RE: Player again

377

[Chapter 111]

[Connections Are Somewhere (2)]

Many classes overlapped with Lee Cheonsu.

There were many opportunities to talk, and it was easy to become close since they even ate lunch together sometimes.

It felt like a lie compared to when he used all sorts of methods to get close to Bae Subin or Hoshimiya Kaede.

The feeling was strange somehow.

Eunha felt emptiness as things seemed to be going too easily.

In the end, is he not up to my standards?

A thought that suddenly occurred.

Maybe that's it.

Eunha couldn't deny it.

The joy of seeing Bae Subin.

The interest in seeing Mok Minho.

The admiration in seeing Cha Eunwoo.

The excitement in seeing Kaede.

However, he felt no emotion towards Lee Cheonsu.

Emptiness, that was all.

"...Me... just one more time..."

"You don't even seem to have the strength to get up. Let's stop here for today."

"No! I can do more!"

Also, the emotion felt towards Kang Sihyeong was regret.

Strangely, classes overlapping with Lee Cheonsu also overlapped with Kang Sihyeong.

Taking the same classes.

A mentor-mentee relationship.

As a result, Eunha was able to become close with Kang Sihyeong too.

Now he even occasionally helped with his training after eating dinner.

"Eunha, I just showed it right? I think I'll see it if I get hit a few more times. So just one more time!"

"...Alright. Get into position."

Kang Sihyeong covered in dirt suddenly raised his upper body.

Then he pleaded while panting.

In the end, Eunha who gave in to Kang Sihyeong's persistence swung the wooden sword again.

"...Kuk...!"

"Let's see you try."

He indifferently hit Kang Sihyeong's shield repeatedly.

Then when Kang Sihyeong adapted to the wooden sword, Eunha irregularly dug into Kang Sihyeong's openings.

He has perseverance.

Not even trying to dodge the sword.

Holding a shield but unable to block.

Kang Sihyeong's arms and legs were covered in bruises.

Who on earth could call this appearance a guardian?

"As I said earlier, it's not just about stubbornly holding up a shield. You need to read my attacks and block them."

Kang Sihyeong gritted his teeth kuk.

Although he understood intellectually, it seemed difficult to put into practice.

Of course it would be.

Although Eunha was going easy on him, there was no way he could accurately block swords swung irregularly.

He was barely keeping up with his eyes.

Nevertheless, Eunha didn't intend to go any easier.

He doesn't meet my standards either.

Eunha turned his body and kicked the shield facing front with all his might.

In the end, Kang Sihyeong who couldn't withstand the impact fell back.

He just lay on the ground, perhaps having lost the strength to get up anymore.

What a shame.

If only he was taller...

Kang Sihyeong wasn't much different compared to Lee Cheonsu.

But unlike tall Lee Cheonsu, Kang Sihyeong was very short.

Physique was fatal for guardians. His growth probably wasn't over, but being shorter than Jung Hayang at 16 years old didn't seem very promising.

"I'll be honest, Kang Sihyeong, you don't match with guardian."

"......"

Eunha spoke coldly.

There was no response.

Kang Sihyeong himself probably knew well.

He was falling behind in every class.

Nevertheless, he never backed down and didn't let go of his shield.

"Hunter suits you best. It's probably hard to change since you've already chosen a division... but it would be good to do a division that matches your aptitude in high school academy."

He advised as a mentor.

If he didn't have something to compensate for his small physique, he would only become monster food in the distant future.

So if he wanted to live even a little, it would be better to aim for hunter who can move a small body nimbly.

Fortunately, Kang Sihyeong blocked swords coming at his face without fear, so fighting monsters at the vanguard might suit his aptitude.

It was when Eunha was about to turn away.

"─I don't want to."

A firm answer.

Eunha looked back.

Kang Sihyeong who only raised his upper body was glaring at him.

Even though he usually cowered before him.

As if that was a lie, Kang Sihyeong didn't withdraw his gaze.

"What's the reason?"

Eunha who met that gaze suddenly felt small curiosity.

He suddenly became curious about Kang Sihyeong's reason for wanting to become a guardian.

"Well... because I want to repay too. Because guardians looked cool."

Kang Sihyeong got up from his seat with trembling legs.

Picking up the shield far away and only then brushing off dirt on his body.

"There was a guardian who saved my family from a Kraken."

"......"

"I don't remember clearly, but it looked so cool."

Kraken.

It was a name he hadn't heard in a long time.

He didn't expect to suddenly hear that name here.

However, there were many people who survived Krakens at the academy too.

It wasn't such an unusual thing.

"So? You want to become someone like that too?"

"It's embarrassing but... yeah. I want to become someone like that."

