novelraw Chapter 59 : Team Match (1)
Chapter 59 : Team Match (1)
With the joint funeral, the unsettled atmosphere of the academy was more or less resolved.
The academic schedule that had been completely stopped resumed its place, and classes proceeded as before.
Time passed quickly, and it was already April.
The excited atmosphere unique to the new semester had ended, and the pressure of midterms was now weighing down on the cadets.
"The look in the kids' eyes has already changed."
Kwon Seung-yeon, who was hanging around next to Hwang Ji-su, who had squeezed in study time during maintenance hours, said.
"Hmph. I'll be number one anyway."
"You're so intense."
"Why don't you study instead of just playing around when you're done exercising?"
"Ugh, you should try working out with Su-hyeon. You become completely beat up. He would have done well as a trainer. The kid is downright vicious."
"Hmph. Why would I exercise with him?"
Hwang Ji-su snorted and turned the page.
"But when does Jeong Su-hyeon study? He exercises with you and even spars with Lee Yu-jin."
"Oh, that?"
Kwon Seung-yeon shrugged.
"When I asked, he said he concentrates as much as possible during class time. If there's anything to review, he summarizes it separately and briefly."
Of course, for Su-hyeon, theory at the level of first-year midterms was something he could solve with his eyes closed, but.
To Hwang Ji-su, who couldn't know that fact, Su-hyeon seemed like an annoying guy who was naturally smart.
"Well, at that level of preparation, I'll win in theory."
Hwang Ji-su burned with fighting spirit.
'I've always been a bit better at studying than Seo Jun-seong. I just need to be careful about Jeong Su-hyeon.'
The theory score, which accounted for 20 percent, was a process that had to be firmly established for the first semester's top position.
'I absolutely won't lose to Lee Yu-jin.'
She especially didn't want to lose to Lee Yu-jin.
"...By the way."
Hwang Ji-su, whose thoughts turned to Lee Yu-jin, asked a question that suddenly occurred to her.
"When Jeong Su-hyeon and Lee Yu-jin spar, who wins?"
"Hmmmm."
Kwon Seung-yeon crossed her arms and pondered.
"I don't know the exact record. But considering their skills when fighting against the Ma-in, wouldn't it be Jeong Su-hyeon?"
"But if he doesn't use his doping technique, wouldn't Lee Yu-jin be able to win because she's so overpowered?"
"Hmm. That's true."
The eyes of the two met in midair.
"Should we go watch?"
"...I need to study."
Hwang Ji-su deliberately suppressed her curiosity.
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"Haah. Haah."
Lee Yu-jin, who had pushed back her sweat-soaked bangs and retied her hair, got up from her seat.
"I think Su-hyeon is a bit too much."
"Too much? In what way?"
When I asked in confusion, Lee Yu-jin pouted.
"Boxing, swordsmanship—it's like you were born specialized for fighting."
"That's not really true. I don't think I was born with that much natural talent."
However.
No matter how brilliant and talented a newbie might be, they couldn't beat a veteran player.
"I see."
"Anyway, that's 1 win and 1 loss for today. Let's rest a bit and go again."
"Okay. Would you like some tea?"
"Sure."
While drinking tea from a thermos, I reviewed our previous sparring.
When facing Lee Yu-jin, my tactics need to change significantly depending on whether she uses her characteristic or not.
First, there are two main tactics to take when she uses her characteristic.
One is to end the match in a single breath with a swift attack before damage accumulates from her mana penetration.
The other is to maintain distance, avoiding weapon clashes as much as possible while employing outfighting.
In the previous two sparring sessions, I used each tactic.
In the first sparring, I caught her off guard with a swift attack and held my sword to her neck for my victory.
Observing Lee Yu-jin, who had become somewhat sulky as a result, I attempted a long game in the next sparring.
That is, I employed a combat style close to outfighting—maintaining distance, evading, and then striking openings, using Eye Power and Mana Shield.
However, it remained unchanged that I was at a disadvantage since I would inevitably take damage from her mana penetration just from sword contact.
Lee Yu-jin skillfully utilized this risk on my part and narrowly took one match from me.
'She's definitely broken through a wall. Lee Yu-jin's strength at this point might even be surpassing Hwang Ji-su.'
