Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
25. Stalemate (3)
After finishing ‘Superpower Swallowing’ training with Red Wall Thief.
The mood of Yeom Junyeol, who had escaped the off-limit zone without being caught by the recording devices, was boosted after receiving praise from the master he admired, Red Wall Thief.
‘Today was better than the previous time. The imagination training must be effective.’
It was a very short moment, but the flame formed by Red Wall Thief’s Flame Art moved according to his superpower wave.
Red Wall Thief who sensed that, threw Yeom Junyeol a word of praise, filling him with extreme pride.
‘It seemed that I would succeed if I did just a bit more, even if my physical strength and spirituality would be consumed.’
Yeom Junyeol begged to train a bit more, but the master, Red Wall Thief, didn’t yield.
He could fight in chess, but according to Red Wall Thief’s words, if his physical strength decreases, his concentration may be broken which will easily lead to a blunder.
‘Does master-nim know a lot about chess?’
Even though it was an off-limit zone, it was still within Eungwang Highschool.
If so, then there is a high chance that Red Wall Thief was someone registered in Eungwang School’s defense barrier.
A Person affiliated with Eungwang School, who knows chess well.
The clues related to the master-nim’s identity increased.
‘The chess tournament hosted by the Stalemate can only be participated by Eungwang School’s staff members and students. In that case, maybe master-nim is also participating? Even if he doesn’t come out as a chess player[1], he showed a great interest in chess, so it seems he may come as a spectator.’
If so, Red Wall Thief may appear on the chess tournament that day, and on the arena.
‘The number of reasons I have to play chess more diligently has increased!’
While Yeom Junyeol thought like this, smiling.
“Yeom Junyeol, you’re late, huh?”
At Yong Jegeon’s voice, Yeom Junyeol’s thoughts halted.
“Teacher Yong Jegeon-nim, did I make you wait?”
“I heard that you had a fight with Jinseung today. And that he was also without fear this time and messed with your royal wrath.”
Yeom Junyeol’s royal wrath, alias Little Red Dragon.
There were some people who drew aggro by calling that gentleman-like Yeom Junyeol that alias in order to provoke him.
Recently Ma Jinseung was the main representative of those aggro-dealers.
“Jinseung is a cute student, but he has a hateful corner. You can’t use hateful words towards your school friends, right? Don’t look after him if he comes for sparring.”
“Hahaha, I never look after him. Today he seemed to want to chase after me the entire time, so I made a prison with the Flame Art to lock him up and went away.”
“Our Junyeol is nice, huh? Because of it, Cheongryong and Yeom Bangyeol are worried about you. If he carelessly runs his mouth during a spar in the future, steam his mouth muscles for that unbecoming word. And if he chases you, explode his ligaments.”
“If Jinseung messes with my royal wrath again, I’ll consider it!”
As this degree of injury was easy to heal with a recovery item card, the Yong and the descendant had this bloody conversation while walking.
The two crossed Eungwang School’s main gates.
After leaving Eungwang School area, Yong Jegeon asked with a face that looked to be in a very good mood.
“So who did you meet with after you parted with Jinseung? Junyeol, I can only sense your traces, but I think there was also someone else.”
Yong Jegeon’s Trace Detection skill was high, but his instinct was also outstanding.
Yeom Junyeol thought that Yong Jegeon with his good instinct may notice something, but he played innocent.
“I just went to train.”
“With whom?”
Even though he didn’t say all the facts, Yeom Junyeol never liked to lie to Yong Jegeon who was close with him.
Seeing that Yeom Junyeol couldn’t reply, Yong Jegeon smiled slightly.
“You were training with someone whose name is difficult to share?”
Yong Jegeon made his unique ecstatic expression, which made even his fellow Yong tribe members turn serious when they saw it.
“How about playing chess when we come back? Let’s go, Junyeol.”
***
‘It was a matter big enough for Mun Saeron, who gathered materials about 2nd year class 0 and Jegal Jaegeol, who is the Newspaper advisor and 2nd year class 0’s homeroom teacher, to be called to come to the Association.’
Mun Saeron seemed to fail to continue to gather news because of the 2nd year class 0’s disturbance, but if she was called to the Association, it seems that she witnessed an important scene.
Hwang Jiho continued to speak with his eyes sparkling.
“The conquest’s difficulty of the otherworld they succeeded in dominating was N–. Clearing or domination of the otherworld on this difficulty is nothing special, but this otherworld was dominated by humans. That’s a surprising event.”
It was an otherworld with a low conquest difficulty, but it was still a surprising and amazing event.
There was no such development or mention in the game.
