[ Expressionless Awakener ]
In this novel's unexpected occurrences, Never would i have known that I would get involved by it, But nonetheless, should i even bother?
'What the-!? Where is he--!?'
It was intense training, Taking glances at many directions while sweating drops of sweat. Even more, Trying to follow Kwan Jihu's Movements before he attacked me again.
Suddenly, He appeared in front of me and punched me right in the stomach, Making me cough out saliva unexpectedly.
"Cough-! ..Cough-!"
'That really hurts....'
No seriously, It hurted so bad, I had to grab my stomach and puke saliva. I thought I would be able to endure this training, But as expected, I couldn't get used to it at all!!
"Tch."
Kwan Jihu twitched his eyes as he glared at me with a disgusted expression, Showing his disappointment very clearly.
"You fell over for such a weak punch? How weak exactly are you?"
Kwan Jihu acted like the usual cold-type in this situation, So obviously he gave such a stern yet aggressive face while speaking coldly.
I covered my mouth as i finished coughing, glaring at Kwan Jihu with a hint of anger while being expressionless.
'This guy... Is he really the main character of this novel?'
Suddenly, The red system appeared in front of me!
[ Don't worry about him Kim! Just ignore him and continue on with the training!! 🥰 ]
[ Yeah! Yeah! ]
The red and blue system replied at the same time, Trying to give me "Confidence" or "reassurance" for my training.
Though i doubt that would do any help.
I sighed deeply as i stood and cleaned off the dirt off my clothes, along with my ahoge drooping.
It's been more than an hour since the first game of the main arena began and it's honestly testing my patience.
The game continued for a long time, and I could tell because of the noises above.
But i didn't get why they're taking too long on the first game.
Maybe it's because of the relentless training that i had to go through, making me want to hope for the first game to end quickly.
I took a glance at Kwan Jihu once more, Hes simply looking at space like usual, Probably hes status screen or something before i looked away again.
I sighed lightly as I sat on the floor, The relentless training already drained out my energy, It's a good thing that i had trained every morning for the last two months, Or i would've passed out due to stress and exhaustion from the lack of exercise.
Even more, I still had to endure a lot of pain from the punches or scratches that Kwan Jihu throwed at me.. It was honestly so brutal I can't tell if this is training or abuse, Thus i don't even know how i'm still alive at this point.
I moved my head slightly and stared at the ceiling for a while, Symbols and drawings of unknown constellations on the ceiling were visible but was almost filled with dust and debri.
It was as if this labyrinth existed before the first dungeon appeared, moreover, the existence of mana...
But that's just a theory i came up with, I doubt it's something true anyway.
'Could this place be some kind of magic labyrinth that was mentioned in the novel before?'
I wasn't sure, I'm the type to be forgetfull in situations I tried to remember, Though Its possible this labyrinth could be a part of the novel before.. I doubt I would remember it, Thus getting myself more unknown thoughts while being blank.
"....Kim!"
"Kim!"
"KIM!"
Suddenly, I came back from my conciousness and looked around the room frantically.
"!?"
"Why are you suddenly deaf? C'mon, Were starting our training."
I stared at Kwan Jihu with a straight yet annoyed face as i sighed deeply.
'Does this training have no end to this....?'
Obviously, It won't end until the first game ended, Yet I felt so desperate, I didn't even think I could be able to survive this.
I began to stand up from the ground and yawned tirelessly.
I grabbed my stomach and rubbed it gently, It still hurts but atleast I have a few more energy for the other training... If i'm able to survive it.
Kwan Jihu, began to pick up his wooden sword on the ground and immediately pointed at me, Hinting me to get prepared.
I sighed again as i picked up my 'wooden sword' and pointed at him as i used a stance.
Luckily, We had wooden swords that the systems prepared in Kwan Jihu's inventory slot, Although I never even wanted this training, Kwan Jihu still insists on training me.. Well, In a brutal way possible.
But at least it isn't a real weapon, I would've probably passed out if Kwan Jihu used his actual weapon for the training.
I would've honestly become traumatized if that ever happened.
Kwan Jihu began to use his attack and threw his sword at me with "normal speed".
I dodged the attack and immediately attacked Kwan Jihu with the wooden sword.
Like the protagonist he is, He obviously smacked away the wooden sword off my hand and immediately took a punch at me.
Luckily, I dodged his punch unconciously due to fear and immediately back away.
"Seems like you've finally learned your FIRST mistake."
