The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 296

Karma (6)

Today’s American daily newspaper, already published, but not yet reported domestically.

I even considered asking Hong Ki-joon for help.

I shook my head.

– “It’s judged that it might be safer for you to slowly regain your memories like that. The backlash of time and space turns weak and insignificant humans into madmen. Didn’t you also wander emotionally for the first few years?”

That’s what the shadow said when it appeared in Jin-hyuk’s dream to reconfirm his request, after going back through history at Jin-hyuk’s request.

Even without the shadow’s words, Jin-hyuk could sense Hong Ki-joon’s fatigue.

He was someone who rarely expressed his difficulties due to the weight and responsibility he carried for the world, but the daily emails had decreased, and he seemed to be avoiding phone calls. He was even keeping the keychain to give it to him in person, but he didn’t know when he would come. So, the gift for Hong Ki-joon was still being kept.

“…Didn’t something like that happen at the golf course back then? A weasel took my ball…”

Even if it was vague, it was normal to remember if given such a hint, but he was also saying things that were not in Jin-hyuk’s memory.

‘Is it something like the aftereffects the shadow mentioned? Is there no way to cure it?’

He asked the shadow, but it was in vain.

– “My consciousness is only connected to you as a human. Understand that looking into that world is just an act of power, not wandering around like an animal.”

It meant he saw the world like a spy satellite or a witch looking into a crystal ball.

Well, that’s what he said, but there wasn’t a suitable method that came to mind right now.

“Please rest a bit.”

“I’m healthier than ever. Don’t worry.”

He was so adamant, there was nothing he could do by force.

The only thing he could do was to reduce the things he relied on Hong Ki-joon for, to lessen his burden.

He contacted reporter Kim Yu-deok.

His intention was to mention the column and request that the metaphors be removed and reported accurately. Even if it was distributed domestically, the impact of public broadcasting could not be ignored.

‘Hong Ki-joon said there might be a way to tame them, but wouldn’t it be okay for me to use my connections in my own way?’

It was also a measure to prevent his parents from being hurt by the reactions of those who would encounter the translated version.

– Leave it to this older sister. It’s not even something you need to ask. Actually, we also acknowledge it. We have to pick sensational titles to make it interesting when we directly translate foreign news. Still, you owe me one…

Owe her one?

This nationwide capitalist beggar, ah, like a reporter.

Jin-hyuk’s expectations were not wrong.

Kim Yu-deok used her connections to help Jin-hyuk. Not only that, but she also took the microphone herself and promoted General’s technology in front of the camera.

‘I didn’t ask her to promote it? Ah, is that what it is?’

What started as a precaution brought a favorable wind.

The chemical companies and footwear companies that received material technology from General were accelerating the development of shoes tailored to the characteristics of the athletes.

As athletes began to make remarkable progress wearing shoes that were only prototypes, athletes from other sports also began to knock on the doors of the companies.

The influx of foreign athletes began in earnest soon after. Since they weren’t made for just anyone, it was the proper effort to put in.

Still, the one who was always ahead was Jin-hyuk.

“World Record 9.63s”

Once the technology was transferred, it remained stagnant for a considerable period. For footwear companies that did not have the capacity to develop their own, they could become anxious about being chased by foreign companies.

However, the General Research Institute did not stop. In particular, Hwang Ga-yoon encouraged other researchers for Jin-hyuk and sped up the clock. They developed functional materials by gathering opinions from Jin-hyuk and other athletes and expedited testing.

It was also for the business partner companies, but it was also an effort for the athlete who had established himself as a symbol of Korean sports.

Therefore, the forefront of technology was also Jin-hyuk’s spikes.

In addition to the shoes at the pinnacle of technology, Jin-hyuk’s body, which had witnessed a realm beyond the limit, was also advancing. He stepped into the realm and awakened his brain every day, like climbing to the top of Gubong Mountain [a mountain in Korea].

‘Training like it’s the real thing.’

He had taken it lightly, saying it was just a formality. It was a cliché phrase that he just passed over, thinking that’s how it should be.

He also thought that it was for the purpose of maintaining tension and preventing accidents in the military.

‘Coach Seo Pil-gu’s words that you have to train like you’re dying to survive must have meant this.’

Now it came with a different meaning, and the weight of the words was felt.

He had been arrogant, thinking what more training could be added here.

However, there was still a process of tightening the heart with tension and pressure like in a real battle, and sharpening concentration fiercely.

