The late July heat hung heavy over Noryangjin-dong, the air thick with the scent of grilled mackerel and the hum of cicadas as Jang Taesan trudged toward school. His frayed backpack, stuffed with textbooks and his notebook of future plans, felt like a lifeline, anchoring him to the empire he was building—one coin, one kick, one answer at a time. It was his eighteenth day back in 2008, and the fire of his second chance blazed fiercer than ever, fueled by the tide of his recent victories. The school's whispers about his stand against Min-soo Kang, amplified by Sophie Leclerc's sharp intervention, had cemented his new reputation—not just a nobody anymore, but a force to be reckoned with. Yet, the seeds of change he was planting came with new pressures: Min-soo's lingering menace, Sophie's relentless scrutiny, and the unanswered question of his rebirth after saving Emma Kim.
The school courtyard buzzed with its usual chaos—students swapping notes, laughing over cans of Chupa Chups soda, or hurrying to cram schools. Taesan's eyes swept the crowd, alert for Min-soo or his cronies, Ji-hoon and Dong-min, whose lurking presence had become a constant shadow. The bully's silence since the alley clash was a coiled threat, and Sophie's words—"You're hiding something big"—echoed like a challenge. His plan—acing the CSAT, building wealth from market foresight, forging alliances with Han Do-jin and Noah Park—was gaining momentum, but the mystery of his return gnawed at him, a puzzle that grew more complex with each passing day.
In English class, Taesan tackled a grammar quiz with a precision that left Ms. Cho blinking in surprise, her usual skepticism replaced by a nod of approval. "Jang, you're setting a new standard," she said, her tone tinged with curiosity. 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 every step into the spotlight made him a bigger target.
At lunch, the cafeteria pulsed with noise—students shouting over trays of kimchi jjigae, the air thick with the scent of spicy broth and sesame oil. Taesan sat alone, his notebook open to a new page: a detailed plan to expand his tutoring and market gigs. The 12,000 won from yesterday's vegetable crate job and the 15,000 won from the PC bang were seeds for his savings account, which he'd use to seize the 2008 market crash's opportunities—Samsung's smartphone surge, Kakao's rise, Bitcoin's infancy. He was jotting down a schedule for three new tutoring clients 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 basically a celebrity now," Do-jin said, grinning as he chewed. "Min-soo's been quiet, but everyone's talking about you. You're, like, the king of Noryangjin High."
Taesan closed his notebook, forcing a smirk. "Not a king, man. Just done being invisible." 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? You're pushing yourself hard—school, that dojang, whatever you're scribbling in that notebook. Don't burn out, yeah?"
Taesan met his gaze, the weight of his knowledge pressing hard. "I'm fine," he said, his voice steady. "Just got a lot to prove." 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 forget to chill sometimes. Let's kick the ball around later, okay?"
Taesan laughed, the sound easing the tension in his chest. "Deal. But you're buying the soda when we're rich."
After school, Taesan headed to a small bookstore near the market, where he'd agreed to help stock shelves for a quick 10,000 won. The cramped space smelled of old paper and ink, and Taesan moved methodically, his muscles sore but his mind sharp. The owner, a quiet woman with glasses, thanked him with a nod. "You're reliable, kid," she said, slipping him an extra 2,000 won. "Come back anytime."
Taesan pocketed the cash, the small victory fueling his resolve. Every won was a step toward his empire, a seed planted for the future. But as he left the bookstore, he caught sight of Min-soo Kang across the street, alone, his eyes locked on Taesan with a cold intensity. No cronies this time, just Min-soo's silent menace. Taesan's pulse quickened, but he kept walking, his posture steady. Min-soo didn't move, didn't speak, but the message was clear: I'm not done with you.
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 roundhouse kick, his form sharper, the movement flowing from his core. "Jang! Good! Now add power!" 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 legend 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 saying you're untouchable now," he said, his shy smile tinged with awe. "Standing up to Min-soo like that… it's inspiring."
Taesan grinned, slinging his towel over his shoulder. "He's not done yet, Noah. But neither am I. 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 seeds of change taking root. Min-soo's silence, 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 seeds are planted. Now I watch them grow.