The Spoon Villain Is Obsessed with the Hero Again Today - Chapter 66



The Man Who Doesn’t Believe in God (3)

Thanks to the urgent request, I could receive the new spoon by next week.

There was an additional fee, but still, being able to receive it before the exam was something. Right now, it’s a situation where I need to get the spoon back as soon as possible, even if I have to pay more.

Anyway.

The spoon problem seems to be roughly solved, so now it’s time to find a partner. I need a comrade to roll around the battlefield with me in this practical evaluation.

As I said before, my goal is to win the mock battle. Individual performance doesn’t matter much. As long as I can pass, that’s enough.

If I try to score points unnecessarily, I might end up hurting myself more. I’m already hospitalized, I can’t afford to get hurt more.

That would also be a nuisance to Choi So-eun, who is taking care of me.

As a result, the condition for the partner I want is someone much stronger than me. Not just ordinarily strong, but someone extremely strong. Someone who can easily crush the mock battle.

Unfortunately, the first option, Arna, was taken by the wretched Baek Joo-hee. So now I have to find the second option.

Fortunately, I have someone in mind. Not as strong as Arna, but a friend who can easily carry me.

─Now, exhale! One more time!

To meet that friend, I came directly to the fitness center.

Since it was afternoon, the fitness center was crowded. From students doing cardio to those lifting weights. I could also see the faces of PT trainers.

Personally, it’s not a place I like very much. I’m someone who is quite far from weightlifting.

─Slower! Your legs are coming down too fast! Rest for 30 seconds and then do another set!

I couldn’t tell if this was a gym or a training ground. Everyone was intensely focused on their workouts like they were preparing for battle. For a gym newbie like me, the fierce atmosphere was overwhelming.

It was almost like a dungeon.

“Oh, good. Your muscle mass has increased since last week. Now you can stick to the basics for weight training.”

Fortunately, this place wasn’t just filled with exercise equipment. There was also a space that resembled a lounge. I noticed tables, a water dispenser, and a large sofa.

“From next week, we’ll focus on flexibility exercises.”

In the lounge, there was Instructor Geum Gye-jun from the combat unit. As usual, he was wearing his Giants uniform.

He was guiding the students’ workout directions while looking at their body composition test results.

“Hmm?”

At that moment, Geum Gye-jun noticed me passing by. While everyone else was in workout clothes, I was the only one in uniform, so I naturally stood out.

“Oh, isn’t it Shin Yoon-seong? I think this is the first time I’ve seen you in the fitness room. Are you here to work out too? If so, this instructor will guide you with love…”

“I just came to find someone.”

The idea of lifting weights itself was dreadful, and having Geum Gye-jun as my personal trainer? That would be hell on earth. I realized this during the last training session when I received a fungo.

I’d rather fight monsters than work out with this guy.

Geum Gye-jun was someone to be cautious of in many ways.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

I quickly decided to leave before Geum Gye-jun could start talking. If I hesitated any longer, I might really get caught.

As I said before, this place was like a dungeon. I needed to stay alert.

─Alright, let’s finish with 5 sets of abs exercises!

I went further inside past the lounge. This area didn’t have any weight machines. The only equipment here were barbells and dumbbells.

Because of that, there weren’t many people around.

Thud─!

Except for one person.

“…”

I finally found him. My partner.

He was working out intensely, probably preparing for next week’s practical test. He was doing squats with a barbell by himself.

Thud─!

Every time he put the barbell down, the ground shook like there was an earthquake. It showed just how heavy that barbell was.

It was a weight I couldn’t even dream of lifting.

“Rashid.”

Taking advantage of a brief break, I called out his name.

Rashid Belkalem, a first-year combat soldier.

“….”

Rashid turned his head silently to look at me. He was a man with impressive bronze skin and thick lips.

But above all, Rashid Belkalem’s most notable feature was his monstrous muscles.

Standing well over 2 meters tall with a thick body, his presence was no joke. Just meeting his gaze made my flesh tremble.

It was like looking at a lineman from American football. If that giant body tackled me, not only my bones but also my organs would be shattered.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”

“….”

Rashid nodded once and then grabbed the barbell again. It meant that he would continue his workout, and I could talk comfortably from there.

His mouth was as heavy as his body.

“I heard you haven’t found a partner yet.”

There was no need for a long explanation. I decided to get straight to the point. For reference, Rashid was also a student taking the course.

“Let’s team up for this practical evaluation.”

Rashid’s skills were already proven. He had shown incredible performance in the last physical fitness test, setting new records in all events. Even Arna couldn’t do that.

And it wasn’t just his body that was impressive. His combat abilities were also quite decent. When we faced the demon Marcocias last time, I received Rashid’s help several times.

He was an excellent awakened one without a doubt. He would probably show great performance in this practical evaluation as well.

I intended to get on that bus.

Thud─!

Rashid finished a set of squats and put down the barbell. Then, the moment his tightly closed mouth finally opened.

“I. Won’t. Do. Evaluation.”

He boasted a deep voice that matched his huge body. And perhaps because he was still not fluent in Korean, he spoke in broken syllables.

