I Became a Troublemaker at the Academy Chapter 184

Episode 184 Festival Day 3 (9)

-Same time, S-dong Stadium general audience seats

-groan groan-

The cadets watching the game stared at the stadium, which was now covered in black smoke, with eyes full of discontent, and each one of them made a comment.

“…smoke screen?”

“It seems like the one who was being unilaterally attacked blew it up. Are they preparing something?”

“What is this! It was so much fun, but I can’t see it at all!”

“I admit it. That kid named Ju Jin-yong used a technique, you could call it a flying technique. It was flashy and fun to watch.”

“By the way, why don’t the organizers take any action on this? If they do, there’s no point in watching it.”

Meanwhile, in a corner of the general audience area.

“Why did Junior Wind throw a smokescreen? Given Junior Wind’s personality, it seems like he’s clearly aiming for something….”

“That smokescreen is to seal the crow’s unique ability, raccoon.”

Those who knew Joo Jin-yong and Kim Baram better than any other cadet were also talking while looking at the stadium filled with smoke.

“Yes? Does that mean you’re sealing Jin Yong’s [spatial movement], Ho Jin-sunbae?”

-Nod-

“Yes. This is because the crow’s ability has a limitation called ‘range of vision.’ So, the crow probably won’t be able to use its ability at all in that smoke where its vision is completely obscured.”

Then, just as Peng Hojin’s story was about to end.

The rest of the Fixer Clan members, except for Shin Yul, who was sitting right next to him, nodded their heads slightly as if they understood almost simultaneously.

“… Then, Junior Wind must have already noticed that fact and prepared this strategy. Furthermore, if he’s Junior Wind, he must have also prepared a method to find Junior Jin Yong in that pitch-black smoke.”

“Hmm! That would certainly be the case. In conclusion, unless the crow has a skill or artifact that can detect people in such a smokescreen, I expect the match to end with a comeback win for the monkey.”

That concludes Peng Hojin’s prediction.

‘Thank goodness. The game will end quickly and treatment will be provided…’

‘Idiot, if there was something like that, you should have blown it up a long time ago. You’d just get hurt for no reason…’

At that moment, the expressions of Go Joo-yeon and Yeo Ji-hye, who had been clearly showing their anxiety over Kim Baram’s injury, were finally beginning to loosen up a little.

“No, I don’t know who will win yet.”

Shin Yul, who had been keeping his mouth shut throughout the entire showdown and had been exuding a slightly subdued atmosphere, suddenly opened his mouth and resolutely refuted Pang Ho-jin’s opinion.

“Yes? Why do you think so, Leader?”

“Jin Yong had already guessed that Baram would exploit his weakness.”

“Yes? Is that true?”

“Yeah, I happened to see it yesterday when I stopped by the student council store. Along with the dagger belt that Jinyong was wearing around his upper body, he was buying something to counter the smoke screen.”

“… Is that thing, by any chance? Is it inside the scarf the crow was wearing around his neck, Fox?”

-Nod-

Immediately after that, Shin Yul nodded as if he was sure of Paeng Ho-jin’s unexpected question.

“Yes, that’s probably true. I think Jinyong covered himself with a scarf on purpose to take advantage of Baram’s strategy.”

Joo Jin-yong talked about the identity of the items he had purchased from the student council store.

“I’m talking about magic engineering goggles that allow you to see people and objects clearly even through smoke screens with limited visibility.”

 ***

‘How on earth….’

I was momentarily taken aback by Joo Jin-yong’s ability to block my surprise attack.

‘… No way, that’s it.’

Because of the smoke, I couldn’t see Joo Jin-yong at the moment, but I suddenly remembered the red scarf he was wearing around his neck before the game started…

-Wedge!-

But at that moment.

Joo Jin-yong suddenly attacked my side with a dagger that I don’t know when he retrieved… .

-Bang!-

“… You deadly bastard. You said you wanted to fight fair and square, but why are you attacking me right away?”

He spoke as if he was disappointed, saying that I was able to block it easily with Aegis thanks to my detection.

“… I took advantage of the confusion, but you blocked it right away. As expected, you can see the wind. Also, judging by your reaction speed, it seems like you used an ability to increase your abilities, although not as much as before.”

Meanwhile, I was looking at Ju Jin-yong, and I was able to spot him right away because he came right up to me to make a surprise attack.

“… You can see well too, I see. Thanks to those goggles.”

