Ch.136There’s a certain pleasure in teaching a proper lesson to those who act wild because they believe they’re strong.

‘178cm, 93kg.’

Paek Sangha recalled his height and weight as he adjusted his posture.

Looking at weight alone, he was about 7kg heavier than Kim Donghu.

In terms of weight class, they were two classes apart.

Yet despite this, he didn’t feel he had an advantage.

‘I think I’m somewhat similar to you now.’

Paek Sangha’s gaze fell on Kim Donghu’s physique.

It was a skeletal structure impossible to achieve through ordinary means.

Long arms, long legs, and a short waist.

A solid frame connected in near-perfect proportions.

Hands larger than expected, supported by thick-boned wrists.

Would someone look like that if they were blessed with every physical gift possible?

With these thoughts, Paek Sangha kept his body in constant motion.

Moving with the mindset that stopping meant death.

He measured the distance with jabs, gauging the gap between himself and Kim Donghu.

‘Donghu, even though I said those things, I think we can have a pretty good match.’

Though he’d told him to treat him like a toy.

For this day, Paek Sangha had been consistently doing high-intensity training.

To the level where he could win against active boxers.

He’d done everything possible to become a good sparring partner for Kim Donghu.

But.

Swoosh.

Just two steps.

Kim Donghu’s movement instantly closed the gap of effort between them.

And then came the barrage of jabs.

Left, left, left, left.

Though they seemed disconnected enough to create openings.

Paek Sangha’s eyes were firmly fixed on Kim Donghu’s right hand.

‘If that comes out, I’m dead.’

Having been hit once before, he knew.

He couldn’t let Kim Donghu’s right hand connect.

More precisely, he needed to be wary of the hand opposite to the stepping foot.

‘Because Kim Donghu is ambidextrous.’

And not just clumsily so.

He was a monster who could switch to being a skilled southpaw at any moment.

That’s why there was so much to be mindful of.

Boxing itself is a sport of intense tactical exchanges at close range.

But knowing Kim Donghu well made the process even more complex.

‘Let’s close the distance little by little.’

He could take the jabs.

Unlike normal jabs, they felt like being hit by heavy stones.

But having taken many hits before, he was somehow accustomed enough to advance.

‘I’ll go in instantly.’

He’d already figured out the timing between entering and throwing jabs.

Left, left, left.

Kim Donghu’s left hand kept coming.

And just as the fourth left was about to extend.

‘Now!’

Paek Sangha lowered his body and dove into Kim Donghu’s space.

Deliberately entering while circling to the right outer side,

A charge that blocked Kim Donghu’s right hand while creating an opportunity to attack.

‘Huh?’

That’s what he thought.

He was certain this would allow him to land an effective hit.

‘Why is his left hand beside my face?’

It would have worked if Kim Donghu’s left hand, which he thought was extended straight, hadn’t curved.

That was an impossible reaction speed.

He changed the trajectory of his fist as soon as he confirmed the dive?

Is that even possible? Can that even happen?

Moreover, the right hand he thought he had blocked was moving flexibly.

‘Huh?’

Everything began to appear in slow motion to Paek Sangha.

He could clearly see what Kim Donghu was doing in that brief moment of just a few seconds.

Using his forearm like a pillar to press down on Paek Sangha’s glove.

Quickly turning to the left to change position while simultaneously.

Adding force to his already extended left hand to drive it straight into his temple.

Squint!

Instinctively, Paek Sangha squeezed his eyes shut in anticipation of the impact.

“Since it’s sparring, I can stop here, right?”

With Kim Donghu’s words, he saw the fist stopped right in front of his temple.

“…Thanks for sparing me.”

Paek Sangha said this with genuine gratitude.

And then he was surprised once more.

‘There’s another fist here?’

Kim Donghu’s right hand, which had been blocking his arm until just now.

At some point, it had become a large stake aimed at the underside of his chin.

If this had been a real match.

‘A hook to the temple followed by an uppercut combo to the chin?’

Wouldn’t that be fatal?

For a moment, Paek Sangha envisioned a future where he took this combination.

A fist embedded in his temple, leaving him disoriented.

An uppercut precisely striking his chin.

‘Would my jawbone be shattered while my vision was blurred?’

That would guarantee immediate unconsciousness.

The impact would justify being carried to the emergency room on a stretcher.

And for good reason.

‘Donghu makes cannon-like sounds when he hits the sandbag.’

He knew the inexplicable power behind Kim Donghu’s fists.

“Donghu, you really did save my life, didn’t you?”

“What? No, what are you suddenly talking about?”

“Was I… was I at least a good toy? Did I make you use 100% of your power, even for a moment?”

“Ah, wow, I didn’t expect that dive at all. I should try blocking that next time too.”

After the satisfying answer came a puzzling statement.

Paek Sangha wondered if he’d misheard something.

“You’re going to block that?”

“Yes, oh, doing this without headgear definitely opens up a lot more possibilities.”

Kim Donghu said this while starting to shadow box lightly,

As if reviewing the scene from earlier.

