Prince of the Octagon Chapter 22-23

TL: sleepymaru

Editor: SlowAsLightning

10. Bulk Up! <2>

Kiryong was silent again.

Changgong looked at Dongsub in surprise.

'You should have discussed this with me first, you gorilla!'

Changgong would have shouted that out from his belly if the master weren't there. He couldn't just let go of this big of a matter. He was going to make Dongsub buy him gamjatang later.

"You do realize how difficult it is to go up a weight class, correct?"

Kiryong spoke stiffly.

It was only natural.

Gaining even 2~3 kilograms changed the strength of your punch immensely. Getting into specifics, 500 grams could be the difference from fainting from or withstanding a punch.

There was a difference of at least 4 kilograms between weight classes in the MMA.

From the welterweight class, Changgong's current class, to the middleweight class there was a difference of about 7 kilograms from the maximum weights of 77.1 kilograms and 83.9 kilograms.

This was like the difference between a middle schooler and a high schooler.

"You're thinking of sending a guy who weighs 85 kilograms normally to the middleweight class?"

"We can do it. You should know, too, since you've watched Changgong so carefully."

"I did. The best weight class for the kiddo is the welterweight."

"I told you that his muscles can't withstand his strength, though."

"What are you going to do if his body gets messed up because he forced himself to get into a lower weight class? Changgong may recover quickly because he's young, but he'll still only last 3~4 years before his body gives in. You didn't scout Changgong for such a short show, did you?"

The mood was tense.

Dongsub, who usually did exactly what the master told him to, was actually talking back to him. He wasn't exactly being rude, but the way he was expressing his opinion so firmly was different from his usual manner.

Changgong kept his mouth shut, instinctively realizing that this wasn't the time for his opinion.

'……Thinking over it, this is a pretty shitty situation.'

'Why do I have to keep my mouth shut when I'm the topic?'

"What do you think, kiddo?"

Kiryong and Dongsub's eyes simultaneously landed on Changgong.

"What do you think of going up to the middleweight class?"

Changgong looked at Dongsub's face once, and then Kiryong's, before speaking.

"So, I wouldn't have to lose any weight then?"

"……He's this kind of guy, master."

Dongsub spoke.

Thinking he had said something wrong, Changgong worriedly checked the two men's expressions. This was awkward. He really just wanted to drink tea.

"He has power and stamina. He can make it in the middleweight. Believe in him. Changgong has done well until now."

Kiryong thought for a moment before speaking.

"You already made up your mind."

"……Yes."

"You probably know him better. Do what you wish."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. He's your fighter. All the results, good or bad, are on you."

"Yes."

"Anyways, if you decide to go up a class, explain it clearly to the kiddo. The fighter's opinion is the most important."

"I will."

"Okay, you can go."

"Have you eaten? It's been a while since we last visited. We should at least have a meal together."

"I have a meeting with a sponsor about the contract. Let's eat next time."

"I see. Then we'll be leaving now."

"I won't be going far."

Dongsub went out first.

"Uh, I……It was nice to see you!"

Changgong bowed to Kiryong before running out of the office.

Coming out of the gym, Dongsub and Changgong headed for the gamjatang place.

Changgong had attacked Dongsub about not discussing anything with him beforehand and ended up getting Dongsub to agree on the gamjatang.

"I talked about the gym with Dongwoo over gamjatang before, hehe. Oh yeah, I never did say thanks to him."

As if he had never been angry, Changgong laughed as he picked out a big bone and plopped it onto his plate.

"I'm sorry for not telling you earlier. I didn't want you to get any ideas before I even spoke with the master."

"It doesn't matter. What does it matter whether it's the light heavyweight class or the heavyweight class? As long as I don't go lower. ……Although the heavyweight class is pushing it a little."

Dongsub laughed.

Changgong liked to eat.

He hadn't spoken about losing weight when asked about raising his class level for fun. Cutting had been that hard on him.

"You probably have a gist from the conversation, but are you really okay with raising your weight class?"

"I said it doesn't matter. As long as I don't have to go below welterweight."

"It's not something to take so easily."

"I know the general idea. I've done ssireum before and boxing, too, although it was for a short time."

