Chapter 68
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 68
I confidently adjusted my nametag and walked forward with Kim Seong-hyeon. Ju Woo-seong also stepped out with another member of Black Call, seemingly participating in this round as well.
[The rules for archery are simple! Two members from each team will compete, firing three arrows each, with one final shot taken by the team’s ace.]
“So, who’s your ace?”
“Me, obviously.”
“Unbelievable.”
Ju Woo-seong shook his head in mock disbelief. As the gesture was caught on the big screen, the fans erupted into a roar that was incomparable to anything heard so far.
I knew Black Call was incredibly popular, but experiencing it firsthand like this was quite a novelty.
An announcer approached Ju Woo-seong for an interview, holding the microphone out with a serious expression.
“Ju Woo-seong, you took first place in the archery category during the last Victory is Mine, didn’t you? How are you feeling about this year?”
“Haha, I’ll have to do my best again this time.”
Ju Woo-seong was giving a textbook answer that left no room for criticism when his eyes met mine. He gave a playful smirk.
“I’ll make sure to beat that side, at least.”
“…”
My eyebrow twitched. The camera didn’t miss it. My visibly annoyed expression was broadcast directly onto the main screen, and the stadium filled with laughter. The announcer’s energetic voice continued.
“Yes! These two, known to be best friends in the industry, are practically burning with rivalry! At this point, we have to hear from Seo Ho-yun as well, right?”
“He is a senior I deeply respect.”
I didn't miss the chance to correct the misinformation, but Ju Woo-seong just clicked his tongue.
As expected of the entertainment industry—once they find a hook, they milk it forever.
[Saying things like that is exactly what real best friends do.]
[I know, right? Whenever someone calls me and my friend 'besties,' ugh, I get goosebumps.]
I denied it with all my heart, but no one in the stadium, including the commentators, seemed to believe me.
“Ju Woo-seong’s ambition is aimed right at you, Seo Ho-yun. Please share your own resolution! With what mindset will you be entering the match?”
The announcer beamed as she thrust the microphone toward me. I wondered if I should just be honest, considering that being branded as 'best friends' who bicker wouldn't hurt my image, but I decided to play it safe for now.
I leaned down slightly toward the mic and spoke.
“…I’ll just work hard.”
[Woooooow! He’s saying Ju Woo-seong isn’t even a rival to begin with!]
How on earth did it turn into that?
[Now that’s what you call confidence, isn't it? 'First place is mine anyway! There can't be two winners!' Is that it?!]
[The fire is lit!]
Ju Woo-seong gave a small snort and picked up his bow. I did the same.
I’d heard that Ju Woo-seong took first place in the last competition and generated countless viral clips, but clips aside, I absolutely had to take first place.
I didn't have the luxury to worry about Ju Woo-seong yet, since he wasn't even our opponent for the preliminaries.
I gripped the bow and gave the string a test pull without an arrow. Hmm, not bad.
Kim Seong-hyeon, who had just finished a brief interview with the announcer, approached and whispered to me.
“I heard the distance was increased this time.”
“What?”
“It’s not 15 meters. They changed it to 25.”
“What? They didn't say anything about that.”
I was about to frown, but I caught myself. Just then, the commentators kindly provided an explanation.
[There’s something different from previous years, isn't there?]
[Yes. These idols are so good at archery that they kept breaking the camera lenses! The production crew has gone home crying more than once or twice. So, the staff has taken extreme measures.]
[The distance has been changed from 15 meters to 25 meters! Will we see an idol break a lens this time as well?]
“A 10-meter difference… that’s quite a lot.”
Kim Seong-hyeon muttered worriedly. His concerns proved valid; most of the members from the groups that went first were stuck at 5 or 6 points.
[As expected, the increased distance is making it difficult!]
[The average has dropped significantly! Usually, we’d see 7s or 8s. Right now, the average is 5!]
Two groups had already gone, and seeing that the highest score was an 8, it seemed everyone was struggling with the distance.
