“Lee Jun this is Chung Il Hoon, Choi Jong Bom, Ma Sang Bom, and Roi Lee. The four great masters of kumdo dojang. They are the strongest martial artists in all of Korea.” Ji Woo spoke with great pride. Her voice conveyed how very proud she was to belong to such a great family.
Lee Jun bowed slightly to greet the masters. “It is an honor to be able to meet the amazing Geomchis.”
“Oh! You know who we are?” Ma Sang asked with a smile.
“Well, I did not recognize you but I have heard about the famous kumdo dojang. Many famous professional gamers came here for training after learning about your identity in Royal Road.” Lee Jun replied, hoping to impress them with his knowledge.
“…Yes…that all happened so long ago.” Replied Chung Il. His voice was distant, there were somethings that they did not like being reminded about.
Ji Woo leaned over to Lee Jun and whispered, “Hey, don’t mention anything about professional gaming to the masters.”
Lee Jun gave her a puzzled look but then decided to just heed her words. He wanted to know more though about the legendary players of Royal Road, especially since he read all about their adventures.
Choi Jong looked at looked at the duo suspiciously. “Ji Woo, there is really nothing between the two of you right?” His voice was trembling, he had never seen his beloved Ji Woo so close to another boy before.
Ji Woo gave the death stare to Choi Jong, “There is absolutely nothing going on between us. This boy is not even my type. He is just here to become a member.” Ji Woo muttered. Lee Jun didn’t react but it did sting him when she said that, ‘not her type’. He didn’t understand why it hurt but there were other things at hand that were more important that required his attention.
“Oh that explains the new membership form…it does make more sense now brother…” Roi Lee spoke nonchalantly. “He is just here for some training.”
“DON”T THINK YOU CAN BRUSH IT OF WITH THAT! How many times have I told you…” Ji Woo snapped back. She wasn’t going to let them off easy. They had taken things too far this time!
*gulp* The masters were worried. Ji Woo was like their daughter, her temper was probably what they feared more than swords and guns.
“……And then when I went looking for you, you dragged him here didn’t you….”
Her lectures were long and never ending. The masters quietly stood and her out.
“…WHAT ARE ALL OF YOU LOOKING AT! GET BACK TO YOR TRAINING!...” The disciples scuttled away quietly. They all wore a weird dreamy smile on their faces as they resumed training. ‘Not her type..kukuku…’
Lee Jun thought she was being a bit excessive since she was scolding her masters in front of the disciples.
“….to involve your disciples!....”
However, he soon realized from their reaction that this was somewhat a daily occurrence. If anything, the disciples seemed to find Ji Woo cuter when was angry.
“….and so HE NEEDS TO BECOME STRONGER. SO MAKE A DISCIPLE.” Ji Woo ended. Lee Jun noticed she was breathing heavily, ‘did she just speak all that non-stop without taking a breath?’
Roi Lee stepped forward and closely examined Lee Jun, ‘Him? Disciple? His body looks weak but at least he looks fit. But I wonder…’
Chung Il Hoon frowned, he was the most versed with handling children’s practice. He could just tell by looking at Lee Jun’s body how much potential could be drawn out. ‘It will be difficult for him to become stronger…but then again what is important is resolve…’
‘Bullying? Shouldn’t he complain to the teacher?’ Jong Bom wondered. ‘If it were me, I would have just punched the bully a 100 times and then made him bend over like a chicken and apologize to me…’
‘I will never let him get near our precious Ji Woo!’ Ma Sang was still suspicious of Lee Jun. Then again so were the other masters. In the end they could only think about Ji Woo.
‘But if he comes here won’t he get closer to Ji Woo?’ Jong Bom concluded. ‘I will never accept it!’
‘What if Ji Woo falls for him?’ Chung Il too was concerned.
‘We should make sure, he never gets a chance to be close to our princess.’ The masters looked at each other as if they all were thinking the same thing.
Finally, after a little deliberation, Chung Il spoke, “Fine, we will accept him. However, he must pass our test.”
“I accept!” Lee Jun blurted. His outburst caught everyone by surprise. So far he had been a meek and quiet person, so they were all on the underlying impression that he would shyly turn down the conditions. However, Lee Jun was desperate. This was the first time he wanted anything so badly. He hated himself for being and was willing to go to any length to become stronger. This was also the Kumdo Dojang, where the Lee Hyun and the Geomchis trained; legendary players of Royal Road. Lee Jun did not think it was possible for him meet the legends in real life. It could also be possible that he would get a chance to me Lee Hyun…
“Fine then. The test is really simple. You must land a blow on any of our disciples.” Chung Il responded to Lee Jun’s determination.
“But that’s impossible!” Ji Woo complained. She knew exactly how difficult of a test this was! Her masters were just being unfair. She was losing her temper, she was about to have another outburst, when Ma Song interrupted. “You can choose anyone from behind you as your opponent. That is as easy as we will keep it.”
“If you can’t even touch your opponent, then you lack even the most basic physical ability.” Chung Il added an explanation to prevent Ji Woo from protesting. The other masters nodded in agreement. There was no point in taking in disciple who lacked even the most basic of physical abilities.
