Chapter 9: Those Who Don't Smile at Winter, Will Never Laugh at Spring (4).
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" What are the traits of the strong? "
This was what Leon asked his coach as a kid before his death .
As he stared at the white sky، in the Meadow of punishment , confusion flashed through his eyes .
What does strong mean? Why is strong distinguished and weak indefinite ?
The passage of time makes him drift towards nothingness, and when a hollow feeling lodges in the boy's heart, he tends to satisfy his curiosity .
Is it fear of nothingness ?
No, he had lived in this place for so long already, fear was no longer a feeling he remembered .
He was simply hungry .
The first time Leon tasted victory, it was when he survived the awakening ritual .
It felt weird, but it wasn't bad .
He even felt full .
The elder boy's hunger was caused by his lack of a purpose in life .
When he tasted the flavor of victory and drank its waters, he realized his purpose in life .
What he wanted was not "power," but to achieve his own goal .
That feeling of being invincible, that the whole world is there to witness his evolution .
The moment that "he" alone possesses .
" I feel that the strong enjoy it more than the weak. What is power? Why is feeling powerful so enjoyable? Tell me ."
The boy's eyes were filled with a strange ecstasy, even his voice when he asked seemed possessed .
Making the impossible possible, and struggling to break through its limitations .
Is there a feeling in the world more beautiful than this ?
It's fun, it's so fun !
Walking the path to the goal is more enjoyable than achieving it .
And when it is achieved after the utmost struggle ?
This is the best feeling in the world .
This realization was not deep, but instinctive .
The boy did not understand with his mind, but with his heart .
Being a friend of madness and loyal to himself, little Leon listened to the voice of his heart above all else .
Thus was born the insatiable curiosity .
After a week had finally passed, the only hour when he could ask the "old man" what he wanted came .
The coach had been used to the strange boy's questions for a long time, and he answered as best he could .
At the other time, he is overcome by an unconscious curiosity towards the boy's questions .
The man increased his knowledge, so that he could pass his knowledge on to the boy .
Unlike the other trainees, who had become mirrors of the adults here, he was different .
It wasn't like a flower that matched the rest .
It was the flower that blooms on the mountainside after winter, unique and without equal .
So teaching him was "fun ".
He opened his mouth to answer :
" We are a people who speak the same words to each other. We all get sick. Forgiveness and pardon blend in our hearts at one time, and hatred enters our minds at another. These are natures that all people share. "
" But didn't they teach us from an early age that we are not equal? " the boy said, puzzled.
" The reason is simple, and from that reason came to peoples and civilizations the pursuit of development as well as corruption. The origin of inequality is the desire for distinction. "
Everyone has desires and emotions, and from those desires one derives one's understanding of the world .
The most important of these desires is the commitment to leaving an impact .
Marriage, inventions, excellence .
All of these things serve one purpose .
That quest was the will to leave their traces, evidence that they existed, that they lived .
Why do people stand together ?
Because they fear isolation .
Isolation is not about being alone, it's deeper .
Isolation is denial and annihilation, to be annihilated from people's hearts and memories, to remain in an environment where you have no one to talk to but yourself .
No enemy to fight, no ally to cooperate with, you alone, like a hollow .
This was isolation .
People fear it because it makes them realize how insignificant they are .
The child wants to be hugged and cared for, this is discrimination .
Couples want love from each other, this is distinction .
The student wants his teacher's praise, this is excellence .
" I know this a little… It's like how I wanted to feel when I was lost, because the fear of disappearing, though slight, whispered to me, but the joy when I came to my senses, knowing that I had won over madness again, outweighed that, is that it ?"
The boy's eyes sparkled with pride, as if he had found the answer to a very difficult question .
Leon wasn't afraid of mortality in his youth .
Whether people forget him or not, he doesn't care .
He was already used to being hated here, and didn't remember that they loved him .
Indifference to ants is a natural thing .
The boy wasn't an ant, but he understood, so he did the same thing .
So he is Egoist .
Maybe there were people who loved him, maybe not, how would he know ?
So he didn't care .
What was scary for him was to forget himself .
Even that, though terrifying, he found it enjoyable .
In those moments of fear, a new side of himself is revealed .
This understanding makes him aware of danger and madness, and that madness motivates him to move forward .
And when he wins, he becomes the happiest person in the world .
I don't know what you mean, you rascal .
... is what the man wanted to say .
" Yes, and for the same reason, people like to be strong, because strength in our world means dominance. The strong can do whatever they want, but that is not what your curiosity is about, am I right ?"
