The Neighborhood's Fist

Yu Jung-ak's dramatic victory caused an uproar in the community. If Yu Jung-ak had fans, so did Yu Min-jong. Moreover, everyone had expected that Yu Min-jong wouldn't lose this match.

Although he had come down from a higher weight class, Yu Min-jong was the Spirit FC champion. And that champion was perfectly knocked out, not even by decision.

Already, Yu Min-jong's humiliating video was circulating in the community, dubbed the "caterpillar gif".

Furthermore, conflicts were arising in the community.

The conflict started with a post claiming it was nonsense that Yu Min-jong couldn't help but tap out due to a long reach.

A user named Kekero posted edited videos of Yu Min-jong's past tap-outs.

It was also mentioned that Yu Jung-ak had never tapped out despite having an even longer reach.

In other words, it was saying that Yu Min-jong was that unsportsmanlike.

Yu Min-jong's fans were furious, but most netizens didn't hold back their harsh words. They said that while Kekero's post was somewhat extreme, it made a valid point.

Additionally, voices were calling for changing the MMA gloves to those used by past Japanese fighting organizations.

Yu Jung-ak's popularity was soaring daily.

Besides his skills, hardcore fighting fans highly rated Yu Jung-ak's potential. He had a solid mentality unlike his young age. His physique was excellent, and above all, he knew how to use it well. That's why hardcore fighting fans called Yu Jung-ak the future of Korean fighting.

Moreover, Yu Jung-ak's outstanding looks were enough to sway female fans' hearts. He was tall and very handsome, taking after his mother.

It was impossible not to be popular.

Team Silence members began to see Yu Jung-ak in a new light. Oh Jung-ryong had prepared for a match with him once.

Oh Jung-ryong saw great potential in Yu Jung-ak.

Oh Jung-ryong didn't rate him highly based on physique, mentality, or skills. Oh Jung-ryong thought Yu Jung-ak's real strength was something else.

It was his thorough self-management.

Yu Jung-ak didn't overeat on the day he won the match. Even at team dinners, he ate modestly and didn't show any signs of overindulgence.

The next day, without fail, he did basic strength training.

He ate carefully and started to gain weight again. Of course, he wasn't overdoing it.

Seeing this, Oh Jung-ryong thought for the first time that Yu Jung-ak was scary.

Oh Jung-ryong knew what Yu Jung-ak had done in the Philippines in the past. So there was nothing particularly surprising.

Yet, watching him up close was astonishing.

Yu Jung-ak acted as if victory meant nothing to him, like a machine.

"Hey. Aren't you frustrated after training so hard? Why don't you take a break?"

"I rest enough. I'm meeting some friends this weekend too."

"Don't you want to get a girlfriend?"

"Not really interested."

"Are you impotent?"

"I'm fine. I don't even have time these days because I'm catching up on movies and anime I couldn't watch before."

"And yet you come to training regularly."

"I have to train."

"You're really something else."

Oh Jung-ryong and Yu Jung-ak stood side by side stretching. Oh Jung-ryong didn't say much, and only Coach Yoon and Yu Jung-ak were talking.

"I still have mountains to learn, so I need to work hard."

"Hey, Squid. Why are you so quiet?"

Coach Yoon asked.

"He says he lost his voice after drinking and singing at karaoke last night."

"Did you have a match?"

Coach Yoon was about to say it was impressive enough that he came to train, but stopped. The fact that Oh Jung-ryong came out following Yu Jung-ak after drinking so much the night before meant his determination was considerable. Oh Jung-ryong intended to take full responsibility for properly training Yu Jung-ak.

Coach Yoon had to oversee Team Silence as a whole, so it wasn't bad to have Oh Jung-ryong, who got along well with Yu Jung-ak, take charge.

Moreover, hadn't the results they showed in this match been amazing?

"I heard Yu Min-jong got an orbital fracture and a broken nose."

"Really?"

