I Thought I Was Bullying a Nobody, But He's a Martial Arts Genius - Chapter 66

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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, Unaware 066
The morning of the match.
The final promotional video had gone live on the official Axis Korea channel.

Ten minutes after the video went up.
The view count skyrocketed.
The comment section exploded.
-Insane, a comeback match after six months and the opponent is Choi Min Gyo?
-Axis really knows how to set up brutal matchups
-Seojun’s form must still be sharp
-Is it true Choi Min Gyo retired all his last four opponents?
-Baek Seojun went five rounds with the Champ lol
-If he wins today, does he go straight to the championship fight?
-But the main event is Lee Woo Sung vs. Kang Tae Jin
-The whole featherweight landscape shifts today
The main event of this tournament.
Lee Woo Sung.
And Kang Tae Jin, featherweight ranking 2nd.
They would fight for the vacant Champion Belt in a Title Match.
Ever since Lee Sung Jun had relinquished the belt and ascended to a higher stage.
A new champion would be crowned for the first time.
And preceding that, the match between Baek Seojun and Choi Min Gyo.
The victor would become the first challenger candidate for the new champion.
One day.
In one arena.
A new champion would emerge.
And the first predator who would pursue him would be decided.
Interest couldn’t help but be drawn.
* * *
Private waiting room at the Tournament Venue.
Baek Seojun was warming up in front of the mirror.
He rolled his neck.
He loosened his shoulders.
Light Shadow Boxing.
Tap.
Tap.
Do Yun sat on the sofa, checking the condition of the Gloves.
A Yeon studied the match schedule.
Ryu Tae Hwan watched only Seojun’s footwork.
Then.
Knock-knock.
The door opened.
Lee Woo Sung entered.
Black training clothes.
Nothing in his hands.
Alone.
All eyes in the waiting room turned to him.
Do Yun rose first.
“What brings you by?”
Lee Woo Sung looked at Seojun.
“I came to have a quick word.”
Do Yun didn’t press further.
He exchanged a glance with A Yeon.
They left first.
Ryu Tae Hwan followed after them.
Do Yun caught the door last.
“Keep it brief.”
Click.
The door closed.
Only Baek Seojun and Lee Woo Sung remained.
A moment of silence.
Lee Woo Sung spoke first.
“How’s the body?”
Baek Seojun shook out his arm once.
“Fine.”
“You said you rested for six months.”
“I rested well.”
Lee Woo Sung nodded.
“Shows.”
His gaze swept across Baek Seojun’s shoulders and arms.
“You’ve built up too.”
Baek Seojun asked as well.
“Are you ready, sir?”
“Done.”
A terse reply.
Lee Woo Sung leaned his back against the wall.
“In the main event today.”
His eyes fixed on Baek Seojun.
“I’m the one wrapping the Champion Belt around my waist.”
Baek Seojun listened without a word.
Lee Woo Sung continued.
“And.”
He paused.
“I’d like my first title defense to be against you.”
Baek Seojun’s eyes changed.
The past.
Tournament finals.
3rd Round.
The clinch.
A Right Straight.
Lee Woo Sung crumpling.
The image flashed across his mind.
Lee Woo Sung spoke quietly.
“Win. No matter what.”
Baek Seojun’s fist slowly clenched.
“I will.”
A beat.
“I’ll win and climb.”
The corners of Lee Woo Sung’s mouth lifted ever so slightly.
“Good.”
He turned.
He stopped briefly at the door.
“This time.”
Baek Seojun watched his back.
“I won’t lose so easily.”
Baek Seojun replied tersely as well.
“Neither will I.”
Lee Woo Sung opened the door.
His eyes met Do Yun’s, who had been waiting outside.
He passed without a word.
Baek Seojun turned back to the mirror.
He raised his fist.
The eyes in the mirror were sharper, more focused.
* * *
The previous fight had ended.
The lights in the Tournament Venue dimmed for a moment.
Baek Seojun stood in the Entrance Corridor.
A familiar space.
