The Tutorial Is Too Hard Chapter 126:
Last night, I used the flight ability of the Talaria's Wings to fly above the island and check it .
I realized one very disappointing fact .
This island was quite huge .
From the west end to the east end, it would have taken a whole day to walk across . It was that big .
Also, the island was full of people on the ground .
Day and night, the people didn’t go to sleep .
As if they had gone insane, the people played and played, as if they had really gone mad .
[Round 18, Day 2, 07:30]
This is the second day since I entered the 18th Floor stage .
I sat on the rooftop as soon as the morning came and started to check the street .
The view was not so different from the day before .
The people were playing around loudly since the morning .
They were dancing with bright smiles like little children . However, for some odd reason, watching them only frustrated me .
At a glance, the whole thing looks like just a glimpse of a great festival .
However, for some reason, they were very strange .
They were all too kind, like a page out of a fairytale .
Am I overthinking this?
Otherwise, could it be that my personality developed a problem?
I knew I could not say no to such questions . That made me feel even more uneasy .
Of the countless people on the street, I saw a middle-aged man . He caught my eyes .
He was not the target .
He was not anyone unique or special either .
He was just a middle-aged uncle with a fat belly .
To explain why he caught my eyes… He was incredibly horrible at dancing .
It was very obvious that he had no talent for rhythm . The way he stumbled around looked unsightly . However, he was dancing harder than anyone .
Also, other people applauded the man and danced next to him .
What a great picture to watch .
On the street, in the faces of everyone, there was no anxiety, panic or frustration . There were no such gloomy faces .
It is surprising .
Since yesterday, I spent whole days sitting at the rooftop observing the people .
However, of all people who I observed from here so far, there wasn’t anyone who was not happy .
They were all kind, enthusiastic and cordiality .
It is truly surprising .
It appeared that they were all born for the purpose of being happy and smiling .
The street was busy, so a lot of people fell over from waves of other people .
However, when people did fall, the others smiled, helped to get back up and consoled them .
After that, the people who just fell and got up were overcome by the good gestures of the others and thanked them .
Other people who were watching this also looked very happy to see their interactions, and conveyed their honest feelings .
Like that, they had conversations and grew close .
The people became friends like that and went somewhere to dance .
Seriously, they were kind-hearted scenes to watch .
The fact that I was finding them strange made me question myself if I was suffering from a shattered personality .
However, I can say this with certainty .
This island is too peaceful . It is unrealistic .
Everyone was innocent and honest .
However, the world and the humans could not be like this .
Something is odd .
Like that, as I watched the people from the roof top, frustration slowly swelled up inside me .
These strangers were all completely empathetic to another and getting along . However, I could not be empathetic to their behaviors, and it felt like this was reaffirming the wall between myself and these other people .
It felt uncomfortable .
[Round 18, Day 2, 11:50]
I had been chewing on meat jerkies for lunch, and I realized a critically important fact .
Because everyone was dancing on the street, I thought this Grand Paramal Festival was a parade-like festival that involved lots of dancing .
I thought it meant everyone was out on the street to enjoy it .
However, when I used mana to look inside a building through windows, I came to realize that I was wrong .
People were playing not just on the street, but also inside buildings .
Not only do I have to observe the street by sitting on the rooftop, I also have to observe the people inside buildings .
This fact alone substantially increased the difficulty of the mission, which was finding the target .
I agonized over what to do from now on . In the end, I had no choice to make a haphazard compromise .
I’ll spend a day observing the street while sitting on the roof . I’ll spend the next day going inside random buildings .
Next day, I’ll go back to observe the street .
I decided to repeat this cycle .
I’ll observe the streets on the even numbered days, and I’ll observe the insides of buildings on odd numbered days .
I didn’t know if this was an efficient method . However, I could not think of a better way .
* * *
[Round 18, Day 2, 06:05]
It was late evening .
I was thinking about bringing out yet another meat jerky . However, instead, I headed to a café that I found during the day .
By sitting at the second-floor terrace of the café, I could have a quick meal while observing the street .
In addition, I could check the people inside the café .
Fortunately, as soon as I entered the café, the waiter led me to the second-floor terrace before I said anything .
There were quite a lot of people at the café .
I learned that there were also a lot of people who were enjoying the festivity by sitting and chatting instead of dancing on the streets .
I sat at the second-floor terrace and checked the menu .
First, I pointed at a picture of bread and ordered it .
The menu didn’t have any drinks .
The waiter didn’t say anything about drinks . He just left with the menu .
I could just bring out water from the inventory, so it doesn’t matter, but still…
As I waited for the bread, I checked the inside of the café .
I didn’t see anyone who appeared to be the target .
I was looking down the street beyond the terrace . While I was at it, a waitress brought me the bread .
It was not the same waiter from earlier . This time, it was a waitress .
Along with the bread, she brought a glass of drink .
I told her that I didn’t order any drink . She said the drink comes with meals no matter what .
