novelraw Chapter 55 : Chapter 55
Chapter 55 : Chapter 55
Chapter 55: The Ring (1)
“Customer, according to our policy, in your case, entering is…….”
The gym manager was blocking the man while sweating profusely.
That manager was a face Riman also knew.
The owner of the three-headed dog and the manager of this gym, James Kwon.
Riman listened to the situation, wondering what was going on.
The man causing a commotion continued.
“Isn't this discrimination? Why are you stopping me from using the facility when I’m paying my money?!”
“Customer, as I told you earlier, in your case…….”
“See! Even now you called me customer! If I’m a customer, naturally I should be able to enjoy the service here, right?!”
Judging roughly from the situation, it seemed that man was banned from entering the gym for some reason.
Riman was curious.
‘What on earth is the reason for that?’
“Why can't mana users use the gym?!”
Ah.
Was it that reason.
Only then did Riman discover the mana detector installed at the gym entrance.
A device that sounds an alarm when a mana user passes underneath.
It was the same thing installed at the main gate of Noksan Junkyard.
And on the wall next to it, ‘Mana User Entry Prohibited’ was written in large letters.
Meanwhile, James Kwon was sweating profusely trying to persuade that mana user customer.
“Excuse me, first of all, if mana users use equipment exclusively for ordinary people, the probability of the equipment breaking is high. We didn't bring in equipment exclusively for mana users here either.”
“What? That is a discriminatory remark, do you know?!”
The man didn't seem to have any intention of backing down.
Even though he should back down by now.
Riman found that attitude so fascinating.
‘No, but wouldn't it be awkward if he uses the gym after fighting like that?’
Anyway, because of that man, Riman's entry to the gym was being delayed repeatedly.
Faint irritation began to rise slowly.
‘Shall I zap him.’
Riman unconsciously concentrated mana at his fingertips, then withdrew it.
Because he couldn't openly use magic in a place where mana user entry was prohibited.
‘Should I just come tomorrow.’
Just as he was about to turn his steps thinking so.
Pew-pew-pew!
Zap-zap-zap!
“Urgh……!”
The man causing the commotion trembled all over his body and collapsed on the floor.
Several iron needles were stuck in his back.
The iron needles were connected to thin wires.
Riman could tell what it was as soon as he saw it.
It was a Taser gun for suppressing mana users.
“Suppression complete.”
“We will implement eviction measures.”
The people who fired the Taser gun were wearing identical black uniforms.
People wearing clothes with the letter ‘S’ engraved on their left arm.
They were the security forces of Silderrek Company residing in this apartment.
“Good work.”
“Take care.”
Receiving James Kwon’s greeting, the security guards dragged the troublemaker away and disappeared.
Watching that scene, Riman thought.
That it’s peaceful.
If it were outside, they would have just fired guns right away instead of a Taser gun.
No, in the first place, would such public order maintenance forces even have come?
Anyway, the commotion was finished, and James Kwon’s gaze finally turned toward Riman.
“Uh? Isn't it Mr. Leman? What brings you here?”
“Came to exercise at the gym, well.”
“Oh my! You thought well. First, please come in this way.”
James Kwon naturally guided Riman to the inside of the gym.
Beyond the mana detector, that is.
Since such an incident happened just now, it was a natural thing.
Riman exhaled lightly and crossed under the detector.
And naturally, nothing happened.
The detector was silent, and James Kwon sighed in relief inwardly.
The detector didn't notice the fact that Riman was a mage even a little.
Because there was really no mana in Riman’s body.
Unlike other mages who store refined mana in their bodies beforehand and use it, Riman’s body absorbs surrounding mana on the spot and uses it.
Anyway, with this, he crossed the threshold to use the gym.
Actually, if he went outside the complex, there were exercise facilities available for mana users too.
But there was no reason to go around outside leaving a close place behind.
‘For now, I shouldn't use magic inside the complex.’
Thinking so, Riman filled out the registration documents.
Around when he filled half the documents, James Kwon asked a question.
“By the way, do you have any intention of receiving PT?”
“Hm…….”
Riman, who pondered for a moment, shook his head.
“No, it’s okay.”
“If you receive PT, you get forcibly tied to a certain schedule. For Riman, whose schedule was irregular due to bounty hunting, it wasn't a very appealing thing.
Like that, Riman’s exercise began.”
* * *
3 days later.
“Haaah……!”
Riman sat down on the treadmill with rough breathing sounds.
His back and chest were completely soaked with sweat.
‘My stamina was really trash……!’
The past 3 days were a time for Riman to systematically realize how frail his body was.
Cardiopulmonary endurance, muscular strength, everything was just at the bottom.
Even in his previous life, his body wasn't that good, but compared to now, it was much better.
‘To think I survived wonderfully until now with this low-quality body.’
Riman sat on an empty bench and caught his breath for a moment.
‘I do need to build stamina… certainly this method takes long.’
Diligent exercise, wholesome meals.
It was the most standard method to build stamina, but the problem was that it took long as much as it was standard.
But he couldn't just recklessly receive enhancement procedures or human body modification either.
‘Well, it’s only been 3 days anyway. Let’s think of going slowly and steadily for now.’
Riman drank water from the water bottle.
Stopping exercise for a moment and resting, the surroundings came into his view.
It was a peculiar space.
Half of this large space was packed with gym equipment, but the other half was empty and spacious.
Because that half was a boxing club.
In other words, a health club and a boxing club coexisted within this space.
Therefore, people doing boxing sometimes came to this side to exercise, and conversely, people went to that side to box.
Just like James Kwon, who was lifting dumbbells on the gym side a moment ago, was hitting the sandbag now.
Of course, James Kwon was the manager of this facility, but when there weren't many people, he often exercised like that.
Thud!
