Ch.358Confronting the Villain

After officially retiring from UFC and boxing, I took about a two-week break.

To be precise, it was less of a break and more about focusing on home remedies.

Well, they were basically the same thing.

‘I can just continue filming as usual anyway.’

After finishing the three remaining shoots, I’d take about 3 years off.

And then get married, go on a honeymoon.

‘Sounds good?’

Just imagining it makes me smile.

In the past, I would have just thought about the next schedule.

But knowing I’ll definitely be resting gives me more energy.

Fully experiencing the feeling of an office worker waiting for the weekend.

Chomp chomp.

I continued to devour the feast spread before me.

Even though my match time was short and I had no injuries at all,

there was nothing wrong with taking care of my health, and nutrition was essential.

I was just loosening my belt for once since I was taking a break from filming anyway.

“You’re seriously like a manga character with an eating special ability.”

“Coach, have some too.”

“No thanks, you don’t even seem to have enough for yourself.”

Coach Sangha looked at me and shook his head as if it was fine.

I could have spared him at least two hamburgers though.

‘Well, if he says it’s fine, then it must be fine.’

Since there’s no such thing as asking twice out of courtesy between us,

I continued to devour the food in front of me.

After stuffing about 24 servings into my stomach.

“Phew… now I can live.”

I patted my stomach with satisfaction.

As soon as Sangha confirmed I was done eating, he spoke as if he’d been waiting.

“So you’re really quitting fighting for good?”

“What?”

“I mean, everyone understands why you’re retiring… but there are still many people who feel disappointed.”

It’s true that I retired because there were no more opponents left to fight.

And I know that no matter who they match me with now, the result would be obvious.

But I also knew there were still many people who enjoyed watching me compete.

“It’s disappointing… but can’t be helped. I’d like to continue, but there’s no one left to fight.”

It’s not like I could actually fight a lion like some people suggest online.

So I decided to retire definitively.

No matter how many disappointed people there might be.

Of course.

“But I’m not giving up the athlete lifestyle completely.”

“Huh?”

“I’ve retired from official competitions, but I’ll keep working out and sparring regularly.”

“R-really?! Ah! That’s right! Right? You’re not giving up training?”

“Of course not.”

Just because I retired doesn’t mean I’m stopping exercise altogether.

I want to retire as a competitor but still maintain an active athlete’s mindset.

‘Besides, legends always make a comeback.’

I wouldn’t tell this to anyone, but

this retirement could be seen as a build-up for that moment.

In gaming terms, the true final boss.

Now that I’ve harvested all the well-ripened fruits,

after about 5 years when new fighters emerge,

when young blood fills the boxing and UFC scene again, that’s when.

‘Once more… I’ll show people why I’m a legend that can’t be forgotten.’

Dividing between the first generation where I competed,

and the second generation where I didn’t,

and when the second generation reaches its peak, reviving the nightmare of the first generation.

‘Not bad.’

By then, I’ll probably be Kim Donghu with a family.

For some reason, I’m looking forward to that image.

+++++++

After Kim Donghu’s retirement ceremony at his peak.

People felt a void like Paek Sangha.

No, even more than Paek Sangha.

It had only been 24 hours since Kim Donghu retired.

The regret of feeling like he already belonged to the past.

The disappointment of never being able to see that destructive performance live again.

All these emotions gathered, but there was nothing they could do.

They knew that if he continued, it would become less interesting.

It was truly the perfect timing to leave while still receiving applause.

“So what’s left now is movies?”

“According to a recent article, Arcborn is confirmed for April 21st release, right?”

“Murciélago is August 3rd… and New Bullet is November 17th, correct?”

“Wow, you really know everything.”

“Being Donghu’s number one fan isn’t for just anyone.”

So people turned their attention to something new rather than dwelling on what was over.

He would continue his activities as a movie actor after all.

And he was handling an impossible schedule with three movies coming out this year alone.

Even if they couldn’t see him as an athlete, they could still see him as an actor.

“But it would be nice if he made some Korean films too, not just huge franchises.”

“Yeah, a lot of people feel that way.”

Maybe because he became too famous.

There was a strong desire for him to make Korean films too.

While it was great to see Kim Donghu shine globally,

there was also a desire to see the performances he showed before.

