Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: 1st Place VS 152nd Place (5)
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Sometimes in life, things like that happen.
Times when you unintentionally receive someone else's grace.
People who offer kindness without reason, even when you didn't ask for it.
"...Hoo."
Sweat beaded on his chin and dripped down.
Jeong Si-woo sat there, hand pressed to his forehead. Completely dazed. Staring blankly at one spot on the blanket.
A healthy flush of color rose above the IV line hooked to his arm.
His head was spinning. He'd vomited his guts out who knows how many times.
But above all, his lower body wouldn't move properly.
'Why did he do that.'
It had been a battle of endurance.
He'd taken far more damage himself. He should have been the first to drop.
He'd sensed it midway through, which was why he'd fought even more desperately.
But why? Why did Lee Si-heon—
"......"
Jeong Si-woo fell silent. His fist trembled.
It hadn't taken long to figure out how he'd won.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The World Tree of Justice gazes at you solemnly. 'It's nothing.'
It had been a situation where one of them could have died. Jeong Si-woo had been so focused on the fight that he'd forgotten.
Lee Si-heon must have known that too.
Even after saying he wouldn't hold a grudge.
Maybe saying it out loud had been the problem.
"...Haa."
He closed his eyes beneath a hot sigh. The face of his little sister from childhood flickered in his mind.
Jeong Si-woo had always been the one giving kindness, never receiving it.
So this emotion he felt now was utterly unfamiliar.
A night when emotions ran high.
What had all those years of effort been for?
"I just..."
Jeong Si-woo bowed his head. Buried it in the blanket and stayed like that for a long time.
"I just want to see that kid..."
The fact that she'd caught up to him after just four months didn't even register.
Not harboring inferiority was just part of Jeong Si-woo's innate nature.
He was simply grateful for that one step closer. Grateful to whoever made it possible.
That feeling, at least, he could never forget.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "S-Si-heon? You thereee?"
Poke— Star peeked her head around the door.
"You came?"
"Hehe, came after work... N-not that I'm being dramatic or anything. Just worried you got hurt bad... hehe."
"Tough as nails, so I'm fine."
I smiled at her adorable antics, and Star's face lit up brightly.
"It was so close~"
She rushed over in one bound and plopped down beside me.
The bed shook slightly. The vase on the side table Azalea had brought wobbled.
Excited to see me after so long, or maybe she had ulterior motives.
Star looked up at me with a sly grin.
"...Si-heon. Si-heonnie."
"Yeah?"
"Wanna join our guild? I can treat you real good. We could game together too."
Already eyeing me hungrily.
"Haven't thought about guilds yet."
"Ugh... Knew you'd say that. Shouldn't have let Baek Do introduce you then."
I chuckled and refused, so Star stuck her tongue out playfully.
"Still, you were amazing today. Articles are blowing up."
"Oh yeah? Could be."
"Compared to last time I saw you...... You must've trained your ass off."
A lot had happened. A lot to think about. A lot of changes.
But now that the exam was over, it felt refreshing.
...Even if I did get dumped.
-Why'd you push yourself so hard!
-Huh?
-Dang it. Drink this. Quick.
Azalea had rushed off somewhere and shoved an expensive high-grade potion down my throat.
It was a special one; the price tag had startled me.
'Thanks to that, my circuits are fixed too...'
Personally, I wanted a bit of rest. I looked at Star beside me. Her blinking eyes were so cute I pulled her into a hug and lay back.
"Wh-wha? Huh?"
"C'mere. Let's cuddle and nap."
We've seen all there is to see anyway. Plus, she smelled nice and her small frame was comfy to hold.
"...Si-heon?"
Star's face turned beet red. I pinched her cheek, and she covered her face with her hands.
"Y-you, teasing your noona like this? With all the girls around..."
"Wanna rest today."
Lee Se-young's one approved sanctuary.
I'd thought it'd be awkward after so long, but it wasn't.
I wonder how the teacher's doing?
She said she'd visit in a few days; I can catch up then.
"Hey. When you gonna let go for real."
"Missed gaming with noona."
"...Contact me later or something. Then you'll go meet some other girl."
"Nah."
"What's 'nah~'? You trying to get scolded?"
I took a flick to the forehead.
It was that ambiguous strength—like she wanted to hit but not hurt, lest I get upset.
Didn't hurt, just made me laugh.
"Doesn't even feel like a noona."
True enough. Felt more like a little sister.
"Let go, I gotta go."
A few minutes later, Star got up, straightened her clothes, and headed out.
She stomped to show she was mad, then soon peeked back around the door.
"...Arboretum director type."
Was that an insult?
"Rest well."
"Yeah."
Short farewell, and the door clicked shut.
I lay there in the same position hugging Star for a while, then grabbed the water cup from the side table and headed out of the patient room.
The outside air was balmy, summer approaching. Proof that time had passed since I got here.
-Glug glug glug.
Water pouring echoed down the hall.
"Yawwwn."
I stretched a yawn, scratched the back of my neck vigorously.
Then lounged on the break room sofa and drank.
Lost in thought for a bit. Not too much.
Was my choice right? Or just my own stubbornness? Was the calculation just rationalization?
