novelraw Chapter 80 : Chapter 80
Chapter 80 : Chapter 80
Chapter 80: Hero Land (1)
Sunday, with the sunlight shining clearly.
Inside the Wing Bus carrying the Zero cadets, the children's liveliness filled up.
The holiday in Jeju Island they had waited and waited for had begun.
Moreover, since the destination for this visit was announced, the children's anticipation seemed like it would explode any moment.
The destination the bus was heading to was precisely ‘Hero Land’.
As could be known from the name, it was a theme park that put famous heroes from all over the world as its signboard.
A place with the modifier ‘the most hopeful place in this world’.
It was full of rides and experience programs related to heroes, and hero experiences based on virtual reality and 4D systems were the main focus.
Furthermore, special rides for superhumans who are usually not satisfied with thrills were also very famous.
Those were ‘murderous’ rides like the Supersonic Roller Coaster and Mega Viking.
Accordingly, it became a famous attraction sought not only by ordinary citizens but also by superhumans who relax and come for fun.
“Look over there! It’s Hero Land!”
“Wow……. Is that the Mega Viking? Why is it so huge.”
“They say that’s super scary? Means we must ride it.”
As the magnificent figure of Hero Land came into view, exclamations burst out among the children.
A moment later, the instructors stood in front of the cadets gathered in an orderly manner.
Our Zero cadets were all dressed in uniforms.
Free time but uniforms, you might think it's too much, but Zero was such a place.
Instructor Kang Mooseong, standing in the middle of the instructor staff, opened his mouth heartily.
“Except for the personnel proceeding with training due to punishment etc., everyone is here. Wearing uniforms means do not forget your identity as cadets. Use the facilities while observing manners and etiquette as cadets of Zero Academy.”
Kang Mooseong, pausing for a moment, grinned and continued speaking.
“Hero Land is divided into the Normal Zone for ordinary people and the Hyper Zone for superhumans. Where you play is your freedom, but make sure to return to this exit by the designated time.”
Passing on the notices, he winked and added.
“If I were to give a simple recommendation, I recommend definitely stopping by the ‘Mega Viking’ in the Hyper Zone. It’s amazing, you know?”
To think even Instructor Kang Mooseong would show a relaxed appearance!
The anticipation of the cadets with the amusement park in front of them heightened endlessly.
‘It means there’s a chance to play to our heart's content before suffering like a dog.’
A somewhat twisted thought popped out from the position of knowing the attack incident that will happen in the future, but still, well, the time here will definitely be enjoyable.
As Lee Junhyeok said, this place is a famous attraction of Jeju Island.
It would be sad to be second in terms of fun playing…….
‘Wait.’
The moment I recalled Lee Junhyeok, I suddenly felt a creepy incongruity.
I instinctively scanned the faces of the lined-up cadets.
My heart sank with a thud.
The guy who should be in this spot was not seen.
‘No, what is this?’
The main target of this incident was clearly Lee Junhyeok.
The guy scheduled to get swept up in danger before anyone else.
And despite that, the guy scheduled to eventually overcome it wonderfully with his own strength.
But that guy is not here.
The empty spot caught my eye vividly as if carved out.
***
Sweat drops fell on the floor.
Hot air as if heated filled the inside of the training room.
In Lee Junhyeok’s head, yesterday’s scene revived.
The moment Ryu Jinwoo swung the sword.
It was breathtakingly beautiful and simultaneously endlessly threatening.
The sword held in his hand was not ordinary.
An inexplicable sensation dwelt in that armament that appeared without even a flow of magic power.
‘An armament that chooses its owner itself.’
He had heard a similar story.
It’s not something that happens to just anyone, and the armament acknowledging means proving the owner’s potential.
‘As expected, he wasn't ordinary. Ryu Jinwoo.’
Lee Junhyeok thought.
Perhaps Ryu Jinwoo might overtake him in an instant at some moment.
He might reach a level he cannot reach like that.
At that thought, Lee Junhyeok’s steps headed to the training ground automatically.
He didn’t want to fall behind.
Just as they stepped on the finish line of the Olle Trail race together, he wanted to run together always.
Clack-
Strength entered the hand gripping the sword.
The moment he regulated his posture and caught his breath like that, the vibration inside his pocket rang.
Ding-!
[Ryu Jinwoo: Hey Lee Junhyeok where are you?]
[Lee Junhyeok: Oh, Jinwoo! Is this the first contact? Nice to hear from you!]
[Ryu Jinwoo: No where are you. Aren’t you at Hero Land?]
[Lee Junhyeok: I am currently at the training facility near the hotel. It’s a good day for training.]
Lee Junhyeok threw an emoticon of a muscular bear lifting a dumbbell and flexing its arm.
[Ryu Jinwoo: ?????]
[Ryu Jinwoo: You said Hero Land is a Jeju Island attraction. Said we must come?]
[Lee Junhyeok: Haha. The training ground here is also a formidable attraction. The facilities are tremendous.]
[Ryu Jinwoo: No]
[Ryu Jinwoo: Why train on a day meant for resting…….]
Instantly, Lee Junhyeok burst into a smirk.
Ryu Jinwoo’s message cut off at the end.
Somehow warm energy seemed to be buried in those words mixed with worry.
Is it because we crossed the threshold of life and death together once.
‘Certainly, we have become friends.’
Nodding with a smile, Lee Junhyeok lifted the sword high again.
And continued ceaseless strikes.
***
Looking at the text Lee Junhyeok sent, my vision became distant.
