Jeok was holding the red guitar with its purple spiderweb design, observing it carefully. The wood shone under the dim light of his apartment, and the strings reflected the lines of his focused face. Finally, he decided to take a breath and start.
His fingers touched the strings clumsily at first, producing dissonant sounds that made him furrow his brow slightly. —Well, this... this definitely isn't like hitting a tree —he murmured to himself, letting out a slight smile.
He tried again, sliding his fingers over the strings more gently. This time, the sound that emerged was more pleasant, though still a bit unbalanced. It was a mix of deep and resonant tones that seemed to dive into a river of calm, but with slight unexpected turns, as if Jeok himself was learning to synchronize with the guitar's rhythm.
—That was better —he said, tilting his head to one side—. Although, of course, better doesn't mean "good."
Over time, the notes began to form a melody. It sounded like a quiet conversation, a dialogue between the gentle strumming of the strings and the silence of the apartment. The sound had something special: it was as if the strength and control Jeok applied in his fights had transformed into a measured delicacy. There were moments when a strum sped up, breaking the serenity, but was quickly followed by longer, melodic notes, creating an interesting contrast.
—Maybe my life should sound like this too... —he said softly, letting his words blend with the echo of the notes—. A bit of chaos, but a lot of balance.
Jeok closed his eyes as he played a sequence of notes he had begun to repeat. The strings emitted a low, enveloping tone, followed by a clearer, more defined rhythm. There was an underlying energy in the melody, almost like a controlled breath before a fight, but with the promise of something new and different.
—This isn't bad... I think it could be something —he murmured, pausing to adjust his finger position.
Every sound seemed to resonate with his thoughts, as if he were dialoguing with himself through the instrument. The music he was creating was introspective, full of thoughtful pauses and sudden bursts of energy, reflecting his own personality and the ups and downs he faced.
—Yes... this is mine —he finally said, allowing himself a sincere smile—. It's not perfect, but I will make it grow.
At the end of the night, Jeok's music had begun to take shape: a sound full of contrasts, with low, resonant notes anchoring the melody, and higher strums bursting like flashes of emotion. It was intense but controlled, strong but reflective, a perfect representation of what he was trying to become.
For the first time in months, he felt he had found something more than fighting, something that made him feel complete. —Maybe it's not just a distraction... maybe music can be part of who I am —he murmured, setting the guitar on the table and looking at it as if seeing a new part of himself.
Jeok didn't abandon his training or his fights. He knew that the Ryeong Style remained an essential part of his identity. However, now he saw how music could complement that part of his life, giving him balance. After each training session, after each fight, he returned to his apartment and took his guitar.
.....
As time passed, Jeok Ryeong, after days of introspection and training, decided he needed to understand what had happened with the pink flash in his eyes. From the moment it appeared during his fight against Tae Woong, that state had changed everything; his movements became incredibly fluid, each technique more dangerous and precise, and he was able to perform actions that seemed impossible with terrifying ease.
He had tried to ignore it, to think it was simply a reflection of his extreme training. However, he knew he couldn't keep advancing without understanding it. It was time to seek answers.
One night, in his apartment, Jeok placed his guitar on the sofa and sat in front of his Ryeong Style notebook. He spent hours writing, trying to connect the events of the fight with what he had felt. "It wasn't just strength..." he thought, reviewing his notes. "It was like my body and mind were synchronized on a level I'd never reached before. Everything seemed clearer, easier."
He began to remember the moments before the flash appeared. He had been on the ground, humiliated and almost defeated. His body had reached its limit, but his mind was also in a state of desperation, an emptiness that seemed to consume him. However, in that emptiness, something awakened. "It was as if my body stopped being mine. Like something else took control."
Decided to understand it, Jeok returned to the forest where he had spent much of his training. He wanted to recreate the state in which the pink flash appeared, even if that meant pushing his body beyond its limits.
