Chapter 51
Gym Lord
December 1
The sea has always been vast and boundless, with surging waves rolling high, the waves behind pushing the waves ahead, nature resounding with clamor and tumult.
Everything in the world, from ancient times until now, has stayed the same: people have been weary and have waited for good weather, have been suffering from princess syndrome, and it has been sunny in the morning and rainy in the afternoon, regardless of the hour.
Humans have been no exception—irritable, angry, greedy, ignorant. Whether flesh-and-blood people or fleeting news events, all have wanted to be No. 1.
For a month now, Hoang Kim has been in an accident, and the block of lifetime has competed to "support" the hero to the top of the world, believing that position to have been more solid than a three-legged stand. Within a week since then, one of the three-legged stand's legs has been broken by the reunion incident.
Taking advantage of the shaking three-legged stand, the fierce and massive block of lifetime has rumbled and rolled, has amputated the second leg, has knocked the one-legged stand off the throne, and has proudly pushed the national family to the pinnacle of fame.
Some have been jealous, some have flattered, some have acted serious, and some have envied. Some have lifted their skirts, and the admirers have tied crowns tightly onto the heads of the three princesses.
Forcing the angel to amuse the world has not been enough, so the mortal has changed his hobby to picking flowers for himself to admire, to breathe in, and to smell.
The soft and rich fragrance, simple and pure, has absorbed the slimy, large, and dirty block of lifetime, which has bulged and rotted over time, without anyone needing to realize that it has been emitting filthy odors.
The aura on the crown has not disappeared, nor has it dimmed. The block of lifetime has eagerly displayed its artistic flower arrangement on the princess's crown.
The pure flowers and the princesses of individuality have gently shined on their own—so pretty that the moon has had to blush in shame and the flowers have had to shrink in self-doubt—yet they have remained simple and sweet.
Each one has had her own beauty and intelligence, perfect in every way that has made the world go crazy. The faces of the crowd have been dazzled by shimmering, radiant brilliance, mesmerized as they have gazed upon angels stepping out of the realm of fairy tales. The worldly block has also planted the seed of this flower's closest companion in the Garden of Eden.
From that day on, the crimson rose has become less fresh; each day she has grown glum and has "withered" in the suffocating air that has lost all oxygen.
Unable to breathe comfortably, Rose has become angry at the swarms of butterflies and bees that have circled and hovered, attempting to suck nectar. She has raised her sharp thorns and has jabbed at the chimpanzees who have deliberately pulled branches and picked cotton.
She has been angry at the people who have constantly pointed and whispered, mocking her to her face and speaking ill of her behind her back.
She has bristled at a bunch of garbage comments online about various loathsome cages in the virtual world, and her ears have become itchy because of countless "oh my god, oh my earth" questions from reporters and newspapers.
Because of her, her best friend has been dragged into the block of lifetime. Hanna apologizes in confusion.
Rose pushes her friend's head, then glances at Hanna, because she is polite to her classmate who has gone to the same school, works in the same place, eats on the same tray, lives in the same house, sleeps in the same bed, and bathes in the same room for two years.
- Don't be silly! I don't accept any mistakes, I just expect a pink invitation from you and someone!
Hanna blushes and slaps her friend's cheek gently. Rose likes to tease her often bashful and cute best friend. Joking with Hanna makes her angry, Rose giggles and slaps her butt. Hanna screams and chases her around the house.
- Round enough to fit your hand, curvy and full like anyone else, but day and night you always feel inferior about your body not being hot enough!
Hanna picks up her bag and chases after her mischievous bestie.
- This little mischievous girl, If I catch you, I'll kill you!
The chase doesn't stop until they get out of the corridor; everyone quietly goes to the bottom floor. Since the day their identities have been revealed, Sam has always been waiting there to take them away and pick them up. But these days, Sam has not appeared anymore. It has been impossible for him to stick to them 24/7, and Hanna and Rose have found it inconvenient and troublesome.
