chapter_0644

644 – Magic Show

644 – Magic Show

It was foolish to throw a tantrum over admitting defeat in a competition.

Especially if the opponent was a child.

Bolt outwardly acknowledged his loss gracefully, but he honestly had doubts about Gyeoul’s speed.

Had she really run? If so, how fast was she?

With all these questions in mind, he decided to ask directly.

“Hey, young friend, just how fast are you?”

“Um… I don’t know…?”

“Have you ever tested it separately?”

“No. Is there a way to test it?”

“Of course…”

Is there?

Since it was Saebyeok, there must be, right?

Bolt glanced back at the officials from Saebyeok who were watching the match, hoping for confirmation.

“We have the equipment.”

“Oh! You do?”

If they had equipment, they could definitely check the speed accurately.

With the intention of using the equipment, Bolt turned to Gyeoul.

But for some reason, Gyeoul’s eyes were wide open.

“Is there such equipment?”

Surprised.

Seeing her characteristic shocked expression, Bolt couldn’t help but smile.

He didn’t particularly like children, but this one was overflowing with a unique cuteness.

“Since you have the equipment, let’s go check it out. I can’t hold back my curiosity.”

“Okay!”

Bolt followed Gyeoul, who was bouncing with excitement.

Thus, they were able to reach Saebyeok’s measurement facility, guided by the staff.

“If you’re going to measure speed, just get on this machine.”

“Oh, a state-of-the-art model.”

All the measuring machines were the latest models.

The Speed Guild was using a version two steps down.

Intrigued, Bolt stepped onto the treadmill first.

“How do you use this?”

“You just run, and the machine will adjust automatically.”

“Wow.”

It adjusts the speed automatically.

Is the latest model really that different?

Once on the machine, Bolt began to gradually increase his speed.

Thud thud—

Starting with a jog, he transitioned to a full sprint typical of an ordinary person, and then to the fast pace of an adventurer.

Bolt didn’t stop there; he pushed himself to a speed that most adventurers couldn’t achieve.

“Huh.”

The researchers at the measurement facility, watching Bolt run, could only be astonished.

He had bet everything on speed, and it was indeed an astonishing level.

He could confidently challenge Kang Jinho, claiming he could win based on speed.

Of course, he wasn’t at the level to compete with Kang Jinho just yet.

‘But he’s young.’

‘He might have the highest potential among the next generation.’

The researchers at Saebyeok tended to have a broad view of adventurers’ growth potential.

They had witnessed geniuses who made tremendous progress firsthand.

Thus, they thought Bolt might be the most likely adventurer to catch up to Kang Jinho’s speed.

“Huff huff.”

While the researchers were analyzing various aspects, Bolt gradually slowed down.

Feeling satisfied with having used the latest equipment, he stepped off the machine and turned to Gyeoul.

“Next, it’s your turn, friend. Did you see how to use it?”

“Yes!”

With a cat-like cautious movement, Gyeoul carefully placed her feet on the machine.

Her tail perked up as the machine adjusted to her speed.

Vroom—

Listening to the characteristic sound of the machine, Gyeoul began to increase her speed.

Even as she reached a level where her feet left an afterimage, she continued to push her speed higher.

‘This was the maximum speed when I had one blessing.’

Surprisingly, it was only a fraction of the speed she could achieve with two blessings.

The two blessings allowed her to reach this speed in a world that flowed slowly.

‘Should I try to push my speed even more?’

Gyeoul began to run using the power of her second blessing.

The researchers could only be astonished as they watched Gyeoul start to significantly increase her speed.

She was approaching the maximum speed measurable by the machine.

“Huh?”

“Oh my.”

“What the…?”

Even as the researchers and Bolt were taken aback, Gyeoul continued to accelerate.

In her exhilaration, Gyeoul made one mistake.

She mistakenly thought the machine would keep up with her maximum speed.

“Could it be…?”

While the researchers gasped in shock, Gyeoul surpassed the machine’s speed.

Her body, which had been jumping in place, surged forward, and in the sudden turn of events, she collided with the front panel of the machine.

“Yikes!”

The impact sent her body flying backward.

It didn’t hurt particularly, but there was a fear that she would be thrown back due to the inertia of the treadmill when she fell.

This could lead to a serious injury.

Gyeoul curled up to protect her head, but no shock came.

“Huh?”

As she regained her senses, Gyeoul realized someone had caught her.

Looking up, she saw the face of her beloved Master.

“Wow, that was totally heroic just now.”

“Mm.”

Thank you.

At that moment, while Gyeoul was expressing her gratitude to Kang Jinho, Bolt could only gasp in astonishment.

‘What kind of speed is that?’

To run faster than what the machine could push.

It was a speed that made him wonder if it would ever be possible to catch up, even after a lifetime of training.

Moreover, the fact that the speed she had shown at the end wasn’t her full power only added to Bolt’s astonishment.

An ordinary person might have despaired and given up, but not Bolt.

