novelraw Chapter 71 : Chapter 71
Chapter 71 : Chapter 71
Chapter 71: Olle Trail Race (3)
Hotel Great Hyatt Jeju.
The top-class hotel that is the accommodation for this trip.
Simultaneously, a place like the finish line of this race.
The hotel was boasting a figure like a fortress atop a seaside cliff.
Countless glass windows reflected the sea’s light, shining fervently and reminding one of a trophy.
That place is the race’s finish line.
The end of the race was drawing near.
Lee Junhyeok glanced to the side.
There was exactly one person running with him.
Ryu Jinwoo.
Lee Junhyeok’s gaze scanned him.
Ryu Jinwoo’s eyes were definitely looking ahead.
But his focus was faintly unfocused.
It wasn't a gaze competing for victory.
A gaze immersed only in the act of running itself.
Even while running as if his whole body would tear apart, he rather looked ecstatic.
‘……This guy.’
Lee Junhyeok felt passion burning.
When Ryu Jinwoo overtook him, Lee Junhyeok raised his competitive spirit.
Because good-willed competition and fair play make the race much more fun and allow those involved in the competition to grow further.
He thought Ryu Jinwoo was also provoking by overtaking everyone.
But running together, Lee Junhyeok realized.
That Ryu Jinwoo has something transcending victory and defeat.
‘He is immersed in just running, itself.’
It was like that when Ryu Jinwoo first overtook him too.
At that time, he didn't look back.
Didn't look to the side either.
As if not even caring who he overtook, he was lost only in the single act of running.
And that was the same even now.
Just running.
Attaching no meaning other than that.
From the specialty training until now, Ryu Jinwoo was focusing only on himself.
A smile hung on Lee Junhyeok’s lips.
If he sets his mind to it, he can speed up more.
Right now, he could overtake Ryu Jinwoo.
However, there was no need to do so specifically.
Because at least for this moment, he wanted to run at the same speed, cutting through the same air.
Discarding distracting thoughts. Erasing even the thought of having to win.
Just holding onto this sensation making his heart boil, running together.
- Meeting a rival who makes me surpass myself is the greatest luck in life. I hope you have that luck too.
Those words he heard from his father, revered as the Sword Emperor, until calluses formed on his ears.
Only now did Lee Junhyeok finally understand the meaning.
And he understood that his greatest luck was right next to him now.
‘As expected, coming to Zero was the right choice.’
Lee Junhyeok decided to just run.
Matching Ryu Jinwoo’s pace.
Soon the finish line drawn by instructors was visible before their eyes.
Simultaneously, the two stepped on that line.
***
The sound of feet kicking the ground, roughly breathing breath.
Other than that, there was nothing. Feeling somewhat like dreaming a dream.
“……Jinwoo! Ryu Jinwoo!”
However, at some point, I snapped out of it at the intervening voice.
‘Huh?’
Someone was running towards me, who had stopped abruptly.
“Passed the finish line! Don’t have to run anymore!”
It was Lee Junhyeok.
Why is this guy? And finish line?
Two thoughts flashed momentarily.
Where is this? And, since when was that guy next to me?
A pleasant sensation still remained inside my body.
That moment when wind cut through flesh, when the heart burned.
Ding-!
[Finished ‘Olle Trail Race’ with highest rank (1st).]
[Reward is provided.]
[Agility +1, Stamina +1]
[Passive ‘Cheetah’ is enhanced.]
- Cheetah: Speed increases to 2.5 times when sprinting.
‘……Me? 1st place? Suddenly?’
I opened my eyes wide and looked around.
A huge building stood tall like a tower.
Beyond the sheer cliff, the blue sea reflected sunlight, sparkling like thousands of glass beads,
And seagulls’ cries resonated overhead as if welcoming.
In other words, this is the finish line of the Olle Trail Race.
You mean I reached this place running frantically? And as 1st place.
I was bewildered by the unrealistic situation that suddenly rushed in, but only briefly.
