Ch-19

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Enjoy the chapter.

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Taesoo Ma had always been strong. He knew his strength, and he believed in his fist.

But what did believing in a fist really mean?To him, it was no different than believing in himself.

He was the king of the jungle—the strongest. He believed in his talent, in his character, and in his unshakable will.

And he poured all of that belief into his fist. His fist didn't prove he was strong—his conviction did. And he knew that.

Yet lately, Taesoo had come face-to-face with beasts.

The day he saw Apollo's copy technique, he knew. There were talents in this world that defied logic. After all, being able to mimic a technique after seeing it just once? That would be terrifying to anyone.

He watched Apollo improve more in a single month than most did in a year.That day on the school grounds when their fight ended in a stalemate… Taesoo knew he could've lost.

So, he vanished into the mountains.

He trained.He hunted.He evolved.

He grew stronger—far stronger than before.

But the second time he faced Apollo… he realized it. The black eyed enigma had already surpassed him. Taesoo didn't show it, of course. He kept it buried deep.

Still, the shock hit him hard.

How could someone who'd only trained for two months grow so fast?Is this what people call talent?

But he didn't let that doubt fester. No.He chose to fight Gongseob. To prove to himself that he still stood at the peak.That he was—without question—the strongest.

But reality doesn't bend for pride.

Taesoo Ma was not the strongest.There were monsters out there with absurd speed, with techniques like copying, or defenses like iron fortresses.

All Taesoo had… was his fist.

He began to question himself. Why do I even fight?

And yet, the answer surfaced with ease.Because I am a man.

But was that enough?

Taesoo didn't want to lose. Fighting out of pride alone wasn't enough anymore. He wanted more—he wanted growth.

As Gongseob's strikes kept landing, Taesoo found himself stumbling.

Blow after blow—his consciousness flickered.And then, at the edge of blacking out, the truth struck him.

It doesn't matter if I lose.It doesn't matter if I'm not the most talented. Or the fastest. Or the strongest.

What matters is that I give everything I've got.

In that moment of clarity, he cast away doubt and fear. He chose to believe in his fist—fully, completely.

Because that's what a man does.

And so he did.

No words. Just action.His fist crashed into Gongseob's face with a deafening BOOM, stronger than anything he'd ever thrown.

He felt it.

He had become stronger.

But that wasn't the point.

He just wanted to give his everything.

Gongseob staggered back, nose shattered, blood dripping down his lips. He coughed and grinned through the pain.

"That was something else," he rasped, narrowing his eyes.

He raised his guard, slipping into a tight Philly shell."Come on, Taesoo. Again."

Taesoo surged forward.

But Gongseob was fast. Unbelievably fast.

He countered every advance—straights and crosses slamming into Taesoo's face before he could land a single clean punch.

And yet… Taesoo didn't stop.

Hit after hit, he endured. His hands kept inching forward. Step by step.

And Gongseob noticed. No matter how many times he struck, Taesoo was closing the distance.

Gongseob braced himself, expecting the worst.

The next punch hit hard—harder than any before. The impact tore into his ribs like a sledgehammer. Pain seared through his side.

He's getting stronger with every punch…

Gongseob's breath hitched. His confidence wavered. His mind screamed.

Am I losing?

And when he glanced at Taesoo's companions—smirking on the sidelines—his unease deepened.

Another punch came crashing in.

Gongseob barely had time to think.This guy… he's multiplying in strength.This isn't growth. It's a cheat code.

Taesoo kept swinging but Gongseob's blows weren't doing enough. He couldn't knock him out, and now… he was getting tired.

His limbs were slower. His breaths shorter.

But Gongseob clenched his teeth.

I'm the King of Daegu.If I let him beat me then what was the point of all that training.

From the sidelines, Apollo watched, eyes gleaming.

"It's coming…" he muttered, almost giddy.The legendary technique—the counter.

Taesoo charged again, fist ready to end it.He believed this punch would finish it.

But Gongseob moved.

Instead of retreating, he rushed in.

What the hell is he doing? Taesoo thought.

And then—

Gongseob dodged with barely an inch to spare.A perfect slip.

Taesoo didn't even see what came next.Because by the time it happened—

He was already unconscious.

BOOM.

Gongseob knelt, dripping sweat, rings almost falling off his fingers. But he smiled.

He had done it.

This… was his counter.

In the face of overwhelming force—

Take one more step.Towards victory.

He looked up at the sound of clapping.

Clap. Clap.

Two figures approached. One with sharp eyes, the other with cold, black irises.

One of them was smiling while the other's gaze darted between him and the fallen figure of his past rival.

The black-eyed one spoke, voice low and calm."That technique… it was one of the best I've ever seen."

Gongseob tensed, fists rising again.

"No need for that," the man said. "I've got no interest in beating an exhausted fighter."

He extended a hand."I've got an offer, Gongseob. Join us."

Gongseob stared at the hand.

He didn't know why—he usually dismissed people like this—but for some reason, he hesitated.

He exhaled deeply and reached out.

"You better be interesting."

The sharp-looking man grinned. "Oh, we are. Once you hear our plan… you won't be bored."

And just like that—

The King of Daegu joined the team.

........

I know Taesoo is most people's favourite but I was being realistic in this fight, Gongseob is literally Taesoo's counter. 

Strength vs speed and edurance. 

Regardless Taesoo isn't a king for no reason, he improved dramatically in this fight almost pushing gongseob to his defeat. 

I did say he did pretty good,

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