novelraw Chapter 70 : Chapter 70
Chapter 70 : Chapter 70
Chapter 70: Olle Trail Race (2)
The race continued while sending the trio who were interfering with me to the rearmost.
The rules are loose. But that too is Zero’s intention.
In Zero, they don't particularly sanction cadets who interfere with others during training.
It was a design to naturally create villain roles and instill competitive elements accordingly.
Still, the remaining ones were now running while keeping a distance from each other.
Interfering with others means it becomes a risk for oneself too.
Asking if there is leisure to interfere with others when it’s already hard enough now.
Just passed the 55km point.
Meaning about half reached, but I was already on the verge of death.
To shake off the trio, I momentarily raised my output and sprinted.
Because of activating the passive and even converting Pain to use, overload was piled up layer by layer inside me.
This wasn't simply a problem of being painful.
A sense of incongruity as if the body itself was breaking down in real-time.
Heart beating irregularly, joints creaking, and a feeling that some organs were twisting.
Overload from using power and its recoil were being transmitted to the body.
Ultimately, I had no choice but to pull out a card I wanted to avoid using if possible.
‘……Fatigue Recovery Potion.’
The moment I shouted in my mind,
[Kkihihihit! Fatigue swoooosh! I’m going to eat it!!]
The Mimic giggled while spinning violently in the air.
And soon, my right pocket became heavy.
[You have purchased a Fatigue Recovery Potion. Consumes 5,000 SP.]
‘My blood-like SP…….’
[Remaining SP: 59,000 SP]
Although I was earning SP by steadily performing training or quests.
The amount going out was also formidable.
Basically, passives have consumption options attached.
Sometimes I buy Fatigue Recovery Potions or miscellaneous items at the [School Supplies Store].
SP is also used to learn skills.
‘Regardless, the biggest expenditure is probably this Fatigue Recovery Potion.’
I took out the bottle and drank it straight away.
Gulp. Gulp.
A cold and cool sensation flowed down the esophagus and internal organs.
Fatigue scattered in an instant and even pain faded.
This sensation of liberation rushing in at once from a situation where I felt like dying until just before.
As expected, I can’t give up. It’s fine to call it addiction.
Sometimes I even bought and drank it on purpose when the overload wasn't that severe.
Because of the pleasure of this very moment.
‘This is it…….’
I let out a short admiration between panting breaths.
“What is, that?”
Do Haru asked from the side.
Her brown bobbed hair was soaked in sweat, making even her hair clip shiny.
The kid who always chattered with high tension was now running with her mouth shut tight.
“Fatigue Recovery Potion.”
When I spat it out casually, Do Haru said immediately.
“Just one for me too.”
“……I only have one.”
“Whaaaat…….”
A voice that sounded like sorrowful whining.
But perhaps because her energy ran out, she soon dropped her head as if resigned.
Unfortunately, the Fatigue Recovery Potion from the [School Supplies Store] is an intermediate recovery potion when I drink it, but the moment I give it to someone else, it becomes no different from a general product.
Like paying 5,000 SP for something you can buy for 2,000 won at a convenience store.
So giving it is meaningless.
Chattering noise died completely, and only stuffy breathing, footsteps, and the sound of sweat drops falling filled the surroundings.
What broke that monotonous rhythm was another heavy footstep echoing from behind.
Thud- thud- thud-
A huge shadow cast to the side.
‘W-What?’
Looking to the side with a bewildered feeling, I saw someone carrying a pile of luggage.
Usually, people carry one piece of luggage, but she was carrying three pieces alone.
“Hello! Long time no see, Ryu Jinwoo-nim!”
And that unidentified figure greeted with a clear ringing voice.
“Mei Lin?”
Ebony hair soaked in sweat fluttered in the sea breeze, and a balanced physique with trained forearms stood out.
Mei Lin.
I had faced her as an opponent in a mock battle before.
Also the one who told me that the nickname ‘Swordsman of the Gale’ was attached to me.
“What is that pile of luggage?”
