Entering the Game with a Cheat Physique

Episode 46 Answer

Episode 46 Answer

I’m dreaming.

A world built by mechanized civilization.

Giant buildings standing in rows, swarms of office workers in suits walking around.

They hold coffee cups in their hands, exhaust from cars rising into the sky.

Earth, modern-day Korea.

I, born there, was no different in personality from others my age, just ordinary.

A favorite girl idol, a favorite computer game, even favorite foods—everything was just like any other boy at that age.

But there was one special thing about me.

—You have talent, Youngwoon.

Was it that I was the inheritor of a secret lineage passed down in Korea?

The Zodiac Twelve Fists.

A martial art that originated in China and came to Korea.

So unfamiliar by modern Korean standards—so outlandish that you’d be laughed at for mentioning it.

In a world where nobody trains in martial arts anymore, in a world of advanced firearms.

There were still those who sincerely revered *mu* (武, martial arts).

And one of them was me.

—Well done. Youngwoon, I’ve never seen anyone learn so quickly.

The one they called Grandmaster praised me that way.

Youngwoon.

My name from my past life.

They said it was easy to remember because it sounded similar to “hero.”

I had joined the Zodiac Twelve Fists sect initially by pure chance, but unexpectedly, it was a good fit for me.

Throwing punches, kicking out legs, controlling breathing.

Nothing was difficult, and it came easily.

The Grandmaster said I was “a rare talent, seldom seen these days.”

He said that in modern times, when only children born without talent for *mu* were emerging, my appearance was fate.

And so, he taught me with enthusiasm for ten years.

—I’m leaving.

I said that.

I wasn’t interested.

What was the point of continuing to learn martial arts like this?

I had no desire to ascend to the celestial throne with my fist techniques, nor to compete with others in martial arts.

I was just curious.

‘What can I do with this power?’

How could *mu* be of help to me?

“Why are you leaving,” they said, telling me not to waste my talent. I brushed aside their pleas.

Leaving the sect behind, I stepped out into society.

Before I knew it, I was twenty, an adult.

…Of course, it wasn’t easy.

From a young age, my body was one with martial arts.

Compared to the kids who lived normal school lives, in society, a guy like me was way behind.

Not that I was particularly disheartened though.

Anyway, it’s true that it wasn’t smooth sailing.

And then, I happened to meet a person.

─Oh, young man. You’re quite sturdy. Perhaps you’d be interested in working at our school?

An old man, past his prime.

He offered with eyes that shone brightly,

His spirit was so unusual, it reminded me of the people from the sect for a moment.

─Sure, why not.

My contemplation was brief.

He didn’t seem like an ordinary person either.

And school life had always intrigued me.

That time I never experienced.

Even if not as a student, if I could observe it as a teacher.

I was somewhat excited to see what I’d feel.

…Private Taeguk Sports High School.

The school I learned about later was a very famous, prestigious school in Korea.

A popular school that produced prominent figures in the sports world nationwide.

Soccer, baseball, volleyball, figure skating, archery, swimming─

Every single one had graduates from Taeguk High.

It was natural for me to start to worry even before I started.

‘Can I really do this?’

Me, who had lived only training martial arts, could I really handle teaching at this prestigious school?

Those were the doubts I had, on my first day standing before the class.

─Wow.

The students’ reactions were, well, pretty receptive.

—He’s handsome. How old is he?

—Wow, look at his body. Amazing.

—I’m so glad I came to this school.

It seemed like there wouldn’t be a problem.

I thought that much.

*

It’s raining.

Swishhh…

Silence hangs heavy over Olympia Academy.

The tragedy that had unfolded just a few days ago.

The circus troupe, Monsteez, failing to control their monsters.

The resulting battle of the students.

Many students were hurt, some with dangerous injuries.

They did manage to defeat all the monsters in the end, but the chaos that had occurred was not easily forgotten.

Every student in the academy talked amongst themselves, reliving the fierce battle of that day.

However, those who had been injured—they weren’t even allowed to chat.

Receiving treatment in the academy’s temple, they couldn’t move, they couldn’t go out.

Thus, their friends fret and wait outside.

A time of patience where not even visits are permitted.

A rule that is no exception for anyone, and Barry Rosemary knows it all too well, to the point of boredom.

“Haaah…”

Swishhh…

She pushes through the steadily falling rain.

Her opened umbrella splashes rainwater.

She made her way through the downpour.

Her destination, the temple.

Her friend was there.

Or rather, two of them.

—Will they be alright…

— Shit, if I hadn’t been careful, I could’ve been there too.

— Can’t we visit? I’m begging you.

At the temple entrance, several students were milling about,

Those waiting for their friends to recover, those begging for a visit.

Pushing through the crowd, Berry finally found her.

A woman with long, cherry-blossom pink hair.

Penell Moira, Berry’s irreplaceable friend, stood there, holding an umbrella, lost in thought.

“Penell.”

Splish, splash.

Footsteps in the rain-soaked ground.

Berry quickened her pace, almost urgently.

“…You’re here again?”

“……”

“Just calm down and let’s go home. Okay? You know waiting like this won’t change anything….”

How many days has it been now?

The day Herak defeated the monster ‘Nemean Lion’.

Since that day, Herak has been hovering between life and death.

The reason is unknown.

Princess Helene said that at first, she thought he had just fainted.

But that wasn’t the case.

Herak Leonhardt, as if his body’s balance was completely broken, vomited blood and never got up again.

