The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 281

The Power User (5)

***

Gravity and the atmosphere.

External obstacles remaining for a superhuman whose body and soul are prepared.

Mastered skills, shoes packed with technology, and an otherworldly pace-setter tearing through the air, making it soft and pliable.

The other athletes were out of the picture.

There was no need to be psychologically shaken when the most reliable master was shouting for me to follow.

In a showdown with gravity that was akin to a rampage, Jin Sun-kyu’s over-pacing was practically a given.

Kkeuheoeok-.

The aftershock of chasing a monster to the death hit his entire body.

He vowed to lie down next time for the sake of his spikes’ safety, but he couldn’t after finishing the final.

Instead, he didn’t collapse either.

Hueoeoeok-.

Jin Sun-kyu’s eyes, looking at the electronic display, shook like someone startled by a ghost, like the first time he saw his girlfriend’s bare face without makeup.

Final.

1. Son. KOR. 9.67s

It was a record he would never have believed if the throbbing pain in his heart hadn’t told him it was real.

Oh my god.

Is that record really from the guy who was just this morning teasing the sky-high senior as ‘Chicken John Sun-kyu’?

Is that bastard really that bastard? Are you sure?

A record created by God.

From now on, the god Jin Sun-kyu believes in is the god of prison.

No, from yesterday.

2. Christie. GBR. 9.83s

3. Bailey. CAN. 9.84s

3. Jin. KOR. 9.84s

5. Fredericks. NAM. 9.89s

6. Boldon. TRI. 9.90s

7. Mitchell. USA. 9.91s

8. Marsh. USA. 9.99s

Hueok- hueok-.

Jin Sun-kyu, supporting his lower back to prevent it from snapping due to his upper body repeatedly arching back like he was doing back exercises, rubbed his eyes with his other hand.

Is that right…?

Hey…, what the hell am I supposed to say at a time like this?

I want to cry, but I shouldn’t.

Why are there two people in 3rd place?

Why is my name there?

If Jin-hyuk hadn’t given up his shoes, how would our two records have changed?

What kind of record would have come out if we were in different lanes?

And who is that old guy in 2nd place? He’s not a street performer, why is he still here and not dead?

Excluding 1st and 8th place, did three people come in holding hands? Is this the Seoul Olympics? And am I one of them?

The Yankee guys didn’t seem very close, but why are they close in the results?

Why… do all the numbers start with 9?

Why, why, why.

Endless question marks were drawn in Jin Sun-kyu’s eyes.

The main characters of the final stage were the tall guys.

And there was Jin Sun-kyu, who was less than six feet tall, tiptoeing and trying to join in.

Thanks to the developed video analysis technology, there is no joint 3rd place.

Unless the finish line and the two people’s chest lines are exactly aligned to the 1/1000th of a second, joint awards are not allowed.

The replay flowed on the electronic display.

Breathe- breathe-. Jin-hyuk’s mouth seemed to be saying that.

The leader, with his breathing adjusted to his narrowed stride, pursing his lips like a baby seeking milk.

The beasts in the center lanes, rushing at each other as if they would bite each other.

And Chicken John Sun-kyu, rampaging like a demon with a face flushed red, in lane 8 where resistance was minimized.

It must be because the officials were watching it over and over again.

That’s why they’re delaying the announcement even though it’s obvious.

However.

The crowd gathered in the stadium, and the viewers watching on TV, were already acknowledging it.

Kyu, you’re a medalist, Kyuuut!

Kkyuuuuuuuuuuuu-!

In the video, the scene where the chest of Jin Sun-kyu, the overheated engine, met the finish line before Rocketman, was captured in a still frame.

The finish line and the sensual midnight nice to meet you of the how-do-you-do.

The bronze medal belonged to Jin Sun-kyu.

His mind was clear due to the awakening effect of tension, but his vision was hazy.

He wanted to collapse because his legs were giving out, but he couldn’t.

Because there was something he absolutely wanted to do after finishing the Olympic final he had dreamed of.

To smile and greet his race partners.

That is sportsmanship, more precious than a medal. No, actually, the medal is more precious, but outwardly, sportsmanship is important. There are many eyes watching.

“Good job, Kyu-“.

“You brilliant-“.

“Fucking crazy guy-“.

“What an excellent leg handler!”

“Wonderful race.”

“Congratulations.”

Yeah, yeah, thank you, thank you, so much.

Thank you so much, you guys, enough to make a cow faint.

There were people from Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, and Namibia, but why are they all so good at English? I’m the only one who’s bad at English. The global distribution of Korean is urgent.