Sam has been so confident that no bitch or loathsome guy has dared to touch his family. They have all decided that they have to live with the flood. The two girls have become accustomed to breathing the stinking block of lifetime.
Now Hanna or Rose is very calm about everything and all kinds of people who surround them. After walking for a long time among reporters and a bunch of idle groins, the unwilling star finally gets a taxi to the company.
***
Humans have always been an interesting species. Whether they have been sad or happy, they have wanted to relieve "stress" according to their innate personality. All year round, "extroverts" have made friends with screens.
Whether happy or sad, they have found a bunch of virtual friends, have tortured the other party, and have turned them into trash cans containing a stinking mess. Mixed in the mess, no one has known where the real feelings have been.
"Introverts" who have liked to explore the most lively places have been happy and have let themselves go beyond the scope. They have demanded both capital and profit whenever out of ten parts eight or nine have gone unsatisfied.
The herds have automatically crowded into primitive caves for mental masturbation, have used all kinds of perverted entertainment, and have practiced "hand" techniques crazily.
A bunch of estrus males have liked to reach climax with spoiled girls in arousing video clips, and ah oh—dances have been soaked in suggestive rhythms across densely written texts.
They have especially liked to press down heads and ride on necks like great gods with the power to tilt the sky and overturn the earth, destroying a planet instantly with one skill.
It has been a pity they have not been able to be the fathers of the world, so the losers who have hidden from reality in dreams have been more virtual than a bunch of virtual friends in the virtual world.
Introverts or extroverts have both fallen into a chaotic world of countless "beasts" and "humans," where the "beast" part has overwhelmed the "human" part. Breathing together in an atmosphere reeking of beastly instincts has been the "beast herd" disguised as "human."
In contrast to the two categories hiding behind the virtual space, these people have liked to gather around the wine table and have let themselves go when they have been happy.
When bored, they have spit out all their frustrations according to alcohol yeast that has stung their eyes and noses.
When happy, they have sung karaoke, have caused noisy neighbors, have cheered and have clinked glasses until wanting all the glasses broken. When sad, they have just touched lightly, then have tilted the bottle and have drunk it.
Capturing this mentality, a tavern has been open for a year in the suburbs of Eternal City for all social classes. No matter who you have been, no matter what your social status has been, once you have come to the Confidant Pub, you have felt carefree at home.
Not knowing how to share everything with anyone, this place has always listened, has always understood, and has always been a bottomless trash can letting you discharge all your joy—anger—love—hate.
Or simply, when you have needed someone to talk to, we have always become the audience listening to your story. You have not needed to pay for a confidant.
The unique place has immediately attracted the curious. One rumor has become ten. Ten rumors have become a hundred, and they have spread its reputation as a popular bar for all ages that has never raised prices.
The Confidant Pub has been a true friend for those who have liked to talk and have wanted someone to listen—although the shortest time to be a friend has been a cup of tea, and the longest has just been a feast.
Today, the second house is taken over by one person. The big spender doesn't want to be in the spotlight as usual; now he wants to have his own space to vent all his frustrations.
His drinking buddies frown as he keeps downing bottle after bottle. His face flushes red, burning from the alcohol, turning purple with rage as if about to vomit blood over personal matters.
Opposite him sits a man with long flowing hair covering his ears, bangs combed to both sides. His broad nose bridge matches his round chin and long pointed face perfectly.
Short eyebrows, long eyes, swollen upper eyelids, and dark circles under the lower eyelids make him look like someone who has been sleep-deprived for a long time.
Two winding eyelids curve sharply toward the corners of the eyes—three parts drowsy, seven parts confident he is handsome, as many people comment.
Good looks aren't the only thing he is proud of. His standard masculine body shows floating tendons. His masculine physique reflects months of relentless training—broad chest, powerful shoulders, thick thighs, a sharply carved midsection, and arms bulging with veins and brute muscle.
