Chapter 269

Unpredictable (5)

There was a time when the spirit of not giving up and fighting spirit were considered the highest values.

But as always, overambition brings trouble.

On the last day of adaptation training.

Jin Seon-kyu, with his hands on his hips and shaking his legs, muttered like a complaint.

“Who on earth came up with the phrase ‘no thoughts, no desires’?”

Jin Seon-kyu, who was highly motivated by his first Olympic appearance and training with American athletes, seemed to be in a state of obsession.

Simply put, Jin Seon-kyu struggled with image training and mind control.

“You need to change your way of thinking.”

“How?”

“If it’s hard to think of nothing, then think of just one thing. If you worry about everything, your head hurts, things get messy, and you end up with nothing. So, why not focus on one thing?”

“What do you focus on?”

“Senses.”

Jin Hyuk skipped the detailed explanation.

Who would easily believe it if he said he even used his sixth sense beyond the five senses to sharpen his hearing?

Jin Seon-kyu, who couldn’t face Jin Hyuk, looked around the track.

‘Senses…’

Bam bam bam-.

Clap-! Clap-!

Whack! Crack!

Athletes just running, athletes slapping their own cheeks, athletes shouting something.

Whoo-.

Was I too excited? In the heat where even sounds were muffled, Jin Seon-kyu’s muttering disappeared under the scorching sun.

“My mind is chaotic. Chaotic.”

Jin Hyuk silently left him alone.

‘You have to figure it out yourself.’

He’s a national representative, after all.

Who would give him advice?

They expected the coach and trainers to play that role, but they seemed to have done their duty by just checking on Jin Seon-kyu and Jin Hyuk, who were training fiercely with the American athletes. The satisfied expressions from afar were probably due to the presence of the American team.

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll do conditioning training, right?”

“Yes.”

Jin Hyuk named the training starting the next day as ‘Next Level.’

The adaptation training until today was a laid-back training.

Training moderately, resting moderately.

Next Level training involves short training sessions and long rests.

Once in the morning, once in the evening. It was scheduled to match the competition rhythm.

Although they reached the same point every day, Jin Hyuk expected to experience dead points several times during those short training sessions.

It’s not about thinking ‘I might die,’ but ‘let’s die.’

“If you’re warmed up, let’s go.”

“Alright.”

When Jin Hyuk and Jin Seon-kyu finished warming up, the seemingly innocent American athletes approached like gangsters.

Thump thump-.

Four neighborhood thugs.

Jonathan Drummond, Jeff Williams, Dennis Mitchell, Michael Marsh.

“Hey-! Sun and Kyu!”

When the training started, Jin Seon-kyu was the first to drop out. Muttering that he needed to clear his mind.

Next was his close idiot friend Jonathan Drummond, who came looking for Jin Seon-kyu, puffing.

Puff puff-.

“This is damn hard!”

Next was the 100m athlete Dennis Mitchell.

“Hey, Jon! Here comes the guy with weak stamina!”

Jeff Williams, sweating profusely, pointed at Dennis Mitchell and chuckled.

And then.

“Here comes another one!”

Soon after, Jeff Williams also dropped out, shaking his head. Raising his hand and pointing at his head with his thumb.

The last two were Michael Marsh and Jin Hyuk.

Sprint training, twisting the waist and lifting the thighs during sprints, side-stepping to rotate the hips and waist flexibly for balance. They did 30 sets, but Jin Seon-kyu, Jonathan, Dennis, and Jeff couldn’t handle the program and dropped out.

After enduring the tough training, Jin Hyuk, with a flushed face, spat out words.

“Michael, let’s do the final training. We have training tomorrow, right?”

“Of course.”

They wore domestic spikes used in national competitions for training.

It seemed better not to reveal secret weapons during the local adaptation period.

For the final exercise, they boldly wore the running shoes made by Jin Hyuk’s dad.

The upper that tightly grips the foot and the cushioning that relieves foot fatigue.

If mass-produced, it could be a hit product that dominates the global sneaker market. Just need to improve the design a bit.

“Son, I’ve been watching, your shoes are unique. They look good.”

“My dad made these.”

The design is a bit ugly, though.

The design is weirder than the old Super Comet.

The upper, made of multi-layered compressed synthetic fibers, looks like knit from above but takes the shape of the toes when worn. Of course, they were made based on Jin Hyuk’s feet.

“Wow, your dad is a shoemaker?”

“No, my dad threatened—asked a shoemaker to make them.”

“Those shoes look very comfortable. The design isn’t that nice, though.”

Yeah, I know the design sucks.

Jin Hyuk took off the shoes and handed them to Michael.

“Want to try them?”

Try, try.

“Will they fit?”

Probably. Your feet are similar to mine. Jin Hyuk nodded.

“Wow-.”

Michael, wearing Jin Hyuk’s running shoes, let out an impressed exclamation.

Then he strongly kicked the ground and jumped up.

Thud! Thud!