[Ju Woo-seong is stepping up!]
[Wow, look at that composure. Is that the relaxed confidence of last year’s gold medalist?]
Ju Woo-seong stepped forward with fluid, natural movements, waved to his fans once, then took his stance and drew the bowstring. The stadium buzzed as his face filled the screen.
Thwack!
The arrow flew in a graceful arc.
[Whoa, Ju Woo-seong gets a 9! It’s a 9!]
“He’s good.”
I tilted my head, watching him closely. The rest of the Black Call members hovered around the 7-point mark, but because the other groups' scores had plummeted, they quickly advanced to the finals.
[Next up is The Dawn, the team that was excluded from eSports!]
[Did they recover their stamina while eating ice cream earlier?]
“Don't you think… they’re just saying whatever comes to mind now?”
“Tell me about it.”
As Kim Seong-hyeon and I walked out, tilting our heads at the commentary, we saw our opponents were Nightmare. We decided that Seong-hyeon would shoot first and I would follow.
Kim Seong-hyeon took his stance and slowly raised his arm. I could hear the cheers from the section where the Noeul fandom was seated.
Whiz!
[An 8! He got an 8!]
[Ah, as expected of Kim Seong-hyeon, his physique is great! I’m hearing rumors that the only thing he’s bad at is gaming~.]
“…Ah.”
Kim Seong-hyeon was drawing his bow again when he heard the commentators and let out a hollow laugh. His focus must have wavered because the next arrow scored a 7.
“Seong-hyeon, get it together!”
“Sorry!”
At my sharp voice, Kim Seong-hyeon answered with renewed vigor and drew his final arrow. The arrow arched through the air and landed in the 8-point ring.
[Still, it’s Kim Seong-hyeon! What are the intermediate scores?]
[The Dawn has 23 points, and Nightmare has 19!]
[Wow, if they’re not careful, they might get caught.]
Considering the distance had been increased, it wasn't a bad score at all. I patted Kim Seong-hyeon on the back as he returned.
“Good job.”
Next was my turn. I picked up the bow and set my feet. I had practiced quite a bit, but having everyone’s eyes on me was still a bit of a burden.
Beside me, a member of Nightmare, whom I’d seen fairly often during Shining Star, struck up a conversation.
“Did you get much practice in?”
“A little.”
“Ah, I was so busy with my schedule that I didn't really get to practice…”
“Is that so?”
Too busy with his schedule to practice. Since it was a Nightmare member saying it, there probably wasn't much malice behind it… it just sounded like he was making excuses in case his score was low.
But it was still a form of psychological warfare in its own way.
I nocked an arrow and replied.
“That’s a shame.”
The surrounding noise died down. The distance was greater than during practice, but I felt like I could hit it. I raised the bow, lowered it, and drew the string. The camera focused intently on me.
‘Hyung, did you do archery club or something in high school?’
‘No.’
‘What? Is this really your first time?’
‘I told you, it’s my first time.’
I remembered how the members had buzzed when I first went to practice. Even the trainer had been surprised.
I released the string. With a sharp zip, the bow vibrated as the arrow pierced the air and surged forward.
Thwack!
It landed precisely in the dead center of the target. The commentators jumped to their feet.
[Waaaaaaaah!]
[Seo Ho-yun just got a 10! It’s a 10!]
[That’s the first 10 since the distance was increased!]
I guess I really did have a talent for archery.
Cheers poured down. I looked at the Nightmare member, who was staring with his mouth agape, and spoke calmly.
“It’s a shame you couldn't practice because you were so busy.”
Ding!
[Foul-tempered Seo Ho-yun (23, Rejuvenated), who is incredibly quick to catch onto any provocation.]
You’re just realizing that now?
* * *
10, 9, 9, 9.
I hit them in succession and gave a relaxed wave. Even without calculating the total score, we had obviously beaten Nightmare. I went back, high-fived Kim Seong-hyeon, and moistened my throat with some water. In the distance, the rest of the members were cheering.