“Training takes a long time. You tend to divide your stamina more than during a competition. If you train like a competitive race, you’ll die.”

That’s what Ato Bolden, whom he met at the World Championships, said.

[Kooom-!]

However, Jin-hyuk trained like a player who had to die to live, following Seo Pil-gu’s words.

“Do you know why the best record is the best record? Because it only comes out once in a while. Even if you search the world, the only athletes who maintain close to their best records are Fredericks and me. Even if there are many fast runners coming out of Korea, just look at how they fall back into the 10-second range in the next competition. Maintaining it is really hard.”

Jin-hyuk was also one of the athletes who couldn’t maintain his record.

Of course, in a different sense.

[Kuuuum-!]

Leeeeeeeeee-!

“New World Record!”

“9.59s”

“SON”

“KOREA”

Even as spring fully arrived, flowers bloomed in the yard, and butterflies fluttered, Jin-hyuk’s sprint did not stop. He ran along the straight track, stepping up the stairs to the realm.

“Again! Again! Again! New record! How far will Son Jin-hyuk’s sprint go!”

“Conquering the World Championships following the Olympics!”

“The national anthem echoed at the Athens World Athletics Championships”

He had guessed that celebrities would have many inconveniences, and that athletes participating in big competitions would have to endure many things.

Once Jin-hyuk became a celebrity, he made even the competitions a natural part of his daily life.

When he put his athlete life into a part of his life, daily life and competitions naturally blended together.

And now, he wasn’t the only one going to competitions.

Son Kwang-yeon, who had some free time after dividing work with Yang Kang-wook, sat in front of the Go board for the first time in a while.

“Dad, next week there’s the Summer Taebaeksan National Middle and High School, whew-. The name is so long. Anyway, there’s a track and field competition.”

Min Yong-rak had left for Seoul last fall, so he was taking care of the schedule himself.

Yu Se-ra said she would send someone else, but seeing Min Yong-rak, whose marriage was delayed by two years compared to his past life, he thought it was something he couldn’t do and refused appropriately.

“Are you going to Chuncheon? Should I give you a ride?”

“No, it’s okay. You’re busy. I can go with my juniors on the school bus.”

Jin-hyuk, who had become a third-year student, was going to the competition with first-year students who were two years younger than him.

Thanks to the school becoming famous, students from other regions’ track and field teams were transferring to the school, and because there was no suitable transportation, they borrowed the ssireum [Korean wrestling] team’s bus. Then, they started using a chartered bus provided by the Sein Foundation for the Taeyang High School track and field team.

“Did the coach come?”

“No one wants to come because it’s too much of a burden.”

“I would be the same.”

Would there be anyone who would come to coach an athlete who had won the Olympics and World Championships alone?

From an outside perspective, it was an honor.

However, it was also a natural reaction for a coach to worry and fear that the athlete’s gaze towards the coach might not be respectful, or might contain distrust.

Even Seo Pil-gu, who was called a legend, shook his head.

Seo Pil-gu only reaffirmed his intention to remain as the director of the Yeouido training center, saying that he was not qualified to teach Jin-hyuk.

“So, I’m coaching the freshmen too.”

“Do they follow you well? Kids these days don’t listen.”

“They listen well. They’re like kindergarteners.”

When he thought of his juniors, who were sparkling in front of Jin-hyuk, he could only smile with amusement.

He couldn’t just relax because they were cute.

Because those juniors were rewriting the junior records by age that Jin-hyuk had set.

In addition, Shin Min-sung, a third-year student at Taeyang Middle School, had already broken the middle school 100m and 200m records that Jin-hyuk had set.

The boys’ record was held by a fifth-grader from Eodong Elementary School. His name was Kim Yo-seop, Kim Yo-han’s younger brother.

At this point, it seemed like it could really be called the home of track and field.

“Aren’t you disappointed? Your records have been broken. A reporter said that it was a record that wouldn’t be broken for thirty years. Are reporters really lacking in insight?”

Son Kwang-yeon scratched his cheek. Muttering that no one could have predicted that.

“Not at all. I’m stimulated and it’s good. I also feel the thrill of someone chasing me.”

It was the comfortable thrill that someone who was comfortably ahead enjoyed, like when he raced against Choi Mi-kyung and Chae Heung-bong.

“The feeling of being chased? Like a guinea fowl?”

