Basketball Match

Chapter 9 - Basketball Match

"Damn. Those happened when I was away?" 

Su-hyeok felt guilty for not being able to help his friends.

"Yes, Do-hyun challenged Gwi-nam to a basketball match. If he lose the fight, he'll do whatever Gwi-nam wants."

Cheong-san expressed his worry about the match. 

"Where's Do-hyun?" 

Su-hyeok searched around their classroom, but couldn't find him at all.

*I'm here."

Kim Do-hyun opened the sliding door and entered inside after washing himself from the disgusting spit.

After seeing him, the group immediately began to surround him worriedly.

However, he ignored their worries and just made a request.

"Please help me practice for the basketball fight tomorrow."

Since there was already no backing out, they agreed to help him.

"Sure. We'll help you defeat that bastard tomorrow."

Su-hyeok reassuredly patted Kim Do-Hyun's shoulder.

"Thanks."

Kim Do-Hyun smiled warmly at them.

And that warm smile alone was enough to make them happily help him.

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After several hours passed, school was finally over after the students finished cleaning the school at 4:30 PM.

The confiscated phones were given back to the students by the teachers.

"I've missed many things."

Kim Do-Hyun checked to see if there was new things on the app. 

And there was indeed new things—

[Map Entry Has Been Added]

A new feature was added to the main menu of the achievement app.

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[Hero Status] ⇐

[Hero's Diary] (New!)

[Hall Of Achievement] (New!)

[Map Entry] (New!)

[Future Entry]

[Traveler's Shop]

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Kim Do-Hyun clicked the [Map Entry] that currently held one new map.

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[Map Entry]

>[Hyosan High School Map (New)].

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"I guess this map was created after exploring the entire school."

Kim Do-Hyun clicked the map and saw a 2D layout of the entire school appearing on the screen. On the lower left corner, there was a [Help Radar] fixed there.

There were various green little dots moving around the map.

"Cheong-san..?"

Not only him, he saw other familiar names under every green dot.

If this was a game…

Then the function of the map was to display the location of his allies or friends inside the school.

"I don't know if this map is useful or not…"

The map was useful for not getting lost and finding his friends, but it was too simple to be a function in the achievement app.

Kim Do-Hyun then checked the progress of his diary.

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[Hero's charming voice has captured the hearts of people]

[+Common Achievement, +10 AP]

[Hero has showed his marvelous ability to sense people with problems]

[+Uncommon Achievement, +20 AP]

[Hero has calmly won a battle of mind and wits against a villain]

[+Rare Achievement, +40 AP]

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From the diary, Kim Do-Hyun felt he received useful achievements. He decided to check if his thoughts were indeed true.

These were his three new achievements obtained from the school:

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[Hall Of Achievement]

[My Voice Is Disney Rated (Common)]

–Grants Seductive Voice.

(Remark: Your voice is what disney is looking for!)

[Helpful Person]

-Grants Help Radar.

(Remark: Allows you to know if someone is experiencing a predicament)

[Calm Mind (Rare)]

-Grants Calm Mind.

(Remark: You have the ability to think calmly in stressful situations.)

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Amongst the three, Kim Do-Hyun found the last one the most useful achievement for his current situation.

And although he received a seductive voice, it didn't change his current voice at all.

"Help Radar. I never expected the achievements to also apply to the main functions of the achievement app."

This was a new discovery.

And as for the [Hero Status]:

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[Hero Status]

[Hero Characteristics]

Mind: Good Learner, Excellent Memory, Calm Mind.

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"It feels good and relaxing to see my achievements and characteristics slowly increasing…"

A sense of achievement filled Kim Do-Hyun.

"Hurry up, Do-Hyun! Let's go to a basketball court outside the school to practice!"

The guys urged him from the door while carrying their bags.

"On my way."

Kim Do-Hyun felt grateful for his friends as they canceled their own plans to help him practice.

They were true friends.

Kim Do-Hyun felt happy to have them as he had no one before.

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"Wow…"

"This is the perfect place to practice basketball. No one will disturb us here at all."

Kim Do-Hyun and the others were inside a secluded basketball court.

"How familiar are you with basketball?"

Before they started, the others wanted to know the basketball experience of Kim Do-Hyun.

"I've played it well back in the past. Although I've stopped playing until now."

It was the truth.

The old Kim Do-hyun used to be outgoing and friendly before being bullied. He used to play sports like basketball with his old friends during their free time in his old school.

But now…

Kim Do-Hyun knew his skills had now become rusty.

"That's why I need all of your help to polish my skills."

Su-hyeok and the others smiled before starting to remove their vest. They also unbuttoned their long-sleeved shirts to move more freely.

"We won't go easy on you."

"That's what I'm looking for."

Kim Do-Hyun also prepared himself like them.

"Remember to treat us to dinner after this session!"

It was Dae-su who sneakily requested dinner.

"Sure."

Kim Do-hyun was brimming with energy and determination.

And the others would soon regret practicing with him.

