Chapter 44
Chapter 44
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Sparring Showdown
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The meeting(?) with Jeong Hee-ju was a success on both personal and professional fronts.
As soon as Jeong Hee-ju left the officetel, Kim Jae-un, who had fallen for her at first sight, confessed—no, admitted it—to Lee Dae-hyuk.
“What’s your relationship with her?”
“We’re business associates.”
“Then, may I try my luck?”
“…Do as you please.”
Lee Dae-hyuk didn’t tell the enthusiastic Kim Jae-un about Jeong Hee-ju’s true identity.
There was no benefit in him knowing she was the boss of a massive loan shark organization, and the current situation could even serve as motivation.
‘Yeah… youth.’
Smacking his lips, Lee Dae-hyuk swung his fist at the sandbag.
Thwack thwack-!
After work today as well, Lee Dae-hyuk stopped by Chu Dong-hyeon’s gym and threw himself into training without rest.
In two days, Daehan Construction was heading to Busan for an OT trip.
Since they’d caught the culprit before the OT, he could go on this trip without any burdens.
‘Right. Let’s hear the employees’ grievances too.’
It wouldn’t hurt to check out the land in Jaesong-dong while he was at it.
Fortunately, Kim Mi-jin had reported that they were in the process of acquiring the 400-pyeong plot.
They’d bought it for several times the market price, but he didn’t regret a single penny.
He’d get back 1,100% returns on it.
Thud thud-!
His movements were speeding up.
Was it because his lower body had grown solid and his back muscles had developed?
The weight behind his punches felt several times heavier.
‘No, it’s not just a feeling.’
The impact sounds growing several times louder were proof enough.
‘Still, I need to test it in a real fight…’
Lee Dae-hyuk paused after hitting the sandbag and felt a thirst.
Not for violence, but a pure desire to test his own strength.
As if reading Lee Dae-hyuk’s mind, Chu Dong-hyeon, who had been overseeing the other trainees, sidled up beside him.
“The sound of your sandbag hits has changed. Congratulations. The results of my efforts are clear.”
“Yes?”
Lee Dae-hyuk doubted his own ears.
‘My efforts’? Not his?
What nonsense was this?
But he just smacked his lips.
‘Chu Dong-hyeon’s always been like this.’
Lee Dae-hyuk had already thoroughly analyzed the man through Psycho Metry before.
As expected of a superstar who believed the world revolved around him, he saw Lee Dae-hyuk’s growth as his own achievement.
‘Well, it’s not entirely wrong.’
He’d trained at Chu Dong-hyeon’s gym following the basic regimen he’d set, sparred with him, and truly felt what real strength was.
It was a different realm from the desperate brawls he’d engaged in during his Kim Geon-u days just to survive.
‘Something changed after that day.’
During the spar with Chu Dong-hyeon, for a brief moment, Lee Dae-hyuk felt like he’d glimpsed something that absolute powerhouses possessed.
Something vague, indescribable even to himself.
And.
Lee Dae-hyuk wanted to reach that something.
‘To take on Yu Jae-man, I need to get stronger than this.’
He needed more money.
And he needed to temper his body even further.
Yu Jae-man had countless talents under him.
Talents whose profession was eliminating troublesome reporters or detectives.
Some were ordinary(?) thugs like him, but pros from the NIS or North Infiltration Special Forces were mixed in too.
Of course, those close aides only stepped forward for Yu Jae-man’s protection or when needed.
Otherwise, they lived as unassuming employees.
‘Once my revenge starts taking shape, they’ll definitely come after me.’
Of course, he had to eliminate that possibility from the start, but for now, he needed to train his body.
Hoo-!
With a deep breath, Lee Dae-hyuk cleared his mind and turned his gaze to Chu Dong-hyeon.
“Yes. Thanks to you, Gym Master.”
“Your eyes don’t look grateful at all… but whatever, I’ll take your words at face value.”
Chu Dong-hyeon smiled and patted Lee Dae-hyuk’s shoulder.
“And I can see the desire rising right now, huh? You want to test your skills, blow some jaw clean off.”
“I do want to test my skills, but the jaw part… not so much.”
At Lee Dae-hyuk’s words, Chu Dong-hyeon crossed his arms.
“Hmm, still, since your skills have improved quite a bit, you should spar once. You’re no match for me… Who here would be a good opponent?”
Chu Dong-hyeon was curious about Lee Dae-hyuk’s improved skills too.
But if he sparred, it’d end the same as last time.
It wouldn’t help Lee Dae-hyuk.
Gaining real combat experience against a suitable opponent would be better for growth than getting crushed by an overwhelming one.
Right then, a newbie trainee suddenly raised his hand.
“How about me?”
“Hmm, Jun-sik? Beginners fighting could lead to accidents…”
Chu Dong-hyeon furrowed his brow at the sports-headed trainee who’d raised his hand.