“I was carrying the luggage of those struggling and falling behind in the rear instead!”
At my question, Mei Lin answered cheerfully.
“……Why on earth?”
“Shouldn't everyone be able to run to the accommodation? I like it because it’s training for me!”
Hot-blooded.
Tremendous passion.
Even the one on my back is overwhelming, but carrying others’ luggage and running?
While I was dumbfounded, she smiled brightly towards Do Haru and said.
“You are Do Haru-nim, right? You look tired, shall I carry your luggage?”
“R-Really? No but, is it okay? Like rule violation or…….”
Do Haru glanced at the assistant running next to them, but he was still only maintaining pace indifferently.
“It’s okay! What’s prohibited is throwing luggage to another person! There’s no way they would stop helping others, right? I already helped a few people.”
“T-Then…… please!”
Do Haru threw off her luggage.
Mei Lin kicked off and jumped up just like that, receiving the luggage lightly and placing it on her back.
Cheolkeok-
Even though weight was added, she didn't falter for a moment.
“Phew! It’s heavy.”
“Ah, I feel alive.”
While watching that scene.
“Perhaps mine too……?”
I broached the subject sneakily.
“Jinwoo-nim looks fine though? I only help those who are really struggling.”
“Ah.”
Should I have drunk the Fatigue Recovery Potion a bit later.
Short regret was brief.
“Then I will go ahead first!”
Mei Lin began to gradually increase speed.
Her body carrying four pieces of luggage ran cutting through the wind, but surprisingly, her body looked even lighter than before.
At that moment, a faint blue light spread along her legs.
Originally, magic power is invisible to the eye.
But if wrapped directly around the body above a certain level, the flow permeates like light and is revealed.
The appearance Mei Lin was showing now was exactly like that.
Blue light spread as if permeating every grain of muscle and undulated like waves with movement.
Technique of wrapping magic power like an aura.
Essentially different from simply increasing stat figures.
The body itself is reinforced.
Muscles and bones become stronger as if wearing a protective film, and accumulation of fatigue decreases.
Literally a power that ‘changes the body,’ lowering even the risk of injury.
‘Wrapping directly, huh…….’
I murmured inadvertently.
Until now, I had only utilized Pain by converting it to increase stats.
However, what if Pain can also be wrapped around the body like magic power?
Come to think of it, Pain itself was already power.
That’s why the phenomenon of converting it into pain could happen.
“Shall we increase speed!”
Do Haru shouted triumphantly.
Since Mei Lin carried her luggage, it seemed her spirit revived.
“It’s a competition, Ryu Jinwoo! The person arriving late buys drinks!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Do Haru dashed out like an arrow.
Watching her back, I slowly pulled down the squirming energy to my legs.
It was an attempt to wrap Pain around my body as is.
At first, repulsion rushed in.
The moment the energy settled under the skin, muscles twisted and tried to bounce it off.
Unpleasant and boiling hot like a foreign substance permeating.
But even so, I gritted my teeth and pushed it deeper.
Resistance gradually broke, and the squirming energy settled calmly inside the legs.
Chijijik-!
A slowly burning sensation spread along the muscles.
Feeling like electricity flowing over the skin.
Surprisingly, it wasn't painful.
Rather, the sensation gradually faded.
The legs became unfamiliar as if not mine.
Stats didn't change.
Stamina, agility, all remained the same.
But there was definitely another power I had never felt before.
I had discovered a certain boundary I didn't know.
The load on muscles disappeared and it felt like the weight was halved.
As if gravity itself decreased, the moment feet kicked the ground was infinitely light.
Trusting this power, I raised speed just like that.
[Reached maximum running speed, ‘Cheetah’ activates.]
[Cheetah: When sprinting, speed doubles.]
[Consumes 3 SP per second.]
Sswaaaek—!
The salty wind of the sea breeze slapped my skin.
Surrounding scenery flowed and erased like lines, leaving only the road stretched forward.
Surging sense of liberation.
