Chapter 296

Karma (6)

Today’s American daily newspaper has already been published, but domestic coverage is still pending.

I even thought about asking Hong Ki-jun for help.

But I quickly shook my head.

– 【It might be safer to slowly regain your memories like you are. The backlash of time can turn weak and insignificant humans into lunatics. Didn’t you also wander emotionally for the first few years?】

This was what the shadow said when it appeared in Jin-hyuk’s dream to reconfirm his request while retracing history at his behest.

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

Though he rarely expresses difficulty due to the weight and responsibility he carries on his shoulders, the daily emails have decreased, and he seems to be avoiding calls. I even have a keychain I wanted to give him directly, but I don’t know when he’ll come by. So, the gift for Hong Ki-jun is still stored away.

「······Didn’t something happen at the golf course back then? A weasel ran off with my ball······.」

Even if it’s vague, giving such a hint should normally jog his memory, but Jin-hyuk kept saying things that weren’t in his memory.

‘Is it some kind of aftereffect from what that shadow guy said? Is there no way to heal it?’

I asked the shadow, but it was futile.

– 【My consciousness is only connected to you, a human. Understand that peering into that world is merely an act of power, not wandering around like an animal.】

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

Well, that’s what it said, but no suitable method came to mind immediately.

「Take a break.」

「I’m healthier than ever. Don’t worry.」

With such a solid defense, there’s no way to force anything.

All I can do is reduce the burden by cutting back on the tasks I relied on Hong Ki-jun for.

I contacted reporter Kim Yu-deok.

The intention was to request accurate reporting by removing metaphors and referencing the relevant column. Even if it’s distributed domestically, the influence of broadcast media cannot be ignored.

‘There might be a way to tame it as Hong Ki-jun suggested, but isn’t it enough to use my connections in my own way?’

It’s also a measure to prevent my parents from being hurt by the reactions of those who will read the translation.

– Leave it to me. That’s not even something to ask for. Actually, we’re acknowledging it too. Since we need to come up with sensational headlines, translating foreign news directly can be fun. But you owe me······.

Owe you?

This capitalist nationwide beggar, ah, what a reporter.

Jin-hyuk’s expectations weren’t misplaced.

Kim Yu-deok used his connections to help Jin-hyuk. Not stopping there, he even took the mic himself and promoted General’s technology in front of the camera.

‘I didn’t ask for promotion, though? Ah, is that what it is?’

What started as a precaution brought a warm breeze.

Chemical companies and footwear manufacturers that received material technology from General accelerated the development of shoes tailored to athletes’ characteristics.

As athletes wearing the prototype shoes achieved dramatic improvements, athletes from other sports also began knocking on the companies’ doors.

The influx of foreign athletes visiting Korea began in earnest shortly after. Since they don’t make shoes for just anyone, it was only natural to put in the effort.

Still, Jin-hyuk was always ahead.

「World Record 9.63s」

The transferred technology remained stagnant for a considerable period. For footwear companies without the capacity for independent development, it was natural to feel anxious about being overtaken by foreign competitors.

But General’s research lab didn’t stop. Especially with Hwang Ga-yun urging other researchers to speed up the clock for Jin-hyuk. They developed functional materials by gathering feedback from Jin-hyuk and other athletes and expedited testing.

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

Thus, leading the technological forefront was also Jin-hyuk’s spike.

In addition to the shoes at the pinnacle of technology, Jin-hyuk’s body, having witnessed realms beyond the horizon, gradually advanced. Like climbing to the summit of Gubongsan every day, he stepped into new realms and awakened his brain.

‘Train like it’s the real thing.’

I used to dismiss it as just a cliché phrase. It seems that’s how it should be, I thought, brushing it off as a tired saying.

In the military, I thought it was to maintain tension and prevent accidents.

‘Coach Seo Pil-gu said you have to train until you’re scared to death to survive. I guess that’s what he meant.’

Now it came with a different meaning, and I felt its literal weight.

I used to be complacent, wondering what more training could be added here.

But there was still the process of tightening the heart with tension and pressure like in real combat and sharpening concentration to a terrifying degree.

“Training takes a long time. You inevitably use up your stamina more than during a competition. If you train like it’s a race, you’ll die.”

These were the words of Ato Boldon, whom I met at the World Championships.

[Kwoom-!]

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

“Do you know why a personal best is a personal best? Because it happens only once. Even if you search the world, only athletes like Fredericks and I can maintain close to our personal bests. Even though many fast athletes are emerging in Korea, just seeing them fall back to the 10-second range in the next competition shows how hard it is to maintain.”

Jin-hyuk was also one of those athletes who couldn’t maintain his records.

Of course, in a different sense.

[Kwooom-!]

Yeeeeeeah-!

「New World Record!」

「9.59s」

「SON」

「KOREA」

Even as spring fully arrived, flowers bloomed in the yard, and butterflies flew, Jin-hyuk’s sprint didn’t stop. He ran down the straight track, stepping one by one on the stairs to the realm.

「Again! Again! Again! A new record! How far will Son Jin-hyuk’s sprint go?」

「Following the Olympics, conquering the World Championships!」

「The national anthem echoing at the Athens World Athletics Championships」

Famous people must have many inconveniences, athletes competing in major events must endure a lot. I used to think so.

But once Jin-hyuk became famous, he even made competitions a natural part of his daily life.

By fitting his athletic career into one side of his life, daily life and competitions naturally blended.

And now, he wasn’t the only one competing.

After sharing duties with Yang Gang-wook, Son Kwang-yeon, with some free time, sat in front of the Go board for the first time in a while.

“Dad, next week there’s the Summer Taebaeksan Cup National Middle and High School Athletics Competition. The name is really long. Anyway, there’s an athletics competition.”