It seemed she noticed that I was finding it surprising . She said,
“It looks like you just arrived at the island today?”
I wonder why she thought that .
I told her that I arrived yesterday .
“Ah, so you are a foreigner . In addition, you don’t know anything about this island’s festival . You should have come after learning a bit about the AoAeo Island . ”
The tone of her voice was that of someone who was lecturing a tourist who was lacking in preparations .
This didn’t lessen my curiosity though .
“How did you know I was a foreigner?”
The waitress covered her mouth and smiled .
Instead of telling me right away, she was smiling . That annoyed me . However, I sensed no malicious intent in the waitress’s face .
“Try this drink . You will know . ”
I could sense a mysterious pride and expectations in her face .
Could it be that they are that proud of this drink?
“Just what is that drink?”
“Paramal . This drink’s name is Paramal . It is a drink for wishing world peace . ”
The waitress left after that .
They said that the name of the festival taking place in this island was called Grand Paramal .
That means this drink is the core of the festivities .
I thought the festival’s goals were recklessly indulging in dance or **** . However, it seemed the festival was for advertising this drink that was the specialty of this region .
First, I tried out a bit of the bread that was served .
It was delicious .
It tastes like sweet red beans .
Next is the drink .
It is blue, luminescent drink .
I cast a shadow on it with my hand, and I was able to confirm that the drink was faintly luminescent .
There is a need to seriously think about if I should drink this or not .
It wasn’t that I was simply curious if a luminescent drink was harmful to a human body .
The strangeness I felt from everyone in the AoAeo island…
Also, this is the special drink that everyone is enjoying…
I have plenty of reasons to be suspicious of this .
I personally think this drink is a narcotic of some sort .
I have never heard of narcotics that make people happy and positive . However, narcotics that make people enthusiastic and fun loving might be able to bring out similar results .
Perhaps the drink has something magical .
The problem is this .
Do I need to try the drink to resolve my curiosity?
I am confident about poisons .
I have the great poison resistance .
I have resistance against magic as well .
I don’t think it would be enough, but I won’t have a big problem as long as it is a small amount .
I thought those and tried drinking it by poking it with my tongue first .
It tastes delicious .
It was sweet .
It tastes like molten ice cream .
I tried taking a sip .
It was not poison .
There was no abnormal response from my body for consuming it .
However, for some mysterious reason, it felt like I was feeling a little better .
Other than feeling a little better, the drink didn’t have any other effect in particular . Let’s check it out some more .
That day, I tried three sips of the Paramal .
* * *
[Round 18, Day 4, 09:00]
I went to the café right on time of its opening .
Compared to the rooftop, I think the terrace is better for observing the street .
“Welcome, Ho . Bread again today?”
It was Hyang, the waitress I met yesterday .
‘Hyang’ was her name .
[TL: ‘Hyang’ sounds like the Korean word for ‘scent’ or ‘fragrance . ’]
Strangely, everyone in this island had a single-syllable name .
Also, even the foreigners introduced themselves with a single-syllable name .
Are these stage names for everyone like masks on a masked banquet?
I found it interesting .
I introduced myself as ‘Ho . ’
Hyang said that my name was unique . She smiled .
I told her that I found her name to be even more unique .
Hyang explained that my name was rare but a great name .
Is that so?
She said she found it amusing that it was similar to her own name .
I asked what it was . She said that my name sounded like her family member’s name .
I spent the whole day sitting at the café and observing the street . However, I was not able to find the target .
I didn’t do anything in particular while observing, so I wasted a lot of time . Still, it was not boring .
It was quite fun observing the people and checking out how they enjoyed the festival .
Like the second day, Hyang came to be my conversational partner whenever she could .
That day, I drank almost all of a glass of Paramal .
* * *
[Round 18, Day 5, 03:40]
It was the fifth day . The dance of madness on the street started to quiet down .
The festival continued for a long time . Could it be that people are getting physically exhausted?
Now, instead of spending whole day dancing, people started to hang out with others whom they became close with .
Also, they became close with others, spent time with them, and then became close with some other people .
There were fewer people dancing on the street . However, it was still bizarre to watch .
Today was odd-numbered day . It was the day for me to search insides of buildings .
I checked out buildings that I didn’t get to enter during the third day .
No building barred anyone from entering .
In fact, even private residences of island people allowed people in after just ringing the door bells .
I visited Mr . Gong’s home . Actually, this was by a mistake .
His home looked more like a workshop .
It was an unexpected visit due to a misunderstanding . However, having heard the bell, Mr . Gong welcomed me .
It was as if an old friend visited him for the first time in 10 years .
I could not let him know that I rang the bell without realizing that this was his private residence .
At the door, I spent a long time talking to Mr . Gong .
I never knew I was such a great conversationalist .
Mr . Gong invited me in . We continued our chatter at the living room .
I wanted to eventually leave and check other buildings . However, Mr . Gong wanted to have a meal with me .