For hours, he trained tirelessly, taking each technique, each strike, to the maximum. Fatigue began to accumulate, and his body trembled with exhaustion. However, Jeok did not stop. He continued, seeking that point where despair and clarity would meet.
Finally, on the verge of collapse, something began to change. His movements, which had been clumsy due to fatigue, became incredibly fluid. His hands moved with a precision that seemed impossible, striking the trees with perfected techniques. He felt a surge of energy coursing through his body, and when he looked at his reflection in a nearby surface, he saw the pink flash in his eyes.
"This is..." he murmured, feeling each technique executed perfectly.
Studying every detail. Then a fleeting memory crossed his mind: the domains he had seen in a manhwa he used to read, Lookism. The similarity was undeniable. Intrigued, Jeok began to wonder if this world could be connected in some way to the manhwa's universe.
"Is it possible?" he thought, as his mind started to weave theories. "Could I be in the same world?"
Determined to find clues, Jeok quickly returned home and turned on his computer, beginning to search for news about politics and influential figures. If this world was the same as the manhwa's, then there should be familiar names. After a few minutes of searching, a name appeared on the screen, Gapryong Kim.
Jeok's heart skipped a beat. Gapryong Kim was a name he knew well from the manhwa, a powerful and feared figure, a legend. The confirmation of his existence in this world left him stunned.
"This can't be a coincidence," he muttered, continuing to read. Every detail seemed to fit, as if the pieces of a puzzle were starting to align.
While investigating further, Jeok discovered something else: he was in Sejong City. Although he had lived there for a while, he had never paid attention to the details that now seemed so significant. The city, with its blend of modernity and tradition, though he couldn't remember if this city was important in the manhwa.
Jeok stood up from his chair and looked out the window, observing the city lights with a new perspective. —If this is the same world, then there's much more to discover —he said softly, with a mix of excitement and caution.
After discovering which world he was in, Jeok Ryeong wanted to continue fighting at the club to get stronger. When he arrived at the club, he entered quite familiar, as the others didn't stop him since they knew about him. So Jeok was standing in the center of the ring, his gaze fixed on Sungnam, a fighter also known for having surpassed the wall. The atmosphere in the underground club was electric, with each spectator on the edge of their seats. This confrontation promised to be legendary, and both fighters knew it.
Jeok adopted his characteristic stance where his feet were slightly apart and bent, forming a solid yet agile base. His hands moved in small, asymmetrical circles, with open palms.
His torso was leaned slightly forward, rotating gently side to side. This continuous movement gave the impression that he could attack from any angle at any moment, keeping his opponent in a constant state of uncertainty. His breathing was controlled, and his gaze showed absolute determination.
If Jeok conveyed fluidity with his posture, Sungnam was the opposite—facing him, he adopted a fierce attack stance. His legs were firmly planted on the ground, with a bend indicating an explosion of strength at any moment. His weight was slightly leaned forward, signaling that he planned to attack immediately and aggressively.
His arms were raised, fists clenched, in a position that combined defense and offense. His gaze was intense, almost intimidating, showing confidence in his ability to dominate the fight.
Sungnam attacked first, throwing a direct punch with his right arm. The speed and power of the impact generated a wave that shook the air, as if the punch carried an echo of force. Jeok, in a state of absolute concentration, stepped laterally with agility and deflected the attack with a circular movement of his palm. The impact dissipated, and the wave faded, but Sungnam did not stop.
Sungnam continued with a quick combo, his fists heavy and fast, heading toward Jeok like consecutive waves. Jeok kept dodging and redirecting each punch with his palms, using the fluidity of his stance to stay in motion. Although his fists were intimidating, Jeok knew his focus should be on deflecting each attack, not absorbing them.
At a strategic moment, Jeok slid to Sungnam's side and attacked with his left palm, hitting the opponent's shoulder with precision. The strike was direct to one of the most vulnerable areas, leaving a visible mark on Sungnam's skin. Before he could react, Jeok launched a second blow to the torso, again leaving a mark that echoed like the sound of his strength.
