Chapter 84: Chapter 84

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 84: Training or Discipline (4)

Breaking the Sky.

It seems the feat of shattering the sky is as remarkable as its name suggests.

[The lute of the King of the East is impressed by the exceptional talent of the candidate, Eunho Lee!]

Even an artifact that embodies a king’s will is impressed.

Still, since it’s already impressed, it wouldn’t hurt to be a bit more generous.

[Congratulations!]

[You have acquired temporary performer privileges!]

[Remaining performance count: 3.]

Three performances?

That’s stingy.

This isn’t some genie granting three wishes.

‘I guess it means I’m still lacking. Though I’m not sure what else is needed.’

Well, for now...

♪♩-!

[Temporary performer ‘Eunho Lee’ deploys a barrier!]

...I should be satisfied with today.

After all, I’ve gained three instances of invincibility.

For today, that is.

[Blocks the approach of entities against the performer’s will!]

Fwaaa—!

Clear, resonant notes burst like soap bubbles popping.

♪-!

As each note layered upon the last, the barrier expanded.

A translucent blue shield grew, encircling both me and the lute.

♪- ♩♬-!

Just as the lively melody began to evoke a sense of peace—

Bang!

A small rock struck the barrier and shattered immediately.

Fragments of stone scattered down the curved surface like a cascading waterfall.

Meanwhile, I continued to—

Step. Step. Step.

—walk leisurely.

Towards the finish line.

When I finally tore through the blue tape, messages erupted:

[Final stage, ‘Running’ mission cleared!]

[Basic stamina has increased.]

[Stamina stat (+3).]

I did it.

[Candidate ‘Eunho Lee.’ Additional stat point earned for outstanding performance!]

Across the three stages, I earned stamina stats of 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

On top of that, I received two bonus points.

Altogether, I gained eight stat points.

‘I didn’t expect this much.’

For context, completing a restructuring mission usually earns just one point.

Gaining eight stats would otherwise require completing eight missions.

‘It’s clear the training center is a must-visit.’

It never disappoints.

“Status window.”

〔Eunho Lee〕

Affiliation: District 13, ROK-SEO-N

Rank: Selector (S+)

Stats:

Stamina (28), Strength (20), Intelligence (13), Judgment (15), Agility (15), Endurance (31), Resistance (0)

Traits: Rebel

Skills:

[Acceleration (Lv.6)], [Petrification (Lv.12)], [Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.3)], [Sword Wind (Lv.1)], [Command (Lv.2)], [Revive (Lv.-)]

Trait-exclusive Skills:

[Counter (Lv.1)], [Defiance (Lv.-)]

My current stamina is 28.

Considering it was 12 when I first opened the status window and strength was 11, this is remarkable progress.

Especially since I haven’t heavily invested in stats.

That aside...

‘I want to test how much has changed.’

Ordinarily, there’s no way to determine your “total stamina,” but I’ve got an idea.

“Summon.”

I pulled out a dagger I had purchased from the intermediate shop.

Attack Power: 10.

Sharpened to a razor’s edge, its blade seemed to cut even the air.

「91.7%」

I checked my remaining stamina on my left palm, then gently gripped the blade.

Barehanded, I clasped the gleaming weapon.

I could feel the sharp edge slicing into my skin, tearing through the barrier of flesh ever so slightly.

But—

「91.7%」

My remaining stamina didn’t budge.

‘Not even this affects it.’

Time for something a bit bolder.

I pressed the dagger against my left forearm and—

Swish!

—slashed.

A line over 15 centimeters long, deep enough to draw bright red blood.

Yet—

「91.6%」

My stamina dropped by only 0.1%.

‘My stamina doesn’t deplete.’

It wasn’t increased defense; my maximum stamina must have grown substantially.

Satisfied, I lowered my sleeve to cover the wound.

Tap!

Park Gongchan, who had barely limped past the finish line, grabbed my wrist.

“Hey! What are you doing!?”

He looked utterly shocked.

Understandable, given he had just witnessed someone who won the race unscathed slashing their arm with a knife.

“An experiment.”

“An experiment!?”

Gongchan frowned, but I didn’t feel the need to explain further.

I just shrugged.

[‘Basic Stamina Training’ session complete!]

[Return via the ‘Gate’!]

Conveniently, the exit appeared.

“A gate popped up.”

