I Thought I Was Bullying a Nobody, But He's a Martial Arts Genius - Chapter 19
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Fighting Genius Doesn’t Know He’s a Pariah – Episode 019
Team Jjajak Gym.
Seo Jun lay face-down on the mat, gasping for breath.
“Hah, hah…….”
His back was drenched in sweat.
His arms trembled, and his thighs wouldn’t obey him.
Do Yoon stood before him, timer in hand.
Beep.
“Ten seconds. Get up.”
Seo Jun clenched his teeth and pushed himself off the mat.
“Yes.”
“Your voice gone?”
“No, sir.”
“Then move.”
Seo Jun circled the Cage again.
Sprawl.
One-Two.
Cage Escape.
Sprawl again.
Do Yoon’s training was nothing like it had been in the Amateur days.
There was no rest.
The moment he threw a strike, Takedown Defense came at him.
As soon as he defended against the takedown, his back slammed against the Cage.
Escaping the Cage, the Mitt came flying.
Crack!
Do Yoon’s Mitt whipped across Seo Jun’s guard.
“Fight like an Amateur and you’ll die on the Professional stage.”
“Yes!”
“Are YouTube comments going to take the hits for you?”
“No!”
“Rookies Champion? That’s just one line on your resume in the Professional world. The moment you get cocky, your jaw snaps.”
Do Yoon raised the Mitt again.
“Again.”
Seo Jun planted his feet.
His breath came up to his throat.
But his eyes didn’t close.
Even without an opponent, his gaze tracked Do Yoon’s shoulders and the tips of his feet.
Whoosh!
One-Two.
Sprawl.
Upper body rotation.
Crack!
The Mitt burst under the impact.
Do Yoon’s wrist gave back slightly.
“Good. One more time.”
“Yes.”
Ah Yeon watched from behind the counter.
Training so brutal it bordered on savage.
Seo Jun absorbing it all in silence.
She clicked her tongue softly.
“Both of them are insane.”
* * *
When training ended, Seo Jun was sitting on the ring stairs.
Sweat dripped steadily from his hair.
Tae Soo passed by and spoke with a tired expression.
“Hey, are you even human? You really just did all that?”
Seo Jun steadied his breathing before answering.
“It’s still not enough.”
“Ugh. Annoying.”
Tae Soo muttered under his breath and stepped back.
That’s when Ah Yeon handed him a folder.
“Seo Jun. Take this with you.”
“What is it?”
“A diet plan.”
Seo Jun accepted the folder.
The first page was filled with daily meal plans, written in meticulous detail.
Ah Yeon pointed at the chart with her finger.
“You’re not doing a heavy cut. We’re building muscle density while keeping your weight steady.”
“Muscle density?”
“Your weight stays about the same, but your body gets harder. You become the kind of fighter who absorbs hits and hits harder when you strike.”
Ah Yeon explained quickly.
“Breakfast is oatmeal or oat porridge. Eat sweet potato with it too. You can’t skimp on carbs if you want explosive power.”
Seo Jun nodded.
“Lunch is beef bottom round, chicken breast, eggs. If you get tired of it, swap in salmon. You need the protein to build muscle.”
Ah Yeon’s finger moved down to the next line.
“Dinner is a little brown rice, white fish, tofu, and vegetables. Plus some avocado or nuts on the side.”
“Avocado?”
“Not all fat is bad. It helps with joint recovery and managing inflammation. Your joints are your weapons—you need to take care of them.”
Seo Jun stared down at the diet plan.
It was more complicated than he’d expected.
It wasn’t just the names of the foods.
Even the grams were listed.
Bottom round: 180g.
Sweet potato: 200g.
Salmon: 150g.
Broccoli.
Banana.
Unsweetened yogurt.
“So I just eat exactly this?”
“As closely as possible.”
Ah Yeon crossed her arms.
“Do Yoon will oversee your training. I’ll handle your body management. For professionals, the unseen hours matter more than the time spent fighting and sparring.”
