One Week Later.
Hyunjin didn't go to J-High.
Because of a meeting.
Inside a meeting room
Naver Web Novel officials sat across from him.
Papers on the table.
Screens showing stats "Your novel reached 400,000 likes and over 700,000 comments in its first volume." One of them adjusted their glasses.
"That's the fastest growth we've seen this year." Another leaned forward.
"We'd like to revise the contract, better terms."
Hyunjin listened "No."
"You're rejecting the revision?"
Hyunjin nodded "The first contract is fine."
"I don't need more right now."
They exchanged glances.
Surprised.
"Understood."
Hyunjin placed a manuscript on the table.
"Volume 2."
They looked at it.
Hyunjin stood "You can refine it."
"It's yours to post now." He walked out like it was nothing.
...
Hyunjin lay on his bed.
One arm over his eyes, thinking about future.
His phone rang.
He picked it up "Yeah, Zack."
"Jiho messed up again."
"What now."
"someone sold his bank account, Got scammed."
Hyunjin exhaled "That guy.. I'm coming." He hung up.
Hand covering his face briefly "He never listens."
----
-Gaming Center
Everyone gathered around one PC.
Kouji typing fast.
Hyunjin stood behind them, a candy stick between his lips.
Watching.
"Jiho."
Jiho flinched, didn't look up.
"Didn't I tell you not to trust random people and in a week." Hyunjin sighed.
"You give someone access to a bank account in your name?"
"Are you an idiot?"
Jiho said nothing, head lowered shame written all over him.
Zack crossed his arms "We traced something."
Hyunjin glanced over "Where."
"Co, convenience store."
Hyunjin sighed "There are thousands of those."
Vasco suddenly stood up and ran out fast.
Hyunjin blinked.
"Give me a second."
Zack leaned in "You got something?"
Kouji smirked "Yeah."
He turned the monitor.
Zack's eyes widened.
"That many?"
Dozens of locations.
Kouji tapped a few keys.
One location remained highlighted "Got it."
Everyone looked at the screen.
Hyunjin smiled.
Zack dialed.
Click "Yeah?" Vasco's voice came through.
"Where are you?" Zack said.
"Already here."
Zack tilted his head "You what?"
Vasco replied "Found the place from the picture."
Silence.
...
-Dart Club
Boards on the wall.
A group of guys messing around.
The door opened, Vasco walked in.
The room quieted.
One of the guys turned "Who are you?"
"I'm here for something."
"You lost or something?"
Vasco stood in front of them now "Jiho Park, Give me back his bank account."
Silence.
Then, laughter.
Mocking.
"Did you hear that?"
"This guy thinks he can just walk in and ask-"
A straight punch.
THUD.
The first guy dropped instantly.
Another rushed him, Vasco grabbed him, lifted and slammed him into the floor.
Two more came in, Vasco stepped forward.
CRACK.
One fell.
Another staggered then dropped.
Within seconds the room wasn't laughing anymore.
Some bodies on the ground.
Groaning.
From the back, someone leaning against couche.
Jin Jang "So it's him."
"One of Daniel Park's people." His gaze narrowed "Burn Knuckles.."
Vasco stood in the center "Last chance, give it back."
Jin Jang stepped forward "You're stronger, then I thought."
"But you came alone that's a mistake."
More footsteps, More members.
Jin Jang's tone stayed light "This isn't just some random scam."
His eyes locked onto Vasco "You just walked into God Dog's territory."
-Back at the gaming center
Hyunjin grabbed his jacket "I'll go."
Zack nodded "Let's move."
Hyunjin is essentially the strongest person on the streets of Seoul Right now surpassed only by the "Top Tiers" and workers high ranked executives.
The Unending Demon, has stats equal to a first-generation low-level king.
Fighting a second generation right now with his strength would be childish.
....
The room was already wrecked.
Bodies on the floor.
Only two still standing
Vasco and Jin Jang
"You hit hard." A step forward "But that's all you do."
Vasco didn't respond.
He moved first
A straight punch.
Jin tilted his head
Dodged.
Countered immediately
A strike to Vasco's side.
THUD.
Vasco's body stiffened.
Another
Jin stepped around him.
A precise hit to the back.
CRACK.
Vasco stumbled.
Jin didn't rush.
"Predictable."
Vasco swung again, Jin already moved before it came.
Dodged.
Counter.
Every time.
Each attack read.
Each movement anticipated.
Vasco's breathing grew heavier.
His body took hit after hit
Precise, unavoidable.
He dropped to one knee.
Blood at the corner of his mouth.
Jin stood over him "You shouldn't have come alone, Johan will be pleased."
"One of Daniel Park's people, walking into this place like this."
Vasco tried to stand
Jin stepped closer "I'll end this." He raised his leg
Aiming to finish it.
Then
THUD.
A low kick.
From below.
Jin's balance broke a little.
"What-"
Vasco stood, his stance changed.
Jin narrowed his eyes "That's new."
"Muay Thai."
"I didn't use it before." Vasco's gaze hardened "Because losing is shameful for a student."
Jin stepped back half a step "Give up."
"Join God Dog while you still can."
His eyes flickered "And keep what happened here, quiet."
"Johan doesn't need to know about the bank account."
Vasco didn't answer.
He stepped forward.
They moved.
Again.
But this time
It wasn't the same fight.
Jin tried to read him but the rhythm had changed.
A feint
Jin reacted
Wrong.
A knee drove into his midsection.
Air left his lungs instantly.
Before he could recover
A second strike
Elbow.
CRACK.
His guard shattered.
A third
A low kick
Clean.
THUD.
Jin's legs gave out, he dropped.
Vasco stood over him.
Jin looked up.
Stunned.
Vasco looked down at him "Strength alone isn't enough and we don't follow anyone."
He turned "Burn Knuckles won't be swallowed."
"We have our own path."
Then, Hyunjin entered.
Vasco smiled "Hyunjin."
Jin Jang on the ground looked at Hyunjin.
But when Hyunjin looked back at him, Jin Jang forgot to breathe, because he know how to figure out a strong opponent.
The aura around him..
"This guy, he's different." Jin Jang thought.
Then Hyunjin came to Jin Jang and looked at him "Jin Jang, the second-in-command of God Dog, nice to meet you, I'm Hyunjin."
"Didn't expect someone like you here." Jin Jang said.