Looking at the sandbag ringing stickily, Riman thought.
‘Shall I rather learn martial arts.’
Nonsense.
Riman shook his head inwardly.
There was no way learning only martial arts would be useful when basic stamina wasn't enough.
First build stamina……
Thump!
The sound of James Kwon hitting the sandbag caught Riman’s attention again.
Riman noticed that his skill was considerable.
The speed of the fist was fast, the posture was stable, and the advance and retreat of power was clean.
Of course, Riman didn't know much about boxing or martial arts.
But his senses, which reached the peak, were naturally analyzing James Kwon’s movements in detail.
“Hm?”
Just then, James Kwon felt Riman’s gaze and stopped punching.
When Riman turned his eyes with an awkward expression, he said.
“Mr. Leman?”
“Yes?”
“Want to try hitting?”
“Ah, can I?”
“It doesn't matter if you just hit the sandbag without receiving lessons. Come here.”
Like that, Riman ended up standing in front of the sandbag bewilderedly.
“Put on gloves. If you don't, your hands will all skin off.”
“Ah.”
“First pull your right foot back, turn your body 45 degrees, yes, like that.”
It was the first time trying to hit a sandbag with proper posture like this.
“Now, and think of throwing your fist, fast!”
Thwack!
The sandbag he hit properly for the first time was quite hard and heavy compared to its appearance.
“That just now is a ‘jab.’”
“Jab…….”
“Try hitting continuously once.”
This was another new experience.
Since crossing over to this world, he had never learned anything from anyone.
He had only solved everything with the information and talent Riman had.
In that sense, this experience was quite fresh and fun.
“By the way, Mr. James, are you perhaps a former athlete?”
“No no, just doing boxing as a hobby for a few years is all.”
Usually experts say that.
Thinking so, Riman hit the sandbag.
How many minutes passed like that?
The door opened, and someone entered the boxing zone.
A man as tall and well-built as James Kwon.
But the impression was the opposite.
Unlike James Kwon with an affable impression, he had a quite fierce impression.
The man looked at James Kwon and Riman alternately and said.
“What, is he a newbie?”
“At this, James Kwon answered nonchalantly.”
“What newbie. He is just trying hitting once as a test.”
The man smirked and looked at Riman, saying.
“Hey, even if you hit the sandbag for a hundred days, your skill won't improve a bit.”
“Go away, Ban-seok.”
“Instead of Riman, James Kwon cut off the man's words.”
“The man called Ban-seok sneered and said.”
“What, did I say something wrong?”
“Go, you punk.”
“Hey! If you are curious what boxing is, come up to the ring! I tell you, you can know what fighting is only by trying sparring?”
Leaving only those words, the man went into the locker room.
Seeing that, James Kwon said to Riman as if embarrassed.
“That guy, he is a guy called Jo Ban-seok, and picking fights like that is his hobby.”
“Hmm…….”
“His skill is good, but his mind is rotten. Since he is a guy doing martial arts because he likes beating people…….”
“But isn't martial arts originally beating people?”
“Ah……?”
While James Kwon couldn't find a suitable answer to Riman’s words.
Jo Ban-seok, changed into sportswear, came out of the locker room.
Riman quietly looked at Jo Ban-seok.
Then suddenly, he started approaching Jo Ban-seok.
James Kwon was startled.
“Excuse me, Mr. Leman?”
“Because it seems fun.”
“Yes?”
Soon Jo Ban-seok also saw Riman approaching.
“Hm?”
“You said you were Mr. Jo Ban-seok?”
“So why?”
“I am called Leman White. Well, getting to the main point for now, please teach me some martial arts.”
“What?”
“You said you would teach me what fighting is.”
Hearing those words from behind, James Kwon had a dumbfounded expression.
On the other hand, a greasy flush circulated on Jo Ban-seok’s face.
“Really?”
“Why would I lie about something like this?”
“Okay, call! Come up to the ring!”
Riman nodded, returned to James Kwon, and said.
“I can use these gloves, right?”
“Are you crazy?! You don't even know boxing techniques well?!”
“He said he would teach me.”
“He said that as a roundabout way of saying he would beat you up!”
“Then I’ll get hit a bit, well.”
“Yes?”
“If it’s sparring, it’s not like I’m dying or anything.”
“…….”
James Kwon completely confirmed that Riman had firmed his resolve.
“…Then wear headgear too.”
“It presses my hair.”
“Hurry.”
Like that, Riman went up to the ring wearing headgear and gloves.
On the other hand, Jo Ban-seok came up wearing only gloves carelessly.
People who were at the center started gathering one by one at the sparring opened after a long time.
Because an interesting spectacle arose while they were bored just exercising.
“Oh my, Ban-seok bit a prey.”
“He’s gonna get hit excitedly again.”
People who knew Jo Ban-seok predicted Riman’s defeat and clicked their tongues inwardly.
Anyway, the sparring approached right under their noses.
Since the coach was absent, James Kwon stood as the referee.
James Kwon warned toward Jo Ban-seok.
“This isn't full sparring, so go easy, you punk.”
“Oh my, it doesn't seem like he will use all his strength anyway, well.”
And said toward Riman.
“Now, first, hitting below the waist, behind the back, and the crown of the head is prohibited. Kicks are naturally prohibited too. You know, right?”
“Yep.”
“If it’s hard, just surrender in the middle. Since no one will say anything.”
Riman just grinned.
And looked at Jo Ban-seok.
‘Fighting…….’
Never learned martial arts, and the body is frail.
The physical capability Riman possesses is only insanely keen senses.
‘Without magic, how far can I go.’
Thinking so, Riman raised his guard.
And-
Ding!
The moment the gong sounded.
Pow!
Jo Ban-seok’s straight flew directly into his face.
And Riman, did not move a bit.