"You're going up almost 7 kilograms. There's going to be a lot of strong guys. Their reaches are going to get longer, too."

"Then, if I say I don't want to go up, I don't have to?"

"See, I have no choice but to go up. What can I do when they say my muscles can't handle my strength. I already made my decision back then."

"Alright, I got it."

Changgong suddenly put down his chopsticks and looked at Dongsub.

"You're the one who led me all the way here."

"I know you care about me. You wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

"Anyways, I trust you. Let's go to the middleweight."

After saying that, Changgong gobbled up the gamjatang as if he was a bit embarrassed.

This guy was a snake oil salesman.

Dongsub might have thought he was mature if he had just met him, but it wasn't that.

This bastard just thought it was too much of a hassle to think. Or, he had some other trick up his sleeve.

"Oh, I didn't get an answer before, but I don't have to cut any weight if I go into the middleweight class, right?"

See.

In the end, he just didn't want to lose weight. This slimy twerp.

Dongsub smirked.

"You won't have to cut any weight right away."

"Right? Hehe."

Changgong grinned.

'Yeah, enjoy it while you can.'

'You're going to be crying bloody tears soon.'

Dongsub grinned, too.

"Eat more. Do you want me to order more?"

"Wow, what's up with you today? Then can we add a few bones?"

"Order all you want."

"Sundae (sausages) too?"

"As much as you want."

"Can I take some home?"

"……That's enough, you bastard."

"Why're we here?"

When Changgong arrived for work at noon, Dongsub took him to a nearby fitness center.

"What do you mean? We agreed to raise your weight class."

"……So?"

"So we have to bulk up."

Changgong's eyes quavered.

Something was off.

"I think I exercise enough."

"Yeah, exercise. Now we have to make a body that fits the middleweight class, right?"

"Body?"

"Yeah, body."

Dongsub laughed amiably.

Changgong was worried.

It was never a good sign when that man laughed.

"Wow, your muscle to fat ratio is amazing. You have a fat percentage of 7 and your skeletal structure is great, too. Your muscle balance is really good."

The fitness trainer spoke as he looked at the InBody body composition analysis chart.

"Yeah, well."

Changgong nodded his head as if it was nothing.

It would be strange if his body wasn't in shape after all the training he did.

"Anyways, since your fat percentage is so low, your muscles would be extremely strained when you decrease fat consumption and lose weight."

"I see……"

"Also, it looks like your mineral composition is a bit low for your muscle mass. You have to make sure you keep a good balance. If you have dense muscles but insufficient amount of minerals…… This is an extreme example, but your own muscles can break your bones."

"Oh……"

"Putting it simply, bulking up isn't simply increasing muscle mass. You have consume things other than protein like fat and minerals to create the energy and bone strength needed for exercise. We'll also have to incorporate various strength programs to increase your muscular fibers……"

"Oh……."

Changgong spoke without conviction.

What the hell was this person talking about? He says he's putting it simply, but Changgong couldn't understand a word of what he said.

Changgong looked over at Dongsub for help. Dongsub laughed.

"We want for him to size up in a balanced way. If he gets too big, his punches and kicks can slow down and his stamina will get hurt, too."

"You want to improve his endurance and speed, correct?"

"Yes. Please make it a 3 month program. Will you be able to set the weight goal as 93 kilograms? Oh, and we'd like it if he could maintain a certain body fat percentage. We have to keep future cutting in mind."

"Of course. 3 months is the perfect time frame for us, too."

Dongsub and the trainer continued to talk in a foreign language for a bit more.

At the end of that conversation, the trainer spoke.

"Then I'll set up a diet plan to go along with the bulk up program. Here, look. Mr. Changgong has a good foundation so he won't have to take a lot of supplements……"

Changgong got the gist that this guy was going to create a workout and diet plan for him.

That was fine.

But Changgong was shocked when he looked closer at the program.

He would have to eat four meals a day.

The menu was like the following:

Breakfast. Multi-grain rice, two fried eggs, and a 100 gram package of chicken breast with low-sodium side-dishes.

Two bananas and a slice of brown bread for a snack.

Lunch. Multi-grain rice and a 200 gram package of chicken breast with low-sodium side-dishes and five walnuts or eight almonds.

