Everyone is Young Except for Me

Chapter 278

Translator: rainbowturtle

Editors: LD & Jyazen

In the China team’s waiting room, at Union Square…

“…As expected, the United States is truly strong.”

The master of Mantis Boxing, Zhu Yangtian, murmured briefly. The United States was remarkable in not just individual skills, but also strategy. Who would’ve expected Damian, the captain of the United States, to carry out a massive self-destruction? It was really a long-term strategy.

“Umm, they deserve to be our opponents.”

“I am going to show the greatness of Chinese martial arts to Westerners!”

“I will smash Michael with my Seven Tigers Boxing!”

The spirit and dignity of the Chinese team was amazing and Zhu Yangtian had no intention of denying it. The Chinese team already considered the United States to be their final opponent. It was because Asura, the lightning god who made the world tremble, was with them. Zhu Yangtian was elated like he was carrying a thousand troops on his back.

“……”

However, the person involved, Zhen Sulong wasn’t interested. In a corner of the waiting room, he slowly opened his eyes from where he had been meditating. He often imagined fighting the opponent in his head before the battle, but the opponent today was none other than Choi Chuntaek.

“…Don’t be careless. South Korea isn’t an easy opponent.”

All the Chinese team members nodded at Zhen Sulong’s words. Then they rose from their seats and clasped a palm over their fist toward the lightning god. It was a sign of endless respect and appreciation for the stinging advice.

“It was almost a serious problem.”

“I forgot about South Korea.”

“Lightning God, thank you for your enlightenment.”

Zhen Sulong also modestly returned the gesture. They were all seniors, so it was reasonable to treat them respectfully.

“It is nothing.”

Zhen Sulong slowly rose from his seat. It was time to prepare for the next match. There was nothing else to watch. The remaining Spanish players would be slaughtered by Michael. Just in time, they heard the sound of the staff member from beyond the door.

-You will be going out soon!I would be grateful if the Chinese national team is prepared in advance!

Sigh.

Zhen Sulong took a deep breath. His heart was thumping at the thought of fighting his brother.

Thump!Thump!

It might be due to nerves, but his heartbeat and breathing was clearly transmitted to his ears.

‘This Zhen Sulong is actually nervous.’

Choi Chuntaek wasn’t an easy opponent. In his imagination, he had become the lightning god, but he still barely stood side by side with his brother. It was clear that the fight against South Korea would be a fierce battle. However, Zhen Sulong always did his best. It was for his teacher, Yang Mun, whom he met temporarily.

‘Teacher…’

Zhen Sulong thought about it while clenching his right fist. Today was a day when there would be no shortage of lightning.

* * *

Meanwhile, I sat with the Korean national team in front of the TV. The arm wrestle had ended in a draw. It was because the table couldn’t hold out against our strength and was split in half.

-Damian’s self-destruct was successful!

-Torres and Damian were eliminated at the same time!

-It is amazing how he always chooses the best strategy as the captain!

-In this way, Spain is a piece of cake for the United States.

-It is because there is still Michael in the United States team.

Right now, we were watching the match between the United States and Spain. That damn Damian dealt an exquisite blow. Hah, really. Self destruction. It was absurd.

“…It is over for Spain,” Park Muyeol briefly declared. It was true. This was the end for Spain. It was obvious who would come out for the United States next.

-Oh, as expected, Michael came out for the United States!

Waaaah!

The screams of the crowd reached the waiting room. The audience was sending a warm welcome to the best player in the world. Just then, someone opened the door.

“……”

Everyone’s eyes focused on the man. The flustered staff member stammered a bit. “…Cough. E-Excuse me. It is time to go out.”

“Already?"

“Yes. For the top four, you are supposed to enter with your opponent.”

“Is that so?” Park Muyeol turned to me after he questioned the staff member.

“Then we’re going. Everyone, get up.”

All the Korean team members rose from their seats. Everyone looked determined. Maybe it was because they had seen Zhen Sulong fighting. Certainly, he was someone that even I couldn’t guarantee I could beat.

* * *

10 minutes passed.

We stood next to the Chinese players in the passage leading to the stage. The confrontation between the United States and Spain naturally ended with the victory of the United States. Zhen Sulong stood in front for China, and I stood in front for South Korea. It was originally Lim Changyong’s position, but he asked me to stand in front today.

“……”

“……”

However, there was only silence between me and Zhen Sulong. I was definitely happy to see Zhen Sulong in reality, but communication was the problem. I didn’t speak Chinese at all, and Zhen Sulong didn’t speak Korean. We tried to talk to each other a few times, but it didn’t work. I wanted to get on stage and have a conversation using an interpreter.

