Chapter 51 : Chapter 51
Chapter 51: Athletic Meet (1)
Blue sky, clear weather, and music resounding from somewhere.
"Ice water here!"
"Selling cube steaks."
"Take a pamphlet. It's free."
"This is a newly released potion!"
Taewoon High was more crowded than ever before.
The scene of the festival continued from the main gate.
Not just the Academy City, but shops from the surrounding commercial districts participated to enrich the festival.
'External opening.'
The largest festival of Taewoon High where students' families, ordinary citizens, and even famous figures in related industries were invited.
The day of the Athletic Meet dawned.
The entire school was bustling, the teachers were tense, and the students were excited.
Although the entire large Academy City was full of people, the place where people's footsteps headed the most was undoubtedly.
The Taewoon High Auditorium where the opening ceremony was taking place.
"Wow....... There are really a lot of people."
"As expected, a prestigious school is different."
"As expected, Goyang City's best festival."
A domed gymnasium.
A place boasting enormous size and dignity comparable to a soccer stadium.
It was early morning, but one could not find an empty seat in the spectator stands.
"Isn't that the Ignis Guild Master? It's my first time seeing him in person."
"Daebak....... Lee Si-wang Hunter is here too."
"It's Vice President Kang Yu."
"Reporter Kim, over here!"
"Zoom in."
Countless ordinary people, Hunter aspirants, and even the media who flocked for coverage.
It was truly a mountain of people and a sea of people.
And the center where all their gazes gathered.
On the podium, figures invited to shine the school's name appeared one by one.
Hunter Association Vice President, Kang Yu.
Ignis Guild Master, Cho Sang-geun.
Republic of Korea's No. 1 A-Rank Hunter, Lee Si-wang.
S-Rank Hunter Kang Si-wook.
Besides them, several figures whose names alone would make jaws drop attended as guests.
And undoubtedly, the one receiving the most interest among the guests this time was Kang Si-wook.
A man wearing a high-end red suit, possessing sharp eyes and a cold expression.
A murmur rose among the spectator stands.
"He was the hottest Hunter these days, right?"
"What do you mean hot these days. He was already famous for being S-Rank since 10 years ago."
"Didn't Kang Si-wook come out of Taewoon High too?"
"The guild where Kang Si-wook is the Guild Master probably entered the 4 Great Guilds this time, right?"
"Kang Si-wook's younger brother is here too. Called Kang Tae-wook."
"Did he come to see his younger brother? Dad and older brother are Vice President and a successful S-Rank. He has it all, Kang Tae-wook."
"The family relationship must be good."
When the spectator stands were buzzing.
There was one person with a contrasting expression.
Among the students lined up below the podium.
Orange Demonic Energy began to creep up around Jin-ho's body.
Just, one glance.
But even with that short moment, Jin-ho's heart cooled down coldly.
Rage began to boil up from his fingertips like instinct.
Kang Si-wook.
How could I forget?
He is the figure who made Jin-ho study for the time of 10 years, made him rummage through newspapers, and further made him enroll in this Taewoon High.
10 years.
It was a time where I didn't find the evidence I wanted, but became convinced to some extent.
Jin-ho's fist, which contained Kang Si-wook in his eyes, began to tremble.
'Brother.......'
The image of his dead brother overlapped over Kang Si-wook's face.
Clench.
The veins standing on his fist swelled as if they would burst.
Grind.
The rage does not subside.
Jin-ho was feeling a murderous intent that surpassed his patience for the first time.
At that moment.
Tap.
Someone's hand was lightly placed on the shoulder.
"Teacher......."
Yoo jin's face was captured in Jin-ho's gaze.
"You focus only on your fight."
A warm but never light voice.
His voice was like the wind, not lightning.
But it was harder and deeper.
"The reason you waited for today while training hard isn't that person, but Tae-wook."
At Yoo jin's voice, the orange Demonic Energy that filled around Jin-ho's body was subsiding.
The emotions began to settle down.
When Jin-ho, whose murderous intent was erased from his eyes, tried to open his mouth.
Yoo jin's voice beat him to it.
"That guy is my guest."
Jin-ho's lips closed.
Doubt.
It had to be so.
Jin-ho did not understand what Yoo jin was saying right now.
However, he couldn't open his mouth.
He couldn't ask.
Because it was the first time.
The appearance of Teacher making such an expression.
The Teacher from whom such violent energy was felt that the skin tingled.
Yoo jin's expression looking at Kang Si-wook was the coldest in the world.
"......."
Gulp.
Jin-ho's gaze, having swallowed dry saliva, stayed on Yoo jin's face for a long time.
