Chapter 82

82. The Mermaid's Hideout

Siwoo's heart raced.

While friendly matches between Go academies were not uncommon, it was a first for him in the three years he had attended the academy to have a professional player visit.

Coach Choi Hoon had always hoped that Siwoo, who was undoubtedly the most talented among the children he had seen, would have the opportunity to receive guidance from a professional. Fortunately, the professional, who had shown interest in Siwoo after reading about him in the news as a Go prodigy, made it easy to adjust the match schedule.

"Who's the pro~?"

Siwoo, who had been out of the academy for filming and knew little, asked a second-grader standing next to him.

"Don't know. The older kids in the advanced class told me, but I forgot. Choi... Choi something 9-dan?"

A fifth-grader nearby answered for him.

"Choi Min-a 9-dan. She was the world's strongest female player. She's still strong."

Siwoo nodded.

Choi Min-a 9-dan, a familiar name indeed.

He had heard it many times...

Sua's mom!?

Siwoo's eyes widened.

'So the academy coming for the match today is Choi Min-a Go Academy?'

It was a very famous and prestigious Go academy.

Occasionally, professionals would visit nearby Go academies to teach children as a form of talent donation, and this seemed to be one such activity.

A moment later, Choi Min-a 9-dan entered the intermediate class, the largest room in the Genius Go Academy.

Coach Choi Hoon, his face flushed with excitement, introduced Choi Min-a 9-dan to the children.

'Coach, you look so happy.'

Siwoo couldn't help but smile at the excited Coach Choi Hoon, who looked like a child.

After Choi Min-a 9-dan finished her greeting, about ten children from Choi Min-a Go Academy entered.

There—

'She's here, as expected.'

Strawberry Milk 9-dan, Choi Sua, who, along with Yun Shushu 30-kyu, formed the popular duo at Handol Kids Go, was also there.

Sua, now in third grade, had her long hair swept back and was looking around the Genius Go Academy children as if searching for someone.

When Sua spotted Siwoo, she smiled widely and waved her hand discreetly, trying not to let her mother see.

Siwoo blinked in surprise, then realized she was waving at him and belatedly waved back.

Both children had the same thought at the same time.

'Wow, we're actually meeting in person.'

Siwoo was amazed to meet Strawberry Milk, whom he had only known online for two years, while Sua was amazed to meet the mermaid child Bada, whom she had only seen on TV, in real life.

Coach Choi Hoon called out to the children.

"Those who will play matches first, go to the advanced class room. Those who will receive guidance first, take your seats!"

"Okay!"

The Genius Go Academy children responded loudly.

The children sat down with tense faces, as if they were about to take an exam.

In front of each child was a Go board.

Choi Min-a 9-dan looked at the children with a fond expression and said,

"Shall we start?"

The multi-board game began.

A multi-board game is a teaching method where a single expert moves around and plays against many weaker players in turn.

Siwoo was waiting at his seat for Choi Min-a 9-dan.

'I want to play a serious game with a pro, but since it's a multi-board game, they won't play with full strength... I should try some experimental moves and see how the pro responds. It'll be a good opportunity to broaden my horizons.'

Thud.

Even though it wasn't a real match, the prospect of playing against a pro was a bit thrilling.

Siwoo now understood why Coach Choi Hoon had been so excited like a child.

Choi Min-a 9-dan, who had been moving around to play against several children, finally stood in front of Siwoo's Go board.

Siwoo bowed politely.

"Please go easy on me~"

Choi Min-a 9-dan smiled at Siwoo's polite greeting, finding him even cuter and more beautiful than the Bada in the drama.

His eyes were especially bright, exuding intelligence just by looking at them.

"Sure. Nice to meet you. I'll do my best too."

Thud!

Choi Min-a 9-dan placed a white stone on Siwoo's Go board and looked at him.

This child—

Is he really Yun Shushu—

Or just an ordinary child—

The time had come for the truth to be revealed.

If this child was Yun Shushu, he would be a once-in-a-lifetime genius whose brain structure would be of great interest.

However, her expectations had significantly lowered since arriving.