“I could compete in these!”

Hey, stop jumping, you’ll tear them. Those are unique-grade items, man!

There’s only one in the world, so they’re unique-grade, right?

Reading Jin Hyuk’s anxious eyes, Michael quietly took off the running shoes. Regretfully smacking his lips.

“Can I order one?”

“Contact me after the Olympics.”

While Michael was still interested in Jin Hyuk’s running shoes, Jin Seon-kyu and the other athletes joined for the final exercise.

They were also interested in Jin Hyuk’s running shoes, but each criticized the design.

“Are these shoes from hell?”

“Korean Nikes?”

“Oh, God. What did you do to these shoes?”

Clown Jonathan crossed the line.

“What kind of idiot made this trash?”

“My dad…”

Watch your mouth, or you’re dead, you jerk.

He probably didn’t mean it, so Jin Hyuk didn’t scold him, but he felt pretty sucks.

“Ah-, sorry. The words ‘idiot’ and ‘trash’ I used—”

“Mean idiot and trash, right?”

Jonathan’s attempt at humor failed.

“Uh-, yeah, right. Anyway, I didn’t mean anything by it. Hope there’s no misunderstanding.”

“It’s fine. Let’s leave it at that.”

Jin Hyuk raised his hand and chuckled, and Jonathan finally relaxed.

“Hey guys, I tried these shoes, and they’re amazing. Light and with great cushioning.”

Michael Marsh quickly gave a review to change the mood.

Everyone listened to Michael’s review and went ‘Ohh-‘ in admiration.

“So, what they said was…”

“Ah-. They said something about hell and Jesus, so I roughly understood.”

Jin Hyuk was more out of breath translating the American athletes’ reactions to Jin Seon-kyu than during the training.

*

When they finished training and were about to leave, Jonathan Drummond called out.

“Son and Kyu! Starting tomorrow, it’s Next Level warm-up, right?”

Did they really get CIA intel? How do they know the training schedule?

Jin Hyuk, puzzled, realized Jin Seon-kyu was avoiding his gaze.

This senior is quite talkative.

He’s been hanging out with Jonathan for days to improve his English and seems to have spilled everything.

“If it’s okay, come inside. Go to the football field you see there. No filming. There are athletes from other sports.”

“Is that okay?”

“Sure. Kyu and I are friends. You’re my friend too.”

What, he’s almost an old man.

Jin Seon-kyu, hearing Jin Hyuk’s translation, readily nodded.

“Great! Special treatment! Alternating between indoor and outdoor is good for the body.”

Jin Hyuk agreed with Jin Seon-kyu’s reaction.

The more partners, the more enjoyable the training, not just the environment.

Especially since they’re all bound by the greatest interest in short-distance track and field.

Jin Seon-kyu shouted with a much louder voice than when he first met them.

“Damn! Damn thankful, you jerk!”

“No problem, Kyu!”

After the American athletes left, Jin Hyuk cautiously said.

“Senior, Drummond is probably two or three years older than you.”

“Eh-, what does it matter? This is America. Land of freedom! Age doesn’t matter here!”

Jin Seon-kyu spread his arms and raised his voice as if to show off.

Other foreign athletes looked like they were wondering if they were fighting, but he didn’t care.

‘This person’s tension changes are incredibly dramatic.’

I guess for track athletes, the track is home. He was quiet and calm when on the plane and unpacking at the mansion, but his tension rose excessively as training continued.

It contrasts with the morning when he blamed himself for not being able to clear his mind.

‘It’s a good sign.’

Not only those who run together in a marathon are pacemakers. Those who help with mental stamina management can also be pacemakers.

For someone like Jin Seon-kyu, performance can improve or decline depending on how those around him control him.

Having led teams and cared for members, and taught athletes, Jin Hyuk knew this.

‘I’ll take care of him.’

Jin Hyuk, holding the handle of the wheeled icebox, caught up with Jin Seon-kyu, who was leading with clothes and towels.

And he patted his shoulder twice.

Tap tap-.

“Good job. Kyu.”

“Jin Hyuk, that’s a bit…”

“Freedom, Kyu-.”

Freedom is good.

Didn’t Mel Gibson shout ‘Freedom’ in Braveheart?

Let’s match each other.

“Jin Hyuk, but between us—”

“Hmm? Here is America.”

Jin Seon-kyu shook his head, laughing as if he couldn’t handle it.

“It’s hot. Let’s go home, wash up, and take a nap.”

“Go go go-.”

He didn’t outright use informal speech with Jin Seon-kyu, just expressed it in an American way. So, he didn’t feel much guilt.

‘Hmm-. It’s strangely fun?’

This is all Jin Hyuk’s noble effort to maintain Jin Seon-kyu’s tension.

Really.

“Kyu! Let’s go-!”

Jin Hyuk, getting more excited as the other responded, was fooling around.

Jin Seon-kyu, as if remembering something, asked Jin Hyuk’s back as he walked ahead.