However, Sungnam was not someone easily stopped. As soon as he felt Jeok's attacks, he spun with an explosive movement and delivered a lateral punch directly to his opponent's chest. The impact wave hit Jeok along with Sungnam's fist, pushing him away as if an invisible wall had thrown him.
Jeok fell to the ground, rolling from the impact, trying to catch his breath. Sungnam's strength had not only physically pushed him but also momentarily shaken his confidence. The crowd watched in complete silence, waiting for the next move.
Despite the pain and impact, Jeok slowly got up, with his gaze fixed on Sungnam. His body was battered, but his spirit remained intact. He adjusted his stance, allowing his hands to move again in fluid circles. He knew he couldn't defeat Sungnam with brute force; he had to be strategic, exploiting his opponent's openings without stopping.
—I'm not done —he murmured.
Sungnam reappeared before Jeok with overwhelming speed. With a fierce roar, he launched a downward punch with his right fist, aiming directly at the protagonist's body. Jeok, reacting at the last second, rolled to one side. The impact of Sungnam's punch against the ring was devastating, creating a small hole on the surface and raising dust and fragments.
Seeing his opponent's destructive strength, Jeok quickly got up, adjusting his stance and getting into guard. His breathing was controlled, but his mind was alert. He knew he couldn't afford to take a direct hit from Sungnam.
Sungnam charged at him again, throwing a jab directly at Jeok's face. Feeling the weight and speed of the blow, Jeok ducked just in time, avoiding the attack by centimeters. "I can't let him hit me," Jeok thought, as his body moved instinctively.
Taking advantage of the opening, Jeok slid to the side and threw a palm strike directly at Sungnam's liver. The impact was precise and devastating, making Sungnam twist in pain for a moment. Without giving him time to recover, Jeok continued his attack, hitting Sungnam's chin with his right palm and then throwing a cross with his other hand. The blows were quick and calculated, designed to disorient and confuse the opponent.
When Jeok was about to throw another strike, Sungnam roared fiercely, and a small red flash appeared in his eyes, shining intensely. Jeok opened his eyes in surprise, thinking: "He also has it?"
Before he could react, Sungnam threw a direct punch with all his strength. Jeok, knowing he couldn't dodge in time, crossed his arms in front of his chest to defend. The impact was brutal, generating a shockwave that shook the ring. The force of the punch left a visible mark on Jeok's arms and pushed him several meters back, leaving a trail of skid marks on the floor.
Jeok slowly got up, with an expression more serious than ever. He knew this fight wouldn't be easy, but he couldn't afford to retreat.
When Sungnam charged again, launching a barrage of punches, something changed in Jeok. The pink flash appeared in his eyes, shining with renewed intensity. Every movement of Sungnam seemed clearer, more predictable.
When a punch from Sungnam was about to land in his chest, Jeok deflected it with pure technique, moving the blow aside with a precise turn of his left palm. Taking advantage of the opening, Jeok counterattacked quickly, hitting Sungnam's ribs with his left palm and then launching a second blow to the liver with his right hand.
Sungnam doubled over slightly from the pain, but Jeok didn't stop. With both hands in palm shape, he attacked his opponent's neck with precision. The impact almost left Sungnam unconscious, but he, with impressive willpower, recovered.
Furious, Sungnam launched a series of punches with overwhelming speed and force. However, Jeok, dodging or sidestepping each attack with fluid and calculated movements, seemed to be a step ahead, anticipating every move.
But because of this, Sungnam became furious with determination, advancing toward Jeok Ryeong like an unstoppable force. His eyes blazed with a burning red, and his fist, charged with energy and power, lifted to throw a direct punch at the protagonist's face. The air around the fist vibrated with the intensity of the attack, a sign of the devastation it could cause.