Paek Sangha widened his eyes as he watched Kim Donghu’s shadow boxing.

‘He’s becoming even sharper.’

He can grow even further from here?

Just how high is he planning to soar?

“Ah, Donghu.”

“Yes?”

“About the upcoming National Sports Festival, I think you can participate in the adult division, not the high school division.”

“Huh? Is that allowed?”

“Yes, I asked about it, since you’re aiming for the national team now.”

According to regulations, high school students normally couldn’t compete against adults.

But due to Kim Donghu’s past achievements and the Korean Boxing Association’s tremendous push, the restrictions had been relaxed.

“If you have championship records since youth and consistent placement records, it’s possible now.”

“That’s exactly me, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s exactly how they changed it. In reality, it wouldn’t make sense to pit anyone less against the adult division.”

Paek Sangha continued by outlining the schedule.

“The National Sports Festival will likely be in mid-October, and the national team selection will be in late December.”

And if you become a national representative there, you’ll get qualification for entry rights.

That’s March 2016, right when you become an adult in spring.

After explaining the overall schedule, Paek Sangha lightly pushed Kim Donghu’s shoulder.

“That doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your daily life for it.”

“What?”

“Your expression, kid. You looked so gloomy while I was explaining the schedule. You can take it easy.”

“But I still have to do it, don’t I?”

“Just do what you normally do, Donghu. Those kinds of thoughts are what ruin your body. I’ll tell you right away if I see something’s not working.”

While he was glad to see strong motivation,

He was also worried it might constrain a growing child.

‘Whatever the circumstances are.’

Paek Sangha was someone who greatly wished for Kim Donghu’s success.

But at the same time, he wanted him to grow up straight, proper, and healthy.

Giving up something to gain something else,

Losing things one by one while only looking forward.

That wasn’t what he wanted.

“This year, I’ll support you perfectly, so take it easy.”

If you fall from rushing, you’ll get badly hurt.

Right after saying that.

“Let’s rest a bit and try again. I’ll put in more effort this time too.”

Paek Sangha cleaned the ring as he prepared for the next round.

“Coach.”

“Yes?”

“I got an interview request from a sports journalist.”

“Oh, really? And?”

“Can I mention the gym then?”

“Huh? Oh? I… don’t mind… but didn’t you originally not want to do interviews?”

“But I’ll be boxing until the first half of next year, so I’d like to let the fans know through this.”

Paek Sangha nodded at Kim Donghu’s words.

“Sure, why not? If anything, it’s good promotion for me if you do it.”

“But you know you have to take care of me first, right? Even if things go well?”

“Donghu, if I thought I couldn’t take care of you, I’d just kick out all the other members.”

Kim Donghu hastily shook his head at Paek Sangha’s words.

“You don’t have to do that, please.”

For some reason, he really felt like Coach Paek Sangha would actually do it.

++++++

『 <Boxing One-Two>

The Emergence of a Boxing Celebrity?! Meeting Kim Donghu!

■ Interviewer: Kim Inseok

■ Interviewee: Kim Donghu

Q. Hello.

A. Yes, hello.

Q. Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. You’re really incredibly handsome.

A. Thank you.

Q. I’d like to talk about this at length, but I’ll skip all that and get straight to the point. I heard you’re dedicating this year to boxing, is that correct?

A. Yes, that’s right. I’m training with the goal of becoming a heavyweight national representative.

Q. Was there a particular reason you suddenly decided this? Or was it planned from before?

A. I had been thinking about it, but didn’t think the timing was right. But now the timing seems perfect.

Q. Then what would be your most immediate goal?

A. The National Sports Festival in October. Before that, I’ll probably participate in provincial competitions.

Q. Will you be competing in the high school division?

A. No, the regulations have changed, so I can compete in the adult division now.

Q. You win every competition you enter. What’s your secret?

A. Ah… that (laughs) wouldn’t my gym coach know better?

Q. Suddenly promoting your gym! Haha! I can’t help but ask the name?

A. We recently changed our sign. Please support Paek Sang MMA Gym.

Q. Huh? But you’re learning boxing at an MMA gym?

A. Yes, that’s right. Our coach is very versatile.

Q. Ah, so that’s why! 』

Crack.

“This green kid is out of his mind, just spouting arrogant nonsense.”

Unable to read the magazine any further,

The man irritably tore the magazine and threw it on the floor.

When you pamper a kid too much, he doesn’t know his limits and gets cocky.

“Does he think heavyweight is a joke? Even if there aren’t many people in Korea, still.”

The man flexed in front of a full-length mirror.

The irezumi tattoos covering his body enhanced his intimidating presence as they moved with his muscles.

“Coach! I need to spar with this bastard!”

“What? You’ll face him at the National Sports Festival anyway.”

“No, but he’s too arrogant. I need to put him in his place before then.”

The man checked Kim Donghu’s torn face in the magazine with a sinister smile.

“There’s a special satisfaction in crushing someone who’s running wild thinking they’re strong.”

Why is this high school punk acting up?

He’ll be trembling once he tastes the fear of the adult division.