The Brave and the Foolish
Watching the athletes burning with jealousy, Yang Sung-gyu let out a deep sigh. Grown men acting like this... shouldn't they have matured by now? Of course, Sung-gyu himself forgot his age the moment he logged into Pan-On, running around shouting, "Hyung-nim! Let's wipe them all out!" but still...
"I know you guys are jealous of Chun-sik, but..."
"We are not jealous!"
"Why would we be jealous of Chun-sik! Sure, he's successful, handsome, and has a girlfriend, but!"
"...He's on a broadcast, so we can't just beat him to a pulp. We have to match his pace."
This was a slice-of-life variety show; they couldn't show a famous actor getting beaten like a dog in a gym. The production team obviously wanted to capture Kim Chun-sik enjoying a light, casual workout.
"Director! Viewers these days want the truth! Filming fake, superficial stuff for TV? That's wrong!"
"Quiet."
"Boo! Boooo!"
Despite the athletes' protests, Yang Sung-gyu remained unfazed.
"Sang-cheol, you handle it. You should be fine. Don't forget to take it easy."
"Yes, sir!"
Kim Sang-cheol answered, his face brightening. Watching him, Sung-gyu thought, He's the most outstanding among the younger guys... and he has some star potential.
Kim Sang-cheol was one of the gym's most promising prospects. He already had a track record of securing medals in several tournaments. He was young, skilled, knew how to fight, and to top it off, he had joined Kim Tae-san's guild in Pan-On and worked diligently, which was a major plus.
Showing his face on TV will be good for Sang-cheol too.
Even if you were doing well in the martial arts scene, it was ultimately a niche league that only enthusiasts watched. To have a long, sustainable career, one had to get their name out to the public. Whether by winning medals in major tournaments or through other means.
Sparring with a popular actor like Chun-sik would get his name mentioned. If he was lucky, he might even garner more attention from there.
"I see! Next time you do a party play, could you invite me too? I really want to join you!"
"?"
Kim Chun-sik's familiar voice echoed from behind. Yang Sung-gyu turned his head.
Kim Chun-sik and the PD were excitedly chatting with Tae-hyun between them.
...Why is he still over there?!
"Ah. I see. So in my case, light armor is better than heavy armor."
Kim Chun-sik was asking Tae-hyun questions like a fish in water. Even though they had just met, he acted as if they had been close friends for years. The PD next to him made no attempt to stop him, instead egging him on.
"We agreed to do a party play next time, so it'd be great to do it together, right?"
"I really want to!"
How did I get caught up in this...
Tae-hyun was starting to find it incredibly tedious. Beside him, Jeong Su-hyeok and Kim Se-hyeong were staring at him with eyes full of awe. To think broadcasting staff and famous actors would treat him so familiarly! Of course, that was just their perspective; Tae-hyun was merely annoyed.
Feeling bothered, Tae-hyun racked his brain. Soon, a brilliant idea struck him.
"Ah. Let me introduce you to Lee Se-yeon. She's much better at carrying beginners than I am."
Passing the buck to Lee Se-yeon! Indeed, as a Necromancer, she would have a much easier time mob-hunting with beginners. She could even protect them with her summons!
"Huh? When we asked Lee Se-yeon, she recommended you, Kim Tae-hyun."
"?!?!"
Tae-hyun felt as if he had been struck on the back of the head. To think he had been backstabbed first!
Lee Se-yeon, just you wait!
Of course, Se-yeon had recommended him with good intentions, thinking, It's not a bad idea to get close to broadcasting people. I'll let Tae-hyun have this opportunity.
"Hey, Tae-hyun. Why are you still standing there instead of leaving?"
"Ah, Director. Sorry. We were just talking about Pan-On with Kim Tae-hyun. Hahaha!"
The PD smiled warmly at Yang Sung-gyu. Since one couldn't spit on a smiling face, Sung-gyu merely smacked his lips. If the PD hadn't been there, he would have nagged Tae-hyun to death!