It’s been… over a week now since he was admitted to the temple.

During that long time, Penell has been waiting endlessly.

Standing blankly at the temple entrance.

“Penell. You’ll catch a cold doing this. Okay? You have to take care of yourself…”

Despite Berry’s pleas, Penell doesn’t respond at all.

Her pink eyes, fixated on the temple, not even glancing at her friend.

Berry couldn’t help but feel frustrated by this.

‘Even if he’s precious to you….’

What’s the point if you don’t take care of yourself?

She wanted to nag, badly, but in the end, she swallowed the words.

Her heart was wavering, too.

“Haa.”

Berry also turns her gaze toward the temple.

Herak is there.

The academy chairman, Athena, arriving late at the scene, quickly scooped him up and ran into the temple.

She disappeared inside without even a chance to explain the situation, and hasn’t come out since.

No one knows what the hell is going on, so rumors are spreading among the students.

He’s actually the chairman’s hidden son, or they’re having an affair, Herak’s connections are extraordinary…

Some were even close to the truth, adding to the confusion.

“…You.”

A hoarse voice breaks out.

Penel’s reaction, which had been nonexistent until now.

Berry immediately responded with vigor.

“Yeah. What is it?”

“Back then, not going to Herak… don’t you regret it?”

“……”

When she says “back then,” there’s no need to ask.

The monster circus tent.

The place where the most brutal fighting occurred next to where Herak was.

Penel and Berry, having waited there as Herak had requested, had diligently taken down the monsters.

Yeah, up until then, they had believed it.

That their actions would be of help to Herak.

That, as a result, if they were even praised by him, they’d be so happy they wouldn’t be able to sleep.

They’d been happy with such imaginings even though it was hard—

“…I didn’t know. While I was looking forward to Herak’s praise, that kid was fighting with death on the line. How stupid am I?”

“Penel. It’s not your fault.”

“If I had gone to help Herak right away… wouldn’t he have been in so much danger?”

In the end, that’s what’s hurting Penel’s heart.

Regret.

The guilt of not being able to help when the man she loved was teetering on the edge of death.

That became a thorn in her friend’s heart.

“…It’s not like that.”

Berry felt the same way.

She was no different.

She had headed to the circus after Herakles asked her to, just like Penelope.

If there was guilt, then they were both accomplices.

“Herakles asked you directly. There must have been a reason.”

“……”

“Instead of getting this upset, I think he’d rather see you smiling prettily when he comes back, don’t you? ”

“……Heh. That’s right. You’re right.”

Had Berry’s sincerity gotten through?

Finally, Penelope let out a big sigh and gave a heart-wrenching smile.

It was a sign that she’d accept it, though bittersweet.

Berry, finally breathing a sigh of relief, urged her friend.

“Let’s go already. You’ll get cold. Ah, should we go to ‘Golden Apple’ for some tea?”

“……Berry. By the way.”

“Huh? What is it?”

Now that her mood had lifted, Berry was determined to respond warmly to anything.

With that single-minded thought, Berry smiled at Penelope, only to be hit by an unexpected blow.

“You, did you confess to Herakles?”

“Pffft!”

A cough.

She choked, completely caught off guard by the question.

“Cough, cough, cough……”

She was so flustered that her umbrella shook.

Rain splattered all over her glasses, but she didn’t even think to wipe them, just stared at Penelope.

She couldn’t believe it.

“You, you, how did you……?”

How did she know?

A confession, well, maybe not quite a confession, but I definitely think I expressed my feelings to Herak in my own way, but how─

“Well… we’re old friends, and we’re both girls.”

Penel just smiled with ease.

Like a rival in love, standing a step above, she smiled at her friend.

“I can tell just by your behavior. The way you’re subtly concerned about Herak—if you can’t see that, you should just give up on romance.”

“Ha, haha… Yeah. I guess so…”

*Drip.*

A bead of sweat trickled down Berry’s cheek.

‘I didn’t expect to get caught this quickly.’

Of course, she thought it would be known, that she *had* to reveal it.

But she thought that day would be later.

To have her innermost feelings exposed right in front of her friend like this, it was unexpected…!

“U-uhm. So, what’s the big deal?”

But Berry also wasn’t about to back down now that she’d jumped into the dating fray.

A fire was already lit in the girl’s heart.

Once you start loving, you can’t back down.

Even if it’s your closest friend.

“Herak hasn’t chosen anyone yet, right? Then I still have a chance. Right? Don’t I?”

…Of course, even with that, the tremor in her voice couldn’t be helped.

No matter how brazen she tried to be, Berry was still human.

To tell her friend, who’d fallen in love first, that she would steal her man, it couldn’t help but prick her conscience.

“…”

After speaking, she shifted her gaze all around.

The time spent waiting for a reply, glancing at Penel.

The hellish silence ended and finally, Penel opened her mouth.

“Yeah. Go ahead.”

“…Huh?”

Such a clean admission.

Berry, flustered, asked Penel, who’d accepted her friend’s declaration of rivalry with such refreshing ease.

“A-are you serious? Penel, are you okay…?”

“Then of course I’m sane. What do you take me for?”

Penel takes a step forward.

Amidst the pouring rain, the elegant noble lady advances with light, graceful steps.

Something Berry, a commoner woman, could never imitate.

“I am a daughter of the Moira family. There has never been a time I haven’t obtained what I wanted, understand?”

It was the confidence inherent to a noblewoman.