Ch. 82
Exam Period #4
***
In the end, today was spent pleasantly sword training with Yuri and improving my skills. My average scores for regular subjects are in the 20s. Just how much effort will it take to raise it to the 65 mark?
“Hey! Focus!”
ㅡ Kwoong!
“Cough!”
I got distracted for a moment, and Yuri’s sword struck my headgear hard! Even with protective gear, a direct hit brings a shock…
“Sorry! I was thinking about the exam for a sec!”
“Oh, were you worried about that?”
“Kinda scared I’ll fail.”
“But seriously, how can this idiot score average in the 20s, the 20s? You’d get maybe 30 just by guessing.”
“I did try my best on all of them…”
“Pfft, maybe that’s a talent in itself. Stupid dumbass. They say Kim Geun-chul is brainless.”
Yuri laughed mockingly, as if amused to death by the whole situation.
“This is real…! Hey! Even if I’m bad at studying, you know? Hearing that from a girl hurts my pride.”
“Eh, bullshit. What pride is there for someone with an average of 20?”
She looked down on me with such a contemptuous gaze.
“I really should cut you down to size. But Yuri, what did you score?”
“Around 70 points?”
“Damn! This kid studies so hard!”
“Don’t spew nonsense, kid. I barely listen in class, that’s all. But what’s up with you?”
“It’s always the smart ones who say they don’t study.”
“Kuh…! Hey! It’s a talent to brag about 70 points. Seriously, Kim Geun-chul, you crack me up.”
What’s so funny?
I’m dead serious here!
“How does everyone manage to do so well in studies? Between training and theory, how do they find time for regular subjects?”
“That’s why the exam difficulty is low, you dimwit.”
“It felt damn high though…”
“In my opinion, you just don’t have a head for studying, Kim Geun-chul. You should focus on your skills. Just work hard on your swordsmanship.”
“What about graduation then!”
“It’ll work out. Just learn diligently from Leona. She’s pretty passionate.”
It seems that’s the only way.
“It’s scary, really. Just what does she plan to do to teach me?”
“Maybe give you a noble’s education?”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t know. Anyway, pick up your sword.”
“Yes.”
“No, seriously, cut that ‘yes’ out. Every time I hear it, I nearly die laughing.”
“Waeng.”
(TL/N: Waeng is a name which has a meaning “To Say Yes”)
“Shit!”
And so, I sword trained with Yuri. She’s genuinely kind-hearted and open-minded.
***
“Yawn, so there it is. Now, I have to learn swordsmanship from Yuri and then regular subjects from Leona. There’s no rest during the weekdays, none at all.”
While walking to school at the usual time, I had this conversation with Sihu. But in the midst of it…
“Geun-chul… that means.”
“Hm?”
“There won’t be time to train with me now, right?”
“Why wouldn’t there be? We can do it after all that.”
Studying with Leona ends in about two hours, and training with Yuri rarely exceeds two hours.
I should just hit the gym after that.
“Let’s go to the gym together after.”
“Ha… really, Geun-chul. Putting friendship aside, are we?”
“Ah, stop that. We can do it afterwards.”
“But that means I have to wait! What should I do in the meantime!”
“Well, that’s…”
What to do then?
“Shall we study and train together?”
“What? Together?”
“Yeah. I’ll ask Leona and Yuri.”
“No! There’s no need for that! Anyway, Geun-chul. Lately, you’re neglecting our friendship too much. You’re completely off the rails, Geun-chul. Betraying a friend like that.”
“… But.”
“Hm?”
“It’s ‘kin painful because of your thighs!”
“Damn it! Don’t bring that up!”
ㅡ Ppang ppang!
Sihu hit my back as he said that!
“Hey, hey! It hurts! Stop hitting me!”
This guy, it hurts because of his superhuman hits!
“You wanna keep talking crap! We agreed to forget about that!”
“It’s normally just joked off… Anyway, Sihu. I really have to focus on studying for the resit. Just bear with me. I know I’m screwed if I fail.”
“Tch… really, why does this idiot Geun-chul have to suck at studying? Ah, nothing can be done.”
“It’s helplessness, helplessness.”
“It’s force majeure, you mean?!”
“I was talking about my educational predicament?”
“Don’t start with that nonsense again!”
Continuing such talk, I went to school with Sihu. After arriving, I teased Ryu a bit. I’ve started to bond with some friends as well.
Lately, I’ve had lots to discuss with Moon Min.
“Hey. Kim Geun-chul.”
“Yeah. Shithead Moon Min.”
“You jerk… We have a duel next week. Be ready. I’ll flatten you completely. I’ll make you cry your eyes out.”
“Heh, if Mu[n] Min challenges me, I have to accept. Just prepare to be beaten to dust.”
“Kim Geun-chul, I will definitely thrash you. Be prepared.”
“Hehehe.”
I find the kid amusing. Huh?
As a superior being, seeing Mu[n] Min trying so hard makes me feel rather content.
***
And finally.
The time to go home arrived.
“Kim Geun-chul?”
“Today, for once, it sounds like the voice of a devil rather than an angel?”
“Don’t be smart, seriously. Are you ready?”
Leona asked with a serious expression, and…
ㅡ Nod.
I nodded like a great man would.
“You look as if you’re in an epic saga. Good, I see your resolve. Let’s start today, so follow me.”
“I’ll follow you anywhere. Even if it’s… to the very depths of hell.”
“The depths of hell. Alright, let’s go. To the grave of Kim Geun-chul.”
