Your Girlfriend Was Amazing

The Louder They Talk, the More Likely They're Just Extras

"Student Baek Taeyang, could you come in for a moment?"

"Yes? Sure."

The day before the Gladire tournament, Instructor Jang Duchul suddenly called me into his office.

"You must win."

"Out of the blue?"

I thought he was going to offer some words of encouragement, but his expectations completely blindsided me. Typically, in these situations, people say things like "Keep your chin up," "Don't sweat it," or "You got this," right? But he surprisingly launched straight into the winning scenario.

"I'm not exaggerating your abilities or anything like that. It's a conclusion reached through a very objective assessment."

"But I can't use my main skill."

Those with passive skills were akin to nuclear weapons in the world of hunters. Despite Gladire fueling competitive spirits and endorsing aggressive tactics, strict rules governed the arena. Hence, participants like myself, equipped with a passive skill, were barred from utilizing it. Kim Minsoo didn't dedicate endless hours to training in the practice room for no reason.

Jang Duchul seemed to understand that very well and spoke, "I know what you're worried about. The difference between using your main skill or not is indeed significant. But we're speaking based on several reasons."

I felt my enthusiasm gradually fading away. Jang Duchul wrote down "Reasons for Winning" on the whiteboard and listed several points.

"First of all, this competition is focused on rookie hunters. As it is a tournament where all rookie hunters from Korea and around the world participate, there may be many skilled participants, but honestly, in many aspects, they fall short compared to you."

"But they all graduated from academies, didn't they?"

"Not everyone becomes first-class just by graduating from an academy. Even if we only consider the Victory Academy, people think that everyone becomes a first-class hunter just by graduating, but the truth is different."

"I see…"

The wall of first-class hunters was higher than expected. Suddenly, it hit me how much of a badass Yoo Minhyuk was.

‘To think I've banged the daughter of such a hunter…"

An ambition I didn't even know I had sprouted out of nowhere. Jang Duchul caught on quick and started scribbling on the whiteboard like a madman.

"I've shortlisted a few favorite contenders for the tournament. Shall we go through them?"

"Um…"

"Judging by your expression, you're already thinking it's a waste of time, huh?"

"Sorry."

"It doesn't matter. After all, it's all up to you to win anyway."

Honestly, I couldn't care less about the contenders. Once it's public knowledge that Kim Minsoo is participating, everyone's gonna make a fuss about it. I'm not about to waste my time on that nonsense.

Maybe this could be Kim Minsoo's second growth event… A hero who conquers challenges and evolves, a protagonist whose primary skill is restrained but triumphs over all the frontrunners in style. I think it's a plausible speculation. Hence, I need to secure victory even more.

"But why do I have to win? We've got Kim Minsoo."

"Oh, that…" Jang Duchul glanced out the window, as if checking for spies. Even though it was obvious no one was around, he went as far as opening the door to double-check.

"Let's get down to brass tacks. This is a story meant for our ears only." Jang Duchul locked the door behind him and sat in front of me with a serious expression. It was hard to believe this serious Jang Duchul with the usually easygoing one.

"There might be some shady dealings going on within the Victory Academy's circles, possibly involving the Noble. And it's highly likely they'll approach Student Kim Minsoo."

"But surely Kim Minsoo wouldn't entertain the idea, right…?" Even as I voiced my doubt, I knew it was highly improbable. That fool joining a notorious criminal syndicate known for skill theft? Not a chance.

But I guess I'll play along for now. In this serious atmosphere, it's best to play along.

"The real issue is not with Student Kim Minsoo, it lies with the people around him."

"They could be cozying up to him and trying to manipulate him in some way?"

"Exactly. They could be forming some secret alliance to support Student Minsoo or even joining forces with him. Who knows, they might even assemble an entire team of born awakeners."

"What's the gain for them in going to such lengths?"

I genuinely wondered. Supporting Kim Minsoo, who isn't even part of Noble, and creating a faction—what's the point? And does it even make sense to divide awakeners? The rationale behind this differentiation seems muddled. What benefits could possibly arise from dividing born and acquired awakeners and instigating a factional war?

Jang Duchul caught onto my skepticism and quickly responded, "There's nothing in it for them."

