GIJS

Chapter 129 Crazy Action

Action is essential in a spy action film. No matter how captivating the plot may be, if the climax's action is lackluster, it feels like drinking a flat soda.

In this regard, the 'Mission: Impossible' series has completely captivated its audience. Tom Cruise not only excels in acting but also delivers spectacular action sequences, providing a visual thrill.

The audience was so enchanted by the series that they suggested changes to the script. Adding a spy action element to the Asadal legend signifies the rising importance of action.

In preparation for the most intense and impressive action scenes, the lead actor, Gunja, had already been intensifying his workouts. Gunja himself insisted on performing the stunts rather than using a double, so he had to deliver the best action possible.

Bang, Bang, Bang—!!

As soon as the slate sound was heard, Gunja stepped forward like a panther, following the predetermined path. With a speed almost invisible to the eye, he dashed, leaped onto a large pine tree, and quickly landed on the wall.

It was a good start, and Gunja felt lighter than ever.

Upon leaping over the wall and climbing onto the first annex, four bald monks armed with clubs rushed toward him. These were hired guards targeting the Mugu Jeonggwang Daerani Sutra.

Whoosh—.

Despite a prearranged routine, Gunja felt a shiver down his spine as the club narrowly missed his forehead. Ironically, this sensation sharpened his movements even further.

He used to fight guards frequently while evading his uncle's gaze in the past.

Back then, if caught, he would end up locked in a dark grain storage. His uncle would only throw barley porridge when he was making dying noises against the wooden door.

Compared to that, this was a much more comfortable position.

Whoosh, Thud—.

After dodging the second club, Gunja reversed his body and executed a spinning back kick, sending one bald monk flying.

This was the "Dolgae Oil Jagi" (Tornado Back Kick) technique from Taekkyeon.

"Kraaaak—."

The bald monk, struck by the lightning-fast kick, let out a scream. Despite the powerful back kick, Gunja's balance remained steady.

Gunja, who had been practicing Taekkyeon since childhood to handle such situations, swiftly subdued one opponent. But the fight was just beginning. Now, two bald monks, looking like twins, simultaneously attacked with their clubs.

"Haaap—."

"Whaa—!!"

Two opponents at once.

It wouldn't be easy, but he had dealt with four opponents at once in his younger days.

When four burly men attacked from all directions—east, west, north, and south—escaping was difficult even for Gunja. Yet, he would still manage to knock out one or two of them.

So, dealing with two opponents was no problem.

Swish—.

He avoided a deep stab aimed at his solar plexus by tilting his body.

Whoosh—!!

He deflected a relentless series of swings by sharply bending his waist backward.

He then rolled onto the roof tile and executed a precise low kick targeting the ankle of the opponent in front.

"Krak—!!"

The opponent lost his balance and fell onto the roof.

Thud—!!

Gunja delivered a decisive kick to the abdomen, incapacitating him. The opponent clutched his belly and groaned. He wouldn't be able to move for a while.

After neutralizing one opponent, another charged in. The one who had created distance hurled a club from afar.

Swish-.

Gunja swiftly tilted his body to the side, causing the club to graze his clothing. Although his outfit was slightly torn, the costume team could only watch in awe.

Gunja then closed the distance, delivering a sharp punch that forced the opponent to retreat.

"Ugh, ugh—"

Boom—!!

Seeing the fear in his opponent's eyes, Gunja stomped on the roof tile, destabilizing him.

Thud—.

Taking advantage of the guard's weakened defense, Gunja swiftly delivered a palm strike to the solar plexus.

Huff—.

The action scene on the annex roof continued without a break. By now, Gunja had subdued three of the bald monks.

Everyone on set was impressed, except for one spectator who couldn't stop talking.

"...W-wait, what is this...?"

It was Jeong Yun-chul, the administrative officer who had mocked the public officer just moments before.

How could an idol perform such action scenes?

He had expected nothing more than a few playful punches or some flying scenes that would be enhanced by CGI. But Gunja shattered these expectations from the very first move. The moment he leaped onto the wall, Jeong Yun-chul's jaw nearly dropped.

During the action scenes on the roof with the guards, the performance was so vivid that it felt like a VR game, despite being at a distance. The club really brushed against Gunja's clothing, and the dynamic moves were far from anything an idol could pull off.

It must be a filmed scene, perfectly coordinated.

Yet, as the master shots continued, Jeong Yun-chul could not loosen his clenched fists.

Is this really a twenty-year-old idol? It must be an incredibly skilled double!