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After the basketball practice that lasted until 7 PM, Kim Do-Hyun treated his exhausted friends to dinner at a cheap yet delicious family restaurant.

"Thanks for the treat!"

The exhausted friends tiredly thanked Kim Do-Hyun before saying their farewells to rest at home.

"My expenses are off the roof."

Kim Do-hyun remembered he still needed to buy another phone to serve as the substitute of his main phone.

"I guess I'll go to a second-hand phone shop."

He searched around for a second-hand shop that sold a variety of cheap knockoff phones.

After finding one, he bought a fake samsung phone that relatively resembled his black phone.

"This should be enough. If they doubt it, I should just say I broke my old phone."

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Kim Do-Hyun successfully arrived home and threw his uniforms at the laundry.

Catalk!

He was surprised to hear his Cacaotalk again after a long time since unfriending his past contacts.

When he checked his phone, he saw many accounts adding him to their friend lists.

"It's those guys…"

Kim Do-Hyun remembered Cheong-san and the others asking him about his social media. He told them about his Cacaotalk account and Winstagram account.

After being added by them, Kim Do-Hyun was added to the class group chat of Class 2-5.

Katalk!

He then saw he was also added to a new group chat called — "Hyosan Boys Group From Class 2-5".

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CheongCheong: @Kim, is this really you? Can't tell without a profile picture. (Tearful Panda Emoji.img)

Kim: Yes. It's me.

LordGyeong: Why don't you have a profile pic???? Ur wasting your pretty face! (Angry Dinosaur Emoji.img)

Kim: I'll consider it.

LordGyeong: You! Must! Definitely!

Mr. Wu: @Kim, good luck with your match tomorrow. (Fighting! Emoji.img)

CheongCheong: We'll cheer for you there.

Kim: (Bowing Thankful Sage Emoji.img)

LordGyeong: LOL. What's with that emoji? (Dying Of Laughter Emoji.img)

Mukdae-su: Do-Hyun, will definitely win! No cap. I swear with my money.

Bare-su: Me too. He was a stamina freak earlier. He'll definitely win.

Kim: Guys, thank you. But I'll study now.

LordGyeong: Crazy. This dude still has the guts to study! (Shocked Emoji.img) 

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The chat ended with the others reacting with a laughing emoji.

Kim Do-Hyun placed his phone away while smiling subtly.

Today was really a different experience unlike the days where he was constantly bullied.

"I will treasure this friendship…"

Kim Do-Hyun opened his textbooks on the desk and started to study again. He planned to quickly finish studying the entire three years of lessons for high school level.

Then…

He would start focusing on studying specialized subjects related to biology and medical textbooks.

Kim Do-Hyun finished studying when the time hit 2 AM.

Although he stayed late, he knew he would completely recover after waking up early tomorrow.

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The next day.

As Kim Do-Hyun climbed the stairs, he encountered On-jo.

"Oh! Hello, On-jo."

On-jo greeted him back.

"Are you adjusting well to school?"

"Yes."

Kim Do-Hyun responded positively despite experiencing some troubles.

"That's good to hear. You know, I was really surprised you joined our class. You told me you were gonna transfer to our school, but I didn't expect you to be in the same class."

"Me too. I was quite surprised."

"You didn't look like it, though!"

"Haha."

Kim Do-Hyun only let out a few chuckles.

"If you have problems, don't hesitate to tell me as your friend. Just remember to make more snacks for me."

Pat! Pat!

On-jo patted Kim Do-Hyun's back while dazedly longing to taste those amazing snacks again.

Kim Do-hyun could vividly feel her craving for the snacks he made. He remembered the day he gave On-jo and Cheong-san the first cookies he made after learning about them in the culinary class.

It looked like On-jo really loved it.

"I'll bring some to school."

"Really!? You're awesome!"

On-jo happily walked towards their classroom with Kim Do-Hyun following behind.

Their short conversation allowed him to feel less tense about the fight later.

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"It's gonna be lunch time soon."

The whole group gathered around Kim Do-hyun who was patiently waiting for the fight.

He was calm.

He believed in the tiring basketball practice he did with his friends. Not only that, he also had past experience to support him.

Moreover…

Kim Do-Hyun glanced at the new achievement he obtained from the basketball practice yesterday.

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[Hall Of Achievement]

[Basketball Freak (Common)]

-Grants Basketball Talent.

(Remark: A basketball talent that allows one to easily learn basketball skills. The usage of learned skills are smooth and natural.)

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There was a new talent added to his talent-type characteristics.

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[Hero Status]

[Hero Characteristics]

Talent: Cleaning Talent, Cooking Talent, Basketball Talent.

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Kim Do-Hyun believed with this new achievement, even if he was not the best basketball player, he won't easily lose against Gwi-nam.

He held a firm faith in himself and the achievement app.

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Wuuuuuuu!

When the school bell rang, it was finally time for the fight.

"There's a fight!"

"There's a fight outside!"

"Someone's fighting!"