Dinner. Multi-grain rice, 200 grams of chicken breast, and a salad with a touch of olive oil.

Another snack of 25 grams of nuts and some supplements.

"What is this!"

Changgong yelled.

"I have to eat like this? What about gamjatang? Or naengmyeon?"

"It'll be best to avoid foods like that for a while. Foods that are high in sodium will interfere with the breakdown of fats. That would make your energy usage inefficient so……"

He was explaining such a simple concept in a difficult way once again.

The point was that Changgong would have to increase his consumption of carbs and protein while still keeping a balance of fats and minerals. He was real nice and clear, down to the number of walnuts and almonds he could eat. Haha, shit. What the hell was a salad with a touch of olive oil?

The training wasn't a joke, either.

It was a 12 week program, and he would have to exercise Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. He didn't even want to know the details. A glimpse of the exercise names told him everything he had to know. It would be hell.

Dongsub pat Changgong on the back.

"Work hard. Your training costs and food costs are all paid by the gym, so don't worry about that. Exercise here first before coming to the gym from now on."

What did this person just say?

"You're going to throw me away?"

"Throw who away? We're just trying to bulk you up."

"That's the same thing."

"You said it didn't matter as long as you don't have to lower your weight class."

"You never told me raising my weight class would include stuff like this."

"You never asked."

God damn.

"Well then, don't go easy on him."

Dongsub spoke to the trainer.

"Yes, don't worry about that."

"Then Changgong, good luck."

Dongsub said his goodbyes before really leaving Changgong alone.

"Since your muscles haven't recovered fully yet, we'll just do some light exercise for today. Let's go. I'll show you the locker rooms."

"Oh, actually, my body condition is pretty bad today……"

"Don't worry. I'll coach you carefully."

"You don't really have to go that far, haha……"

"Okay, let's go."

The trainer dragged Changgong away.

For the rest of the day, Changgong's moans echoed throughout the fitness center.

TL: sleepymaru

Editor: SlowAsLightning

10. Bulk Up! <3>

The next day.

Changgong opened the automatic door and stepped into the Fighting Spirit gym.

"Hey Changgong."

Changgong's seniors all greeted him brightly, but he didn't even reply. Everyone was curious because he had always entered with a noisy greeting.

"What's wrong with him?"

"His eyes are dead."

Changgong quickly scanned the gym with wide eyes until they landed on Dongsub. He eyes flashed as he charged towards him.

"Dongsub Choi!!"

"Ack! What are you doing!"

"Hey, hey, hey, grab him!"

The coaches and athletes all ran to grab Changgong. Changgong flailed his arms trying to grab Dongsub's head.

"Let go of me! I'm going to get him if it's the death of me!"

"What's up with this guy!"

"Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"

There was a commotion in the gym because of Changgong.

Everyone was flustered, but the target himself, Dongsub, was laughing.

"This is unbelievable."

Changgong spoke as he chewed on walnuts.

"What is?"

Dongsub spoke.

"It's a bodybuilder program! It's freaking hard!"

"There's no escaping it if you're going to go into the middleweight class."

"I can just go in with my normal body."

"What retard goes into a match with a normal body?"

Raising a weight class wasn't about just getting fatter.

They would have to increase his size in a balanced way. That would allow him to keep a certain portion of his strength, endurance, and speed.

On top of that, most middleweight fighters had a normal weight of 96 kilograms. Going in at 85 kilograms would be a death wish. Dongsub was going easy on Changgong by setting the goal at 93 kilograms.

That wasn't all.

It wouldn't do to only increase his muscle size. Too much muscles would lower his stamina, and he would need at least ten percent body fat. There were a lot of things to keep in consideration.

It wasn't easy shaping his body with all this in mind.

"You never told me any of this!"

"If I did, would have you have agreed?"

"God! Really! God!"

Even as Changgong yelled, he took out a brown bread from his bag and ate it.

Dongsub could only laugh.

Changgong complained, but he still stuck to the plan.

He was complaining because it was difficult, but he wanted to do it.

But since he was complaining this much, Dongsub would have to cheer him up a little.

