Chapter 287

Earthling decided to move with others before the finals.

Starting with fixing the wild hairstyle of my mischievous younger sibling.

“Ouch, ouch, it hurts~.”

“You need to comb it neatly.”

Whenever time allows, Yoo Jin combs my sibling’s hair.

It was a task given by mom, who said not to let my sibling go around looking like a mess.

So, after arriving in Atlanta, I haven’t missed a single day. Even without mom’s constant reminders, combing and stroking my sibling’s hair helps calm my mind, aiding in mental control.

How well one handles pressure is also a crucial factor in performance. Athletes overwhelmed by stress and tension are already at a disadvantage before the race even starts. Those who fail to manage their condition often have underlying mental issues. In other words, the mind affects the body… well, it’s something everyone knows.

Thus, many athletes have hobbies that involve repetitive hand movements to calm their minds.

Jeff Williams, for instance, enjoys knitting…

‘Yoo Jong’s mom…’

…is what Kim Soon-bok calls Cha Yoo-jong’s mom from the neighboring village.

They say you must reap the rewards of your efforts.

I’ve already achieved enough.

The glorious achievement of standing on the podium with my teammates.

The growth as an athlete is also an undeniable accomplishment.

I’ve perfectly mastered the skill of pacing my stamina according to the set distance and pouring all my energy into it. I’ve also found a way to naturally synchronize my breathing with subtle changes in running technique without breaking the rhythm.

I’ve even equipped myself with the mental fortitude to enjoy the big stage rather than tremble before it.

‘I’ve also expanded my network.’

I’ve made connections with world-class athletes, promising future collaborations.

A social animal expanding its stage globally, beyond family, village, school, and nation.

‘Is it because of the finals? I feel lonely yet complicated.’

It’s not just because it’s the Olympics.

Even though I’ve always competed alone since high school, my feelings now are different from domestic competitions.

“If things go south, pretend to stagger and push with your shoulder. If you throw a shoulder bump, even Rambo would fly to the moon.”

It’s probably because Jin Seon-kyu, who talks nonsense about not being in the race, isn’t running with me in the finals.

“Hahaha, Uncle Seon-kyu is funny.”

It’s also because I’m afraid of disappointing Hong Soo-jung, who cheered for me in every race.

“Hey, don’t call me uncle. You should call me oppa now.”

“I only call prison oppas oppa. I don’t even call my cousins oppa. I just talk business with them.”

“How cold. Hmm, so cold.”

Jin Hyuk laughed as he watched Jin Seon-kyu pretend to walk away sadly, then focused on combing Yoo Jin’s hair.

Gently, with a not-too-fine comb.

“Ouch, ouch.”

Yoo Jin, who roared like a lion to support her oppa, also reaped the benefits.

‘Every time I comb, the hair curls up.’

The curls are as strong as if she got a perm.

Is it because she loves ramen?

Mom said her hair used to curl up wildly like a lion’s mane when she was young. It got less curly as she grew older.

‘Is it only girls?’

It’s a strange phenomenon.

Jin Hyuk and Jeong Won-i only have slight waves.

Following the hair’s natural flow, sometimes straight, sometimes catching like a stubborn comb, Jin Hyuk let his consciousness flow.

Forcing it in a specific direction is, by definition, artificial and contrived.

‘That’s not necessarily bad, but can life be entirely contrived?’

Jin Hyuk prefers a natural flow.

If life only flows as someone intends, what kind of life is that, and where’s the fun in it?

Life is full of unexpected situations and incidents. Those events make up life, and that’s the true joy of life, as I now know.

So, I’ve entrusted even my daydreams and work plans to the flow of consciousness. If I hit an obstacle, I detour; if I’m blocked, I push through; even on a clear path, I take my time, looking around.

Only within the winding, flowing stream of my own thoughts can a person truly be natural and free.

Thanks to that, I’ve managed to become a proud member of society without being consumed by darkness in the past.

Unshackling my thoughts, daydreaming, dreaming.

“Oppa, I can take care of Yoo Jin.”

“Hmm, it’s okay. Combing her hair helps me relax. Can you tie it, Soo-jung? You’re better at it than me.”

