novelraw Chapter 69 : Chapter 69
Chapter 69 : Chapter 69
Chapter 69: Olle Trail Race (1)
The sea was clear.
An endless horizon hung there, and sunlight shattered over deep blue waves.
The wind carried salty air and tickled the nose.
The rhythmic motion of the waves washed over the ears like leisurely music.
However, all that beauty didn't actually enter the eyes of the cadets.
Groups running as if thrown into hellfire with the coastline as a backdrop.
Rough breaths, the smell of sweat, and heavy loads placed on their backs.
Their world wasn't the beautiful scenery around them. Only the path beneath their feet.
“Soon passing the 15km point! Remaining distance 100km!”
Kang Mooseong’s voice flew through the wind.
“…….”
With crumpled faces, the cadets couldn't bring themselves to speak and only rolled their eyes at each other.
An ominous feeling about what nonsense he was going to say this time.
“Just running would be boring, right?”
I’d rather it be boring.
The same thought popped up in the cadets’ heads.
But Kang Mooseong’s mouth didn't stop.
“From now on, it’s a competition! The top 20% are exempt from morning training tomorrow! But the bottom 30%…….”
Jjiiiik-
The tearing sound of the loudspeaker resonated roughly.
He tapped the loudspeaker for a moment, then put his mouth to it again and started shouting.
“The bottom 30% will proceed with additional training immediately upon arriving at the accommodation! There is no rest!”
A bolt from the blue.
At those words, the faces of dozens turned pale simultaneously.
“Those who want to go first from now on, go ahead! The route is displayed on your watch. Disqualification immediately if you stray from the designated path! Also, in case of touching another person, the side making contact is disqualified! Lastly, throwing luggage to others is also prohibited!”
That meant changing the remaining 100km section into a free race.
At the words prohibiting touch, most made relieved expressions, but a few swallowed their saliva as if disappointed.
Ding!
[Tactical Manual]
[Sudden Task: Olle Trail Race]
[Arrive at the destination ahead of others. Aim for the top 20%. Avoid the bottom 30%.]
‘If it’s just running, it’s doable.’
I had confidence in my own way.
Since I only ran every day before admission.
Besides.
[Cheetah: When sprinting, maximum speed increases up to 2 times. Consumes a small amount of SP upon activation.]
I also have a useful passive.
Of course, if I use up all my strength in the beginning, stamina will run out in the latter half, so I have to time it well.
At least I won’t fall into the ‘bottom 30%,’ just as I was thinking that.
“Start! Run!”
Along with Kang Mooseong’s shout, the ground shook.
Dadadadadat—!
Sand and dust rose from underfoot and fluttered onto faces.
Sea breeze slapped cheeks and footsteps sounding like tearing ears echoed from all directions overlappingly.
The formation disordered instantly and the crowd scattered like a river.
I doubted my eyes for a moment.
‘……What the, that speed?’
Reciting that inwardly, I suddenly realized.
Jeju Island’s environmental characteristics.
The air here is very rich in ‘Maso,’ the source of magic power.
That means the cadets running on the track have their magic power become purer and more abundant.
Physical enhancement by magic power also happens much more efficiently than usual.
Like that, everyone was running wrapped in abundant magic power.
Yes.
Except me.
***
Huuk- Huuk-
Rough breathing filled the surroundings.
We reached the 35km point before we knew it.
It had been quite a while since the race started, but most were still running at similar points.
Because the distance itself was long, no one could rashly pull ahead.
Of course, there were already groups far ahead.
Those exceptionally confident or reckless guys.
The majority were still maintaining pace here, running as if checking each other.
I was also mixed in this group for now.
If I fall behind more than this, I’ll be confirmed for the lower ranks immediately.
“Heok…… Heok……. Isn't this crazy? Why…… Why are they doing this……. To us…….”
Next to me, Do Haru muttered with a face as if her breath was about to cut off.
Honestly speaking, it was dangerous.
Currently, I’m running mixed in the group somehow, but it was clear I would fall behind eventually.
Ultimately, the moment to break away separately would come.
Running at the same speed as Do Haru, it was obvious we would be dragged into the bottom 30% together.
But I, who was saying such things, was also largely the same.
‘……I’m gonna die.’
Feeling like dying was the same.
Sweat poured like rain.
The impact of the load was much greater than expected.
The load of tens of kilograms hanging on my back was utterly resentful.
Feeling like I just want to throw it into the visible sea next to me.
[Ryu Jinwoo]
[Stamina: 19(+5)]
Amidst that, stamina was increasing little by little.