“Don’t tell me... You’re testing how much your stamina increased?”

“You catch on quick.”

At that, Gongchan’s face twisted.

I couldn’t tell if it was because he found my answer absurd or because his injured legs were in pain.

Maybe both.

“...I’m sorry.”

His sudden apology caught me off guard.

He must’ve felt guilty for kicking that small rock at me earlier, trying to save himself.

Whatever it was, it didn’t matter to me.

“It’s fine.”

“But earlier—”

“Forget it.”

With that, I turned towards the gate.

"Still, earlier..."

"I don’t think we’re in a relationship where we need to apologize to each other."

Park Gongchan clenched his fists tightly.

Though he silently lowered his head, I could read his response.

He agreed.

That there was no real meaning behind such an apology.

Instead, Park Gongchan ran his hands over his face before speaking.

"I wasn’t thinking straight. There’s no way someone who made it here would be an ordinary person."

Spouting something I wasn’t particularly keen on hearing.

"You keep saying ‘ordinary person, ordinary person.’"

So what?

"In this world, isn’t it ridiculous to even distinguish between ordinary and not?"

"...!"

"Unless the guys up there decide to host a World Cup or something."

To someone I met for the first time today, I ended up throwing out words I didn’t have to.

Then, as if struck by something, he nodded slowly before opening his mouth.

"I..."

"You should focus on your leg."

My gaze shifted to his leg.

Even if his high stamina meant he could self-heal, it would still be uncomfortable if he didn’t get it treated properly.

...Speaking from experience.

Even so, it was undoubtedly unnecessary meddling on my part.

Given Park Gongchan’s competitive nature, I thought he might snap back.

"What’s your name?"

Instead, after frowning in silence for a moment, he abruptly asked my name.

"Lee Eunho."

And then, he made a proposal I hadn’t expected.

"Would you consider joining our group?"

"Our group?"

"There’s a team of national players gathered in Paju. I’m confident they’re the highest level of force in the country."

Ah.

I’d heard before that there was a training center for the national soccer team in Paju.

Like how there are training facilities for athletes in Taereung.

‘A group composed of national players.’

The best team in the country.

I had a gut feeling that his words weren’t exaggerated.

They’d be different from any groups I’d encountered so far.

Unlike those who spent their lives behind desks, these people would have dedicated everything to strengthening their bodies and becoming more powerful.

"How many of you are there?"

"Fifteen players and one doctor."

And there were not just a few, but as many as fifteen of them.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

They wouldn’t be easily messed with.

If I joined their group, it would be a strong backing that other groups wouldn’t dare to challenge.

However.

"Right now, it’s just those involved, no ordinary folks... but they’d accept you. I’ll make sure to vouch for you."

"No thanks."

Why was I even thinking, ‘Could I beat them if we met?’

Rather than seeking safety under Park Gongchan’s wing.

"No thanks? Did you understand what I just said? I’m offering to include you in a group with the national soccer team..."

It wasn’t that I didn’t like him, but the main reason was simply that there was no need.

He probably saw them as good, kind colleagues, but—

I couldn’t trust what kind of people those national players might actually be.

More than anything.

"I have a group waiting for me."

"!!"

When I indirectly declined, Park Gongchan raised his eyebrows.

"Are they... as strong as you?"

"Not sure."

No, I’m the strongest here!

...But it felt weird to say that, so I answered vaguely.

"Does that even matter?"

"How could it not..."

He grabbed his broken leg with trembling hands.

Leaving him behind, I took a step forward.

"Anyway, I’m going first."

Click!

I turned the doorknob.

And as I stepped through the door filled with faint white smoke.

"Paju! If you change your mind, come anytime!"

Park Gongchan hurriedly shouted at the back of my head.

[Subject ‘Lee Eunho.’ Training complete!]

* * *

[Returning!]

Back on the main street in front of Hongdae.

The street was still just as empty as before.

Only vehicles on the verge of being scrapped were abandoned here and there.

Step.

On my way to Hongik University Station, where I was supposed to meet my group.

I glanced around, wondering if I’d see long, purple-streaked hair, but there wasn’t a soul.

‘We’ll meet soon enough.’

Anyway, the medical checkup would start tomorrow morning, and if they were nearby, there was a good chance we’d do it together.

Unless Yeonbora walked all night to leave this area.

