Ch.269Pacemaker

<Physical 300>.

It’s literally a program where 300 people compete in physical challenges.

Netflix put tremendous effort into making this show a global success.

One of those efforts was the set itself.

They created a space where all 300 participants could move around comfortably.

They positioned cameras to capture each individual’s performance.

They truly did their best to film the most appetizing scenes.

“Hello.”

The moment Kim Donghu appeared.

Tarararak!

The cameras moved frantically to capture the reactions of people around him.

“…Wow, I knew he’d come out last, but it’s really him.”

“Is he really the main character?”

As soon as Kim Donghu appeared, all eyes focused on him.

There were no nobodies here.

Some were gold medalists, others world championship winners.

National team members, NFL players, F1 drivers, and more.

They were either active athletes or those who had just recently retired.

This place gathered individuals from around the world who were synonymous with physical prowess.

Yet despite that.

“I really don’t want to fight him.”

“There’s definitely a difference between imagining it and actually seeing it, huh?”

“No, wow… he’s wearing a suit but looks like an armored general.”

Kim Donghu was somehow different.

“His career is practically at the top among everyone here, right?”

“Yeah, at twenty-four… how many achievements does he have?”

Even excluding his acting career.

Just looking at his athletic career alone, he was at a monstrous level.

“What was his normal weight again? Actor Kim Donghu?”

“105kg? But looking at his body, he seems to have recovered somewhat?”

“Did you see that? Kim Donghu’s vlog?”

“Yeah. Watching what he eats, it’s insane. Someone calculated it to be around 20,000 calories.”

The youngest boxing heavyweight gold medalist.

Holder of the shortest match record in Olympic history.

A monster who ended all his matches with TKOs.

The star of a match watched by 200 million people.

He slowly walks toward his torso.

Originally, the participants were planning to applaud at this moment.

But they completely abandoned that idea.

‘His body… looks bigger than people who weigh 200kg.’

It was an overwhelming presence.

There were aspects that made it difficult to think of him as a fellow human.

“Donghu, hello.”

And in that situation.

The only active NFL linebacker.

Cade Walker approached him.

“I came right after the Super Bowl ended. I really wanted to face you.”

“Really? I’m honored. But your Korean is very good?”

“Little, little practice. Respectful appearance, good.”

Kim Donghu speaks in English.

Cade Walker speaks in Korean, creating a briefly amusing scene.

Perhaps because of that laughter.

The tightly wound tension loosened slightly.

“Yo, what’s up bro!”

Seizing the opportunity, an influencer with 3 million followers.

DonkeyMonkey suddenly put his arm around Kim Donghu’s shoulders.

“I like how passionate you are!”

Kim Donghu smiled brightly, grabbed DonkeyMonkey’s shoulder, and lifted him slightly.

Just before dislocation would occur.

Knowing that pain, DonkeyMonkey hastily removed his hand.

“I understand you want to compete, but let’s do it later, later.”

Well aware of Kim Donghu’s fame.

DonkeyMonkey, who wanted to create a scene of close contact.

Was secretly startled by Kim Donghu’s technique.

‘Is he a beast? What… if there were no cameras, he would’ve dislocated my shoulder for real.’

But he couldn’t show it outwardly.

DonkeyMonkey awkwardly smiled, nodded, and quickly returned to his place.

“…That guy is probably American, they’re kind of stupid.”

“Mr. Cade Walker is Canadian, right?”

“That’s right, haha. I’m honored you know that.”

“Do you happen to know which country I’m from?”

“Strongman! You’re from England.”

People gradually began to gather around Kim Donghu.

Just as conversations were blooming.

Boom!

Suddenly all the lights went out.

-“Welcome to Physical 300.”

A large screen on the ceiling lit up and a voice flowed out.

The screen itself had something like an iris spreading like an aurora.

Probably because just having a voice would be too plain.

-“Before the main competition, we will conduct a light preliminary test.”

“Preliminary test?”

“With about 300 people, they probably want to establish a hierarchy before the actual competition?”

“Makes sense, with so many people, there needs to be some sort of ranking or class system to organize the atmosphere.”

Like people who have been in sports for a long time.