It wasn't that I learned it, But i only did so unconciously.. I'll just agree with it and just endure a little bit further.
"Thanks i guess.." I mumbled disappointingly and expressionlessly.
I began to take the nearest wooden sword [ Which is Kwan Jihu's wooden sword ] and began to use it.
There were no rules during the training so it doesn't matter if i steal the weapon from Kwan Jihu.
You could also use mana attacks aswell, It's not like Kwan Jihu is gonna get hurt that easily by using mana abilities, So it also doesn't matter.
I began to charge at him using the mana I used for my speed and swung the sword at him with full strength.
Kwan Jihu, dodged the attack by tilting hes head to the side.
I continued on swinging the sword at him until my energy began to drain.
Obviously He continued on dodging like its no problem.
I stood and began to use my mana skill and threw a single melody at him... Well, At least to distract him.
I attacked as soon as he dodged the melody I threw at him and threw the sword at him.
But my plan went backfired as he immediately disappeared and avoided the attack I threw at him.
Well, I did expect him to dodge it anyway, He is.... after all, the main character of this novel isn't he?
But i knew i'm not needed in this novel.. So I don't get why his going through all of this just to train me.
'...'
'...'
Oh, I forgot he is the type to use other people, especially me for the novel...I guess this is the reason why he trained me after showing such a powerful skill that time...
Why did I even forgot about that detail of the protagonist?
'Oh wel-'
Before i could even finish my sentence, Kwan jihu suddenly teleported behind me and punched me right in the back.
I immediately lost my balance and dropped myself and the wooden sword on the ground.
Kwan jihu glared at me as he saw me fall, Showing an expression of disappointment.
"I told you... NOT TO GET DISTRACTED."
It was the second mistake i made again.. Kwan Jihu spoke aggressively like that since it wasn't the first time.
And that part of my body really hurt the most during the training, And I didn't even have time to dodge it because I was distracted by my thoughts.
'Why my back of all places?'
I sighed as i sat myself on the ground and took a break, Trying to heal myself using the mana i had left.
It was honestly brutal training, and I wished for the first game of the arena to end at this point.
'I could already feel myself losing my dignity... How long can this training end..?'
I felt desperate but I had to endure.. Just endure a little bit further..
As Kwan Jihu who was about to pick up his wooden sword suddenly hesitated for a moment.
He began to look up from the ceiling, Noticing something is wrong.
I also began to notice the changes and stood up unconsciously, looking at Kwan Jihu confusingly before i looked around the room.
The dust and debri from the ceiling began to drop noticeably, Along with smaller rocks falling with it.
The ground began to shake lightly and the torch fire began to move horrendously.
There weren't any noises nor were there any disturbances to make the room suddenly shake.
It was as if.... the room was about to fall apart.
"It seems like this labyrinth hit its limit." Kwan Jihu spoke as he quickly took the sword from the ground.
"What-!?"
Suddenly, Huge parts of the ceiling began to crack open, Falling onto the ground in bigger parts.
The ground shook even more and the walls began to break and collapse.
The source of light from the torches were cut off immediately, Filling up the room in darkness.
'S****!!!"
I began to panic expressionlessly, Frantically looking around the room for an exit despite the darkness.
Suddenly, A random arm grabbed me by the hips, Which obviously startled me to panic even more.
A sudden darkish blue light was lit up, lighting up the room that was already falling apart.
"Kwan Jihu-?!"
I mumbled as i noticed the source of light on his left hand.
The room continued to fall apart, The ground cracked and began to open larger gaps, Making the ground collapse and fall.
Kwan Jihu, Who is currently grabbing me by the hips, Immediately leaped at each obstacle, hopping at the remaining ground that was still left.
We were able to go out of the mini arena but the collapse of the labyrinth still hasn't ended yet.
We began to run, using Kwan Jihu's speed to escape.
But the cracks of the labyrinth somehow caught up to Kwan Jihu's speed, Which I obviously noticed.
'Is he trying to slow down his speed!?' I thought as i continued to panic in fear... While expressionless.
Kwan Jihu continued on carrying me by the hips as he ran, Going through each passageway and each direction.... There was so much motion I felt like wanting to throw up.
'Bleggh...' I thought as i closed my eyes and hold my puke.
I was still getting carried like this by Kwan Jihu, and honestly, I could feel my hips starting to mutilate since his arms were so stiff and sturdy, thus tightening his grip on me.