Black walls.
A low ceiling.
The murmur of the crowd drifting from somewhere far away.
His fingertips trembled slightly.
Baek Seojun clenched his fist.
Tight.
His heart raced.
His first fight in six months.
Stepping back into the Cage.
Do Yun tapped him from behind.
“Don’t get nervous just because it’s been a while.”
Baek Seojun exhaled sharply.
“I’m not nervous.”
“Your hands are shaking.”
Baek Seojun opened his hands.
“I’m excited.”
Do Yun chuckled softly.
Then.
The arena announcer’s voice burst through the speakers.
[The indomitable Challenger returns after six months!]
The speakers above the corridor roared to life.
Baek Seojun’s entrance music started.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
His face appeared on the massive display screen.
<BAEK SEOJUN>
[Baek! Seo! Jun!]
Baek Seojun walked out of the corridor.
In that instant.
“Roooooaaaaarrrr!”
The roar erupted.
His eardrums rang.
The floor trembled beneath his feet.
The crowd rose from their seats.
Cell phones shot upward in unison.
“Baek Seojun!”
“Seojun!”
“Welcome back!”
Baek Seojun’s eyes widened slightly.
It seemed even louder than during the championship fight.
This wasn’t the sound poured upon a defeated fighter.
These were the people who remembered the Challenger who had clung to the Champion until the very end.
They hadn’t forgotten that image of him.
Baek Seojun glanced quickly to either side.
Then he bowed his head.
Once.
He looked toward the Cage again.
His pace quickened.
The Referee’s body check.
Glove inspection.
Mouthpiece check.
The steel gate opened.
Click.
Baek Seojun stepped into the Cage.
He felt the mat beneath his feet.
The tips of his toes bounced lightly.
Tap.
Tap.
His body moved well.
Do Yun gave him a thumbs-up from outside the steel cage.
Baek Seojun simply nodded.
Then the spotlight wheeled to the opposite side.
The music changed.
Low and ominous bass.
The arena announcer’s voice swelled across the crowd.
[Featherweight Ranking: Third!]
Jeers erupted from the stands first.
[The man who buries his opponents in the Cage!]
The roar intensified.
“Booooooo!”
[The Undertaker! Choi! Min! Gyo!]
A man strode out from the entrance.
Choi Min Gyo.
A shining bald head.
Black tattoos crawling up the scalp.
Both arms hanging loose at his sides.
A twisted smile stretched across his lips.
The crowd rose as one, hands high.
Middle fingers extended.
Curses.
Boos.
“Get out of here!”
“Dirty fighter!”
“You’re the one getting carried out tonight!”
Choi Min Gyo didn’t break his stride.
Instead, he turned his head.
His gaze swept slowly across the stands.
He stuck out his tongue, long and deliberate.
“Booooooo!”
The jeers swelled louder.
Choi Min Gyo laughed.
He was savoring it.
Someone shook a water bottle.
Someone else gestured obscenely from beyond the steel cage.
Choi Min Gyo cupped his hand to his ear.
As if inviting them to continue.
Then he kept walking.
Long, measured strides.
He reached the Cage entrance.
Even during his body check, he never took his eyes off Baek Seojun.
The steel gate swung open.
Choi Min Gyo stepped inside.
Clang.
The jeers poured in after him, through the mesh.
Choi Min Gyo circled slowly, once around.
He licked his lips with the tip of his tongue.
Then he looked across.
At Baek Seojun.
Baek Seojun was light on his feet, moving in place.
On one side: the returning fighter, momentum at his back.
On the other: the Undertaker, feeding on their hatred.
Their eyes locked in the center of the Cage.
* * *
Ding!
The bell for the 1st Round rang out.
Choi Min Gyo exploded forward immediately.
No footwork.
No distance reading.
He simply charged in.
“Hrragh!”
Left Hook.
Right Hook.
Overhand again.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Baek Seojun slipped backward.
Tap.
Tap.
Backstep.
Guard high.
Eyes open and alert.