By the way.

‘No one’s here yet.’

The current time was 6:30 PM.

There were still 30 minutes until the meeting time.

Standing alone at Exit 8 of the desolate Hongik University Station, devoid of even a single ant.

"Eunho!"

I heard Jieun’s voice.

"...?!"

On the empty street.

"Here!"

"Where is this... Ah!"

Thud!

And Jieun fell from the sky.

Her smooth landing was something I had grown quite accustomed to.

Watching her proudly, Jieun ran over and started inspecting me, holding onto my shoulders and checking everywhere.

"Are you hurt anywhere? Did anything break or...?"

"I’m fine."

I quickly replied, and she placed a hand on her chest, exhaling a huge sigh of relief.

That sight was so endearing that I asked with a slight smile.

"Did you worry about me?"

"Um... a little."

"Not too much?"

She hesitated before responding.

"Well, it might sound strange, but I could somehow feel it."

"Feel what?"

"That you were okay, Eunho."

Hmm.

She could feel that I was okay?

“It might sound absurd, but…”

“No, I believe you.”

If it had been someone else, I would’ve just let it slide.

“Because you, Jieun, are trustworthy.”

“!!”

Jieun was naturally intuitive.

Come to think of it, she was the one who suggested doing our first mission.

And with her mental fortitude improving, her instincts might’ve gotten even sharper.

Given the situation where people could even use superpowers to read minds, it would be stranger not to trust something like this.

So I added one more thing.

“If you have such a hunch again, could you let me know? There might be some conditions or commonalities to it.”

“Oh… um… okay!”

Jieun pursed her lips, seemingly lost in thought, before speaking after a long pause.

“Now that I think about it… actually, I’ve felt that my younger brother was safe a few times too. I thought it was because I got messages from him, but thinking back, it felt a little different.”

“Then, did you only have such feelings about your brother and me?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmmm… what’s the common factor?”

She muttered to herself, “common factor…” and suddenly her cheeks turned red.

“Does something come to mind?”

“N-no! I don’t know! What could it be?”

Her face reddened even more as she tried to change the subject.

“Uh… by the way, Eunho, have you been working out?”

“Hm? How did you know?”

“Something about you seems… fitter. Ah, no, forget I said anything…!”

Why was that?

Jieun, who had been rambling, suddenly realized what she’d said and bowed her head deeply in embarrassment.

Her ears were red too.

And then—

“Hyung!”

“Uncle!”

People began arriving one after another.

It was Jaehyuk, Hanul and Yura, father and daughter, followed by Sola and Yeojin.

“How did you all come together?”

“We ran into each other on the way!”

And within minutes—

“Oh, there they are, number 8!”

“This is the right spot, damn it!”

Yeji and the foul-mouthed guy arrived just as the clock struck 7:00 sharp.

“I told you this was the way! You said it was over near the airport line!”

“Ugh, what are you talking about? I said this from the start!”

“Hah, you’re so frustrating… don’t talk to me again!”

While Jieun stepped in to mediate the bickering duo, ten more minutes passed.

Hmmm.

“The old couple is running late.”

“Do you think something might’ve happened?”

If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t be so concerning, but of all people, it was those two whose location we couldn’t confirm.

Just as I was about to send them another message out of worry—

[You have received a new gift from ‘Song Hyunsook’!]

A message arrived from the cleaning lady.

Ping!

──────

Recipient: Lee Eunho

Sender: Song Hyunsook

Message:

Young folks! We’re trapped on Bam Island right now… Oh my, Mr. Kim!! Help! Someone save us! Aaaahhh!

──────

It was filled with an unmistakable sense of urgency.

“Bam Island…?”

Bam Island.

“Huh? What’s Bam Island?”

“It’s an uninhabited island in front of Yeouido.”

“What the heck, there’s an uninhabited island in Seoul?”

It wasn’t too far.

There was no land route, but with Jieun, it should be possible.

After making a quick decision, I was about to head out when—

“We’ll come with you, Eunho!”

“Only Jieun and Jaehyuk should…”

Pause!

I changed my mind.

“No, let’s all go.”

“Huh? All of us?”

A good idea had come to me.

“Let’s go. Think of it as training.”

“Training? What are you talking about all of a sudden…?”

“We might have to fight against the national team someday, you know.”

“…What?”

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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