Chapter 8: Registration

After the countdown reached zero, Smith experienced the same dragging sensation from when he first began the trial. Though he had already experienced it once, it remained uncomfortable. After what felt like an eternity, he regained consciousness and returned to the white void where he had originally been pulled into the trial.

​Before he could even ponder what had just was going on, an interface popped up:

​Congratulations on completing the awakening trial.

​Evaluation 1: You ensured the survival of the Child of Destiny.

​Evaluation 2: You completed the task.

​Evaluation 3: You saved the kingdom from extermination.

​Total Evaluation: SSS

​"SSS..." Smith almost blurted out the evaluation. Just as he had speculated, that Velvet was the key to survival. If she had died he would haven’t survived and would have been killed by Scarlet.

And the third evaluation was caused by saving all the children.

He was immensely relieved he hadn’t made any mistakes in the trial.

​Seeing no further prompts, he noticed an option below the evaluation

Do you want to end the trial? [YES / NO]

​With nothing left to do, Smith selected YES. His consciousness was immediately pulled back to his physical body in the real world.

​Upon waking, he found himself lying on a bed rather than in his wheelchair. As he struggled to sit upright, the man who had led him to the Awakening Stele was busy scrolling through his phone when he looked up at the commotion.

​The man was stunned. He hadn’t expected this "cripple" to actually succeed in awakening as a Chess Player. Knowing that those who succeeded were like carp leaping over the Dragon’s Gate to become legends among men, his attitude shifted instantly.

​With a polite smile, he stepped forward and introduced himself. "My name is Arun, and I am responsible for the Awakening station. Since you came to a public station, I assume you plan to become a free agent. I won’t try to persuade you to join a specific faction, but I recommend checking out the public recruitment pool on Saint John Street." ℴ

​Smith offered a simple nod. Aaron helped him into his wheelchair and escorted him downstairs. As they passed the reception desk, the receptionist froze in shock she had already written Smith off as a dead man.

​After bidding Aaron goodbye, Smith stepped outside into the bustling city. The cool air confirmed it wasn’t a dream; he had survived the trial, successfully awakened, and was now a Chess Player.

​Wanting nothing more than to share the good news to his Aunt but he couldn’t tell her for now.

He needs to complete somethings before that but first he must go home to see her first, he boarded a bus back to the slums. When he unlocked the front door, his aunt immediately rushed over, hugged him tightly, and cried, "You made me so worried! I thought something terrible happened to you!"

​Smith smiled. The moment reminded him of the children in the trial reuniting with their guardians. He knew he wasn’t alone in this vast world; he had someone who truly cared for him. With his newly awakened power, he finally had the means to protect her. He set a firm goal: he would build a life where she no longer had to slave away all day for pennies, ensuring she could enjoy every luxury imaginable.

​To keep her from worrying further, he offered a quick excuse. "I’m sorry, Auntie. My phone was on silent, so I missed your calls. It was my fault, but I’m completely fine."

​She released him, suddenly remembering something. "You must be starving. I just finished cooking let’s eat together."

​After lunch, his aunt helped him into his room. Once he reassured her that everything was fine, he lay down on his bed to plan his next moves. He recalled Aaron’s suggestion about the Public Recruitment Pool. It functioned much like an adventuring guild,a place where free agents could register as Chess Players, sign contracts, and take on tasks. Though he suspected Aaron might get a commission for referring people, it was a familiar area, saving him the hassle of searching for alternative locations.

​He decided to take a short nap first. Although the trial felt like it had lasted seven days, only about five hours had passed in the real world. Unsure of the mechanics behind the time dilation, he set the thought aside for later.

​A short while later, his aunt knocked on the door before heading out. "I’m leaving for work now and will be back tonight to make dinner. If you go out again, please let me know."

​"Don’t worry, Auntie," Smith replied. "I do need to step out, but I’ll be back before you return. We can talk then."

​Knowing he would explain when he was ready, she simply smiled. "Alright, but please take care of yourself."

​A few minutes after she left, Smith headed out as well. He took the bus to Saint John Street and quickly found his destination after asking for directions.

​The Public Recruitment Pool building was far better maintained than the Awakening Center. People were constantly moving in and out, many exuding a heavy, pressuring aura. Sensing it acutely, Smith realized these individuals were also Chess Players, mostly moving in organized groups.

​Inside the vibrant lobby, Smith looked around, visibly unsure of where to go. A staff member quickly approached him. "Can I help you with something?"

​"I’m new here," Smith replied. "I awakened as a Chess Player today and was told I could register here."

​Noticing the faint aura surrounding Smith, the staff member nodded understandingly. He guided Smith to the elevator and took him up to the third floor which was the registration area.

​Behind the registration desk sat a man in his 50s reading a newspaper. Sensing the faint aura as Smith approached, the old man set his paper down.

​"Hello, my name is Smith,"smith said to the old man. "I awakened today and was directed here to register as a Chess Player."

​The old man asked for his standard details—name, residence, and citizen ID number. After Smith signed the forms and toke a picture, the old man smiled. "Congratulations, you are now an officially registered Chess Player. You can take on tasks on the ground floor. But tell me... how much do you actually know about the world of Chess Players?"

​"To be honest, nothing beyond completing the Awakening trial," Smith answered truthfully.

​The old man nodded, as if expecting the answer. "Before you take on any tasks, I strongly advise you to join a team of veteran Chess Players first. Let them guide you through how things work. Once you can stand on your own two feet, you can decide whether to go solo."

​Smith nodded, taking the advice to heart.

​reached into a machine which had already finished to create Smith’s new identity card it was a card featuring a chessboard pattern. One side bore the emblem of a King, while the other displayed Smith’s portrait, name, and the rank: Novice.

​After offering his thanks, Smith took the card and headed back down to the ground floor.