It was like his carrying me like a huge object, except that it's an actual human being.
It continued on like this for a long time, I didn't even know how long i'm gonna be like this especially when i just experience brutal training.
Finally, Kwan Jihu stopped and I opened my eyes slightly to take a quick glance.
We were still inside the labyrinth and the blue light was still up, But it seemed like we were facing a wall of no exit whatsoever.
'A dead end-!?!' I thought as my ahoge shook slightly in fear, along with my sweat drooping.
I knew Kwan Jihu was planning something ever since we faced this situation... But i couldn't help but feel slight doubt despite him knowing everything in the novel.
Suddenly, Kwan Jihu backed away a few steps from the wall, making me panic even more.
"Cover your face." He spoke silently as he continued to back away.
The collapse of the labyrinth continued to go closer in our direction, Already feeling the noises of falling rocks and ground.
I had no choice but to put my trust on the protagonist, especially since im now involved in this situation.
'Whatever, Just please let us survive!!!' I thought as i covered my face with both of my arms.
Kwan Jihu began to charge at the wall with full speed as the collapse of rocks began to travel closer and closer.
He continued to run, charging at the wall as the labyrinth continued to collapse much further.
Time felt slow as Kwan Jihu plunged at the wall, swinging his feet as he striked the front wall.
Finally, The wall was knocked down as the labyrinth collapsed completely, everything happened in such a short yet right time, It was as if Kwan Jihu planned all of this, Knew everything just like in the novel I read.
My face was also protected using both of my arms from the dust and debris during this short time, It's a good thing i did so, Or I would've had to experience eyestrain from the debris and dust that would've covered my face entirely.
I began to open my eyes slightly as i slowly removed my arms from my face.
We were able to get out of the labyrinth safely... Well, Except for my hips and my other light injuries during that training, But at least were alive now.
Suddenly, I fell and hit hard onto the ground, It seemed like Kwan Jihu finished carrying me and letting me go with no warning, Do you have no sense of shame of me at all!?
Thus, It only made my pain worse, and now I have to endure all of it.
"As expected, You're as light as a feather." Kwan Jihu spoke coldly at me.
"You suck" I spoke back to Kwan Jihu, Staring at him with a straight face.
Kwan Jihu sighed lightly as he looked around the area
The place was filled with forests along with birds tweeting in the distance.
I also noticed the sudden change of the place, Since its different than when I first came inside the labyrinth.
But I already forgot about that part, so why bother remembering anyway?
"We are still in the school's forest grounds, So the main arena is still nearby." Kwan Jihu spoke as he began to walk away through the forest, Not even helping me stand up while I was still on the ground.
"You're not gonna help me?" I asked tilting my head.
Kwan Jihu continued to walk away, Not even giving a single glimpse at me and ignored my question.
'Why did I bother asking?' I thought as I stood up slowly, Trying not to disturb any of the pain possible.
I began to follow Kwan Jihu behind him.. Well, at a certain distance.
The answer was already obvious and I didn't want to get involve any longer.
'I want to go home and play instruments...' I thought as I felt massive homesickness.
The walk continued until we eventually arrived at the arena entrance.
The noises and cheering was still hearable despite the far distance and the noises through the speakers inside the main arena were still loud like usual.
I sighed pathetically as we entered inside.
[ OOH~! Seems like my students are late to the party! ] The aurawhales instructor; Alec Kane, spoke sarcastically as he noticed me and the cold-prince.
All of the students, Even the student-audiences stared at us and gossiped, Wondering where we were and Why we were late.
I sighed lightly again as my ahoge drooped slightly, I really, really don't want to participate in this so-called 'arena games' But i had no choice since my grades were already failing.
[ It's too bad that the first game had already ended... especially those latecomers who came back late!... So, The instructor of the Skylock classroom, Will take over! ] The instructor spoke enthusiastically as he handed over the mic to the instructor of the skylock class, while smiling.
[ Thank you very much, Instructor Kane, I will now take over the second game. ] Instructor Lilac, Spoke gently to the mic, Giving a voice that felt gentle and pure.
[ Before we could start our second game, I will now pick one of the recommended games from our television slot. ]
[ So, Shall we begin? ] Instructor lilac spoke gently as she waved her hand to the crowd, Giving the audience and participants full of energy and excitement.
Well, Except me of course.
'I just want to go home...' I thought as I felt even more homesick.
[ Expressionless Awakener ]