"What do you mean 'really'? All fighters go through injuries like that. But his pride must have really taken a hit. I saw on the internet that the 'caterpillar' thing is going around a lot."

"I saw that too."

"That..."

Oh Jung-ryong was about to say something, but when a scratching sound came out, Yoon Chang-seon told him not to speak.

"Anyway, forget about Yu Min-jong now. You're not going to stay in the featherweight class, right?"

"No, I'm not. It feels like it's damaging my body."

"Right. You thought well. Lowering your weight class too much is really not good in the long run. Lightweight is plenty small for your build."

"Yes."

"More importantly, are you interested in appearing on TV?"

"TV?"

"Not on public broadcasting."

"I'm not interested. No thanks."

"Jung-ryong and Young-tae are going too?"

"What is it?"

"You know 'Neighborhood's Fist'?"

"Is that the one where they bring in ordinary people for a tournament?"

"Yes, that one. Professional fighters are facing off in the Incheon preliminaries. You've only had 3 fights, but you're clearly a pro, so you're qualified to participate. It's a program that Spirit is coordinating with the broadcasting company, and they want you to appear too. Jung-ryong and Young-tae have been scheduled for a while."

"Really? But aren't there many other fighters besides me?"

"Still, they want you to come out this time. Your recognition is rising, so I think Spirit wants to use that a bit."

"I heard there's a lot of talk about it being rigged."

"What does it matter to you? You're not participating. You just go as an expert and spar with ordinary people. But don't let your guard down too much, there are many semi-pro level participants. You know Gal Seung-hyun, last season's winner?"

"The one they say is a 10th dan in Keybo?"

"Yes. He's coming out this time too. If you're in the lightweight class, he's definitely an opponent you'll face, so take this chance to check him out."

"I heard he's famous for fixing matches too."

"That's true. Anyway, I hear he's participating."

"Okay."

"Hey?"

"Ah! Hyung, don't speak, write it on your smartphone."

Yu Jung-ak said to Oh Jung-ryong. Oh Jung-ryong then opened his smartphone and started writing something.

"The coach must see high potential in you too. Judging by how he talked about Gal Seung-hyun."

"Is that person really that great?"

"You could say he's a likely candidate for champion. He has good specs and his striking is really good. He's almost complete."

"If I fight him?"

"Not yet. Many people underestimate him because he doesn't have many official matches, but he's been doing MMA for a long time. He just hasn't debuted. He's a typical case of Spirit pushing him, and his skills are solid. He even beat Landin from Mongolia. Landin's striking is beyond Asian level. He proudly won against Landin in a striking match. KO. He also KO'd Yong Du-je, who had never been KO'd before, in the early rounds. You're not ready for him yet."

"I need to work hard then."

"If you have to fight him, don't do it with striking. You need to thoroughly use your specialty."

After the match with Yu Min-jong, Yu Jung-ak recovered his original weight through thorough body management. And in agreement with Oh Jung-ryong, he decided to increase his normal weight from 80kg to a bit more.

The target weight was 82kg.

However, they decided to increase purely 2kg of muscle, not just weight. When cutting weight, muscle is the first to go.

The more muscle, the more useful it was for a fighter.

Yu Jung-ak wasn't originally the type to do much weight training.

Even without weight training, his strength was sufficient.

However, as he decided to increase his weight, weight training entered his training regimen. Two weeks after his match with Yu Min-jong, Yu Jung-ak was again digesting intense training.

He had recently started kick training too, but it wasn't full-scale yet. Cho Yong-il strictly taught only jabs and straights.

Yu Jung-ak could have been frustrated, but he followed Cho Yong-il's words without complaint.

And finally, the filming day for "Neighborhood's Fist" approached.

Yoon Chang-seon drove.

Oh Jung-ryong and Kim Young-tae slept in the car, while Yu Jung-ak watched a movie in between. When they arrived at the waiting room, there were many unfamiliar fighters.