“To the grave?!”
“Think of it as hellish training. Anyway, Kim Geun-chul? You ditched me out of neglect yesterday.”
ㅡ Zzzt.
Leona glared at me fiercely in that moment, as if lasers could shoot from her eyes.
“Ha, I’m really sorry… Leona. It was a previous commitment. I’m speechless. After all, despite offering to help with studies, I chose Yuri over you.”
“What’s with that tone?! It sounds like you’re breaking up with me!”
“Really?”
“Well, keeping a commitment is important. But it’s annoying! You lack urgency, Kim Geun-chul, urgency! An average of 20 in studies but focusing on swordsmanship? You should prioritize studying!”
Urgency…!
Definitely, I am somewhat lacking in that sense.
I’ve been thinking about it. Just not feeling it viscerally.
Everything’s so peaceful.
With such good friends around.
Could it be true that a damned crisis will come upon us in third-year? It’s difficult to believe, but it’s the truth. And even though I’m gaining skills, will I… will I manage till then?
“Ah, why is that look on your face, Kim Geun-chul? I didn’t mean to be harsh… It’s…”
“What? No, that’s not it. I’m just worried about studying. I do feel a sense of emergency now.”
“That, that’s right! Yes, that’s exactly it! Then get on!”
“Oh. A limousine!”
Long time no ride.
Leona’s flying limousine.
ㅡ Click.
I boarded the limousine.
“But Leona? Why take a limousine to a study spot?”
“That’s my secret.”
“Where are we going?”
“You said you’d follow me to hell, didn’t you? No more talking, just sit down.”
Leona said this with a smile, as if holding back laughter, her face cunning like a fox’s.
Must be going to a nice cafe or library, I thought as I waited.
ㅡ Squeak.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Where’s this?”
Looking around, it was a street.
“Get out.”
“Okay, sure.”
“Our destination today is here.”
Once I got out, I saw a very dark restaurant building in front of us. Leona, with a sweet smile, pointed at the restaurant.
[End-of-the-World Asura Jjamppong]
What’s this?
“Asura… Jjamppong? End-of-the-World?”
An intimidating sign captured my gaze. This couldn’t possibly be the sign for a restaurant. If this is truly a food establishment, something unknowable must have gone wrong.
This isn’t a restaurant sign; it’s more like a Buddhist depiction of hell!
Hell!
As soon as I thought that!
ㅡ Aaahhhh!
ㅡ Uuuaaaah!
ㅡ Save me! Save me!
ㅡ Mom! Mommmyyy! Mom!
ㅡ Oh-no! Oh-oh-no! Where’s Mom! Mommy!
ㅡ Huaaahhh!
It was as if I could hear the screams of prisoners being tortured in hell… What’s this? Hallucinations? Listening closely, it was coming from inside the establishment.
ㅡ Spicy! It’s so spiicyyy!
ㅡ Spicyyy! Spicyyy!
ㅡ Mom!! Mommmy!
ㅡ Someone take the spice for me!!! I’ll pay you to take it for me!
ㅡ Mom please take the spice for me! Please!!! I’m begging you!!!
ㅡ Aaahhh!
Person.
Life.
“Um, most beautiful Leona in the world?”
“What’s up? Average-20-points Kim Geun-chul?”
“Hey! You should give me some compliments here!”
“Never mind that. Anyway, let’s fill our stomachs before we study.”
Leona said with the kindness of the world.
“Whatever we eat, we need a full belly to study well, don’t we?”
ㅡ bleeh
With that, Leona stuck out her tongue and darted into the shop. Surely… this isn’t because I didn’t take her side yesterday?
Big trouble!
It seems Leona is angry…!
“Come inside.”
When I just stood there, Leona, who had re-emerged, grabbed my wrist!
“Wait a sec!”
“I like this place. Let’s eat together and get energized. I can’t watch you fail, so let’s get some real motivation.”
“Leona! Listen to me!”
“What’s up?”
In that moment, Leona’s smile twisted. A villainess brewing a scheme, donning a pretense of a benign smile!
“I really can’t handle spicy food!”
“Oh, is that so? No worries. It’s not spicy here at all.”
“But it says 50,000 Scoville units right there?”
“50,000 is just about the level of a goblin warrior.”
“What’s a goblin warrior?!”
“A seasoned adventurer can dispatch one with a single slash… It’s about that level of strength. It’s simple. Come on! Let’s go in, Kim Geun-chul!”
“Eek…!”
I couldn’t withstand Leona’s strength! Dragged into the shop by force.
ㅡ Uuaaahhh!
I witnessed hell.
“Huh? Why are tears coming?”
Tears started spouting from my eyes. Why does it sting? Screaming is resounding all around.
“Here. Two servings of Asura Special Jjamppong and a medium-sized End-of-the-World Sweet and Sour Pork, please.”
Leona uttered the order for some unknown hellish dish, and a person with a grim visage nodded in understanding, while I was utterly lost.
“Leona! Leona, I swear I’ll study hard! Please!”
I immediately begged Leona, but…
“That’s expected. Hehehe.”
Sitting close beside me, Leona propped her chin on her hand, just smiling at me.
“Eat up, Kim Geun-chul. I feel good watching you eat heartily.”
“Why…! Why can you still smile so sweetly in this situation?!”
“I don’t know. Huh? Ugh, what? For some reason, I think of… Yoo Yuri! Why on earth is that name coming up…! I really want to eat jjamppong!”
I’m sorry!!!!