The red-lensed goggles he was wearing were briefly visible through the pitch-black smoke. 

“… I know you as well as you know me. If the wind were you, it would definitely employ this strategy…”

-Chae-Ang!-

“… If you attack while I’m talking, you must be in a hurry. Even back then, there was a time limit of maybe 10 minutes, right? Well, the smoke will clear before then, so if I just hold out until then, I can regain my ability…”

“If you know so well, hit me once!”

-Whew!-

-Bang!-

As I swung Kaminari again, Ju Jin-yong twisted his dagger and blocked my attack… .

“… I don’t think that’ll work. I have no intention of losing either.”

-Knock!-

Within, at the same time that I said those words. 

He took a step back and instantly increased the distance between us.

““… … .””

Immediately after that, a lull came.

-Gulp-

‘… This is a bit serious.’

I looked at the direction in which Joo Jin-yong had stepped back with a troubled look and was lost in thought for a moment.

As you can see, the smoke screen strategy we initially planned has already gone awry.

Besides, Joo Jin-yong is probably like what he said a little while ago. 

It seemed as if they were not going to attack first, but rather take a defensive stance and hold out until the smoke bombs wore off.

‘I don’t know how long the smoke grenade will last, but I know we don’t have much time.’

At most, it would take about 4 minutes.

Anyway, once the [Unification] of Thundercloud was over, it was impossible to win against Ju Jin-yong.

‘It would be different if I wrote <Wilson!> or <Moonlight Opening>… .’

Unfortunately, I had no intention of using either of them.

First of all, I thought it would be better to save <Moonlight Opening> because of the upcoming incident with Black Wing.

And <Wilson!> could be dangerous not only for the main character, but also for the main character. 

Even though I had set up a smoke screen, I thought that at least Jung Da-bin and Cheon Yu-ha would be able to detect the summoned Wilson, so I didn’t plan on using it.

So, ultimately, I only have one choice.

Until the [unification] of the thunderclouds was over, the only thing left to do was to somehow defeat Ju Jin-yong.

‘The abilities are similar, or Jin Yong seems to be slightly ahead…’

Currently, my abilities, except for stamina, are barely above 50, which is in the B-class range.

Joo Jin-yong seemed slightly taller than him, but the difference seemed to be almost made up for by the additional effects of [Integration], such as increased perception and reflexes. 

‘Furthermore, judging from what Jin Yong said just now about holding out until the smoke cleared, it seems like he can’t use his unique ability yet… .’

-Shock-

At that moment, I was wondering how I could defeat Joo Jin-yong in time. 

-Wedge!-

Suddenly, Ju Jin-yong threw one of the knives he had retrieved at me, and as soon as I sensed it, I stopped thinking and struck the knives flying towards me.

-Chae-Ang!-

“… Weren’t you just trying to defend?”

“That’s true, but I don’t intend to give you any leeway in your strategy. Just like when you escaped my technique earlier, your strategy is honestly a bit restrained.”

“You’re really being picky. You won’t be popular with the girls if you act like that.”

“… … No matter how much you provoke me, I won’t attack first, Wind.”

I felt like there was a bit of anger in Joo Jin-yong’s voice.

Unfortunately, I didn’t lose my temper and rush in like I wanted.

-Kwak-

‘Anyway, there’s no time to leisurely think about strategies. No matter what the outcome, I have no choice but to give it a try.’

-Phajijik!-

Immediately after that, I wrapped my entire body in brain-attribute magic and surrounded Kaminari… .

-Taat!-

He quickly ran towards the direction where Joo Jin-yong was and swung Kaminari with all his might.

-Wedge!-

That’s how the fierce battle between me and Jinyong Joo began.

-Chaeng!-Chaeng!-Chaeng!-

As expected, Joo Jin-yong didn’t push himself too hard and just focused on calmly blocking my fierce attacks while twisting his dagger here and there.

Meanwhile, I was growing increasingly impatient as my attacks were blocked by his dagger.

‘Damn, it’s not easy to break through when you’re so determined to defend yourself… .’

In simple terms, it’s a crossroads.

Abilities, weapons used, swordsmanship skills, buffs, current physical condition, etc.

Considering all the factors, Joo Jin-yong and I were currently in perfect level, not leaning to either side.

Of course, I still had some left.

The variable that could tilt this tight balance in my favor is the three-shot [Mattan].

