86 – 37. A Life Without Congratulations (2)
In improving boxing skills, sparring can be considered essential.
No matter how much you refine your techniques and get accustomed to them, if you can’t use them in a real match, it’s all in vain.
If it’s just for simple physical improvement, there’s no need to do it. But if you’re learning boxing to become stronger, it’s reasonable to consider sparring as an inevitable path.
‘I’ve been through that too.’
Ian was no different. Of course, there was a difference in being led by the instructor to the ring somewhat involuntarily, but that’s beside the point.
Ian’s time at the gym was a leisurely 10 in the morning, with hardly anyone around. The instructor would teach the techniques and finish with a brief sparring session.
‘It hurt like hell. I thought I could at least throw a one-two, but no way.’
The first sparring experience remained as the worst memory. The chaotic situation made no sense, and just when he tried to gather himself, a punch flew to his jaw.
There was no feedback to give. He couldn’t even extend his fist, just got smacked around without a chance to retaliate.
After getting his senses back, he sat on the ring, sipping water from a paper cup, squeezing the cup, and throwing it into the trash.
That was what Ian did at the gym.
How long had it been like that? There was a time when the instructor said something like this.
“Hey, Hyunwoo, why aren’t you throwing punches? At least try to dodge, huh?”
A question about why he was just taking hits. Ian, at that time, considered it as high-level taekwondo.
It was a quasi-disciplinary relationship paid for with money. Instead of consoling, they were teasing! He sighed internally.
‘But it wasn’t like that. I was just genuinely curious.’
However, when Ian realized that the instructor’s words were different from what he had interpreted, he finally understood his shortcomings.
“I’m lost in the chaos, don’t know what to do… When I try to throw a punch, you swiftly dodge, and when I try to dodge, the instructor’s fist comes flying.”
“Is the weaving we learned from step and me just decoration?”
“No, I know it. But my body doesn’t follow. What should I do?”
Calculating which technique to use in a given situation, but the body doesn’t cooperate.
The solution that the instructor gave for that problem wasn’t anything special.
“Well, then don’t think and just jump in….”
“Yes? Don’t think?”
Don’t roll your head. Don’t try to calculate, just extend your fist and think.
In response to a somewhat incomprehensible answer, a question was asked.
“Wouldn’t I get hit more if I do that? I’m not a master at infighting.”
“I told you earlier. Where did you put your weaving and steps?”
“I know. But my body doesn’t follow. If I jump in, my body doesn’t move on its own….”
“No, man. That’s what you practiced for.”
“Yes?”
It will move on its own. The instructor who said that laughed and lightly tapped his forearm with a glove.
“Hey. Why do you immediately start jumping rope and doing shadow boxing in front of the mirror when you come in?”
“Isn’t it to learn the techniques?”
“Do you seem to be learning the techniques for the purpose of learning them? Isn’t that it? If you’re at your level, even if it’s your first time, just doing shadow boxing a few times will give you some form, man.”
For two minutes, he practiced the combinations of techniques he had learned so far, took a break for one minute, and then turned the combinations again.
The reason for the relentless repetitive training like a treadmill was not simply to learn the techniques.
“It’s to make your body accustomed. Even if your head doesn’t work. It’s to make you able to react and calculate quickly when a dangerous moment comes.”
Reacting and calculating at a fast speed to an unexpected blow is something only top athletes can do. It’s a realm that ordinary people can’t even dream of.
That’s why it was important to repeat various techniques until the body memorized them.
“Don’t forget, Hyunwoo. Your body has memorized what you’ve learned once. It will never forget easily. When you’re in danger, the techniques you’ve learned so far will automatically come out no matter how you go in.”
The sweet lie that he thought would boost his willpower.
Ian was recalling those words.
Swoosh!
“Ker-ruck!”
Shyaahk!
As enemies fell under the swift swings of the sword, a smile began to bloom on Ian’s lips.
‘The body doesn’t forget what it has learned once… That saying must be true.’
In reality, enduring twelve hours with a sword was no easy task.
Especially considering he had never wielded a sword until now.
Unlike in the past. Now, having forgotten all memories of that time, it was inevitable that he lacked confidence in swordsmanship.
‘Rather than making a fool of myself with skills I don’t have… I seriously considered giving up and just using my fists.’
Giving up the correction effect of Levrian and the advantages of the Holy attribute was heartbreaking. Still, considering the long battles ahead, he genuinely debated whether sacrificing and using his fists was the right choice.
But how much time had passed since he started swinging the sword again?
‘Thinking back, it was a really foolish dilemma.’
He was astonished at how he had been mentally struggling with an unnecessary dilemma.
Even if he claimed to have forgotten the memories of using swordsmanship, the skills honed through dozens, hundreds of regressions after possession were deeply ingrained in his body.
