Chapter 30 : Running with Si Hoo #1 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

Anyway, after a light jog with Si Hoo, we got into the serious business of strength training. Today was bench press day—the workout where you lie down and lift the barbell. "Hup!" After holding my breath and focusing to finish a set, I heard: "Geun Cheol." "Phew... What?" "You're too weak." Lee Si Hoo said this, looking down at me with a solemn expression. "What? Hey. I'm strong enough that—" "Stop blabbering and move aside, Geun Cheol." "Okay." As soon as I got up, Si Hoo grabbed the weight plates from the front and started adding them to the barbell. Is this guy for real? Is he trying to lift twice my weight? This was a challenge against me. "Heh, watch, Geun Cheol." Si Hoo lay down on the bench and grabbed the barbell with a sly grin. "As an Awakened, using magic power... Ugh. You can lift heavyweights." But he sure is lifting it effortlessly! "What the heck! He's insanely amazing!" Is magic really this versatile? How can someone like Si Hoo, who's 10cm shorter and slenderer than me, exhibit such strength? "Geun Cheol, since you're still at the stage of just emitting energy, it might be tough, but try training to lift like this using magic power. As you do so, you'll become more attuned." Barely breaking a sweat, Si Hoo was giving advice with his arms moving effortlessly. I couldn't help but be impressed. I think he's got some solid pecs, too. "Wow. The world of superhumans is incredibly diverse." High jumps, dashing, climbing vertical walls, and even lifting heavy objects with ease—truly superhuman abilities. I bet if I increase my magic power and master its control, I'll be able to do it too. Until that day, I'll keep working hard. After finishing a set, Si Hoo sat up. "Hey, Si Hoo. But aren't the really skilled ones able to breathe fire? Or do magic attacks and stuff?" "Yeah. But, it doesn’t quite suit me. I couldn't really do it." "Really? Well, you're more of a close-combat type, I guess. You're good with swords, too." "Yeah. I learned a bit of swordsmanship since I was young." "Definitely the close-combat warrior type." Seems he has a background in kendo. "Heh... But you're a ranged fighter, Geun Cheol." Suddenly, Si Hoo mentioned this, barely suppressing his laughter. "What? Why am I a ranged fighter? I plan on dashing and using a sword, too! I'm more of a melee warrior." Moving physically and swinging a sword feels the most natural. Honestly, I can't really picture doing anything else. Although I can’t handle a sword well yet, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it if I learn. "What are you saying? You'll be screaming and launching ranged attacks. Like this. When facing a monster, you'll scream 'Ahhh!' and then 'Bang!' with sonic waves—" "Cut it out!!!!" "Haha! Just kidding! Ow!" I immediately grabbed Si Hoo’s shoulders and tackled him onto the mat to deliver some payback! "Geun Cheol, I'm just joking! Ah, oww! Hi-eeek! Geun Cheol...! Don't pull my shoulder! Ow!" But he let out such a high-pitched scream, what the heck?! "Kyaa! Nooo!" In an instant, Si Hoo displayed tremendous strength and pushed me off! Totally unfair! Even when I'm pinning him, he can shove me off so easily! "Wow! This guy’s crazy strong!" "Ugh... What are you doing, Geun Cheol! Attacking suddenly...!" "Who told you to talk nonsense about sonic waves? I tried to discipline you, but the power difference got in my way, huh?" "Ah, ah...? That, that's what it was?" What else could it be? "That's the difference between you and me! If you don't like it, get stronger!" "Geez!" And so we continued working out, laughing with Si Hoo. It's definitely more comfortable exercising with a friend than doing it alone. "..." But as we talked, I started thinking about Si Hoo's complexes. Complexes. Even if I don't know everything, I can't just ignore it when I see a friend struggling. Sure, there's etiquette even between friends, but I can't stand by idly. Although Si Hoo and I haven't known each other for years, to me, once a friend, always a friend. Can I really ignore it when a friend is in trouble? "Hey, Si Hoo." "Huh? What's up?" "It's nothing serious. We haven't known each other long, but..." "Uh-huh?" "I believe once friends, always friends." "Huh? Huh?! No! Geun Cheol, why are you saying this all of a sudden?!" Suddenly, Si Hoo's face turned beet red as he shouted. This guy is really shy. "Well, it's just... you seem like you have something on your mind. It's hard for me to watch a friend like that." "What's so hard to watch...!" "Well, you see..." As I started to explain— "L-let's leave it at this for today!" Si Hoo abruptly got up and swiftly headed toward the locker room! "Hey! Where are you going! We still have thirty more minutes!" "I've got something to do!" Something to do? "Then what about tomorrow’s plans!" "That's fine! You need to get home early and sleep too, Geun Cheol!" "Uh... okay." Leaving those words behind, Si Hoo grabbed his clothes and hurriedly fled. "Oh, come on." Was it too cheesy? Hey, sometimes you need to get a little sentimental with a friend who's got things weighing on them! * * * Done with the workout. "Ah, that was refreshing." After returning to my room, I took a shower and sat in front of my computer. Tomorrow is questing day. —taptaptap. I immediately searched for information about gates. "Hmm." There are various types of gates. There are gates that spit out monsters and disappear, and then there are gates that connect to a different dimension