Declaration Of Extra Strike

 

I gaped in disbelief at the absurdity of the announcement. Kang Eui-jin? I am Kang Eui-jin—what kind of nonsense is this?

 

“What is that crazy guy?”

 

I muttered without realizing it. The competition hall was now a chaotic frenzy, with flashing cameras and reporters rushing the stage. Someone tapped my shoulder, startling me. Turning around, I saw Yeon Seung-yeon standing there.

 

“Ho-hyun nim! Ho-hyun nim!”

 

“Seung-yeon ah.”

 

“There are too many people, Ho-hyun nim! It’s dangerous here!”

 

Even as I followed Seung-yeon down from the stage, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the smug figure of the imposter. Yeon Seung-yeon whispered urgently.

 

“Lindsey Grain, whom we faced in the semifinals, finished in third place. She just left the competition area.”

 

“Already? Did you see which way she went?”

 

“Yes. She went upstairs. But since it was right after, she shouldn’t have gone too far.”

 

Yeon Seung-yeon pointed toward the entrance. Glancing between the imposter and Yeon Seung-yeon, I nodded reluctantly. This situation was infuriating, but catching that imposter would have to wait. Right now, the most important thing was securing the Crystal of Solstice.

 

“Seung-yeon, you go ahead and find Lindsey. I’ll go get the second-place prize.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Watching Seung-yeon rush off, I turned in the opposite direction. As I made my way toward the prize area, I spotted Seong San-ha standing alone amidst the crowd, staring blankly in one direction. I hurried over and grabbed Seong San-ha’s hand.

 

“What are you doing here? Let’s get out of here.”

 

“I don’t know what’s going on, but it seems like we might not get to see the expo today… Seong San-ha?”

 

Seong San-ha remained perfectly still, his gaze fixed on the imposter on the stage. Just moments ago, he was watching me; now, even though I was right in front of him, he wouldn’t look my way. Annoyed, I frowned and shook his arm.

 

“Hey, let’s go already.”

 

Finally, Seong San-ha’s gaze shifted to me. As if he were feeling the soft texture of his gloves on his hand, he let go of my hand. I looked at him in bewilderment as he forced a smile.

 

“What’s this about?”

 

“We’ll hang out later. Just go first today.”

 

“What are you talking about… Seong San-ha!”

 

Seong San-ha turned his back and started walking towards the stage. Watching his retreating figure, I clenched my empty hand tightly.

 

“You idiot. He’s a fake…”

 

***

 

I couldn’t clearly remember how I got back to the workshop. I even forgot about exchanging the third-place prize with Lindsey, standing there blankly until Seung-yeon came to find me.

 

Now that I had the Crystal of Solstice, I was all set to make the guiding potion, but I couldn’t muster the motivation to head down to the workshop. My entire focus was on the news being watched by Yang Su-cheol and Yeon Seung-yeon, lounging on the sofa.

 [You’ve said you won’t be going back to Nox. Are you saying you have no intention of joining any guild?] [Yes. After facing life and death, I’ve become indifferent to wealth and fame… I want to live now by giving back with my own strength.] 

Contrary to my expectation that the imposter would be exposed as a fraud and be disgraced on national TV, he appeared on the news, receiving praise and admiration. His overwhelming victory in the potion competition reinforced the claim that he was Kang Eui-jin. Even the Nox member who had been running my errands for a long time was standing behind him, adding credibility to the lie.

 

‘Why is Chan Jeong there? Did he quit Nox? He’s been watching me for years and can’t tell the difference between the fake and me? That’s definitely a fake Eui-jin.’

 

Of course, while he looked eerily similar to me—at this point, I was beginning to doubt whether I had a common face—it wasn’t just my tall stature and good looks that made me famous. I am the world’s only potion master.

 

I knew for sure from facing off against him that his potion skills were pitiful. He won only because I was forced to let him win; he seemed even weaker compared to Lindsey, who I faced in the semifinals. Plus, the nerdy glasses he wore were irritating. 

 

Damn it, I couldn’t even reveal myself as Kang Eui-jin because of Tae Jae-heon.

 

Seeing Chan Jeong clinging to the scammer without discerning the difference naturally reminded me of another clueless face—Seong San-ha.

 

‘He used to act like he knew Kang Eui-jin so well… Now I see it was all nonsense.’

 

The image of Seong San-ha, who turned his back and blindly stared at the imposter, remained vivid. Moreover, after that, I hadn’t received any contact from him.

 

“Damn it. He promised to show me the expo.”

 

Lying face down with my arm propped up, I repeatedly poked at the pockets in front of me. The Crystal of Solistice inside the pocket clinked. Despite that, Yang Su-cheol, who was watching the news, marveled and muttered.

 

“Kang Eui-jin, I’ve only heard about him, but seeing his face for the first time, he’s incredibly good-looking. I heard Kang Eui-jin’s potions are amazing?”

 

“Yeah… he’s the world’s only potion master.”

 

Listening to Yang Su-cheol and Yeon Seung-yeon’s conversation about the news, I turned my head the other way and asked.

 

“Don’t you think he looks like me?”