Somehow a sensation entered as if riding a motorcycle instead of running.
Enjoyable. Enough to make my heart overwhelmed.
“W-What!”
Do Haru’s shout echoed faintly from far behind before I knew it.
‘Phew-.’
Seo Seungbeom was running while maintaining speed with regular breathing.
Already reached the 90km point.
With only 25km remaining, only familiar faces were present around him.
Lily, Lee Junhyeok, Seol Hayun, Ju Yeojin, etc……. The elite chosen as the top tier without exception.
‘This is the correct hierarchy.’
‘We’ were ahead of anyone else.
Seo Seungbeom shouted for joy inwardly.
Recently, a guy like Ryu Jinwoo is trying to climb up arrogantly, but this is reality.
A guy without roots, not even from a prominent family, aiming for Zero’s top tier, it couldn't be anything but laughable.
‘That guy must have been eliminated by those guys by now.’
Seo Seungbeom had instructed his gang in advance to eliminate Ryu Jinwoo.
Because arrogant guys like Ryu Jinwoo need to have their shoulders crushed to realize their place.
Just when he was continuing the race satisfactorily like that.
‘……Huh?’
A tremendous presence was felt from behind.
Footsteps weren't heard, but the air itself seemed to shake heavily.
The gazes of the top-tier cadets running around turned back simultaneously.
Seo Seungbeom as well.
And the moment he turned his eyes, Seo Seungbeom’s pupils shook greatly.
The identity of the subtly approaching presence, it was Ryu Jinwoo.
He was chasing the vanguard group at tremendous speed.
Is the ominous aura subtly wafting from him just a feeling?
More than that, it was tremendous speed.
‘How is that guy here……. Did those guys fail?’
Clearly instructed to eliminate him early, why is he here.
Besides, why is the speed that fast?
He narrowed the distance significantly every time he blinked.
Unbelievable sight, would it feel like this if a ghost attached itself behind.
That impression was even terrifying.
‘N-No!’
Like this, he gets overtaken.
Seo Seungbeom ran gritting his teeth while withdrawing his gaze.
Swish-!
That was of little use.
The moment he turned his gaze forward, Ryu Jinwoo brushed past his side and was running far ahead.
“T-That bastard!”
How can he run like that?
Like that, he’ll spread out before reaching the finish line.
No, before that, can one run like that? Without magic power? What the hell is he?
All sorts of questions filled Seo Seungbeom’s head.
“Ryu Jinwoo! Let’s go together!”
Next to him, Lee Junhyeok started shooting out like a bullet.
A bright smile hung on Lee Junhyeok’s face.
As if competition with Ryu Jinwoo was more enjoyable than anything.
‘Fuck, those bastards again!’
Leaving me out and competing among themselves?
Seo Seungbeom’s stomach started to twist.
“Uoooo!”
According to the plan, the last spurt should have been at the last 10km point.
Because the calculation stood that only then could he arrive at the finish line fastest without spreading out before strength ran out.
However, he cannot fall behind like this.
Seo Seungbeom raised his power to the maximum.
Pajijik-
Current formed by magic power wrapped around his body, and tremendous speed began to dwell in his body.
Chasing Ryu Jinwoo and Lee Junhyeok.
Overtaking them and becoming the best.
Seo Seungbeom’s feet started kicking the ground roughly.
But with the last 1km remaining, he collapsed.
Because he had to suffer magic power exhaustion due to overdoing it excessively in a short time.
“Exhaustion came. Seo Seungbeom, considering safety, disqualified.”
The training assistant’s monotonous voice sentenced him.
‘This can’t be.’
Seo Seungbeom panted and lifted his head.
Before his eyes, the backs of Ryu Jinwoo and Lee Junhyeok were running toward the finish line.
‘Don’t go. Damn it, don’t go!’
A silent scream flowed out.
‘Don’t leave me alone and compete just the two of you.’
Body tilting with fists clenched, collapsed just like that.
Soon Seo Seungbeom’s vision was dyed black.