“Does he thinking removing his gear will make him faster?” Roi Lee asked Chung Il. “I find it so cute! How silly the young ones are.”

“At his level, I am unsure if he will be able to take advantage of a small change in weight.” Chung Il said. “That said, maybe he is much too weak, so it may have a difference for him. Hwa should not feel any change.”

Lee Jun employed the same tactics as before. With a little bit of rest and lesser gear on, he was slightly faster than before. Furthermore, since he wasn’t wearing any head gear this time. He found it much easier to follow Hwa Young with his eyes. So when Hwa Young jumped to the side so did Lee Jun. Slowly but surely Hwa Young found himself being dragged towards the corner…

The room went silent, this was turning out to be rather serious. However, the masters were unconcerned as before, Lee Jun was wearing himself out by trying to block every exit Hwa Young was considering. His movements would soon dull and Hwa would be able to escape. That was not all of it, Hwa had an ace up his sleeve. So far he had not used any of the techniques taught in the dojang to escape. They were all simple and rudimentary dodging movements.

However, much to their astonishments, Lee Jun kept chasing after Hwa Young. He was drenched in sweat but it did not seem like he was ready to admit defeat anytime soon. He was like cockroach that refused to give up. Even poor Hwa Young who had no interest in the likes of Lee Jun was now annoyed. ‘The damned brat just doesn’t give up…’

No matter how many times, Hwa Young escaped from Lee Jun’s clutches, Lee Jun would employ the same tactics. ‘Just a little more…I am almost there. His movements have slightly dulled and he is no longer waiting to jump away at the last second, its proof that he fears me…’

Lee Jun put all his effort into one last chase, he was gasping for air and was barely able to stand after 2 hours of chasing Hwa Young. ‘This is all or nothing gamble…’

Lee Jun charged in one more time, Hwa Young was taken my complete surprise by the increase of speed… ‘What kind of monster is he …I guess I better use that now…’

Lee Jun wasn’t sure what happened next, but Hwa simply disappeared from his visual field. ‘What the…’

Lee Jun crashed into the audience. He slowly got up to see Hwa Young standing in the center of the ring; unfazed as ever… ‘Maybe this is really impossible for me…’ Lee Jun thought to himself. He had no clue what was the last move pulled by Hwa, but it was pretty neat.

The four masters quietly at the ring. It was quite unexpected that Hwa would be forced to use a martial art technique to dodge.

“He used the half step, didn’t he?” Ji Woo asked Roi Lee.

“Yes…” Roi Lee said, his attention to was fixated at the ring. It was beyond their expectations to think that the match would last this long. They couldn’t even fathom that one their most senior students would be forced to use a technique to dodge a 11 year old who has no experience in martial arts.

Lee Jun slowly got up. He wiped the sweat on his forehead away. Even though he put all his energy in that last charge in, Lee Jun didn’t think he could give up now…I have to try one more time. ‘That last move was pretty weird.’

The audience began to mummer…

“Is he getting up again?”

“This kid doesn’t just give up does he?”

“I’d hate to be in Hwa’s place right now.”

“Yeah it must be so annoying to keep his distance.”

“I might have punched the twerp by now...”

It was the first time that Lee Jun was trying to accomplish something in the real life which he so hated for being unfair. The normal rationale him, would have given up long ago labeling it as impossible and unfair. But Lee Jun knew if he gave up here he would more than regret it. This was the first time post his VR phobia that he felt so motivated to chase after something. He did not want to let this opportunity go no matter what… ‘even if I don’t have a body as trained as their…I can rely on my intellect…for him to use that last move must mean I must have got to him…’

Lee Jun smiled. He knew at least his efforts were not in vain. He charged in once again.

‘Sorry master, but this kid isn’t like what you described. He’s a freaking cockroach! It is no longer a question of pride. I know you asked me not to use it...but I must....’ Hwa once again reproduced the half step to dodge.

However, unlike last time, Lee Jun wasn’t aiming to land a blow this time at Hwa. He simply wanted to see the movement once again. ‘I see, so that is what he does. He hops a little giving a little push there……and when I am close by he suddenly takes an extra step front sideways keeping his body straight…that it looks so unnatural…but the effect is like he disappeared…’

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Roi Lee smacked his forehead. ‘That idiot…Hwa…the boy wasn’t aiming to hit you. He just wanted to know how you moved…’

The other three masters were just as disappointed in their disciple. It did not make much difference overall, simply knowing a movement or technique didn’t mean Lee Jun could counter it but the fact that Hwa Young could not read his opponent meant he still had ways to go.

Lee Jun however was not thinking of countering it, he did not possess the ability or training required to read his opponents movements. He had just been getting by with trying to close enough with surprise charge ins. Lee Jun simply realized he gained a new surprise attack.

‘If that’s how you can move…then so can I…’ Lee Jun began with his usual charge in however this time before Hwa Young could escape, Lee Jun replicated the movements he had witnessed. He hoped a little to the side and bending his knees to the exact degree Hwa did and lunging diagonally forward while holding his body as straight as he could. In an instant he disappeared from Hwa’s vision field.

Hwa stood petrified. He had a vauge idea of what just happened. ‘Did he just copy the half step?’

When he turned around he saw Lee Jun on the ground.

“Oh my god!” Ji Woo shouted with her hands clasped over her mouth.

A disciple added “I think he just fainted! It will be okay.”

Two disciples quickly went over and checked Lee Jun’s eyes before carrying him to a bed. Ji Woo accompanied them.

-x-x-x-x-x-

“I think he exhausted himself, master. They had been going at it for three hours. It will be better to do a checkup and inform his parents.” A practitioner who also helped out with medical duties informed.

“And Ji Woo?” Chung Il asked.

“She is sitting by his side as he is resting. She is just worried about her friend. I will be taking my leave then master.” The practitioner left leaving the four masters in the room.

Chung Il nodded and looked at the others.

“Did you see that?” Roi Lee asked with an excitement in his voice.

“Yes at the very end he almost got Hwa Young.” Ma Song replied somberly.

“I almost got the chills from seeing him trying again and again.” Choi Jong confessed.

“Yes, it did remind me of someone.” Chung Il said as he looked at the new member application form which Lee Jun had filled.

“I guess this child is special.” Choi Jong happily added. “Things are going to get very interesting from now on.”

“Yes, I wonder what kind of form we should begin teaching him.” Roi Lee merrily added completely forgetting that they disliked Lee Jun. “He is like an untamed beast…”

“Or cockroach…” Choi Jong added.

“Oye…I think you forget something…” Ma Song interrupted.

“What?” Roi Lee asked; somewhat lost trying to guess what was he forgetting.

“Ji Woo is going to kill us…” Chung Il completed.

“…” The four masters were very worried now; that was one beast they could never hope to tame.

"I think Cha Eun-hee is calling me!" Chung Il said before running out of the room.

"Well you know its is getting pretty late...take care Ma Song...." Roi Lee and Choi Jong were walking out when they opened the door to see Ji Woo standing out side.

It could best be summarized she did not look happy.

*Gulp* A sweat bead rolled down Roi Lee's temple....

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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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