“But why are you testing him? Didn’t I tell you he is weak and is being bullied!” Ji Woo asked. “Shouldn’t we waiver the testing criteria? I even referred him.”
The four masters shot a deadly gaze at Lee Jun for a second. Normally, they would have waivered the test…but Lee Jun was the first person Ji Woo referred, of course they had a right to be suspicious of him and that is exactly why they wanted to test him.
“This is a prestigious dojang, Ji Woo. We cannot let anyone in, only those who have the resolve are permitted. Everyone one here has had to pass through some test or the other at the time of joining. We must test his resolve, there will be no exceptions.” Chung Il explained coldly. The other three masters averted their eyes from meeting with Ji Woo’s. They knew that they would cave in if they saw her puppy like eyes begging them to reconsider.
“I accept the terms of the test.” Lee Jun said as he bowed to the masters.
For a single moment, he didn’t look like a weak 11 year old but more like a cool confident young man.
“Lee Jun…” Ji Woo whispered…she was about to stop him but the gaze in his eyes reflected his determination.
Lee Jun walked around the dojang looking at the disciples. ‘I just find to land a single blow on him. I don’t have to deal damage, break bones or defeat him…I just need to touch him…in that case I should look for someone who can’t move too quickly or someone fairly weak who will run out stamina…’
None of the practitioners looked out of conditions. They all believed that a true man has lots of muscles. Just from their practice, Lee Jun could tell finding a weakling here would be fairly impossible…Lee Jun’s mouth dropped open. Right at the back of all the disciples was a thin tall person who was barely able to keep up with the practice! He was sweating far more profusely than the others and looked completely exhausted.
‘He looks fairly weak!’ Lee Jun thought, ‘Yes! If it is him I stand a chance. He doesn’t have any muscles like me and looks like he is completely drained out…’
The masters wore a devilish smile on their face. ‘Oho! He has Hwa Young in his gaze! Kukuku This is all too perfect.’ Ma Song even gave Chung Il a secret thumbs up, their plan worked perfectly.
He quickly hid as soon as Ji Woo turned around to look at him suspiciously. She didn’t know why, but she had the feeling she had just been played. The masters knew for a fact that she would protest when they would put up the conditions for the test…so they deliberately made it appear they had made the test simpler when they offered Lee Jun to select any disciple…it was almost as if they knew he would see Hwa…
‘Although Hwa looks least muscular of the lot, he is agile on his feet...they must have been aiming for this’ Ji Woo thought to herself. ‘This was planned…and I had just been played.’
Ji Woo had to acknowledge she had underestimated her masters. The Geomchis 40 years ago would have been unable to think of such a perfect plan however the years they spent in Royal Road with Lee Hyun were not in vain. With years of experience they could read situations and make elaborate counter plans like this one with great ease.
‘Hohoho, appearances can be quite deceiving young one. Looks like you have a long way to go.’ Ma Song smiled away. He could clearly tell Lee Jun was eyeing Hwa Young as his opponent.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
‘An amateurs mistake…’ Roi Lee smirked. ‘Young ones these days have no sense of combat…’
As they expected, Lee Jun came back to the masters with Hwa Young. Hwa Young, was lean and tall. Since he was so tall, being even slightly lean meant he looked extremely thin. However, beneath his attire, Hwa Young was complete muscle. The only reason he was sweating more than others was because he was punished by the instructor to run 100 laps of the dojang for coming late; but Lee Jun didn’t know that.
The masters led the duo to the match room. Some of the disciples and instructors who had finished up with their practice also joined in. They all stood at the edges of the open square ring to watch. The match area was no more than 4 meters by 4 meters. Lee Jun smiled, ‘ It such a small area. And with the audience standing at the edges they are acting as barriers. I was afraid that he could run away…at least he can’t run away.’
Roi Lee provided Lee Jun with protective gear and a keikogi of his size. “You need to wear gloves and a head gear. Even though this is not a fight, we wouldn’t want you to get injured.” Roi Lee explained when he noticed Lee Jun’s confused questioning look.
After changing, Lee Jun returned to the room…there were more and more disciples gathering to watch the match. Lee Jun didn’t know how to react. He had difficulty dealing with attention…before he could do anything about it Chung Il grabbed his hand and brought him to the center of the ring.
“Lee Jun, I have explained Hwa the rules of his match. He will only try to dodge you. He is allowed to guard himself to avoid injuries but that will count in your favor. You do not have to worry about him hitting back, he will mostly dodge and if required defend.” Lee Jun nodded in confirmation of understanding. Chung Il stood between the two and then lifted his hand as he backed away. “You may now try hitting him.”
Lee Jun rushed in right from the start. He extended his right arm forward to land a punch but Hwa Young simply took a step back. Their sheer difference in height made a huge difference of reach. Lee Jun was simply too short, his arms length was not that long, so being able to throw punches was completely ineffective if he wasn’t close enough!