"When do we start? Let's get this over with quickly."
"Sure! Everything is ready, so shall we get started?"
Once the cameras were set up and the cue was given, the staff moved instantly. Their professional demeanor made their previous idle chatter feel like a complete lie.
And one more thing. They weren't just focusing on Kim Chun-sik; they were focusing on Tae-hyun as well. It was practically a co-starring segment! The PD, having run into Tae-hyun by chance, was maximizing the opportunity.
No way I'm letting an opportunity like this slip.
Thanks to his achievements in the Pan-On tournament, Tae-hyun's popularity among the youth was currently exploding.
"Hey! Tae-hyun! Are you kidding me!"
"You can go on other broadcasts whenever you want! Why are you coming to our playground and doing this!"
"Yeah! Go home already!"
During a brief break, the gym players rushed over to protest to Tae-hyun. The long-time members obviously knew him well.
"No, it's not like I wanted to be on it..."
"Not wanting to be on it? What's that, humblebragging?!"
"Let us show our faces on TV too! You can get on easily!"
"I want to get some popularity too! Do you know what girls say to me when I go on blind dates?"
Sincere, desperate protests! Their pitiful pleas actually made Tae-hyun feel a tiny bit guilty. It was an appeal strong enough to shake the heart of Tae-hyun, who usually never felt sorry for such things.
"Fine, fine. I get it. I'll give you guys a boost, okay?"
"!"
At Tae-hyun's words, the players looked at each other. That meant...
"I think there's a sparring segment coming up next. Come on up."
The casual talking segment was finished, and now it was time to film a brief sparring session between Kim Chun-sik and Tae-hyun. If they came up as sparring partners, they could easily get on TV. And if they looked cool doing it? It was a perfect chance to show off.
Jeong Su-hyeok, watching from the side, was deeply impressed. As expected of Senior! His generosity is on another level!
However, unlike Su-hyeok, the players who had known Tae-hyun for a long time showed a subtle, awkward reaction.
"Uh..."
"Hmm..."
"Well..."
Suddenly, the players turned their heads in different directions, avoiding eye contact!
"???"
Su-hyeok was puzzled, and the PD, waiting for the sparring setup, was also bewildered. Only Yang Sung-gyu, who knew the situation, let out a sigh of understanding.
Every player here had faced Tae-hyun at least once. To be more precise, they had been beaten up by him. And not just beaten, but beaten like dogs! Knowing this all too well, they started pushing each other forward.
"Hey, you do it. Didn't you say last time you wanted to fight Tae-hyun?"
"When did I say that?! You said last time you could beat Tae-hyun now. You do it."
"Tae-hyun! This guy talked trash about you last time! Do it with him!"
Confused by this logically incomprehensible situation, the PD asked Yang Sung-gyu.
"Why are they acting like that?"
"Because if they spar with Tae-hyun, they'll be humiliated on camera. Tsk tsk. Those guys still have a long way to go."
"They'll be humiliated, not Kim Tae-hyun?!"
The PD doubted his ears for a moment. One side was a pro gamer, the other side were professional martial artists. Yet, Tae-hyun was so strong that all of them were terrified? Granted, Tae-hyun's face looked fierce enough to suggest he had a body count of at least one, and his build was as massive as a mobster's, but still...
"?"
"Eek!"
Sensing the PD's gaze, Tae-hyun turned his head. Seeing that, the PD flinched, feeling guilty for no reason.
I should be careful around him from now on.
Since the players kept pushing each other and no one stepped forward, Tae-hyun smiled as benevolently as possible and said, "Come on, I'll really go easy on you. I said I'd make you look good."
Oh, that'll work.
The PD looked at the players at Tae-hyun's words. Since he's going that far, surely they won't avoid it?
"Like hell we believe you, you punk!"
"I'd rather believe the Director when he says he's buying us dinner than believe you!"