When breath ran short and pain like lungs being stabbed by blades rushed in, that pain was soon converted into stats and the figures increased.
However, just because stats increased didn't mean the condition improved.
The pain was the same.
Just enduring so the body moves forcibly like a zombie.
Moreover, this increase was unstable.
The moment I lose pace, it disappears as is.
This was a fact learned through past experience.
It’s not enough to just not stop.
What’s important is concentration and immersion.
The moment I slow down or let my guard down even a little, the stats built up until then scatter like sandcastles.
‘During the first specialty training, I could preserve it as is by concentrating to the extreme. But I haven't been able to do it to that extent since then.’
So if someone’s interference comes in, that alone would be fatal.
‘Fortunate that there is a rule prohibiting touch.’
Just when I thought so.
Dadadadak-
Rough footsteps approached from behind.
It wasn't a sound made by one person. As many as three.
Quick footwork as if trying to break through the group and pull ahead.
Pure energy fluctuated from their bodies.
Physical reinforcement through magic power. Frankly, it was an enviable sight to me.
‘To think reinforcement happens without pain, anew…….’
I have to endure pain like being stabbed by hundreds of needles to see a similar effect.
However, apart from such grumbling, something was strange.
The guys I thought would pull ahead just like that slowed down and stuck to my side.
In front, and to both sides.
A presence sticking close enough to block breath, as if touching or not.
‘……Don’t tell me.’
Looking again, the guys’ faces were familiar.
The gang hanging out with Seo Seungbeom.
Soon the intention became clear.
Blocking the path from both sides, and the guy standing in front started shaking the pace by deliberately slowing down and speeding up.
“Ugh……!”
As the guy in front suddenly slowed down, I almost collided just like that.
[Ryu Jinwoo]
[Stamina: 19]
‘Ah.’
Stamina was cut away in an instant.
My whole body suddenly became heavy.
The load felt doubled, and breathing became even rougher.
“……You guys, what are you doing?”
Unable to suppress irritation, I asked.
“We’re adjusting the pace for you. Don’t you know this?”
The guy running next to me smirked.
“Because you looked too fast.”
Clear obstruction.
In running, breaking rhythm is fatal.
Especially for me, even more so.
Because the moment I lose pace, the increase gained through pain collapses like a sandcastle.
I immediately turned my gaze toward the training assistant running next to us.
He was already looking our way.
However, turning his head away quickly, ignoring it openly.
‘You’re not catching them?’
Seeing me give a glance to the assistant, the kid next to me smirked and said.
“Useless. We already sent one away like this besides you.”
“Meaning we even verified it and came. Instructor Kang Mooseong said exactly one thing. Do not touch others.”
“In other words, as long as we don’t touch, whatever we do is okay. Ah right, be careful? If you adjust speed wrongly and touch us or something, you’re disqualified just like that.”
Bullshit flowing out fluently as if his mouth was itchy.
Simply put, interference came in using the loose no-touch rule.
Remaining distance 80km ahead.
80kg load on shoulders.
Plus persistent pressure rushing in.
‘Doing all sorts of things, really.’
Just when I was getting fed up with the guys ruining the pace by controlling speed arbitrarily in between.
“You guys, what are you doing!”
Do Haru ran over and shouted.
Jeju’s sunlight cast over her hazel eyes, blazing roughly.
Her gaze shot roughly at the gang of three.
“What do you mean what are we doing? Helping out. Isn't this pace just right?”
“Don’t make me laugh! It’s interference! It’s against the rules!”
“Violated the rules? When?”
The guys glared at the assistant next to them simultaneously.
The assistant was expressionless. Just running silently maintaining pace.
As expected, it meant no rule violation.
“If you deliberately touch another person, it’s disqualification. But we never touched?”
Voice mixed with ridicule.
“What kind of rule is this! Is inducing touch okay?”
Do Haru shouted towards the assistant, but.
What returned was still only indifferent silence.
One of the three smirked and said.
“Don’t you know originally if you hit because you didn't keep safety distance, it’s the rear car’s fault? Haha.”
“Is that the same as this!”
“So what if it’s different? We are doing it according to the rules. If you have a problem, take it up with the instructor. Using loopholes in rules is also an ability.”
At that moment when Do Haru frowned and tried to say more.
“Do Haru, just leave them. Don’t waste energy for nothing.”
I stopped Do Haru from my side.
Because showing anger to guys like these only makes them use it as bait to enjoy more.
Instead, a different kind of response is needed.
‘Using loopholes in rules, is it.’