Rashid was indeed a foreigner.

That aside….

“Won’t do the evaluation? What do you mean by that?”

An answer I had never expected came out. He said he wouldn’t take the test at all. Then there would be no point in attending the lecture.

This was the first time something like this happened.

Could it be that he misspoke?

“I. Won’t. Do. Evaluation.”

It didn’t seem like that. Rashid repeated the same words. He really didn’t seem to have any intention of taking the test.

“Why?”

I decided to ask the reason. It couldn’t be just because he didn’t feel like it. He must have his own reasons for not taking the evaluation.

Soon, Rashid spoke.

“I’m leaving.”

“Leaving? What do you mean?”

“School.”

“What?”

I was so surprised by his words that I pricked up my ears. In that state, I asked Rashid.

“Are you saying you’re dropping out of school?”

“Yes.”

Rashid nodded at my question. He seemed to have already made up his mind. There was no hesitation in his answer.

“….”

Rashid dropping out? This was completely unexpected. He was the most reliable person after Arna.

If Rashid leaves too, I might end up doing the practical evaluation with that tattooed guy.

I must prevent that at all costs. I can’t let go of my last lifeline.

“Rashid, you’re still a first-year student, aren’t you? I think it’s too early to decide to drop out.”

“I’m dropping out.”

“Isn’t it a decision you should make after at least a year?”

“I’m dropping out.”

“…Can’t you at least stay until next week? Just until the practical evaluation is over.”

“I’m dropping out.”

“Is that the only thing you can say?”

“I’m dropping out.”

“You bastard.”

Rashid kept repeating the same answer like a robot. Even a chatbot wouldn’t talk like this.

What kind of person is this? He didn’t seem normal either.

“Is there a special reason you’re in such a hurry to drop out?”

I asked Rashid, grasping at straws. If it was for a trivial reason, I would stop him right there.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

But Rashid refused to answer. Not only that, he even moved his thick legs and left the place.

“`

From noble mtl dot com

Thud. Thud.

It seemed like there was something he didn’t want to reveal to others. Otherwise, there would be no reason for him to avoid me.

“Hmm….”

His reaction made me feel a mischievous urge rising within me. Just like when I used to bother Arna, I felt an overwhelming desire to interfere. To keep him from leaving this school.

“Let’s go together.”

I decided to follow Rashid immediately.

Obsessing over someone is my specialty.

I decided to put that skill to use.

*

───

Battle: A-7

Clear Time: 00:17:42

* Second-year combat student Arna Kristindottir

───

“Whew….”

Indoor training ground. Arna had just finished a mock battle and exited the synchro room.

Afterward, she checked the battle record on her tablet.

“It’s 2 minutes shorter than last time.”

The original record of 19 minutes was already the shortest time in the school. But to set a new record again here.

Arna was showing terrifying growth day by day.

At this rate, she would probably complete the practical evaluation without any problems.

“Then next….”

Arna decided not to stop here and move on to the next battle. This time, she chose a slightly easier battle than before. Just to wrap things up.

─A mock battle, huh. Not bad. Mind if I join?

“…”

At that moment, Arna frowned without realizing it. It was because of a male voice that had just entered her ears.

This familiar voice, it was Shin Yunseong. He had come to the indoor training ground to bother Arna.

He was a really persistent guy. She needed to give him a stern talking to.

Arna immediately turned around.

“Why would I… with someone like you…! Oh…?”

“`

But Arna stopped speaking midway.

Upon closer inspection, Shin Yunseong was far away. Moreover, the words from earlier were not directed at Arna.

They were meant for someone else.

─I. Will. Do it. Alone.

─Don’t do that, let’s do it together. Anyway, isn’t the practical evaluation next week? We should practice together.

─I. Won’t. Do it. The test. I said. Earlier.

It turned out that Shin Yunseong was following Rashid. It seemed like he intended to team up with Rashid for the upcoming practical evaluation.

─Why is someone who won’t even take the test coming to the training ground? His words and actions don’t match.

But it didn’t seem easy. Rashid kept avoiding Shin Yunseong. On the other hand, Shin Yunseong kept trying to close the distance.

─You. Get out. Of the synchro room.

─No. I came here to train too. But this is the only room left.

─Then. I’ll. Leave.

─…Don’t be so harsh.

Who would have thought Shin Yunseong would cling to someone else? It was a rare sight. Wasn’t that something he only did to Arna?

─Shall we start lightly with A-7? There’s a new record today.

But now, Shin Yunseong didn’t care about Arna at all. Even though Arna was right in front of him, he showed no interest.

In fact, Shin Yunseong didn’t even know Arna was in the indoor training ground.

“Well, it’s good for me.”

It was literally true.

It was the best news for Arna. How much trouble had he gone through because of Shin Yunseong? Finally, it was the moment of liberation from the devil named Shin Yunseong.

He was finally free.

“….”

But why? His heart wasn’t as light as he thought it would be. Arna couldn’t feel any joy at all.

Rather.

It was a moment when his heart felt heavy.

Something, a feeling of melancholy.