“Sure~.”

Handing the comb and hair tie to Hong Soo-jung, I did a final check.

Though it’s just dusting off the spikes.

I closed my eyes as if in prayer.

Placing the spikes on my belly with both hands, I bowed my head.

‘Please take care of me.’

I even felt a sense of solemnity, like a gladiator facing a life-and-death battle.

This is also a special sentiment as I face the 200m finals.

Because I’m alone.

*

Arriving at the stadium, I tightened the studs.

Two in the first row, two in the second, and one on the inner side of the fourth row.

‘0.4 inches suit me.’

I even used custom-made studs from the General Research Institute.

They used some alloy to reduce the weight even slightly compared to off-the-shelf products.

The weight of the studs doesn’t make much difference to the athlete. Off-the-shelf ones are already incredibly light.

But the courage to attempt improvement is something no one can ignore. Streams of research and challenge converge to form the river of progress, which will eventually reach the sea, showcasing its brilliance to the world.

Tonight.

Blowing off the dust from the spikes, I gently brushed them with my hand.

How many times did I take them off and put them back on to keep my feet tense? Then, the announcement for the athletes’ entry came.

[Ladies and gentlemen, we will soon have the men’s 200m final.]

Whoa~!

While warming up behind the starting blocks, I locked eyes with Michael Johnson.

Michael Johnson, with his challenging gaze, turned away as if showing off his duck butt.

‘Good focus.’

Many athletes, before the finals, either lightly nod or pretend not to see when their eyes meet.

It’s an unintentional action resulting from focusing inward before an important race.

So, there’s nothing to feel unpleasant or disappointed about.

‘He’s a player with clear strengths and weaknesses.’

[-Position.]

In Korean, it would be something like ‘to position’ or ‘ready position.’

Finally, the athletes took their places at the starting blocks.

[Lane 1, Michael Marsh, USA.]

Whoa~!

Michael Marsh, backed by the home crowd, gave a thumbs-up to the camera.

Marsh was in lane 1 for the 100m too; is he a lane 1 specialist?

Hey, don’t forget to order my dad’s running shoes after the Olympics.

The prototype was a month ago, so there must have been several improvements by now.

The General Research Institute is full of research-crazed people.

[Lane 2, Jeff Williams, USA.]

Whoa~!

Jeff Williams, who, along with Jonathan, was the mood maker during the adaptation period, also proudly took the final stage.

His white teeth contrasted beautifully with his skin.

[Lane 3, Michael Johnson, USA.]

Half the track was filled with USA athletes.

Whoaaaaa~!

The stadium shook.

The cheers for the golden spike’s hero far surpassed those for the previous two athletes.

It was proof of the high expectations America had for Michael Johnson.

Thanks to the massive promotion throughout the Olympics, aiming for the first-ever Olympic double in the 200m and 400m.

[Lane 4…]

The camera came to me.

I shyly made a finger heart.

Many people might wonder what that signal means, but my family and friends at home will know.

Uncle Hong Ki-jun too.

***

Men’s 200m Athletics, XXVI Olympic Games, Atlanta, United States, 1996.

Thursday, August 1st.

Final.

L1. Michael Marsh. United States.

L2. Jeff Williams. United States.

L3. Michael Johnson. United States.

L4. Jinhyeok Son. Korea.

L5. Frank Fredericks. Namibia.

L6. Ato Boldon. Trinidad and Tobago.

L7. Patrick Stevens. Belgium.

L8. Ivan Garcia. Cuba.

[Lane 4, Jinhyeok Son, Korea.]

Kyaaaa~.

Whoaaaaaa~!

Even Son Yoo-jin’s lion roar couldn’t dominate the stadium this time.

The crowd’s cheers for the young 100m champion were that intense.

Frank Fredericks, as in the 100m final, was in lane 5. True to his top-tier skills in both events, he occupied the central track. The public’s assessment of his consistency wasn’t wrong.

Frank Fredericks pondered what Jinhyeok had said in the athletes’ lounge.

– “Follow follow me.”

What the…

It wasn’t the tone of a brat mocking an adult just because he’s good at running.