"What?"

"Absolutely nothing. You probably suspected as much. What's the point of dividing awakeners and what advantages does it bring? They must have pondered that from their perspective."

"There's nothing… That's why it's dangerous…" My muttered words carried weight. Among the various implications, one stood out: they're a bunch of lunatics. With unclear goals and risky methods, there's no gain whatsoever. Their aim is simply to reinforce discrimination and establish a class divide between born and acquired awakeners, making it clear to everyone.

Noble is playing a game of high stakes with little payoff.

"So, as the representative of the acquired awakeners, you must secure victory. Win proudly and strive for an inclusive hunter society. Just because the higher-ups are rotten doesn't mean we should let the lower ones rot too."

"But why me?"

"Because…"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Because it's the quickest way…" I pondered over Jang Duchul's last words as I began my stride.

I'm not some sort of a speedrun character, you know. I wanted to inquire further, but Jang Duchul's stare was too piercing for further inquiry.

But what's my next move?

Regardless, since Gladire is a solo affair, there's no need to rendezvous with Kim Minsoo separately. Plus, sticking together might just deter the Noble from making a move, so splitting up seems wise.

Just as I mulled over my options, thankfully, an announcement echoed throughout the stadium.

[All participants in the Gladire tournament, please gather immediately at the center of the arena as the qualifiers are about to begin.]

The center of the Gladire arena. When I moved there, I was greeted by a large gate entrance for the participants.

"What's this?"

There was something odd from the start. The stadium seemed too small compared to the multitude of hunters participating in individual matches worldwide. But Gladire seemed to have brushed aside such concerns and had prepared something else entirely.

[Participants, please relax your guard and enter the gate. This is an artificial gate where no monsters will appear, created solely for the purpose of the Gladire tournament. Please enter the gate with peace of mind. Once again, to all hunters participating in the Gladire tournament, please relax your guard and enter the gate…]

"Wait, are we doing this… inside the gate? This is absurd."

"Indeed. But we're all special, right? The experienced bunch! Hahaha!"

While I found the concept of doing it within the gate intriguing, it appeared others didn't share my sentiment. I eavesdropped on snippets of conversations, and it was clear not everyone was on board. Most likely due to the majority being rookie hunters, many lacked composure. A few even yelled "Monster!" and hastily retreated at the sight of the gate.

"Oh… No…"

Naturally, Minsoo was among them.

But he really went all out.

From their garish garb to their extravagant armory, the Gladire contenders were a sight to behold. Some seemed to have packed for an apocalypse rather than a tournament. Amidst this parade of eccentricity, Minsoo's traditional hanbok and black hat stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Hey, aren't you Baek Taeyang?"

"What?"

As I prepared to approach the gate, someone addressed me.

"I'm Park Kyungchul. Ring a bell?"

"It doesn't."

"?"

"?"

We exchanged quizzical glances for a moment.

Who the heck is he, and why's he barging in now? I'm trying to focus on getting through that gate and scoping out the scene here…

After introducing himself, the man stared at me for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha! You're just as fiery and impressive as they say! But, there's a little hiccup we need to address… You know, I'm your senior, so it feels a bit strange using informal speech, don't you think? Although, it could just be nerves… Let's brush it off with a casual apology. The reason I came up to you is—"

"No, it wasn't nerves. I deliberately used informal speech."

We're not in the academy.

"What…?"

"I said I did it on purpose. Senior? I don't even know who you are."

"Um… Well…"

Forcing yourself to impress someone was unnecessary. And if this were following typical clichés, he'd definitely be an extra.

The louder they talk, the more likely they're just extras.

He seemed to have attached himself to me hoping to gain something. No chance.

[Rocinante Activated! Drive safely!]

Heeiiing—

The sound of the steed's hooves pounding and neighing loudly reverberated through the arena. Rocinante made his presence known after a long absence.

I shouldn't waste time on pointless conversations with extras like him.

I swiftly mounted Rocinante, leaving Park Kyungchul behind, and entered the gate. The Gladire qualifiers were now underway.

"No… Carrying a weapon case the size of a bed… and claiming not to know me…!"

I paid no heed to the words echoing from behind.