Jegal Jaegeol remained at school, so those genius rascals were breaking the stereotypes of this world.
“Who among the 2nd year class 0 succeeded?”
“That’s ambiguous to answer.”
Ambiguous?
Hwang Jiho’s description continued.
“The entire 2nd year class 0 succeeded. I heard that they controlled the otherworld by linking superpower waves with the class president, Geun Chansol, playing the main role.”
By linking superpower waves?
That was difficult to imagine.
I recalled the moment when Hwang Jiho overpowered Kwon Jane or Jeok-ho by suppressing their superpower waves.
Hwang Jiho suppressed those two’s superpower waves at his finger tip and then released them afterwards.
In other words, superpower waves didn’t mix and then unite.
I didn’t think that superpower waves can be tied and then mixed together like this.
“The PlayerSAT-K decided that Geun Chansol dominated the otherworld after it re-examined the entire conquest process three or four times, but there was confusion in communication[2] again. The Association which suspected an error in the Satellite’s operation intervened to start an inspection, and then we learned about it when they requested cooperation from Eungwang School.”
Something like that happened during the weekend, huh?
The scene of Hong Gyubin and Im Jihwa working overtime lingered before my eyes.
“It’s exciting that they managed to link various superpower waves, which are no different from the fingertips into one. I am thinking of giving them generous support if the 2nd year class 0 thinks about researching Superpower Wave Link and Otherworld Domination.”
Hwang Jiho looked seriously delighted.
‘Superpower Wave Link, the Otherworld Domination caused by humans…”
One more thing to investigate.
***
My dormitory room, which I returned to after finishing evening training.
After sitting on the sofa, I stared at my share of Jegal Jaegeol special 1st printing edition I received from Hwang Jiho.
‘It is just like a magazine which could be sold in stores.’
The cover was Jegal Jaegeol’s poster picture which was said to be taken during the making of Eungwang School’s admission promotion materials.
Jegal Jaegeol’s picture was adorned with stylish typography.
Bearing in mind that Jegal Jaegeol possessed a ‘Kotodama’ skill, I looked at the font arrangement and design in a favorable light.
However, the most attention grabbing were the supplements attached to the vinyl wrapped magazine.
‘I can’t distinguish if it was made like this for Jegal Jaegeol or for his fans.’
A photobook with the best cuts from each year since Jegal Jaegeol’s debut.
A hologram chip containing key interviews.
From the set of photo stickers to posters and hardcover to keep the magazine safe, were attached to it.
They were excellent items, worthy of the decently famous idols or star Players’ Season Greetings[3].
‘The Newspaper Club are also Jegal Jaegeol’s crazy fans, not inferior to the 2nd year class 0, huh!’
Those fanatic fans put their heart and soul into making that Teacher’s Day limited Jegal Jaegeol special magazine and the supplements.
I think I understood the reasons the 2nd year class 0 begged for it, even asking to hand it over for the air hotel’s suite in the peak season.
Ding.
While I fell into thoughts, looking at the still wrapped magazine, a message arrived.
It was in the group chat with Ju Su-hyeok and Maeng Hyodon.
[Ju Su-hyeok] Uisin, Hyodon! Do you have time tomorrow after classes?
[Maeng Hyodon] why
[Ju Su-hyeok] We decided to get tuxedos together the previous week, remember? Hehe let’s go tomorrow!
[Maeng Hyodon] ah got it
On the way to the Tallae Middle School on Teacher’s Day we talked about our attires we will wear at the boat party and decided to go see them together.
Considering the chess tournament the day after tomorrow and the future schedule, I had to refuse.
However.
[Me] I’ll go too.
I pretended I didn’t know about the chess board that wasn’t unfolded or the chess pieces that I haven’t held even once which came to my mind.
[Ju Su-hyeok] In that case, see you at the main gates after tomorrow club activities! Let’s eat delicious dinner hahhaha
[Maeng Hyodon] uh
While in the message window, I checked unread messages.
First was the group chat with Jang Namuk and Yu Sang-hun.
‘Jang Namuk came back to his senses yesterday.’
Jang Namuk, who had lost his soul during the weekend after seeing badges embroidered with stars, barely found his pace.
Yu Sang-hun couldn’t understand why Jang Namuk was like that.
Seeing the two’s disjointed conversation, I closed the window.
Next message was a brief regards and hello sent by Bak Seung-hyeon.
After that was Min Geurin’s message about changing the virtual visual information, which was set for the AR glasses exclusive markers, to the childrens’ portraits.
She took pictures of our class kids’ portraits and sent them to me.