At this moment…

“Chi fan le ma—?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Mido. Mido was kindly talking to the player next to her while saying, “Chi fan le ma!”

Next to her was Yang Fan, known as the master of Seven Tigers Boxing.

Yang Fan nodded a bit and replied happily, “Chi in le.”

“Mido, can you speak Chinese?” I asked Mido and Mido waved her hand.

“Nope. This is all I know. My friend told me that it means ‘Have you eaten yet?’”

“Oh. Really?”

I moved my gaze back to Zhen Sulong and asked him, “Chi fan le ma—?”

At the same time, the team members asked the Chinese players next to them, “Chi fan le ma?”

Park Muyeol also tried it. It sounded like a curse word due to Park Muyeol’s strong pronunciation. The Chinese players smiled awkwardly and all replied, “Chi in le.”

I wondered if the answer was ‘I have eaten.’

Zhen Sulong shook my hand and smiled. “Chi in le—”

Long words weren’t necessary.

* * *

After a while, I connected to the game.

Zhen Sulong and I had gone to the stage and shared more stories through the interpreter. As expected, he was a good little brother just like in the game and the two of us promised to fight fairly. We shared a hug before entering the capsule and the reporters snapped photos.

“…Kikikik.”

“Pfft. Puhaha.”

“Ah, don’t laugh!”

Mido became angry with Kim Hyeonu and Eun Jeonghyeok, and laughter burst out from among the players. It was due to the words ‘Chi fan le ma’ that she taught us. I learned through the interpreter that this was a phrase that Koreans used when demeaning the Chinese. It was because the pronunciation was similar to Korean swearing.

Sh*t. It was no wonder why Muyeol’s pronunciation sounded like that.

“Puhahaha!”

“Puhahaha!”

Even Lim Sara and Lim Changyong burst out laughing. Mido’s face was burning red like a maple tree. In fact, I was also enduring my laughter.

“Cough.Cough…”

“Ahum!Hum!”

Park Muyeol stood next to me and stared up at the sky in an effort to suppress his laughter. The twitching of his lips showed that it was immensely unbearable.

“Grandfathers, I hate you—!”

Mido screamed with a red face before manipulating something in the air and disappearing before our eyes.

[The user ‘Mido’ has entered the stadium.]

Mido ran away and became the first player. The opponent was unfortunately Yang Fan, the master of the Seven Tigers Boxing and the first one Mido said ‘Chi fan le ma’ to. The players once again laughed at the sight.

Hohohoho.Kekekeke.

Then I angrily scolded them. “Be quiet, these guys!”

“……”

“Cough.Cough…”

It became a bit quieter. I wasn’t laughing as a grandfather, but I wanted to laugh. Thanks to my glare, the eyes of the team slowly returned to normal. In any case, the main thing right now was the confrontation with China. China was by no means an easy opponent.

* * *

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what it meant.”

“It’s fine. I saw your face and realized you really didn’t know. Don’t worry about me and the other Chinese players. We don’t care about this.

Yang Fan accepted Mido’s apology with a palm over his fist. The attitude was so polite that it made the offender Mido feel a sense of gratitude and apology. She copied what she saw in a Chinese martial arts movie, but she didn’t know if it was correct.

“Ah, I don’t know. It must be correct.’

Yang Fan just smiled at Mido’s awkward appearance.

[The game is starting.]

[10, 9, 8…]

“…Sigh.”

Mido erased what had happened from her head. A mistake was made and Yang Fan accepted the apology. All that was left was to focus on the game and win. This was in line with Zhen Sulong asking her grandfather to fight fairly. Mido was envious and proud that such a great player considered his grandfather as an older brother. How many people could be called ‘Brother’ by the lightning god? That person was her grandfather.

She shivered with joy and wanted to dance, but she held back.

Beeeeep!

There was a sound signaling the start of the game. Mido stepped back and widened the distance. She used Sketch Mind to float the shadow brush in the air.

[Drawing shadow ink soldiers with the shadow brush…]

The soldiers were drawn at high speed with smooth lines. It was very helpful that she could draw faster after changing to the Ink Heart class. However, it was nothing for Yang Fan.

“……!”

Yang Fan was the master of Seven Tigers Boxing and pursued a destructive martial art. Yang Fan’s two fists turned red and he flew toward Mido like a tiger catching prey.

“…Groan.”

The speed was so sharp and violent that Mido couldn’t pull out her sword.

6th Anniversary Event Link (Submission End Date: 15th November)