The boy nodded quickly, his flashing eyes containing no madness .
Unlike the times when he was left alone with the monsters, fighting and killing, the clarity in his expression made the man deeply realize, what was in front of him was nothing but a child .
No one else had seen this side of the boy, and this made him feel encouraged when he was away from him due to the rules, and eager to meet him again .
" The traits of the strong? They are simple. People believe that the strong is the one who has the strongest body, the most brilliant mind, or perhaps the best character. These qualities are exactly right, but they are not the most correct . Many peoples boasted about them, but they were wiped out by a flood of bitter despair. "
As the man spoke, the boy thought deeply and tried to interpret the words .
But he shook his head in the end .
He was too young to understand what the old man was saying .
" I don't understand anything you're saying, just tell me already !"
"… you wicked kid "
The trainer resisted the urge to hit his head hard, and shifted his gaze to the boy's crimson eyes .
" You have survived the ordeal so far, despite being average in physical standards. You are not the strongest in the facility. Are you the only survivor among your generation? The younger and older than you did not ascend through the awakening ritual, so the 16-year-olds are the lower standard. "
" Stronger than your peers, yes, but this environment is unfair. You will be confronted by those who are bigger, fiercer, and stronger, and death is the expected outcome ."
" You're not the smartest, you're a genius in thought, but your experience is lacking in front of real monsters, even resources were denied to you unless you eliminated the monsters, which are merely predators whose strength doesn't exceed the first moon, so why did you stay alive ?"
" Oi! I'm the strongest person I know! Not to mention my mind and even the freshness of my beautiful smile! Don't insult me, old man- "
" Listen to me first !"
Bam !
" Aaaah !"
The man sighed in relief after finally hitting the boy .
" You search for the qualities of strength far, far away from their source, but you already have them ."
" … What ? "
' I know this place is already insanity, but is it that terrible? Poor man …'
The old man has lost his mind... what a pity .
Just as he was about to sneer again, his eyes met the man's .
The old man's eyes were slightly droopy, and on his face, there was a smile .
A gentle smile, a warm smile .
A smile that is too strange for the boy to understand .
This was the first time he saw him smile .
"…."
This left the boy speechless, and he watched the old man speak in a soft tone .
" Dissatisfaction, no matter how desperate your situation, you were not satisfied with remaining still, and in your moments of greatest joy, you were satisfied with nothing but more ."
" Genius or Gifted, it's not despair or bitterness that kills them, it is contentment. The moment you feel satisfied, you die. The satisfied is the satiated. The satisfied is the rabbit who relaxes his guard. His only destiny is to become food for the growth of another creature ."
But the boy was different .
His talent wasn't that special .
He survived the awakening ritual at that age, that's the wonder of wonders, but he was just ordinary, not gifted, not a genius .
But was he satisfied ?
He fought no matter the circumstances, he struggled against everything, against those who had deceived him into believing they were allies, against betrayal and against the regime .
The old man had watched him for a long time, before the boy even knew him .
The boy didn't sympathize with others, but he was very emotional .
He laughs when he is happy, cries when he is sad, afraid, angry .
And even more than everyone, actually .
but .
No matter how scary, cruel, or unjust it is .
He always fought, in his times of greatest fear, never running away .
It wasn't courage or impatience, it was just a foolish belief .
' I won't run away from anything, that's what Number Five says !'
With the number he set for himself, he dedicated his life to words .
If not with the blade, then with his arm, if not with the arm, then with his teeth .
Because he wasn't satisfied, he was greedy .
He always wanted more .
Greater power, greater knowledge, and even greater pleasure .
In a restrictive environment, he was freeing himself from the shackles of "complacency ."
So here he was .
" The strong are never satisfied with their level, and always strive for more. "
" Strong isn't the one who thinks deeply or strikes hard, it's the one who finds solutions and implements them, always ."
A strong person is someone who excels no matter what the situation, turning despair into hope, making the impossible possible .
Meadow of punishment was a land where minds were broken and destroyed, but the boy remained sane, embracing his madness and accepting it like an eternal friend .
This, without a doubt, was a traits of the strong .
" Oh, you, naughty boy, you are better than you think, and the world is bigger than you see. One day, you will see it and feel it with your very being. "
That is the strong.
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" Is he asleep ?"
" Really arrogant "
As his memories faded into the dream, the students whispered about the red-eyed youth, but no one came near .
One of the curious ones was Kevin .
He felt a bit upset .
Fast moving, that's his specialty .
