The Realization
Haneul-i's progress in the boxing gym was nothing short of extraordinary. Within two weeks, he was outpacing fighters who had been training for months. His movements were swift and precise, his footwork light and agile. Each punch he threw landed with devastating power, like a sledgehammer connecting with a wall.
Coach Kang watched in awe as Haneul-i sparred against more experienced fighters, weaving around their punches effortlessly and countering with crushing blows.
"Kid," Kang said after one particularly brutal session, "you're a natural. You're not just good—you're scary good."
Haneul-i tilted his head. "You really think so?"
"I know so," Kang replied. "We need to get you into the ring for real. It's time to get you your boxing license."
Getting Licensed
The process of obtaining a boxing license was faster than Haneul-i expected. With Coach Kang's connections and glowing recommendation, he was quickly approved to compete in amateur matches.
The villagers were ecstatic when they heard the news. They rallied behind Haneul-i, organizing a small celebration the night before his first fight.
"You're going to make Joam-ri proud," Minjae said, raising a toast.
Haneul-i smiled, though a flicker of nerves passed through him. This was his first official match. He didn't know how he'd perform under the pressure.
The First Match
The amateur fight took place in a small but packed gym in the nearby town. The crowd buzzed with excitement as Haneul-i stepped into the ring, his opponent already waiting—a seasoned amateur named Park Jin-woo, known for his aggressive style.
The bell rang, and the match began.
Round 1:
Jin-woo charged forward, throwing a flurry of punches, but Haneul-i's footwork was impeccable. He danced around the attacks, his movements almost too fast for the eye to follow.
Then came Haneul-i's first punch—a perfectly timed cross that landed squarely on Jin-woo's jaw. The crowd gasped as Jin-woo stumbled back, clearly shaken.
Round 2:
Jin-woo tried to recover, but Haneul-i's dominance was undeniable. His punches were precise and devastating, each one landing with thunderous force. By the middle of the second round, Jin-woo was on the ropes, struggling to stay upright.
The referee stepped in to stop the fight after Haneul-i landed a brutal uppercut that sent Jin-woo to the canvas.
Victory and a License
The crowd erupted in cheers as Haneul-i's hand was raised in victory. Coach Kang clapped him on the back as they exited the ring.
"Two weeks of training, and you just demolished an experienced fighter," Kang said, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're something else, kid."
With the win, Haneul-i officially earned his amateur boxing license. The villagers greeted him like a hero when he returned to Joam-ri, showering him with praise and good-natured teasing.
"I knew you'd win," Minjae said, grinning. "But did you have to make it look so easy?"
Haneul-i laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Maybe I got lucky."
But deep down, he knew it wasn't luck. Boxing came to him as naturally as breathing, and for the first time, he wondered just how far he could take it. For now, though, he was content to celebrate with his new family and enjoy the simple joys of life in Joam-ri.
The Decision to Join the Rookie King Championship
A week after his first official fight, Haneul-i sat in the small boxing gym, wiping sweat from his brow as Coach Kang approached him with a flyer in hand.
"Take a look at this," Kang said, handing him the paper.
Haneul-i studied the bold text at the top: Rookie King Championship—a prestigious tournament for up-and-coming amateur boxers. The competition promised not just fame but also the chance to showcase talent on a larger stage.
"This is for real rookies," Kang said, his tone serious. "You've got the skill to take this. It's a big deal, though—it's not just small-town matches. Fighters from all over the country will be competing."
Haneul-i's gaze lingered on the flyer. He thought about his recent fights, the ease with which he had dominated, and the rush he felt in the ring. A part of him craved the challenge.
"I'll do it," he said, handing the flyer back.
Kang smirked. "I had a feeling you'd say that. Time to take your training to the next level."
Preparation for the Championship
Over the next month, Haneul-i's training intensified. Kang pushed him harder than ever before, refining his technique and building his stamina.
Morning Roadwork: Haneul-i ran 10 kilometers every morning, often carrying weighted gear to build endurance.Heavy Bag Drills: He pounded the heavy bag with precise combinations, focusing on speed and power.Sparring Matches: Kang arranged for Haneul-i to spar with more experienced fighters, forcing him to adapt to different styles and strategies.