"Changgong, I'm sorry for not telling you beforehand, but hear me out. It's not always true, but heavier fighters usually get paid more fight money. Why do you think that is?"

"Why is that?"

"Because of that one hit. People want those thrilling knockouts. The heavier you go, it's easier for those big hits to come out, and the people get excited. How often do you see a giant falling over?"

"……That makes sense."

"That's why heavier weight class matches are more popular and the fight money and sponsorships are better, too."

"And it's a little weird saying it from a management standpoint, but if you become a star fighter, you'll be able to negotiate a better deal with us when you recontract."

"Do you think those guys just pop out of nowhere? Do you think champions are born with the champion belt?"

"Hmm……"

"Let's get through this even if it's hard. You'll have something to show when you become a champion. You'll be able to say that you worked hard for it."

"……I understand."

Changgong seemed to get Dongsub's point, but he was still sulking a little. It was probably because that was all in the future.

Then, he would have to go harder.

"Since you didn't know anything before starting, do you want to eat fried chicken today?"

Changgong finally brightened at the thought of food. This cute bastard.

"I'll get in trouble with my trainer."

"Just for today. I'll talk to him."

"You're buying right?"

"……Just shut up and eat."

"Now, go down."

"Ugh……!"

"Slowly back up."

"Ha!"

"Your breathing is good."

Changgong was doing dips on parallel bars.

Slowly going down and quickly back up. Changgong's sleeveless shirt showed off his clear cut muscles.

Changgong finished 8 reps of those before doing some chin-ups.

"Don't bounce your stomach and go straight up."

The trainer spoke as he kept Changgong balanced.

8 reps of these were also done quickly on the way up and slowly on the way down.

After the chin-ups, 70 kilograms on the incline bench followed by bicep curls on the bench to finish the set.

Regular people would have difficulty doing even one dip much less finishing a whole set.

Changgong was doing 10 sets of such a program with only a minute and 40 seconds of rest in between.

"Okay, set complete. Good job."

The trainer spoke. Changgong sat on the bench drenched in sweat and controlled his breathing.

"Mr. Changgong, let's take your weight before you rest."

Changgong sighed deeply before lifting his heavy butt of the bench and getting on the scale.

"91.3 kilos……Good."

The goal was 93 kilograms.

It was the 10th week now. Changgong would be able to reach the goal easily in the 2 weeks remaining in the program.

Changgong's size increased immensely.

At the start of the program, Changgong weighed 79 kilograms with a seven percent body fat percentage. He was now 91.3 kilograms with an eleven percent body fat percentage, and it looked as if he had gained around 15 kilograms.

He was the embodiment of a human weapon.

"You're doing well. You can see the end result now, right?"

The trainer spoke.

"You said that last week, too."

"Oh, did I?"

"And the week before."

"Did that bother you? Haha."

The trainer laughed amiably.

Changgong complained every day, but he never skipped out on his workouts or try to half-ass them.

It was fun to train him.

It was two months and ten days. Changgong had stuck perfectly to the diet plan, and reported the rare times he ate something off the menu. It wasn't easy, but Changgong worked hard to follow through.

"We're really almost there now. Just have a month to go. Let's keep it up until the end."

"Okay……"

"Good job today. I'll see you in two days."

"Thank you."

Changgong took a towel to the shower stall.

Changgong returned home after finishing work at the gym.

"I'm back."

"Oh, good job."

It was 11 in the evening, yet Seungjeong was eating.

"Did you just get back, too, Father?"

"Work ended a little late. Did you eat?"

"I've been sticking to the diet plan lately."

"Okay, what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?"

"I don't know, what else? I'll rest and then go to work."

"Then let's visit your grandmother."

Changgong stopped taking off his clothes and looked at Seungjeong.

"Grandma? Why all of a sudden?"

"It's her birthday tomorrow."

Changgong flinched.

He had completely forgotten.

He had been to busy lately and hadn't paid much attention to his grandmother. His father would visit her every month, but he only visited on holidays or her birthday.

He hadn't gone on New Year's or Thanksgiving this year, though.

"I'll go alone if you can't make it."

"No, I'll go too. I want to see Grandma."

"Will you be okay?"

