Chapter 48 - How to Adapt to a New Environment (10)
Choi Soojung’s wind barrier that surrounded us was released. As soon as she did that, as if they had been waiting, a huge spear of flame shot out towards Na Yuri.
“Ha, no problem!”
Na Yuri snorted and grabbed the spear with her bare hands. The burning spear was instantly consumed by her magic.
She raised the spear and threw it at the team that was repairing their shield. Then, the team was instantly devastated as if they had been hit by a meteorite.
<Ah, Team Windmill is unable to battle! They’re eliminated!>
“Go first!”
And Na Yuri rushed towards the Flame Spear team like a tank.
“Block it!”
“Do you think it’s possible!”
Team Flame Spear, as the name suggests, consisted of team members who mainly used flames, but unfortunately, even if they all were added together, they couldn’t reach Na Yuri’s flame.
<Team Flame Spear! They were a favorite to win! Are they going to collapse like this?>
“Ha!”
Bam—!
Although he was struggling, it seemed like it wouldn’t be long before he collapsed. Other teams tried to help them hunt down Na Yuri, but,
“I will be back.”
They had to worry about being hunted by Calmy, who blocked their path with swords in both hands.
“Avoid it!”
“Run away!”
“No, if we catch it together!”
They were struggling and fell down in an instant.
“It’s an attack, no need to worry.”
Anyway, they’re monsters.
Scammer muttered. I nodded and agreed, firing a suppressor bullet at the knife-wielding guy’s head.
The teams outside Na Yuri and Calmy’s range seem to be afraid that they too will soon be attacked. They seemed determined to catch me and Scammer, so they rushed towards me.
“I never thought you could even use a teleportation item!”
I know. How expensive that is!
I was muttering to myself and shooting down all the teams that came to our side.
“Die!”
“Where.”
The guy who was trying to hit me from behind was instantly frozen by Lee Hana’s magic.
“Thank you!”
“Not a big deal.”
Lee Hana spoke calmly and completely froze another team that was attacking.
“Me too! Please tell me I’m cool too~”
Choi Soojung said from next to her, blowing away all the weapons of the team next to her with a strong wind.
…As expected, these people are monsters too.
I silently wiped out the team attacking us and defended Scammer.
<Ah, what is this!>
Contrary to how I felt, it didn’t seem like much time had passed.
<In an instant, only one team remains!>
The preliminaries ended like that.
In a way, it was a natural result.
After the preliminaries were over, I heard that the finals would be held after lunch.
Then I thought I would have time to meet the people at the orphanage for a moment.
“Can I come meet my family for a moment?”
“Family?”
Scammer showed interest in my family first, but unfortunately he had to overhaul his tactics.
“Where have you gone, Na Yuhan!”
“Hiiik!”
“Let’s go! Time to review tactics!”
It sounds like he was taken to Yggdrasil.
“Nahyun’s family! Can you introduce me to them?”
“Nyahaha—I think they’re all cute—”
“Yeah. Right.”
Some of the other party members also apologized and left for a while or showed interest in my family history.
I also want to introduce my family…
“That… The person who came with me this time wanted to meet just my family. I’m sorry.”
Sir Toto said that it would be better for us to spend time alone this time.
Although everyone was disappointed, they quickly let me go.
I quickly went outside and sent a text message to Sir Toto.
[Sir Sponsor, where are you and Teacher?]
[We’re on the side of the trail. The detailed location will be transmitted through the device.]
The place I arrived after receiving the call through the device was a place with moderate sunlight but not too many people.
“It’s Sister!”
“It’s Sister!”
(one is 언니 (called by a female to an older female) and the other is 누나 (called by a male to an older female)
“Whoaaaa!”
I asked while catching Nana, Kangyool, and Kangyoon running towards me.
“How was it?”
“It was pretty cool.”
“The best!”
Kanghoon and Kangyoo answered with a smile.
“I’m looking forward to the finals, you know?”
I smiled shyly at what Teacher said. I definitely want to win for the sake of my family’s happy faces.
For your information, the winning team of the battle tournament will also receive generous prize money.
“If we win the prize money, shall we all go eat something delicious together? Of course, Sir Sponsor will come too, right?”
When I suggested it to Sir Toto, who was looking at us with a smile, he looked surprised for a moment.
“…Sure.”
And for some reason, he smiled bitterly and stroked my cheek.
Umm… Why? Is he very busy with work? Was I oblivious?
When I rubbed my cheek against his hand, he looked slightly embarrassed and avoided my gaze.
When I saw that, I felt even more playful and hugged him tightly.
“Kang Nahyun.”
