Arena Chapter 7

I decided to end the civil employment exam taker lifestyle.
 

The break time is just 11 days. 
 

I don’t know for how long I will be able to keep my life. That’s why I can’t waste my precious time in this one room bas.e.m.e.nt. I called the landlord and revealed my intentions of moving out right away.
I decided to receive the deposit when the new tenant moved in. 
 

I also called my boss at the convenience store I worked part time at. I bluffed saying that I got hit by a motorcycle and my legs were broken. 
 

The boss complained, but what is he going to do when I say I got hurt?
 

After quitting my part time job I lastly called my mom. 
 

The store opens at 2 in the afternoon so she should still be at home right?
 

As predicted as soon as I called she picked up right away.
 

-Son, this is a surprise you calling me first. 
 

It has only been one day but my mom’s voice was so welcoming. Without me even knowing my mouth formed into a smile. 
 

“I called because I wanted to see you.”
 

-Haha, Son did you have drink alcohol during the day time?
 

“No.”
 

-Ah ha, you need more allowance money?
 

“Last week was my part time job’s pay day?”
 

-They say that pay is just a mirage that pa.s.ses by your bank account. 
 

“That’s true but I can still relax.”
 

-Then why did you call? Ah ha, it must be because of the civil employment exam? You feel like you can’t make it this year either so you calling to ask to give you another year right?
 

“…Mom, what do you take me for?”
 

-A stone headed son.
 

“Never mind, I want to go back home.”
 

-What did you say?
 

“I said that I will stop studying for the civil employment exam and come back home right away.

Frying chicken and do what you say to do. 
 

-Son, did something happen?
 

Yes, I died once.
 

I said while smirking. 
 

“It just because I feel that allowing time to pa.s.s by idly is wasting my life. I also just want to be a filial son to you.”
 

-Really?
 

“Did you live your life being tricked all your life?”
 

-Son! Mom’s so touched. I feel like I’m going to cry. What am I going to do!
 

“Be touched as much as you want. This is how great your son’s feelings are.”
 

After saying that, I could hear a conversation over the phone. 
 

-Hyunji, your older brothers giving up and coming back home!
 

-Really? That’s a relief. I was worried he would be living like that past his thirties. 
 

These people….
 

I stopped my fury and spoke. 
 

“Anyway I will come back tomorrow so leave my room empty.”
 

-Okay, Mom will make you something delicious ….
 

“Boiled pork instead of chicken.”
 

-Okay, I will make you some boiled pork. 
 

Mom was in a lifted mood hearing that I was coming back home. It was that exciting to her. 
 

After finis.h.i.+ng the call, I called a moving company and called a moving truck. 
 

It didn't even take me 30 minutes to clear the place out.
 

 ‘Now I’m not going to waste even 1 minute or 1 second of my life. 
 

I made a self oath. 
 

The apartment my family lives in is located in Cheonan, Seobuk-gu. I was located in an area where transportation was convenient because we were right by Cheonan station and the bus terminals. 
 

It was 1800 sq ft with 4 bedrooms so it was plenty for my mom and three siblings to live in. 
 

Riding the moving company truck I arrived home. 
 

I moved the cargo with the driver. There wasn't a lot of stuff so it was quickly finished. 
 

“Good work. Have something to eat while going back.”
 

“Thank-you so much!”
 

I gave the driver a $10 dollar bill and the driver happily drove away. 
 

I looked around the empty house. 
 

After living in a small one room bas.e.m.e.nt I felt liberated in this larger house. 
 

“I should have come home earlier.”
 

Why did I waste so much time in that dungeon? 
 

If I knew I would die due to heart disease at the age of 29 I would never have lived like that. 
 

I had nothing to do since organizing my stuff took less than I expected. 
 

‘I should do at least something. I don’t want to waste time doing nothing.’
 

The break time I was given is 11 days. Even 1 min or 1 second is wasteful. 
 

Going to the kitchen I found that in the sink there was a mountain full of dishes stacked on top of each other. Looking at this mess I smirked.
 

“I knew this would happen.”
 

Mom and my older sister was too busy working so the household work fell on my younger sister Hyunji.
 

But Hyunji also was in her 4th year of university preparing to enter the work force. In addition she had a lazy att.i.tude so the household was a mess. 
 

‘I should do it since I am unemployed now.’
 

I lifted up my sleeves and did the dishes. After quickly finis.h.i.+ng off the dishes I took out the vacuum cleaner. 
 

‘Wait, don’t I have the spirit summoning skill?’
 

“Silpi.”
 

-Meow.
 

Silpi appeared and lightly climbed onto my head. It was so cute how she lightly hit my head with her tail. 
 

“Silpi, can you with your wind power gather all the dust in the house in to one corner? 
 

-Meow.
 

Silpi nodded her head. 
 

Soon after, a small light wind started to search around the house. 
 

[Wind sound]
 

Under the couch, behind the TV, under the bed, on top of the dresser, all the dust in the house without exception gathered in front of me. 
 

“Gross look at all this dust!”
 

There was a ball of dust almost the size of my head. This was the result of gathering all the dust in the house.
 

Who wouldn't say this was house where three women live. The amount of hair was no joke. 
 

-Meow.
 

Silpi waved her tail around on top of the ball of dust. She stared at me with sparkling pupils almost as if she was asking if she did well. 
 

“Thank you Silpi. You did really well.”
 

-Meow. 
 

Silpi rubbed her head against my cheeks. I think I know why people raise cats. 
 

Due to Silpi the house cleaning ended too early. What do I do now?
 

‘Why don’t I prepare for the second test by exercising?’
 

It wouldn't make a big difference by exercising 11 days but it’s better than not doing it.  Coincidentally there was a hiking course at the nearby Taejo Mountain so that seems appropriate place for exercise. 
 

The first test area was a forest in the mountains. There may be more cases in the future where there will I'll be fighting in a forest or mountain. 
 

The time given is only 11 days, but if I go hiking every day I will get used to the mountain terrain and physically at least improve slightly. 
 

I wore some exercise clothes and put on a pair of running shoes and came out the house. 
 

When I arrived at the entrance of Taejo Mountain, I ambitiously chose the longest route of 1 hr and 50 minutes. I made an oath to finish this course every day. 
 

Not long after hiking up the mountain road I was breathing heavily and my feet became heavier. 
 

‘Maybe I should have chosen an easier course for the first attempt?’
 

I momentarily had some weak thoughts but I shook my head and reaffirmed my conviction. 
 

‘Stop complaining. This has my life riding on it. Even if it’s hard I must endure. This was a fascinating event. I, who lived with no real goal, had a clear goal and objective for the first time.

Test, Arena, Survival!
 

This was a great source of motivation. 
 

As I started to properly climb Taejo Mountain I became so out of breath and was limping up the mountain. All the adults nearby was staring at me. But even so I didn't stop and persisted in my steps. 
 

Even when I felt dizzy and felt like puking I persisted and continued my steps.
 

I am still in my energetic 20s. If I can’t climb this kind of course without resting then I am not a man. 
 

‘No one’s going to save me. I must desperately struggle. Through all the exhaustion I arrived at the summit. 
 

I could see all of the scenery of Cheonan in one view. My insides feel refres.h.i.+ng. The cold wind cooled down my sweat in a refres.h.i.+ng way.  
 

My body and mind was exhausted but because of that I felt more refreshed. Till now I never given my never given my all to something. 
 

‘Pathetic b.a.s.t.a.r.d.’
 

 I felt remorse for my past life.

I really hated myself for not even putting the effort of even climbing a mountain once.