Despite the grueling schedule, Haneul-i thrived. His punches grew sharper, his movements quicker, and his confidence stronger.
Arrival at the Tournament
The Rookie King Championship was held in a bustling city arena, its bright lights and roaring crowd a stark contrast to the quiet gym where Haneul-i had trained. As he stepped inside, he felt the weight of the moment—a mixture of nerves and excitement coursing through him.
Dozens of fighters filled the locker room, each with their own unique style and presence. Some glanced at Haneul-i curiously, noting his calm demeanor.
"You're the new guy, huh?" one boxer said, smirking. "Hope you're ready. This isn't a village brawl."
Haneul-i offered a polite smile, his confidence unshaken. "I'm ready."
The First Match
Haneul-i's first opponent was a tall, lanky fighter known for his reach and quick jabs. As the two entered the ring, the crowd murmured, curious about the new face.
Round 1:
The lanky boxer opened with sharp jabs, using his reach to keep Haneul-i at bay. But Haneul-i's footwork was impeccable. He slipped past the punches effortlessly, closing the distance with calculated precision.
The first clean punch Haneul-i landed—a devastating left hook—sent the opponent stumbling. The round ended with Haneul-i clearly in control.
Round 2:
In the second round, Haneul-i unleashed his full power. His punches landed with thunderous force, and within a minute, the referee stopped the fight.
Advancing Through the Rounds
As the tournament progressed, Haneul-i faced a variety of opponents—speedsters, sluggers, and technical fighters. Each match tested him in new ways, but he adapted quickly, his skill and determination shining through.
Against a defensive fighter, Haneul-i used feints and body shots to break through the guard.Against a heavy hitter, he relied on his agility to dodge and counter, wearing the opponent down.
With each victory, his reputation grew. Fans began chanting his name, captivated by his calm presence and explosive performances.
A Step Closer to the Crown
By the time Haneul-i reached the semifinals, he was the talk of the tournament. Reporters crowded around Kang, asking about his protégé's origins and training.
"Where's this kid from?" one journalist asked.
Kang smirked. "A little village in the middle of nowhere. But don't let that fool you. He's got the heart of a champion."
Haneul-i, meanwhile, remained focused. He didn't care about the attention—his eyes were set on the Rookie King title.
The quater finals Match Looms
As the championship drew closer to its conclusion, Haneul-i prepared for the toughest fight of his life. The final opponent was a seasoned amateur with an undefeated record—a fighter known for his resilience and brutal counterpunches.
The stakes were higher than ever, but Haneul-i was ready. The ring awaited, and with it, the chance to claim his place as the Rookie King.
With the crowd roaring and the lights shining down, Haneul-i stepped into the spotlight, prepared to prove that he wasn't just a rookie—he was a rising star.
One of the most striking things about Haneul-i, apart from his incredible skill in the ring, was the jagged scar that ran diagonally across his left cheek. It was a reminder of the plane crash, a mark left behind during the chaos of that fateful day.
The scar, coupled with the rural lifestyle he had embraced, rendered him almost unrecognizable. Gone was the pristine, polished look of Jian Chen, the badminton prodigy. In his place stood Haneul-i, a rugged, quiet boxer with sharp eyes and an unshakable determination.
The First Match and Whispers
As Haneul-i advanced through the Rookie King Championship, whispers began to spread among the audience and participants.
"Who is that guy?" one spectator asked.
"No idea," another replied. "But he's amazing. Did you see the way he moved? Like a veteran fighter."
Even the reporters struggled to uncover his identity. His name, "Haneul-i Naelin Seonmul," puzzled them. It wasn't listed in any official records, and Coach Kang wasn't sharing much beyond vague answers.
"Where's he really from?" a journalist pressed Kang.
"Joam-ri," Kang replied with a smirk. "A village you've probably never heard of. That's all you need to know."
The scar, however, made him distinctive. Some speculated it was a remnant of a tragic accident or a fight from his past. But no one connected him to Jian Chen, the badminton prodigy presumed lost in a plane crash.
A Scar and a New Identity
Haneul-i's scar became a part of his identity, a physical marker of the life he no longer remembered. He didn't hide it—in fact, he wore it with pride.
"It's just a scar," he said once when a villager asked about it. "It doesn't define me."