“Hey, young friend, you’re really fast. But I will catch up to your speed someday.”

“Hehe.”

Bolt smiled back at Gyeoul and raised his gaze to meet Kang Jinho’s eyes.

Seeing Kang Jinho, Bolt couldn’t help but chuckle.

“This kid is faster than you, right?”

“No, my uncle is faster than me.”

“What…? Really…?”

“Yes!”

Gyeoul nodded confidently, not realizing that Kang Jinho was indeed faster than her.

Still, she had a blind belief that her Master would naturally be faster than her.

“Is Saebyeok filled with monsters or something?”

“Mm.”

Kang Jinho said nothing to Bolt and Gyeoul.

As the Master of a guild, it would be foolish to reveal the extent of his own power.

**

“Friend, shall we compete again later?”

“Yes. But are you already leaving?”

“No, since I’m here, I thought I’d do some sightseeing before heading back.”

“Ah, I see.”

After parting ways with Bolt, I hurriedly dashed toward the Ggaemmi Guild.

I had intended to enjoy the joy of victory with the children, but the kids welcomed me with a surprisingly ordinary demeanor.

I was left feeling puzzled, as I had expected them to be overjoyed.

‘What’s going on?’

I thought the kids would be thrilled to see me.

The one who solved this mystery was none other than Levinas.

“Wanga, did you win?”

“Yes. I won.”

“Of course.”

Seeing Levinas nodding as if it were obvious, I realized.

The kids were calm because they had expected me to win.

“You knew I would win, didn’t you, Levinas?”

“Yep! No one in the world can beat Wanga in a race!”

Ahem.

Levinas puffed out his chest and suddenly grabbed my hand, leading me away.

Levinas took me to a makeshift stage created by Gaeul and Haneul.

“Juin, what’s up?”

Gaeul, standing on the stage, waved her tail at me.

Nearby, Haneul was preparing something with stage equipment.

“Yes. What is Gaeul planning?”

“Magic!”

A magic show, huh.

I was really looking forward to it.

I sat next to Bomi and Saebyeok, who were waiting near the stage.

Just then, Haneul ran over to me and whispered.

“This is a show to celebrate the Master’s victory…!”

“Wow, how delightful.”

A show prepared in advance based on my victory.

It was a moment filled with anticipation.

The stage began to fill with grand music.

“Ignite!”

Gaeul, who had stepped onto the stage, pulled out a hat.

It was a top hat used in magic shows.

Gaeul showed the children that the hat was empty, then reached inside.

“Wow! Her arm went into the hat!”

“Wow.”

Thanks to Gaeul reaching deeper than the hat’s size, it was clear she had used a portal.

However, revealing the trick of the magic would be rude.

“Thump thump thump.”

Gaeul made drum sounds with her mouth.

Then she pulled her hand out of the hat.

To everyone’s surprise, Seol was hanging from Gaeul’s hand.

“Meow! Meow!”

“Wow! Seol came out of the empty hat!”

“Gaeul has become a genius of magic.”

“Hehe!”

Gaeul, laughing heartily, reached into the hat again.

Kkamang, Jjaekjjae, and Winglet too.

One by one, she pulled out the small Divine Beasts, and then she began to shake the hat upside down.

“Wang!”

Large Divine Beasts began to tumble out of the hat, larger than the hat itself.

From the monkey Divine Beast Kkiki to the bird Divine Beast Jjaekjjae and the wolf Divine Beast Meongmui.

Even though I knew she had used a portal, seeing it with my own eyes was quite enjoyable.

“Wow!”

Clap clap clap—

We applauded Gaeul for the wonderful magic show.

The wolf Divine Beast Meongmui, looking bewildered after coming out of the hat, wagged its tail and jumped up when we clapped.

“Gaeul is amazing!”

“Indeed, that was really cool.”

I never expected a magic show of this level.

Gaeul could definitely become a magician in the future.

Just as I felt a sense of pride toward Gaeul, she raised the hat high into the sky.

Her characteristic serious expression indirectly indicated that the show wasn’t over yet.

Boom boom boom—

A more grand music played as Gaeul tapped the hat with the Wooden Caliber.

As I was filled with anticipation for who would come out next, I suddenly felt my body lift off the ground.

“Uh…”

Looking down, I discovered a portal had formed beneath where I was sitting.

“Meow!”

As I fell through the portal, I hurriedly looked around.

Had I fallen into a dungeon? But all I saw were the surprised faces of my children looking up at me.

“Whoa! Wanga, when did you get on stage?!”

“You were right next to me just now!”

The astonished kids and Gaeul, puffing out her chest.

I realized that Gaeul had moved me through the portal.

What the heck.

Why is our Gaeul so amazing?

I was left staring wide-eyed for a while.

A word from the author (author’s note)

Thank you so much for reading today, PIA1747014585384!

Thank you for your comments and recommendations! They always give me strength!

I’m really sorry for being late…!

When I was young, I used to play games where we would race on treadmills at maximum speed…!