Time Attack (2): Human Missile Mayhem
Pi Yu-jun narrowed his eyes as he watched Do-gyeol mutter to himself.
"How much output do I need for this distance? Hmm, this should fit without pushing it too hard, right?"
He's more cautious than I thought.
Look at the guy. Contour lines between start and goal, obstacle markers, even detour routes. He was staring holes through the map, mumbling simulations under his breath.
Once he'd made his judgment, Do-gyeol stuffed the map into his pocket and gripped a talisman.
Closing his eyes, he focused intently.
Imprinting it, huh.
Pi Yu-jun watched quietly. Asking if he was okay without jusa ink would be pointless luxury. He knew full well the explosion Do-gyeol had pulled off before wasn't from any ink.
No need to pour cold water on him.
He was curious anyway. What had changed since then? How much?
Not expecting huge growth in such a short time, but... with this kid, somehow I am.
So no point mentioning the ink and killing his fire. By then, Do-gyeol was ready. He slapped two talismans onto the soles of his shoes.
Then he hopped in place to test. No adhesive, but the talismans stuck tight to his shoes, not budging.
He'd adsorbed them with yeong-ryeok.
Micro-injecting yeong-ryeok into the talismans and controlling the flow of his own imprinted energy to hold them in place.
Instinctively using yeong-ryeok's properties to create adhesion. How could he not get his hopes up?
Adsorption's easy to teach, but that kind of application? Can't force it.
Pi Yu-jun's lips twitched upward just a fraction when Do-gyeol spoke.
"Ready."
Beep!
The signal blared, and Do-gyeol bolted off like a shot.
How many steps had he taken? Boom!
An explosion erupted from his sole. The massive thrust launched his body skyward.
This kid...
Pi Yu-jun's eyes sparkled.
Do-gyeol, meanwhile, sensed something was off.
His intent was to mimic the talisman-jump explosion from the first gate.
But is this right?!
His firepower calc for the goal was spot-on. One more blast and it'd be perfect.
Problem is, it's too damn high!
Flailing mid-air, Do-gyeol knew a straight drop would shatter more than his legs.
Screw it!
If he was gonna die anyway, better try it. Boom!
Twisting in flight, he detonated the other sole. Double acceleration in mid-air, like a second jump.
His body rocketed forward.
Whoosh!!
"Kiyaaaaack!!"
His shriek echoed through the forest as he became a human missile, slicing across the trees.
"You fucking bastards!! You tricked meeee!!"
Tears and snot streamed, but his speed was insane.
No, that's why the tears and snot—aaah!
There—the flag atop the abandoned factory roof came into view.
It ballooned in his vision instantly.
Flutter! Flutter! Flutter!
Do-gyeol clutched his last talisman desperately.
Miss it and I'm dead!
Timing it, he hurled it at the roof.
Fwoosh!
The talisman glowed mid-air, then—poof!
A massive white, puffy construction air mattress inflated. Three times normal size, ridiculously huge.
Thwump!!
Do-gyeol slammed into it. The mat wobbled, absorbing the insane impact.
"Guhhh..."
Spread-eagled on the mat, he groaned. Alive.
Heart pounding out his chest.
Can't lie here.
Trembling hands yanked the flag free.
Just get back now.
Ignoring the chat, Do-gyeol rummaged his pockets. Two talismans left.
Three used coming, solve return with two.
Should've asked if one more was possible.
Too late. Swallowing regret, he slapped the pair onto his soles again.
The chat buzzed with frantic advice, but nothing clicked for Do-gyeol.
Time attack, and walk? Others flew. Hate being the only stroller.
And strolling calmly? Would spirits just step aside like "Sure, pass"? Wooden sword scraps till when?
I've thought it through.
He sprinted to the roof railing and leaped without hesitation.
"Let's goooo!!"
Boom! Boom!
His body rocketed back across the forest toward the start.
Whoosh!
Trees blurred into green streaks. Start point filled his view in seconds.
Pi Yu-jun stood arms crossed.
"Kiyaaaaack!!"
No brakes. Talismans gone, no mat left.
One more crater-pizza fate at teacher's feet.
"Teaaacherrr!! Somersault hellllp!!"
Do-gyeol flailed and screamed.
Pi Yu-jun smirked at the plummeting monster.
"Crazy bastard."
