The morning sun broke through the lingering clouds over Noryangjin-dong, casting a warm glow across the bustling streets as Jang Taesan made his way to school. His frayed backpack, heavy with textbooks and his notebook of future plans, felt lighter today, buoyed by the small victories piling up—the coins from his tutoring and tech gigs, the strength hardening in his muscles, and the reputation he was carving out. It was his sixteenth day back in 2008, and the fire of his second chance blazed fierce, tempered by the aftermath of his clash with Min-soo Kang. The bully's retreat, sparked by Sophie Leclerc's sharp intervention, had sent ripples through the school, and Taesan could feel the shift—whispers of his name, curious glances, a new respect tinged with wariness. But victory came with echoes, and the quiet that followed felt like a prelude to something bigger.
The school courtyard buzzed with its usual chaos—students swapping notes, laughing over cans of Hite soda, or rushing to early cram sessions. Taesan's eyes swept the crowd, alert for Min-soo or his cronies, Ji-hoon and Dong-min, whose lurking presence yesterday had set his nerves on edge. The bully's silence was a coiled spring, and Sophie's warning—"You're hiding something big"—lingered like a challenge. His plan—acing the CSAT, building an empire from market foresight, forging alliances with Han Do-jin and Noah Park—was gaining momentum, but the mystery of his rebirth after saving Emma Kim gnawed at him, a puzzle with no clear edges.
In science class, Taesan tackled a chemistry problem on molar calculations with a precision that left Mr. Kim blinking in surprise. "Jang, you're making this look effortless," the teacher said, adjusting his glasses with a rare smile. Whispers spread among his classmates, and Sophie, seated near the front, shot him a glance—her eyes sharp, her pencil pausing as if she were dissecting his every move. Taesan kept his expression neutral, but her scrutiny was a growing weight. His brilliance was rewriting his reputation, but it was also painting a target on his back.
At lunch, the cafeteria pulsed with noise—students shouting over trays of tteokbokki, the air thick with the scent of spicy rice cakes and sesame oil. Taesan sat alone, his notebook open to a new page: a refined list of tutoring clients and market gigs to boost his savings. The 15,000 won from yesterday's PC bang job was another step toward his empire, a seed to plant in the 2008 market crash's aftermath. He was jotting down a schedule for tutoring Ji-woo and two new middle schoolers when Han Do-jin slid into the seat across from him, his tie a mess, a stolen piece of Taesan's kimbap in his hand.
"Yo, Taesan, you're a legend now," Do-jin said, grinning as he chewed. "Min-soo getting shut down by Leclerc? People can't stop talking about it. You're, like, the king of the school."
Taesan closed his notebook, forcing a smirk. "Not a king, man. Just done being a doormat." The sight of Do-jin, alive and oblivious to the car crash that loomed in his future, was a bittersweet ache. Taesan couldn't tell him about the time-travel, the markets, or the vow to save him. Not yet.
Do-jin leaned forward, his grin softening into concern. "For real, though, you okay? That alley thing was intense, and Min-soo's not the type to let it go. You sure you're ready for whatever he pulls next?"
Taesan's jaw tightened, the bruise on his shoulder pulsing faintly. "I'll handle it," he said, his voice steady. "He's not as tough as he thinks." Do-jin's faith was a spark, but it came with a weight—the pressure to protect him, to rewrite his fate.
Do-jin nodded, clapping his shoulder. "You're a beast, man. Just don't get cocky, yeah? I need my wingman in one piece."
Taesan laughed, the sound easing the tension in his chest. "Deal. But you're buying the ramen when we're rich."
After school, Taesan headed to the market for another gig, helping a vendor stack crates of persimmons for a quick 10,000 won. The work was grueling, his muscles protesting from the dojang's relentless drills, but each coin felt like a brick in his foundation. The vendor, an older woman with a kind smile, slipped him an extra persimmon. "You're a good kid," she said. "Keep working hard."
Taesan nodded, pocketing the fruit, the small gesture warming him despite the ache in his arms. But as he left the market, he caught sight of Min-soo's cronies—Ji-hoon and Dong-min—lurking near a convenience store, their eyes tracking him. No Min-soo, but their presence was a warning, a reminder that the echoes of his victory were still reverberating.
At Choi's Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy that evening, Taesan channeled his unease into training, the dojang's thwack of kicks and shouts of effort a release for his tension. Master Choi's voice boomed as Taesan practiced a taekwondo side kick, his form sharper, the movement flowing from his core. "Jang! Good! Now add precision!" Choi barked, his stern face betraying a flicker of pride.
Across the mat, Noah Park worked through a hapkido joint lock, his lanky frame steadier, his focus razor-sharp. Taesan caught his eye, offering a nod, and Noah returned it, their bond growing stronger with each session. Taesan's mind flashed to Noah's future—a tech titan who'd reshape industries. He's not there yet, but he's mine to guide.
Choi paired Taesan with Hye-jun for sparring, the wiry senior grinning as they squared off. "Heard you're a hero now, Jang," Hye-jun teased, lunging with a quick jab. "Let's see if you fight like one."
Taesan blocked, his reflexes honed by weeks of drills, and countered with a side kick that caught Hye-jun's ribs, earning a surprised grunt. "Not bad," Hye-jun said, rubbing his side with a grin. The spar continued, each move a testament to Taesan's growing strength, though the bruise on his shoulder ached with every block.
As the session ended, Noah approached, wiping his brow. "People are talking about you, Taesan," he said, his shy smile tinged with awe. "Standing up to Min-soo like that… it's kind of inspiring."
Taesan grinned, slinging his towel over his shoulder. "Just doing what I have to, Noah. You're getting tougher too. Keep it up, and you'll be unstoppable."
Noah's eyes lit up, a flicker of confidence breaking through. "Thanks, man. Feels good to have someone pushing me."
Choi's voice cut through. "Jang! Park! Save the hero talk for after class!" They bowed, sharing a quick laugh, and Taesan felt the pieces of his plan solidifying—Do-jin's trust, Noah's potential, Choi's guidance, the coins in his pocket.
Walking home under Noryangjin's neon glow, the stars faint against the city's electric haze, Taesan felt the echoes of his victory resonating. Min-soo's cronies, Sophie's scrutiny, the mystery of his return—they were challenges he'd face head-on. The coins in his pocket, the strength in his body, the alliances he was forging—they were the foundation of something unstoppable.
He clenched his fists, his lips curling into a determined grin. The echoes are loud, but I'm louder. This is my time.