episode_0093

093.

The stands of the stadium were bustling with excitement.

Members of the Association, clans, and media representatives who were watching the fierce battle between the young contestants were taken aback by the unexpected outcome of Ju Jiyeon vs. Jin Soyeon.

No one had anticipated that Ju Jiyeon, from the Osung Group, would be defeated. After all, Ju Jiyeon was known to be quite strong among the trainees. Judging solely by her psychic abilities, she was even superior to active heroes.

But for Ju Jiyeon to be defeated like that?

By a trainee unheard of before?

If she had lost to exceptional trainees like Lee Siwoon, Kang Daehan, Baek Yurin, Yoo Seolhyun, Seonari, or Yuriya, it would have been understandable. But to lose to a new female trainee like Jin Soyeon…

Who exactly was this girl named Jin Soyeon?

I heard she wasn’t even in the top 200.

“Oh dear, what should we do… Is our Jiyeon losing her mind?”

Jasigyeong, the leader of the Raonhiljo Clan under the Osung Group, looked down at the arena with a worried expression.

Watching Ju Jiyeon staring blankly into space, then letting out a bitter laugh and clenching her fists tightly while trembling with anger, Jasigyeong couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

She knew how hard Ju Jiyeon had worked for this day.

“To be honest, Ju Jiyeon fought terribly.”

“What did you say?!”

SL Group’s Jeong Haewon muttered to himself carelessly. Jasigyeong’s eyes blazed with anger, her ears perked up like flames.

How dare you say that our Jiyeon fought poorly!

That Jeong Haewon is something else.

His own Lee Siwoon managed to win against Kang Daehan, and now he’s talking like that?

“Mr. Jeong Haewon, isn’t that a bit too much? Saying that Jiyeon fought poorly?”

Jeong Haewon let out a sigh and slowly apologized as if to calm down.

“I’m sorry, it wasn’t meant in a bad way, I just feel a bit disappointed.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Jiyeon didn’t need to engage in close combat.”

It would have been better to fight from a distance.

“I remember when she fought against Seonari, she kept her distance and didn’t allow any close approach.”

“If she had responded the same way this time, she might not have lost so easily. It’s a bit regrettable.”

Ju Jiyeon’s psychic abilities were versatile, capable of close, medium, and long-range combat, and very powerful.

If she had utilized her high-speed movement using gravity direction change and flight abilities to keep her distance and focus on long-range attacks, wouldn’t it have been better?

“It seems that this girl Jin Soyeon had a very weak long-range attack ability.”

When Jin Soyeon first threw her dagger, it was easily blocked by Ju Jiyeon’s gravity field.

Furthermore, Jin Soyeon consistently tried to approach Ju Jiyeon by withstanding gravity.

This meant that Jin Soyeon lacked long-range attack abilities.

If Ju Jiyeon had focused on evasion and restraint without allowing close approach like she did against Seonari, she might not have been able to defeat Jin Soyeon but could have secured a victory by decision.

However, Ju Jiyeon didn’t seem to be too cautious about Jin Soyeon’s approach.

She was confident that she could win even in close combat.

And retreating from an unknown opponent like Jin Soyeon would have been a blow to her pride.

…But her complacent thoughts ultimately led to her defeat.

“Is Jin Soyeon really in the top 200? Her movements were quite impressive. If she could neutralize Ju Jiyeon’s gravity to that extent, she must have a pretty powerful psychic ability. Why wasn’t this known before?”

Jeong Haewon quietly pondered about Jin Soyeon.

It seemed that this girl, Jin Soyeon, had the ability to weaken the superpowers of others.

From the information just found about her, it seemed that her ability was to enhance or weaken objects in contact with her body.

Judging by how she could instantly weaken Ju Jiyeon’s powerful gravity ability, her potential seemed very promising.

She should definitely include Jin Soyeon as a scouting target for the Mirinae Clan.

That’s why the Union is interesting.

Sometimes, when you see unheard-of individuals like this showing unexpected prowess and potential, it makes you wonder if this is not the cradle of heroes.

“Hmph. Well, well, look at you, little Soyeon.”

As Jeong Haewon praised Jin Soyeon with admiration, Jasegyeong, who was easily irritated, grumbled in response.

Since our Jiyeon lost to a nobody like Jin Soyeon, there was a high possibility that our Jiyeon would hear some unpleasant stories.

So, this situation was not very pleasing.

But setting aside personal emotions, that girl Jin Soyeon seemed quite capable.

It wasn’t just because she weakened superpowers.

From the way she casually parried Ju Jiyeon’s high-speed sword, and immediately chased after her when she tried to escape with high-speed movement, her movements were extraordinary.

