episode_0092

Gocheok Sky Dome located in Guro-gu, Seoul.

There were a lot of people crowded into the huge baseball stadium building.

It is usually used as a baseball stadium, but it is slightly renovated every year for the National Martial Arts Tournament.

High-strength barriers were installed inside the stadium, including the audience seats, to ensure people’s safety.

“Customer number 257~!! Customer number 506~!!“

“Sister, here~~! This way~~~!“

It was crowded with numerous spectators, and there were plenty of people who came to watch the game.

Part-time workers were busy working in cafes and concession stands located inside the baseball stadium.

Employees wearing neat uniforms and directing the crowd,

The inside of the stadium was overflowing with people who came to watch the game with their families or friends.

“Wow…I’m nervous…I’ve only watched videos all the time, but I never thought I’d actually intuit it…“

“Hehe, I used some effort this time. It’s a VIP zone! You can see Seojin much better here.“

Ji-ah Han, Yu-ri Lee, and other acquaintances also entered the inside of the stadium.

Since they already had strong connections, they easily obtained high-priced VIP tickets with the help of the management office.

We bought popcorn and snacks in both hands and headed inside the stadium.

The inside of the stadium was a spacious baseball stadium that had been neatly renovated.

A huge electronic display board with spotlights was installed above it.

The scene where the camera was focused was being broadcast vividly.

“Wow…it’s been a really long time. It’s been so long since I’ve been here…“

“Miss Jia also won a martial arts competition before, right?“

“Ah~ Well, it was a story from a few years ago. I miss you, I miss you~ I loved being a student like Yuri~“

“Ahaha…”

Jia Han looked inside the stadium while eating popcorn.

I feel like memories from my past student days are coming back to me.

And at the same time, it occurred to him that his younger brother was participating in the competition.

For some reason, she also started to feel excited and her heart pounding.

“Anyway, I wonder if it will be okay…the candidates are a bit competitive this year…“

“I believe you will win…!“

“Well, Seojin is definitely strong, but there are so many monster-like kids…“

Jia Han smiled and took a sip of cola,

Soon, I leaned back on the soft seat and stretched out.

“Now that I’ve finished my annual leave, I need to get some rest!“

“I’ll be taking out my placard and cheering stick…!”

So everyone sat down together,

I began to wait for the beginning of the upcoming competition.

——

Bam bam bam bambam~

Loud fireworks began to explode along with cheerful music.

Kugugugung….

The middle of the stage began to vibrate and split in half,

From there, a host wearing sunglasses began to rise.

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen~~!”

The enthusiastic cheers of the audience and the sound of music spreading.

And with the colorful lights shining, the excitement of the competition began to resonate.

“You’ve waited a long time~! The 20th National Martial Arts Tournament…”

「Let’s get started~~~!」

Fireworks exploded again with the passionate voice of the presenter,

All preparations for the game were completed.

Greetings from big names invited to the competition.

And stage performances by famous idols and talent shows by hunters.

Let some time pass with the brilliant remarks of the national MCs.

Finally, the fanfare sounded, signaling the start of the exciting tournament.

—-

Inside the waiting room inside the stadium.

There was a suffocating tension in the pure white locker room.

Everyone was wearing the Republic of Korea Academy badge on their chest.

Not only that, but the equipment shines like new and the energetic eyes.

These people also seemed like students who had been elected as representatives from academies across the country.

It is full of talented people, most of whom have achieved level 3 and are from the prestigious student council.

‘It’s the round of 64… let’s see…’

I slowly looked at the bracket and rolled my head.

Most of them are people whose names I have only heard in passing, or whose names I am seeing for the first time.

Except for Xiao, most of them seemed to know nothing.

A girl who is famous as the successor to the Mir Association, and other aspiring hunters that he meets later.

In the current situation, there was no need to worry too much, and they were just cute students with a young age.

Everyone was anxiously checking their equipment with their hearts pounding.

I was sitting in the corner, leisurely crossing my legs and leaning my back against the wall.