Seo Jun gripped the folder tightly.
“Understood.”
* * *
Night.
Seo Jun unfolded the diet plan on the dining table at home.
The problem revealed itself immediately.
Everything on it cost money.
‘How am I supposed to do this every day.’
Seo Jun’s fingertip stopped on the paper.
He’d received the contract fee.
But he didn’t want to spend it carelessly.
Rent.
Living expenses.
Mother’s medical bills.
There was a lot to think about.
Then his mother finished washing the dishes and came over.
“Is that the diet plan?”
“Yes.”
His mother picked up the paper.
Her eyes scanned it quickly.
“Bottom round, salmon, sweet potato, oats….”
She glanced toward the refrigerator for a moment.
Then she set the diet plan down again.
“So I just make these meals as written?”
Seo Jun looked up.
“Mom, this stuff is kind of expensive….”
“Athletes eat as part of their training.”
His mother spoke matter-of-factly.
“We can skimp on money, but never on food.”
Seo Jun’s mouth fell quiet for a moment.
His mother picked up a pen and began writing a small note beside the Diet Plan.
“I can’t do it perfectly, but I’ll do my best to keep you on track.”
“Mom.”
“Hmm?”
Seo Jun looked down at the Diet Plan, then raised his head.
The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
“Thank you.”
His mother let out a soft laugh.
“Thank me by staying healthy and winning.”
Seo Jun nodded.
“Yes.”
His hand rested on the Diet Plan.
Training didn’t end at the gym.
It was beginning at home as well.
* * *
A month had passed.
Seo Jun’s day had become even simpler.
School.
The gym.
Home.
Back to the gym.
Crack!
Do Yoon’s Mitt tore.
“Don’t space out after throwing a punch! A professional won’t stop just because you took one shot!”
“Yes!”
Seo Jun’s Right Hand shredded through the Mitt.
Immediately, a Sprawl.
Back up, then a One-Two.
The moment his back touched the Cage, he formed a frame with his elbows and slipped sideways.
“Good. Again!”
Ah Yeon sat before the Laptop, rewinding the footage.
In the slow-motion frame, Seo Jun’s lower body froze.
“Seo Jun. Third set, at the forty-second mark. When you slip to the right, your back foot is lagging.”
Seo Jun stopped wiping sweat with his Towel and looked at the screen.
“If your opponent is left-handed, they’ll pin you to the Cage at that timing. You need to be a half-beat faster.”
“Understood. I’ll correct it.”
The correction went straight into his body on the next round.
Next round.
Seo Jun’s feet moved half a beat sooner.
Sparring with Tae Soo was rougher.
Thud!
Tae Soo’s Shoulder Press drove up beneath Seo Jun’s jaw.
“Hey, Seo Jun! You’ll see all this when you go pro!”
“Understood!”
“Then hold it!”
The two of them pressed and pulled, wedged against the Cage wall.
A fight more suffocating than striking.
Their bodies collided over the narrow space.
Do Yoon didn’t call the stoppage.
Instead, he pressed in closer.
“That’s it. Give your back there and you’re finished. Move your hips. Win the hand-fighting first.”
Seo Jun clenched his teeth.
When his breath caught, he rationed it.
When his vision blurred, he watched his opponent’s feet.
When pain flared, he shifted angles.
A month passed like this.
Seo Jun’s body had transformed—subtly, but measurably.
His weight hadn’t shifted much.
But his shoulders and back had hardened into new density.
His abdomen carved itself into shallow ridges, and his thighs developed the raw power to anchor him against the Cage floor.
Most of all, his eyes had changed.
As an Amateur, his eyes had read an opponent’s attacks.
Now they looked beyond that—to what came next.
Not just landing the strike and finishing.
But where to grip after contact.
Which path to escape once he’d evaded.
What angle to hold when pressed down.
Seo Jun’s body was learning Professional speed, inch by inch.
Two months until the Match.
Still far away.
But time didn’t linger.
* * *
“Stop.”