Muscle blocks compete with each other as if trying to tear off the T-shirt that tightens around his body, showing off the perfect physique—an unchanging truth among gym fanatics.
He raises his thick, shiny lips and looks at the miserable man who drinks alcohol yeast like drinking water.
- I have told you countless times—Hanna isn't the only flower in the world. Oh no, that girl isn't even worthy of being compared to a flower!
- Hung Nhat's saintly morality speaks only of accuracy. Damn it, she is just a whore, and you are so obsessed with her that you want to bury your face in that stinking groin.
- Fool. If you are stupid, your father dies. Life is boring, blood is boiling…
- Are you drinking to your mouth's delight yet?
He waves his hands and continues to curse:
- Damn it, leave me alone. This has nothing to do with you!
Friends raise their mouth corners and lift their eyes just like a daddy who is helpless with you. But friends are still friends, especially when drinking for free—no "fool" leaves a friend. No one lifts their buttocks and leaves; they still entertain and listen to their drinking companions complain:
- Damn, I have loved it more than anyone, even the old man and the old lady; I haven't cared as much as it does! I have bought all kinds of things for it, and that bitch has returned them all, making me a fool who has suffered more humiliation than a dog. Fuck…
The fitness fanatic smiles contemptuously:
- Who says you are stupid? If you are stupid, your mother die, lament the blood… ah!
The lovelorn man is furious and wants to settle the score with a beer bottle. His friends panic and try to dissuade him for a long time before he calms down:
- Shut up, you mother, it goes crazy, you don't advise it off, you tease the cage, ah?
The fitness fanatic shrugs:
- Am I saying it wrong?
He jerks his chin towards the protagonist:
- I have advised it countless times: there have been too many beautiful girls in this world. It has been the son of a wealthy man; with a casual call, a herd of ovulating girls have knelt under its groin and have let it play to its heart's content! It hasn't listened, has liked to headbutt a slut who is greedy for fame but not for money — it has had money but no fame. It has eaten bitter fruit, and then has drunk spicy yeast to relieve sorrow… loathsome…
He omits this sentence, tears the squid apart, dips it into the chili sauce mixed with satay, and while chewing, frowns at the spicy smell that stings his nose:
- Too spicy! - He lowers his voice and stops teasing his friend who wants to devour sarcastic people - I like to speak directly, only tell the truth, don't beat around the bush, and the truth always loses people's hearts. You invite us to listen to your broken heart today, I can understand that not only littering, but you also want your brothers and friends to give you advice, help solve the problem. - He raises his face to one side and turns it to the other side, with his thick lips raised, and says in an annoyed tone - But as soon as you touch it, you go crazy, only the dog plays with you, lah!
When the friends hear the familiar voice of the father of life, they are afraid that their friend will have another epileptic seizure, so none of them dares to let go for even a second. This guy tries to dissuade him, while another opens his mouth and curses the thick-lipped guy:
- Damn, you're so muddy, dog guy, I'm gonna break your mouth now!
- Don't add fuel to the fire, he's gonna really break the pub!
The person who only tells the truth mocks those who try to dissuade others, but they advise with a provocative voice. Strangely, the madman is no longer angry. He sits on a chair, drinking beer, with his arms hanging down, showing a helpless expression:
- You idiot like pig, who is that dog-blooded guy, who are you hah? Help the blood… ah?
Others also echo with provocative encouragement:
- That mad dog could beat a hundred guys like you all by himself!
- Even if you bring a gym and hundreds of crazed fans, it's still too few for that guy to go on a beating spree. The guy the cage face…
A man with a long face and a pointy head half-smiles:
- Despise each other so much, that guy is really overbearing and dog-blooded, but gentlemen quarrel with words, not with hands and feet. In a civilized era, we must deal with it with culture! - He raises the corners of his mouth and knocks his head - Use this to talk to each other, not to fight with words, or type, certainly not to use hands and feet, do you understand, some common mortal guys!