Jeok, with the pink flash barely visible in his eyes, kept calm. He observed Sungnam's move with precise calculation, waiting for the perfect moment to act. When the fist was centimeters from his face, Jeok moved his left hand with impeccable softness, deflecting the blow to the side. At the same time, his right hand quickly slid toward the base of the fist, closing firmly around the opponent's wrist, ensuring total control of the attacking arm.
Seeing Sungnam destabilized by the deflection, Jeok with explosive speed launched a precise and quick kick sweeping Sungnam's legs and lifting him off the ground. At that moment, he was suspended in the air, vulnerable.
With an explosive but controlled movement, Jeok twisted Sungnam's wrist with a precise rotation. The force of the twist, combined with the inertia of Sungnam's attack, made the opponent's body spin in the air like a top. The audience watched in amazement as Sungnam spun disoriented, unable to stop the movement that now dominated him.
Jeok, taking advantage of the moment, adjusted his stance and, with impeccable fluidity, extended his right arm to grab Sungnam's head while spinning. With calculated force and perfect technique, Jeok directed his opponent's body toward the ground, smashing his head against the ring with a resonant impact.
The blow was devastating, shaking the ring and leaving a visible mark on the surface. Sungnam remained motionless for a moment, his face bloodied and marked by the impact, with an expression of fury seemingly consuming him. His eyes, shining with an intense red flash, let out a furious roar that echoed throughout the place, a visceral roar that electrified the crowd and filled the environment with tension. With an explosive movement, he struck the floor with his fist, generating an impact so powerful that the ring trembled violently.
Jeok, who was still adjusting his stance after his previous technique, felt the tremor destabilize his balance. He took a step back, trying to regain his composure, but Sungnam didn't give him time.
With overwhelming speed and force, Sungnam charged at Jeok, his right fist prepared for a direct attack. The fury in his movements was palpable, as if each step was charged with destructive energy.
Before Jeok could fully react, Sungnam's fist directly impacted his abdomen. The blow was so powerful that it lifted Jeok off the ground, his body bending from the pain as a grunt escaped his lips. The force of the attack threw him several meters back, crashing to the floor with a harsh impact.
Jeok, still on the ground, coughed as a thread of blood escaped from the corner of his mouth. The pain was intense, as if the blow had pierced through his resistance. However, even in that state, his eyes showed unwavering determination.
Jeok Ryeong, staggering but determined, got up from the ground. His body was injured, his muscles tense from the pain, but his spirit remained firm. In front of him, Sungnam was ready to attack, his left arm raised, charged with a force that seemed capable of breaking any defense.
The pink flash in Jeok's eyes shone faintly as he analyzed the situation. He knew he couldn't retreat. Sungnam was too close, and the next blow would be decisive.
Facing the decisive moment, Jeok slightly flexed his legs, leaning his body forward into a low stance, like a predator about to strike. His gaze, fixed on Sungnam, reflected an relentless intensity, as if he was measuring every move of his opponent.
With an explosive push from his legs, Jeok lunged forward like a released spring. Every powerful step increased his speed, and his arms, extended but relaxed, accompanied the movement smoothly. At the moment of impact, Jeok concentrated all his strength in his open palms, directing them with devastating precision to his opponent's solar plexus.
Jeok, with a firm voice and full of purpose, declared: "Ryeong Style: Cæsar Charge."
Sungnam threw his punch with overwhelming speed and power, aiming directly at Jeok's face. But the protagonist, with a calculated precision, advanced toward the attack. At the moment the punch of Sungnam was centimeters from his face, Jeok executed the Cæsar Charge with explosive force.
The impact was simultaneous and devastating. Jeok's palm connected with Sungnam's solar plexus with explosive accuracy, leaving red-hot marks that burned like embers. However, Sungnam's punch struck with all its force the face of Jeok, deeply embedding his fist into his face.
Jeok was propelled backward like an arrow shot. His body crossed the ring, hitting the ground forcefully as he rolled several meters. When he stopped, a thread of blood ran from the corner of his mouth and nose, his breathing erratic. The impact had left him dizzy and weakened, but not defeated.
