Chapter 36: The Crest of Ambition
The late July heat in Noryangjin-dong was a relentless crucible, the air thick with the scent of sizzling gimbap 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 thirty-fourth 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. Noah Park's commitment yesterday—"I'm starting on those books tomorrow"—had deepened the tether of trust, fueling a surge of momentum that pushed Taesan toward the crest of his ambition. The weight of his secret remained, but the pulse of progress was a tidal wave, driving him to seize every opportunity and climb higher.
The school courtyard buzzed with its usual chaos—students trading notes, laughing over cans of Hite 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 their last encounter, broken only by his cold glares, was a coiled threat, and Sophie's probing questions—"There's more to you, Jang"—were a pressure that tested 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, and the mystery of his return, though unresolved, only sharpened his focus. He was nearing the crest, and nothing would stop him.
In Korean literature class, Taesan analyzed a passage from Chunhyangjeon with a depth that left Ms. Lee blinking in surprise, her pen pausing mid-note. "Jang, you're turning into a scholar," she said, her tone a mix of awe and curiosity. 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, 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 tether of bonds with Noah and Do-jin gave him strength, and the surge of momentum pushed him to keep climbing—he'd face the test and keep his secrets sharp.
At lunch, the cafeteria pulsed with noise—students shouting over trays of bulgogi, the air thick with the scent of soy sauce and grilled meat. Taesan sat alone, his notebook open to a new page: a refined plan to optimize 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, and the trust behind it, was a tether that 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 chasing something huge."
Taesan's heart skipped a beat, Do-jin's words fueling the surge of momentum. 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, and the trust they were building was a tether, driving the pulse of progress forward. The crest of ambition was in sight, and Taesan wouldn't falter.
Do-jin nodded, clapping his shoulder. "You're a beast, man. Just don't burn out, yeah? I got your back, so 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." The tether of Do-jin's trust—I got your back—felt like a lifeline, one he'd cling to as he climbed higher.
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, Noah Park caught up with him, his lanky frame moving quickly, his eyes flickering with excitement. "Taesan, I started reading Introduction to Algorithms last night," Noah said, his voice eager. "It's tough, but I'm getting it. You were right—there's something big in this tech stuff. What's next?"
Taesan's pulse quickened, Noah's enthusiasm deepening the tether of trust between them. He saw the potential in Noah—the future tech titan—and the surge of momentum pushed him to guide him carefully. "That's a great start, Noah," he said, his voice steady. "Keep at it, and try some basic Python tutorials online—there's a PC bang with decent computers you can use. Stick with me, and we'll build something huge together."
Noah's eyes lit up, a flicker of confidence breaking through. "I'm all in, man. Thanks for showing me the way." The trust between them was a tether, fragile but strong, a new thread in Taesan's web of alliances that pulsed with the rhythm of progress.
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.
Noah worked nearby, practicing a hapkido joint lock with a focus that mirrored Taesan's own. 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 tether of Noah's trust fueled his resolve—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 the tether of trust from Noah and Do-jin was heavier—he was being forged into something sharper, driven by the surge of momentum toward the crest of his ambition.
As the session ended, Noah approached, wiping his brow. "I'm hitting the PC bang tomorrow to try those Python tutorials," he said, his shy smile tinged with determination. "Thanks for keeping me on track, Taesan. I'm in for the long haul."
Taesan grinned, slinging his towel over his shoulder, his resolve burning bright. "We'll build it together, Noah. You're tougher than you know—keep it up, and you'll be unstoppable."
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 crest of ambition within reach. 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 close, but the crest of ambition is closer. I'm ready for what's next.