Since Min Yong-rak left for Seoul last fall, he took care of the schedule himself.

Yoo Se-ra offered to 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 politely declined.

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

“No, you’re busy. I can take the school bus with the juniors.”

Now a third-year, Jin-hyuk takes first-year students, two years his junior, to competitions.

Thanks to the school’s fame, athletes from other regions’ track and field teams have been transferring in, but due to lack of transportation, they borrowed the Ssirum Club’s bus. Later, they started using a chartered bus arranged by the Sein Foundation for Taeyang High School’s track and field team.

“Did the coach come?”

“They said no one wants to come because it’s burdensome.”

“I’d feel the same.”

Who would dare to coach an athlete who has conquered the Olympics and World Championships alone?

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s an honor.

But worrying and fearing that the athlete’s gaze might not be respectful or might carry distrust is also a natural reaction as a coach.

Even Seo Pil-gu, who is called a legend, declined.

Seo Pil-gu reaffirmed his intention to remain as the training ground supervisor in Yeouido, saying he wasn’t fit to teach Jin-hyuk.

“So, I’m coaching the freshmen too.”

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

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

Thinking of the juniors who sparkle in front of Jin-hyuk, it’s just cute and makes me laugh.

But you can’t just relax because they’re cute.

Those juniors are rewriting the junior records Jin-hyuk set.

Not only that, but the middle school 100m and 200m records Jin-hyuk set have already been broken by Shin Min-sung, a third-year at Taeyang Middle School.

The elementary school record is held by a fifth-grader at Eodong Elementary School. His name is Kim Yo-seop, Kim Yo-han’s younger brother.

At this point, it’s safe to say this is truly the birthplace of athletics.

“Aren’t you disappointed? Your records have been broken. Some journalists said they wouldn’t be broken for thirty years. I guess journalists lack insight?”

Son Kwang-yeon scratched his cheek. Who could have predicted that, he muttered.

“Not at all. I’m stimulated and happy. I also feel a thrill like when someone is chasing me.”

It’s the comfortable thrill of being ahead at ease, like when racing against Choi Mi-kyung and Chae Heung-bong.

“The feeling of being chased? Like a fighting chicken?”

“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, our son is indeed a pervert.

The world was spinning frighteningly fast.

This too must be the ripple effect of the stone Jin-hyuk threw.

The goosebumps rising on my skin testify to how one person’s actions can impact the world.

The speed at which my younger siblings are growing is also scary.

“Brother-. When will you make the boat?”

“Yeaaah-. Jeong Won. Boat. When can we ride?”

And nothing is scarier than the obsession of little kids.

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

If there’s one thing slow in this world, it’s the boat-making progress done by hand.

I intend to fulfill the promise, but it’s too slow.

‘This must also be my karma.’

The karma of running my mouth about making a boat, a subject I know nothing about, while feeling soft-hearted seeing my younger sibling.

But thanks to over a year of steady effort, the boat-making is nearing completion.

***

When it was time to flip the boat, all the strong men staying at Son’s house were mobilized.

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

“All of a sudden?”

“You’re exercising for free, so you can at least help. You’ve built some strength, right?”

“Ah, yeeeah-.”

Yoo Jae-woon was dragged by the collar by senior Joo Shin-young from Oksu-dong.

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

“Gegeo- watch your uncle’s toes! Be careful! That side is weak, so don’t lean too much-.”

“I, I’m not an uncleaaa-. Ouch, it’s heavy-.”

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

“If you’re not an uncle, are you an old man? Why do you lack strength-.”

“It’s just that the others are unusually strong. I’m strong toooo- huff huff.”

“Ah, you’re using all your strength-! Everyone, shut your mouths and use your strength-.”

Damn. Did everyone here graduate from some kind of bullying academy? They’re all desperate to pick on me. Yoo Jae-woon internally grumbled.

After flipping the boat, applying gel coat, and drying it before flipping it again, more time passed.

Using white paint, the name Yoo Jin came up with was written in Gothic font.

「Turtle Ship」

Somehow, it’s an uncomfortable name.

Even though it’s a square boat without a lid or a dragon head, Yoo Jin, who was deeply impressed by Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s biography, insisted on the name.

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

“If we’re going to travel the universe, ‘ship’ fits better. In the comics Jin-nam uncle reads, spaceships are called something-ship.”

Well, that’s what she said, so we had to follow the client’s request.

Before summer vacation, the Turtle Ship was finally completed.

From the sky, does it look like a panokseon? It’s just a square, elongated boat.

It looks like it could leisurely sail somewhere on the Han River with a single sail.

“Hurray for my brothers-!”

Floating the boat was also a grueling task.

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

Originally, we planned to push and pull it from the bottom, but the terrain wasn’t very cooperative.

We ended up making it on the lawn without even thinking about floating it.

“Heave-ho! Heave-ho!”

“One-two! One-two!”

Still, we managed to safely place it in the waterway without any accidents.

The strong men, bathed in sweat, sat by the waterway with triumphant smiles. This must be why they say “human victory.”

“Eureushin, that boat looks like- what is it, like a rice bowl-.”

“Ahahaha-. Right. In the old days, beggars carried long wooden bowls for alms.”

“Ohoho-. Really? Not tin cans?”

“Chairman-, we country folks even treasured tin cans-.”

Jo Il-hun, Cheon Gil-ryong, and Yoo Myung-sun happily watched the strong men work while sipping makgeolli.

Indeed, the world is most enjoyable when watched from the shade with makgeolli.

“Truly, these are good times-.”

Ahahahaha-.

Sssss-!

Hehehek-!

As the old men chuckled contentedly, a few swift beasts dashed past them roughly.

Whoa whoa whoa!

Hey, you brats, stop! Let’s get on too!