“Hey, is Yoo-jin doing well?”

“Yeah, she bragged about eating a hamburger at Disneyland at lunch.”

Again?

***

A month parasitizing a human body is quite a long time.

‘Hamburger.’

‘Let’s eat a hamburger.’

‘Baby, hamburger.’

‘You want a hamburger now. You want a hamburger now…’

The shadow that accepted Son Jin-hyeok’s request possessed Son Yoo-jin.

The original purpose was just to watch. It was planned to appear only when Son Jin-hyeok desperately sought it, but watching Son Yoo-jin, it was planned to activate constantly.

But there was a problem.

The power dwelling in Son Yoo-jin’s body was too weak.

This is troublesome.

Although the shadow only touched this world, connecting could harm Son Yoo-jin, just as Son Jin-hyeok fainted or had nosebleeds due to the shadow’s presence.

Possession was chosen as an alternative to avoid threatening Son Yoo-jin’s life, who was young and physically weak.

Possession here doesn’t mean controlling someone else’s body or transferring a soul.

The shadow’s method was to silently lower its presence to nothingness and stay as a part of consciousness. Like a multi-soul, perhaps.

Sharing Son Yoo-jin’s senses was necessary.

Sharing senses like sight and hearing was essential to recognize threats.

Other senses and emotions were also shared, but anyway.

During Hong Soo-jung’s middle school interview, the shadow helped Son Yoo-jin understand English.

It was a consideration for a child curious about the conversation.

“Wow-. That teacher said Soo-jung unni speaks English well. She said she could enroll right away.”

“Yoo-jin, did you understand all that?”

Hong Soo-jung, Yoo Se-ra, and Yang Gang-wook’s eyes widened.

“Did eating a lot of hamburgers do that? I heard it-.”

The ability would disappear once the shadow left.

It’s like how a human returns to their original state after a spirit leaves their body.

‘Baby, your body temperature is too high. You need rest.’

When inducing actions, hints were given.

This was also a choice to minimize the impact on Son Yoo-jin. Directly speaking or giving orders could confuse her.

“It’s hot-.”

“Right? Want something cool to drink?”

Sharing the body’s senses, the shadow also enjoyed the pleasure.

‘Baby. What’s that. Drink another cup of that black, fizzy drink.’

It was a drink that didn’t exist in the shadow’s world.

Fortunately, Son Yoo-jin also liked it, so refill hints were given without hesitation.

‘Hot dog.’

‘Hamburger. One more hamburger.’

‘Cola.’

‘Stop eating.’

The child’s stomach was about to burst, so she had to resist eating more.

Seeing the world through a child’s eyes was indeed enjoyable.

Everything was bigger than her, so looking up at the world she usually looked down on was refreshing, and wandering the vast land confined to a slow child’s body was also a small pleasure.

“Wow-! It’s so huge!”

It was called Disneyland.

A place where humans wearing animal masks work and those without masks play.

I should make one too.

After staying for a few days and absorbing Son Yoo-jin’s admiration and excitement, I naturally fell in love with it.

The laughter of humans mixed with music was noisy, but the shadow’s ears perked up at the sound of happiness.

But an unexpected problem arose.

The problem from sharing senses wasn’t just Son Yoo-jin’s bulging stomach from hamburgers.

“Ahhhhh!”

【Ahhhhh!】

In the haunted house, they let out a scream from another world.

Even the shadow, overlooking the world, didn’t expect to make a mistake in this tiny world. When Son Yoo-jin screamed, it was an inevitable reaction as a merged existence.

“Wow-. I was scared-. Team Leader Bear was scared too, right?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yeah, heehee-. You screamed-. I heard it.”

“Oh, I did. Well, it’s scary.”

Thanks to the bear-shaped human yawning beside the child, the crisis was averted.

But soon another crisis came.

Screaaaaam-!

Whoooosh-.

What’s that noise.

“Yoo-jin, let’s go ride that.”

“Yeah, heehee-. It’s scary-.”

“It’s okay. When will we come again?”

“Oh! Right! Life is only once, my brother said-.”

That woman.

The reason the right person could last 300 years, could exist.

Thank you, woman.

If I can repay you, what’s the big deal about hanging out with you?

…No, Son Yoo-jin was dragged along, so as a merged existence, I had no choice but to go.

‘Fear is an illusion without substance. Overcome it.’

I gave that hint, but Son Yoo-jin was scared, so as a merged existence, I was scared too.

Eyes and legs weren’t mine, but the shadow, closing its eyes tightly, was pulled by Hong Soo-jung’s hand and stumbled onto the ride.

The roller coaster.

“Kyaaaaaa-!”

【Kyaaaaaa-!】

A month in a human body is quite long.

“Ughhh-! Kyaaaaaa-!”

【Ughhh-! Kyaaaaaa-!】

Two weeks left.

“Mommy-!”

【Mommy-!】

I’ll never possess again.