inside. Usually, the first type is called a gate, and the second is referred to as a dungeon. For my upcoming quest, I'll be dealing with monsters emerging from an F-rank gate. After doing some research, it seems there won't be any significant issues. Apparently, soldiers in red suits shoot at them until they dissolve. "Nothing to worry about, then." Honestly, if it's just me and Si Hoo, we could obliterate any gate or whatever with ease. In truth, the Mana Master Kim Geon Cheol could handle everything on his own. —Flick. After doing a bit of research, I turned off the computer and lay down on my bed. "Ah." This will be my first outing with a friend since coming here. What awaits us, I wonder? * * * —Knock, knock, knock. "Si Hoo, let's go. Come on out." I knocked on the door. —Creak. Si Hoo emerged, dressed in his school uniform. Seriously, wearing a uniform on the weekend? "What's up with the uniform?" "Geun Cheol, listen. Wearing your cadet uniform means discounts at many places." Si Hoo spoke with a proud expression. "Really? That's awesome." "You didn't know? You're wearing yours, too." I wore mine simply because I didn't have anything else. "I had no idea about the discounts." "Really? It's still good to wear your uniform regularly." "Why?" "This uniform is practically protective gear, you know?" "Protective gear? What do you mean?" "Hm?" Something wasn’t adding up in the conversation. What does he mean the uniform is protective gear? "Geun Cheol? Our cadet uniforms contain dimensional fibers, right? They react with our magic and grow stronger... You didn't know?" Dimensional fibers, what now? "Not at all." "I don’t get how you missed that. Anyway, Geun Cheol, it's better to wear it regularly. Monsters could appear anytime. Plus, you should always carry a weapon." "That's a given." Honestly, I had no idea about any of this, but I brought my weapon for the quest today. Anyway, what does it matter? "Let’s just head out." "Yeah!" With that, Si Hoo and I left the dorm and exited the academy's main gate. It’s the first time I'm seeing everything since the entrance ceremony. "Over there, that's the way." Following Si Hoo's directions via his phone, we made our way to the city center. We chatted along the way, arriving soon after. "Wow. This is the hot spot?" I spotted students in our school uniform here and there. Looks like everyone came out to hang since it's the weekend. "Hehe, the city is well set up, Geun Cheol!" Si Hoo called out to me, excitedly. "Karaoke! Coin karaoke! I’ll pay for the coins!" Is he haunted by a ghost who never got to visit a coin karaoke? He looks like he could die of happiness. He said he's never been, and now his energy is about to explode. "Hey, wouldn’t it be tough if we went right away? Let’s have some food first." "Eat first? Sure. What should we have?" You either get Chinese, soup, or a hamburger. Choosing one of these three is the rule. But today, I don’t feel like having a hamburger. "Hamburger? Geun Cheol, should we get a burger?" "Not in the mood. Let’s get soup." "Geun Cheol, I’m craving a burger. Should we decide with strength?" "Oh come on! Using strength to decide?" "If you feel wronged, get stronger, Geun Cheol." Honestly, this is unfair to the point of death! "Fine. Let's go get burgers. Where is it?" "We just need to make a turn over there. Let's go!" "Okay." I followed Si Hoo as he led the way down the street. It's quite developed here. Well, the academy is near Jamsil, so it makes sense. "Ah, here." We turned a corner, and various signs greeted us. [Original Grandma's Schweinshaxe] What? "What on earth is Original Grandma's Schweinshaxe?" "What's Schweinshaxe?" "You know, that German-style pork knuckle." "Could it be a place opened by a German grandma?" "I mean, even if it were a German grandma, claiming to be the 'Original Grandma' in Korea seems like a stretch... Better ask Leona about this." Curious, I peeked inside and saw an older man standing. Seriously, you have to love the Korean style of exaggerated marketing. There's no 'Original Grandma' to be seen. Other places had bizarre names like Joseon-style Pulled Pork and 50-Year Tradition Unified Silla Quesadilla, unpronounceable straight out. It seems they're targeting the Awakened. "What is this place even?" "Ah, Geun Cheol. I found out this is a fusion food street." "There are other things to fuse. Are they going to fuse Piccolo and Lunch?" Lunch was a forgotten character by now. "They're out of their minds." We continued chatting as we entered the burger joint. The taste was nothing special. Just an average burger. But the fries felt like an insult to food everywhere. "Come on, just make them Cajun style...!" I fueled up with anger! Let’s finish and leave as soon as possible. "Ah, I'm full. Geun Cheol, then let's hit the coin karaoke." "Hehe, looks like I need to show you my singing skills to bring you back to reality? Go ahead, lead the way. I'll have you kneeling." "Ah." "Why the flinch?" "Geun Cheol, but what kind of songs do you like?" "You'll find out when we get there. But, Si Hoo, actually I'm more curious. What songs do you like?" "Uh... Just normal stuff... But I think you might like weird songs, Geun Cheol..." "What? If you say it’s a screaming song, you're dead." "Wasn't it?" "Come here. You little—come here." "Just kidding! Kidding, Geun Cheol!" Hold on. But will there be any songs I know here? Honestly, I'm more worried about that than the main quest of smashing the F-rank gate. Going to a karaoke room without knowing any songs is a major humiliation.