Choi Min Gyo’s fist tore through the air.
Hiss!
It grazed past Baek Seojun’s nose.
Right hand again.
Baek Seojun leaned his upper body back just slightly.
The fist missed.
Choi Min Gyo laughed.
“Why.”line>
Another step back.

“Scared?”
Baek Seojun didn’t answer.
He retreated again.
Thwack!
This time against his guard.
Bang!
His forearm shuddered.
Choi Min Gyo was enjoying himself even more.
“That’s right. Keep blocking.”
The punches grew wilder.
Left hand.
Right hand.
Body shots.
Head shots.
Bang!
Thwack!
Crack!
Baek Seojun didn’t strike back.
One step.
Two steps.
He kept watching.
Choi Min Gyo’s right shoulder opens first.
When he swings his left hand wide, his hips follow through.
Before a follow-up, his front foot locks in place.
And the longer the attack sequence, the higher his center of gravity rises.
The Large Display Screen.
<1R 4:02>
Not even a minute had passed.
Choi Min Gyo clicked his tongue.
“Boring.”
He suddenly closed the distance sharply.
His left hand opened.
Not a fist.
Fingers.
Reaching straight for Baek Seojun’s eyes.
Do Yun shouted from outside the cage.
“Slip it!”
Baek Seojun’s head twisted to the side.
The fingertips grazed past his face.
Choi Min Gyo tried to wrap his arm around immediately after.
The back of the head.
The neck.
Hands reaching to grab and pull down.
Foul play.
In that instant.
Baek Seojun’s eyes sharpened.
He saw it.
Choi Min Gyo’s right foot was airborne.
His hip had opened.
His upper body lurched forward.
His eyes locked on his hands.
His chin hung exposed.
A perfect opening.
‘Here.’
Baek Seojun’s front foot moved.
Snap.
Baek Seojun’s body vanished before Choi Min Gyo’s eyes.
Or rather, the angle had shifted.
A half-step outside.
Out of his line of sight.
Choi Min Gyo’s eyes followed too late.
“What—?”
Then Baek Seojun’s right foot struck the mat.
Bang!
His torso twisted.
His shoulder followed through.
His right hand.
Short.
Straight.
Fast.
Right Counter.
Crunch—!!
The fist buried itself in Choi Min Gyo’s jaw.
His neck snapped around.
His eyes rolled back.
His mouth fell open.
His body went rigid.
A single beat.
And then.
Thud—!
Choi Min Gyo crashed down like a felled log.
His arms didn’t come up.
No fall recovery.
The referee threw himself forward before the back of Choi Min Gyo’s head could hit the mat.
“Stop!”
Baek Seojun didn’t pursue.
He already knew it was over.
He stepped back one pace.
He lowered his fists.
The crowd erupted.
“Roaaaaaaarrr!”
[It’s over!!]
[Baek Seojun!! One punch!!]
[Just over a minute since the bell! Choi Min Gyo is out cold!!]
The YouTube comment section exploded.
-The One-Hit KO king is back, absolutely nuts
-One punch what the hell
-Did you see Choi Min Gyo’s eyes roll back
-Tried to pull a foul and got knocked out immediately lmao
-Baek Seojun’s comeback match absolutely insane
-Championship fight, let’s go!!!
Outside the Steel Cage.
Tae Soo threw both arms up.
“That’s it!”
Jin Hyuk nodded in agreement.
Do Yun let out a low laugh.
“There it is.”
A Yeon looked up at the Large Display Screen.
<1R 1:07>
One minute and seven seconds.
Baek Seojun looked down at Choi Min Gyo sprawled on the mat.
No fouls.
No taunts.
No dirty fighting.
There had been no opening for any of it.
The Undertaker couldn’t even open his eyes.
Baek Seojun slowly lifted his head.
The entire crowd roared his name.
“Baek Seojun!”
“Baek Seojun!”
“Baek Seojun!”
A comeback after six months.
His first fight since his first defeat.
The legend of the One-Hit KO had returned.

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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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