item," the Cheon-sa continued, "simply hold it in your hand and focus on the word 'use'."
As she finished her explanation, the fragments in people's hands began to disappear one by one, dissolving into motes of light. Park Jin-ho did the same. A sharp crack echoed in his mind as the fragment in his palm disintegrated.
[You have used a Random Rune Fragment.]
[Congratulations! The Sigil of Regression has been obtained!]
[The acquired rune is automatically being engraved on the player's body!]
Even as the system messages appeared, Park Jin-ho's expression remained impassive, devoid of the excitement or anticipation that lit the faces of those around him. He already knew what message would appear next.
[A remnant of the rune's power is left in the player's soul.]
[The engraving has failed due to the nature of the rune.]
It was the expected result. If the engraving had ever succeeded, Park Jin-ho would have gained the ability to regress infinitely.
I knew it wouldn't work, but it's still a letdown. This really was the last one.
The first time he had regressed and used the rune fragment again, he'd hoped for a different passive skill. He had even experimented—waiting, using it at different times, holding off until the last possible second before leveling up—but the outcome was always the same. As if predetermined, it was always the Sigil of Regression. And every time, the engraving failed.
Still, his situation was different from the others. With the knowledge and experience from ninety-nine regressions, he hadn't truly lost anything.
But then, something wholly unexpected occurred.
[Confirmed as the 100th Time Reversal user through the remnant of the rune's power engraved in the soul.]
[Acquired the title: Majimak Hoegwija.]
The engraving had failed, but he'd received a title in its place. This had never happened before. For the first time, a flicker of genuine confusion crossed Park Jin-ho's face.
A title given only to those who reach one hundred regressions? It seemed the system had finally acknowledged that this was his final loop, recognizing it from the accumulated remnants of the rune in his soul. Under the 'None' section of his status, a new title had been registered.
When Park Jin-ho mentally focused on it, an information window materialized in his vision.
[Title: Majimak Hoegwija]
Acquisition Condition: Use the Sigil of Regression for the 100th time.
Effect: Upon death, you may remain in a ghost state at your location for one minute. You can revive with full health at any point within that minute. The title disappears after a single use.
At first, Park Jin-ho hadn't understood the distinction between titles and runes; after all, they both provided passive effects. But he knew better now. Titles were a higher concept entirely—rarer, more difficult to obtain, and far more potent. He had lost a rune, but gained a clear advantage.
Furthermore, unlike the hidden inscriptions of runes, a title could be displayed beneath one's name with a simple act of will.
Best to keep the Majimak Hoegwija title hidden, though. The ability would work regardless of whether he showed it off.
Resurrection... I've stumbled into an incredible ability.
Even after a hundred lifetimes, Park Jin-ho had never heard of a title that granted a resurrection. He knew Priests could learn such skills, but he'd never seen or heard of such an ability being granted by a rune or an item. This was even superior to a Priest's revival, which only restored a fraction of one's health.
It was a one-time use, but what of it? In a world where he could no longer turn back time, the power to cheat death even once was a gift from the gods.
"Have you all engraved your runes?" the Cheon-sa's voice cut through his thoughts.
Around him, people began to nod. Some wore expressions of pure delight, clearly having received a powerful rune. Others were already frowning in disappointment.