Perhaps here or in the White Lake Village, there is someone stronger, but no one has been more creative than him .
Kevin considered himself to have the best reactions among the young generation across the two villages .
But in front of Leon's one step ?
It was too far away, too huge, too unrecognizable .
He didn't want to admit it, so he got upset .
" Let's seriously test your reaction speed …"
He tore the pages of the book he had worked so hard to buy, then piled the pages into a ball .
" Hehehe "
" Fool " As Stella watched his strange laughter, she sighed .
No one came close to Leon, and this was Kevin's chance .
" Hoof …"
The essence energy in his body wasn't special, but he learned to control it over time .
Everyone has energy, and everyone uses it, but there is a difference between ordinary and extraordinary .
The extraordinary consumes it consciously, controlling it, even if only a little .
The ego warrior is a extraordinary creature .
That's what Kevin believed .
With this belief, the youth worked hard to become a extraordinary.
extraordinary are special after all .
Energy circulated through the heart, the feeling vague, but real .
Directing energy towards his arm requires will, and that will is shaped by experience and habit .
Then, that consciousness is transferred through the veins, those veins are the paths of blood and essence energy .
Kevin felt energy running through his arm .
" Slow …"
In order to direct the superpower towards his arm .
It took 10 seconds .
If this was a battlefield, he would have died in a quarter of a century .
' When the three aspects of energy are mastered, the warrior can use ego .'
The arrogant young man's words rang in his mind .
" We will see …"
Haaaab !
Tighten your arm muscles, target set .
then …
" If it's talk without actions !"
Swoosh !
The throw was so powerful, no one could stop it .
Bam !
The paper ball hit the sleeping young man .
This is what had to happen .
" Hmm ?"
An extended hand holding a ball .
"… that old man, he never leaves my dreams, haha "
Leon yawned, unaware of the paper in his arm, and then a slight smile spread across his face .
A man in his 30s, but to the boy he's just an unlucky old man, who ends up spending time with a troublemaker like Leon .
' I didn't accept restrictions, this is my past self, but my now self has greater endeavors '
A hand reaches out to cover the world, an arm touches the stars and lights up the entire world, and the star burns until it goes out .
This is what Leon had been chasing all his life, and he wanted to get closer to that goal before his death .
It all started with the words of that old man, the old man the boy loved, and whose appearance never left the young man's world .
" Man! I haven't slept like that in years !"
What ?
He...stopped it with his hand ?
For the record, Kevin's book wasn't just any paper, it was made from the shit of metal Skull Bull, and its dung was useful in making paper that wouldn't easily deteriorate but was flexible and tough .
When formed into a pile, the leaves can be as hard as a rock, this is essentially a stone being thrown towards Leon's head .
Even if his instinct warns him, the most instinctive reaction is to protect his body, but holding on ?
This is out of logic .
Kevin almost stuttered and made a sound, but he immediately covered his mouth .
He hasn't noticed me yet, I can only blame someone else .
Fight this thing ?
Control essence energy, speed and reflexes, even rumors .
Even a fool can understand, this bastard is a monster .
No fight !
but .
" So ?"
Red eyes stared straight at him .
" Why did you throw this away ?"
Leon was smiling .
But the predator's smile is the ugliest for the prey .
Sharp fangs protruded from his mouth, and his gaze exuded incomprehensible thirst, even cold brutality .
" What? Are you hallucinating from sleep ?"
" Really? Hmm, am I ?"
Leon thought deeply .
then .
!!!
Kevin felt a strange shiver and quickly stepped back .
Clack !
However, it wasn't fast enough .
A rough hand gripped his face roughly .
" That's what you want me to say, but, I can't ignore your blatant desire to fight me, huh ?"
Leon was sitting on Kevin's chair, his arm holding his head .
The hand pressed his jaw tightly .
The pressure on his face was painful .
When did you move ?
Just a moment, a fleeting moment !
Kevin tried to move his body to retreat or attack, but the pain left no room .
" Hey "
" Aaaghaghk !"
The face was suddenly pulled forcefully forward .
" Why are you weak ?"
" heek !"
Kevin felt as if his teeth would break under the pressure, but he tried to throw a punch .
Bam
The blow was very weak .
" Okay, I'll take my time finding out !"
Red-eyed suddenly laughed and raised his fist .
Swoosh !
The young man's punch was heading towards his face .
but .
A flash of sunlight blinded Kevin for a moment .
Then he felt a force pulling him back .
Bang !
Then he heard the sound of the collision .
The sight before Kevin's eyes elicited a surprised sound .