"How many times have you said you'd go easy on us, only to say 'I forgot because I got caught up in the fight' later! Get lost!"
Violent rejection!
"..."
The PD thought to himself: Did I misjudge this player Kim Tae-hyun?
"What do you think you're doing!"
A furious voice rang out. Kim Sang-cheol glared at his senior players who were acting so pathetically.
"Seniors! Even if Kim Tae-hyun is the son of the Director's friend, there's no need to flatter him like this! We have our pride!"
"What is this guy talking about?"
"What kind of crazy nonsense is that, you lunatic? Who's flattering whom? We're doing this because we don't want to get beaten up."
Despite his seniors' sincere words, Kim Sang-cheol shook his head. He refused to believe them!
The only one here who had never directly faced Tae-hyun was Kim Sang-cheol. Thanks to that, he could step forward fearlessly and full of spirit.
"I don't want to hear it! If everyone else refuses, I'll do it. But I'm going to take it seriously!"
"Uh..."
"Really?"
At Sang-cheol's words, the players turned to each other and exchanged looks.
—Hey, he says he'll do it.
—Still, isn't it a bit wrong to make a junior do this?
Their final shred of conscience! As seniors, they were setting up a fight with an obvious outcome.
—Then do you want to go out?
—Hahaha. Let's just let Sang-cheol do it. Maybe Sang-cheol can win.
—...
Glances saying "What kind of bullshit are you spouting" were thrown simultaneously.
—Sorry. Anyway, Sang-cheol will snap out of it after getting hit a few times.
—Right. We're doing this to teach Sang-cheol a lesson. It's definitely not because we're scared.
"Yeah! Go for it!"
"Sang-cheol! We believe in you!"
"?"
Suddenly showered with passionate support, Kim Sang-cheol tilted his head in confusion, but since he had permission, he went to Yang Sung-gyu.
"Director, I'll do it!"
"Do what?"
"The sparring with Kim Tae-hyun!"
"...Did those punks make you do it?"
Yang Sung-gyu instantly grasped the situation. Those petty seniors, dumping it on their junior!
"No, sir! I wanted to do it!"
"You were manipulated into thinking that, you idiot! If you spar..."
Sung-gyu trailed off. If Sang-cheol fought Tae-hyun, the outcome was obvious. It was true Sang-cheol was an outstanding athlete, but Tae-hyun was on a different level. He was a lump of pure talent from head to toe! Clashing with Tae-hyun would surely break Sang-cheol's spirit.
Ah, how do I say this so he doesn't get hurt?
Misinterpreting Sung-gyu's hesitation, Sang-cheol said seriously, "I'll be careful and considerate. I won't hurt him!"
"No, uh... right..."
In the end, Sung-gyu couldn't find the words. Well, if Sang-cheol takes it easy, Tae-hyun will take it easy too.
But Kim Sang-cheol had no intention of taking it easy.
I'm going to thoroughly humiliate him.
To Sang-cheol, Tae-hyun was just an annoying punk acting high and mighty because of his father's connection to the director. Knocking him down a peg would make him a bit more humble!
Sang-cheol bumped his fists together, full of motivation. Seeing this, the players crowded around Yang Sung-gyu.
"What, are you worried now? Huh?"
"No, sir. Since Sang-cheol is sparring with Tae-hyun, he won't be able to spar with Chun-sik. We were thinking one of us should do that instead. Hehe."
"...You bastards, seriously!"
Exploding, Yang Sung-gyu threw his gloves and started beating up the players.
"Argh! Director! Why are you doing this! The camera! There's a camera!"
"Do you want us to be broadcast nationwide as a violent gym?!"
Seeing this, a staff member asked, "Should we stop filming this?"
"What are you talking about! Keep filming! It's hilarious!" the PD shouted excitedly.
Today was his lucky day. It was full of unexpected events!
However, it wouldn't be long before the PD came to regret those words.