I Thought I Was Bullying a Nobody, But He's a Martial Arts Genius - Chapter 68

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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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Unknown Martial Arts Genius, Bullied by Everyone — Episode 68
Team Jugjak Conference Room.
A fight video was playing on the monitor.
Kang Tae Jin.
His opponent advances.
He retreats.
Tap.
A jab.
His opponent’s head snaps to the side.
Then a Low Kick.
Crack!
The front leg wobbles.
Kang Tae Jin doesn’t follow up.
Back to distance again.
Another jab.
A Yeon paused the video.
The red dot of the Laser Pointer landed squarely on Kang Tae Jin’s lead hand.
“Watch carefully.”
Baek Seojun looked at the screen.
Do Yun and Ryu Tae Hwan.
Jin Hyuk was sitting with them too.
A Yeon spoke.
“Kang Tae Jin has no emotion.”
The video started moving again.
His opponent threw a wide hook.
Kang Tae Jin slipped back half a step.
He didn’t even attempt a counter.
Tap.
Just another jab.
“He doesn’t throw wide-arc punches.”
A Yeon’s pointer followed Kang Tae Jin’s footwork.
“And he never rushes recklessly.”
His opponent presses forward.
Kang Tae Jin sidesteps away.
Low Kick.
Crack!
Distance again.
“Only jabs.”
Tap.
“Low Kicks.”
Crack.
“And short Straights when needed.”
Thud!
Blood trickled from his opponent’s nose.
Kang Tae Jin’s face remained unchanged.
“A perfect Outboxer who chips away at points from long range.”
A Yeon stopped the video.
“And a machine.”
Baek Seojun’s eyes narrowed.
A Yeon pulled up footage of Baek Seojun’s recent fights.
Against Hwang Dae Gun.
Against Lee Woo Sung.
Against Lee Sung Jun.
Baek Seojun reads his opponent’s attack.
Finds the opening.
Plants a Counter.
Smash!
A Yeon spoke.
“You, Baek Seojun — you read your opponent’s rhythm.”
The next scene.
The moment his opponent’s shoulder opened.
Baek Seojun’s fist came in first.
“A Counter Striker who reads the opening and attacks.”
Baek Seojun nodded.
“Yes.”
A Yeon immediately played the footage of Kang Tae Jin again.
Jab.
Retreat.
Low Kick.
Side Step.
Jab.
It was identical.
No variation.
“The problem is.”
A Yeon’s voice turned cold.
“Kang Tae Jin doesn’t give you rhythm.”
Baek Seojun’s gaze fixed on the screen.
“He won’t lose composure to provocation.
He won’t swing wildly just because he’s cornered.
He won’t get excited and chase after you just because you’ve landed something.”
On the screen, Kang Tae Jin deflected his opponent’s attack once more.
Then he stepped back smoothly.
A Yeon spoke.
“He won’t create the opening you’re waiting for.”
The Laser Pointer marked Baek Seojun’s Counter moment.
“If you’re not careful, your Counter will slice through empty air before it even extends.”
The Conference Room fell silent.
Then Jin Hyuk crossed his arms.
“So just go in first, then.”
Baek Seojun looked at Jin Hyuk.
The corner of Jin Hyuk’s mouth twisted.
“That’s what you thought, right?”
Baek Seojun closed his mouth.
Jin Hyuk gestured toward the Monitor with his chin.
On the footage, the opponent, unable to bear the frustration, rushed at Kang Tae Jin.
One-Two.
Kang Tae Jin feinted a retreat.
In that instant.
His upper body dropped.
Bang!
Takedown.
The opponent slammed flat against the ground.
Immediately into Top Position.
Pounding.
Smack!
Crack!
Jin Hyuk spoke.
“If you go in first?”
One eyebrow rose.
“That’s Kang Tae Jin’s favorite prey.”
The fist on the screen came down again.
Bang!
“Straight into a Takedown and a Pounding hellscape.”
Do Yun leaned back deeply into his chair.
Ryu Tae Hwan watched the screen in silence.
Baek Seojun didn’t move either.
Kang Tae Jin on the Monitor.
His opponent was covered in blood.
But not a single drop stained Kang Tae Jin’s face.
Jab.
Distance.
Takedown.
Pounding.
Every movement repeated at the same pace.
Baek Seojun’s hand slowly curled into a fist above his knee.
On the screen, Kang Tae Jin continued to drop his opponent without a flicker of emotion.
* * *
The Cage door swung shut.
Click.
Baek Seojun raised his guard.
Across from him.
Do Yun settled into stance.
But something was different from usual.
His guard hung high.
His upper body barely moved.
His shoulders stayed closed.
There was no predatory pressure.
Just rigid. Stiff.
Like a cold machine.
Do Yun spoke.
“Here I come.”
Tap.
A jab.
It found Baek Seojun’s forehead.
Baek Seojun answered immediately.
Right-hand Counter.
But Do Yun was already gone.