‘The problem is that Jin Yong is also clearly aware of this fact…’

That’s why I had to wait even more calmly.

The optimal timing for Joo Jin-yong to not be able to react to [Mattan].

-Chae-Ang!-

At that moment, while trying so hard to calm my anxious mind and calmly continue my attack with Ju Jin-yong.

-Tsk tsk… –

With a faint sound like something cracking in my ear.

“Huh….”

It seemed like the optimal timing came sooner than expected.

-Knock!-

I don’t know exactly why though. 

Joo Jin-yong suddenly blurted out a word full of confusion, and then hurriedly stepped back.

-Phajijik!-

Meanwhile, I couldn’t miss this golden opportunity, so I immediately stretched out my right index finger towards Ju Jin-yong and fired a brain-attribute magic bullet.

‘[Mattan]!’

Then, did Joo Jin-yong see me extending my finger through those goggles?

“… Tch!”

I’m scared of flying the brain attribute [Mattan].

I quickly rolled my body to the side and barely avoided the [Mattan] I had thrown.

-Wow!-

however.

-slap!-

This may be sad news for Joo Jin-yong.

I still had two [Mattan] left.

-Phajijik!-

Besides, I had no intention of just letting Joo Jin-yong dodge [Mattan] once again.

‘[Mattan].’

Immediately after that, my brain attribute magic bullets were fired mercilessly in the direction that Ju Jin-yong had rolled.

“…this.”

Ju Jin-yong couldn’t avoid it this time, so he used the dagger he was holding in his left hand instead of the dagger he was holding in his right hand to block my magic bullet.

-Kwaaang!-

“Ugh… .”

-Ting-

‘… won.’

And after confirming Ju Jin-yong’s actions, I was able to immediately confirm my victory. The reason was because of the brain attribute [Mattan]’s unique ability to freeze the opponent it hit for a certain period of time.

Of course, strictly speaking, [Mattan] was not aimed at Ju Jin-yong.

However, the dagger that Ju Jin-yong used to strike [Mattan] was a weapon made of metal.

That is, even if the brain attribute [Mattan] is struck down. 

Because of the brain attribute magic that flowed through the dagger, Ju Jin-yong was currently stiff and unable to move his body.

‘If it had been a dagger with a separate handle, I wouldn’t have noticed, but that knife… .’

I clearly confirmed this when I pulled out the knife that was stuck in my calf earlier.

The dagger was a single-piece dagger without a separate handle, and the entire dagger was made of metal.

After that, Joo Jin-yong, who had been stiff and unable to move his body, opened his mouth briefly with a bitter voice, perhaps sensing defeat.

“… I lost.”

“… … .”

Meanwhile, I was keeping silent for a moment, pointing my finger at Joo Jin-yong… .

-Swoosh-

He slowly lowered his raised hand and spoke to him, who had given up.

“wake up.”

Then, immediately, Joo Jin-yong’s voice mixed with doubt, saying that he did not understand, was heard.

“…Why don’t you shoot? If you shoot, it would be your victory right away.”

“… … .”

I knew it too.

If I shoot the last remaining [Mattan], it will be my immediate victory.

Also, I knew.

That the decision you made just now was a really foolish one, and that if you let this opportunity slip away, you might not be able to achieve victory later.

but.

‘It’s not like me… But still…’

Even though the victory they so desperately wanted was right in front of them.

I didn’t feel like shooting [Mattan] at all.

It could have been dismissed as a simple whim or a full-fledged rant that didn’t make sense.

Even though I was treated like that, I didn’t want to decide the match in an awkward manner like this.

‘If I think about it, Jinyong’s reaction after hearing that cracking sound was also strange.’

I don’t know the exact reason, but it was clear that Joo Jin-yong didn’t lose to me because of a skill gap.

Moreover, perhaps it was because I had clearly felt through our duels so far that Joo Jin-yong had thoroughly and desperately prepared for the showdown with me.

I didn’t want to end it so cowardly and armed like this.

I wanted to see a fair competition between the two based on their skills.

‘There’s only about a minute left… It’s perfect for giving it my all.’

Immediately after that, this time I did as my heart told me to, not my head.

It may seem stupid, but I decided to make a decision I wouldn’t regret… .

-chuck-

Instead of his index finger, he extended Kaminari and aimed it at Ju Jin-yong.