“What is this? It’s very relaxing, just.”

“Hmm?“

As I was about to close my eyes for a moment, a large man spoke to me.

“Are you my next opponent?”

One energetic male student began to look me up and down, as if scanning me.

Soon he started snorting and laughing at me.

“Hey…well, you’re very confident. Looking at what it looks like, it doesn’t seem like I can use any power… At best, I guess I’m a wizard?“

“…? Me?“

“Yes, you. You. Who else would I talk to other than you?“

‘It’s so annoying… I’m already so tired…’

I yawned and waved my hands roughly.

“Hooey Hooey, go over there and stay locked up. If you shout out loud now, you’ll end up feeling even more embarrassed later.“

“How dare you… Hey, it would be better to abstain when you say something nice. I’m saying this all for you. I don’t know how someone as weak as you got here… but as soon as I entered the stadium… “

“A gap found!”

puck—!

Cradangtang—!

“Ugh…!“

“Oh my, mistake.“

I got up from my seat and deliberately bumped his shoulder as hard as I could.

He fell to the floor without even being able to control himself.

“How dare this…!“

“So who is blocking your way like that?“

“Ugh…! I only told you to stop because I thought of you… That’s enough, there’s no medicine for stupidity.“

He mumbled and got up from his seat and straightened his clothes.

What followed was a moment when they were having a war of nerves and staring at each other fiercely.

An announcement came out from the speakers on the ceiling announcing my turn.

“Participant number 64, Han Seo-jin, and participant number 23, Lee Ji-seok, please prepare for the match.”

“You…we’ll see…I’ll make you cry while squeezing it out.“

“Stop talking nonsense and let’s take a stand.“

Just like that, I and a male student walked towards opposite entrances.

After waiting for a while as instructed by the staff, the huge iron door opened.

The spotlight inside the stadium shined brightly on the eyes.

From the cheers of the crowd and the music that resonates in your ears.

‘It’s still gorgeous then and now…’

Before, I was always just watching or sitting in the lowest priced bleachers to recruit talent.

As soon as I entered this competition, my heart started pounding without me knowing.

“Participant number 64~ I’m Han Seo-jin, a student at Central Academy!”

When the passionate host called my name, cheers rang out from one of the audience seats.

When I looked up and looked, Han Ji-ah, Yu-ri Lee, and other children were gathered there.

He was holding a placard with my face and name emblazoned on it and waving it around.

“Young master is cool!!! The best!!!“

‘Oh, Yuri… It’s still the round of 64, so you don’t have to do that already…’

I smiled and waved to them,

I immediately walked slowly towards the stage.

“Next, participant number 23 is Lee Ji-seok, a student at Flower Village Academy!!!”

‘Flower Village…? It’s a pretty name for an academy…’

“Wow!!!“

Buuuuk—!

As soon as he got on stage, he immediately tore off the school uniform top he was wearing.

Then, the numerous muscles hidden inside wriggled all at once,

He started showing off a great performance by swinging a huge hammer.

“Khahaha!!! I’ve been waiting for this day…! Arrogant people like you, who always teased me with the name of Academy… and called me a newspaper reporter… Central Academy!!!!“

bang—-!

He hit the ground with all his might, leaving a dent in the spot and sending dirt flying into the air.

“Flower Village! Flower Village! Flower Village!“

“Lee Ji-seok’s form is crazy!!!“

“Put down the noses of those idiots who made fun of me for my academic background~!”

“Phew… I will beat up all the arrogant saenims like you to prove it… and I will stand at the top!!! Flower Village Academy is the best!!!!“

He flexed his muscles and carried the huge hammer over his shoulder.

I burst out laughing and took a long stride in front of him.

Then, several cameras started filming me, as if waiting for my answer.

「Wow… Student Lee Ji-seok’s spirit is amazing…! I’m looking forward to student Seojin Han’s answer…!”

“Ah, we shouldn’t be overwhelmed from the beginning. “In times like these, it is more important to respond strongly.”

