Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Intentionally Lose and They'll Give 1 Billion Won?
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A few days later.
"Haat!"
"Urgh!"
We dove back into hellish training. It was all to make our final sparring match a dazzling spectacle, pouring out blood and sweat for it.
Not a single one of us complained. We all trained hard. I was no exception, and neither were the rest of my team members.
That said, there was one insurmountable wall between me and the others: talent. Because of it, I was off by myself, honing my swordsmanship. The gap had grown too wide for us to train together anymore.
'Still, they're all doing great. Their skills have improved a ton.'
Of course, it wasn't that the other three lacked talent. Compared to regular people, they all had impressive gifts. Dokgo Hwayeon hadn't picked them for nothing.
'She didn't pick petite, weaker women for no reason, huh?'
With internal energy restricted in this matchup, men naturally had the advantage. It was just common sense.
But Dokgo Hwayeon had selected three women. And her choices were spot on.
"Hiyat!"
"Urgh! Urgh!"
You could tell just by watching their improved skills. For disciples of someone as notoriously bad at teaching as Dokgo Hwayeon, they'd grown remarkably well.
'Well, partly thanks to my occasional pointers.'
I watched them fondly. After two weeks of shared hardship, I felt a real bond with them.
Naturally, the way I looked at Dokgo Hwayeon had changed too.
Warmer, stickier, maybe?
It was definitely different from how I saw the other three.
"Phew, let's call it here for today."
"Hah... hah... Thank you for your hard work!"
"Heuk... heuk... It's finally over!"
The long, grueling training session finally wrapped up. The training content itself was done.
Tomorrow, all four teams would gather for the showdown. It was the highlight of this two-week content, really.
Maybe that's why Dokgo Hwayeon cut the session short—to manage our condition.
It was 9 p.m. now. Insanely early compared to before.
My training was over too.
I set down the real sword I was holding.
Somehow, I'd gotten my own blade. Technically, it was borrowed from the Dokgo family.
This matchup would use real swords. I needed to get used to it.
Oh, no worries about accidents. The four team leaders would be watching us. They'd step in if things got serious.
Anyway, I grabbed a towel and wiped off my sweat.
Tomorrow, this long content would end. Bittersweet, in a refreshing way.
The other four seemed to feel the same.
Suddenly, the quirky fourth-dimensional Harin blurted something out of left field.
"Let's have a party tonight!"
"A party?"
"Yeah! Once today ends, it's all over. So, for one last..."
I cut Harin off. Speaking for Dokgo Hwayeon, basically.
"Let's do it after we win tomorrow."
"After we win?"
"Yeah. Won't it be way more fun and exciting that way?"
I'd started speaking casually to my teammates before I knew it. Well, just me. They still used formal speech with me. They even said it felt more comfortable that way.
Anyway, after throwing that out there, I looked at Dokgo Hwayeon. With a pretty confident expression.
Her previously closed lips parted.
"Sure. Of course we have to win. I'll be counting on all of you. Especially you, Trainee Jae-ho. I trust you."
"You can count on me."
Our eyes locked for a moment. Full of trust.
"What the heck? You two are at it again with the weird vibe."
"Are they actually dating or something?"
"Ahem, no."
"We're not!"
Anyway, we all split up for some rest time. Recovery was key. We needed to be at full strength tomorrow.
"I'm going to the instructor's cafe for dessert!"
"M-me too."
"Ah! Me three!"
My three teammates headed straight for the cafe. They must've been starving.
I headed to my private room to catch some shut-eye. Swinging the sword so much lately had worn me out.
Soon, my usual cozy lodging came into view. Single room, of course. Nicer than my place at home, even.
I got back, prepped to wash up. Shower first, then crash hard.
'Actually, maybe check my smartphone first?'
During training, I'd kept my phone off to avoid distractions.
I turned it on and checked for calls, texts, KakaoTalk, DMs, the works.
Then, my phone suddenly vibrated.
Viiiing.
'Who's this?'
Unfamiliar number.
I picked up with a puzzled look.
"Hello?"
A familiar voice came through the phone.
-Ah, Jae-ho. Got a minute?