"What do you mean? A grandson is just going to visit his grandmother. I'm tired so I'm going to go rest now."

Changgong went into his room and closed the door.

"Wash up before you sleep. The blankets will get dirty."

-I washed at the gym.

"Don't lie to me! I can smell from here."

-It's your smell!

"Little twerp, who do you take after, talking back like that?"

Seunjeong smiled as he said that.

Changgong always said he didn't want to go until just last year, but it seemed he had matured. That cute kid.

"We're leaving early tomorrow. Go to sleep early."

-Okay. Good night.

In the early morning, Changgong and Seungjeong got into the van with all their stuff.

Seungjeong put his key in and started the car.

Tick, tick, tick!

The van only made a weird noise, and the engine didn't start.

"Shit. It's acting up again. Tsk."

Seungjeong clicked his tongue before trying again.

Tick, tick, tick!

"When are you going to get rid of this piece of junk?"

"Don't say that. We would have starved to death if it wasn't for this car."

"It's so beat up that it won't even start."

"It will. Just wait a bit."

Tick, tick, tick!

"Just take it to the junkyard and buy a used car already. It seems they're not that expensive nowadays."

"Why spend money on a car when we already have one?"

"We have to buy it if we need it. You have that money I earned."

"That's for when we really need it."

"When is that?"

"When you get married."

"I can't go spending my son's hard earned money now, can I?"

Changgong awkwardly looked out the window. This gruff man had been saying stuff like this lately and it was awkward.

Tick, tick, tick!

"Come on! This piece of junk! Even the noises it makes is annoying. What the heck is this ball scratching noise!"

Changgong complained out of awkwardness.

After the battle with the car, Seungjeong and Changgong arrived at the nursing home.

Excluding the occasional cries from the demented elderly, the atmosphere was pretty nice.

"She's in this room."

Changgong pointed to the name 'Gweerye Kim.'

The room Changgong's grandmother, Gweerye, was in was a 3 person room. His grandmother was sitting nicely by the window, but she looked so thin that her cheekbones were so distinct.

"Hey old lady. Have you been well? Did you miss your son?"

Seungjeong smiled widely as he sat down next to Gweerye. She nonchalantly looked at him.

"Let's see. Did you lose more weight?"

"Here, look at this. Do you know what this is? It's yakgwa. Your grandson bought it with his own money. You said you wanted some before."

"Oh, you should eat breakfast before you eat this though. Did you sleep well?"

"You're not uncomfortable anywhere?"

Gweerye never answered.

Seungjeong let out a slight sigh before taking out a yakgwa from the box.

"You used to sing about how much you wanted to eat this. Why are you ignoring it now? Here, try tasting it."

"No."

Gweerye pushed away Seungjeong's hand holding a yakgwa.

Seungjeong smiled. Even if he got rejected, he was happy that she spoke.

"You old woman, acting like you don't want it. Don't be like that and have a taste. Your grandson bought it for you."

"No."

Gweerye threw the yakgwa Seungjeong had given her to the floor.

"Sheesh, I got it, I got it. Don't eat it."

Seungjeong took out a wet wipe and wiped off Gweerye's hands.

Changgong was surprised.

She hadn't been this bad when he saw her last the year before. There would be times when she would return to normal, but it didn't seem like there would be any today.

He was uncomfortable. His father had visited her by himself, watching as his mother's illness got worse. How lonely and sad it must have been.

"Look, your grandson is here, too. You used to get so happy to see Changgong."

Seungjeong pointed at Changgong. Changgong sat next to Gweerye and held her hand.

"I'm here, grandma. It's been a year."

Gweerye stared at Changgong and spoke.

"Brother……!"

She wrapped her arms around Changgong.

"Don't leave Gweerye alone. Gweerye doesn't eat that much anymore."

"I want to leave this place. Take Gweerye with you, brother."

Changgong tried his best to smile and pat his grandmother on the back.

"I'm not going anywhere. Where would I go when my beautiful grandmother is here?"

"Don't leave. Don't leave. I don't eat that much anymore."

"You can eat as much as you want to. I'm not going anywhere."

Gweerye hugged Changgong tightly and smiled.

Changgong smiled bitterly.

Chapter end