Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: High School Girl VS Undead (2)
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Undead Gym boasted a massive membership befitting his reputation.
It wasn't just the name value, either.
The place was spacious, equipped with the latest gear, and even drew celebrities who were buddies with Jung Seung-hyun.
Thanks to that, the ratio of female members was pretty high.
The usual gym stench was milder here, too.
And yet.
The moment Go Eun-ha stepped inside, everyone felt the air shift.
"Go Eun-ha's here."
"Whoa, she's insanely pretty..."
"Seung-ho, I can suddenly see the philosophy of feminism."
"I'd let her beat me if she looked like that."
"I didn't let her win, though..."
The fighters buzzed with excitement.
Gazes locked on her regardless of gender.
It felt like even more attention than when a celebrity showed up.
Go Eun-ha didn't pay the stares any mind.
She just seemed used to it.
The two high school girls who followed her were a different story.
"Whoa, so this is the gym I've only heard about. But it feels kinda scary...?"
Pyo Hye-in, selfie stick in hand, ducked behind Park O-yu-na, overwhelmed by the vibe.
"I-I'm scared too..."
"Why you?"
"Too many people..."
O-yu-na then hid behind Pyo Hye-in.
The two spun in circles, each clutching the other's tail.
That's when their eyes met.
Pyo Hye-in's first love, An Seung-ho.
"It's Seung-ho oppa...!"
She immediately whipped out her camera to capture him.
As she focused with professional zeal,
Suddenly.
Go Eun-ha's face filled the frame.
"Ack! You scared me...!"
"You should be filming me. Who else?"
"I was getting the insert shot."
"Film it right, or no pay."
"Then I'll expose you and tank your rep~ Oh, and I've got a combined 10 years in broadcasting club? Wage theft? Please, get ready to wire me a bonus."
As the high school girls bickered, Jung Seung-hyun appeared.
"You got here early."
"Feel free to drop the formalities."
"Makes it easier for both of us, right? How's your condition today?"
"Good."
"Since you're here for a full training camp, I'll pair you with some of our fighters. O-yu-na, you're with Seung-ho. Eun-ha, with Seol."
Partners assigned.
But.
"Where's Seol?"
"She hasn't shown up yet."
"What...?"
Her partner was late.
Jung Seung-hyun's face hardened.
*
Every gym has its chronic latecomers.
One or two running behind wasn't a big deal.
But Jung Seung-hyun's reaction was off.
"I specifically told her not to be late today..."
He sighed deeply.
His reaction made it seem like Kim Seol had to be my partner.
Probably wanted to see how I stacked up against her as the gym owner.
Meant he had his eye on her.
As he reached for his phone,
Ding-a-ling—
The gym door opened, and a girl strolled in.
"Yaaawn..."
Bag slung over one shoulder, she yawned wide enough to split her jaw.
"Kim Seol! You walk in like this?!"
"I'm only five minutes late..."
"Everyone's waiting because of you. We have guests today."
"Ah, sorry~"
She belatedly jogged in place awkwardly.
We exchanged a light handshake.
"I'm Go Eun-ha."
"Kim Seol. We're the same age, so drop the formal talk."
Kim Seol.
She was a high school girl too.
Probably competing in High School Fighting King.
What stood out was her hairstyle.
Blue hair verging on white.
The bold dye job suggested she put real effort into her look.
And another thing.
"Haaawn..."
She yawned constantly, jaw dropping every time.
During wrestling drills, she even leaned against the wall with half-closed eyes.
'Not focused, huh?'
I'm no boomer.
But honestly, anyone would be annoyed by this.
"Tired?"
"Couldn't sleep last night..."
"Partied hard till dawn?"
"How'd you know? Binged Attack on Titan! You seen it?"
Anime kept her up, messing with training.
She's young, so I get it.
But bragging about it? That's another level.
Whap!
I grabbed her wrist and shoved her against the wall.
Used her pushback to flip her over.
That instant.
Pop!
Kim Seol sprang right back up.
"Reflexes: pass."
"Your technique: pass. But was the chit-chat part of your strategy? Kinda cute if so."
She grinned.
After that brief clash, I got it.
Her strengths.
'Power and bounce are solid.'
Natural power type.
Great explosiveness meant she recovered fast even if taken down.
And from feeling her out...
'Tough as nails. Especially her glutes.'
Her body was rock-hard, beyond what you'd expect from a high school girl.
Almost manly.
Kim Seol asked,
"Whoa, your body's so soft. Like marshmallow. Jealous."
She'd been groping me back during wrestling.
Marshmallow? No way.
"Don't you lift?"
"I do."
"Oh yeah? Weights alone aren't enough—gotta eat right too. Especially protein. Skip that for diet salads and you won't build muscle."
Me, Go Eun-ha, getting lifting advice from a high schooler.
Like a total noob schooling Faker on laning.
What a joke.
"Strength isn't everything in MMA, but it sure helps."
Setting aside her creds, she was right.
More power never hurts.
Weakness was my weak point right now.
Even with this body, I couldn't match years of grinding overnight.
"They call you Monster No. 1, right? That strong?"
"Strong, and killer punch power."
Hard puncher Kim Seol.
All two amateur wins by KO.
Jung Seung-hyun's interest despite her slacking? Talent.
"Warm-up's done. Short break, then sparring!"
Sparring day today.
Chose this day on purpose.
Full sparring with outsiders was the goal.
My opponent was set.
