Chapter 26 is the twenty sixth chapter of Weak Hero.
It is the first part of Gray and Stephen's Backstory.
Synopsis
The chapter takes place a year ago at Byuksan Middle School in Class 3-4. Gray Yeon studies very hard because he doesn't know what he is supposed to do. His classmates comment that Gray is first place again and he's going on the path to becoming an elite, but also mentions that the homeroom teacher dislikes Gray.
Gray doesn't have a dream he wanted to achieve so he just did as he was told, like a fool. He attempts to fill the empty space in his heart by acquiring more knowledge; however, studying did not fill his empty heart. Physically, Gray is incredibly weak, but just like when one sense deteriorates, the other senses instinctively become heightened.
A fight breaks out in his classroom and Gray silently watches while easily predicting the two boys' movements and attacks. Through focus and comprehension, he gained insight into reading situations and he was viewed as a "smart ass" rather than a "weak ass".
A boy named Stephen Ahn watches Gray calmly studying as the class goes crazy around him. Stephen recalls that he's seen him a lot at the podium in freshman year; he placed in various events while Gray was always awarded for his excellent grades. He notes that Gray is reckless since he writes to the point where his fingers blister.
Stephen approaches Gray and greets him. He asks why Gray is so hellbent on studying. He knows that Byuksan Middle School is number one for science high school admissions, and asks Gray if he's busting his ass to reach his goal of getting into a science high school. Gray answers "yeah" but Stephen calls him out as a liar.
Stephen tells Gray that he's not studying because of any clear goal he has. Gray wonders if Stephen really knows something or if he's just throwing it out there. Stephen asks Gray if he knows about Great Hunger. Stephen then jokes that he can't get first place in class for once due to Gray, but Gray notes how Stephen isn't even second place. Gray notes how Stephen was a peculiar guy who talked without a filter and was honest and straight to the point, and he had a pure curiosity towards others.
Stephen tells Gray that he can be first place if he wants to be. Gray doesn't consider Stephen to be in his field of competition due to Stephen being in 23rd place. Stephen points at a blank space on Gray's paper and tells him about it. Gray notes that Stephen is correct but the problem Gray was working on wasn't even in their class' curriculum. Gray still thinks Stephen is spewing nonsense, but on the next monthly exam Stephen scored first place, beating Gray.
Appearing Characters
Note: Characters who are listed in bold and italics are appearing for the first time. List is ordered by appearance.
Trivia
- The Bushman in the Kalahari Desert talks about two "hungers"; the Little Hunger wants food for the belly but the Great Hunger is the hunger for meaning. (Sir Laurens Van Der Post)
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