Yu Jung-ak exchanged greetings with Oh Jung-ryong. And in the brief moment he came out of the bathroom, someone tapped Yu Jung-ak's back.

"Excuse me."

Turning around, he saw a pretty young girl about chest-height to Yu Jung-ak.

"Yes?"

"Oppa, could I get your autograph?"

"I don't have an autograph."

"Then could you just write your name?"

"How did you get in here? It's staff only."

"Just do it, Yu Jung-ak. She's asking for an autograph."

Looking back, Oh Jung-ryong was snickering with Kim Young-tae. Yu Jung-ak wrote his name in large Korean letters on the paper and pen the girl held out.

"Please write 'To Yoon-ji' at the bottom too."

"Okay."

Yu Jung-ak gave the autograph in a daze, and after receiving it, the girl hugged him briefly before disappearing.

"Wow, Yu Jung-ak's got a young female fan too."

Kim Young-tae teased, unlike his big build.

"Is she allowed in here?"

"You don't know her? That's Joo Yoon-ji, the high school fighter. She's pretty and skilled, with tons of male fans."

"A fighter?"

Yu Jung-ak tilted his head.

Yu Jung-ak searched for Joo Yoon-ji on his smartphone. A fighter who had just had her second match. Unlike her delicate appearance, she enjoyed brawling.

Her first match was a sacrifice for Spirit's hype match, and she won her second match by decision after a close fight.

Considering she was only in her second year of high school, her future looked very bright.

"Wear this."

Oh Jung-ryong brought Yu Jung-ak a rashguard. All the pro fighters sparring today wore rashguards.

A rashguard with Spirit FC boldly printed on it.

"I heard the appearance fee is good?"

"Aren't you getting a lot of fight money for a rookie? What's the problem with a guy who doesn't even spend money? You're even taking care of food and lodging at the center."

Oh Jung-ryong said, looking at Yu Jung-ak.

"I need to prepare for the future bit by bit. And I pay for living at the center. It's very expensive."

"What? The president takes money for that?"

Oh Jung-ryong asked with a surprised expression.

"Yeah. I said I'd pay. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel comfortable."

"This guy still doesn't know how the world works. If you have such wealthy elders, you should just accept their support. You'd realize if you were born with a silver spoon, tsk tsk."

"I'll handle my own money. What kind of trainer tries to manage my finances? And hyung, you're not official but aren't you not fighting anymore? Didn't you retire? Is it okay for you to come out to things like this?"

"I came out to make some pocket money too. Why, don't you like it?"

"No, it's just that if you've even retired and get hit by a participant, it would be really bitter. Hehe."

Yu Jung-ak spoke while immediately moving his body. The reason was that Oh Jung-ryong's leg kick came flying right away.

Though Oh Jung-ryong was much bigger, Yu Jung-ak was much faster at running.

"If I catch you, I'll really fold you in half!"

"Hyung, don't be so sensitive!"

While Oh Jung-ryong and Yu Jung-ak were playing tag, the filming began. The fighters waited in the corner seats as the participants came out one by one and started telling their stories. There were people with unique jobs, funny people, and people with heart-wrenching stories.

Among them was even a participant who brought a fighting dog.

The judges were Spirit FC President Jang Hyun-sung, commentator Kang Du-hwan, and veteran active fighter Noh Jung-soo.

And in the last seat sat Bang Yong-pal, a legend of Korean boxing's heavyweight division. A former super middleweight world champion who had defended his title 7 times.

Though he was getting on in years, his physique was still impressive and his eyes sharp. Now he was focusing on training the next generation of boxing athletes.

Bang Yong-pal didn't hesitate to unleash scathing remarks if a participant's striking skills were poor.

"Your weight is almost heavyweight? Do you know there's some weight restriction from this season?"

President Jang Hyun-sung was talking to participant Ki Jun-soo, who came up from Gumi. A self-proclaimed neighborhood tough guy from Gumi.