"Three rounds, three minutes. Moderate intensity, no injuries. Go!"
Sparring started with boxing gloves.
Kim Seol threw lazy punches, gauging distance.
As she settled in,
Shh.
I switched stances.
Orthodox to southpaw.
Lefty stance.
"Ooh, switch?"
Righties struggle against southpaws.
90% of the world is orthodox.
Southpaws face them constantly; righties rarely prep for it.
Switch freely? Huge boxing edge.
Of course, easier said than done.
"Botch that, and it's worse than not doing it."
"I know."
No half-assing it.
At least.
'UFC contender level.'
Go Eun-ha tier.
Whoosh—!
Sharp one-two jabbed in.
Jab shook her guard, cross smashed her face clean.
Kim Seol didn't just take it.
Backed off, then speared a cross like a spear.
But.
Thud...
"?"
Her return punch had no snap.
"Why so soft?"
"I don't like hard sparring."
"Why?"
"No need to go hard and get hurt."
"And?"
"Why keep asking? Hurt is hurt."
"So why? You're practicing hitting people—why avoid getting hit?"
"What? You want me to try getting hurt?"
No injuries? Great.
But MMA's a striking sport.
Injuries in sparring? Inevitable.
Even light, you trip and bust your nose.
Light sparring isn't always bad.
But.
'This crosses the line.'
Kim Seol wasn't sparring light—she was play-acting.
Full-on going through the motions.
A pro acting like this?
O-yu-na would've reversed her and schooled her already.
"Go hard if you want. I'll keep it light."
"Sounds like full power's okay."
"Yeah. You punch like you can handle it."
She grinned again after needling me.
Not a comedian, but killer timing on the smiles.
"......"
Sparring stayed light in the end.
No fun, no real workout, but what can you do.
'Can't just smash a girl who wants light—bad look.'
Still, a few intriguing moments.
Thud—
Light jab that landed heavy on the glove.
'Punch power's legit.'
Takedown defense was sharp too.
Ground game average, but raw power kept her upright.
Popped back up quick if taken down.
"Damn, grappling's on point. Real fighter."
"Your D's solid too."
Sparring winding down.
Decent praise to wrap,
then Kim Seol dropped a weird question.
"Why grind so hard?"
"Huh?"
"You're a famous influencer. Sponsorships and promos rake in cash, right? Bet you get tons of TV offers."
"Love fighting."
"Whoa, romantic. But think about it—romance doesn't pay bills."
'Cool girl attitude.'
Started to walk away, but curiosity piqued.
Late, yawning, nonsense talk.
Tweak her right, and boom—full-throttle emotional full spar.
Rare chance.
"Ahem. That's kinda rude..."
Fake cough, feigning offense.
She caught on, laughed to smooth it.
"Didn't mean to diss. Just, I'd never do fighting if I were you."
"What then?"
"TV gigs, sponsorships, rake it in, start a business or shop, live sweet. Or just influencer life—easy money, no sweat."
Head full of flowers.
Probably clueless how dumb that sounds.
These types bruise easy.
"Skip business for you."
"Why?"
"That mindset tanks anything."
Kim Seol stopped stepping.
Glared daggers.
Bite incoming.
"You're a dick."
"Grown-up advice turns to blood and flesh—listen up."
"Same age, playing adult?"
"Mental age differs."
"Ha."
Air turned icy fast.
Onlookers noticed the beef.
Hesitant to jump in.
"Dunno why you're mad, but did I lie? Influencer life's sweet, facts. Aww, too real?"
"Your head's a flower field—business killer, also facts. Why?"
"Fuck. She's lost it...!"
Kim Seol's lid finally blew.
'Waited for this.'
Check hook loaded.
Emotional full spar after ages.
Grinning so hard, struggled to play it cool.
But then.
"No!"
An Seung-ho barged in.
"Seol! Enough! Gym owner's here—what's this?"
"Let go, oppa! You heard what she said!"
"Yeah! She's right!"
"You fuck! Whose side are you on?!"
Thwack!
An Seung-ho mouthed off once and got pummeled.
Lip split, bleeding.
'Useless.'
Saved me the trouble.
Jung Seung-hyun rushed in; mess wrapped quick.
"Kim Seol, go home."
"No. Full spar in the cage first. Gotta do Eun-ha today."
"Fight mad like this, someone's getting hurt. Drop it and go."
"I'm doing it!"
"Someone escort her."
"Fine, let go! I'll go!"
Kim Seol stormed out.
Jung Seung-hyun apologized on her behalf.
Not his to give, but.
Sorry? Might owe me a favor.
Training rolled on.
Sparring day's highlight.
Full spar time left.
"Switch partners, crank intensity. Full spar in the cage."
I donned MMA finger gloves, climbed the cage.
Kim Seol bailed—no partner.
Lots volunteered, though.
"Eun-ha, no better partner in our galaxy."
"Heavyweight? Dick move. I'm flyweight—perfect match!"
"Girl on girl instead?"
I turned them all down.
"Then who...?"
Pointed at someone outside the cage.
Gazes followed.
"An Seung-ho?"
"Again?"
"Something between them...?"
Mountain Hunter conman An Seung-ho stood there.
"Me after all."
"Scammer. Step aside."
"?"
Confused An Seung-ho backed off.
Revealing the real target.
"Boss. Get in."
Korean Undead Jung Seung-hyun.
He stared, flustered.
"Me...?"
You said sorry.
Let's rumble on YouTube, then.