Of course, I had never drawn out my full strength against Lee Yu-jin.
'If I went all out, I'd win 99 times out of 100.'
But there was no need to reveal such power, so.
For various reasons, our sparring matched up quite well.
"Alright, let's begin."
I took my stance again.
"This time, no characteristics or mana—purely sword against sword."
"Okay."
In fact.
Both of us preferred this rule.
It allowed us to display complex and high-level swordplay by mixing our skills, strength, techniques, and experience.
And yet we could clash completely different styles.
It was only natural that Lee Yu-jin's sword was becoming sharper day by day.
"Whew."
Lee Yu-jin exhaled, and.
Clang!
Sword met sword in midair.
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"In today's fourth period, we will have a special guest speaker, and we'll hear his story."
At Kim Cheol-han's words, the cadets' eyes sparkled.
"Could we know his name?"
To Hwang Ji-su's question, Kim Cheol-han readily nodded.
"Of course. His name is Son Ji-gwang. He currently serves as the leader of the active 2nd Unit."
"!"
The cadets stirred at the name of a figure beyond their imagination.
'So Son Ji-gwang is coming.'
Su-hyeon thought.
Son Ji-gwang was the most powerful Awakened he would meet in this playthrough.
The leader of an upper unit known to be comparable to an S-rank hunter.
In simple terms, Son Ji-gwang was a genuine powerhouse who could almost stand shoulder to shoulder with the famous Sword God.
He was among the strongest in active service, and was always a reliable and powerful ally named character even into the late-game scenario, so Su-hyeon felt glad to hear his name.
"Amazing."
"I'm a fan of his, this is crazy."
"I should get his autograph afterward."
Su-hyeon recalled his face among the cadets who were chattering with faces full of excitement.
'That guy is going to butter up the kids in advance.'
"It's good to see you."
The cadets automatically corrected their postures at Son Ji-gwang's deep voice.
"I am Son Ji-gwang, in charge of the 2nd Unit of the Execution Force."
The eyes of the battle-hardened veteran, now in his fifties, were solemn yet sharp like a well-honed blade.
Rather than being massive, he had a solid and firm physique, with scars made by time creating a unique aura.
The sword wound passing horizontally across the middle of his face left such a strong impression that anyone who had seen him once would find it hard to forget.
Personally, he had eaten from the same pot with Vice Principal Gong Gi-jeong for a long time, and enjoyed equal fame in the same generation as Seo Dong-jin, who was called 'Hero.'
Even Ma-in association executives like Jang Su-il and Kwak Hyeok-jung, who had turned the academy into a wasteland a month ago, would have no choice but to flee before this man.
"You have had a very significant experience. Having gone through such an experience at this time when your tender selves are firmly forming, whether you like it or not, it will have quite a large impact on your future."
He looked around at the cadets.
"What emotions did you feel in that battle?"
"......"
After a brief silence, Kang Geon-woo was the first to speak.
"I was afraid. I was afraid that we would all die, and afraid of the malice of the Ma-in I was facing for the first time in my life."
"That's natural. Just by acknowledging that yourself, you are a brave man."
Son Ji-gwang nodded.
"I felt powerless."
Jeremy McGarr said.
"The skills I had built up, the abilities I had cultivated, didn't work at all. Without the help of my friends, I wouldn't be here today."
"Did that powerlessness make you despair? Or did it make you strive harder?"
"I'm honing myself so that I never feel that powerlessness again."
"Then this old man doesn't need to nag."
Son Ji-gwang smiled.
"I was angry. It was hard to see innocent friends, instructors, and teaching assistants bleeding."
Kwon Seung-yeon said, and.
"I want revenge. I feel like I won't be satisfied until those bastards pay the price."
Hong In-hyeon clenched his fist with an indignant face.
"Now, an important topic has come up."
Son Ji-gwang came down from the podium and slowly walked among the cadets.
"The subject I want to talk about today is precisely that desire for revenge you mentioned."
Everyone's gaze followed his leisurely steps.
"The Execution Force is a position where we must confront Ma-in to protect citizens and defend society. We are prohibited from killing without proper procedure and reason, and we have an obligation to pledge in our oath not to take personal revenge."