There were plenty of people in the world who became players out of admiration.

Eunha had seen too many such people in his previous life.

Most of them failed to achieve their dreams and were defeated by reality, or left the world.

Kang Sihyeong's dream would probably crumble too.

"So... please one more time!"

"...Is this really the last time?"

But Eunha couldn't mock him.

Because there were many people dreaming around him.

Moreover, because he was dreaming a dream even harder to achieve than what they dreamed.

Eunha finally couldn't overcome the eyes that at least acknowledged his perseverance.

"Oh, hey, wait."

"Huh? What is it? What's wrong?"

"Hayang says let's eat meat?"

"Meat?"

Kang Sihyeong gulped.

☆

The introduction of the mentor-mentee system gradually eased relations between existing enrolled students and transfer students.

Students who had been distancing themselves from each other were able to understand each other somewhat by spending time together in some way.

Above all, not everyone wanted students to be antagonistic.

Whether enrolled students or transfer students.

Among students, there were those who wanted to mingle without hesitation apart from interests.

They were just silent due to a vocal minority, or didn't have opportunities to encounter each other.

The mentor-mentee system created opportunities for them to encounter each other at least nominally, leading to active exchanges between them.

Now you could occasionally see enrolled students and transfer students hanging out together.

...How nice.

I wanted to make new friends too...

Cha Eunwoo who was preparing refreshments suddenly raised her head.

Through the window, she saw familiar students passing by the lawn carrying food.

They were classmates composed of enrolled students and transfer students. It seemed they were trying to build friendships among themselves.

To her eyes, their appearance laughing and chattering happily looked very enviable.

"What, really? There was that kind of thing between them? Why didn't I know that?"

"So those kids went to different middle schools. It was embarrassing. They spread rumors all over the neighborhood that they would get married when they were young, but suddenly broke up like that."

"Come to think of it, somehow... I thought it was strange they were apart... Cha Eunwoo, did you know about this?"

"...Huh? Oh, yeah..."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not such a good story... It feels like gossiping about them..."

"No matter what, Gain should know. What if there's something that could embarrass Gain by mistake?"

"...I'm sorry."

In contrast, what about herself?

Eunwoo brought refreshments to the seats and lowered her head.

Choi Gain was sitting in the seat of honor, and right next to her was Kang Yeseul, Galaxy Hospital's direct descendant.

Including those two, people attending the tea party were giggling while gossiping about others.

Eunwoo didn't fit in this place, and didn't want to sit.

"Yeseul, your story is really interesting. I've never had such conversations with people around me before. Well, do you have any other stories?"

"Of course. I was just about to tell a story I heard going around the academy these days..."

A long table that could seat ten people. Women following Choi Gain were seated on both sides of the table according to their respective factions.

Existing faction and emerging faction.

Eunwoo sat in the empty seat opposite Kang Yeseul.

It was the seat right to Choi Gain's left.

But Choi Gain never even glanced at her, now completely turning her back and twisting her body towards Kang Yeseul sitting on her right.

That alone made it clear which faction she was supporting.

"What? Yeongwon Group tried to set up Yoo Dojun?"

"Yeah, if the information was late, Yoo Dojun would have been embarrassed as is. Fortunately, the kid always by his side noticed and he avoided humiliation."

"Are you sure?"

"I heard it from a kid who went to the same kindergarten as me on that side. It's certain."

"You really have wide connections?"

"Isn't this natural?"

Although relations between existing enrolled students and transfer students had eased somewhat, that wasn't the case for those receiving Galaxy Group's sponsorship.

Although they seemed fine on the surface, they were clearly divided into Cha Eunwoo and Kang Yeseul's factions inside.

And Kang Yeseul's faction was recently gaining power as Choi Gain supported them.

Cracks were starting to form in the peace Cha Eunwoo had difficultly created.

As a result, there was no way she could have an enjoyable time like others.

She even had to control those switching to Kang Yeseul's faction.

Gain will be tempted at this rate...

We shouldn't create problems unnecessarily...

Eunwoo wanted to kick away this seat and get up, but she couldn't leave Choi Gain.

The moment she disappeared from this place, Kang Yeseul might try to handle Choi Gain as she pleased.

She could create problems that would be difficult to clean up.

"Yeah, how are the other kids? Is Geunwoong managing them properly?"

"They don't seem as close as us. It doesn't seem bad since there's no particular talk, though."

Cha Eunwoo had been trying so far.

She intentionally filtered information floating around the academy to prevent Choi Gain from causing problems.

Thanks to that, she hadn't tried to cause trouble so far.

But this time, Kang Yeseul who transferred to the academy approached her and told her information Eunwoo had been intentionally blocking like this.

