I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Golden Dragon Martial Arts Tournament (4)

▶ The next event is archery! ◀

▶ Please proceed to the designated waiting room to check your equipment and prepare for the match. ◀

The second day of the martial arts tournament had arrived.

From here on out, there would be no more sports festival-like events.

The real “martial arts” events would begin, those directly related to combat.

While the first day had resembled a sports festival, the main episodes of this game still revolved around one-on-one combat. In this era, that was the main attraction.

Because of that, the points awarded on the second day carried more weight.

The gap from the first day could easily be overturned.

In other words, this was the true start of the tournament.

‘My stats… should be enough.’

Lv. 70

▶ Strength 6.53

▶ Agility 7.81

▶ Stamina 8.09

▶ Constitution 6.39

▶ Immunity 1.65

▶ ??? 70%

Even when I had maxed out my stats in the game, they hadn’t been this high.

My body, diligently trained and honed, was a force to be reckoned with, even in this data-driven world.

And since I knew what events were coming, I had been able to prepare in advance.

Thanks to that, I had even practiced archery, despite never having touched a bow in my previous life.

Of course, that didn’t mean I could be completely at ease.

While this branch of the story was following a familiar path, the events were slightly different.

So, unlike before, where I had chosen to avoid the waiting room, I now had to go there to gather any missing information.

And as a result,

I was able to obtain some useful information.

“Just now, someone withdrew from the tournament. So they had to rearrange the participant list due to the shortage of competitors.”

My position had been changed to F15 due to the withdrawal.

It was a lower position, but it was also more susceptible to wind.

Therefore, according to the optimal conditions I had determined in the game, I needed to increase the rigidity of the bow and use larger arrows.

‘It’s a good thing I came down here.’

I could have Count Ptoah double-check my equipment. I had already taken precautions.

“They added another archery event. Originally, it was just a target shooting competition, but they added a head-to-head match where you control your opponent’s target with mana.”

Not only that, but the archery event was now divided into two categories.

One was the familiar target shooting competition. The other was a head-to-head match where you had to hit your opponent’s moving target, controlled by their mana, while defending your own.

This match required multitasking, and it was crucial to understand your opponent’s style.

Since the number of participants had decreased, my opponent must have changed as well. I was able to check the updated list and get a general idea of their style.

“Count Ptoah is taking care of my equipment, and I still have some time…”

Should I look for any hidden items?

As far as I knew,

There were several hidden items that could be quite helpful during this martial arts tournament.

I could find a grip that improved accuracy in the storage room, and if I went to the far end of the practice area, I could meet a traveling merchant who would give me a special thread to reinforce my bow.

There were also items placed throughout the venue that were specific to certain sponsors.

In short, finding and using the right items at the right time was crucial for maximizing points.

Well, it was a bit cliché, but that was part of the charm of these RPG Maker games.

Clicking on every object and finding hidden items was a staple of the genre.

I set off immediately.

‘Count Ptoah… Count Ptoah… If it’s him…’

The item I could obtain if Count Ptoah was my sponsor.

I headed towards the opposite building, recalling the information from the game.

As I made my way towards the waiting room, I heard a strange sound.

-Thwack! Thud!

“…That sound…”

I gulped.

It was a sound I was all too familiar with.

My pace quickened.

A sense of dread washed over me, and my mouth went dry.

It was the sound of someone being kicked.

“Ugh…!”

As I got closer, the sounds of impact grew louder, and I could hear voices.

I could picture the scene in my mind.

Someone, cowering, being kicked and beaten by multiple people.

I started running.

I turned the corner, and there it was.

“Should’ve… kept quiet… Now look what you get.”

“You’ve been a nuisance ever since last year.”

“Just say the word, and it’ll be over.”

“Ugh…! I-I can’t…!”

It was bullying. Plain and simple.

…Damn it.

I felt sick to my stomach.

But I couldn't act rashly.

‘…I forgot about this.’

-Ding!

▶ Encounter with a specific character triggered. ◀

▶ You can now participate in an additional episode. ◀

▶ Will you accept? ◀

It was true that useful items and information could be found in the waiting rooms. But this game was full of traps.

There was always a price to pay for those items.

Picking up the wrong item could trigger a trap, leading to trouble.

A careless action could fulfill a hidden condition, forcing me to participate in a sub-episode as a penalty.

And there were plenty of other traps as well.

This was one of them. This trap forced me to meet a specific character and make a choice, triggering an episode regardless of the timing.

Logically, I should leave.

This type of episode was the most troublesome.

But…

How could I just walk away?

How could I, of all people, ignore this?

“Damn it, you’re persistent. Why are you so stubborn?”

“Just give up already!”

“N-no! There’s nothing wrong with him winning!”

…

How could I possibly do that?

It was impossible for me, of all people, to ignore this.

I silently approached and placed my hand on one of their shoulders.

-Tap.

“What the hell? Who’s this nosy bas—”

-Thwack!

“Gah!”

I punched him in the gut, sending him sprawling to the ground. The others turned to look at me.

“Sorry for interrupting. Seriously.”

“C-Carsein Bagrand…”

“What are you doing here?!”

-Crack.

Their expressions were as though they had seen a ghost.

As if I shouldn't be here.

Well, let’s test it.

“Why? Am I not allowed to be here?”

“…”

“…”

They remained silent, their mouths clamped shut, as if confirming my suspicions.

They were definitely hiding something.

“Whatever. You’re all going to get it.”

I was in a very bad mood.

-Ding!

▶ Episode accepted. ◀

▶ This episode has a significant impact. The Main Episode has been changed! ◀

▶ Episode II: An Unexpected Gaze will begin. ◀

***

“Ugh…”

It was over.

