The ground beneath them was sheer ruin, littered with cracks and dents. The trees—the backbone of the forest—had their trunks blasted with fist-sized craters. The air carried the weight of destruction. Even if the two men—no, two monsters—were to stop now, it would take a long time for the forest to heal.
Blood-stained grass shifted slightly in the breeze, which ruffled Apollo's hair. The strands reached down toward his eyes, slightly obscuring the whitish glow in them. They reeked of determination and unshakable will.
Hansu nodded, impressed by the unique change in Apollo. He clasped his hands together.
"You've grown stronger."
In the next instant, he vanished in a quiet display of speed, reappearing right in front of the bloodied, injured Apollo.
"You sure you want to continue?" he asked, eyes scanning Apollo's body—tracing the bluish tints across his chest, the red streaks of blood standing out like paint on skin.
Apollo filled his lungs with air. His muscles pulsed with a strange, unfamiliar strength.
"Yes," he said. His voice cracked but stayed firm, like a man who hadn't tasted water in days.
Hansu paused for a moment, silently taking in the battered state of his disciple.
I think I went too far… yet if I stop now, all will be for nothing.
He praised Apollo inwardly.
To endure even now… Even if I searched all of Korea, I wouldn't find another disciple like you.
"Alright then," Hansu said, his voice now strict and direct—quite unlike his true thoughts.
"Prepare to survive, Apollo. Grow… or give up."
Shwcip.
Hansu's leg screeched through the air, creating a sharp gust that made the grass in a two-foot radius rustle wildly. The kick was strong—approaching Apollo at breakneck speed.
Sensing the oncoming cannon of death, Apollo closed his eyes and exhaled.
I leave it all to my body, he thought, his breath misty and hot in the cool mountain air. His body had mimicked the Iron Fortress down to the bone, and his mind now embraced the concept of belief.
But as the kick neared, Apollo did not resort to any known technique—not redirection, not the Iron Fortress.
Goosebumps flared along his back. Instinct warned him—something was coming, fast.
Then, his body moved.
His abs contracted, feet shifting evenly beneath him. His left foot slid behind the right. He bent slightly, lowering his center of gravity. His eyes remained closed. His arms didn't follow the Iron Fortress stance. No... this was something new.
The kick landed square on his chest with a booming impact. The force nearly caved him in. But Apollo twisted with it—letting his body roll with the blow, not resisting it, but guiding it.
Not rigid like the Iron Fortress.
Something flexible. Something adaptive. Something his own.
Apollo opened his eyes. His hands moved to touch his chest. A gentle press still hurt—but there were no broken bones.
He was still standing. Stronger.
His eyes darted to Hansu, who was already smiling.
"It seems you created a new technique," he said, voice kind and optimistic.
Apollo's legs nearly gave out, trembling from relief. He lowered himself to the broken grass, hands bracing his weight.
"I did it," he muttered. His expression of shock slowly melted into elation.
"I did it!" This time, he spoke with fervor.
He closed his eyes, mentally walking through what had just occurred.
It's similar… yet the core is different. Gongseob's technique relies on rigidity—no matter the attack, he must remain in that form. That works for boxing, but for me? It's a limitation.
He raised his hands near his jaw, still sore.
Flow like water. Shift your weight with the force. Let the attack travel through you—toward the ground. That's… that's the principle behind my technique.
Apollo's lips curled into a full-blown smile.
Hansu sat beside him, torn between pride and concern. He raised a hand and placed it gently on Apollo's shoulder.
"Creating your own technique, and at your age… it's something I've only read about in books, Apollo. I'm truly proud of you."
His calm voice cut through the mental haze.
"But for now, I believe you should get some rest."
Apollo smiled, nodding.
"I guess you're right." His voice started strong, but by the end, it had grown soft. His eyes drooped.
"Apollo?" Hansu's voice rose slightly in alarm. He leaned in, brushing a hand against the boy's cheek.
No response?
He quickly checked for breath under Apollo's nose.
Just unconscious. He chuckled to himself and lifted Apollo in a princess carry.
Meanwhile, back at home, Hansu's wife was watching TV, her fingers deep in snacks when a thought struck her.
That Hansu… Didn't they say they were training in the mountains?
Her mind conjured a gentle image of Apollo.
That poor boy. I hope he feels safe with us.
She smiled, thinking of the kid who listened so obediently.
If Hansu does anything to him, I swear he's sleeping on the sofa for a week.
Back in the forest, Hansu suddenly felt sweat roll down his back.
Is this… a premonition? Is something about to happen?
He had no idea what awaited him. When his wife would see Apollo's condition, she would nearly collapse from shock.
And when she woke up?
She would run around the house like a madwoman—her target: Hansu.
And so passed two chaotic months in the Seong household. Taehun sweatdropped at the antics of his parents, while Apollo trained relentlessly in the mountains, perfecting his techniques.
Current time – After the liberation of Busan
All the Kings, including Apollo, were seated in separate cars—one belonging to Jagyeon Na, the other to Jichang Kwak. Their expressions were content, reflecting the happy ending they had somehow been a part of in Busan.
Apollo sighed, gazing out the window into the sunset. Its red afterglow lit up his face. Just as he turned to speak to Jagyeon, his phone rang.
Ring.
Ring.
He raised an eyebrow.
Not many people have my number. Only the Kings… and Hansu. So who could it be?
He answered.
"Hello?"
A deep, rusty voice responded on the other end.
"I was wondering who was behind Busan… only to find out it was you. You're interesting." The voice paused. "Yamazaki."
Someone's mistaken my identity… but who?
"Who are you?" Apollo asked, voice firm but cautious.
The answer gave him full-body goosebumps.
"Kitae Kim."
...............
Training mini-arc over ;)
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