episode_0025

In the center of the arena, a gate opened.

Having seen it, we supported each other and walked towards the gate.

“Hey, walk a bit slowly. It hurts.”

“You faced it head-on instead of avoiding what you could.”

“Not a word.”

Zing-

“Well done. That was an impressive match.”

Was someone watching our match?

As we returned to the auditorium, Professor Pang Dayoon greeted me and Kang Jinhyuk.

“Wait a moment for the healing treatment. If you need healing, please wait.”

Since they said a healer would come soon, I seated Kang Jinhyuk.

“Thanks for your hard work. I’m uninjured, so I’ll go first.”

“You attacked so much, yet not a scratch on you… You really played perfectly…”

Leaving Kang Jinhyuk sitting there, looking disappointed and laughing.

“The winner is as calm as ever. Two people came by earlier to challenge you. Will you continue?”

“No… I’ll stop here for today.”

“Alright. Rest up.”

I declined continuing the matches despite the offer.

The two people Professor Pang mentioned were probably Shin Serin and Yoo Jin. Using abilities would be too much.

While using abilities might lead to victory, enduring muscle pain for days doesn’t seem worth it.

“By the way, where are the others… Hmm?”

Are they all still sparring? Even after looking around, I couldn’t spot any familiar faces.

Wandering around the auditorium, I stumbled upon something interesting.

Above the installed gate, a hologram resembling a map of the sparring area was being projected.

“It’s Yuseong. Knowing his nature, he wouldn’t have applied for a match. Was he challenged…?”

Peering into the gate in front of me, I saw Yuseong engaged in a match inside.

He’s so timid that he can’t even pick a fight with anyone.

Moreover, he can’t refuse others’ requests, so there’s a lot to watch out for.

Yuseong received a phone call attempting voice phishing, trying to send money based on the call’s content, but nearby friends intervened, creating a side story.

Thinking about this, I observed Yuseong’s match…

“Yeah, as expected, he’s just standing there doing nothing.”

Yuseong was only blocking attacks from an unknown opponent.

Raising his shield the size of his torso lightly, he allowed no effective strikes and remained steadfast in defense.

Oh, he seems to be getting annoyed from just blocking.

Seemingly saying something, Yuseong’s opponent kept opening and closing their mouth.

With a menacing expression, they glared at Yuseong.

Yuseong just raised his shield and did nothing else.

Eventually, the agile opponent, who had been attacking relentlessly, withdrew from exhaustion.

Hmm. As I waited, the two who had just sparred appeared.

“Why did I agree to spar…? This feeling of relief mixed with annoyance…”

Yuseong and the opponent he fought walked away with dumbfounded expressions.

After all that attacking, their stress should have been relieved, right?

Or not?

“Oh, Han Gyeol? Why are you here…?”

“Hey. I was observing.”

Emerging from behind the seemingly exhausted opponent, who lacked energy, they hesitated before spotting me, half-closing their eyes and looking back.

“Why watch my match… I’m just blocking without doing anything… It won’t be fun…”

Yuseong’s face gradually drooping.

“Well, it certainly isn’t fun.”

“Ugh…”

That’s one thing, and this is another.

Indeed, Yuseong’s match is undeniably uninteresting to anyone.

Initially, the battle between offense and defense might have been thrilling.

One might find enjoyment in watching to see if the attack prevails or the defense holds strong.

But what if you already know the outcome?

If one side is already known to win, it no longer holds any interest.

Reason’s eyes, which had shown a brief glimmer of hope, dimmed as soon as they heard my words.

“Don’t talk nonsense. In terms of defense, you excel remarkably.”

I grasp onto Reason’s plummeting confidence.

“What else would a tank do? They hold the enemy, cling like a leech, and prevent them from reaching the allies behind. That’s your role. It’s not about showing that you can win in a duel.”

A character whose every stat is dedicated to defense. That’s Reason.

His unwavering and sturdy defense, akin to a mountain, proves extremely helpful in battles.

“Your teammates must be really grateful, right? Knowing that such a tank is protecting them.”

“Is that so…?”

Was what Kang Jin-hyuk praised me for earlier not enough?

I take Reason and sit him in a secluded spot.

“Let’s look at it from another angle. Why did you pick up a shield?”

“Because… I’m scared. Just the thought of wielding a weapon, of striking someone, terrifies me…”

The reason for holding a shield was simple. He feared causing harm to others.

“Then there are many other roles. Why specifically a shield?”

“…Because I want to be helpful.”

“What kind of help?”

“Not just receiving protection, but… to show that I can do it too.”

Despite his fear of standing on the front lines, he explains why he raises his shield.

“I acknowledge that I am timid, pathetic even. Many people have taken care of me since I was young.”