One, two, three, and the last one.

It hadn’t taken long to deal with them. Their fighting skills were pathetic.

The last one, after seeing my challenging stance, gritted his teeth, then backed down, his face a mask of frustration.

“Worthless pieces of…”

As I dusted off my hands, clicking my tongue, the person I had saved stood up.

“Um… Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you…”

“Don’t worry about it.”

▶ Episode II: An Unexpected Gaze cleared. ◀

▶ You have successfully rescued the person who was being bullied. ◀

▶ No penalties will be applied. ◀

I had only come here for that notification, anyway.

I had dealt with the bullies, and cleared the episode without incurring any penalties.

I needed to get back to my waiting room and prepare for my match.

Just as I turned to leave…

“Wait, brother!”

He grabbed my arm.

“…Brother? What if someone hears you—?”

“Brother, you… you won’t do that again, right?”

“What?”

“You didn’t use your full strength during the last tournament!”

His sudden question surprised me.

Carsein hadn’t used his full strength?

This was something I couldn't ignore.

“I don’t know why you think that…”

“Don’t lie! If you had fought seriously, you could have won! All of them!”

“Well, maybe you’re mistaken.”

“Brother!”

He raised his voice.

“I know how to use a sword, too! So I know! You… you deliberately lost those matches!”

“…”

This was getting annoying.

-Ding!

▶ A chained episode can be accepted. ◀

▶ The clear conditions for Episode III: Proving Your Worth have changed. ◀

[Clear Condition: Top 10%]

▶ Refusal will result in a slight decrease in reputation with the First Knight Squadron. ◀

▶ Will you accept? ◀

His name was Willard Stephan.

One of the few people who supported Carsein.

As his last name indicated, he was a descendant of Sir Carlton, a member of the Bagrand Duchy’s First Knight Squadron.

In other words, this was a Bagrand-related episode.

‘There’s only one solution. I have to achieve the clear condition and show everyone that their support for Carsein wasn’t misplaced.’

Supporting Carsein in this society was essentially social suicide. Accepting this episode was a huge pain.

Refusing would be the smart choice.

I knew nothing about this situation.

I didn't know if Carsein was truly skilled, whether he had deliberately lost those matches, or even who his opponents were.

But, I somehow understood this situation.

…Because something similar had happened to me.

That’s why I understood.

‘Right. There was someone like him back then, too.’

That's just how schools worked.

The seniors graduated, moving on.

And as the years passed, I became a senior myself. And just like me, new students arrived. The so-called juniors.

In a way, it was better for time to pass quickly.

The upperclassmen who tormented me would gradually disappear. An entire class of enemies, gone.

And the juniors wouldn't dare to cross a senior.

But reality wasn't so simple, so I had abandoned that hope early on.

New students, graduating seniors…

It didn't matter how many people changed.

Rumors about Kim Min-hyeok would spread.

The juniors would hear about me, one way or another.

Old enemies disappeared, and new enemies appeared. I wouldn't have any allies until I graduated.

…That’s what I had thought.

Until I met him.

-Bullshit. He’s practically the kendo club captain in terms of skill. Why are you picking on him?!

There had been juniors who joined the kendo club.

And among them, there was one who had spoken up for me.

He had recognized my skill, and had boldly confronted the seniors who tormented me.

And soon after, he became a target of bullying himself. Just like I had been.

‘…Come to think of it, that was during the sports festival, too.’

I had saved him from being bullied.

-Brother, if you fought seriously, you would win. I know you’re holding back!

-You’re just taking it easy on them, right? To avoid trouble?

And I had deliberately lost matches last year to avoid trouble.

What a strange coincidence.

Not only was it during the sports festival, but he was even similar to the junior from my past.

“Forget about that. It’s not going to happen again.”

“What?”

I chuckled, seeing his bewildered expression.

“I’m going to win this tournament.”

Just like I had at the sports festival.

-Ding!

▶ Episode III: Proving Your Worth accepted. ◀

▶ Affinity with a specific character has increased. ◀

[ Willard Stephan ]

[ Affinity: 38% ]

***

I left Willard and returned to my waiting room.

It was finally time.

It wasn’t strange for Count Ptoah to be here, as he was my sponsor.

But he wasn’t alone.

“My Lady, the young master has just arrived.”

“…”

[Arina Bagrand]

[Affinity: 35%]

-Ding!

▶ A random family member has arrived. ◀

▶ The family member selected is Arina. Please complete the conversation. ◀

The mandatory event of the second day of the martial arts tournament.

And of course, the most troublesome one had appeared.

…

…

…

“Then I’ll wait in the room across the hall until your conversation is over.”

“Thank you, Count.”

Count Ptoah excused himself, and Arina and I were left alone in the waiting room.

‘There are no choices?’

In Chapter 3, the focus was on the martial arts tournament results and the Another Plan, so there were often instances of skipped scenes.

In the game, the conversation was brief, and the scene quickly transitioned, but why was it different here?

Just in case, I decided to get straight to the point.

I turned to Arina, who had finally approached, and asked,

“What do you want?”

Arina sighed and gave instructions to the servants.

The servants brought in all sorts of items, and the table in my waiting room was soon filled with them.

“You may choose anything you wish. This is my way of making amends.”

“What?”

“I’ve learned that you weren’t at fault. Yes, it was clearly my misjudgment. So, I intend to compensate you for that, Carsein.”

Hah. Compensation.

Apologizing with material goods. How familiar. Just like my older sister.

In a way, it was a relief.

“And as Mother said, I’ll return all your privileges. From now on—”

“I don’t need it.”

My blood ran cold.

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