He hugged Rocketman Donovan, who would be the most disappointed at this moment, tightly.

After finishing his greetings, Donovan turned his back with a cool vibe and walked away, giving a thumbs up.

That guy’s cool.

A familiar language was heard from behind Jin Sun-kyu.

“You’ve worked hard.”

A foreigner… speaking Korean?

Ah, it’s Jin-hyuk.

The chariot that had fearlessly cleared away the invisible obstacles in front of Jin Sun-kyu, smiled shyly like a mischievous kid and reached out his hand.

Slap-.

Oh, god of prison-.

***

Is a person who keeps order even in joyful and overwhelming moments too lacking in humanity?

Still, there is an order to things.

Jin-hyuk led Jin Sun-kyu, who couldn’t accept reality, to the coaching staff.

Seo Pil-gu, with his eyes bloodshot, was blowing his nose with a handkerchief, and Kim Hyung-tak, who had been clapping his hands until they were on fire, stretched out his arms like a leader of a pseudo-religion announcing the rapture when two medalists approached. Repent!

“You did well! Long live Korea!”

Kkiyaaaaaaaa-!

Oppa-aaaaaang-!

From afar, Yu-jin, Yu Se-ra, Hong Su-jeong, Yang Kang-wook, Min Yong-rak, and the rest of the group sent enthusiastic applause.

Jin-hyuk suppressed the urge to fly over and hug them.

Not yet, not yet.

There is something that is always done when you win a medal, regardless of whether it is a developed or developing country.

A service for the people who have been sending their energy and praying from across the sea.

“Here! Take this! Chairman Yu Se-ra said she prepared this for today!”

The object Kim Hyung-tak handed over was a large Korean flag.

Jin-hyuk grabbed the right corner, and Jin Sun-kyu grabbed the left corner, and they ran.

Tap tap-.

Jin-hyuk, who was not tired at all, and Jin Sun-kyu, who had rearmed himself with mental strength, circled the track.

The black sky of Atlanta, the stadium as bright as day. On the red track where the lights and gazes were focused, the two Koreans became a huge white wind.

[The winner’s ceremony is in progress. Please clear the track for the winners.]

Ah, they even broadcast that.

When I watch TV, I always wondered what that broadcast was that comes out when the cameramen filming the athletes walk backwards, it must have been this.

Watching the staff and cameramen, who were scattering left and right like crabs that disappear when startled by people on the mudflats, Jin-hyuk, who was new to the Olympics, and Jin Sun-kyu, who didn’t understand what they were saying, were grateful for the host’s consideration.

The spectators in the stands responded by waving their respective national flags, and the athletes who were competing in field events inside the track also applauded.

When the Korean flag, fluttering like a Titan’s cloak, passed a certain point, the sound of crows filled the stadium.

One lap in one minute.

Kkiaaaaaaaa-!

Two laps in one minute and twenty seconds.

Kkiaaaaaaaa-!

Another minute, three laps.

Kkiaahak-!

For the sake of Yu-jin’s vocal cords, the ceremony was decided to end after one more lap.

Uweaek-!

Jin Sun-kyu’s lifespan is also important.

Still, Jin-hyuk had calmed his mind by listening to Yu-jin’s lion’s roar throughout the competition, and was able to run in a comfortable mood.

‘Yu-jin is the pace-setter and the champion.’

The Union Jack, which was created by combining the crosses symbolizing St. George of England, St. Andrew of Scotland, and St. Patrick of Ireland.

Well…, the origin of another country’s flag is not important.

Linford Christie approached, waving a large Union Jack.

“Hey! That’s a foul.”

“Who? Where? They said it’s a foul? Do I have to run again?”

Jin Sun-kyu, who somehow understood the word ‘foul’, was startled.

“They say the Korean flag is too big.”

“Ah, I am a sorry. I am a person called Sorry.”

Jin Sun-kyu, who had regained his usual composure, showed off his baseless English skills that he had learned from Yu-jin, with a completely unapologetic expression.

‘It is too big.’

It was a little bigger than four combined ping pong tables.

And what about the thickness and weight that had increased in scale?

Jin-hyuk’s shoulders were also stiff.

Due to the resistance of the flag fluttering and pulling from behind, Jin Sun-kyu almost fell over.

It was also a hardship to keep running because they couldn’t drag the sacred flag on the ground.

Unreasonable power user Yu Se-ra… Mother.

“Hey! I was shouting and running around during the last Olympics, aren’t you guys too quiet?”

Christie had hopped around the track after confirming his gold medal in the 92 Barcelona Olympics final. Raising his arms and encouraging applause.