Everyone accurately understood the intention of the preliminary test.

-“Physical 300, the preliminary test event is endurance running.”

Endurance running?

Some frowned immediately upon hearing those words.

It was disadvantageous for them.

‘Still, since it’s just a preliminary test, I won’t be eliminated right away.’

‘I’ll just run moderately and then quit.’

‘My weight is over 200kg… is there any point in risking my knees for endurance running?’

As soon as they heard the event, everyone began forming strategies.

While winning the test would obviously come with privileges.

Ruining your body for those privileges would be foolish.

Besides.

‘The winner is already obvious.’

The top ranks seemed somewhat predetermined.

-“Please move toward the door that will open shortly and stand on the track in order.”

With those words, the door opened moments later.

People who moved to the adjacent set were surprised.

It was amazing enough to gather 300 people.

“…No way, they prepared a whole stadium?”

“Are all 300 of us going to run here?”

To think they even prepared such a large track.

They really went all out with the preparations.

While thinking this.

-“The rules are simple. Please wear the provided bands and run for as long as you can.”

-“The number of laps you complete will be stored in the bands, and you may stop whenever you feel tired.”

The explanation continued.

“But isn’t it too much for all 300 people to run at the same time?”

“Right. If everyone runs together, someone will definitely get hurt.”

Those doubts were soon addressed.

-“Please move to the adjacent set in groups of 100 according to your standing order.”

As expected.

The announcement continued that they would run in three teams of 100 each.

After about 10 minutes, all participants were ready to run.

-“The endurance run will consist of 3 rounds, with round 1 lasting 30 minutes, round 2 lasting 20 minutes, and round 3 lasting 10 minutes.”

-“Rankings will be determined by measuring the number of laps completed and total distance run, and distances will be reset after each round.”

Simple rules.

Run far and long within the time limit.

But unlike the rules, the strategies became extremely complex.

If distances reset after each round.

‘It would be foolish to push too hard from the beginning.’

‘This is a battle of wits, I need to pace myself properly.’

‘Match with the people around me… absolutely don’t overdo it.’

While everyone was planning in their heads.

-“The final survivors of round 1 will be 100 people. Good luck.”

Bang!

At the starting signal, everyone began running on the track.

And the one who dashed to the front first was.

“Is, is he crazy?”

“Is that a full sprint?”

“No… wait a second, what? He’s too fast!”

It was Kim Donghu.

++++++

As soon as I heard the rules, I immediately realized.

‘The leader can control the pace.’

No matter how wide the distance between tracks.

Even if there was enough space to run without bumping into each other.

When running together, speeds would naturally synchronize to some extent.

Of course, as athletes, they would all pace themselves well.

But that only applies after running for some time.

Or when in familiar environments.

‘Unfamiliar environment, thinking about running long and far.’

Their minds would be complicated.

That’s why they’d initially judge based on the situation.

‘That’s when I break through to the front.’

Bang!

And thus control the speed of this group.

Of course, I couldn’t control everyone.

But my goal was to make them feel anxious.

If they fell behind others.

Their own pace would inevitably be disrupted.

In endurance running, if your speed slows even slightly.

You can never return to your original pace.

I aimed for that point and immediately seized the lead.

Tadadadadak!

Full speed from the start.

There were a few others who had the same idea.

‘But I’m still faster.’

They couldn’t beat me when I ran as if I wasn’t conserving energy.

“Crazy, what are you thinking, Donghu!”

“Cade, you don’t have to follow me.”

“Haha, but look, DonkeyMonkey is struggling to keep up behind us!”

At Cade Walker’s words, I glanced back.

As soon as I took the lead and increased my speed.

I could feel the formation breaking apart.

The anxiety of seeing people getting further away before your eyes.

The fear of not making it into the top 100 if you fall behind.

These things were forcing the participants to move their legs faster.

‘Alright, let’s do this.’

Shall we run a hell race?

I’m at the front of this train.

For pace.

‘Let’s run based on a marathon time of 2 hours and 40 minutes.’

Today I wanted to give everyone a proper taste of the hell train.

I’ll be a proper pacemaker.

Let’s see who can keep up and for how long.

I was genuinely curious.