Chapter 104 – 1st place vs. 152nd place (4)

Inside the stadium where the explosions had subsided.

-Beep! Beep!

Urgent whistles resounded one after another.

The fractured shield was lifted, and the officials hurriedly assessed the condition of the trainees.

“If we treat them right now, I don’t think there will be any major aftereffects. What about that one?”
“This one is a bit… No, it’s quite serious. I think we’ll know more after treatment.”

Potions were generously poured into the gaps between the wounds, and the pupils were checked. The audience silently observed the two unconscious individuals.

The match had ended.

Yet, not a single person stood up from their seats. They were preoccupied with calming their pounding hearts. The spectators could only caress the collar of their shirts with trembling hands, as if doubting the scene they had witnessed.

“…Insane.”

The exclamation that escaped their lips did not deceive.

They had just witnessed a man’s debut with their own eyes.

It was irrelevant whether he won or lost.
What did that matter?

The two cadets had ignited each other’s passions, showcasing their abilities.
That was all. What else could there be?

The protagonist of this match was predetermined.
Lee Si-heon.
Cornus, seated in the VIP section, stared blankly ahead.

“Si-heon…”

A sensation of being stabbed in the chest. Somehow, she longed to be closer to him.
Cornus, whose emotions were stifled by trauma, was only aware that her eyes lingered on him a bit longer, but she couldn’t even grasp the feeling of worry.

Cornus turned her head. At the edge of her vision, her father was squinting.

“Cornus.”
“…Dad?”
“Who is that guy?”

Usually, her father, San Hyuk-won, would communicate or converse through her secretary.

She struggled with remembering people’s names and expressing emotions.

However, this time, the man spoke directly to Sansuyu. His eyes, filled with unsorted emotions, resembled snakes, making anyone who looked at them shudder.

“…”

Sansuyu remained silent. Numerous thoughts crossed her mind.

To put it bluntly, Sanhyeokwon was targeting Jung Si-woo. They had been eyeing him for a long time, recognizing his great potential as a candidate for the World Tree’s husband and as a talented individual.

Yet, Jung Si-woo was momentarily pushed aside, and by a man who hadn’t revealed his name once in twenty years.

“It’s Lee Si-heon.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Jiho spoke on behalf of Sansuyu. Sanhyeokwon narrowed his eyes and discreetly spoke to another secretary behind him.

“Lee Si-heon… Look into him.”
“Yes.”

Perhaps everyone had their attention on him now.

For better or worse.

Someone might be targeting his life.

* * * * * *

It was a close call.

Perhaps that’s not the best way to put it. At the very least, it was true that they had clashed with all their might.

‘In reality, my skills were somewhat lacking.’

It was hard to believe that he had caught up with Jung Si-woo’s skills, honed over 20 years, in just four months.

Well… it was a match that showcased their refined abilities. The master might be a little upset. White Peach would undoubtedly be laughing her heart out. It was clear as day that she was thrilled, thinking she had won the bet.

As for how others might see him, he couldn’t be sure. To be honest, once it was over, the feeling was bittersweet.

‘I only managed to lose.’

It wasn’t that he should have lost. It was that he barely lost.

With his bones and magical circuits shattered, Jung Si-woo fought through the pain, fueled by sheer determination and malice. Although he appeared unscathed, in reality, he was more akin to a half-dead corpse. I was in a similar state.

It was a brutal match where we poured our all into every move.

As I stared blankly at the ceiling, my thoughts returned to that battle.

‘…If we had continued fighting like that, one of us would have died.’

Jung Si-woo was prepared to burn even his own life in the heat of the fight. In every sense of the word, he had risked his life in that single clash.

And I hadn’t been strong enough to make him pass out. Our skills were too evenly matched.

With our magical circuits torn apart and bone fragments piercing our lungs, we were both gravely injured, continuing the fight using only our mental fortitude.

No matter how advanced the medical science in this world, nor how potent the potions, there is no way to bring back the dead. The potential death of Jung Si-woo would have been far more than a simple accident.

The demise of a highly esteemed individual would render it impossible to foresee the future events set to unfold alongside changes in my reputation.

That is the primary reason for my hesitation.

– Startled.

The door to the sickroom opens.

“You’ve arrived-“

Soon after, Heaven enters and sets down a mask on the small table, her face inexplicably cold.

“-what?”

– Clattering.

The hand placing the mask carries an unusual strength.

“…Master?”

No response. Heaven gazes down at me, her eyes frighteningly devoid of even a trace of emotion.

A gut-wrenching terror. The air turns frigid.

“Have you done something wrong?”
“….”

I broke my promise.

Even in a situation that pushed me to the absolute limit, to the point of collapse, Heaven saw through my intentions with piercing clarity.

“Do you have something to say?”
“I apologize.”
“That’s not what you should be saying, Lee Si-heon.”

Heaven drew even closer.
The once ever-present, fragrant scent of peach blossoms was no longer perceivable.

“Lee Si-heon.”

Unconsciously, I swallowed my saliva. It was the first time I had ever felt fear towards my mentor.