This exuberant black man couldn’t understand why the guys who won the gold and bronze medals were just jogging.

“Jin-hyuk, what is that old man saying?”

“He’s saying why aren’t we shouting. He said he was excited and yelling.”

“Jin-hyuk…”

Jin Sun-kyu, trailing off, looked around.

Is there anyone watching? Oh my, there are so many.

He made eye contact with Jin-hyuk and asked.

“Am I… allowed to shout?”

“Yes, well…”

Why are you asking for permission for something like that?

It was a new feeling, but it seemed that people who had formed a bond with Jin-hyuk tended to become more dependent on him.

Jin Sun-kyu, who had been running tap tap, raised both arms high.

Behold the ultimate shouting of the nation of excitement!

“I’M NOT GOING TO THE FUCKING ARMYYYYYYYYY-!”

Kkiyaaaaaaaa-!

Yu-jin squeezed out the last of her strength to respond.

Jin-hyuk, who suddenly felt tired, closed his eyes tightly.

The person who dreamed of being an educator became too foul-mouthed after meeting Jonathan.

That’s why there’s a saying that you should be careful about who you befriend.

*

Although four world records were broken, they were just meaningless numbers if you weren’t in first place.

「WR 9.67」

With the flag draped over his shoulders. With his spikes tied by the laces around his neck, he knelt down next to the electronic display with the record and took a picture.

After the solo photo shoot, the finalists, who were enjoying their relief in their own ways, gathered to take a group photo.

Christie laughed heartily.

“Yo- brothers, this is our record.”

Who are you calling brothers, you look like an uncle. Ato Boldon grumbled, but it was a fact that everyone acknowledged.

It was a record that could not have been achieved without high-level competitors, a record they had created together.

Because that’s what records are.

Running side by side in competition creates a stronger synergy than cooperation that pushes and pulls.

Jin-hyuk hugged each of them and promised to meet again.

“See you in Athens next year.”

The World Athletics Championships next year will be held in Athens, Greece. It’s from August 1st, so there’s almost a year left.

“I won’t be able to see you.”

“Congratulations on your retirement, Lin.”

“I was able to finish well thanks to you, Son. I won’t forget it. Whenever you come to England or need my help-”

“Have you ever thought about being a coach in Korea?”

“Korea?”

Hooh-.

A rainbow leading to a new world unfolded for Linford Christie, whose only goal in life had disappeared.

“We’ll talk in detail later. I’ll call you after the competition.”

Although it’s hypothetical, Linford would be a perfect training partner and coach for Jin-hyuk.

*

He received his medal at the abbreviated awards ceremony.

It was heavy, big, and beautiful.

He turned his body following the guidance of the staff.

Towards the flagpoles that soared high and overlooked the stadium.

[Ladies and gentlemen, we will now have the flag raising ceremony and the national anthem. Please rise from your seats.]

It’s a strange sentence when translated directly.

Is it because they are from a culture with a strong sense of ownership that they keep saying they will ‘have’ something?

I understand the flag hoisting ceremony, but what is the national anthem?

The national anthem.

Ah, the national anthem.

Every time Jin Sun-kyu asked something, Jin-hyuk, who was standing at the top of the podium, turned his body to answer.

Those watching on TV must be wondering what they are talking about.

Two Korean flags, freed from the light, slowly rose like the sun and covered the night sky.

“May God protect our country, hurrah-”

The national anthem, heard in the magnificent stadium while all the spectators stood and watched the Korean flag, was different.

“Three thousand miles of hibiscus, a splendid land-”

Family, village, school, and now the nation.

Would it be too indifferent if a marginalized soul realized that it now belonged to the nation? Or is it just careless?

Jin Sun-kyu’s emotions, as he sobbed while singing the national anthem, were overlaid on Jin-hyuk’s heart.

“May the people of the sun, the sun, preserve it forever-”

Would the crow, who was singing a strange national anthem in the distance, realize what it feels like to belong to a nation?

Come to think of it, Jin-hyuk also thought that ‘the people of Korea’ in the national anthem was ‘the people of the sun’ until he was eight years old. What could he do when that’s how it sounded to a child’s ears?

“That way.”

A staff assistant pointed in the direction with his arm.

There, reporters and an on-site interviewer were waiting.

Jin Sun-kyu, who was walking ahead, twisted his waist.

“Jin-hyuk, we should have taken a picture biting the medal when we took pictures earlier.”

“That’s tacky.”

“You’re a country bumpkin.”

Shibal.

Is it okay to hit me with the truth just because you’re my senior?

I’ll see you when you fall asleep tonight.

I’m going to draw on your face this time.