the Chapter 113
National Competition is 1v1.
As a result of the 3rd round, the match with the pride of Korea and Japan will be decided.
It was Sumire, a contestant in the third round, who had to shoulder all of that burden.
‘My victory or defeat… the outcome of the match was at stake.’
Sumire swallows with a gulp.
This match was too harsh for Sumire. The absence of Kim Eun-ah, who is second in power at the party.
And the opponent is Isshin of the Japanese team involved in ‘that incident’.
Even the rounds are 1v1.
All of this was a huge burden for Sumire.
“…sorry. Sumire. It only made your shoulders heavy.”
However, Lee Si-woo’s dejected appearance.
Sumire recalled a scene from that appearance.
[No Sumire. You shortened the attack tremendously. …That’s why your performance is great in this tournament.]
Shin Yoo-seong, who comforted and supported me in any situation. Sumire looked at Lee Siu and smiled.
“…are you okay! …There is no need for Siwoo to die down like that.”
Sumire’s appearance clearly changed. Even when Sumire was weighed down by the pressure, he was rather calm.
“I think I’m stupid and dull… I can’t believe it…”
Sumire couldn’t look directly into his eyes, but Sumire was clearly looking at Shin Yuseong.
“…Because Mr. Yoosung trusted me. …therefore! You can trust me too!”
Saying that, Sumire smiled brightly. What he said now was absolutely not baseless confidence.
When he had a desire to win for Shin Yoo-seong, Laplace’s power in his right hand always fluctuated.
Saaa.
The right hand emits a soft purple light as if it has been waiting for this moment.
The biggest heart that awakened Laplace’s power was his desire to become stronger. When you directly aspire to be strong, that mind can raise its inherent potential.
And now, Sumire’s heart is in a state where she wants to become stronger than ever for Shin Yoo-seong.
“…so I will never think of losing under any circumstances. I will definitely win.”
The appearance of Sumire, who has made up her will to the point of resoluteness. Yoosung Shin felt strange seeing Sumire like that.
“…Sumire.”
The determination that Sumire is showing now is far from the image of Sumire she first showed.
low self-esteem.
and fear.
Sumire’s heart was worn out by various things. It was like Shin Yoo-seong, a 5-year-old who was abandoned and hurt by his parents.
However, Yooseong Shin reached out to Sumire. Just like Master did, he recognized Sumire’s value.
All of Sumire’s skills now are the power that comes from Shin Yoo-seong’s trust.
“…Because I want to be a party member suitable for Yoosung.”
Saying that, Sumire laughed.
Shin Yooseong smiled as well.
“Sumire. i trust you I don’t think you lose at all.”
As long as Shin Yuseong believed in her, Sumire could believe in herself. Anything could be done.
A situation where I would give up on my own.
I didn’t feel anything anymore.
“…I’m coming!”
Saying that, Sumire’s expression was more solemn than ever.
* * *
Wall-mounted screen.
Meirin watched the match while maintaining a haughty expression. However, contrary to her appearance, her insides were burning.
“Now, the last round…”
The National Competition stage itself is a big event, but the reward this time is a Tower Artifact. thousand years old.
It was a treasure that could evolve the body and mana several levels just by absorbing the inherent energy.
‘…Thousand-year-old jade is an object that is hard to absorb power if you don’t have a strong body. In this tournament, the only students who can handle the millennial prison are Yuseong Shin and Jin Ryu…’
From Meirin’s point of view, somehow Sumire had to win the last round. Otherwise, the thousand-year jade, which was the reward for the 50th floor, was gone.
‘…I’ll have to win somehow.’
Mei Lin, sitting in a chair, narrowed her eyes and crossed her legs. However, no matter how much you worry about it, the game has already started. Meirin had no choice but to wait for the results.
* * *
Japanese team waiting room.
With the third round confirmed, Isshin stood up. Seiji laughed and cheered.
“cheer up! Isshin! Of course, I, the head of the party, lost beautifully, but…”
Seiji said that, but smiled. Sakura, feeling better, returned to her usual mood.
“Well, I have an idiotic personality. Because Isshin has one skill for sure.”
Seiji nodded and raised his index finger to draw everyone’s attention.
“But be careful! Sumire is a rare necromantic accident among hunters. It even holds artifacts.”
“Well… I can’t even predict what kind of ability I’ll use.”
Let Sakura chime in. Seiji laughed bitterly.
“Still, to be stuck with a student who was at a party with me before… It must be a lot of pressure because of me.”
Sumire is a member of Isshin’s party. A student who studied in the same class. And there was even a story involved in ‘the incident’. So, in many ways, they were reluctant to fight.
However, Isshin narrowed his eyes.
“…doesn’t care. He is just a traitor.”