But to the boxing world, the scar only added to the mystique surrounding him. He was a newcomer with no past, a fighter who seemed to come out of nowhere, dominating the ring with an almost otherworldly talent.
Unknown Fame
What Haneul-i didn't know was that his performances in the Rookie King Championship had begun to draw attention beyond the tournament. Clips of his matches, particularly his footwork and devastating punches, began circulating online.
"He moves like a badminton player," one commenter wrote under a video.
"Those reflexes and that scar… could he be someone we know?" another asked.
Despite the growing buzz, no one could definitely link the scarred, unassuming boxer to the once-famous Jian Chen. The world watched in awe as Haneul-i continued his climb, unaware of the true identity of the scarred fighter taking the boxing world by storm.
For now, his past remained buried, even as his future burned brighter with every punch he landed.
The Semifinals: A Battle of Wills
The arena was packed, the energy electric as Haneul-i stepped into the ring for the semifinal match of the Rookie King Championship. His opponent was a strong, stocky fighter known for his resilience and heavy hooks. Unlike Haneul-i's previous opponents, this one didn't back down easily.
As the bell rang, the two fighters circled each other, the crowd buzzing with anticipation.
Round 1:
Haneul-i tested his opponent's defenses, landing sharp jabs and precise combinations. His opponent countered with heavy punches, and while Haneul-i's footwork allowed him to evade most of the attacks, a few shots landed cleanly.
The crowd roared as the two exchanged blows, the first round ending with both fighters still standing.
Round 2:
The second round was more intense. Haneul-i adjusted his strategy, focusing on body shots to wear down his opponent. The fighter responded with even more aggression, forcing Haneul-i to stay light on his feet. By the end of the round, his opponent was visibly winded, his punches slower and less precise.
Round 3:
In the third round, Haneul-i unleashed his full arsenal. He danced around his opponent's tired swings, landing devastating hooks and uppercuts. Midway through the round, a perfectly timed right hook sent his opponent staggering into the ropes.
The referee stepped in, ending the match as a TKO. The crowd erupted in cheers as Haneul-i raised his gloves in victory.
The Finals: A Stunning Knockout
The finals took place the next day, the arena even more packed than before. Haneul-i's opponent was a cocky, undefeated fighter who had earned his reputation with brutal knockouts. But Haneul-i's expression remained calm, his scar catching the lights as he stepped into the ring.
The bell rang, and the match began.
First Round:
From the moment the fight started, time seemed to slow for Haneul-i. His opponent lunged forward with a powerful swing, but Haneul-i saw it coming as if in slow motion. He sidestepped effortlessly, his eyes locking onto an opening.
With precision and force, Haneul-i delivered a devastating liver punch. The impact echoed through the arena, and his opponent's body crumpled almost instantly.
The crowd gasped as the fighter fell to the mat, clutching his side in agony. Haneul-i could feel the ribs give under his glove, the force of his punch undeniable.
The referee counted to ten, but it was unnecessary. The opponent couldn't get up.
The Aftermath
The fight had lasted just 10 seconds—a record for the tournament. The crowd erupted in a mix of shock and applause, their cheers deafening as Haneul-i stood in the center of the ring, his gloves raised high.
"Unbelievable!" the announcer shouted. "A knockout in the first round! This rookie has just cemented his place in history!"
Coach Kang climbed into the ring, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're a monster, Haneul-i," he said, clapping him on the back.
Haneul-i's gaze shifted to his fallen opponent, a flicker of concern crossing his face. The medics were already tending to the fighter, who groaned as he was helped out of the ring.
The New Rookie King
As the crowd roared, the championship belt was brought into the ring. Haneul-i stood tall as the referee raised his hand, declaring him the new Rookie King.
The announcer's voice echoed through the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have witnessed the rise of a new star! Haneul-i Naelin Seonmul is your Rookie King Champion!"
But as the cheers continued, Haneul-i remained calm, his thoughts elsewhere. For him, the match had been another step forward, another test of his skills. The thrill of victory was tempered by the strange sensation that he was meant for something more—something he couldn't quite remember.
As he left the ring, the crowd chanted his name, the sound reverberating through the arena and marking the beginning of his journey as a rising star in the boxing world.
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