"Yeah, sure... but mind keeping it short and to the point?"
-No problem. Straight to business, then.
"Go ahead."
I replied without much thought. Unless it was voice phishing, it was probably some sect recruiting me.
But soon, shock washed over my face.
Because of what came next.
-Throw the match tomorrow on purpose. Do that, and we'll hand over 1 billion won in clean cash right away.
"Pardon?"
They were straight-up offering me match-fixing. Anyone would freak.
'And 1 billion won, no less?'
I'd shown weakness to money before. Couldn't be helped. Money was essential for surviving solo in this world.
And now, they dangled 1 billion won in front of me.
Even I'd be tempted...
-So, what do you say? Pretty sweet deal, right?
"Ah, thanks for the hilarious bullshit. Hanging up now."
No way I'd fall for it.
I mean, no way I'd get duped. I wasn't some sucker(?) for lame voice phishing like that.
-What? I mean, what...
"Fuck off. If you're gonna voice phishing, at least put some effort in."
-V-voice phishing? No way. Don't you know who I am?
"No, how would I? You didn't even give your name!"
-Oh! Right. I'm Kim Kang-rok.
The moment the voice revealed itself, my eyes widened slightly.
Though it was from sheer absurdity.
"Ha, if you're Kim Kang-rok, then I'm Dokgo Hwayeon. What nonsense..."
-I really am Kim Kang-rok. My voice matches, doesn't it? Is 1 billion too low? We can do 2 billion...
"Save it. You sound confident in your impression skills—don't waste 'em on scams. Try streaming like me instead. Bye."
-Wait, no, really, it's me, Kim Kang...
Click.
I hung up. What a ridiculous con. Unbelievable.
'Intentionally lose? What bullshit.'
It might've actually been Kim Kang-rok calling. But whatever. I was a murim man now. And I'd hitched my wagon to Dokgo Hwayeon properly. No getting cozy with Kim Kang-rok.
"If it was really him, that'd be hilarious."
Unlikely, but if true, it'd be gold. I'd just served him a massive L(?).
Anyway, I got ready to wash up.
Shower and early bed.
"Yawn..."
I wiped the voice phishing(?) from my mind.
Rest was all that mattered right now.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
4 a.m.
Because I went to bed early?
I woke up even sooner than expected.
I sat up.
Could've gone back to sleep. But I'd already gotten about seven hours. Plenty. Better to swing the sword a bit more.
'Just lightly, no straining the muscles.'
Not enough to mess up today's match, of course. Just enough to break a light sweat.
I dressed and headed to the broadcast room. It was basically my training hall now.
Creeeak.
I eased the door open, and the dark interior greeted me.
As expected, no one inside...
"Huh? What are you doing? Wait, what're you doing?"
"Ah! W-who... Park Jae-ho?"
"Yeah, it's me. No way you slept here, right?"
Dokgo Hwayeon was lying inside. Sprawled out on the broadcast room floor, it seemed. She'd fallen asleep here.
"N-no. I was just lying down for a bit."
I flicked on the lights.
Her still-pretty face came into view. Though there was drool at the corner of her mouth.
Obvious lie to anyone.
"Wipe that drool first?"
"Ah!"
Dokgo Hwayeon flushed red and quickly wiped it off. She even pulled out a hand mirror from her pocket to fix her hair.
I watched her for a moment.
Then spoke up.
"Nervous? Can't sleep?"
"N-no, it's not that..."
"You can be honest with me."
I gave her that trusting gaze again.
For some reason, she didn't seem like her usual bold self right now. More like a fragile little bird.
I kept pouring on the trust with my eyes.
Maybe that's what did it.
The truth slipped from her lips.
"Yeah... I'm a bit nervous."
Seemed the nerves kept her here alone in the broadcast room. Then she'd dozed off.
"Nervous about what? Us losing? Or Kim Kang-rok?"
"Both. This is my first big content like this."
"Fair. It is massive."
We'd soon fight in front of thousands. The scale was no joke.
I slowly approached Dokgo Hwayeon.
And spoke in a warm tone.
"So what if we lose? It could happen."