“I heard many heroes visit here during vacation to see this scenery. I think it’s definitely worth it.”
Lee Junhyeok laid out his appreciation with his unique old-man-like tone and held out his hand towards me.
“It was a good match. I ask for a fair duel next time too.”
……What does this guy think of me.
The hand held out before my eyes.
A strong and straight palm was facing me without a single spot of hesitation.
Pure and solid strength was contained.
I stared at that hand quietly.
Lee Junhyeok.
At least not a bad guy.
Symbol of passion and honesty.
Sometimes looks like a fool because he’s too honest, but not a guy with a twisted nature.
This hand he’s holding out now as well.
[Lee Junhyeok]
[Joy, Admiration, Competitiveness]
Seeing him feel competitiveness simultaneously, it feels like he’s treating me as a rival somehow.
Holding it out with pure goodwill without any bad intention.
‘A bit burdensome.’
A guy born with the Sword Emperor’s qualities naturally holding admiration and competitiveness towards me inevitably felt burdensome.
But simultaneously, this was also an opportunity.
Because just being next to this guy would bring quite a lot to gain.
Above all, his father is that famous Sword Emperor.
If I stay close to Lee Junhyeok, I might be able to see the Sword Emperor’s techniques.
If I catch the opportunity well, I might be able to copy them too.
‘Since his father’s job is also a hero for now.’
Of course, I myself making these snobbish calculations in front of a boy purely extending a hand to be friends isn't very pleasant.
But ultimately, this is reality.
The adult world is like this.
I gripped the hand he held out and opened my mouth.
“I haven't introduced myself properly, right? Ryu Jinwoo.”
“Lee Junhyeok. Please take care of me in the future too.”
“Me too.”
It was while snobbish calculations were hidden and a warm atmosphere was flowing.
‘……Wait.’
Suddenly, a sense of incongruity assaulted.
A chilling sensation felt from below the body.
I dropped my gaze downward.
Dark energy leaking through the gap in clothes was wrapping around the ankle area as if casting a faint shadow.
At a glance, it looks like a shadow caused by trouser folds, but it wavered subtly, giving off a heterogeneous impression.
Yes.
I was still wrapping Pain around me.
‘I’m fucked.’
Familiar pattern.
Settlement time that surely comes after using a skill.
Storm-like pain rushes in and splits bones and flesh.
There will be no exception this time either.
Since I wrapped Pain around the lower body, the entire area below the waist will burn with pain.
And that pain doesn't give strength, nor does it raise stats.
Because it comes as a price for using power.
Just painful enough to faint, breathing twisting, agonizing like dying.
And above all, unavoidable.
Putting it off won’t do any good.
I sighed and steeled myself.
Since I wrapped Pain around the lower body, tremendous pain will come to the lower body.
I let go of the energy that was condensed and lumped in my legs.
Like dropping a stone held in hand between fingers, the moment I relax strength—tuk.
The black energy wrapping the legs unraveled smoothly, flowed down long, and was sucked into the shadow.
“Hmm?”
Lee Junhyeok next to me turned his head and looked down at the floor.
“……Snake?”
Lee Junhyeok muttered and tilted his head.
“No? Thought something squirmed.”
The guy paused for a moment, then burst into light laughter.
“Haha, must have seen things because I ran for a long time. Must have gotten heatstroke.”
It wasn't very noticeable, but it seems visible to others for now.
‘Could have been troublesome.’
Originally, this is a cursed power born from Black Self. Not a power good to be discovered unnecessarily.
So it would be better to use it without revealing it if possible.
On one hand, what’s more important now was separate.
I held my breath and waited.
That pattern is coming.
Pain like an electric storm, price tearing bones and flesh.
And how much time passed.
‘……Not painful?’
Eyes shook greatly for an instant.
How did this happen?
The pain I expected to rise from below the waist is totally absent.
Literally absolute tranquility.
‘Really?’