The fist cut through empty air.
Whoosh.
Baek Seojun reset the distance.
Do Yun didn’t press forward.
He stayed just outside Baek Seojun’s range.
Right at that line, no further.
Tap.
Another jab.
Baek Seojun rolled his head.
Do Yun’s front foot rose.
A Front Kick.
Crack!
Straight to the gut.
Baek Seojun’s body gave way.
“Hgh.”
Distance again.
Do Yun didn’t chase.
Baek Seojun steadied his breathing and sharpened his gaze.
The shoulders.
The front foot.
The hips.
He watched them all.
But there was nothing to read.
Do Yun made no large movements.
Tap.
Crack.
Strike and withdraw.
Even his Low Kicks didn’t cut deep.
He gave Baek Seojun no distance to land a punch.
Do Yun threw his lead hand again.
Tap.
Baek Seojun tried to catch it.
Do Yun snatched his hand back immediately.
Outside again.
Baek Seojun’s eyes narrowed.
‘He won’t come in.’
To land a Counter.
The opponent has to advance.
An opening has to appear.
But Do Yun wasn’t giving him one.
Tap.
Another jab.
The tip of Baek Seojun’s nose snapped back.
This time a Front Kick.
Thud!
Baek Seojun’s breath caught.
Do Yun’s expression remained unchanged.
Baek Seojun clenched his jaw.
“Frustrated?”
Do Yun stepped back another pace.
Baek Seojun’s foot stamped the Mat.
Tap.
He didn’t wait any longer.
Forward.
Baek Seojun closed the distance first.
Jab.
Right hand.
The moment he forced the range shut.
Do Yun’s upper body dropped.
A Hook.
He vanished from Baek Seojun’s sight.
“……!”
Do Yun’s shoulder drove into his waist.
Both arms wrapped around his legs.
Crash!
Baek Seojun’s back slammed into the Mat.
The wind burst from his lungs.
“Ugh!”
Do Yun mounted immediately.
He pinned Baek Seojun’s pelvis.
Immobilized one arm.
Settled his full weight on the chest.
Baek Seojun threw a Bridge.
It didn’t budge him.
Do Yun looked down at him.
His expression was cold.
“This is Kang Tae Jin.”
Baek Seojun clenched his teeth and twisted his body.
Do Yun’s knee blocked the path.
Pressed down again.
Thump.
“That Eye Tracking you pride yourself on.”
Do Yun’s hand pressed down on Baek Seojun’s shoulder.
“Your Counter.”
Baek Seojun attempted an Underhook.
Do Yun blocked it with his elbow.
“When your opponent won’t come in.”
Short Pounding dropped down onto his guard.
Thud.
“It’s useless.”
Baek Seojun’s breathing grew ragged.
“Hah…… Hah…….”
Do Yun leaned his face closer.
“Just a half-weapon, that’s all.”
Baek Seojun lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
His chest heaved with each labored breath.
Do Yun’s weight hadn’t lifted from him yet.
Outside the Cage, A Yeon watched with her arms crossed.
Ryu Tae Hwan said nothing either.
Only Jin Hyuk spoke, his voice low.
“Like this, I really can’t do anything.”
Baek Seojun’s hand slowly curled into a fist against the Mat.
* * *
Baek Seojun lay on the Mat.
His chest rose and fell heavily.
“Hah… hah….”
The ceiling seemed to sway.
Do Yun’s words echoed in his mind.
Half-weapon.
Then.
Footsteps drew near.
Ryu Tae Hwan stood beside him.
“Get up.”
Baek Seojun propped himself on his elbows.
Ryu Tae Hwan looked down at him and spoke.
“If the Counter doesn’t work, then strike first and break through.”
Baek Seojun’s eyes lifted.
Ryu Tae Hwan pointed to the Cage.
“What you’re missing is pressure. And Footwork.”
He placed his feet on the Mat.
One step.
Sideways.
Then forward again.
“Don’t chase your opponent. Cut off his escape route first.”
Ryu Tae Hwan’s feet angled toward the corner of the Cage.
“Push him this way.”
Tap.
“Block him from breaking that way.”
Tap.
“Then you strike him at the end.”
Baek Seojun rose slowly.
“I’ll try.”
Ryu Tae Hwan nodded.
“Tae Soo.”
Tae Soo entered, pulling on his Headgear.
“Am I the heavy bag this time?”
“Run.”
“That I can do.”
The Cage door swung shut.
Click.
Tae Soo darted sideways at once.
Baek Seojun followed.
Tap.
Tap.
Tae Soo cut hard the other way.
Baek Seojun pivoted to match.
“Hey!”
Tae Soo shouted.
“Don’t stop there!”
Baek Seojun’s feet tangled.
Tae Soo slipped away cleanly.
“Chase me like you’re trying to tear my head off!”
Baek Seojun pressed forward again.
Right foot.
Left foot.
Side Step.
He cut off Tae Soo’s escape route.