The solidly built man named Kim Jun-sik was a newbie who’d registered at the gym about ten days ago.
His physique and movements suggested some martial arts experience.
But there was a problem.
He hadn’t accurately gauged Kim Jun-sik’s skills yet.
Sparring between beginners could lead to a big accident.
The other trainees just watched without stepping up.
They knew Lee Dae-hyuk’s rapidly improving skills better than even Chu Dong-hyeon did.
They didn’t want to risk the humiliation.
‘Cowards.’
Chu Dong-hyeon inwardly clicked his tongue at the trainees avoiding his gaze.
He was proud of Lee Dae-hyuk’s talent, but he didn’t like his disciples cowering preemptively.
But what could he do?
He understood not wanting needless defeat—or humiliation.
In the end.
“Kim Jun-sik. Let’s do it then.”
Calling Kim Jun-sik, Chu Dong-hyeon climbed into the ring.
.
.
.
A moment later.
Standing in the center of the ring, Chu Dong-hyeon alternated glances between Kim Jun-sik and Lee Dae-hyuk, giving them warnings.
“Do one 3-minute round. Keep it light, just get a feel. Okay?”
After the warning, Chu Dong-hyeon eyed Kim Jun-sik.
As a reserve cop by trade with some training, he wouldn’t be dumb enough to cause an accident in a simple spar like this.
On the flip side, there was something to look forward to.
‘This gold spoon guy has something too.’
He’d seen talent surpass experience many times.
He just had to look at himself.
Chu Dong-hyeon was curious what skills Lee Dae-hyuk would show in this spar.
Meeting Chu Dong-hyeon’s eyes, Lee Dae-hyuk grinned and said,
“I’ll be careful.”
Then,
“Yes! We’ll keep it light and safe!!!”
With Chu Dong-hyeon’s permission, Kim Jun-sik flashed a wide grin and shouted in a voice full of spirit.
With their eager responses, Chu Dong-hyeon left the ring with a light heart.
His worries ended here.
He wasn’t a babysitter.
Thud thud-!!
As he descended, only the two remained in the ring.
.
.
.
Lee Dae-hyuk and Kim Jun-sik wore contrasting expressions.
First, Lee Dae-hyuk couldn’t hide his flushed smile.
Thump thump-!!
It felt like his snot-nosed elementary school days.
Like the night before a picnic or sports day.
Pure excitement and thrill.
No grudges or anger lingered.
He just wanted to have fun clashing with his opponent.
On top of that.
‘It’d be nice to win.’
Meanwhile, Kim Jun-sik smiled, but his eyes were sharp.
To Lee Dae-hyuk, this was a spar.
To him, it was real combat.
‘I can’t fail.’
A childish, low-level mission, but one that came with a bonus.
He had to pull it off perfectly.
Before that, he needed to act like a good guy to disguise the perfect accident.
Kim Jun-sik extended his right hand with a bright smile.
“Go easy on me. It’s just a spar, let’s not hurt each other.”
“…….”
Lee Dae-hyuk hesitated slightly.
They hadn’t put on gloves yet.
Shaking hands would trigger unwanted Psycho Metry again.
But Lee Dae-hyuk eventually extended his right hand.
“…Please go easy on me too.”
Flash-!
This time, Psycho Metry brought him luck.
‘Park Ji-sook’s security team?’
Surprisingly, Kim Jun-sik was part of Park Ji-sook’s security team.
And his mission was to injure Lee Dae-hyuk while pretending it was a spar.
‘…Ha, that’s why he joined this gym? Both him and that auntie are so childish.’
To take him out under the guise of a spar—what a juvenile idea.
But as he released Kim Jun-sik’s hand, vibrancy lit up Lee Dae-hyuk’s face.
Not just a spar, but real combat.
‘Tackle then knee fracture…’
Reading Kim Jun-sik’s plan, Lee Dae-hyuk sneered inwardly.
Then he had no reason to go easy.
No, he was almost grateful.
Thanks to Lee Dae-hwan, he’d had a fun(?) brawl in the bathroom.
Now, thanks to his mother’s gift, he’d get to enjoy real combat in the ring.
The delightful gifts from mother and son.
Feeling grateful deep down, Lee Dae-hyuk grinned ferociously.
“Gym Master. Whenever you’re ready.”
At Lee Dae-hyuk’s words, Chu Dong-hyeon pressed the ring bell button.
Ding-!
Kim Jun-sik attacked first.
Tadak-!!
Slipping in smoothly, then.
Whoosh-!!!
A whip-like sharp jab flew in.
He ignored Chu Dong-hyeon’s “keep it light” entirely.
But Lee Dae-hyuk was the same.
He parried the jab, then.
Tap.
Thwack?!
“Guhk!”
He drove a right straight into Kim Jun-sik’s face.
Wobble-!
‘What? This isn’t what I heard.’