" guys ? "
A leg that smashed the chair appeared, and a sword that cut the air flashed .
And from behind him, two young women pulled him .
" Ya? Do people here like group fighting ?"
Far away, Leon stood, his hands in his pockets, his relaxed face unshakable .
" Yes, that's how it should be, you won't win anyway, bring me what you have !"
Kwaak !
He flipped in the air and then extended his foot towards the ceiling .
His feet touched the ceiling, but he did not fall .
On the contrary, he stuck to it like a spider .
" What is this ? "
" that it -"
Just as Theodore was about to speak in a trembling voice, he suddenly crossed his hands, his eyes wide .
Swoosh !
Bam !
" Kaaaaaghgh !"
Theodore felt as if a buffalo had struck his arms, and from the spot where he stood, he did not back down, the students were behind him .
" Heh? You guys are tough for ants, that's fun !"
Leon, struck from the air, was standing with his open arm above Theodore's crossed arms .
" The blonde will attack when the red beetle blocks my view, then the black-haired stranger will come to surround me, then the mantis boy and the moss-like girl will surprised me …"
At this, the group became speechless .
Certainly, the implicit plan at that fleeting moment was simple .
When Theodore attacks, he will limit Leon's options with his huge body and strength, then Chae Nayun will take advantage of any loopholes he makes, and then Stella will hover around him to increase his confusion .
Finally, Kevin and Luna attack him in a joint attack .
They didn't talk about it, it came instinctively, those instinctive moves came from experience, it shows that they've been working together for a long time .
" Your thoughts are very clear, you thugs. "
Theodore tried to step back, but Leon's arm wouldn't let go, and the young man felt gravity becoming heavier, preventing him from moving .
He couldn't fall here, it would hurt his pride .
' I'll grab him and then let the others retreat, then throw him away to organize our ranks— '
Theodore's gaze flickered and he extended one of his crossed hands .
But Leon jumped back towards the ceiling .
His feet and hands gripping the wall, his cold eyes scanning the entire classroom .
That examination made my heart go cold .
Theodore unconsciously took a step back and screamed .
" Back off quickly— "
" late "
In a moment, he was standing in the middle of the group .
" damn it ! "
Kevin was the first to respond, jumping into the air and spinning, his back heel pointing towards Leon .
He tilted his head slightly to the side, holding his foot, then threw it towards Stella .
' Fuck ! '
Stella cursed her luck and tried to escape .
But Leon was faster .
" Whoosh !"
Strange sounds came out of his mouth .
Before Chae Nayeon could react, he moved towards her and kicked her side .
" Blom !"
Kwang !
At the last moment, she blocked the blow with her sword, but the shockwave swept her body backward .
Then, Leon ran forward, towards Stella at a very high speed .
Swoosh !
In a moment he was in front of her .
All that before Kevin even got to her .
Ridiculous and unfair speed .
" Foosh !"
His fist was ready to strike .
' Danger !'
Her swords were not with her, and unfortunately the dual swords were being repaired .
She raised her arms in a cross to receive the impact .
There was no time to escape, it was better to take the hit to delay him a little, that might give Theodore and Luna a chance to attack .
Her rubbing made sense, and the scene played out in her head a split second before it even happened .
However, Leon's sudden movement made her stunned .
As the effect of his instant running slowed down, the rhythm of his feet changed strangely .
" Ban pan, poosh !"
Light jump, then tap the right foot to the left .
Then push your left foot forward .
Swoosh !
Simple but amazing move .
His back was facing hers, a few inches behind her, and his right hand was touching her back .
Stella's sense of danger grew .
" Oh shit— "
" Bang !"
With that sound effect from his mouth, the girl felt an intangible force pushing her forward .
Then she flew away .
Swoosh !
" Aaaah !"
" Kyaaaa !"
Her head collided with Kevin's, and they both felt dizzy .
And so they fainted .
With his right arm extended, he brought his left arm towards his chest, with a theatrical bow .
" Boom, Bang Fuum !"
He didn't look back at them after that, and quickly moved towards the sword girl .
Chae Nayun didn't catch up to his speed, but she didn't hesitate .
' cut ! '
She brandished the sword before she even realized it .
Kwang !
Leon's hand easily grasped the sword, his arm covered in a glossy black color .
From the sound, it sounded like the arm was metal .
' It's cheating !'
If the sword doesn't cut him, how do you expect me to defeat him !
This is unfair !
" Fast, too weak "
He quickly pulled the sword towards his body, then extended his fist .
' must retreat !'