"Hurry up!"

A group of students were going into various classrooms to talk about the fight.

"On-jo! In-sak!"

A group of girls ran towards the two best friends.

"The transfer student and Gwi-nam are gonna fight! Su-hyeok, Cheong-san, and the others are with him!"

"What!?"

Shocked by those words, On-jo and In-sak immediately went to the location of the fight.

The other students from Class 2-5 also came to watch. 

From normal students, the bully victims, and the bullies themselves.

Maybe except for Nam-ra.

"Hurry! Place your bets on who will win the fight! Gwi-nam or the transfer student!"

There were some cronies going around to gather bets with the sole intention of earning money.

"Gwi-nam!"

"Gwi-nam!"

"Gwi-nam!"

"Transfer student!"

"Transfer student!"

"Transfer student""

Many voted for Gwi-nam, but there were also those who voted for Kim Do-Hyun.

Kim Do-Hyun and the others were standing at the basketball court.

All of them faced Gwi-nam and his boyfriends.

"Gwi-nam, is that the guy who acts arrogant just because of his good looks?"

An unfamiliar guy asked commandingly besides Gwi-nam.

"Yes." 

The way Gwi-nam acted to this guy was like a slave to his master.

"I don't like his face. Go make trash out of him."

He was Son Myeong-Hwan, the head of the school bullies.

Gwi-nam smiled as if the request was the most natural thing to do.

He then threw a look at Kim Do-Hyun.

"I'm glad you didn't run away, you bastard."

Gwi-nam taunted with a smile that seemed to exist just to annoy people.

"That should be my words."

Gwi-nam slowly approached Kim Do-Hyun while holding a familiar basketball.

"The match. Let's fucking start now. You damn bastard."

His eyes full of hostility stared sharply as the humiliation from yesterday wasn't still not forgotten.

"I'll tell you the rules first."

Kim Do-hyun remained unfazed.

"Our fight will be on a half-court and have a 10 point scoring. Lastly, you and I will keep the promise we've made."

"I get it, so let's begin. I'm itching to start."

Gwi-nam sadistically grinned.

"After I win, I'll carve my name on your face everyday using a knife."

Kim Do-Hyun ignored his words and just got into his position.

"Let's start. I'll let you attack first."

Gwi-nam then clicked his tongue as he also got into position.

"You'll pay a price for daring to underestimate me."

Gwi-nam was someone who frequently played basketball with his cronies. If bullying was his number one skill, then his basketball skills was his number two skill.

Kim Do-Hyun simply smiled.

"I'll never start a fight I would lose."

The crowd buzzed with anticipation and tension as Kim Do-Hyun calmly faced off against Gwi-nam.

As the match began, Gwi-nam wasted no time, muscling his way to the basket with brute force. With a quick dribble, he maneuvered around Kim Do-Hyun who tried to follow and guard him.

"Shithead."

Gwi-nam smirked tauntingly as he performed a right spin move to successfully maneuver past Kim Do-Hyun.

However–

"You shouldn't underestimate me."

As he shifted his balance to the side, Kim Do-Hyun flexibly and precisely reached his arm backward — his arm was like a ladle as it slapped the ball away from Gwi-nam's grasp.

"...!"

The crowd was amazed to see the incredible defense play by Kim Do-Hyun.

Gwi-nam stared at him menacingly as veins throbbed from his temple.

"You are really dead!"

Kim Do-Hyun went to grab the ball after Gwi-nam lost it.

"Death is something lightly to speak of."

He then started to smoothly dribble and made his way to the basket.

Gwi-nam quickly went to guard Kim Do-Hyun. He tried many ways to take possession of the ball, but Kim Do-Hyun kept the ball faraway.

"Ah shit! Why won't you lose!?'

Gwi-nam cursed him.

"It's too embarrassing to lose to an attention seeker."

Kim Do-Hyun then performed a crossover to get across Gwi-nam.

"Ah fuck!"

Gwi-nam tried to forcefully grab Kim Do-Hyun's shirt, but suddenly found himself grasping air.

A feint!

Kim Do-Hyun had performed a sharp reverse dribble to get to the other side of Gwi-nam.

He then leaped straight into the air, his elbow in hand above the head, and launched the ball in a high arc towards the basket.

"A jumpshot!"

A surge of excitement and thrill filled the mind of those who were watching.

Swoosh!

Bang!

The ball sank in the net!

"Oh!!!"

The place became full of excited noises from that score.

"Woah, Do-Hyun is really cool…"

In-sak dazedly stared at the cool figure of Kim Do-Hyun scoring a goal.

"You're right."

On-jo couldn't help but agree.

Other girls were also screaming in high pitch for Kim Do-Hyun. Even the bullies who were supposed to be friends with Gwi-nam.

"2-0. My lead."

Kim Do-Hyun announced his score while looking at Gwi-nam with a smile.

A cool smile.

Gwi-nam tightly clenched his teeth after receiving that look.

He would pay for that!

...

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