Chapter 190: An Unfamiliar Boxing
Is this the only way...?
Truly...?
In the split second their fists collided, both Ren Shiroki and Retsu Kaioh
shared the exact same fleeting doubt.
Why had they both chosen to clash right-fists head-on?
Why were they pouring such devastating force into a direct collision against
each other's knuckles, using these thick, brand-new, oversized beginner-model
training gloves?
Evasion, parries, weaving, rapid-fire combinations... there were dozens of
"better" options. So why this? Why the direct clash?
Perhaps it was simply because it best suited their mood at that exact moment.
Propelled by the explosive torque of their muscles, the gloves slammed into one
another, unleashing a heavy, muffled roar—
BOOM—!!
An invisible shockwave seemed to ripple outward, causing the eyes of the
hundred-plus spectators to light up.
It was too perfect. Too beautiful.
Even if Ren and Retsu felt the move was a bit "theatrical," the boxing fans in
the venue saw the result with chilling clarity.
A clarity that cut straight to the bone... because the gloves had shattered.
The brand-new, high-grade leather gloves on Ren and Retsu's right hands had
burst under the sheer pressure of the impact. The stitching gave way, and the
foam stuffing sprayed out from the jagged tears like artificial snow.
"Beautiful..."
Rama XIII narrowed his eyes, unable to hold back a sigh of admiration.
As a member of the Thai Royal Family, he had witnessed Gaolang Wongsawat's
boxing drills countless times, yet he had never imagined he would see a clash of
fists like this.
"And how... gentle," Rama murmured under his breath.
"This boxing ring is truly a gentle place."
Lihito, standing nearby, overheard him. Based on the man's aura, Lihito knew
this long-haired stranger was a man of immense power and status, much like the
other two old chairmen—and likely Gaolang's employer. But Lihito was a man of
straightforward boldness, so he didn't stand on ceremony.
"Hey, pal..." Lihito looked confused by Rama's words. "Are you saying the ring
is 'gentle' because this is just an exhibition? That it's safe?"
"Your own fighter is a world champion. You of all people should know how
dangerous boxing is as a combat sport..."
Rama XIII gave a faint, elegant smile in response to Lihito's question.
"No. I am not saying the art of 'Boxing' itself is gentle. The key... is the
gloves."
Rama flexed his own fist.
"Gloves are a common sight in a fighter's training. A world-class boxer's true
terrifying strength lies in their ability to treat the 'glove' as a part of
their own body."
"By relaxing the muscles at the right moment, they make the glove feel heavier,
turning a simple hook into a 'Liver Blow.' The Flash Jab works on the same
principle..."
Rama looked toward the ringside area, where Gaolang was still warming up.
"Boxing began as bare-knuckle combat. Later, in order to transform it into a
'safe' and 'healthy' sport, the Marquess of Queensberry proposed the mandatory
use of gloves in 1865. About a hundred and fifty years have passed since then—"
"Countless boxers have spent years of agonizing research to successfully
weaponize the 'glove' itself! From that perspective, boxing isn't just sports
combat; it's practically armed combat."
He turned his gaze back to the ring.
"But neither Retsu Kaioh nor Ren Shiroki are 'pure' boxers. They haven't fully
weaponized the gloves yet. Instead, they are using them exactly as intended—as
'safety gear.'"
"Think about it. As the world's most famous contact sport, especially in the
amateur sector, boxing's injury and mortality rates aren't actually that high
compared to other extreme sports. That is why I say this ring is 'gentle' for
men like them."
Rama lightly tapped his own knuckles, gesturing toward Lihito.
"A clash like the one we just saw... if those were bare knuckles, Retsu Kaioh
and Ren Shiroki's right hands would be nothing but a mash of shattered bone and
mangled meat right now."
"Haha! But then again, if they weren't wearing gloves, those two would never
have chosen such a reckless move. They would have used entirely different
tactics..."
"They must be having the time of their lives right now, don't you think?"
It was exactly as Rama XIII described.
The right-fist collision between Retsu and Ren had shredded their gloves,
sending the white stuffing flying.
Sayaka Katahara, the MC, was about to call for a temporary halt to replace the
gear, but she was stopped by a simultaneous roar from both men.
"STAY BACK!"
Whoosh!
Before Sayaka could even react, Ren and Retsu planted their feet and unleashed a
high-speed barrage of strikes. The sound of impacts rang out in a non-stop
drumbeat.
