The morning air in Noryangjin-dong was thick with the scent of street vendors firing up their grills, the sizzle of fish cakes mingling with the distant hum of traffic as Jang Taesan walked to school. His frayed backpack bounced against his shoulders, a familiar weight that grounded him in the surreal reality of 2008. It was his ninth day back, and the fire of his second chance burned brighter than ever, tempered by the weight of his future knowledge. Every CSAT question, every stock market spike, every mistake from his past life was a map etched in his mind—a guide to the empire he was determined to build. But the path wasn't clear yet, and the shadows of his challenges—Min-soo Kang's threats, Sophie Leclerc's scrutiny, the mystery of his return—loomed large.
Taesan's muscles ached from last night's grueling session at Choi's Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy, where he'd landed his first solid side kick under Master Choi's watchful eye. The spark of progress, the flicker of control, had ignited something in him—a belief that he could mold this weak teenage body into a weapon. But it wasn't just physical strength he needed. His mind raced with plans: ace the CSAT to secure a top university spot, leverage his knowledge of the 2010 tech boom to amass wealth, build alliances with future giants like Noah Park. And somewhere, buried deep, was the question of why he'd been sent back after saving Emma Kim. The weight of that knowledge was both a shield and a chain.
In science class, Taesan answered a question about Newton's laws with a precision that left Mr. Kim, the teacher, blinking in surprise. "Well done, Jang," he said, adjusting his glasses. "You've been full of surprises lately." Whispers rippled through the room, and Sophie Leclerc, seated near the front, turned slightly, her sharp eyes locking onto him for a moment before returning to her notes. Her curiosity was becoming a constant, a puzzle Taesan wasn't sure how to handle. He wasn't invisible anymore, and while that was part of his plan, it came with risks.
At lunch, the cafeteria buzzed with its usual chaos—students shouting over trays of bulgogi and rice, the air thick with the scent of sesame oil. Taesan sat alone, his notebook open to a page of cryptic numbers: dates and companies from his past life—Samsung's smartphone surge, Kakao's early days, Bitcoin's infancy. He was sketching a timeline for investments when a familiar voice broke through.
"Yo, Taesan, you're gonna wear that pencil down to a nub," Han Do-jin said, sliding into the seat across from him, his tie as crooked as ever. His grin was infectious, but it carried a pang—Taesan's memory of Do-jin's future car crash was a wound that never closed. "What's with the secret agent vibe? You planning to take over the world or what?"
Taesan closed his notebook, forcing a smirk. "Just trying to pass the CSAT, man. Gotta stay focused." He couldn't tell Do-jin about the markets, the time-travel, or the fire driving him to rewrite their fates. Not yet.
Do-jin leaned forward, his grin fading into something more serious. "You're different, Taesan. I mean it. You're, like, scary focused. Even Min-soo's keeping his distance today, and that's saying something after that alley stunt."
Taesan's jaw tightened at the mention of Min-soo. The bully hadn't approached since Master Choi's intervention, but his glares across the cafeteria promised trouble. "He'll come around again," Taesan said, his voice low. "Guys like him don't quit."
Do-jin snorted, grabbing a piece of Taesan's kimchi. "Yeah, well, you're not the pushover you used to be. Keep that up, and maybe I'll start calling you boss."
Taesan laughed, but the weight of his plans pressed harder. Do-jin's faith in him was a spark, a reminder of the lives he could change. I'll keep you safe this time, he vowed silently, his resolve steeling.
After school, Taesan headed to the dojang, the familiar ache in his muscles a testament to his progress. The air inside Choi's Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy was thick with sweat and determination, the thwack of kicks against pads echoing like a war drum. Master Choi stood at the center, his grizzled face stern as he guided a sparring drill. Taesan slipped into his dobok, its fabric now familiar, and joined the line, his heart pounding with purpose.
"Jang! Power from the hips!" Choi barked as Taesan executed a roundhouse kick, his form sharper but still imperfect. "You're getting there, but don't rush it. Control first, then strength."
Taesan nodded, sweat dripping into his eyes, and tried again, his kick landing with a satisfying thud. Across the mat, Noah Park practiced a wrist lock, his lanky frame less awkward now, his focus intense. Taesan caught his eye, offering a nod, and Noah returned it, a quiet bond growing between them. Taesan's mind flashed to Noah's future—a tech titan who'd reshape industries. He's not there yet, but I'll need him when the time comes.
Choi paired Taesan with Hye-jun for sparring, the wiry senior grinning as they faced off. "Let's see if you've got more than beginner's luck today, Jang," Hye-jun teased, bouncing on his toes.
Taesan didn't respond, his focus narrowing. Hye-jun came at him with a quick jab, but Taesan blocked, his reflexes sharper from days of drills. He countered with a side kick, grazing Hye-jun's ribs, earning a surprised grunt. "Nice one," Hye-jun said, rubbing his side with a grin. "You're not half bad."
As the session ended, Noah approached, his towel slung over his shoulder. "You're really going for it, huh?" he said, his shy smile breaking through. "I can barely keep up."
"You're doing fine," Taesan said, wiping his brow. "Just keep showing up. That's half the battle."
Noah hesitated, then nodded, his eyes bright with determination. "Yeah. Thanks, Taesan. Feels good to have someone in my corner."
Taesan clapped his shoulder, the spark of connection growing stronger. "Same here, Noah. We'll get there together."
Choi's voice boomed. "Jang! Park! Save the bromance for after class!" They bowed, sharing a quick laugh, and Taesan felt the pieces of his plan clicking into place—Do-jin's trust, Noah's potential, Choi's guidance.
Walking home under Noryangjin's neon glow, the stars faint against the city's electric haze, Taesan's mind buzzed with possibilities. His notebook of future investments, his growing strength in the dojang, the alliances he was forging—they were the foundation of something bigger. Min-soo's threat still loomed, and Sophie's scrutiny was a wildcard, but the mystery of his return gnawed deepest. Why 2008? Why him? The questions lingered, but he pushed them down, focusing on the fire in his chest.
He clenched his fists, his lips curling into a determined grin. This is my time. And I'm building something no one can stop.