She tried to let go of the sword and back away, but she was already in range .
Bam !
' Aaaah !'
The outstretched hand hit her stomach, and she felt the air suddenly being snatched away .
In a moment .
Her body flew in the air .
Only Luna and Theodore remain .
"… that's annoying, haha "
A nervous laugh escaped her mouth, but she held her daggers anyway .
Theodore snapped his fingers, his eyes sharp .
He raised his head in the air, then slowly lowered it .
" You moss, you're a nuisance, it's time for bed "
He moved his hand, extended his finger, then pulled it back .
Luna felt a strange force pulling her .
She instinctively tried to resist, but her body couldn't .
" What ? "
Visibly confused, she quickly floated through the air and was in front of Leon .
Completely against her will .
" this ! "
When Theodore wanted to move forward to pull it out, he couldn't move an inch .
The air, its weight, even space, felt heavy to him .
It wasn't a feeling of fear .
Literally speaking, gravity prevented it from moving .
" Leave me alone! You evil, harassing, brutal bastard !"
" Kids are so disrespectful these days, seriously !"
The red-eyed man reached out and tapped her forehead hard with his finger .
Tak !
Her head fell back forcefully as if it was about to fly .
Her eyes rolled back, unconscious .
Her body floated backward, then was thrown onto Stella who tried to stand up .
" Kyaa !"
damn it !
" Now, it's your turn ."
The other students didn't know what to do. These five were the strongest, but they lost. How could they intervene ?
Leon walked over to Theodore, who was bigger and taller than him, and spat on the ground in front of him .
" Come "
' Impossible! Impossible !'
' Are you telling me we don't stand a chance ?!'
His plan was flawless .
Isolating Leon, then reaching out to him as an ally, urging hatred behind the scenes, then courting him publicly .
And when the time comes, he will whisper and direct his anger towards others, causing conflict and then discipline him under the pretext of peace, offering a sincere apology as if Theodore had no choice .
That's what he planned, but !
Why are his allies lying down, while Leon stands tall ?
Whooof …
With a gasp, mist came out of his mouth .
A dark red aura oozed from his body, his pupils turned white, and his iris flashed with crimson light .
The middle finger was held by the thumb, and the monster stared into Theodore's ungrateful eyes .
" insect "
A shiver ran through his body, and his reaction was to pump all his energy into his body .
" Don't mess with me !"
" I won't lose like this !!"
swoosh —!
Suppressed anger and desperate denial of reality harmonized, making physical movement more fluid .
In a moment, he was in front of Leon, about to punch him .
" You should just give up on life, you weakling. "
But the red-eyed man's voice didn't even tremble .
He took a step back, then lightly to the side .
With the finger held as if to prevent recoil, the escape was made .
Bam !
Huh ?
Theodore's body felt drained, a strange weakness, a slackness of the body that seized the soul .
' I… I'm not weak… not like this, not… here- '
then .
Crack —!
The body crashed towards the ground with brutal force, as if gravity suddenly increased .
The impact shattered the ground and caused cracks around the young man's body .
Young Theodore fell unconscious .
All the planning, all the calculations, all the possibilities I've prepared for .
Scattered across like scattered dust .
This is simply called: "weak ".
No matter how much one plans and thinks, without concrete action or implementation that can be applied on the ground, it's bullshit and one's sanity becomes Nothing.
" Just an insect intoxicated by the power of a bigger insect, what can you do ?"
You are all the same .
" Ughhhh !"
" this ! "
" Damn !"
Leon's aura pressure was released towards the spot, and everyone fell to the ground .
" Heeek !"
" No… I can't breathe …!"
The air grew heavier, and the strange wildness in the young man's aura made the environment feel as if it were poisoned .
Breathing itself causes harm and fear .
This was the intent to kill .
A will that is linked to the energy of the essence, then mixed with destructive desire, which results in a stifling pressure in the atmosphere surrounding the person .
No one was left standing .
" I do whatever my soul desires and wants, and I strive for those desires. This is the essence of my soul and the source of my livelihood. That is why I am stronger than you, you are weaker than insects. The soul of every one of you springs from submission, and that is what I call the humility of the hollow. "
But I will change your situation, and whoever survives will become a tyrant .
This is how your Ego shines, from it springs your selves, from it I use you .
For my ambition and development, I will make you stronger .
Do you submit? Or do you break those chains ?
It doesn't matter .
" This is how life is, either one submits to it in despair, or kills his hollow self and then becomes light, one's desires fulfilled, and one's intentions spread across them ."