 

“Sorry?”

 

“Who do you mean?”

 

Su-cheol and Seung-yeon were surprised and looked back at me. I gestured to the TV, and both of them looked at the imposter’s face on screen, then laughed and waved their hands dismissively.

 

“Hahaha! No, he doesn’t look like you at all!”

 

“Ho, Ho-hyun is definitely more handsome!”

 

“Hmm, now that you mention it, there’s a slight resemblance. Maybe like distant cousins? No, definitely, the big boss is much better looking!”

 

What are they talking about? Even with the ring on, the appearance should be the same. I stared at the screen, feeling perplexed.

 

The face I thought was eerily similar and incredibly handsome just moments ago now looked entirely different. Although the overall vibe was similar, as Su-cheol said, it was more of a slight resemblance rather than the chilling similarity I felt when I first saw Joo Ho-hyun.

 

‘Did it always look like that?’

 

Wondering if I had reacted too sensitively and perhaps misjudged the face, I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck.

 

I needed to understand the ulterior motives behind this, so I continued to watch the interview with a sullen expression. However, the lunatic imposter avoided answering questions about his supposed death or what happened with Nox.

 [“Your words are truly touching. May I ask about your current affiliation with Novarion?”] [“As I say, it’s the place that saved me from dying. It has been a significant help to me in many ways. It’s a company dedicated to public welfare and charity, so I decided to join them.”] [“So, from now on, can we say that the potions of the Potion Master will be supplied exclusively through Novarion, rather than Nox?”] [“That’s right.”] 

Seung-yeon tilted her head and muttered, “Novarion? Where have I heard that name before… Ah!”

 

Seung-yeon quickly took out her phone and searched something urgently. He then jumped up and approached me hastily.

 

“Ho-hyun nim! Ho-hyun nim, it’s that company!”

 

“What company?”

 

I asked in confusion, and Seung-yeon leaned in and whispered.

 

“Novarion, it’s the company that made the guiding potion you inquired about…”

 

It suddenly came back to me. The company that produced the potion.

 

—The manufacturer was a name I’ve never heard before. Novarion. It’s a formally registered company, but there’s no information available when you search for it, and the only product they’ve released is this guiding potion.

 

Even then, it had seemed suspicious. But now, the imposter claiming to be Kang Eui-jin was affiliated with that company? It smelled fishy.

 

“……”

 

I took out my quiet phone and decided to call Seong San-ha. Even though I didn’t care about what happened to him, I felt I couldn’t just ignore it given the help he had provided in the past. I felt a sense of relief just from having a reason to contact him.

 

The ringing tone seemed to drag on. I realized there was a good chance Seong San-ha might not answer. He had rejected my calls before, and now that he’d encountered someone claiming to be Kang Eui-jin, it was clear he might have gone completely off the rails. Not even distinguishing between the real and fake Eui-jin.

 

‘He’ll probably ignore my call again. I’ll try five times, no, three times, no, just one more time, and then I’ll stop worrying.’

 

Just as my anticipation was dwindling, a voice suddenly came through the speaker, making me sit up straight.

 

[“Yeah, Ho-hyun ah?”]

 

“Seong San-ha! What are you doing? Where are you?”

 

[“What’s with the enthusiasm today? I’m surprised. I’m still at the expo.”]

 

“You, you……”

 

Seong San-ha’s tone was the same as usual, as if he had never seen Kang Eui-jin today. I had expected him to have a lot to say, but hearing his nonchalant voice left me speechless.

 

[“Did you make it back to the workshop okay? Sorry I couldn’t entertain you like I promised. But there should be more to see at the closing ceremony, so maybe…”]

 

“Seong San-ha, what about Kang Eui-jin?”

 

[“Hmm?”]

 

“Don’t play dumb. You went to that guy like someone bewitched by him. He’s an imposter. Kang Eui-jin is dead. And that Novarion company is highly suspicious…”

 

[“Ho-hyun ah.”]

 

“It’s true. I can’t explain all the details, but the shady company is linked to the guy I was involved with at the center. You’ll find out if you look into it yourself. Don’t be fooled like an idiot again.”

 

On the other end, I heard a sigh of resignation. I wondered if he was laughing in this situation. I took the phone away from my ear and looked at it in disbelief. Seong San-ha drew a line with a gentle voice.

 

[“I appreciate your concern, but it’s not something you need to worry about.”]

 

“……What?”

 

Seong San-ha’s abrupt hang-up left me fuming. I tried calling back, but it was pointless—he had already cut the line. That arrogant prick!

 

I decided it was no longer my problem. I had done my part by warning him of the danger. I had my own responsibilities and couldn’t afford to waste time on him. 

 

As Kang Eui-jin, I had a lot on my plate: making the guiding potion, researching Seong San-ha’s condition, and dealing with other pressing matters. I had no time to play babysitter or indulge in the trivialities of an expo. Whether he got conned or swindled by the fake Eui-jin and Novarion was no longer my concern.

 

I grabbed the bag from the table and stomped down to the basement, determined to focus on what needed to be done.

That motherfcker! I'm so mad for Ho-hyun.