Bang-bang-bang-bang!
Broken gloves on the right, intact gloves on the left. Four gloves traded blows,
clashing dozens of times in the span of a few breaths.
"S-so fast...!"
Sayaka stood frozen on the canvas. She knew Ren and Retsu were just performing a
basic trade of blows, but even so—even with the "gloves" providing a visible
trail for her eyes to follow—it was nearly impossible to track the movement of
their arms.
The audience below stared with wide eyes, their experience mirroring Sayaka's.
They could barely see it! To the eyes of an ordinary person, the movements were
almost invisible!!
Bang-bang-crack!
As the trade continued, the right-hand gloves—already torn—disintegrated further
with every impact. Pieces of leather and foam flew through the air like
snowflakes, scattering across the mat.
Is this even boxing anymore?
If one didn't get bogged down in the technicalities of the rules, then
technically, yes. The audience accepted that what they were witnessing was a
"New Type" of boxing, native only to this specialized ring.
But even an amateur knows that while boxing is a sport of "fists," "footwork" is
the absolute key. Up until now, the trade between Ren and Retsu had been a
stalemate.
The moment they added footwork, the battle dynamic shifted instantly.
Zip!
Ren Shiroki was the first to move.
It wasn't by choice; it was because Retsu's pressure was becoming overwhelming.
If he stayed stationary any longer, his guard would be breached. He was forced
to move.
Stomp!
Ren's left foot slammed into the canvas. He slid into a side-step toward the
right, following up with a heavy left straight to the body.
Retsu's eyes tracked the movement perfectly. He had already seen through Ren's
footwork. Suddenly, Retsu leaped into the air, using a jumping maneuver to evade
Ren's mid-section strike entirely.
Ren retracted his hand and shifted his technique in a heartbeat. His right foot
drove into the floor, his leg muscles exploding like a released spring as he
launched a vertical uppercut.
"Hah! SHORYUKEN!!"
Retsu pressed both gloves downward, parrying Ren's rising fist mid-air. He used
the momentum of the strike to spin his body, performing a mid-air rotation
before landing steadily on his feet.
"Hah!"
The moment he touched the ground, both Ren and Retsu fired off their left gloves
simultaneously. The impacts slammed into their respective targets.
BOOM!
Retsu was forced back half a step.
Ren, however, was sent sliding across the canvas for two or three meters, a
dull, throbbing sensation radiating from his chest.
"..."
Ren gritted his teeth and stood up. Seeing Retsu standing immovable, he felt a
surge of genuine surprise.
"That was a heavy punch. But it is far from enough—especially with gloves on."
Retsu rolled his shoulders.
"It is similar to a long-distance runner's 'Second Wind.'"
"When the flesh is struck and pushed beyond a certain limit, pain ceases to be
pain. It transforms into a state of euphoria."
"In that moment, the body gains a terrifying level of endurance, enough to
instantly neutralize the existing 'burden'."
Retsu settled back into his stance.
"In recent years, modern medicine has confirmed this. In the Underground Arena,
there are legendary fighters who can actively control the secretion of these
'brain narcotics' at will!"
"In Kenpo, we call this state 'Recovery' (Fuyuan). Since ancient times, the goal
of our cultivation has been to keep the body in a constant state of 'Recovery'!"
Ren Shiroki let out a few dry coughs. The lingering force of the last blow was
still there, making him tremble uncontrollably from the pain.
But as his pupils began to vibrate, the trembling in his body gradually ceased.
[ENGINE]—MAX OUTPUT!
His intense willpower sent a signal through his nervous system, overriding his
"trembling instinct." His state began to stabilize.
He dropped his left glove low and raised his right glove slightly, aligning it
with his eyes.
Yeah... I'm good!
Ren slid forward slowly, entering Retsu's "Airspace." His bloodshot eyes
revealed a glint of pure, unadulterated joy.
How will Retsu-san attack next? How should I defend? How do I counter? And how
will he block that counter?
Infinite curiosity bubbled up in his mind like soap bubbles, and popping each
one was a thrill like no other.
"Nice. That's perfect!"
Ren and Retsu shared a fleeting, knowing smile.
"To have a friend to play a high-stakes game of 'Rock-Paper-Scissors' with...
what a blessing this is!"
(End of Chapter)
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