He was over 180cm and 110kg, with a thick regional accent. The kind of participant who claimed to have been quite a fighter in his neighborhood.

He seemed to have trained in martial arts for a while, though not extensively.

He maintained a confident attitude throughout.

"I can lose weight if told to."

"Which expert do you want to face?"

"I don't mind whoever you match me with. It's better not to match me with younger fighters though."

"Why?"

"There's even a high school fighter here, right? You don't think I'd lose to a high schooler, do you?"

The participant spoke in his thick regional accent.

Commentator Kang Du-hwan seemed to like the participant's spirit and smiled. The other judges smiled too, but only President Jang Hyun-sung maintained a poker face.

"Fighter Yu Jung-ak."

President Jang Hyun-sung called Yu Jung-ak. Yu Jung-ak hadn't gone out yet and was hiding in the corner reading a manga on his smartphone, perhaps bored.

"Hey, you."

Kim Young-tae hit Yu Jung-ak.

"Me?"

Yu Jung-ak quickly put down his smartphone and went out.

"Fighter Yu Jung-ak."

Jang Hyun-sung called Yu Jung-ak.

"Yes?"

"This participant says he won't lose to a high schooler. Are you interested in having a proper match?"

"A proper match?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean by proper?"

Yu Jung-ak asked. His expression and tone were so peculiar that all the watching audience laughed. Even President Jang Hyun-sung smiled slightly before composing his expression again.

"Instead of doing 1 minute 30 seconds of striking, how about a proper 3-minute sparring from the start? Is that okay with you, Participant Ki Jun-soo?"

"That's fine!"

"Fighter Yu Jung-ak, are you okay with the weight difference?"

"Uh, if I say no, can I go back?"

The audience laughed again at Yu Jung-ak's words.

"Just do it," said Jang Hyun-sung.

The match between the large participant and Yu Jung-ak was set. Ki Jun-soo had quite a bit of real combat experience and possessed surprisingly nimble hand speed for his build.

He even said he wouldn't wear headgear.

Yu Jung-ak calmly took his stance.

As soon as it started, Ki Jun-soo threw a jab followed by a big right hook. Yu Jung-ak easily avoided it with a backstep.

This wasn't a ring or an octagon, just a place with mats. There was an out-of-bounds line, but without walls, there was plenty of space to avoid strikes.

As long as they didn't cross the line, there was enough room to pull the upper body back.

Yu Jung-ak recognized this and lightly avoided Ki Jun-soo's attacks.

'His punches are big.'

Yu Jung-ak didn't pay much attention to Ki Jun-soo's taunts. Yu Jung-ak had heard Yu Min-jong's ridiculous taunts. Ki Jun-soo's taunts, no different from an ordinary person's, just felt cute.

He considered feeding him a counter, but the timing of his punches was peculiar. It seemed unlikely to figure out that pattern within 3 minutes.

Yu Jung-ak calmly extended kicks to keep Ki Jun-soo in check.

To the audience, it looked like Ki Jun-soo was one-sidedly pressuring Yu Jung-ak. However, there were no clean hits landing.

"Fighter Yu Jung-ak, do it properly!"

Unable to watch anymore, Jang Hyun-sung picked up the microphone. At that moment, Ki Jun-soo threw an uppercut at Yu Jung-ak. Yu Jung-ak twisted his upper body back to avoid Ki Jun-soo's uppercut, then immediately clung to him. Ki Jun-soo, as he had learned, extended his legs straight back to defend against the takedown.

It became a situation where Ki Jun-soo seemed to be pressing down on Yu Jung-ak's body from above, with one leg bent. But then something surprising happened.

From that position, Yu Jung-ak grabbed just one of Ki Jun-soo's left legs and lifted him up. As Yu Jung-ak's seated body straightened, Ki Jun-soo's body was lifted high.

"Whoa!"

Exclamations burst from the audience's mouths. This was because Ki Jun-soo's body was naturally falling backwards.