Isshin’s determined voice.
The strange feeling at that time was still there, but Isshin suppressed something in his heart as much as he could.
I couldn’t ruin the tournament just because of my mood. However, every time Isshin saw Sumire, he became angry.
If he thought of himself as a party member even for a moment, why didn’t he tell me anything?
‘…It must be that he didn’t care about me from the beginning.’
Bubbly.
Isshin slowly walked to the stage where the portal was. The light of the sky poured brightly as I left the building.
cheers of the crowd.
At the center of everything, Sumire joins hands and waits for herself.
throbbing.
When Isshin checked on Sumire, his heart raced to the point where it was strange. My feelings right now were so complicated.
My heart, which had always been calm, could hardly settle down, and my chest felt infinitely heavy, as if a burden had been placed on it.
Isshin forcibly turns away from Sumire and looks at the crowd.
– All contestants from the last round have gathered! Korea and Japan! The final round of the national competition between the two countries! The commentator, Shoichi-sama…
while Yuki’s loud voice echoed through the speakers. Sumire spoke to Isshin in a low, barely audible voice.
“…Miss Kirishima.”
To think that Sumire, who had always avoided eye contact and ran away, was talking to him. Isshin was impressed by the unbelievable situation. Isshin tries to ignore Sumire’s words.
However, what Sumire said next was even more unbelievable.
“sorry.”
Sumire’s serious voice.
It was the first time Isshin had heard Sumire’s voice.
“You…”
Eventually, Isshin couldn’t stand it and turned his head away, but Sumire didn’t stop talking.
“…really sorry.”
Unlike usual, Sumire did not shudder. Rather, it was Isshin who was terrified.
“you! What the hell…”
“…I was so scared that I hurt everyone because of me. What the injured people will say and how to apologize. …it was all scary.”
Why?
Why is it now that I am listening to this apology? Isshin’s hands trembled. My heart was beating like crazy.
“…I’m selfish. I’m afraid Kirishima-san will stop it. So… I didn’t tell you. If I ever stay in Japan…” The more
I say, the more I say.
The more she faced the painful past, the stronger Sumire grew. Rather, the fear had disappeared and the trembling had ceased.
“…Because I have to keep facing my mistakes. So I just ran away without a word. If Kirishima-san stops it. I felt like I couldn’t… leave for Korea.”
Sumire’s voice was infinitely quieter compared to Yuki’s speaker.
However, Isshin could hear everything clearly, even Sumire’s light breathing.
“Why are you… why are you doing that now!”
Isshin’s heart fluctuated endlessly.
Isshin shouted with trembling eyes. Sumire looked at Isshin with determined eyes.
“I have to tell you this. I felt like I could do my best.”
“what? You… You are selfish to the end! Do you think I will forgive you for apologizing now?”
Like the walk a few days ago.
Isshin’s head continued to throb.
“We no… I kept waiting. believe you will come back The rest of the party is… that’s it.”
Isshin wanted to say that it was your seat, Sumire.
But the words never came out of Isshin’s mouth.
Through training, Isshin honed his swordsmanship and composure. However, Sumire’s apology today turned all those efforts into vain.
irregular breathing. beating chest. An unsettled mind.
To Isshin, Sumire was cruel and selfish to the end.
“…I’m not going back.”
Sumire’s determined voice.
Isshin bit his teeth and looked down at Sumire. Sumire looked at Isshin with determined eyes.
“…I value the current party more. ‘Cause I’m selfish I will never go back.”
Isshin’s heart shatters with every word Sumire utters.
“Because I am so happy and happy right now. I don’t even regret it.”
Having said that, Sumire finally drove in a wedge.
“…My party is Mr. Yooseong.”
Isshin’s trembling eyes.
– Alright then everyone before the start of the competition! Please prepare in front of the portal!
Isshin couldn’t even hear Yuki’s loud announcement.
“Me too… no me.”
Isshin touches his forehead, unable to speak in his complicated mind.
The two eventually stood in front of the portal.
The two of them looked different than usual.
Isshin, who always had an expressionless face, shed a smire with complicated eyes.
Sumire looked at the portal with eyes filled with determination, not showing her usual timid appearance.
The two completely reversed appearances.
– Then let the game begin!
With Yuki’s voice.
Saaa!!
The match started with the portal emitting light. Sumire left Isshin and walked confidently toward the light of the portal.
And Sumire’s body was engulfed in the light from the portal.
– Hehe I didn’t know you were such a strategist.
Laplace’s voice.
– Still, I quite like the way you look now.
While Sumire was dazed by the light, Laplace whispered in a sweet voice.
– So I’ll give you a prize.
Sumire eventually closed her eyes at the light that gradually poured in.