This time Tae Soo broke to the opposite side.
Jin Hyuk’s voice cut through from outside the Cage.
“Right foot dragging.”
Baek Seojun faltered.
“If he shoots a Takedown from there, you’re going down again.”
Ryu Tae Hwan spoke at once.
“Again.”
Baek Seojun clamped his jaw shut.
He ran again.
Tap.
Tap.
Squeak.
His shoe sole scraped the Mat.
Tae Soo slipped away.
Baek Seojun pursued.
“Too slow!”
Jin Hyuk called out.
“Your left side’s open.”
Again.
“Center of gravity’s too high.”
Again.
“Feet together.”
Again.
Baek Seojun’s breathing grew ragged.
“Hah…… hah…….”
Sweat dripped from his chin.
Plop.
It splattered onto the Mat.
His thighs swelled.
His calves hardened like stone.
Still, he moved.
Once.
Ten times.
A hundred times.
Tae Soo circled the Cage.
Baek Seojun gave chase.
Cutting off the escape route.
Controlling the angle.
Pushing forward again.
Do Yun stood outside the Steel Cage with his arms crossed.
A Yeon marked the time on her Tablet.
Ryu Tae Hwan repeated the same instruction.
“Feet first. Before your opponent. Block the path first.”
Baek Seojun’s sneaker scraped the Mat.
Squeak.
His breath burst from his throat.
“Hah!”
Tae Soo cut right.
Baek Seojun’s left foot blocked the path first.
Tae Soo stopped.
“Oh?”
Baek Seojun stepped in once more.
Tae Soo’s back pressed against the Steel Cage.
Metal clang.
Ryu Tae Hwan spoke.
“There.”
Baek Seojun’s fist rose.
Tae Soo laughed.
“That’s it. That’s the one.”
Baek Seojun returned to his starting position.
His lungs burned as if they were tearing.
His legs trembled.
Still, he didn’t stop his feet.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Thousands of times.
The Counter Striker who used to wait for his opponent to come in.
Now he was beginning to erase the paths of escape.
* * *
Late night.
Team Jugjak Gymnasium.
Only half the lights were on.
The heavy bag sat still.
Only Baek Seojun and Do Yun were on the mat.
“Again.”
Do Yun raised the mitt.
Baek Seojun breathed heavily.
His T-shirt was completely drenched in sweat.
Do Yun stepped back one pace.
Thud.
A jab.
Like Kang Tae Jin’s.
Short.
Cutting.
He severed the distance.
The old Baek Seojun would have stopped.
He would have waited for the Counter timing.
Not this time.
Tap.
Baek Seojun’s lead foot shot out first.
Do Yun slipped to the left.
Baek Seojun’s foot blocked the path before he could escape.
Tap.
Do Yun’s eyebrows rose.
“Oh.”
Then to the right.
Baek Seojun stepped diagonally.
The escape route closed.
The footwork he’d learned from Ryu Tae Hwan thousands of times.
He didn’t follow.
He seized the path first.
Do Yun’s back was driven toward the Steel Cage.
He chuckled softly.
“What about this?”
His upper body dropped sharply.
A Takedown.
Both arms drove toward Baek Seojun’s waist.
In that instant.
Baek Seojun’s eyes flashed.
He’d already seen it.
No—he’d been waiting for it.
His right foot struck half a beat before the takedown landed.
Bang!
Baek Seojun’s body drove inward.
His left hand opened sharply.
Smack!
The mitt shuddered.
His right hand.
From below to above.
A trajectory close to an Uppercut.
Crack!!
A tremendous burst of sound.
The gymnasium window rattled.
Do Yun’s upper body was driven backward.
His feet scraped the mat.
Screech—!
It wasn’t finished.
Baek Seojun’s left hook.
Bang!
Right Straight.
Crack!
The mitt exploded in succession.
Do Yun’s arms were driven back sharply.
One step.
Two steps.
Only then did Baek Seojun stop.
“Huff… huff….”
Do Yun stared silently at the mitt.
His arms burned.
Tingling ran all the way to his fingertips.
His gloved hands trembled slightly.
A moment of silence.
Then Do Yun’s mouth split open like a beast’s.
“That’s right.”
He lowered the mitt slowly.
“To break a machine,”
Baek Seojun caught his breath.
“You don’t need a precision screwdriver.”
Do Yun let out a low chuckle.
Baek Seojun clenched his fists tight.
Sweat dripped from his chin.
Drop.
His gaze had turned cold and deadly.
“Just,”
Baek Seojun spoke quietly.
“Smash it to pieces with a wild swing and you’re done.”
Do Yun’s laughter deepened.
“Now you’re starting to learn how to hurt someone.”
Baek Seojun raised his guard again.
Do Yun picked up the mitt.
The distance between them narrowed.
There was no Counter Striker waiting for Kang Tae Jin.
Sealing off the opponent’s escape route.
Eliminating any place to run.
Only someone who rushed in to destroy first remained.

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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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