The swordsmanship she used, called Il Do Hoesun, was so unconventional and fast that even the members of the Laonhiljo Clan were impressed.

An attack that even the top 10 trainees outside the rankings would find difficult to parry.

But that little Jin Soyeon easily parried it, didn’t she?

Her slight dodges, just a paper’s width apart, reminded him of a cocky little girl with crimson hair.

Baek Yurin.

“By the way, it’s almost time.”

“Baek Yurin’s match?”

Jeong Haewon nodded slowly.

“Yes. I’m looking forward to Baek Yurin.”

As it is a well-known secret, those in the know are aware that Baek Yurin is the most powerful hero trainee among the newcomers.

Honestly, even if we include all the upperclassmen, Baek Yurin might be the best.

Baek Yurin’s skills have clearly surpassed the category of a student.

Thinking about the way she performed even before entering the Union, I was afraid of how much of a monster she had become now.

When Jeong Haewon first saw Baek Yurin, he was shocked.

Growing up hearing genius praises to the point of being bored, he was like a frog in a well compared to Baek Yurin.

“Come to think of it, Baek Yurin personally challenged the trainee named Lee Jinhyuk to a ranking match, right?”

“Yes. That’s why I was surprised.”

At Jasegyeong’s words, Jeong Haewon nodded.

So far, Baek Yurin seemed to have little interest in things like academy grades, and she took exams carelessly.

Entrance exams, performance evaluations, midterms, and so on.

But.

This ranking match was different.

Baek Yurin had been very serious lately, not even showing up at the academy for a week, focusing solely on training.

It meant that she didn’t just randomly challenge anyone to a ranking match.

Baek Yurin was unusually serious.

“But I wonder why she challenged Lee Jinhyuk to a ranking match….”

The trainee named Lee Jinhyuk was somewhat famous.

He received a commendation for defeating a monster during the performance evaluation, supported the Gaon Nuri Clan in rescuing heroes from dungeons, and gathered trainees to resist villains during the midterms.

However, when asked if he was a worthy opponent to face Baek Yurin, Jasegyeong could only shake his head slightly.

Because Lee Jinhyuk was very weak.

There were rumors that he had barely passed the Union entrance exam in last place.

In fact, if you carefully examine his practical scores after entering the Union, they were quite low.

“As the renowned Baek Yurin has personally applied for the ranking match, could Lee Jinhyuk also have something hidden like Jin Soyeon?”

“I hope so.”

Jasegyeong shrugged his shoulders and replied, thinking of Baek Yurin’s face.

“I just want to see that unlucky little genius struggling for once.”

Of course, it was hard to imagine the genius Lee Jinhyuk, who was a recluse, struggling like Jin Soyeon.

***

Education Trainee Waiting Room.

“V! Did you see that? Witness the victory of this body?”

Soyeon, who had just finished her match, ran over like an arrow and poured out all sorts of self-praise while laughing heartily.

It was a bit ridiculous to see her boasting like that.

With her nose held high and hands on her hips, she looked like the confident Soyeon of the past.

Their relationship had become a bit awkward since the confession incident, but now Soyeon seemed to be embarrassed by the confession or not caring about it at all.

…Or maybe she was deliberately acting like it was okay.

Just to avoid awkwardness.

“Oh, fearful, my talent! My str… ack?!”

“Zenjaaaah! I believed in you! Jin Soyeon, you’re my hero! Ahahaha, the underdog wins! I bet on you!”

“Oh my, oh my! Soyeon, what’s going on? How did you do that?! Our Soyeon was a powerhouse?!”

“Wow. You defeated Ju Jieun? Jin Soyeon, you might be similar to me or even better?”

The classmates who had been watching the match suddenly rushed towards Soyeon and cheered her on.

Soyeon was surprised and just made a sound.

They seemed even happier than her.

Soyeon is definitely popular.

“Oh no?!”

Thud!

She hit her head on the ceiling.

Seems like they raised Soyeon too high.

Indeed, hero trainees. They’re strong, really strong.

“You, you guuuuys…”

“Oh, sorry!”

“Hey, hey. I told you to be gentle.”

“Ouch, then I’ll leave.”

Soyeon finally landed on the ground and frowned at the kids, who coughed awkwardly and quickly ran away.

Soyeon took a deep breath and approached me.

“Ugh, my head…”

“Good match, Soyeon.”

I was a bit hesitant, but through this match, I could clearly see that I had the potential I thought I did.

Of course, my skill level and strength seemed a bit lacking, but just what I showed now should be enough to fight against villains.

“I knew you would win.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, there’s a sports betting site, so I bet on you. The odds were no joke.”

“…Is it not illegal?”

“No, it’s approved by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, legal. Like horse racing, Kangwon Land, what… There’s quite a controversy about using trainees’ matches for profit.”

