novelraw Chapter 71 : Chapter 71
Chapter 71 : Chapter 71
Chapter 71: Club (3)
On the way back to the dormitory after the meeting ended, I reflected once more on the encounter I had with the others today.
‘Well, nothing was particularly important.’
We had shared various conversations afterward, but nothing was vital enough that I had to commit it to memory.
In the first place, Kim Su-hyeok had already prepared a rough framework for the club, and the others had already made up their minds to join.
Well… although the thoughts they held inside were likely all a bit different.
‘Ha Eun-ha joined simply because she felt comfortable being with the others, and Ju Ha-yeon believed this connection would be helpful in various ways in the future.’
Ryu Jin-oh had joined because of his passion to surpass Kim Su-hyeok, and as for the remaining two, Do Gang-ho and Oh Jin-eon… while I did not know for certain since they differed from the original work, I could make a rough guess.
Since they were both people who lived for training every single day, the reason was obvious, was it not?
It seemed they had judged that being with the members of this club would be helpful in many respects.
‘Sigh, in the end, the fact that the heaviest burden lies on my shoulders does not change.’
The request Kim Su-hyeok had made to me while hesitating.
His request for me to speak on his behalf regarding the establishment of the club was more than enough to weigh heavily on my shoulders.
That was because this was a matter of significant importance, transcending a mere personal favor when considering the events that would unfold in the future.
Was this club not the place that served as the gathering point for all the major characters?
Therefore, the fact that the club might or might not be formed based on my persuasion was quite a burden.
‘Well, I do have insurance, though…….’
If I failed to persuade them with my words, Ju Ha-yeon would surely step in separately.
Whether considered emotionally or rationally, this club would be a great help to Ju Ha-yeon.
However, even so, Kim Su-hyeok had trusted me and asked for my help, so was it not better for me to handle it if possible?
It was at that moment, while I continued to think about the heavy load placed upon my fragile shoulders.
"You look troubled. Is something on your mind?"
A voice that sounded stiff yet contained a sense of consideration reached me from the side.
I answered Oh Jin-eon's question as if it were nothing special.
"It is nothing much. I was just thinking about how to handle things related to the club."
"Is there more to think about regarding that?"
"Yes. I was worried about how to explain it, as it might be difficult to get the club approved if I just describe it exactly as it is."
"Ah, come to think of it, that issue remains. You are working hard in many ways. Hang in there."
"It is not really something I need to be cheered on for. But I appreciate you saying that."
Since Do Gang-ho and Kim Su-hyeok said they had other business to attend to, I ended up walking back with only Oh Jin-eon.
Still, I did not feel that this situation was uncomfortable.
Though it had only been a short time, I knew for certain now that he was a good person after working with him.
Furthermore, if I thought about it, the club members were all heroes I admired, were they not? Was Oh Jin-eon not the only exception?
Because of that, I felt a sense of normal friendship with him, making this walk back to the dorms better than I had expected.
As I walked slowly toward the dormitory while matching his pace, Oh Jin-eon spoke to me again.
"I plan to go and train, so I will leave you here."
"Huh? Have you not taken a single break lately?"
"That is true, but I feel like I must do it for now."
At those words, I recalled Oh Jin-eon's recent behavior.
He was someone who originally devoted himself to training without a single break, but lately, he had been focusing on it even more intensely.
‘That is probably not good.’
Training steadily for one's own development is certainly more commendable than idling around.
However, is there not a saying that too much is as bad as too little?
Training so obsessively could actually have a negative effect on Oh Jin-eon.
‘Even for a Player, there is a limit.’
It is true that a Player's body is far superior to that of an ordinary person and can endure high-intensity training.
However, in the end, a Player is also a human being; one could potentially ruin their body if they are not careful.
Therefore, it was a situation where I could not help but be worried.
"Do not push yourself too hard. You might ruin your body instead."
"Mm, thank you for worrying. However, I am too lacking to be satisfied and remain as I am."
"……."
Since he spoke like that, I had nothing left to say.
If he judged it to be so himself, what would be the use of whatever I said?
‘The surrounding environment must have influenced him.’
When I thought about who his companions were, it was not impossible to understand why Oh Jin-eon was pushing himself so hard.
Was it not Kim Su-hyeok, the protagonist of this world whose talent and skill no one could challenge, who was our companion?
If he used Kim Su-hyeok as a standard for comparison, then behaving in such a manner was only natural.
‘But Kim Su-hyeok is a being that was never meant to be caught up to in the first place.’
The reason a protagonist is a protagonist is that they display a presence that is on a completely different level from others.
Even deciding to catch up to such a person is nonsensical in itself.
Ryu Jin-oh might have a persistence that does not know how to give up, but I was not sure if Oh Jin-eon was the same.
That was because Oh Jin-eon was originally a character who was not particularly featured in the original work, which meant he was ordinary.
In short, it also meant that he might break down at the thought of being unable to catch up.
‘Well, there is nothing I can really do for him…….’
I could not offer my current thoughts as advice.
How could anyone with a conscience blurt out something like, 'You will never catch up, so just worry about your body'?
In the end, it meant there was nothing I could do here.
Therefore, I could only utter common words toward Oh Jin-eon.
"Okay. I will cheer for you as much as I can."
"Thank you. Get back safely."