He extended a hand casually. Invisible net in the air—Do-gyeol decelerated smoothly.
Swoosh. Thud.
He landed feather-light. Legs buckled, but flag stayed gripped.
"Huff! Huff! Thank you! My savior!"
Pi Yu-jun's amused face turned serious late.
This kid's record...
*
"Why's he look like that again?"
"Back from war?"
"No clue what he did."
Students gawked at Do-gyeol in bewilderment.
Uniform pants shredded at hems, sneakers half-sole-missing.
"Caught in an explosion?"
Do-gyeol sat casually.
Everyone else fine but me.
Except one. Kang Hak—why so murder-y?
Not my place.
Beggar vs. psycho. Beggar better maybe.
Baek Seo-rin tested earlier? Spotless.
No blood, outfit pristine. Could swear no practice yet.
Such thoughts swirled as tests wrapped.
"Rankings now."
Pi Yu-jun tapped the front large screen.
"Check yours."
Kang Hak's eyes lit, snagging Baek Seo-rin's name first, then his above.
Yes.
Lips curled satisfied.
"See, as expected—"
Murmurs swelled before he finished.
"Kang Hak and Baek Seo-rin top as always."
"But what's that?"
"Holy shit. Kang Hak not first?"
Kang Hak's grin froze.
What the hell?
Fuming, he rechecked. Eyebrows twisted.
True. One name bold above his.
Seo Tae-yun? Who the fuck?
Others clueless too.
"Seo Tae-yun who?"
"First time hearing, and first place?"
"Insane."
Kang Hak scowled. Convinced he owned this zone, bumped by some no-name.
"What now for our class?"
Baek Seo-rin's mocking voice pierced.
"Beaten by a newbie? Ego bruised?"
"Same for you, dumb bitch! And you're third below me talking?!"
Spit in his face much?
"Me? Not hung up on ranks."
She shrugged. Kang Hak sneered.
"Acting cool. Strut to your grave then play chill."
"Think what you want. Mental win if it helps."
Baek Seo-rin smiled breezy, fueling his rage more.
He whirled on Pi Yu-jun.
"Teacher! This wrong, right?"
"What."
"No way he was faster!"
Kang Hak was sure. Non-stop, smashed obstacles, shortest path. Impossible faster.
"Seo Tae-yun entered later. True."
"...What?? Then I'm first!"
"Says who."
Pi Yu-jun's gaze chilled.
"Time attack, but not just first in."
"What..."
"Know how much forest you wrecked entering? Buildings? Razed the zone and call mission done? Real op, civilian killer."
Kang Hak shot back.
"Different! Test, auto-repair anyway!"
"Not all. Obsessed speed, maxed output no thought after."
"That... full power for test!"
"Excuses."
Pi Yu-jun cut him.
"Variables always. Ambush return? Yeong-ryeok dry, dead."
"..."
"Excess destruction, waste, ignored damage. Deductions galore. You're second."
Kang Hak flushed, fists clenched.
"Know basics! But you said 'time attack' from start!"
Pi Yu-jun rolled his lollipop leisurely.
"Blind follow safe sometimes, traps others. Have your own spine."
"..."
"Restraint and control in speed. Lesson core."
Kang Hak looked indignant still.
"Don't get? Brute force limits. Ponder those, efficiency and precision rise."
Chat nodding as Kang Hak muttered alone.
"Whatever, by original time, that Seo whatever slower, so I'm first."
Pi Yu-jun chuckled inwardly at him.
Yeah, vs. Seo Tae-yun only. But...
His gaze shifted to Do-gyeol.
Your logic? Real first is him.
Pure time record: top. Boldness, application, manifesting air mat from talisman—mental image power.
All passes.
Minimal waste too. Cheap talismans, massive output.
Flew high, zero collateral.
Issue: landing. Without Pi Yu-jun's catch, flag-paste on ground.
Real op: dead after one task, idiot log.
Maybe bet on teacher safety. Gutsy.
But tests cold. Out-of-control: worst call. Team aid in solo: DQ.
Still...
Pi Yu-jun smirked faintly.
I'm too reliable homeroom, so leaning cute. Let it slide.
Do-gyeol stared blankly at the screen.
Shook like hell for last place?
How fast were others? Lunatics. Monsters!
Gotta train way harder.
Do-gyeol's eyes blazed.