She had subtly asked Coach Choi Hoon and Instructor Choi Tae about Siwoo's skills, and from their reactions, it seemed that while Siwoo was a talented child, he was not Yun Shushu.

It was an absurd thought to begin with.

Yun Shushu being seven years old was as unrealistic as a ghost from a cartoon traveling with a Go king.

Choi Min-a 9-dan, having moved her gaze from Siwoo, naturally went to another child's board.

A few dozen minutes later.

Siwoo was enjoying the game.

He found it fascinating how Choi Min-a 9-dan could produce meaningful results with equally experimental moves in response to his own absurd experimental moves.

'Wow, I really want to play a serious game! It's fun to play like this, but I want to play a close match with such a great player!'

Thud.

A white stone was placed on the board Siwoo was looking at.

It was a sharp move by Choi Min-a 9-dan, targeting Siwoo's weaknesses.

Siwoo, with a mischievous smile, worked his small brain tirelessly to find a solution.

Contrary to his initial intention to play casually, Siwoo's moves gradually improved, and before he knew it, they were approaching Yun Shushu's level.

Choi Min-a 9-dan, noticing Siwoo's rapid improvement in response to her complex moves, looked at him in amazement.

Whether he was Yun Shushu or not was no longer the issue.

Whether Yun Shushu or not, this child was simply a genius.

Thud.

As Siwoo's hand moved, the black stones that were under attack magically found a way out.

Choi Min-a 9-dan, forgetting to move on to the next board, continued to play a few more moves with Siwoo, captivated by the confident smile of the kindergarten child.

Some instructors, watching from a distance, noticed Choi Min-a 9-dan playing only with Siwoo and stood up to see what was happening.

At Siwoo's board, what had started as an experimental and playful game in the early middle stage had suddenly turned into a fierce battle where black and white stones were killing each other.

Siwoo's playful provocation had led Choi Min-a 9-dan to launch a fierce offensive, unlike when she played with other children, to bring out Siwoo's true skills.

The difference between AI and human Go was emotion.

This emotion created momentum and led to battles that couldn't be compromised.

Siwoo, who had been playfully provoked, unexpectedly received a severe beating, and Choi Min-a 9-dan's competitive spirit exploded, as she had deliberately launched a risky attack and might lose face if she couldn't completely kill Siwoo's stones.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Coincidentally, Choi Min-a 9-dan had been known for her fighting style during her prime, and Yun Shushu was also known for his overwhelming combat power, cutting through the best young talents in Handol Go.

When two experts with a fighting style meet, one of them almost always dies.

"…What? Siwoo, why are you playing so well?"

"Wow… What is this…"

The instructors' surprise drew the attention of the children receiving guidance, who gathered around Siwoo's board.

The children, unable to follow the level of the game, looked at the instructors.

But the instructors were equally puzzled.

"Why is Siwoo playing like that?"

"We need an explanation. We should call Instructor Choi Tae."

Siwoo, who had been tightly focused on the board to avoid his stones being captured and to find a counterattack, finally snapped out of it when he heard a girl's shout.

"Yun Shushu!"

Sua, who had been playing against the strongest boy in the elementary division of the Genius Go Academy, had moved to the intermediate class room with her opponent when the commotion started. Seeing Siwoo's game, she recalled a very familiar name.

The existence that had been a wall in front of her for two years, whom she had played and studied with countless times.

Yun Shushu!

"…"

Siwoo looked around silently.

Everyone was staring at him in amazement.

'Oops, I got too focused.'

Siwoo, who had been sitting quietly, blushed and gave a cute smile.

Usually, this would have lightened the mood, but it didn't.

"Are you Yun Shushu?"

Sua asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Instructor Choi Tae, pale with shock, asked,

"Yun Shushu? Siwoo's nickname is Shushu, but… Could it be Handol Go's Yun Shushu!?"

The children from the Genius Go Academy and Choi Min-a Go Academy were in an uproar.

"Siwoo is Yun Shushu!?"

"Yun Shushu is a kindergartener?"

"Is… Is Bada Yun Shushu? Shouldn't we get an IQ test?"

Coach Choi Hoon, who had been watching the commotion, approached Siwoo.