He sighs and continues speaking.

“I’ve seen heroes fighting. It seemed incredibly admirable.”

“And you decided to become a hero after seeing that?”

“Yes. Wielding a weapon still scares me, but because I can block, I have confidence.”

Amidst the crisis caused by the sudden appearance of monsters due to the dungeon’s collapse, the heroes who appeared at that moment were impressive.

I want to become like them.

I want to become strong like them.

I want to be the one who becomes stronger to protect.

That was Reason’s wish.

“You’re kind.”

“How so?”

“In protecting. Taking on others’ wounds. As long as you don’t fall, the situation won’t turn dire for the allies behind you. Even if it does, the one who will suffer the most will be you.”

Becoming a tank means safeguarding the allies behind you.

Reason may find wielding a weapon frightening, but ironically, blocking attacks might be even scarier.

Taking on attacks that could harm allies requires a considerable amount of courage unless you are exceptionally brave.

There are many ways to help if you want to be of assistance.

Yet, not many people start off with the courage to assume the role of a tank and protect from the beginning.

A lad with a very kind heart.

“…It’s fascinating. Talking to you makes me feel comfortable, like we’ve known each other for a long time.”

“Is that so…?”

“Thank you. For becoming my friend.”

“…I’m thankful too. For becoming my friend.”

Expressing gratitude with a faint smile on his lips.

Reason will soar on his own without needing any advice from me.

All I can do is assist him with his wings.

I hope this mindset continues in the future.

Because it will make you stronger.

While waiting in the corner until the end of the competition, Kang Jin-hyuk, who had received treatment, came over, and the three of us engaged in conversation.

As soon as Kang Jin-hyuk arrived, Reason instinctively hunched his body.

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“Kyeol-ah, I’m back.”

“Ugh… I’m gonna die…”

“Ugh…”

Ehwa Yeong, who returned to the hall after the competition, approached Hangeul in a direction where Han-gyeol was.

Her school uniform was so clean that one wouldn’t think she had just participated in the competition.

Such was the contrast between Ihwayoung and the others, Han Seyoung and Jung Yuna, who appeared disheveled from rolling around on the floor.

“Welcome. You don’t even need to ask about the match.”

“Wow, isn’t the difference too noticeable?”

“Impressive…”

As they compared Ihwayoung to the two, all three could only force out hollow laughter.

With a smile, Hankyul offered his seat to Ihwayoung.

“You’ve worked hard. Sit here and rest.”

“Thank… Thank you, Hankyul!”

However, Han Seyoung quickly sat down next to Hankyul.

“…Move.”

“I know! If Hankyul is here, she can’t even make that scary expression!”

“…Move.”

“Ahh! Help me!!”

Ihwayoung pulling Han Seyoung and Hankyul holding back Han Seyoung, bewildered by the scene.

As her chest continued to touch Hankyul’s arm, Ihwayoung stiffened her face.

After whispering something in her ear, trembling, she vacated her seat.

Regaining her place, Ihwayoung took Hankyul’s hand, placing it on her cheek with a satisfied expression.

“What did you do to make her tremble like that…?”

Seeing Han Seyoung’s state, Hankyul asked Ihwayoung, who clenched her jaw and avoided eye contact.

Hankyul wondered if Jung Yuna might know why Han Seyoung was in this state.

Swiftly, Jung Yuna turned her eyes away and weakly shook her body.

“???”

Though Ihwayoung suspected she might have tormented Han Seyoung, her trust in Ihwayoung, who didn’t torment without reason, wavered.

Feeling Hankyul’s hand gently pressing her cheek, neither strong nor weak, Ihwayoung closed her eyes.

In that moment, she thought of Hankyul, Han Seyoung, and Jung Yuna.

-Reasons aren’t necessary for helping people.

-That’s why tell me. Just one word.

-Because I trust you.

-Because we’re friends.

Recalling previous conversations of Hankyul, but not directed at her, but towards Han Seyoung and Jung Yuna.

Ihwayoung looked closely at Hankyul with a questioning look.

Do you have something to say? She raised her hand to Hankyul’s face and pinched his cheek.

Slightly stinging, unlike what she received from him.

“Ouch.”

“…Flirt.”

With a faint voice accompanying the fading wind, Ihwayoung spoke softly.

She knew.

That he would approach others when she wasn’t around.

Knowing it wasn’t intentional, there were always women clinging to Hankyul.

Hankyul is mine. You foxy ladies.

With that thought, she glanced at Han Seyoung and Jung Yuna.

Having experienced the violence filled with personal feelings, they stepped back shivering.

Seeing this, Ihwayoung turned her gaze back to Hankyul, smiling brightly.

The male students who didn’t understand why were simply puzzled.