“Why?”
“…”
I looked up at him and smiled mischievously, and he sighed, probably realizing that I was doing this on purpose. It felt like he had given up.
He cleared his throat for a moment and then spoke seriously to me.
“Before that, I have one favor to ask you. Can you listen?”
“As much as you want! If it’s a request from a valuable sponsor, I have to work hard!”
Sir Toto, who saw me smiling brightly and nodding his head, made a complex expression, took out a bag from the bag he was carrying, and handed it to me.
“Please leave this inside the stadium. If possible, in a place where there are no people and where it’s difficult for people to find.”
“Yes? Why?”
When I asked with a feeling of doubt, Sir Toto put his hand on my shoulder and brought me to eye level.
My head, it hurts.
I felt like I was forgetting something I shouldn’t have forgotten.
“…Uh?”
I held my head as it felt like my head was being pricked by a needle.
Just when I felt like something was about to come to mind, I felt Sir Toto’s rough, large hand rest on my cheek.
Before I knew it, I was making eye contact with his golden eyes.
He whispered in a low voice.
“I request you. You just need to hide it among other things.”
“Yes!”
…What was I just thinking?
Anyway, since it was an errand that would be over soon, I gladly accepted it.
I was told to hide it among other items so as not to be caught, so I did that.
After that, I went back to where my companions were.
Yggdrasil burst into our waiting room and used a highly effective recovery potion… So, the so-called ‘Yggdrasil Potion’ was poured into our mouths.
Our stomachs were so full that we had to pass on the food without even being able to eat lunch. I wish someone would stop this elf.
The people of Team Yggdrasil started the main race, holding onto the rocking ship with potions.
As expected, we came up against the odds.
<As expected, Team Yggdrasil! This time, they annihilated the enemy teams in an instant!>
For reference, the team name, as anyone can tell, was created by Yggdrasil.
Then she put her name on the team and threatened that if we didn’t win, she would make us train even during lunch hours.
So we were fighting desperately for our own sake…
“I will thwart your victory here!”
“Ugh!”
“Yes, next team.”
But the other kids were weaker than I thought. You guys should practice some more.
“Those guys are amazing.”
“I heard it’s Class A. Yggdrasil must have taught them!”
“Even so, isn’t there a big gap between them and other children?”
The sound of the crowd whispering could be heard occasionally even in the noisy atmosphere.
As we got closer to the finals, we definitely saw more teams from Class A.
And they voted for us without even thinking about their past.
“Don’t fuss just because you have Yggdrasil’s favor!”
“What do you mean, fussing? Oh, am I so cool that you’re going crazy with jealousy? I’m merciful, so I will forgive you.”
And Scammer’s mouth became more and more free-spirited. This kid seems to have completely recovered his form.
And while there were many Class A students, the finals were one team against one team, and what this means is—
<The best in first grade! There was no twist! Team Yggdrasil—!>
It meant that they were guys we had beaten before. We know each other so well, how can it be difficult? The preliminaries were actually more difficult.
Anyway, I’ll accept the prize money well.
We followed the guiding staff and approached the podium erected on top of the stadium.
The team’s leader, Scammer, went up to the podium as a representative, listened to lectures, and received a certificate. The people applauded warmly.
“Those guys are amazing! I’m looking forward to next year even more!”
“It might not be a bad idea to plan ahead…”
“The hero’s grandson, the daughter of the Shin family, the recorder’s children… What a gorgeous combination. I don’t know what kind of guild it is, but the guild that will take them is blessed.”
Amidst the enthusiastic response, I smiled brightly, waving at the orphanage family members who were waving at me. Sir Toto wasn’t there, perhaps having gone to the bathroom at that moment.
“This concludes the awards ceremony.”
Ah, it seemed like the award ceremony was all over while I lost focus for a moment.
Each party was given 10 million won. I was very satisfied.
Since there are no classes today, I’m planning to have a barbecue party with the orphanage family. Or we could go to a really expensive restaurant.
If I say, “I’m shooting happily because I won,” Teacher won’t say no!
At that time when all the award presenters were leaving and we were getting ready to leave and imagining happiness,
Bam—!
The sound of the stadium’s barrier being activated for safety was heard.
What?
An ominous feeling went up my spine.
The game is over, so what’s the point of activating a safety barrier?
Intruder? No way…
While I was thinking about that, I saw something inside the stadium, inside the barrier.
A heterogeneous form that isn’t human. A strange creature that wants to kill people.
It was a monster.
…It doesn’t make sense, why?
The barrier has been activated, yet the dangerous element is actually inside the barrier?