"Siwoo… I saw the game you just played… No… Siwoo… Your Handol Go ID is…"

Siwoo stood up like an exposed Iron Man.

In the midst of dozens of children and instructors staring at him in shock, Siwoo spoke.

"I'm Yun Shushu~!"

Since it was already out, Siwoo declared it boldly.

* * *

Although Yun Shushu's identity was revealed, Siwoo's life didn't change much.

This was because his busy schedule after that day prevented him from attending the academy.

Of course, a few things happened on that day.

Sua, who had learned that her favorite young Bada was Yun Shushu, was overjoyed, hugging a sign that read "Shushu~♡".

Choi Min-a 9-dan encouraged him to visit if he ever wanted to become a professional.

Coach Choi Hoon, after being defeated three times in a row by Siwoo's constant challenges, shouted, "Quit acting and become the world's strongest professional, Siwoo!" causing a bit of a father-son conflict with Instructor Choi Tae.

Siwoo, who inadvertently proved that the Genius Go Academy had a real genius, was currently spending his days on the set after a short break.

Late August.

Summer was coming to an end.

Siwoo was sitting on a folding chair, habitually moving his feet back and forth.

Although it was still hot, the indoor shoot made the actors and staff happy.

The atmosphere on set was exceptionally warm and friendly.

The ratings, which had been low in the first episode, had been rising sharply with each episode.

Everyone was full of enthusiasm.

"Brother Dong-hoon! Are you ready?"

Director Lee Sang-chul asked.

Kang Dong-hoon, who was adjusting his sleeveless shirt to show off his Rambo-like muscles, shouted loudly.

"Of course!"

Siwoo and Suh-hyun looked puzzled at Dong-hoon's enthusiasm, and Director Lee Sang-chul turned his head, not wanting to understand.

"Are Siwoo and Suh-hyun ready?"

"Yep!"

After checking with the staff, Director Lee Sang-chul called out.

"Camera roll!"

The cameras placed throughout the aquarium started rolling.

"Ready! Action!"

Siwoo was walking in the middle, with Suh-hyun and Dong-hoon on either side.

All three were holding drinks.

Siwoo had a milkshake, and Suh-hyun had a corn latte, which were product placements.

And Dong-hoon—

Siwoo asked,

"Uncle, is the anchovy sauce delicious?"

"Wow~ It's so good! How did humans think of making something like this?"

Dong-hoon, holding a cup of what was actually an Americano but was supposed to be anchovy sauce, stirred it with a straw and delivered his line.

Suh-hyun, covering her nose as if the anchovy smell was strong, said,

"…It seems it was made for mermaids to eat."

"I won't eat it~"

Siwoo sipped his milkshake from the transparent cup.

The three of them sat on a bench in the underwater square, surrounded by water, as if they were in the ocean.

"Prince… Bada. Bada, I don't know if what we're doing, searching for them, is right. How many times have we been to the aquarium?"

Dong-hoon, having finished the last drop of the anchovy sauce, said to Siwoo,

"We can't always wait for them to attack. Help out when you come to land~"

"But… I… I come to land sometimes, and I'm asking if it's okay when I'm not here. Last time! In that alley, if I hadn't shown up at the right time, what would have happened?"

"Phew!"

Siwoo, who spat out the milkshake straw, pouted cutely.

"Chased? There are many enemies, so I was trying to lure them one by one to protect Suh-hyun!"

"Haha, Suh-hyun was almost dead from exhaustion…"

Suh-hyun muttered quietly.

"It felt like a marathon…"

Siwoo got off the bench and came down.

"Whatever. Wait here. It's strange that they keep appearing in Power Mode. They're always fully charged. And… they can charge quickly with seawater. The only place with seawater in the center of Seoul is the aquarium."

Mermaids, fittingly, could transform into humans and fish.

Siwoo placed his hand on the aquarium glass, where many fish were swimming.

In this scene, the fish would gather around him in a CG effect.

As Siwoo was about to act, imagining the CG—

The staff started murmuring.

'Oh, wait. What's happening. Go away~ Go away~!'

Was it to save on CG costs?

Countless fish, including sharks and rays, were suddenly gathering around Siwoo.

Oh.