Chereads / Byeol Bi: Star Rain / Chapter 14 - Introductions and Evaluations 2

Chapter 14 - Introductions and Evaluations 2

Back to the present, January 9, 2021 :

"Here is the sparring room." Jae-Hak says.

We are still on the third floor, but in a room adjacent to the firing range. The room is designed like a taekwondo studio. There is a hardwood floor that is covered by mats when people spar. A large mirror covers the entire left wall, and punching bags hang from the ceiling on the wall across from the entryway to the room.

"Wow this place is HUGE!" Kyubok exclaims.

"Have you never been here?" I ask him.

"Nope. The three of us are tech people, remember? We don't get to use this room."

"Typically we exercise on the fourth floor, where a normal gym is." Soo-Yun adds.

"Ahh. I see. I was wondering how you guys are so fit."

"Just because we're the nerds of the DTDA doesn't mean we can't stay in shape." Kyubok says. "We are told to keep our physical health up just in case we're needed on site for the tech things."

"Does that mean you guys use the firing range?"

"Of course!" Soo-Yun says. "We can't always depend on you field agents to protect us. That would cause us to be unnecessary burdens."

"That makes sense." I smile.

I turn to Jae-Hak and ask, "What am I supposed to do for this evaluation."

"We'll have you spar with one of the instructors here."

"Really?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" He asks, raising his eyebrow.

"No, I just assumed I would be fighting you."

"Hand to hand combat is one of my strengths." He replies. "Using me to determine your level would be an issue since I would beat you too quickly."

I scoff.

There is no chance anyone could beat me in hand to hand combat. Does he know who I am? Does he know who I learned from?

"Sure." I reply.

"Hello!" A voice calls from inside the room.

A man around the age of 35 walks toward us.

What is with all the important people here being so young? I thought the instructor would be an old haraboji* with a gut from drinking too much beer. Then again, in order to do physical things, one needs to be fit. Being young is a bonus too.

"Hello." I bow in greeting. He bows back.

"Nam-Wook-ah! Long time no see!" He exclaims hugging the director.

"Nam-Wook-ah?" I mouth to the people around me. They all shrug and look as confused as I feel.

"You all must be surprised." The instructor says. "Nam-Wook-ah and I have been friends ever since we were kids."

"That's right." The director says. "Why don't you introduce yourself to division Jeongdangseong."

"Ah, you're right! My name is Jeon Suk. It is nice to meet you all."

"Nice to meet you," we all respond as we introduce ourselves.

Instructor Suk turns to me. "Are you the one I will be sparring against?"

"Oh, yes."

"Shall we get started?"

"Yes." I respond.

The other members in our group grab chairs and sit against the wall to the right. The instructor rolls out the mats and we begin.