Do Yoon’s voice cut through the air.
Seo Jun lowered the Mitt.
His breathing was ragged.
His stance, however, held firm.
Do Yoon studied him in silence for a long moment.
“Hm.”
“Is something wrong?”
“That’s the problem—there isn’t anything.”
Tae Soo, drinking water nearby, choked on it.
“Wow, the coach actually said something close to a compliment.”
“You shut up and get back on that Jump Rope.”
“Yes, sir.”
Tae Soo immediately grabbed the Jump Rope.
Do Yoon pulled out his phone.
He made a quick call.
“It’s me.”
When the person on the other end spoke, Do Yoon nodded.
“Come by today.”
Do Yoon’s gaze shifted to Seo Jun.
“One weight class up. I need you to work with him.”
The call was brief.
Do Yoon slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Seo Jun asked, “Who’s coming?”
“Someone.”
“Someone?”
“Someone you need.”
That was all the answer he’d give.
An hour later.
The gym door swung open with a chime.
A large Gym Bag came through first.
Then the person carrying it.
Seo Jun turned his head naturally.
The height wasn’t particularly imposing.
But the presence that followed was unmistakable.
He had seen this person before.
But his frame was thick, densely packed with muscle.
The line running from his neck through his shoulders looked like a timber beam.
His forearms were as thick as rope, and the backs of his hands bore old scars.
The first thing that caught the eye, though, was his ears.
Cauliflower ears, severely mangled.
Swollen so thick it was hard to make out their original shape.
A wrestler.
You could tell at a glance.
“Hey, Do Yoon.”
The man raised his hand in greeting.
His face wore a round, easy smile.
“Long time no see.”
Do Yoon nodded slightly.
“You came.”
“I call you over and that’s the welcome I get? You’re breaking my heart.”
The man laughed and slipped off his shoes.
For all his intimidating build, his manner of speaking was gentle.
Ah Yeon waved from behind the counter.
“Tae San, it’s been so long.”
“Oh, Manager. You’re looking even more beautiful than before.”
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere with me.”
“Shame.”
Tae Soo sidled up next to Seo Jun.
He lowered his voice.
“Tae San. Active Light Heavyweight pro fighter with KCR.”
“Light Heavyweight?”
“Yeah. One weight class above you. Wrestling Base, and his Cage Escape is brutally good.”
Seo Jun’s gaze shifted back to Tae San.
Tae San was still smiling.
The face of some kindhearted neighborhood senior.
But his body was something else entirely.
Short neck.
Low center of gravity.
His toes naturally gripped the floor beneath him.
Even standing still, his balance never wavered.
Do Yoon gestured.
“Tae San, this is Seo Jun.”
Tae San stepped forward toward Seo Jun.
“Oh, so you’re the Rookies champion?”
“I’m Seo Jun.”
Seo Jun bowed his head respectfully.
Tae San extended his hand.
“I’m Tae San. Pleasure to work with you.”
His hand was large.
When Seo Jun grasped it, the thick palm enveloped his like a Glove.
The grip strength wasn’t overwhelming.
If anything, it was careful.
“I’ve heard a lot about you. Do Yoon doesn’t usually say much about people, but he does talk about you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Said he’d picked up some crazy kid.”
Do Yoon spoke from behind.
“He’s not wrong.”
Tae San laughed heartily.
“So today we’re just going to roll light, right?”
“That’s right.”
Do Yoon’s lips curved upward.
“Light.”
Something about the way he said it felt off.
Seo Jun studied Tae San’s face.
Still that innocent smile.
Despite his rough ears and thick frame, his expression was remarkably at ease.
Seo Jun felt his tension ease, just slightly.
‘He doesn’t seem like a bad person.’
Then it happened.
Tae San’s foot stepped onto the mat.
Thud.
The sound was soft.
But the floor compressed beneath it.
Seo Jun’s gaze naturally drifted to that foot.
Contrary to the smile on his face,
his toes were already positioned for a fight.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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