The late July heat pressed down on Noryangjin-dong like a molten weight, the air thick with the scent of sizzling street food and the relentless hum of cicadas as Jang Taesan trudged toward school. His frayed backpack, stuffed with textbooks and his notebook of future plans, bounced against his shoulder, a constant reminder of the empire he was forging—coin by coin, kick by kick, answer by answer. It was his twenty-third day back in 2008, and the fire of his second chance roared within him, fueled by the spark of resolve that had burned away yesterday's doubts. His stand against Min-soo Kang had shifted the school's dynamics, earning him respect but also new pressures—Min-soo's lingering menace, Sophie Leclerc's relentless scrutiny, and the mystery of his rebirth after saving Emma Kim. The path was narrowing, and Taesan felt his will being forged in the heat of every challenge.
The school courtyard buzzed with its usual chaos—students trading notes, laughing over cans of Chilsung Cider, or hurrying to cram schools. Taesan's eyes swept the crowd, alert for Min-soo or his cronies, Ji-hoon and Dong-min, whose absence yesterday felt like a trap. The bully's silence since the alley clash, amplified by Sophie's intervention, was a coiled threat, and her warning—"You're hiding something big"—echoed like a puzzle he wasn't ready to solve. His plan—acing the CSAT, building wealth from the 2008 market crash's aftermath, forging alliances with Han Do-jin and Noah Park—was gaining momentum, but the mystery of his return gnawed at him, a question that fueled his resolve to push harder.
In Korean history class, Taesan answered a question about the Joseon Dynasty's economic policies with a precision that left Ms. Park blinking in surprise, her chalk pausing mid-scrawl. "Jang, you're making my lessons obsolete," she said, half-joking, half-impressed. Whispers spread among his classmates, and Sophie, seated by the window, 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 pressure. His brilliance was rewriting his reputation, but every step into the spotlight made him a bigger target. The resolve in his chest burned brighter—he'd use that spotlight to his advantage.
At lunch, the cafeteria pulsed with noise—students shouting over trays of bibimbap, the air thick with the scent of gochujang and sesame oil. Taesan sat alone, his notebook open to a new page: a detailed plan to streamline his tutoring and market gigs while carving out study time for the CSAT. The 25,000 won from yesterday's tutoring session with Ji-woo, Soo-jin, and Min-ho was a step toward his savings account, which he'd use to seize opportunities like Samsung's smartphone surge and Kakao's rise. He was jotting down a schedule for a new weekend gig at a local PC bang 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 superhero 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 a nobody." 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. But Do-jin's grin fueled his resolve—he would save him.
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. You look… I don't know, like you're carrying the world."
Taesan met his gaze, the weight of his knowledge pressing hard but igniting his will. "I'm fine," he said, his voice steady. "Just got a lot to prove." Do-jin's faith was a spark, and Taesan wouldn't let it flicker out. The resolve in his chest burned away any lingering doubts—he'd carry the world if it meant rewriting their fates.
Do-jin nodded, clapping his shoulder. "You're a beast, man. Just don't burn out, yeah? 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 tutoring session at a café near the market, where he met Ji-woo, Soo-jin, and Min-ho, guiding them through algebra and geometry with a patience drawn from his past life's struggles. The cramped space smelled of instant coffee and old books, and Min-ho's hesitant nod as he solved a problem was a small victory. The 25,000 won from the session felt like gold—a step toward his empire. As he left the café, he scanned the street for Min-soo's cronies, but their absence felt like a trap, a reminder that the bully's silence was temporary. His resolve hardened—he'd be ready when they came.
At Choi's Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy that evening, Taesan channeled his energy 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. The resolve in his chest burned brighter—he'd shape Noah's path, just as he was shaping his own.
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. The resolve in his chest burned away any pain—he was stronger than he'd been, and he'd only get stronger.
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, his resolve burning bright. "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 forge of his will hardening. 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 forge is hot, and I'm being shaped into something unbreakable.