“Hero was good, but I also liked when he played a student soldier.”

“I wonder if he’ll play piano again? That was good too.”

“Singing… is also good, I wonder if Kim Donghu will seriously work on an album?”

Knowing he was multi-talented,

the fans’ greed to see all aspects of him.

This sentiment wasn’t limited to just a few people.

Rather, because he officially retired as a fighter,

there was a general expectation that he might do other things with his remaining time.

And amid such expectations,

time steadily passed.

Finally.

“Arcborn Lands in Korea!”

“Unprecedented Korean Premiere First! Why the Special Consideration for the Korean Market? Director Zenker says, ‘Because it’s Kim Donghu’s country'”

“Can it Open a New Chapter in Superhero Movies? Rewriting Iron Man!”

“Suit Action Performed with Natural Physical Ability, Can Kim Donghu Prove Himself Again?”

Arcborn was released.

+++++++

[Arcborn Review (No Spoilers)]

-Wow! Arcborn! You know it!

It’s REALLY good.

It’s a work that stands at the complete opposite end from Iron Core.

Unlike the one who dropped out of MIT, this one proudly graduated.

He shared all the results of his projects.

Doesn’t get involved with the hood side.

Hates bad guys, hates gangs.

All the characters are beautiful.

The suit design is also very well done.

If I had to say, it feels more rugged than the original Iron Man suit?

The prototype feel really comes through nicely.

And of course, the setting itself is very different from Stark.

It’s not just mindlessly praising the protagonist as a genius.

It’s good how it elevates the original protagonist while showing the difference in abilities.

And the key is the ending and the cookies.

There are 2 cookies in total, and the ending….

Click.

Lee, I mean,

Lee Kyunghu calmly deleted the post that was about to spoil the ending,

and quickly blocked the poster.

He wanted to read just a light review since it said no spoilers.

How dare they try to spoil it?

‘This is crazy, as Donghu’s number one fan, I can’t tolerate this.’

As the eternal leader of Dong Gallery, I can’t allow this.

Muttering that, Kyunghu immediately entered the theater.

He had deliberately found the best theater nearby for this day,

and reserved a recliner seat.

As a result.

Stretch.

He could stretch his legs fully and watch comfortably.

Even though it was opening day, the theater was spacious because it was in a quiet neighborhood!

It was the optimal condition for watching a movie.

‘I’m so excited. Arcborn….’

Could Kim Donghu fully inherit Stark’s legacy?

With such expectations, Kyunghu turned off his phone,

and adjusted his eyes to the darkening theater.

And at that very moment.

Boom!

-“Iron Man isn’t… about the suit, it’s about the result of choices.”

-“That’s Iron Man.”

The heart-striking dialogue pierced through the darkness and resonated throughout the theater.

++++++

The movie showed exactly what Kim Donghu had filmed up to the early-middle part.

Subdued gangs, severely injured Hallie, meeting Morgan Stark for the first time.

And after witnessing all this, EJ’s determination to move forward.

EJ was a typical growth-type protagonist.

Not a genius like Stark, but someone who aspired to become one.

-“Cough! Cough! Do you think… do you think anything will change by doing this? You’re just the same! Flying around in a suit doing whatever you want!”

-“You’re right, that’s true. But we’re creating completely different results.”

Thud!

Unlike Iron Man who flies freely through the sky wearing a suit,

Arcborn still can’t fly, and even if it has that function, he doesn’t use it recklessly.

Although he claims it’s to save people,

a nation can’t simply approve of an individual flying around in armed machinery,

so Arcborn thoroughly subdues enemies on the ground to be mindful of that.

-“You… have good skills, where are the blueprints? Where did you learn this knowledge?”

-“What?”

-“I’m saying become my experience points.”

Thud!

EJ continues to grow.

He tears apart suits made by enemies, takes hostages to extract information.

He further improves his suit through more knowledge and various designs.

And works with Hallie, who has somewhat recovered, to develop an independent AI.

And finally, as the movie reaches its midpoint.

-“…That’s technology someone like you shouldn’t possess.”

-“Why? I think you’re more stupid for telling people not to pick up money lying on the ground.”

The main villain of the movie.

He confronts the villain who stole leaked Stark technology to create a new suit.