“It’s similar. I feel a kind of pleasure every time someone breaks a record.”

Son Kwang-yeon, who was about to place a black stone on the Go board, squinted his eyes.

Feeling pleasure while being chased, is my son a pervert after all?

The world was turning frighteningly fast.

This was also the ripple effect created by the stone that Jin-hyuk had thrown.

The goosebumps on his body testified to what kind of impact one person’s actions could have on the world.

The speed at which his younger siblings were growing was also scary.

“Oppa-. When are you going to make the boat?”

“Eung-ah-. Jung-won. Boat. When are we going to ride it?”

And there was nothing scarier than the obsession of young children.

“Aah-. I’ll work on it again after the competition. Let’s play Go with Dad today.”

If he had to pick one thing that was slow in this world, it would be the boat production team that was working by hand.

It was something he had promised, so he intended to complete it, but it was too slow.

‘This must be my karma.’

The karma for talking carelessly about something he knew nothing about, because his heart had weakened when he saw his younger siblings.

Still, thanks to working on it steadily for over a year, the boat production was nearing its end.

***

When flipping the boat over, all the strong men staying at Son’s place were mobilized.

Jang Jin-nam, who was cooking, Joo Shin-young, who was picking and drying mugwort, and Yoo Jae-woon, who was exercising, were all dragged over.

“Suddenly?”

“You’re exercising for free, so you should help with that much. Your younger brother must have gained some strength too, right?”

“Ah, yes-”

Yoo Jae-woon was dragged by the scruff of his neck by his Oksu-dong senior, Joo Shin-young.

Under Jo Seul-chan’s supervision, Jin-hyuk also helped on one side.

“There, there- be careful, uncle, your instep might get hit! Be careful, that side is weak, so it’s leaning too much-.”

“I, I’m not an uncle-! Oh, it’s heavy-.”

Yoo Jae-woon protested with a whine, but it was a futile attempt.

“If you’re not an uncle, are you an old man? Why can’t you use your strength-.”

“The others are strangely strong. I’m also strong, whew-.”

“Ah, you’re using all your strength with your mouth-! Everyone else is using their strength with their mouths shut-.”

Damn it. Did the people living here graduate from some kind of nagging academy? They’re all eager to pick on him. Yoo Jae-woon grumbled internally.

Time passed again as they applied gel coat to the flipped boat, dried it, and then flipped it again.

Using white paint, they also wrote the boat’s name, which Yu-jin had made, in Gothic font.

“Turtle Ship”

It was a name that felt somehow uncomfortable.

Even though it was a square boat without a lid or a dragon head, Yu-jin, who was deeply impressed by the biography of Admiral Yi Sun-sin [a famous Korean admiral], insisted on that name.

“Wouldn’t Turtle Ship or Turtle Boat be better?”

“If we’re going to travel in space, ‘ship’ is more suitable. In the comic books that Uncle Jin-nam reads, they call space battleships something-ship.”

Well, that’s what she said, so they had no choice but to follow the client’s request.

Before the summer vacation, the Turtle Ship was finally completed.

Would it look similar to a panokseon [a type of Korean warship] if seen from the sky? It was just a square and long boat.

Wasn’t it the kind of shape that would float leisurely with a sail somewhere on the Han River?

“Oppa, hooray-!”

Launching the boat was also a difficult task.

Not because of the weight, but because it was difficult to balance due to its size.

It was the result of making it in the lawn garden without even thinking about launching it.

“Heave-! Heave!”

“One, two! One, two!”

Still, they safely landed it in the waterway without any accidents.

The strong men, who were drenched in sweat, sat down by the waterway and smiled with satisfaction. This must be why there’s a saying called human victory.

“Elder, that boat of yours, what is it, it looks like a beggar’s bowl-.”

“Hehehe-. Yes. In the old days, beggars used to go around begging with long wooden bowls.”

“Ohoho-. Is that so? Not with tin cans?”

“Chairman, in our countryside, even tin cans were precious-.”

Jo Il-heon, Cheon Gil-ryong, and Yoo Myung-sun were just watching the strong men working with satisfaction.

After all, the most enjoyable thing in the world was watching from the shade with makgeolli [Korean rice wine].

“It’s a truly good time-.”

Hehehehehe-.

Sasa-sak-!

Hehe-hek-!

Several fast animals ran roughly past the old men who were smiling contentedly.

Woof woof!

Hey, you bastards, stop! Let’s ride too!