Of course, the thoughts didn't drag on.
-Click.
The hallway light ahead flicked on.
At the approaching footsteps, I glanced up to see Jeong Si-woo limping over.
He froze upon seeing me, body stiffening. Said nothing for a long time.
Slowly approached. No greeting from Jeong Si-woo. He stood by the water cooler and spat it out.
"Why'd you do it?"
"Just did."
I brought the cup to my lips. Set it down. Thirst quenched.
"How old's your sister?"
"...Probably fourteen."
"Six years younger?"
Si-woo nodded.
"Worth finding. Make sure you do."
I set the cup on the table in front of me and gave a dry smile.
Thinking back now, when I was looking for my friend, someone had saved my life once too.
"Pay it back later. If you need a favor, say so."
I stood. Grabbed the cup, headed back to my room.
A heavy, sincere voice came from behind.
"Thanks... I'll repay this debt someday."
"Whatever. But can you even fight like that?"
Jeong Si-woo chuckled and clenched his fist.
"I'm good. Rest up max and I can. Master taught me. Just do it. With grit."
Dunno who the master is. Or how he'll fight in that state. But that's his business.
World Tree husband candidate with all those lucky breaks? He's probably got ways to get potions.
Guy's a protagonist type; leave him be and he'll handle it.
"Good luck then. Crumbs fall my way, great."
I waved and went back inside.
And a few days later, surprisingly.
Jeong Si-woo's victory spread worldwide.
Articles everywhere with the subtitle "Injured Hero's Triumph."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 📰 Breaking News ??? : Im Jong-hyun win is totally possible imo. Anyway winner is Jeong Si-woo lolololololololololololololol 💬 Comments [15] — Anonymous Shut the fuck up kid. I'm embarrassed too!! — OP lmao lolololololololololololol — Anonymous But fr, that dude popped out like a damn freak in live voice. Mana circuits busted, so mana at like 1/3, and he still won? — Anonymous ↳ Reply Fr, huge mana gap but he won = Jeong Si-woo's skill rivals pros, basically proven. — Anonymous ↳ Reply Yeah. Honestly even without mana it'd be a good fight. But wtf is wrong with Lee Si-heon? 📰 Breaking News Jeong Si-woo is Jeong Si-woo, sure. [Combat Video] That fight they filmed. What's up with Lee Si-heon? Isn't he 152nd? 💬 Comments [51] — Anonymous What else, fucking cheat. Common sense: jumping that much in 4 months? Impossible. — Anonymous ↳ Reply Some lucky break? My martial arts master said that stance takes at least a decade. — Anonymous ↳ Reply Your master Baek Do or what? Probably skipped entrance exam or something, rank dropped. Back to original now. — Anonymous But fr that last move Baek Do's secret technique? — Anonymous ↳ Reply ? Looks similar. 📰 Breaking News Yo that dude wearing a mask everywhere. Gotta be a reason right? Not some psycho wearing it 24/7. Plus he's hot? No reason to mask up then. Probably caused some incident back then, hiding identity for that. 💬 Comments [21] — Anonymous Proof? — OP Look at the context dude. Nobody knew him and he turned Jeong Si-woo into fucking mush. — Anonymous Si-heon was mush too. Lost in end. Impressive but sudden rises happen lol. — Anonymous Above commenter wtf. Jeong Si-woo once-in-a-century talent and you call matching him common. — Anonymous But all this buzz means Lee Si-heon is legit impressive. — Anonymous Lee Si-heon? Take off the mask. — Anonymous Wanna eat? I'm cute so won't mind ㅎㅎ Welcome junior. — Anonymous Noona buy me food too. — Anonymous Heheung. Interest split with Jeong Si-woo's win, but curiosity about Lee Si-heon—the talent sprouting from nowhere—skyrocketed.
Of course, in some backwaters, he was just "the guy who lost first round."
But groups that recognized his worth reacted differently.
"No guild for Lee Si-heon? Get him at any cost. Best terms."
"Yes sir. But tons of places already—"
"That's what I'm saying, make it happen!"
"But... Association offered terms no guild can match. How do we top that?"
Guilds, businessmen, politicians.
Already featured once in a heartwarming article, rumors accelerated.
Of course, it was just a tournament in the academy playing university role.
Not the globally hyped Forest Keeper selection tons of citizens watch.
Not a world-class where top hunters compete.
Bottom line: Lee Si-heon didn't reach Jeong Si-woo's level.
Especially since Jeong Si-woo was a World Tree husband candidate.
Though experts saw it differently.
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At that moment. Lee Si-heon's dorm.
"So this is the guy who beat you?"
"Yes."
Baek Do smirked at the phone screen.
"The one you were so cocky about... got schooled?"
"Y-yes. But calling it schooling— ngh!"
Bounce. Bounce. Baek Do's hips moved, shaking Lee Si-heon's body.
Baek Do glanced under her thigh and giggled.
"But disciple. Too casual with words?"
Lee Si-heon clamped his mouth shut for a long time, then finally spoke.
"...Mistress."
Baek Do's foot slammed down on Lee Si-heon's hand.