Sungnam, although better off, retreated a step unsteady. His breathing was labored as he brought a hand to his solar plexus. The marks left by Jeok's palms burned intensely, as if the impact still resonated in his body. He leaned slightly from the pain.
Meanwhile, Jeok, from the ground, supported himself with trembling hands. Despite being hurt, his gaze remained fixed on Sungnam. The pink flashes in his eyes intensified slightly, reflecting that, although he had come out of the clash defeated, he was still willing to fight.
Jeok Ryeong, staggering but determined, got up from the ground. His body was wounded, muscles tense from the pain, but his spirit remained firm. In front of him, Sungnam was ready to attack, his left arm raised, loaded with a force that seemed capable of breaking any defense.
The pink flash in Jeok's eyes shone faintly as he analyzed the situation. He knew he could not continue fighting him the same way. Each exchange weakened him more. "I can't keep going like this... I must take control."
When Sungnam launched a direct strike, Jeok reacted with precise calculation. He deflected the attack with a smooth movement of his left hand, redirecting the punch aside. At the same moment, his right hand rose in a palm shape and hit Sungnam's chin with force, making his head tilt back.
Furious, Sungnam continued attacking with a barrage of devastating blows. Jeok, maintaining calm, dodged each attack with flawless movements. Seizing an opening, he threw a palm strike to the opponent's ribs, causing Sungnam to growl in pain.
When Sungnam tried to hit him again, Jeok sidestepped with agility, moving to the side. With a quick twist, he delivered a precise kick to his opponent's thigh, destabilizing him. Sungnam staggered, but even off-balance, he kept throwing punches in fury.
Jeok, in a state of perfect synchronization, continued to dodge every attack from Sungnam, redirecting his strikes upward with calculated and precise movements. Sungnam's arms were raised, leaving his torso completely exposed and vulnerable.
Jeok took a deep breath, concentrating all his energy into a decisive attack. With explosiveness and force, he launched a series of devastating strikes:
His right palm impacted directly on Sungnam's chest, shaking his balance.
His left palm followed with a strike to the sternum, increasing the pressure and pain.
A lateral impact with his right palm to the right shoulder followed by a solid strike with his left palm to the left shoulder, leaving Sungnam's shoulders vulnerable.
The base of his right palm connected with a blow to the neck, causing Sungnam to almost lose consciousness.
His left palm impacted downward on the right pectoral, followed by another strike with his right palm directed at the left pectoral.
A precise lateral impact with the base of the left palm directly to the right jaw.
The right palm finished the combo with a powerful blow to the left jaw.
With both palms united, Jeok focused all his energy into a devastating frontal strike to Sungnam's solar plexus. The impact was so powerful that the opponent was launched backward.
Seeing an opportunity where the opponent is stunned, Jeok advanced with determination, his gaze fixed on the fallen opponent. With a firm voice, he said: —Ryeong Style: Fist Throw.
With a quick and decisive step, he closed the distance between him and Sungnam, keeping his body aligned for the final blow.
His right hand, bent back, remained open, with fingers slightly apart. Taking a final deep breath, Jeok released all his accumulated energy in an explosive movement. He extended his arm forward like a spear, impacting directly with his palm on Sungnam's face.
The blow was brutal and devastating. Jeok's palm not only impacted but tore Sungnam's face apart, his teeth shattered, his nose collapsed, and blood started pouring abundantly, staining his face red. The force of the impact left a deep, bloody mark on his face, creating a red imprint. Sungnam was stunned, with his face completely bloodied and deformed by the blow, unable to resist, falling to the ground as the crowd erupted in shouts of amazement and horror.
Jeok, with his body exhausted but his will intact, remained standing in the center of the ring. The pink flash in his eyes began to fade slowly, leaving an expression of calm and determination. He had won, demonstrating his mastery and ability to overcome any obstacle.