“Do you know what you’ve done?”

With great effort to steady my trembling heart, I finally managed to part my dry, twisted lips.

“Is it because I lost on purpose?”
“It’s not just that.”

Heaven began to enumerate each point in a low, heavy voice.

“You didn’t consult me. You made a unilateral decision and stirred up unnecessary trouble.”

It was a fact I already knew.

“You toyed with your opponent due to base emotions.”
“…That…”
“Don’t interrupt me. Sure, there must have been a reason. Acting so smug, losing for the sake of your friend, and coming back – did you think I would be pleased with that?”

Heaven let out a bitter breath before resuming the conversation.

“You are my disciple, the only one in this world. Even if it’s a lie. Should I, as your teacher, witness you losing?”

There was nothing to say. I had no intention of making excuses. I felt that the rebuke was well-deserved.

I could understand my teacher’s feelings. Heaven stared at me intently, then bent her knees and leaned her face closer. Her dark crimson eyes seemed to pierce through my body.

“…Alright.”

Her voice was still subdued.

“What did you gain, then?”

Slowly, I steadied my breath. It hadn’t been long since the treatment, and every time I breathed, I felt a searing pain, as if my lungs were being torn apart.

“I pursued practicality.”

It wasn’t as if I’d lost without thinking, just to help Jung Si-woo.

“What you can gain by winning in this manner.”

I am in a position where I must establish my footing in this world.

“What you can gain by losing.”

Honor is akin to a potent liquor, easily intoxicating.
It serves as a valuable tool to establish my footing, and at present, it is the simplest thing for me to amass.

“My current priority is to secure the guild’s allegiance and ensure that both the association and the church are on my side.”

However, honor comes with the drawback of drawing undue attention from others.

As long as there is a faction targeting my life, raising my profile excessively would merely hasten my demise.

“If I manage to claim victory, it will be much easier to gain allies. The 152nd contender who triumphs after defeating the top contender. By striking suitable contracts and fostering connections while appealing to White Peach and Zodiac’s network, my influence will grow rapidly.”

Heaven listened intently to my words.

“Then what’s the point? The honor gained in such a manner is nothing but froth.”

“If my reputation increases while I’m still unprepared… will those pursuing me simply let me be?”

One might move faster to remove the thorn from their eye.
Cheondo cannot always be by my side. I didn’t know when I might die.

“When the bubble bursts, all that’s left is weakness.”
“So you lost?”
“…”

Religious groups and guild associations wielding ideal powers.

And terrorists emerging as a global issue.

More becomes visible.
When a chessboard is held within a vast field of view, one can estimate the path, even if much remains unknown.

Of course, my heart played a role as well.

“…Honestly, I wanted to help. That’s why I suddenly changed my course.”

Jung Si-woo’s warning not to interfere is none of my concern.
When I could remove the status window, I no longer faced death as a penalty.

Three supreme potions obtainable by clearing quests. That doesn’t matter either.
The reason for considering this choice was simple.

“If… when he finds his brother later, or if it’s late because of today’s events, things go wrong.”

I had a feeling it would be quite tumultuous. I wagered a lot on this match, but there was always a way to make amends. It wasn’t a significant loss for me, so I went through with it.

…Even though I knew it wouldn’t look favorable to my mentor.

“When I didn’t consider Jung Si-woo, the most advantageous outcome for me was to win. And when I learned about Jung Si-woo’s situation, the most beneficial course for me was to lose.”

Connections, honor, future direction, and my satisfaction – it was the result of considering all those aspects. That’s all there is to it.

I closed my mouth. A lengthy silence followed. It was then when Heaven, who had been staring at me intently, opened her mouth.

“……It was when we resolved the Ent incident before.”

Heaven began the story, raising her body as if reminiscing about the past.

“Even back then, a single child caused no small amount of trouble.”

It was the time when I had personally asked Zodiac to support a young child who had lost her father. It seemed like she was recounting the story of a series of explosive events.

“…You truly have a kind heart, Heaven. That’s why I’m worried.”

Worry. The atmosphere surrounding Heaven, as she slowly and genuinely expressed her emotions, had grown considerably softer. The scent of peaches, which had previously halted, began to rise again.

“Altering plans for the sake of one person, becoming suddenly cautious when a life is at stake… Such a personality will eventually lead you to harm.”

From a mentor to their apprentice.

“Surely, there will be those who betray your good nature.”

Heaven presented the cold reality.

“When that time comes, I fear you will be greatly disappointed with this world.”
“Why, Master…”
“I’m afraid. When that time arrives, I may not be by your side.”

I attempted to question the words spoken, but my throat constricted and no words emerged. It was a future I had never contemplated.

“I won’t apologize for my anger. You were indeed in the wrong. Let that be enough.”

Heaven extended her arms and embraced my head. The pain from my fractured skull swiftly dissipated.

“Become a little more ruthless.”

Was that something a mentor should say?

Astonished, I found myself speechless. My heart’s palpitations played a part as well.

All I did was remain still, cradled in her warm embrace for a considerable time.