Hansu tanked hit after hit, watching Apollo grow before his eyes. His speed had increased, and his fighting style had evolved into a hybrid between Taekwondo and Boxing.
As Hansu launched a kick, Apollo weaved through and landed another brutal body shot.
Apollo's eyes gleamed blue as he continued his relentless assault. When he couldn't counterattack, he'd shift seamlessly into hand blades.
Even Hansu had to admit—the kid was strong in his own right.
Hansu dodged and countered skillfully, but he could see it now: Apollo was close to collapsing. The boy didn't realize it, but pushing himself this far was taking a heavy toll.
'It's time to end this match,' Hansu thought.
He charged forward and threw a textbook Karate punch. But don't let that fool you—the wind itself seemed to part in reverence as the fist flew.
Its speed was beyond anything Apollo had faced before. He could see the punch coming—but instinctively, he knew he was too slow to dodge.
.
.
.
Death was coming—I could see it.
Reading about it in a manhwa and actually facing it were two completely different things.
I knew I had improved. My speed had skyrocketed. I was faster now than even Gongseob, a man known for his swiftness.
But when I saw that punch… I realized something.
The wall.
It wasn't a physical wall—no, I felt it in the tightness of my muscles, in the way they contracted and refused to relax. My senses sharpened. I felt like an animal.
I could see it in my mind. A wall so vast and towering that it felt impossible to climb.
Dread settled into my veins.
'So this is what they meant.'
It was overwhelming. It stretched endlessly across the horizon, and I could feel its unyielding power.
How could I possibly climb that?
As the punch came down, I understood—I was weak.
Still weak.
But maybe… I didn't have to be.
'What kind of man would I be if I let something impossible stop me?'
My eyes gleamed. The punch was coming, and I was going to lose. The wall couldn't be crossed.
I smiled.
Maybe it didn't need to be crossed.
Remembering a line from the King of Daegu, I stepped forward.
'In the face of death, stand tall—and take one more step.'
Talent? Potential? Kings? None of it mattered.
All that mattered was pushing through.
I wouldn't climb the wall.
I would break it.
I don't know when it happened, but my eyes began to shine—bright, blue, and full of power.
"The Gongseob Ji Counter."
I dodged the punch by a few centimeters. Hansu hadn't expected it. And in the very next second, my overhand right smashed into his face.
With one clean shot, I drove him into the ground.
BOOM.
Looking down, I saw the kind smile on Hansu's face. Blood trickled from his nose as he spoke, "You won the bet, Apollo."
Clap. Clap.
I turned to see Taehun and Jincheol clapping. Manager Kim looked deep in thought, but there was a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
I reached out a hand and helped Hansu up. He patted my head like I was a kid.
"Don't let that win get to your head, brat," he said, flexing his muscles to make a point.
I smiled. "I know, Sensei."
Of course I knew. Hansu hadn't even gone all out yet. He wouldn't need to—until I grew stronger. Much stronger.
In both of my lives, I had never been so thankful to anyone. Setting my pride aside, I bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Sensei."
He looked flustered for a second—then suddenly hugged me so tightly I thought my ribs might crack.
'Has no one told this man how strong he is? How does his wife even handle this?'
"Oi, you'll kill the kid," Jincheol Park called out, walking over. He handed me a piece of fried chicken, which I immediately started munching on.
"That was the best entertainment I've seen all year, brat!" he laughed like an old man, patting my back—
Which caused the chicken to lodge in my throat.
"Help Apollo! He's choking!"
"Big brother, aaah, here—have some lemonade!"
"Ha ha ha! Today's generation is way too soft!"
'This fucker Jincheol… I'm going to kill him,' I thought, staring up at his smug grin.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll kill him. Today… I'll rest.
Hansu laughed at the endearing chaos in front of him.
Later...
Apollo: "Taesoo, what are you doing?"
He typed it in the newly formed group chat—him, Taesoo, Gongseob, and Jichang.
No reply.
Apollo: "You won't believe what happened today."
He waited a few minutes. Still nothing. Sighing, he tossed his phone aside.
Ting!
"Huh?" he muttered, picking it up.
Taesoo: "I'm training. Don't bother me."
A vein popped on Apollo's forehead. 'This fucker. You were so much better as a manhwa character.'
Jichang: "What's up, Apollo?"
Before he could reply—
Gongseob: "Who the fuck is Apollo?"
And again.
Gongseob: "What kind of mother names their kid a jackass name like Apollo?"
Apollo clenched his phone tightly.
'Jealous much?' he thought. 'Gongseob? That's the most meaningless name I've ever heard.'
Apollo: "Stop being jealous, Gongseob. That name's a disaster."
Gongseob: "Yeah, well, with your IQ, do you even know what names mean?"
Apollo: "Wanna fight? I'll show you my IQ then."
Gongseob: "See? Using violence to win an argument. Classic low IQ move."
Before Apollo could snap back, Jichang texted again:
Jichang: "Ignore their nonsense. What happened?"
Apollo took a breath, calming down.
Apollo: "Eh, telling it over text would be anti-climactic. Come meet me at Hansu Seong's Taekwondo Gym tomorrow. I'll show you."
All three liked the message.
None replied.
Another vein popped on Apollo's head.
.....