The other group hears that he speaks to their liking, so they immediately take turns pulling out "water pumps" to provoke:
- Oh ha, I forgot that no one speaks reasoning better than our keyboard hero Hung Nhat!
- Dad fixes it a little, you have to give a moral speech with visual and sound effects, GYM LORD No. 2, no one dares to call themselves No. 1!
The thick-lipped guy Hung Nhat sneers at the outdated trick used to provoke the military general:
- You guys don't think you are being ridiculous?
The lovelorn guy has no intention of seeking help, nor does he have the courage to collide with the mad dog, but he is so angry because he cannot take revenge. For a month, the anger has blocked his throat and has made him unable to swallow everything. He has been suppressed; now he has been burning with hatred for the person who has turned him into rags. He sneers:
- Humph, I think you are strong, but you are a coward, damn, if you are afraid, just say that you are afraid. Coward, you are too cowardly, dog, daddy despises you!
Hung Nhat's eyes are dull, his mouth raises, and then his lips twist as he looks at his rogue friends. Each of them is grinning and looking contemptuous, constantly glancing sideways and teasing him:
- Opportunity gives you to preach morals, charm the ovulating fangirl, lead a bunch of young buffalo into that crazy fan team without knowing the grasp, you fool!
- Philosophy isn't your strong point, ah, guy...
- You are worthless without philosophy!
- Hung Nhat lives true to his feelings regardless of public opinion—where is it? You lowly fellow!
- Buy a skirt to wear, woman guy!
The lovelorn guy sees with pride that Hung Nhat's expression keeps changing, gym fanatic's calm appearance burns red with anger, and his lips twisting. The lovelorn guy immediately gently plucks the hair of the beast that is about to escape from the cage:
- The ancients say, do not refrain from doing good deeds even if they are small, and do not do evil deeds even if they are small! Only those who are virtuous and virtuous can convince people! Although the madman is a young buffalo, he is not the kind of dog-brained person who cannot reason. If you say something reasonable, the "carrot" must listen. You have many fans; they are numerous and fierce, and they will definitely defend you unconditionally. You are right, and that dog hits you, he eats enough bricks and stones from the online community!
The guy pretending to be fatigued leaves:
- Forget it, the fake hero is afraid of peeing in his pants, we despise him, and he still dares not stand up to regain his honor. Wasting time in vain, go home, guys!
The two eyelid circles twist together, and the lazy corners of the eyes immediately turn sharp and cold. Hung Nhat puts the beer bottle on the table and announces eloquently:
- Fuck a bunch of scoundrel friends, you guys like the fun, Daddy rocks the world!
The lovelorn guy laughs faintly at the show-off guy. The big "raft" vibrates with each crazy laugh. They all celebrate the perfect achievements with shouts, flattery, and praises to the sky:
- The Internet's hero comes back!
- This is the Gym Lord I know!
- This time the mad dog bites the dog bait! Ha...ha...ha...
Hung Nhat is so proud that he receives a lot of compliments. On the surface, he shows a confident demeanor, but inside he smolders with anxiety, fearing that things will not go as planned, he will become a laughing stock and receive enough revenge from the dog-blooded guy.
He has no choice but to do it, and there is no way back. Despite being creepy, the online hero still has hope that his "virtual family" will be a solid backing both online and in real life.
Win or lose, humiliate or be honored, his name is surely all over the country. The Drama that creates this storm can blow him to the world. After thinking it over, he sees that he gains more than he loses; the false reputation prompts those who covet fame to PR themselves crazily, sticking to the block of lifetime. That turbulent block of lifetime is the carriage that takes him to the road of fame.
Dreams are not delusion.
He is bored of being the Gym Lord in the virtual bulging eyes of crazy fans for a long time.
He must seize the opportunity of a thousand gold.
He must become the true emperor in the dream world.
The Internet's hero is determined to cling tightly, not letting go of that stinky block of lifetime at all costs.
Notes
[1] Means nonsense, irrelevant talk, or meaningless questions.