I nodded while listening to the voices of the broadcasters.

‘In times like this…what should I say…’

“What, are you feeling like giving up just now? Haha…! Yes, seeing it in person probably changed my mind. If you turn around and run away now…“

“No.“

I grinned and took out a wooden sword from subspace.

“Whether it’s Central or Flower Village. There are a lot of kids who can’t even graduate from the academy anyway. Isn’t it funny how we discriminate against each other based on educational background?”

“What…?”

“Okay, I’ll give you 5 seconds. Try to run away with all your might.“

“That’s funny… You’re the one who should run away…!“

“Oh, that’s right.“

“wooden sword…? Did student Seojin Han take out a wooden sword?”

“Yes, I think so…! “This is an unexpected weapon…?”

Boom—

I lightly swung the wooden sword and took a stance.

“Well, let’s see if you can flutter like that even after getting hit.“

“Hmph, funny sound.“

Clink ding—-!

「The game~~~ begins!!!!」

“Get lost!!!!“

As soon as the bell rang, Lee Ji-seok immediately ran towards me.

Boom—

A huge steel hammer was raised into the air.

bang—–!

It struck me vertically and strongly.

Whiiing~~~~

The sandstorm began to obscure my vision,

He smiled wryly, confident of victory.

“Hahaha!!! What do you think? A power that is on a different level from yours…“

Quad deud deuk…

I immediately stretched out my hand and recited the spell towards the sky.

His strong telekinetic power was holding his weapon tightly and not letting go,

Rather, weapons began to be drawn more and more towards me.

When he tried to raise the hammer again,

At that moment, the handle I was holding with both hands trembled violently and did not budge.

“Pfft…what…what…!“

He tried his best to pull the weapon back, but

The hammer did not budge, as if it were firmly fixed to the ground.

“Ugh…Ugh…!“

“What, do you want it?”

“Keueuuuu!!!”

“Now, take it.“

Boom—!

I waved my hand lightly and sent the hammer flying,

Then he flew towards the wall of the stadium in an instant.

“Kaaah!!!!”

bang—-!

“This…I can’t believe it…! It flew away…!”

“What just happened…with just one hit…player Lee Ji-seok…!”

“Queu…Queueuugh…“

He barely managed to pull his body away from the wall and got out.

He started to stumble while holding the hammer.

“I hit it a little bit, but…kaaak…but it’s nothing special. There wasn’t even a scratch…“

Boom—

I placed the wooden sword at my waist and took a stance as if I was leading a sword.

Then, he slowly began to flow magical power through his mouth, channeling all his concentration into his sword body.

Slurp—

As if the wooden sword had become a sword made of steel,

The blade of the sword began to sparkle with a brilliant blue color.

“Because I don’t have time…let’s start with special moves first…!“

“What…what…! Now…wait…!“

Pot—!

The simple and restrained movement of Ilseom that Alice taught me.

Just once, but with all my might.

I immediately kicked the ground and went forward.

Boom—!

I hit him in the stomach with all my might,

Taaah—-!

“Khaaagh!!!!“

As a powerful blow struck his abdomen with the light feel of a wooden sword,

He fell to the floor, clutching his stomach.

“No way…“

Cradangtang…!

“Student Han Seo-jin…suppressed Lee Ji-seok with just one attack…!”

“This is amazing… subduing an opponent with a wooden sword…”

“Hey, you can’t even use it as a punching bag like this.“

I clicked my tongue and plunged the wooden sword into subspace.

“I hope my next partner is someone useful…“

“From the beginning…where is the guy who…skilled…”

“Good is good. Saving each other’s time is good, right?”

“Mi…you bastard…”

dump…

He fainted with such a helpless expression on his face, as if he had completely lost his mind.

The medical team picked him up and disappeared outside the stadium.

“I wonder who my next opponent will be… I’m sure we won’t be fighting Xiao already…”

I remember her existence again,

With the wooden sword in the subspace, I slowly headed back toward the locker room.