"......"
All the cadets closed their mouths and listened attentively to his words.
"Why? Isn't justice on our side? Aren't they criminals and evil people? Isn't that right?"
"...!"
The cadets flinched at his words, which pinpointed the doubts and complaints they had in their hearts.
"Perhaps that's right. But I want to say that what we need to be careful about is the dogmatism that follows such a dichotomy of good and evil. Then why must we be so wary of such dogmatism?"
His self-questioning and self-answering continued.
"Think about it in reverse. Were all Ma-in criminals from the beginning? No. Once, all Awakened were warriors fighting against demonic beasts. The distinction between hunters and the Execution Force did not exist at the beginning. They were merely proud and strong warriors and heroes."
Su-hyeon nodded secretly.
'Indeed, this man's position is neutral.'
Son Ji-gwang's perspective, maintaining a neutral view and seeking to maintain order on both sides, was almost representative of the moderates within the Execution Force.
"In that era, Ma-in didn't exist in the first place. That's because they all died before becoming Ma-in. However, after a long battle, humans became strong enough to control demonic beasts, and as the variable called demonic beasts began to be used as an element of industry that became the mainstay of the new system, the existence called Ma-in began to be known to the world."
Son Ji-gwang circled the classroom once and climbed back onto the podium.
"It was a horrific era when Ma-in, devoured by demonic nature, ran wild, stabbing the backs of those who were once comrades. How much blood called for blood, and revenge called for revenge?"
The chain of revenge.
Hunters were killed by Ma-in who were once comrades, and their families and friends swore revenge.
Then, the families and friends of the Ma-in, unable to overcome grief and mourning, harbored another revenge in their hearts.
Hong In-hyeon, who had been listening to the story, frowned and raised his hand.
"Do you have something to say?"
"That seems unreasonable."
"Why do you think so?"
"Weren't the Ma-in the ones who provided the first cause?"
"That's right."
Son Ji-gwang nodded and continued his answer.
"But resentment is originally an emotion far from reason. Could such reason always have been persuasive to those who lost beloved lovers, fathers, mothers, or children?"
"......"
Hong In-hyeon closed his mouth.
"Do you know what the first Execution Force was called among the Ma-in?"
To that question, Su-hyeon answered.
"They were called the Avengers."
"That's right. The first Execution Force was actually avengers blinded by revenge. They simply banded together out of a sense of betrayal and a desire for revenge for losing beloved comrades."
"...!"
The cadets' eyes widened at the scathing assessment from Son Ji-gwang, who was the leader of that very Execution Force and had achieved legendary feats.
"But at some point, they changed their minds. In the endless chain of revenge, they realized that they had to be the first to break this chain."
Son Ji-gwang smiled.
"Do you know what that method was?"
"Neutrality."
At Su-hyeon's answer, he looked satisfied.
"That's right. Only neutrality according to law and principle could break the chain of revenge upon revenge. If this principle collapses, people's directionless resentment will inevitably run wild."
Son Ji-gwang asked, looking at the cadets who were deep in thought, mulling over his words.
"How many comrades do you think I have buried in my heart?"
"Countless, I suppose."
Seo Jun-seong answered.
"That's right. But I remember the name and face of each one of them clearly. I remember the wine cups I shared with them, their courage, and their nobility."
"......"
"But I pride myself on not putting personal emotions first in carrying out my duties. Because if I destroy that principle with my own hands, it's not just that principle that's being destroyed."
Because it was the words of someone who had gone through their worries before them.
Son Ji-gwang's eloquence made the cadets think many thoughts.
"...This may sound cold, but as long as you walk this path, the death of comrades is like taxes. It can never be avoided and always exists close to our skin."
But.
"Nevertheless, I hope you have the capacity to move forward without sitting down in despair."
"Understood!"
The cadets' answers contained a different spirit than before.
"Senior, it was an impressive lecture."
Kim Cheol-han offers a handshake to Son Ji-gwang, who has finished his lecture.
"Hmm. As you know, I hope you take special care to soothe the cadets' hearts."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Ah, and..."
In a passing tone, he broached the main point.
"Could I have a word with the two cadets, Seo Jun-seong and Jeong Su-hyeon?"