The late July heat in Noryangjin-dong was an unyielding crucible, the air thick with the scent of sizzling dakkochi and the ceaseless drone 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-ninth day back in 2008, and the fire of his second chance roared within him, tempered by the crucible of recent tests: his stand against Min-soo Kang, Sophie Leclerc's relentless scrutiny, and the mystery of his rebirth after saving Emma Kim. Sophie's confrontation yesterday—"Like you've seen the future or something"—had pushed him to the edge of revelation, and the weight of his secret felt heavier than ever, a truth he wasn't ready to share but could no longer fully hide.
The school courtyard buzzed with its usual chaos—students trading notes, laughing over cans of Lotte Milkis, 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 their last encounter, broken only by his cold glares, was a coiled threat, and Sophie's probing questions were a new kind of pressure, testing his ability to keep his secrets hidden. 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 both his resolve and his unease.
In math class, Taesan tackled a set of differential equations with a precision that left Mr. Lim shaking his head in quiet awe. "Jang, you're rewriting the gradebook," the teacher said, a rare smile breaking through his stern facade. 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 pressure, pushing him closer to the edge of revelation. His brilliance was rewriting his reputation, but every step into the spotlight made him a bigger target. The fire in his chest burned brighter—he'd face the test and keep his secrets sharp.
At lunch, the cafeteria pulsed with noise—students shouting over trays of kalguksu, the air thick with the scent of noodle broth and garlic. Taesan sat alone, his notebook open to a new page: a refined plan to balance his tutoring, market gigs, and CSAT prep. The 30,000 won from yesterday's tutoring session with Ji-woo, Soo-jin, Min-ho, and Hye-rin 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, no matter the cost.
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 a secret bigger than you."
Taesan's heart skipped a beat, Do-jin's words echoing Sophie's suspicions too closely. He kept his expression steady, the weight of his secret pressing hard. "I'm fine," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Just got a lot to prove." Do-jin's faith was a spark, but the truth felt heavier, a burden he couldn't share. The edge of revelation loomed, but Taesan's resolve held firm—he'd keep his secrets for now.
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 tutoring session at a café near the market, where he met Ji-woo, Soo-jin, Min-ho, and Hye-rin, 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 Hye-rin's hesitant nod as she solved a problem was a small victory. The 30,000 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.
As he approached Choi's Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy, a figure stepped into his path—not Min-soo, but Sophie Leclerc, her ponytail swinging, her eyes blazing with determination. "Jang, we're not done," she said, her voice low but firm. "You dodged me yesterday, but I'm not letting this go. You know things—about the markets, about people—that don't make sense. Tell me what's going on, or I'll keep digging."
Taesan's pulse quickened, the weight of his secret pressing harder than ever. He kept his expression neutral, his resolve a tempered blade. "You're wasting your time, Leclerc," he said, his voice steady. "I'm just trying to get ahead. Dig all you want—you won't find anything."
Sophie's eyes narrowed, searching his face. "I don't believe you," she said, her voice softening but resolute. "You're not just some kid who got smart overnight. There's more to you, Jang, and I'm going to figure it out." She turned and walked away, leaving Taesan with a mix of unease and determination. Her words were a test, pushing him closer to the edge of revelation, but he wouldn't break—not yet.
At the dojang, Taesan channeled his energy into training, the 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 weight of his secret was heavy, but his resolve was heavier—he was being forged into something sharper.
As the session ended, Noah approached, wiping his brow. "Heard you faced Min-soo again," he said, his shy smile tinged with awe. "You didn't back down. That's… incredible."
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 weight of truth pressing down. Sophie's suspicions, Min-soo's threat, 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 truth is heavy, but I'm stronger. Let it come—I'm ready.