“I thought you might feel wronged if I lost like this. I’ll make sure you realize who has the upper hand in a fair and square way.”

Before the ice rink, he directly said his nickname, which he often wrote in the comments in every episode where Joo Jin-yong appeared.

“So get up quickly, you dumpling-loving, cross-eyed bastard.”

 ***

The confrontation between me and Jin-Yong Joo resumed shortly thereafter.

-Chaeng!-Chaeng!-Chaeng!-

However, it was a little different from the previous confrontations.

““Haaap!!””

-Wedge!-

-Chae-ae-aeng!-

Only attack, ignoring defense.

And I wasn’t the only one who took this action.

With Aegis on the ground, I swing Kaminari with all my might.

Joo Jin-yong, unlike his previous defensive stance, was constantly targeting my openings with his dagger, exuding the aura of a sure kill.

-Peeet!-

-wickedness!-

As time passed, scars began to appear all over Jinyong Joo’s and my body.

At the same time, black smoke was slowly filling the stadium.

But it seems like we don’t care about such situations at all.

-Wedge!-

They were solely focused on thrusting their sharp teeth, each filled with their own magical power, into their opponents.

-Chae-ae-aeng!-

With such a fierce battle that no one backs down.

Suddenly, the black smoke cleared considerably, and I could clearly see Ju Jin-yong clenching his teeth.

-Tiring-

[Thundercloud has exhausted all of its power. It reverts to Misfortune. As a penalty, you will be unable to use Misfortune’s abilities for 30 minutes.]

Unfortunately, in the end

The worst-case scenario we had so feared has finally occurred.

-Slurp-

Immediately after that, the [unification] of the thunderclouds ended.

A feeling of weakness and fatigue that begins to wash over your entire body.

-Whoooosh!-

But even in this worst of circumstances.

Could it be because of the competitive spirit that burned so brightly that it never seemed to go out?

-Tub-

Far from giving up, I recklessly poured my fire attribute magic into the empty space left by the lost brain attribute magic, while simultaneously grabbing Kaminari’s grip with both hands… .

“Hey hey hey!!”

He shouted a shout to instantly shake off the lethargy that had gripped his entire body, and swung his final blow with all his might at Joo Jin-yong in front of him.

-Waaa …

Meanwhile, with the same merciless momentum towards me.

Jinyong Joo swings a dagger overflowing with blue magic.

“Haaaah!!”

Then immediately.

-Kwaaaaang!-

With a loud noise that made my eardrums ring without mercy.

-Tsk tsk tsk!- 

It was similar to before, but this time an ominous sound was heard clearly in my ears.

And at that moment.

“… … !”

Joo Jin-yong made a face that clearly showed confusion and distress for a moment, then he quickly shut his eyes tightly and put the dagger back with him.

-Choooooooooo!-

As a result of such a sudden action, my Kaminari mercilessly cut off Ju Jin-yong’s upper body in a diagonal line… .

“Ugh… .”

Joo Jin-yong ended with a single word mixed with pain and regret.

-Pfft!-

It disappeared right before my eyes and was <teleported> to the medical area.

“… … .”

[Uh, uh… . This is… , so… . The two cadets seemed to have fought fiercely in the smoke screen. And when the smoke screen cleared, the last duel that happened to be happening was when Cadet Kim Baram emerged victorious.]

Immediately after, along with the announcer’s commentary announcing the results of the game.

““Woooooooo~~!””

“Are you kidding me? I didn’t see anything!”

“Wouldn’t it have been a more cowardly victory by using smokescreen? The opponent wouldn’t have been able to prepare for it.”

“It’s fatal! Kim Baram! Let’s have a rematch!”

Most of the cadets in the stands began to boo me, the only one standing on the field.

[Okay… everyone, calm down… Cadet Sujin, please hurry up and proceed with the winner’s interview.]

[… Ah, yes.]

-Thump thump-

And not long after.

Seong Su-jin approaches me to interview the winner.

but.

-slap!-

“Hey… Cadet Wind! Hey, where are you going!”

-Thump thump-

I ignored the boos from the audience and the words of Sung Soo-jin, who had come to interview me, and turned around and walked towards the medical area where Joo Jin-yong had been teleported.

A little while later.

“… Ouch.”

“Even if it hurts, just bear with it for a little longer, Cadet Jin-Yong Joo.”

Joo Jin-yong and instructor Im Eun-ah, who are starting to come into view.

