Chapter 19: Physical Training

“Phew…”

I’m drenched in sweat.

I’ve pushed past moments I thought were my limit, time and again.

My muscles ache, my lungs burn.

It’s painful, yet oddly refreshing and exhilarating.

Intoxicated by the pain and the stench of sweat-soaked clothes, I force my body to keep moving.

“Seoa, that’s enough for today…”

“No, one more set, please!”

Am I addicted to the dopamine and sense of achievement flooding my brain?

“But another member’s coming soon, and I need a break…”

“Please!”

“Alright, one more.”

I beg the coach and squeeze out the last of my strength for kettlebell swings.

The past week, filled with Go and exercise with Jia Lee, hasn’t brought noticeable changes.

But I’ve painfully realized how narrow-minded and lazy I’ve been.

Chronic drinking, smoking, and lack of exercise.

Maybe Changmo Shin, obsessed with Go all day, lost both health and mastery.

Even without the tides of time, I wouldn’t have lasted long. I bitterly recall ending my life with alcohol and overdoses.

The coach suggested full-body training. I’m young and can’t handle heavy weights, so there aren’t many options.

“Great job, Seoa. School starts next week, right?”

“Yes. From Monday, I won’t be able to come daily like this week.”

School’s starting soon.

Having found a way to overcome Seoa Ryu’s physical limits, I want to keep pushing until results show.

I prepaid for forty PT sessions with tournament winnings, so I’ll stick with it to not waste the money.

“Alright, let me know your schedule. See you next week, Seoa.”

“Thank you, Coach.”

I drape a towel over my wet hair, bowing. The coach, craving a cigarette, hurries to the stairwell.

Checking the locker room is empty, I shyly undress and step into the shower, dousing myself in cold water.

Pilgyu Park, 9-dan.

A legend in Korean Go, still formidable. I could’ve won if I hadn’t collapsed from exhaustion.

If I’d paced myself, cared more about stamina, or relied less on calculation and more on instinct, would the outcome have changed? Those thoughts still linger.

Seoa Ryu’s Go is fresh, creative, unconventional.

Like a wild beast, unpredictable.

Without proper control, its direction is uncertain.

Creativity and novelty can also mean impractical and poor.

Critical feedback is needed to filter out bad possibilities.

For now, Changmo Shin’s knowledge and memories serve as that filter.

Two opposing forces. Balanced properly, the beast can be tamed to achieve desired results. But if one side dominates, the balance collapses.

Right now, the leash on the beast is too tight. It’s losing its wildness, dragged around like a domesticated dog.

The leash is held by an expert. The moves it produces aren’t bad, but they lack dynamism and change.

To prevent this, I consciously loosen the grip.

This complicates my thinking, draining mental and physical stamina.

The ultimate solution is to feed the inner beast until it balances, but that’s not a short-term fix.

Thanks to Jia, I’ve started exercising. For now, dedicating time to boosting focus and stamina is the best approach.

I restarted Go, breaking a promise to myself. To get stronger, I’ll do anything.

No matter how hard or painful.

As vowed, I’ll go one step beyond Changmo Shin.

One step further.

Changmo Shin’s final opponent, ‘that guy.’

From what I’ve observed, the timeline is shifted, but he exists in this world too.

With his absurd talent and potential, he’ll soon rise.

“Ugh…”

I bite my lip, fury rising from within. That guy mocked and toyed with my entire life.

If I can’t break my limits, elevate my skill, I’ll just be mocked again.

“Seoa, let’s shower… Oh, sorry!”

Jia playfully opens the shower door, meets my eyes, and quickly shuts it.

Of all moments, she caught me glaring with hatred and murderous intent.

It feels like a misunderstanding, but reopening the door would mean seeing a high school girl’s naked body clearly.

I don’t want to undo a week of avoiding Jia in the locker room.

Hearing her enter another shower stall, I change into fresh clothes and wait in the lobby.

Forcing positive thoughts, I try to lift my sunken mood.

Soon, the high school girl emerges, eyeing me cautiously.

“Seoa… you’re not mad about me dragging you to the gym, right?”

“Of course not! I’m really grateful you brought me!”

“Then why were you angry earlier?”

“Sorry. I was caught up in bad thoughts.”

I smile, reassuring her as she looks anxious.

“Phew, good. I thought I messed up.”

“Don’t worry. I’d never get mad at you, Jia un…nie.”

Ignoring the discomfort of calling her “unnie,” I smile brightly.

“Thanks! Shall we go?”

“Wait a sec.”

My phone rings as we head to the elevator. It’s Mom.

“Hello?”

“Seoa, where are you?”

“I’m with Jia unnie, heading back to Grandpa’s after the gym.”

“Oh, okay. Someone from the Korea Baduk Association came to see Dad and me!”

“The Korea Baduk Association?”

Jia’s ears perk up at my question.

“Yeah. They’re pushing for your special admission? Dad and I don’t know much about Go, even after listening hard…”

“Special admission? For me?”

“Yeah! We can’t decide without your input, right?”

“Hmm…”

Special admission. I expected some offer, but it’s faster than I thought.

I’ve already made my decision.

But a slight hesitation lingers.

The path of a pro, walked again. Can I stay true to those around me this time?

“Heh…”

I chuckle at myself for pretending to hesitate when I’ll do what I want anyway.

“…Seoa?”

“Yes, I definitely want to do it!”

I blurt out my true feelings without holding back.