EX rank supporting role’s replay in a prestigious school - Chapter 831

The stands were already full when Professor Ham Geunhyung appeared.

He was supposed to be the referee for this match.

Among those in the stands were students in disheveled uniforms and wet hair, seeming like they rushed from home to school.

They all wanted to see Joo Soohyuk fight that badly.

“Fighting, Jungmok-ah! You too, Soohyuk!”

“Judge the match well, Professor!”

Professor Ham Geunhyung looked at us with a complicated expression.

Seeing the kids who came to school early to fight and the others to come watch must’ve elicited some mixed emotions.

Still, this is better than the kids not showing up at all.

“Here, Dain-ah! I saved you a seat.”

Kim Yuri immediately ushered Ahn Dain to the best seat we secured as soon as she saw her.

The sparring ground was clearly visible, and it was a spot that was easy for Joo Soohyuk to see her.

“Thanks.”

Ahn Dain didn’t decline.

When she sat down, Joo Soohyuk’s neck slightly moved toward her direction.

I was worried that he might be nervous that Ahn Dain was watching, but seeing the blaze in his eyes erased my concerns.

Rather, it seems like he’s happy that Ahn Dain came to watch.

I pretended not to notice, but I felt warm at the short interaction between the two.

It may not be Jin Jungmok’s primary intention to create this scene, but I felt grateful.

“Get to your positions.”

The two proceeded with Professor Ham Geunhyung’s mark.

Jin Jungmok prepared to unsheath the sword on his waist, while Joo Soohyuk took out his item cards.

“Start!”

Kwaaang!

Sparks flew as soon as the signal to start came.

Joo Soohyuk’s dual swords clashed against Jin Jungmok’s, followed by consecutive attacks.

Most of the audience didn’t see exactly when Joo Soohyuk materialized his cards or when Jin Jungmok got so close to Joo Soohyuk, eliciting astonishment from all over.

The two started talking only after more than ten strikes.

“You’re quick on your feet. As expected of Heukrim’s student.”

“The same goes for you, Master Joo. Worthy of a successor to Master Kwak.”

“It’s my first time being called a master.”

Instead of being flustered, Joo Soohyuk gently accepted Jin Jungmok’s unique speaking style.

Those who battled him before were usually confused by his martial artist concept and his obsession with hiding the natural color of his energy waves.

But not Joo Soohyuk.

Perhaps it’s why Joo Soohyuk was at the center of PMH despite the long list of unique playable characters.

‘Joo Soohyuk has an incredible ability to respect and learn from others. I’m sure he’ll get to learn something from Jin Jungmok too.’

The sound of metal crashing against each other resonated through the stadium dozens of times again.

The crowd began to murmur.

It seems like Joo Soohyuk already read Jin Jungmok’s movements.

‘It’s not exactly the same because their footwork and sword techniques are different, but Joo Soohyuk already figured out Jin Jungmok’s.’

Joo Soohyuk predicted the other’s movements in no time.

His dual swords aren’t as flexible, but he has speed to compensate.

It was as if he perfectly mirrored Jin Jungmok, eliciting a sigh from the other upon realization.

“How could you… in such a short time? …! Is this the unearthly talent they talk about?”

“That’s too much flattery. You can read my movements too.”

“Not as quick as you can.”

Kwaaang!

Jin Jungmok swung his sword wide but retreated far back.

His sword shone coldly in powder blue.

His energy wave output increased to the point where its original color couldn’t be hidden anymore.

“So there’s no choice but to compete with exquisiteness!”

Does he mean passive skills?

Joo Soohyuk became alert at Jin Jungmok’s unusual stance, a burst of energy waves as bright as sunlight erupted.

Kwaaawkwakwaa!

A sound that shook the heavens and earth along with a strong energy wave spread through the air.

It happened before Joo Soohyuk and Jin Jungmok moved.

It didn’t come from either of the two.

“Oh? What’s that explosion? That was kinda strong too.”

“Wangchan, you crazy bastard! Did you not control the explosives properly? Look straight at the panel, you freaking guy, this is the sophomore area!”

“Oh right! Force of habit.”

I heard GeumChanWangChan screaming from afar.

When I looked up, I saw the seniors flying around on airboards.

I guess the explosion was part of their preparation for Teachers’ Day, but they must’ve forgotten that they’re third-year students now and mistakenly dropped it on the sophomore area.

While some spectators were distracted and took their eyes off the sparring area, the situation completely changed.

‘The match is decided.’

Just before Jin Jungmok activated his passive skill, he got distracted and took his eyes off Joo Soohyuk.

He looked at the kids in our class instead of his opponent.

I think he was planning to come to us and protect us from the explosions.

On the other hand, Joo Soohyuk rushed forward without hesitation, coming close to stabbing the defenseless Jin Jungmok.

But…

‘Joo Soohyuk has withdrawn his sword.’

Joo Soohyuk put away his sword and returned to where he first stood.

His gesture conveyed that he’d wait until his opponent was ready again.

“Let’s start again when you’re ready.”

“How did you…”

“You looked at the Class Zero kids. You don’t have to worry because your friends and professors can defend against something of this magnitude.”

Jin Jungmok’s concentration wasn’t shaken by the loud noise, he was worried about our class.

We were together from the start of the semester until the midterm exams.