It was a heavy tone, casually thrown out.

Frank Fredericks isn’t one to react to provocations, and no matter what anyone says, the fact remains that he must pour all his energy into the race.

[Lane 8, Ivan Garcia, Cuba.]

After introducing all eight lanes, the crowd held their breath.

Murmurs…

Strange?

Why are the assistants blocking the track when only half is being used?

Only some spectators who closely followed the race preparation process raised questions. Normally, the track is always kept clear. But the unusual cleanliness compared to the semi-finals caught the sharp-eyed audience’s attention.

Whoosh-whoosh. Zzzzzz.

[On your mark.]

If you watch without thinking, it’s a really short time.

Placing thumbs and index fingers on the starting line, feet on the starting blocks.

But for athletes, more familiar with this than eating, it’s the most tedious and longest time. The years of daily running for just over 20 seconds seem meaningless.

[Get set.]

An even shorter time is given.

Straightening both legs makes sprinters feel breathless, as the invisible gravity inversely proportional to time strongly presses the diaphragm.

So, most hold their breath.

[Bang!]

Whoaaaaa~!

Finally, the 200m final starts.

Some lean to the left, some swing their left arm more vigorously as they dash through the curved track.

A curve so slight it’s almost a straight line when you stand on it.

Leaning on the desire to quickly escape the curve, expressing overflowing enthusiasm. Or maybe just instinctively.

But the speed at which superhumans run turns a gentle curve into a sharp one. That’s relativity for you.

The fastest reaction time was, surprisingly, Marsh’s.

That was it.

Marsh, who didn’t perform well in the semi-finals and occupied the innermost lane, was left behind before even halfway through the curve.

By the time the sprint hit its stride at 30m, Korea’s Son Jinhyeok was already in the lead.

Bam bam bam! Dudududu~!

The 13-year-old boy who used to kick up dust had grown up and was now sprinting on the Olympic centennial track.

Doing what he does best, what he loves most.

Coming back almost every day, hanging on like light struggling to escape a black hole.

Running.

As everyone expected, the early race was a duel between Michael Johnson and Son Jinhyeok.

Even after just 50m, the two athletes in lanes 3 and 4 stood out.

The race, considered the biggest event of the Olympics three days before closing.

The 100m and 400m champions, the spikes of large corporations and small businesses, and the clash of East and West.

Even if Hong Ki-jun hadn’t pressured and Sein Group hadn’t promoted before the final race, it was natural for the world to watch.

[Whoaaaa! Crazy! Just insane!]

[Son Jinhyeok! Really fast!]

[Sun~ Tsuuuuuu!]

[Soooon! First to break away from the curve!]

[Ahhh~! What’s happening! It’s South Korea! South Korea is ahead of the USA!]

[Johnson! Johnson! Picking up the pace!]

The sharper curve of the bear-shaped track gave Jinhyeok an indescribable sense of freedom on the regular track’s curve.

So, he broke away effortlessly.

Leaving the golden spikes struggling to catch up far behind.

[100m left!]

[Entering the full acceleration phase!]

[Sooooon! Getting faster!]

[Another level of acceleration ability!]

Michael Johnson, the 400m champion, has a unique running style.

No matter what anyone says, it’s his way. With a narrow stride, a lively rhythm, and steady acceleration following Newton’s second law of motion.

Huff puff~ steady rhythm~.

Johnson’s greatest strength lies in maintaining stamina and excelling in mid-to-late race acceleration.

Thanks to his unique style, Johnson’s latter 100m in a 200m race is almost under 9 seconds.

However, since rhythm is crucial, psychological stability is essential.

If the rhythm and balance are disrupted, it exposes the calves and hamstrings to injury.

If the mind rushes and the rhythm breaks, breathing is lost, and once lost, it’s impossible to regain during the race. Time waits for no one.

Like now.

[Ahhh! Johnson! Losing pace while conscious of the young rival!]

The unfamiliarity of chasing someone’s back caused impatience, leading to disaster.

The hastily increased pace hit Johnson’s diaphragm.

A choking breath caught in his throat.

Thus, the eternal second-place Frank Fredericks caught his neck.

