Chapter 104 Clean Sweep (1/2)
Ken pressed the button at the same time as he blew the whistle.
Both Rylen and Kyle shot up like speeding bullets. Kyle didn't look like he was in any trouble or hesitation as he streaked up the wall like he had been doing it a hundred times already. It looked like all he needed to do was just go up. In fact, if the wall was horizontal rather than vertical, he actually looked like all he was doing was simply going in one straight line on four legs. Like a spider. With four legs rather than eight.
Kyle was intently listening to Kay's countdown while going up and he timed it perfectly so that he would tap the panel at the 5.5 second mark. The moment he tapped it, Rylen next to him tapped his and they both let go of the wall, letting the harness and rope slowly bring them down.
”I can't believe it,” Ken said under his breath. It was a full 0.5 seconds difference. Not 0.1, not 0.2 but a full 0.5. Every single microsecond counted and it could make or break a record. Kyle, who had not scaled this wall before, actually was much faster than Rylen who had been doing it for months.
Upon reaching the ground, Kay was the first to hug Kyle in happiness while Rylen came over and gave him a fist bump.
”That was awesome, man,” he said with a huge grin.
Ken gritted his teeth. The twins were already admiring Kyle and took him in as one of their own. Ken wasn't happy. He turned his head to look at the place that he knew Cathy was watching and he ground his teeth even more.
<Damn it> Ken cursed. <It's okay. It's just speed climbing. Bouldering is a whole new level>
If Kyle could hear that, he would have punched Ken. Such a thought belittled his own team companions, making it seem as if they weren't as skilled just because speed climbing was deemed as 'easier'. To Kyle, there was no such thing as an 'easier' competition. Each had its own type of difficulties and to degrade it like that was something Kyle could not stand.
You do NOT make yourself look or feel better by putting down someone else.
That would only make you a jerk.
”Okay, a ten-minute break and then the bouldering,” Cole said.
”Which wall are we using?” Kyle asked.
Cole pointed to another section of the hall.
”It's not that high but it's sufficiently difficult,” Cole stated, ”This is something similar to the qualifying rounds. The objective is to reach the top. Should both reach the top, then the one who is the fastest.”
Kyle nodded in understanding.
”However, unlike the actual qualifying rounds at the competition, you're not going to be allowed to watch each other climb,” Cole said, ”Otherwise, whoever goes first would be at a disadvantage.”
”Sure, that's not a problem,” Kyle agreed, ”Just let me study the wall during the break, then let Ken go first. I'll turn around and not watch.”
”No, it's best if you're blindfolded as well,” Ken said when he heard that.
Kyle frowned a bit when he heard that, which was echoed by Rylen and Rxel as well.
”That's going too far, don't you think, Ken?” Rxel protested.
Ken shrugged, ”I don't think so. He hasn't proven himself to me yet so why should I trust him? And if he really isn't going to look, what's wrong with wearing a blindfold then?”
Kyle gave a smirk at that then said as he started walking to the wall in question, ”Whatever makes you happy, Ken.”
”Oh yes, it would make me VERY happy,” Ken replied.
Kyle just put up his hand and waved it, in a dismissive manner, without turning around. Kay walked beside him but she did turn to glare at Ken before grabbing onto Kyle's arm.
[Stupid Ken] complained Kay [Make sure you demolish him and wipe that stupid face of his].
Kyle laughed [Don't you mean wipe the grin off his face?]
[No. I want you to totally crush him. Make him lose face. Wipe his face off! Wipe it!!]
Kyle put an arm around her shoulder and hugged her sideways, bringing her closer to him. [My sister is getting to be so violent nowadays! Are you having your period?]
Kay just growled at him.
[Your wish is my command, oh dear princess. Would let me release some steam as well, I suppose]