Even at such a gaze, Yoo jin did not move his eyes once, only capturing Kang Si-wook who was on the podium in his eyes.
"......."
The Principal's voice announcing the start of the Athletic Meet was flowing through the speakers.
"Then, we will begin the Athletic Meet!"
Waaaa―.
The first event was the team flag capture battle.
A game often played in general athletic meets as well.
However, if there is something a little different, it is that since it was a flag capture battle of Awakened ones, it was a bit rough, and the taste of watching was much more unique.
"Year 1 end. Year 2 get ready!"
The game proceeded by grade.
From Class A to Class E.
A game where each class sets up a flag within a designated area and steals the opposing class's flag.
It was truly an all-out war where strategy, ability, and teamwork were fully mobilized.
"Are you ready?"
Yoo jin looked at the Class A students and asked.
"Yes!!"
The eyes of the Class A students burned.
Confidence and expectation, the hot desire for victory blooming within them.
A small smile formed on the corners of Yoo jin's lips as he captured the students in his eyes.
Right.
The kids should enjoy it.
The Athletic Meet.
To burn hotly, make an effort, and become a memory of a lifetime.
So.
'Let's make it so the kids can focus only on the Athletic Meet.'
For now, this killing intent.
Postpone it to the end.......
Yoo jin, who was capturing Kang Si-wook in his eyes, stroked the head of Jin-ho who was in front.
And said to the Class A kids.
"First, enjoy it properly. Because there's no way a guy who can't even enjoy an Athletic Meet properly will become a good adult."
Yoo jin's smile spread to the Class A students.
And.
The signal flare for the start of the game popped.
Baaaaang——!
The shouts of the spectators filling the seats rang out.
Immediately, each class's strategy began to unfold.
Class E was a frontal attack method.
Overwhelming breakthrough pushing with power-based dealers at the center.
Class C moved like ghosts centering on the stealth team and aimed for the flag.
Class D was defense specialization.
They blocked approach itself by making the area around the flag like a fortress.
And Class A.
"Seong-hyeon, Yu-in, Ye-na infiltrate through left cover. Jin-ho maintain concealment on the right flank. At my signal, towards the flag simultaneously."
Yoo jin's strategy was strange.
Instead of a frontal confrontation, a disturbance strategy dispersing attraction and gazes.
"Okay, let's go."
"Yep!"
The first battlefield was Class E.
"Class A invaded, block them!"
Led by Seong-hyeon, the tanker students in Class A stirred up Class E's zone.
Class E's camp became a mess in an instant.
"Now, the back!"
Behind Yoo jin's voice, Ye-na's shadow-like movement began.
Infiltration using stealth skill and terrain.
"Three enemies confirmed near the flag. Eliminating."
A voice rang out from the empty air where there was nothing.
Swish—.
Ye-na's hand blade cut through the wind, and Class E's defense collapsed.
In that gap, Seong-hyeon snatched the flag and ran.
"Success! Ju-hee, are you watching!"
Class A snatched the first flag.
Waaaaaa―.
As if a home run was hit.
They shouted in unison from the spectator stands.
Class A's following second battlefield was Class C.
Class C also already possessed another class's flag.
"Class A just needs to be careful of Kang Tae-wook."
"Besides him, we can block everything!"
The voice of a Class C student.
Behind that.
Boom!!
A huge sword fell in front of the student who spat out the words.
"Say that again."
"Even with this, you say we just need to be careful of Kang Tae-wook?"
The twins were huffing and puffing, continuing to use their abilities.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
The huge sword destroyed Class C's defensive formation.
"Now."
At Yoo jin's signal, this time Jin-ho began to move.
Orange energy rising on the body.
The unique pressure of Demonic Energy crushed the opponent in a stealth state.
The skills of the Class C students hiding around the flag with stealth and protective coloring skills were forcibly cancelled.
Bodies that became clearly visible.
The voices of Class C students surprised by the released abilities rang out.
"What, why did the abilities get released?"
"Is it because of that guy?"
"Shouldn't be. That guy is supposed to be D-Rank......."
While the Class C students were hesitating.
Fwoosh!
The blue flame that left Jin-ho's hand shook the center of Class C.
"Ooooo!!"
A murmur spread from the spectator stands.
It was the moment Jin-ho's existence began to enter their eyes.
And the other side of the spectator stands.
"Oh....... Is that child that child?"
"Yes, he is the child Teacher Yoo jin is secretly training."
Ignis Guild Master Cho Sang-geun and Secretary Kim nodded and captured Jin-ho.
An ability holder using blue flames.