***
Monday arrived once again after the weekend passed.
It was a time when others might feel depressed and sad that another week had begun, but I could not do that.
The situation I was currently facing was a moment that made my heart race too much to feel down.
"…Hmm."
Im Seong-cheol let out an incomprehensible sigh as he checked the club establishment application I had submitted.
At that sound, not only I, but also Kim Su-hyeok—who had come along because he would have to serve as the president if the club were established—could not help but flinch.
It was then, as we waited silently for Im Seong-cheol's response in the quiet faculty office where only the scratching sound of a pen nib resonated.
"Mmm, yes. I have checked it thoroughly."
Im Seong-cheol's voice finally broke the silence.
Starting with those words, Im Seong-cheol began to lay out various evaluations of the application I had submitted.
"To put it simply, it was quite impressive. It was very refreshing, as it is the first time I have seen such an impressive club application."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I never imagined that someone would write nineteen pages for the section regarding the club's vision. At first, I thought you were bringing in some kind of thesis."
"Ahahaha……."
I could only give a bitter laugh at Im Seong-cheol's remark, which pierced through the core of the matter.
Indeed, would there be anyone else who would submit nineteen pages for a club application?
‘Still, there was a reason for that.’
There was a clear reason why I had submitted nineteen pages.
It was because I had to blur the important points.
To be honest, if I had stated the purpose exactly as Kim Su-hyeok had intended, would they have even allowed the club to be established? It would be a relief if we did not get scolded.
However, I realized from Im Seong-cheol's following words that the labor of writing those nineteen pages had been a futile effort.
"Your goal is to focus on moving while keeping various directions open, rather than being limited to a single objective……."
"……."
"Why did you speak in such a roundabout way? To put it simply, does this not mean you want to create a club where you just do whatever you want to do?"
Im Seong-cheol had immediately pierced through to the core, even though I had tried to disperse his attention to open up even a small possibility.
At those words, I could only think of one thing.
‘I am screwed.’
Im Seong-cheol was already a person with a strict personality.
He was a man who considered principles and rules to be extremely important.
What would it mean for such a person to speak in that manner? It was as good as saying that all the plans I had thought of were now ruined.
‘Well, even I described him as strict, so there is no way he could not see through to the core.’
Even so, I had submitted nineteen pages with the hope that he would feel my passion, so it was quite sad…….
When I read the novel, I really liked Im Seong-cheol's personality, but at this moment, it could not be more despairing.
It was then, while I hung my head with a gloomy expression.
"You are already making a face as if everything is ruined before I have even said much. Cadet Choi Yu-seong, persistence is also an important virtue for a Player."
"What? Does that mean……"
"It means that this instructor has not decided anything yet."
He had not decided anything yet.
The meaning of those words could change significantly depending on how one heard them.
However, from the additional explanation Im Seong-cheol provided afterward, Kim Su-hyeok and I were able to clearly understand the meaning of those words.
"To be honest, it is true that the application you submitted is insufficient to pass the screening. However……."
"……."
"Considering the performances you have shown so far, I think the option of 'deferral' might not be a bad idea. Are you not the talents who are highly anticipated at Glory? I am sure you will not disappoint me."
Deferral.
To be cold about it, it was true that this could not be called a good situation.
Nevertheless, a wide smile bloomed on my face.
That was because, just as Im Seong-cheol had said, I thought everything was already ruined, but a deferral was a tremendous achievement.
Kim Su-hyeok also seemed to realize that the current situation was flowing in a positive direction. As if he had never worn a gloomy expression, he shouted toward Im Seong-cheol with a bright face.
"Is that really true!?"
"Cadet Kim Su-hyeok. As I just said, it is only a deferral. No matter how outstanding you cadets are, I cannot make a decision based on a whim."
"Ah……."
"That is because clubs receive activity funding and are granted privileges according to their purpose."
"I see."
Kim Su-hyeok's face turned gloomy again instantly.
However, I knew what those words implied.
Had he not just said it was a 'deferral'? If so, what followed was obvious.
‘Proof.’
It could be interpreted as a demand to prove why the establishment of this club should be permitted.
And as expected, Im Seong-cheol told us exactly what I had thought.
"Therefore, I must see results first before I can grant permission as an instructor. So, if you bring back results worthy of that during the next club activity, I will allow the establishment."
"Ah! I understand!"
"Yes. You may leave now."
I chuckled at the sight of Kim Su-hyeok, who answered with a smiling face again, wondering how his attitude could change so quickly.
Was this the appearance of a greenhorn who still lacked experience, even if he was the protagonist?
I wondered why he was so happy about such a natural occurrence.
‘Well, I also thought I was screwed at first because of Im Seong-cheol's personality.’
However, while listening to Im Seong-cheol, I was able to recall something I had forgotten not long ago.
I remembered that there is an unchanging law in this world that never fluctuates.
‘Is it not an immutable truth that the world revolves around those with ability?’
What did it matter if the club's vision was like this or like that?
In the end, as long as one had ability, everything would be fine; that was the truth of this world.
With a grin, I etched the truth of the world into my mind once more as I leisurely walked out of the faculty office.
It was a face I could only make because I did not know that I would soon be spending several hours agonizing with Kim Su-hyeok over what kind of results we should produce.