The tyrant ostrich also bit Johnson’s neck and roughly shook him.

[Ahhh! Johnson retires! Collapses!]

[His toes pointed too far outward, eventually straining his ankle.]

Whatever happens behind, Jinhyeok has no business with it.

After all, he doesn’t have eyes on the back of his head, and even if someone is beside him, he decided to focus only on what’s ahead in this race.

Frank Fredericks and Ato Boldon benefited from preventive measures.

They maintained their pace from the start, treating Son Jinhyeok as if he weren’t there.

– “Hmm, I thought he might be from another world. But seeing him speak English, he’s definitely an Earthling. He speaks Korean and Japanese too. He converses in French with a French friend. He’s an Earthling. I guarantee it.”

…Thanks for the guarantee.

Frank Fredericks, usually silent, said this in an interview with an American broadcaster.

An opponent from another dimension.

I wish someone would teach them the term ‘insurmountable wall.’

[Fredericks! Ato Boldon! Chasing fiercely~! A three-way battle?]

[No. Absolutely not.]

[Ahhh~! But Soooon is pulling further away~!]

No matter how world-class the athletes are, for those competing in both 100m and 200m, the 200m time is usually more than double the 100m.

Among the finalists, only Frank Fredericks, known for his straight-track prowess, didn’t double his time.

Tyrant Ato Boldon exactly doubled his, making these two top-tier sprinters with impeccable explosiveness and stamina.

But that’s without Son Jinhyeok.

[Further and further~ away!]

[The record! The record!]

[Ahhhh! Look at the difference! It’s going to be an insane record!]

Dududududu~!

Jinhyeok’s breakthrough, with full weight on his legs, shook the earth.

It’s a tiring technique.

But there’s no better way to maintain acceleration. Weight adds force, as nature dictates.

Frank Fredericks and Ato Boldon also felt fatigue in their thighs after sprinting 150m at full speed.

Their best bet is to grit their teeth and chase the back of the athlete in lane 4 far ahead. After all, once they cross the finish line, their hearts will quickly find peace. For that sweet peace, they whipped their heavy legs with a whip summoned from hell.

[Bang~!]

How far away was the gunshot signaling the finish?

Even after hearing the sound indicating the leader had crossed the finish line, the other athletes had to keep running.

Even if that crazy guy ended the race too quickly.

「19.14」

The scoreboard displayed the time.

Truly insane, an unbelievable record.

The guy who ran 100m in 9.67 seconds shaved off 0.2 seconds in the 200m.

At that point, others can only suspect the spikes’ performance.

Huh?

But another stopwatch appeared on the scoreboard.

And.

Dududududu~!

He was still sprinting.

Dududududu~!

Even though he was the first to cross the finish line.

Frank Fredericks and Ato Boldon, lagging behind in lanes 5 and 6, locked eyes before the finish line.

‘So that’s what follow follow me was.’

Did he sprint ahead like a madman so we wouldn’t focus on the race?

What a lunatic.

Fredericks twisted his hand parallel to the ground, asking without slowing down.

Can you keep running?

With ragged breaths, Ato Boldon glared straight ahead with eyes more ragged than his breathing.

Let’s go.

Yeah, let’s go.

We can’t let that guy do his crazy thing alone.

The two athletes broke through the finish line.

Non-stop high-pass.

Thud, thud.

Instead of a speed camera, the stopwatch sensor activated.

「19.57」

「19.58」

Whoaaaaa~ ah~?

The crowd’s cheers turned into questions.

[Ahhh~! What’s this~!]

[An event! An event! A winner’s ceremony no one expected!]

[There was a reason they hurriedly cleared the starting blocks!]

[We were informed by the organizing committee that another event would follow immediately! This must be it!]

[Sprinters have entered a sprint marathon! True fan service for Olympic fans! True professionals!]

Hahahaha~.

Jeff Williams and Michael Marsh also followed, laughing.

We knew that guy was crazy since training.

Kyaaaaa~!

The crows, realizing it was a promise of fifty thousand years, jumped around.

Dududududu~!

Feeling the vibrations from behind, Jinhyeok smiled.

Because I’m not alone.