Lee Jun took a few steps back and adjusted his head gear. Having so many people around him was distracting and wearing gloves and head gear was also a new distracting feeling…Lee Jun took a deep breath. ‘I need to focus. If he is too far then I simply need to get closer to him. It’s not like he can step out of the ring…’
Lee Jun charged in again. He rushed straight forward and when he was only a whisker away he threw in a punch. Hwa Young simply jumped to the side and dodged the punch.
‘That’s ok…I’ll get him next time.’ Lee Jun thought. He repeated the same tactics again but Hwa once again jumped to the side.
‘He is very lucky…jumping to the side just before I punch him…then how about I drag you into the corner? Where will you go from there?’ Lee Jun began charging after Hwa Young once again, this time he held his arms wide open as he charged in.
“What is he doing?” A disciple asked another.
“No Idea? Trying to trap Hwa to the corner? I guess?”
“Running like that with his arms open? Hwa will just move sooner now…” yawned another. Lee Jun was nothing special to see. If anything he looked silly.
Just as the disciples predicted Hwa was no longer waiting for Lee Jun till the very last moment. Instead he began moving sooner away whenever he noticed he was being dragged towards a corner.
After several attempts Lee Jun knew he wasn’t getting anywhere. He was already feeling tired and his arms were heavy. ‘These gloves are so heavy…’
The masters were giggling away. They no longer considered Lee Jun a man. Ji Woo was worried, there was no chance of Lee Jun passing this test. It would be all her fault that she brought him here telling him tales of becoming stronger when she could not even support him… “DO YOUR BEST LEE JUN!” Ji Woo shouted out.
The atmosphere turned cold and deadly. No one was smiling or laughing at Lee Jun anymore.
‘Who is that boy? Is he here to steal our Ji Woo away?’
‘How dare he grab the attention of Ji Woo! I curse he never lands a punch on Hwa!’
‘Should I also try this? Maybe Ji Woo will look at me as well?’
Even the masters stopped giggling, they were cursing themselves for not allowing Hwa Young to punch Lee Jun a few times…
“It should have been a fight to death at the very least…” Ma Song muttered under his breath.
Lee Jun simply ignored the cold stares and smiled. ‘That stupid girl… this guy is a monster…although he looked exhausted he doesn’t even remotely look tired anymore…why did you have to say that…do your best…easier said than done…unless I circle him…’
Lee Jun tried a new tactic out, he slowly began circling Hwa.
“That child has a good sense for combat…” Chung Il Hoon and Choi Jong Bom said together.
“Why?” Ji Woo asked curiously. She didn’t understand what Lee Jun was trying to achieve through this.
“He first threw a punch when he was close enough. However, he quickly realized his reach is too short and he needs to get closer. So he began charging like an infighter…its something boxers do…however he noticed that Hwa would jump to the side. So he tried cornering Hwa… however, he is too short, weak and lacks the training to corner Hwa. So he is now going around his opponent to attack from the blind side…but he will fail since he has no training…but that is indeed good battle sense.” Choi Jong explained.
Lee Jun quickly ran to Hwa’s side and then charged in. He was hoping to catch Hwa from a difficult side or angle. Unfortunately, even if Hwa wasn’t looking at him he could sense Lee Jun. In an instant he moved forward dodging Lee Jun.
Lee Jun was already sweaty and now he began panting. It was really difficult to maintain this pace charging in. ‘I need some other tactic that will suit me…’ But Lee Jun couldn’t think of anything. He tried everything that was the most obvious… ‘What I lack is speed…he always manages to escape at the right time…’
Lee Jun closed his eyes and replayed the tactics he employed in his mind. He could visualize himself and spatial space around him.
“What is he doing?” the disciples asked one another.
“Who knows?”
“Maybe he has given up.”
“Yes, maybe he should give up on Ji Woo as well.”
Lee Jun could no longer hear them. Imagining spatial space and replaying everything that happened required his utmost concentration.
‘I see, whenever I get close, he moves sideways and since I am wearing head gear he disappears from my view. So that’s why I can’t follow him. Even if I did reach up to him, these gloves are weighing me down…that is why he was so easily able to dodge my first punch…its not like I have a lightning fast jab…adding a glove over it must have made my movements even more dull…’
Lee Jun opened his eyes. ‘I need to remove these first.’ He quickly took off his gloves and head gear and tossed them aside.
Chung Il stepped into the ring, “Are you giving up?” He asked.
“No, I wish to fight without these.” Lee Jun said.
“I am afraid I cannot permit that. It is much too dangerous.” Chung Il sternly replied.
“But I don’t think I have chance to win then. You also never told me before that I would have to be wearing all this…” Lee Jun complained. Normally, he would have kept quiet and suffered but he found himself at ease with members of the kumdo dojang.
“In that case, I permit it but you will not complain if you get injured.”
Lee Jun bowed to Chung Il to thank him. ‘Now let’s see Mr. Hwa, who can dodge whom.’
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Authors Note:
1. Happy reading.
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Connect to Royal Road – Elementarem Vim next Chapter?YesNo
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