I slowly began to organize the energy swirling inside my body.
The unpleasant flow squirming through my body.
I gathered that energy, which I couldn't get used to no matter what, into my dantian.
[Pain: Acceleration]
Chijijik-!
Soon rough and thrilling pain swept through my limbs and started frying my nerves.
[Agility: 18(+6)]
Pain exploded agony inside my body.
And in return, steps became light as sharp blades.
I kicked the ground just like that.
Teoeong-!
The soil underfoot exploded and my vision soared.
Feeling like hanging floating in the air.
Suddenly, the crown of the head of the guy running in front of me was clearly visible.
……It seems hair loss will come early for him.
“W-What!”
Leaving behind the surprised shout of the guy reserved for hair loss.
I leaped over them lightly and landed on the path ahead just like that.
Teoeong—!
Impact dug into my legs, but I didn't stop.
Kicking the ground immediately, I raised my speed.
[Reached maximum running speed, ‘Cheetah’ activates.]
[Cheetah: When sprinting, speed doubles.]
[Consumes 3 SP per second.]
Sswaaaeng-!
Strong wind slapped my face.
Steps gained more and more elasticity, and surrounding scenery gradually erased leaving only a straight line.
For a short moment, a sense of liberation as if pain was covered by speed washed over me.
“Damn it! Catch up!”
“Uaaak!”
The gang also gritted their teeth and raised their pace.
Guys squeezing out magic power to wrap around their bodies, chasing me even by overdoing it.
Their breathing became rough, and footsteps started to shake.
Unmanageable speed. Reckless sprint crushing themselves.
The guys probably came to interfere with me under Seo Seungbeom’s orders.
Since they are guys serving next to Seo Seungbeom.
So seeing me pull ahead, they must feel pressure instinctively that they have to chase.
Because the moment they lose me, from their perspective, the mission fails immediately.
And this moment where they chase me diligently was exactly the flow I desired.
“Did you say using loopholes in rules?”
I lowered my center of gravity and started braking.
“Ugh! That bastard is stopping! Be careful!”
And the guys reacted immediately.
They weren't running blindly either.
Because they were maintaining safety distance preparing for the case where I stop suddenly.
The rule Kang Mooseong put forward was simple.
‘In case of touching another person, the side making contact is disqualified.’
In other words, a rule where if a rear-end collision occurs, the person in front lives and the person behind dies.
Even if the front person induced contact, the one making contact is the rear person.
Interpreting rules and utilizing them in one’s own way.
That was the core of Zero-style education.
It was also them who pressured me with that loophole.
Simultaneously, knowing that loophole, they started braking quickly to not touch me.
But there was one thing they overlooked.
The Olle Trail we run on is basically a gravel path.
Due to slippery gravel here and there, a floor difficult to brake on and easy to slip on originally.
But, what if water is poured on top of that?
I gripped the canteen tied to my waist.
While simultaneously starting to sprinkle water on the floor lined up behind me.
I brake on dry ground, and the path continuing behind me starts getting wet.
Wet gravel path is much more slippery than dirt path or urethane.
Enough to blow balance away entirely the moment toes touch.
“Uh……? Uh uh uh?! Not stopping! W-Water? This sh-.”
The guy running at the very front tried to reduce speed urgently and got caught on the next guy’s arm.
The body losing balance twisted as is and swept up surroundings.
Teodeok- Kwajik! Hududuk-!
With rough sounds, shoulders and arms tangled and collided serially.
Sounds of rolling madly on the dirt floor entangled.
“Kkeuaak!”
“Ugh……!”
“Uuh uh…….”
Groans of pain began to embroider the track.
I think I heard a sound like bones breaking in the middle, is it just my feeling?
Hope it’s not just a feeling.
Like that, the figures of three people collapsed tangled with each other.
Looking like a statue of the monster ‘Hydra’ with arms and legs tangled together.
A shadow cast in front of them.
“Kang Minwoo, Oh Jihyeong, Woo Geunmin. Disqualified.”
The assistant running quietly stopped in front of them and gave the verdict calmly.
“Leave the track and go to the rearmost. Run to the accommodation matching the speed of the training assistant there.”
The gang collapsed with dumbfounded expressions receiving the assistant’s instructions.
Their gazes turned to me simultaneously.
Having to go to the rearmost and run again.
Even with injured bodies. It couldn't be anything but a miserable result.
“What are you looking at?”
And that wasn't my business.
I started running on the track again immediately.
“Kyahat! Serves you right! Idiots!”
The sound of Do Haru shouting excitedly was heard.