Caught off guard by Lee Dae-hyuk’s counter, Kim Jun-sik hurriedly backed away.
‘Don’t let your guard down. Right. Just don’t get complacent.’
Even after experiencing Lee Dae-hyuk’s reaction speed and counter, Kim Jun-sik didn’t acknowledge his skill.
That was his fatal mistake.
‘It was just luck.’
Steel yourself as he raised his guard.
But instead of attacking, Lee Dae-hyuk just stared at Kim Jun-sik plainly.
As if telling him to attack first.
‘This bastard…?!’
Feeling intense humiliation, Kim Jun-sik threw another jab.
Tap. Thwack-!!
The result was the same.
Using the shoulder block Chu Dong-hyeon taught him to deflect the punch, Lee Dae-hyuk’s jab dug into Kim Jun-sik’s nose bridge.
“Guhk!”
Staggering again from the razor-sharp strike.
More than the shock, a premonition that something was wrong made Kim Jun-sik’s pupils shake violently.
‘He’s strong.’
Not luck, not complacency.
Just a difference in skill.
On top of that.
“…….”
Lee Dae-hyuk’s cold, sharp gaze swept over him.
Flinch-!!!
Instinctively terrified, Kim Jun-sik reflexively threw a hook at Lee Dae-hyuk’s jaw.
But.
Tadak-!!
Dodging with a light side step, Lee Dae-hyuk’s right cross counter slammed into Kim Jun-sik’s jaw.
Crack-!!
“Kuuk!!”
A perfect counter.
Kim Jun-sik’s pupils shook, his legs buckled.
Plop-!!
Stumbling back to the ring ropes, Kim Jun-sik realized.
‘I’ve lost the match.’
He wasn’t Lee Dae-hyuk’s opponent.
Then.
‘I have to complete the mission.’
Backing off now left him with nothing but humiliation.
And more.
Beckon beckon-!!
Lee Dae-hyuk crooked his finger, as if saying come on.
‘This bastard!!’
At Lee Dae-hyuk’s provocation, Kim Jun-sik snapped.
Pain and mission faded from his mind.
Only murderous intent to smash Lee Dae-hyuk remained.
His eyes gleaming with killing intent fixed on Lee Dae-hyuk’s right leg.
‘Fine. Even if I get wrecked, I’ll shatter that knee.’
Eyes rolled back, Kim Jun-sik lunged for a tackle.
Seeing Kim Jun-sik charge without defense, Lee Dae-hyuk just sneered coldly.
Thud thud-!!
Crunch-!!
‘Huh?’
Just as Kim Jun-sik reached for Lee Dae-hyuk’s leg.
Lee Dae-hyuk pulled his lower body back sharply while grabbing and pressing down on Kim Jun-sik’s nape.
It was Kim Jun-sik who got caught, not Lee Dae-hyuk.
‘Damn it!’
Realizing his blunder too late, as Kim Jun-sik tried to retreat.
Crack-! Crunch-!!
Two knee strikes slammed into his face in succession.
Drip drip-!!!
“Gah…!?”
A groan burst out with nosebleed.
Sluuump-!!
Kim Jun-sik’s body crumbled like a sandcastle.
“…….”
“…….”
Silence fell over the gym in an instant.
For Chu Dong-hyeon and the trainees who knew Lee Dae-hyuk’s skills well, it wasn’t shocking.
The problem was.
They were all overwhelmed by Lee Dae-hyuk’s ruthless, unsparing attacks.
From Lee Dae-hyuk’s perspective, it had been a life-or-death real fight, so it was natural.
“…….”
While Chu Dong-hyeon and the trainees were stunned, Lee Dae-hyuk indifferently stared at the fallen Kim Jun-sik.
Had the sight of blood excited him?
Memories of what Park Ji-sook and Lee Dae-hwan had done to him surfaced.
‘Yeah. Time to send a warning.’
Seeing Kim Jun-sik’s right knee, Lee Dae-hyuk unconsciously gritted his teeth.
‘Should I do the same?’
Shattering Kim Jun-sik’s knee would be a warning to them.
Step-!!
As he took a step forward, yielding to anger.
“Hey… Lee Dae-hyuk!”
Chu Dong-hyeon’s hurried shout snapped him out of it.
At the same time, he felt sorry toward Chu Dong-hyeon.
For a moment, he’d harbored the intent to cripple a healthy trainee.
Lee Dae-hyuk quickly regained his composure.
“…I went too far.”
Lee Dae-hyuk honestly admitted his fault.
“…Haa. We’ll talk later.”
Chu Dong-hyeon glared at Lee Dae-hyuk, then yelled at the other trainees.
“Hey, he’s puking. Hold him up. Tilt his head back so he doesn’t choke. Wipe the side with a towel. Damn it. Lee Dae-hyuk! You clean up!!”
“…Yes.”
Despite it being clear self-defense, Lee Dae-hyuk was assigned cleanup as punishment.