The downside was that the income I would receive was a bit disappointing, as it was a legal sports betting site.

“Oh, oh, what’s this! Jin Soyeon! How did you?!”

At that moment, Seonari intervened.

She couldn’t believe Soyeon’s victory and was pointing her finger at her while her eyes widened.

“Nari? Did I cheer for you?”

“No? She bet on your defeat, didn’t she?”

“What?! Nari Nari! I feel uneasy!”

“I told you not to call me by that name, didn’t I?!”

Seo Yeon and Seo Nari were chatting as usual.

– Please enter from Group G 11 to 20.

“Oh. Is it my turn already?”

My turn had come before I knew it.

A showdown with Baek Yurin.

Honestly, I was a bit nervous.

“What do you think, Lee Jinhyuk?”

“About what?”

Yoo Seolhyun, who had been quiet until now, approached me quietly and asked. What did she mean by ‘what do you think’?

I looked at her with a puzzled expression, but Yoo Seolhyun just stared at me with an unreadable look in her eyes.

I shrugged my shoulders and spoke.

“I plan to do my best… Well, I won’t lose, right?”

“Hmm? Is that so?”

Yoo Seolhyun made a slightly meaningful expression, then smiled.

“Yeah, you mean you plan to lose?”

What?

I mean, planning to do my best?

In the end, I’ll probably lose.

Honestly, how can I beat Baek Yurin?

It’s a worrying situation whether I can last a minute.

But Yoo Seolhyun’s attitude is a bit strange.

It’s like she’s taking it as if I intentionally plan to lose.

Is it my misunderstanding?

“Lee Jinhyuk.”

“Oh.”

Lee Siwoon approached quietly.

Lee Siwoon, who had won by decision in the ranking match against Kang Daehan.

He had been in the infirmary for a while due to an injury, but now he seemed to have returned after receiving some treatment.

“Baek Yurin is strong.”

“Yeah, well, that’s true.”

Lee Siwoon said one word and fell silent.

As if that was enough.

– Hurry up and enter from Group G 11 to 20.

“We should probably go out soon, Jinhyuk?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

There seems to be no more time to waste.

I listened to Soyeon’s words and quickly moved my steps.

“Jinhyuk, fighting! If you think you might get hurt, don’t come for no reason, just surrender!”

Instead of the cheering coming from behind, I entered the battlefield with a bitter smile.

I could see a crimson girl walking in the distance.

It was Baek Yurin, wielding two swords.

“……Lee Jinhyuk.”

Baek Yurin was looking at me with a calm gaze.

“……Today won’t be as simple as before.”

“No, that wasn’t me, was it? You must have mistaken someone else.”

“…It could be, or it could not be. But.”

Slowly placing her hand on the handle of her sword, Baek Yurin spoke with a cold expression and a low voice.

“…When swords clash, you’ll know. Swords don’t lie.”

“You really don’t listen to people, do you?”

“Conversation is enough with swords… right?”

“You have a really tiring personality.”

I sighed inwardly.

Anyway, this duel had some aspects I was looking forward to, so it wasn’t bad, but apart from that, Baek Yurin’s personality, with her front and back blocked, was perplexing.

“Both of you, take your positions.”

Following the referee’s instructions, Baek Yurin and I distanced ourselves from each other.

A distance of about 60-70 meters.

Eventually, we faced each other, taking a combat stance.

– All trainees, take your positions. The Group G match will begin.

“Alright, then… 3, 2, 1.”

As I heard the referee’s countdown, I thought to myself.

I had spent the past week analyzing Baek Yurin’s duel videos in detail.

Her behavior patterns, habits, skills, weaknesses, flaws, etc.

I analyzed and reanalyzed various materials and my memories from my past life, losing sleep over it.

As a result, I was able to come up with several countermeasures.

Of course, since the videos were a bit old, there might be some differences with the current Baek Yurin, but I had experience fighting with Lee Siwoon, so if I focused on defense, I might be able to hold out a bit.

“…The duel begins!”

With the declaration of judgment, I tightly gripped the handle of my sword.

“Alright, for now, I’ll focus on evasion and defense based on Bai Yulin’s initial movements…”

“Not even blinking an eye…?”

In an instant.

“Huh?”

I realized that a blade was poised in front of me.

“…Did you notice that I have no intention of stabbing?”

Taken aback, I froze, unable to even blink properly.

As I subtly shifted my gaze, I could sense Bai Yulin approaching me, bending slightly and thrusting the sword towards my eyes.

Wait, what the hell?

“Or…”

Suddenly lowering her sword, Bai Yulin leaped back, expressing doubt.

“…Is it because stabbing would be futile?”