“… Ugh, it’s getting better, right? It actually seems to hurt more, Instructor…”

“Joo Jin-yong.”

After that, I called Jinyong Joo, who was receiving treatment from Im Eun-ah… .

“… Hey, Wind, you’re here? Haha… , you ended up losing. Congratulations on advancing to the semifinals.”

Jinyong Joo, who had been frowning, immediately turned his gaze towards me, and soon gave me an awkward smile, clearly showing that he accepted the result.

But, contrary to Joo Jin-yong’s recognition,

“…Why did you pull your sword back at the end? If it weren’t for that, you would have won.”

I asked him why he acted that way in the end, with a voice that said I couldn’t accept the result.

“… … .”

Then, Joo Jin-yong, who had been silent for a moment, lifted up the dagger that he was still holding tightly in his right hand, the entire blade of which was cracked open… .

-Swoosh-

He immediately answered my question with an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry. This dagger is a dagger that my late father bought for me. Even if I lost the match, I didn’t want to break this dagger.”

-Shrug-

“Well, I was careless. Not only did I not prepare a spare dagger, but I should have just fought with a knife when I first heard the cracking sound. I thought I would have a better chance of winning if I fought with the dagger I was familiar with, and that’s how I ended up like this.”

“… … .”

“Don’t make such a sullen face. In the first place, you didn’t even use your defensive ability. I just lost. In terms of skill or strategy.”

In this way, Joo Jin-yong has cleanly admitted defeat, and at the same time, has added words of encouragement to Han Su-yeon to do her best in the semifinals.

“So, please work hard for my share and help me win the semifinals too, please… .”

but.

“No, I can’t admit it.”

Instead of responding to the cheer, I gave Joo Jin-yong a different answer.

-Thud-

“… This is.”

“It’s a weapon that can create an infinite number of daggers by pouring magic into it. As a bonus, it can also use eternal magic that erases any traces of your presence for 10 minutes.”

“Why are you doing this to me…?”

“Your precious dagger… It’s my fault that it became unusable, so I’ll give it to you instead.”

“… … .”

However, Ju Jin-yong stared blankly down at the shadow dagger I handed him for a moment, then shook his head from side to side, firmly indicating his refusal.

“… No, I’ll decline. The dagger is old anyway, so I was planning on replacing it. And from what I heard, it seems like an expensive item, so I feel burdened.”

And after hearing Joo Jin-yong’s rejection…

“Losers talk a lot.”

“…what?”

-Shh-

I deliberately raised one corner of my mouth and said to him a provocative comment that only a winner can make.

“Do you feel wronged? If you feel wronged, use that in the next year’s Strongest Bicycle Tournament and fight me again properly. If you win then, I’ll give it back to you.”

“… … .”

“Until then, just use it obediently and practice. It’s a gift from the strong to the weak.”

Then, I guess my slightly forced provocation worked well.

“Next year… the strongest bicycle race… .”

Joo Jin-yong, who seemed lost in thought for a moment while fiddling with the shadow dagger I had handed him, soon raised his head towards me… .

“… I understand. I’ll definitely beat you in the next year’s Strongest Bicycle Tournament and return it to you, Wind.”

With an expression that combines triumph and gratitude.

We promised to wait until next year to see if the match between us, which has not yet been decided, will be resolved.

-Tiring-

[Player ‘Kim Baram’s’ unique ability <Irregular> is activated.]

[On the third day of the festival, you achieved the best result in the minigame event. You will receive 300 VP.]

[You have gained the favor of the character ‘Joo Jin-yong’. You will receive 50 VP. Joo Jin-yong’s current favorability rating for Kim Baram is ‘Friendly’.]

but. 

-Tiring-

For a moment, Jin-Yong Joo and I looked at each other in silence, confirming our deep friendship.

[Player ‘Kim Baram’s’ unique ability <Irregular> is activated.]

[The semi-final match with the main character Han Su-yeon has been completed. You will receive 1200 VP.]

Suddenly, I couldn’t help but stiffen my expression and look nervous at the message sent by [Irregular].

-Gulp-

‘This is….’

Because, this message was, as I expected, a warning.

A warning from [Irregular] about the misfortunes brought by variables.

That is, [Irregular] was telling us.

I’m saying that something will happen in the semifinal match against Han Su-yeon tomorrow.

‘And the guys who make this happen are obviously… … .’