Although he doesn’t personally invite us to his battles, we always show up to cheer on him, and perhaps he got attached.

Joo Soohyuk focused on the sparring match because he believed in the skills of the students, but not Jin Jungmok.

I would be truly honored if I were included in the object of that faith.

“You could’ve ended it. Why did you retreat?”

Jin Jungmok wasn’t convinced by Joo Soohyuk’s remark that he would wait.

The latter answered.

“I don’t want to win by luck. Let’s fight with our weapons.”

“It’s not luck. I lacked the concentration.”

“It wouldn’t have been luck if I caused that explosion. It’s a circumstance that happened during our match, so it’s luck.”

When Jin Jungmok still seemed to have no intention of lifting his sword, Joo Soohyuk spoke again.

“Luck alone isn’t enough. If I don’t show you that I’m strong, I don’t think you’d be able to trust me.”

Joo Soohyuk’s eyes wavered as he said that.

I felt a sense of deja vu.

It was the same expression on his face when he stared at me before I jumped into the underworld.

Upon hearing those words, Jin Jungmok raised his sword again.

“…Understood. Let’s begin again!”

“Yeah.”

Satisfied with the response, Joo Soohyuk assumed his stance again.

He lowered his arms and unleashed a powerful attack with his dual swords, energy waves exploding here and there.

The spectators began to murmur Joo Soohyuk’s alias at the sight.

“It’s the Wings of Backlight, of course.”

Wings of Backlight. 

The alias was known to have two meanings.

The first one manifests now. 

When Joo Soohyuk holds his sword low and then unleashes energy waves with his dual swords, it looks like wings turned against a source of light.

The second meaning references Joo Soohyuk’s genius swordsmanship.

‘The word ‘backlight’ in Chinese characters can also mean going against the light. And Joo Soohyuk’s swords are called Two Light Wings.’

A sword that defies light.

Joo Soohyuk’s alias refers to a sword capable of changing the flow of light.

His talent shone like sunlight.

Fwaaat!

One of his swords cut through the device on Jin Jungmok’s sword which sprayed black smoke, while the other stopped in front of the latter’s solar plexus.

When the device stopped and the black smoke disappeared, Jin Jungmok’s sword flew through the sky.

“Stop!”

Professor Ham Geunhyung determined the winner and announced the result.

“Joo Soohyuk wins!”

Woaaah!

Cheers burst from everywhere.

Joo Soohyuk shook hands with Jin Jungmok and smiled at the audience.

Even though he put away his swords and energy waves he shone like the sun was behind him.

He waved to the kids in our class, and they applauded even more enthusiastically.

* * *

After class.

Most students discussed Joo Soohyuk and Jin Jungmok’s battle.

Since there weren’t many students who could fully keep up with the two’s movements, there were various requests for explanations, prompting the newspaper department to immediately publish a special article.

‘Jin Jungmok was happy despite his loss too.’

He looked happier than ever during the interview.

The reason why he kept challenging people wasn’t just to chase the joy of victory.

It seemed like he was looking for someone to ask for advice.

— My first goal has been achieved, but I plan to continue battling in the future.

Jin Jungmok plans on training based on what he learned today, but he has no intention of giving up on dueling.

I think Professor Ham will continue to be his referee.

Joo Soohyuk finished the interview with a perfect attitude, as befits a player who frequently deals with the media.

After the interview, Joo Soohyuk asked me.

— Euishin-ah, what did you think when you saw the battle?

It was a masterpiece match worthy of the perfect title hero.

I didn’t have enough time or capability to fully express these feelings, so I kept it simple.

Joo Soohyuk smiled and said,

— I learned a lot when sparring with Dain. I’ll grow by improving those points. I’ll become much stronger than now.

I was moved by Joo Soohyuk’s words.

I don’t think it will be too far off for the Joo Soohyuk of this world to become stronger than my PMH playable character version.

It’s heartwarming to know that he won’t do it alone but with Ahn Dain.

I felt good just thinking about the interview all day.

Hwang Jiho said something when he saw my face, but it didn’t seem positive so I didn’t keep it in mind.

When I was about to return to my dorm room with a happy heart…

“Thank you for your hard work, our Vice President.”

“I was just doing my job.”

I ran into familiar people as I walked back along the trail.

It was Gong Cheonghwon and Eunho.

The two seemed to be talking about an event being prepared by Class 1-0.

‘Eun Seoho said they were preparing it in secret, but it looks like Gong Cheonghwon already found out.’

Eunho asked Gong Cheonghwon to feign ignorance, and the latter accepted.

Eunho gave another report.

I missed the timing to say hello so I watched from a few steps away.

“I heard you take charge of patrolling Eungwang District and nearby areas during your rest days.”

After finishing the report, Eunho spoke in a soft tone.

Gong Cheonghwon smiled kindly and answered.

“It seems like students also mistook a walk for a patrol.”

“Was it just a simple walk?”

Eunho’s tone was soft, but I felt a chill run down my spine.

It felt similar to when he’d call me That Word.

“It’s quite difficult to call a subduction of an illegal item trafficking site, discovering a secret royal lineage hideout, and removing harmful energies after otherworld spawns without safety equipment, as a walk.”

Eunho and Gong Cheonghwon were smiling, but it was difficult for me to do so.