[Min Geurin] I used the item you gave me for the first time.
[Min Geurin] (photo)
If the ‘Water Droplet with a Breath of a Mermaid’ is used with paint, the color won’t fade.
I examined the portraits of our class kids, which will never fade and then I saved the pictures of the paintings on the device.
Next message was about inviting me for a meal coming from Seong Siwan and Seong Gukeon.
‘To see me again, you say?’
Was there a reason why Seong Gukeon wanted to meet with the 1st year student?
After saying I’m okay with it for the time being, I checked the next messages.
[Eun Jaeho] (photo)
[Eun Niho] It doesn’t look particularly tasty this time either, right? ㅠㅠ
[Eun Seoho] We worked hard, but it didn’t go well…
In the picture was a dish made by Eun-ho’s three descendants siblings.
I was guessing it was a dish, because the bowl was filled with an unidentifiable mass.
‘Hwang Jiho and Baek Ho-gun will be eating this!’
Jin people’s stomachs are stronger than humans’, so it will be fine, probably.
[Eun Jaeho] The divine beast hid, it doesn’t seem to want to eat.
The youngest, Eun Jaeho, sent one more picture.
In the picture I only saw a white tail.
Snare’s body was under something.
‘It’s the mat I bought it!’
Snare crawled under the mat fastened to the floor.
Seeing this scene, I was shocked.
‘Why didn’t I buy beds or blankets to cover or hide under in preparation for the times when Snare wants to hide?!’
In comparison to our bright Snare, I felt as if I was uncountably stupid.
Like this, I checked all unread messages.
‘Now is the time to send those rascals a message.
I entered a chat room, which was neglected for the past couple of weeks, without updates.
[Me] Hello, senior-nims. Are you currently busy?
The reply came back quicker than I thought.
[Geun Chansol] Go away Newspaper Club
[Wang Chansol] We’re BUSY
It was Hwang Jiho who had robbed you, why are you venting on me?
Looking at their online nicknames and the two’s picture profiles, it seemed that the two decided to collaboratively both own the 1st print handed over by Hwang Jiho.
It looks like the two united to win the battle royale held among the 2nd year class 0.
[Me] I wanted to meet and talk with you for a moment.
[Wang Chansol] We’re expensive
[Geun Chansol] We’re expensive2
No matter how expensive GeunChan&WangChan duo said they were, there was an item which would make them cheap in one swoop.
[Me] (photo)
[Me] Don’t you need it?
The picture sent by me in the chat room was the photo of my share of Jegal Jaegeol special edition magazine’s 1st print, still wrapped.
It hurt my heart to give up my Playable Character’s rare items, but for the future of this world I decided to endure it.
When the message I sent was marked as read, the next message came flying in a freaking second.
[Wang Chansol] Thank you for your support, junior-nim!
[Geun Chansol] We love you, junior-nim!
[Wang Chansol] We’re not even a little bit busy. Meet with us quickly, junior-nim!
[Geun Chansol] I want to see you now, I want to see you immediately, I want to see it, junior-nim!
I saw a tremendous change in attitude.
***
Late night, Hwang Myeong-ho’s mansion in the Eungwang District.
Golden fence filled with magic squeezed as if it was tied and built by Hwang-ho personally spinning one thread after another.
Maze garden, which made a person not permitted to step in lose themselves in the subspace by creating delusions.
Currently, there was someone who was breaching the Ho tribe’s head’s barriers one after one, while crossing the golden fence and maze garden.
Seuuu–!
The intruder passed through all obstacles with the echoing sound of a quiet wind.
At last he arrived in front of the mansion.
When the intruder was about to lift the barrier from the mansion’s window he chose.
“It’s been a long time since I played hide-and-seek with you.”
Just behind the intruder stood the Ho tribe’s head in his teenage form.
The intruder jumped, about to flee the place, but his ankle was already caught in magic shackles conjured by Hwang-ho.
‘He got me!’
Looking at the intruder who couldn’t move, Hwang-ho’s eyes shined as he smiled.
“It’s been a long time since I saw you play a prank like this, huh? Kim Sinrok.”
*~*~*
[1] chess player – the word for ‘chess player’ can also mean knight or media article in Korean.
[2] confusion in communication – the confusion arising from mishearing someone else’s words or words being in disorder or because of a bad communication connection (radio signals being disturbed or internet going out, this type of bad connection).
[3] Season Greetings – in Korea, Season Greetings refer to goods sold by celebrities on the New Year.
Translator’s note: Jo Uisin making the greatest sacrifices *sniff sniff* I’m so proud of him
Did you see a mistake? 🐞
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