In the end, I was not able to refuse his invitation . I ended up wasting quite a long time here, much more than I thought .
However, we enjoyed the meal .
Mr . Gong’s family members were all kind .
The food was delicious as well .
Lately, I didn’t have much of an appetite, so I had been eating meat jerkies or simple breads to handle meals .
After the dinner, Mr . Gong’s daughter, ‘Gang’ said she wanted to go out and play with me .
It was unfortunate, but I had no choice but to say no .
I found a casino and a bar .
I decided to search places like these during the night on both odd and even numbered days .
At the bar, they mixed the Paramal with alcoholic beverages to make cocktails .
This day, I drank three glasses of Paramal .
* * *
[Round 18, Day 8, 11:20]
I arrived at the café a little late because I was greeting the people I had become close with .
As soon as I opened the café door and entered, I could hear people greeting me and greeting me with good mornings .
I said hello back to each and everyone individually .
I knew them all . They were also all good people who I was close with .
“Ho, how about coming along with me today again? I’m going to the outdoor swimming place next to the Lion Water Fountain . ”
Chun and Chin, the brothers, who were eating their breakfast at a corner of the café, said to me .
Every morning, they took care of breakfast at the café and headed out to the street to play .
I apologized and went past them .
They joked around from behind, so I turned to wave my hand at them .
“Let’s definitely go there together before the festival ends!”
They were recommending the place to me to the end . I told them I got it and sat down .
It was the seat at the window on the terrace . Now, it had become my designated seat .
“Ho! Instead of sitting there by yourself, come here and join me . I’ll treat you for the morning . ”
Myoung, who was sitting at a sofa, made the suggestion .
Myoung was a foreigner who came to visit the AoAeo island .
“I’m sorry, Myoung . I like this seat by the window . ”
Myoung didn’t move to the window seat .
Myoung knew that I had something that I had to do by myself . No, he felt it .
I was thankful for the consideration .
I expressed my gratitude .
It seemed Myoung was overcome by my expression of gratitude . He rubbed his nose and told me honestly that he was feeling that way .
I was surprised by his honest confession, and it also felt great to hear it .
Myoung was happy again because I was feeling happy .
It was a kind of mental resonance .
I sat by the window . I could feel warm satisfaction .
It was not a pretend-sensation .
I felt the emptiness inside me getting filled .
The emotion was possible because of a miracle called Paramal .
In the past few days, I drank Paramal little by little and tried to figure out what kind of effect the drink had .
First, Paramal was not an addictive narcotic .
Next, Paramal was not some substance that influenced one’s mental state .
I was not able to confirm yet if it was a type of magical potion .
I have not identified its true nature yet, but I now had a rough idea as to what kind of effects the Paramal had .
This drink connected people .
It allowed the people to share their emotions and feelings .
Being able to feel others’ emotions was closer to a disaster than a blessing .
The idea of being able to look under the mask that people wear is awkward and unpleasant, because the insides of most people were not all that clean .
However, it is different in this island .
The people of AoAeo island were pure, kind and honest .
In addition, they were enthusiastic and energetic .
Sharing emotions while being surrounded by such people swept other people into their emotions .
After drinking the Paramal, it came naturally as one spent the time dancing in middle of the street with hundreds or thousands of people tightly packing the place .
I spent my entire life wondering about the insides of people and learned manners .
A thin wall always existed, even between friends or between parents and children .
Shattering such walls, I was facing innocent strangers . I was being overcome with heartfelt emotions .
Also, my emotions were resonating with them .
This feeling, this emotion was… Its pleasure was truly incredible .
I could feel kind, good emotions from the strangers as they were . I was overcome by emotions . The others, who felt my goodness and innocence, also were also overcome by emotions .
How difficult is it to find one good true friend who you can really trust?
Also, how amazing is it when you find such a friend and spend time with one?
In AoAeo island, everyone I met were friends and families who could show themselves as they really were .
I had no need to be suspicious of others . There was no need for anxiety or drawing lines and putting up manners .
I had no need to be evil .
I had no need to be tough or extreme .
I just needed to indulge in the bliss, put away all worries and enjoy the festivities .
This was the prize of tourism in AoAeo island . Perhaps it was something unique to just the AoAeo island, not found in any other place in this continent or perhaps the world .
Paramal was a drink that could turn me into an angel among other angels .
In other words, it was a drink that led me to the heaven .
“Hello, Ho . ”
I saw Hyang who was greeting me . I was glad to see her . I also felt anticipant and excited .
I had something I wanted to ask her today .
“Ho, it seems like you have something you are curious about . ”
“Yes, can you give me some time today?”
Of course she had .
There was no way she was going to refuse .
“Of course . ”
Hyang smiled and responded . She sat across me .
“I want to ask you about the Paramal . ”
“Um… Don’t you know well about Paramel now?”
“Yes, but I want to know about it a little more in detail .