But every time the moonlit lighting illuminated Gunja's handsome features, Jeong Yun-chul's doubts vanished. There couldn't possibly be two people looking like that.

Now, only one guard remained.

The largest and most menacing of the bald monks pulled a long club with both hands, and it clicked into place, splitting into a three-section staff (삼절곤).

Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh—.

The rotating three-sectional staff was as ferocious as it looked. With the addition of joints, its movements were much more unpredictable.

Whoosh-.

Even if one strike was dodged, the next moment brought an attack from an unusual angle.

Wham-.

The weapon brushed against the edge of the clothes once more. Although the attack was narrowly avoided, the threat of the three-sectional staff was far from over.

Wham—!!

This time, the staff landed precisely on the inner side of Gunja's left knee, causing him to grimace and lose his stance. Despite the prearranged choreography, the audience gasped in awe.

"Uaaaah—!!"

The bald-headed giant swung the staff with the intent of crushing Gunja's head, but Gunja's agility shone once again.

Thunk-.

"——!?!?"

Gunja swiftly lifted a roof tile and used it to block the staff.

As the staff lost its rotational force upon hitting the tile, an opportunity arose for Gunja.

He quickly regained his balance and feigned a punch to the face. As the giant prepared to defend with the staff, Gunja's front leg shot out like a dagger.

Wham—!!

With a front kick that struck the knee and shin, Gunja destabilized the giant.

Wham, wham—!!

Two punches to the abdomen, followed by an elbow strike to the fallen chin.

As the opponent fell into a groggy state, Gunja executed a spinning kick to the wrist, sending the three-sectional staff flying far away.

"Wow—."

The audience marveled at Gunja's dazzling ability to turn danger into opportunity. Yet, the battle was far from over.

As the last remaining opponent, the giant roared and charged at Gunja with bare hands.

"Haah—."

Wham, wham, wham, wham, thunk, thud—···.

The two combatants never stopped their limbs for a moment. The relentless exchanges of punches and kicks felt more like a serious struggle than mere action.

Though it seemed evenly matched, the giant's attacks never reached Gunja.

In contrast, Gunja calmly defended against the giant's attacks while landing strikes here and there.

Wham, wham—!!

"Huh..."

Even the camera director behind the main camera let out a gasp of admiration. The action was so realistic it sent chills down their spine. Even veteran staff members who had seen countless scenes had never witnessed such intense action.

And it was continuous from start to finish without a single cut!

If the staff were that amazed, Jeong Yoon-cheol, too, was almost breathless just from watching. Observing was so overwhelming it felt like he might suffer from shortness of breath. Despite knowing Gunja's victory was predetermined, Jeong Yoon-cheol found himself inadvertently cheering for the giant.

Come on, giant.

Just one more hit...

Wham—!!

Just then, the giant landed a perfect strike to Gunja's temple, causing his body to spin around. At that moment, Jeong Yoon-cheol almost shouted 'That's it!'

Drip-.

With the pre-prepared prop bursting, blood flowed down Gunja's left cheek. Moments ago, Jeong Yoon-cheol had been ready to cheer, but now he was left breathless again.

"...Wow."

The blood flowing over the white skin was almost beautiful. Could this really be a man?

Unfazed, Gunja wiped the blood with his sleeve and leaped again.

Wham, wham, wham—!!

He tore through the giant's guard with his left hand, struck his face with the right, and rotated his body to deliver an elbow strike to the jaw.

"Ugh...!"

Seizing the opportunity, he prepared for a big attack.

Whoosh—.

Gunja leaped with a swift run-up and spun in the air.

Thud, wham—!!

With a dazzling aerial spinning kick reminiscent of wire action, Gunja struck the giant's neck and temple in quick succession, and the tough giant finally fell.

"Phew—."

Gunja exhaled heavily and wiped his forehead.

As the moonlight illuminated his face with droplets of blood, not a single person made a sound.

"Cut—!!"

When director Hyeon Si-woo called for the end of the shoot, everyone released their breath as if they had been holding it.

"Phew—."

"Seonbi hyung—!!"

"Wow! Are you crazy!?!?"

"Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

"Haha, don't worry. It was all choreographed."

"But it didn't look like it! I really thought you were going to lose it."

As people rushed to him, Jeong Yoon-cheol almost ran towards Gunja without realizing it.

"Huh..."

Even Jeong Yoon-cheol had to acknowledge it. That young man had a certain magic. A magic that captivated even someone like Jeong Yoon-cheol, who had never seen him before.

Gong Yoo-min, who stood beside him, was beaming with pride.

"How about it, Officer? Does this still seem like child's play to you?"