It was understandable for Choi Gain to show interest in Kang Yeseul over Cha Eunwoo.

Gain, now isn't the time to laugh at stories about other groups.

Our group has problems too...

Eunwoo barely held back words she wanted to say.

Even if she spoke up, there was no way she would listen.

Rather, she would make a fuss saying there's no way and publicize the problem she mentioned.

But would this problem be resolved by publicizing it?

Kang Yeseul would say there's absolutely no such thing and instead make her out to be a bad person.

If that happens, it would be over.

Because Choi Gain would no longer listen to her words.

The initiative of power would completely pass to Kang Yeseul.

Minho's side seems okay but...

I need to do something somehow...

If women's power struggles were in words, men's power struggles were in strength.

These days, Minho was having matches with Kim Byeongguk, Galaxy Planning's direct descendant, whenever he had time.

The result was Mok Minho's complete victory.

Thanks to that, the momentum of the emerging force was somewhat curbed.

"Hmm... Then what about Alice Group?"

"Alice Group?"

"Don't you have any close friends there?"

It was then.

Cha Eunwoo raised her head at the mention of Alice Group.

Choi Gain was questioning Kang Yeseul with naked interest.

Confusion appeared on her face who had been pouring out stories Choi Gain wanted so far.

"Um... Wouldn't Eunwoo know that better than me?"

"Eunwoo doesn't know anything, right? How can she say she doesn't know anything about them when she's been with them for 2 years?"

"...I'm sorry."

"I'm tired of that kid always saying sorry. With your connections, wouldn't there be kids on that side too?"

"I don't really know Alice Group either. Their unity is no joke, it seems Chae Yeonji from Alice Life has a tight grip on them."

"Hmm, but there should be at least one kid who would come over, right? It's not like I'm asking for confidential information."

"...I'll try."

"Okay, please do."

"...Oh, since it's your request, Gain..."

Eunwoo was listening to the two's conversation while smiling awkwardly.

She knew how tight-lipped students receiving Alice Group's sponsorship were.

Even she had to live with Chae Yeonji's suspicion when first becoming close with Jung Hayang.

Kang Yeseul said she would try, but she would probably just struggle without much result. Perhaps this would curb Kang Yeseul's momentum.

It was when Eunwoo thought that.

"Come to think of it Eunwoo, didn't you say you're grilling meat together with them on the weekend?"

"...Huh!?"

Cha Eunwoo spilled the tea she was drinking when called by Choi Gain.

She who choked coughed then raised her head to Choi Gain who was frowning.

"You said you're going to eat meat that day."

"Oh, yeah, that's right."

"This works out well. Take Yeseul there too."

"Yeseul? Um, Gain... They'll probably think it's strange..."

"You need to resolve that somehow. Yeah, why don't you take her there with the reason she's your mentee?"

"......"

Her mind really works well at times like this.

Eunwoo was at a loss for words looking at Choi Gain twirling her rolled hair.

Judging by Choi Gain's eyes─

─She's testing me.

It seemed like she was saying exactly that.

It felt like her mind suddenly cleared.

"...I'll ask the kids."

"Okay, do your best."

In the end, Eunwoo forced a smile trying to avoid her suspicion.

Only then did Choi Gain withdraw her suspicion.

"Okay Eunwoo, let's do our best."

"...Yeah, okay."

Meanwhile, Kang Yeseul's eyes sparkled as she gained an opportunity to naturally get close to Eunha and his friends.

She chattered to Eunwoo as if they were very close while squealing with delight.

As if trying to get prior information.

Although it wasn't visible to Choi Gain, her pretense was obvious to Eunwoo's eyes.

"Who do you think I should sit next to there? From what I've investigated, it seems best not to get close to Noh Eunha... Jung Hayang after all?"

"People will probably be gathered aroun

"There will probably be a lot of people gathered around Hayang. I don't think there will be any seats."

So Eunwoo rolled his head.

How can we dispel Choi Ga-in's suspicions and stop Kang Ye-seul from gathering information?

There was only one conclusion.

"Then who would you like to sit next to? Jinseo or not?"

“Seonah is a bit shy around people she meets for the first time… You probably know Soobin since you met him once before…” “Oh, him? I kind of didn’t like him. So? Who should I sit next to?”

"Who should I sit next to─"

Cha Eun-woo deliberately dragged the conversation.

As if it were important.

It was a speaking technique I learned from Seona.

Finally, she spoke with a very innocent face and a nasal tone in her voice.

"─It would be better to sit next to Minji."

Cha Eunwoo.

If there's one thing she's learned from hanging out with the Noh Eun-ha Division.

He was told never to let Kim Min-ji be next to him while eating.