My mind went blank.
If this is true? Physical enhancement without a price.
Meaning I drew out power for free.
Enhancing the body and boosting performance, but that’s free?
My heart pounded.
Overwhelmed, an urge to scream for joy right now rushed in.
Because it was an utterly unbearable huge gain.
“Ah, right.”
While I was excited with internal cheers like that, Lee Junhyeok shook a card key.
“They said rooms are assigned according to rank. I received it.”
My gaze followed his hand.
Card key with gold numbers embedded. Top floor.
There was more reward for 1st place.
Rest in the top-class hotel, top floor room.
Can’t resist this.
I took a step with a happy heart.
No, I tried to take a step.
‘……Uh?’
Unlike my mind, me stopping abruptly.
Sensations below the waist had disappeared as if becoming someone else’s.
‘W-What is this?’
Don’t tell me.
No way, right? Can’t be.
I gritted my teeth and tried to move my legs.
Thighs, calves, feet, toes……. Tried hard to put strength everywhere.
However, they didn't budge.
My brain commands ‘move’ somehow, but the lower body proceeds with a strike arbitrarily showing no reaction.
‘L-Lower body paralysis?’
Shocking reality.
I was happy that pain didn't come, but turns out sensation disappeared entirely?
Not just no pain, but can’t move either?
Spine goes cold.
If paralysis, until when? Temporary? Surely permanent damage?
Ominous thoughts continued biting tail after tail like a loop train.
“Ryu Jinwoo? What’s wrong?”
After a while, the moment Lee Junhyeok asked as if finding it strange.
Tilt-
Legs couldn't support the upper body leaning forward.
Thud-!
I kissed the floor just like that.
Hot and sticky blood flowed down from my forehead.
‘Fuck…….’
Vision blurred rapidly.
Fatigue piled up all over the body rushing in at once, I let go of consciousness just like that.
***
Hazy feeling.
Pitch-black scenery was visible.
My inner world, core of the soul.
Space getting somewhat familiar now.
Probably I fainted again.
‘How many times is this.’
Heard fainting often sharply increases the risk of dementia.
Just when I was about to worry about old age.
A weird feeling brushed from the cheek.
Feeling like a rough cat tongue licking.
And a damn huge super-sized cat at that.
[Kkihihihit! Tasty! Yummy! Lick lick!]
“Is it you, Mimic.”
That identity was unmistakable.
“Ugh.”
Feeling intense headache, I raised my body.
But this time there was an unexpected existence too.
“……Y-You!”
Me with black eyes was staring down at me intently from right in front.
That bastard who killed me several times before. It was ‘Black Self.’
I threw my body backward reflexively.
“You, why are you here? This sh-.”
Hurriedly searching for the sword and reaching out, but nothing was gripped at fingertips.
Sword wasn't visible.
‘Screwed.’
Looked at the clone with a feeling of heart sinking.
But the guy showed no sign of attacking.
Just looking down at me expressionlessly.
Feeling like he finds me somewhat pathetic too. Is it just my feeling.
The guy said nothing, but strangely I could know his thoughts.
Just as I can know what myself looking in the mirror thinks.
“……Pain, mean to use that power more?”
Black Self nodded slowly.
“Damn bastard……. Last time heart attack, this time lower body paralysis. Keep using that? Telling me to die?”
Instead of answering, the guy turned his back abruptly.
And moved steps slowly into that far darkness.
Every time footprints brushed past, the floor cracked and black flowers bloomed.
Thorns squirmed from buds and dark energy spewed out.
Ominous resonance leaked creepily from the cracks.
The guy getting farther turned his head again and looked at me. Still expressionless.
Gradually being erased in darkness, the guy seemed to leave a wordless phrase.
──As much as you endure, ‘we’ become stronger.
Short resonance remained in ears like reverberation.
“Kkeueuk……!”
I opened my eyes wide.
Along with a face soaked in sweat, the ceiling of reality filled my vision.