I think I heard he was D-Rank, but the appearance of him performing right now was like an Awakened one several levels higher.
"He has good sense."
"I know, right. I would believe it even if you said he was a Hunter with a lot of practical experience."
"Right? His ability develops day by day. Just when we raided the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order together last time, he was just like a kid, but keueu!! Teacher Yoo jin's ability must really be good. The kid is growing fast, fast! Our Jin-ho, fighting!"
At Lee Si-wang's voice, Cho Sang-geun and Secretary Kim's eyes turned to him.
Stare―.
"Why are you looking at me like that......."
"Our Jin-ho?"
"Others might think you are the Year 2 Class A Assistant Homeroom Teacher."
Lee Si-wang wore an awkward smile.
"Ha, ha...... Just well...... Haha, since we spend time together......."
He avoided the gazes directed at him and moved his gaze to the empty air.
His affiliation was Ignis Guild.
And the reason Ignis Guild sent Lee Si-wang to Yoo jin was clear.
"You, you are working, right?"
"O, of course! I have never forgotten my duty!"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure! I couldn't even go into the headquarters, tailed him for over a month, and stuck right next to Teacher Yoo jin, you know that too, Guild Master."
"Well, that is true, but......."
As the eyes of suspicion were not erased.
"Iya! It's a win!"
Lee Si-wang shouted a cheer watching the Class A students who stole the last flag.
An action to avoid answering no matter who looked.
Cho Sang-geun, who was watching that appearance, shook his head.
Still.
"Well, if you get close, that's enough with that."
Secretary Kim nodded at Cho Sang-geun's voice.
Cho Sang-geun's gaze headed to Yoo jin who was surrounded by Class A students.
The President.
And Vice President Kang Yu sitting in the same VIP seats.
If only not taken by them.
"For now......."
He thought it was okay.
Well, he has no intention of giving up on recruiting the Returnee Yoo jin until the end, but.
Because the one doing the most important work in recruiting the Returnee right now more than anyone else was clearly Lee Si-wang.
Even if he himself doesn't know that.
Cho Sang-geun's gaze, which was letting out a low groan, moved.
To that place where the match unfolded.
"Still. There is one thing I came to know for sure."
The first meeting with the Returnee where my knees trembled just by facing him.
However, the appearance of Yoo jin smiling among the children.
"It really was the spot he desired."
After the first game ended, a short maintenance time.
"Year 3 was not fun because only the Student Council President or whoever was too overwhelming."
"In contrast to that, the Year 2 game was fun."
What stood out undoubtedly in the first game conducted by grade was the Year 2 game.
Among them.
"Year 2 Class A, there were really many talents."
"Twins? Over there, the kids from the talkative family. They also seemed like A-Ranks as A-Ranks."
"The cute girl who used stealth skill was also awesome."
"I don't know what ability it is, but the kid who ran around like a dog shouting 'Ju-hee!' was the best in pure strength alone."
The voices of the spectators going in and out of the restrooms rang out.
"Still, as expected! The ones who stood out the most were the two!"
"The kid using blue flames? He looked gentle, but his movements were completely like a pro Hunter."
"One is Kang Tae-wook! Nature-type ice ability. He was somewhat on a different level. Just with one Unique Skill, the class was different."
"Kang Tae-wook is so famous so let's say that's that, but there was talk that the gentle one is D-Rank."
"D-Rank? That kid using blue flames?"
"He stood out hugely? But D-Rank?"
"The kids talking in the next seat said so earlier?"
"That can't be....... I rather thought he looked the strongest."
"That's what I mean. I still can't believe it either."
Wherever they went, the topic was the story of Kang Tae-wook and Jin-ho.
"By the way, if the two fight, who would win?"
"Suddenly?"
"It's ice and blue flame."
"Fire versus ice. Viewing only by Unique Skills, it's exactly a relationship of mutual compatibility too."
"Mm......."
"......."
"Ey, still, of course it's Kang Tae-wook. They say his talent is expected more than A-Rank No. 1 Lee Si-wang."
"That is true, but that kid using blue flames wasn't easy either."
"Still, he is D-Rank. How does a D-Rank beat an A-Rank, and that Kang Tae-wook."
"In the head, it is so. But looking at his performance, there is some expectation. That blue flame child."
"Keueu, as expected of Taewoon High. Talents are overflowing, overflowing!"
"I wish the two would fight at least during that last game. Fire versus ice is cool, you know?"
Rustle.
Spectators leaving words behind.
Unlike them, there was one person who could not take a step away at the voices they left behind.
"......."
An expression that settled down coldly.
Uncomfortable feelings were revealed on Kang Yu's face.