Clang! Shyaahk!
‘Don’t think. Just let your body move as it pleases.’
He swung the sword tirelessly, oblivious to conscious thought.
Should I swing horizontally and strike the neck, or should I plunge into the enemy lines and sweep away the upper body with a rotating slash?
No need to entertain such lowly useless thoughts and sketch out grand plans.
The body, filled with experience, would exhibit the optimal movements according to the situation.
At that moment, Ian’s task was simple.
“I must not break the flow. That’s the most important.”
No need for thoughts of advancing a step ahead; just follow the lead.
To somehow endure 12 hours of waves, releasing fatigue in any possible way.
That was the only thing to keep in mind.
“There’s nothing that can’t be done.”
With a determined mindset, Ian adjusted his posture.
“Let’s give it a try.”
Kuwa-gwagwagwa!
Following, a storm of blades made of light erupted.
Horizontal, vertical, rotation—none of it mattered. All Ian needed now was the optimal sword to cut through the enemies.
He merely followed as his body led.
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Chwajajajak!
“Kraaak!”
The storm emerging from the midst of enemies expanded as if to swallow the area, tearing apart flesh upon contact.
The blood pouring like rain obscured the vision. Unperturbed.
The hand gripping the hilt felt like it would burst open. He clenched it tighter.
Joints screamed, urging him to stop, but he wielded the blade again using the time regeneration.
The bloodstains clinging to his clothes and the brutal screams were mentally tormenting, yet he endured with unwavering determination.
Twelve hours. It was a life created for Ariel Volkanov, a life marred by hopeless degradation.
“I must endure.”
He persisted like a relentless beast.
Why am I doing this? It felt unbearably unjust. Thoughts of giving up crossed his mind as time passed.
Despair lingered, but he never gave up.
Why? It was simple.
“It was a life full of regrets… a life lived enduring hardships and adversities.”
If he closed his eyes without seeing a single flower bloom, nurtured by that pain, wouldn’t it be unjust to not live?
That was the reason.
“Just a bit more… just a bit.”
Even though ten hours had passed since he brandished the sword, Ian never gave up.
The word “give up” was not allowed in Ian’s life; there was no room for such thoughts.
“Eleven hours.”
Sensation in his hands had long disappeared. Despite using time regeneration countless times, cracks in the wounds began to emerge before fully healing.
“Eleven hours and thirty minutes.”
Realizing he couldn’t afford the luxury of recovery, he decided to let it go if he couldn’t possess it.
Instead, he began to fill that void with desire.
Just endure a bit more. If he endured for thirty more minutes, he believed he could lay the foundation for blooming flowers.
’11 hours 50 minutes.’
Before long, the vision blurred, and the enemies became indistinguishable. But it didn’t matter. Even if blindfolded, the black blade was sharp enough to cut through the enemies.
Occasionally unable to endure, the body collapsed. But every time, using the skill of Aeirus, he could catch his breath.
How long had he been swinging the sword mindlessly?
Clang!
As the screams of the enemies and the sound of flesh being cut off began to cease, Ian thrust the Lebrion into the ground and looked around.
“Ha…”
On the dry floor where hazy dust flew, blood had risen, reaching up to knee height, and the torn bodies floated in pieces.
It was a cruel and nauseating scene, but… for some reason.
Ian at this moment could only wear a pleasantly satisfied smile.
“It’s over…”
The trial that felt like an eternity of suffering was over. Wasn’t that enough?
As he steadied his staggering body and took a relieved breath, he could see.
[Emergency Quest ‘Lure’ completed. As a reward, Mock Duel is changed to Special Mock Duel!]
With a clear sound, the status window welcomed him.
– Ian! Are you okay? It must have been tough… Should I hug you?
Neltallion, approaching cautiously and offering support, came into view.
Even though he wanted to say that he shouldn’t get close because he was covered in dirty blood, Ian didn’t have the strength for such words now.
It might look ridiculous to receive help from a six-year-old, but Ian had no choice but to accept the help.
– Huk… Ian…
‘Don’t cry… It’s okay.’
It was the moment when he relied on her, shedding tears, and consoled her at the same time.
Saaak!
“What’s… this. No, this isn’t the time for this! Oppa!”
“Ian Sunbae!”
As the bunker’s duration came to an end, the appearance of the younger sister and her colleagues revealed itself.
“Ah… Aah….”
Looking at the sibling who couldn’t approach the gruesome sight in front of her, Ian calmly opened his mouth.
“…It’s okay now.”
Even with a hazy and blurred vision… he could see it for that moment.
“Because it’s all over now.”
“Aah….”
Watching his crying sister, Ian rose to his feet again.