‘Why didn’t you come, you crazy bastard…….’
I pressed my temple looking at the messages exchanged with Lee Junhyeok.
[Lee Junhyeok: Thank you for worrying. But it’s training for myself. I want to aim for a higher level. So I don’t fall behind.]
The guy sending an emoticon of a bear giving a thumbs up.
This guy is firmly mistaken about something.
It seems he took my words asking why he doesn't rest as worry.
‘It’s true I’m worried, but I’m not worrying about you, I’m worrying about this side!’
Dammit. Aiming for a higher level so as not to fall behind, that’s a good attitude.
The stronger the guy gets, the more comfortable I, who have to overcome future crises together, become.
I want to send applause as much as possible for that desire for improvement.
Whether standing ovation or clapping with feet or whatever, everything is possible.
But I want to argue why of all times right now.
Why train refusing even Hero Land suddenly because of what whim.
Above all, why worry about falling behind out of the blue, the guy who takes 1st place every time.
‘You have to be active here……!’
Even in the ‘Mystery Hall’ event where the story got properly twisted, the main target Seol Hayun was in that spot.
This is the first time a character who must be there according to the scenario is completely missing.
Even the Mystery Hall event where characters and background settings were identical to the original work unfolded in a flow I didn’t know, but if even the characters change completely?
It cannot be anything but a disaster.
The sound of the blueprint I vaguely drew for today crumbling from the start was heard.
Speaking simply about today’s attack, it’s like this.
Hero Land is largely divided into two zones.
The ‘Normal Zone’ where rides for ordinary people are lined up and the ‘Hyper Zone’ full of rides for superhumans.
The distance between the two is quite far, enough to operate a simplified train.
And today, the attack starts first in the Normal Zone.
Public terror targeting ordinary people in the symbolic place called Hero Land.
If that happens, naturally active heroes who came here will all flock to the Normal Zone.
Since protecting citizens is their duty.
The problem is that a comparatively quiet attack starts happening in the ‘Hyper Zone’ taking advantage of that situation.
And what happens in the Hyper Zone is their true objective.
‘What the villain bastards are aiming for today was…… magic power.’
The true objective of this terror is the pure magic power of Zero’s top-tier cadets.
Inducing combat and extracting the pure form of magic power generated from it.
Ironically, thanks to that, there is no need to worry greatly about my safety.
It means there is no chance I become the primary target of the villains.
Because I have no magic power.
That characteristic which would originally be a disadvantage was providing me safety now.
Only, Lee Junhyeok being missing was the problem.
‘……Lee Junhyeok is one of the main targets but he disappeared.’
My head throbbed.
Naturally, I had set up my own plan until coming here today.
Thinking if I do just this, I can get over this incident well.
But now it has become unknown who the villain who would have targeted Lee Junhyeok will take as a target.
The situation has become complicated in an instant.
“Jinwoo, what’s wrong? Does your head hurt?”
It seems my expression was hardened while falling into worry.
Do Haru asked worriedly with frowned eyebrows.
The girl who always lightened the mood with jokes was examining my face seriously now.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Are you really fine? I was worried because I heard you were in really big trouble yesterday. Are there any aftereffects?”
In Do Haru’s gaze, strange tension was contained instead of usual playfulness.
“If you need medicine by any chance, tell me. Since I prepared them.”
Following that, Seol Hayun stepped up.
Seol Hayun opened her cross bag with a snap, and started taking out colorful medicines by type from inside.
“Painkillers, fever reducers, fatigue recovery agents, tranquilizers……. Just in case, I packed ionic soft capsules too. They are good for acute fatigue.”
At her appearance as if setting up a new pharmacy altogether, I rather felt embarrassed.
“No, I’m really fine.”
I answered shrugging my shoulders.
Anew, I realized the fact that even if this place is inside a game, I am living reality.
These kids who are with me were characters inside a game, but now they were individual people.
Real people who worry and feel anxious if I show an appearance of struggling.
‘I caused worry for nothing.’
I repeated inwardly.
‘……Actually, even if Lee Junhyeok is missing, nothing changes greatly.’
Above all, the big framework of the plan doesn't change.
My role is support to the end.
Helping so they don’t reach the worst situation while top-tier cadets are attacked by respective villains.
Lee Junhyeok’s empty spot will probably be filled by a cadet with the next level of magic power.
The villains’ objective is ‘magic power’ to the end.
Since I have no magic power, there is no chance I become a target.
Then what I have to do is simple.
When the incident occurs, I run around the scene and assist those attacked.
That is sufficient.
I focus only on work I can do.
Just that only.
“I’m fine on medicine, I am a bit tired but playing will make it better. Don’t you think?”
As I, who organized my thoughts, answered smiling lightly.
“Right! Originally forgetting accidents quickly is best. Since I planned everything completely, just follow me!”
Do Haru responded pleasantly and took out a tablet from her bag and held it out.
Her finger moved here and there pointing out the course.
“We ride this too, and must ride the ferris wheel, and must go to the mansion in Thriller Town too. Let’s buy souvenirs there too. If not today, when would we come again? Coming to Jeju Island is a very rare event too. Right?”
Do Haru, who turned on the ‘playing is the best’ mode before I knew it, poured out words filled with anticipation.
I watched that appearance for a moment and nodded.
Yeah, for now, we play.
Nothing changes by worrying.
What I have to do is already decided, and when that moment comes, I just have to move.
Until then, enjoying the holiday here is enough.
Although a somewhat ominous feeling brushes by, I followed Do Haru shaking it off for now.