“Seo Ho-yun! Seo Ho-yun!”
“Milky-white aegyo machine, Seo Ho-yun!”
‘Should I kill them…?’
Fine, guys. I told you I’d get first place here. I quickly did the math as I passed the preliminaries and semifinals.
‘If I get first in archery… I just need to get first one more time in the final relay.’
We had Kim Seong-hyeon, and I was confident in my running. So, to put it the other way…
It meant I absolutely had to win right now.
[The finals! It’s the archery finals.]
[Wow, The Dawn’s momentum is truly terrifying. Actually, since they couldn't appear on 'Victory is Mine' the year they debuted, this is their first time participating. But despite it being their first time, they’re conquering everything from track to eSports and now archery!]
Ju Woo-seong sauntered over.
“Hey, Seo Ho-yun.”
“This is so embarrassing…”
The Black Call member behind him looked at him with utter disdain, but Ju Woo-seong didn't seem to care.
“You’re pretty good, huh?”
“I practiced a lot.”
[Ah! The two archery aces are sharing a conversation!]
The commentators were curious about our exchange, but they couldn't hear us from there.
Ju Woo-seong grinned and patted my shoulder.
“Take it easy, Ho-yun.”
“K.”
“You’re even more of a brat than usual today.”
The corners of Ju Woo-seong’s mouth twitched, but I wasn't backing down. To you, this might just be for honor, but I’m doing this with my life on the line.
[Wow! We can’t hear the conversation, but judging by their expressions, there’s an intense battle of nerves going on, right?]
[They’re the best of best friends, after all. Neither of them wants to lose this.]
I’m telling you, we’re not.
“Seo Ho-yun, do you… not have any friends?”
“Stop describing yourself and go sit down.”
“…”
Ju Woo-seong eventually sat in his chair, grumbling.
Kim Seong-hyeon, who took the bow first, recorded a decent score.
[The Dawn’s Kim Seong-hyeon is still stable! 8, 7, 9!]
[Black Call isn't backing down either! 8, 7, 7! The total score is 24 to 22! The Dawn is leading by a hair!]
“Please get ready!”
“Yes.”
It was time for me to stand up and head out. As I was getting ready with Ju Woo-seong, the announcer came in for one more interview, as if the script had suddenly changed.
“Seo Ho-yun, can we get an interview? What do you expect your total score to be?”
“I can’t predict it, but I’ll do my best.”
“Haha, what a textbook, standard answer!”
It was because I didn't want to give them any bait. Since my moderate answer wasn't the reaction she wanted, the focus shifted to Ju Woo-seong.
“And you, Ju Woo-seong?”
Ju Woo-seong, who had been checking his bow, looked at the announcer and seemed to remember something as he strode over.
It was as if he welcomed an interview at this specific moment.
“I’ll do my best too, but…”
“…?”
Ju Woo-seong looked at me. Ominously.
‘What are you staring at?’
When I glared back, Ju Woo-seong gave a suspicious smile.
“If Ho-yunnie loses to me, will he be saddy-waddy? Saddy-waddy?”
“…”
‘Shit…’
My expression soured instantly. Since it was rare to see Ju Woo-seong acting cute, the fans were already screaming with joy and waving their slogans like crazy… but this was clearly a deliberate move to rattle me.
‘This guy?’
“If I win first place, I’m sowwy-worry! Sowwy-worry~!”
Ju Woo-seong certainly didn't stop at the first verse.
He even gave a wink for the camera before humming and walking away. Following that, my disgusted face was broadcast to the world.
[Whoa, was that a variation of the aegyo Seo Ho-yun did before?]
[That’s right! Seo Ho-yun’s expression right now is…! It’s full of murderous intent! Are his fingertips trembling slightly?]
[Ju Woo-seong has very effectively shaken Seo Ho-yun’s mental state! It’s so petty, but it’s a great strategy!]
Even the commentators were marveling at his ‘petty and effective strategy.’