The late July heat in Noryangjin-dong was an unyielding crucible, the air thick with the scent of sizzling tteokbokki 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-fifth 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 hitting the PC bang tomorrow to try those Python tutorials"—had deepened the tether of trust, fueling a surge of momentum that pushed Taesan toward the crest of his ambition. But the weight of his secret, coupled with Sophie's suspicions and Min-soo's looming threat, was pushing him toward a breaking point, where the tension of his dual lives could no longer be contained.
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—"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, but the mystery of his return gnawed at him, a question that fueled both his resolve and his unease. The breaking point was near, and Taesan could feel it in his bones.
In science class, Taesan tackled a chemistry problem on equilibrium constants with a precision that left Mr. Kim blinking in surprise, adjusting his glasses with a rare smile. "Jang, you're making this look effortless," the teacher said, his tone tinged with awe. 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 breaking point. 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, but the surge of momentum was colliding with the weight of his secret—he'd have to face the test soon.
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 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, even if it meant breaking under the pressure.
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 about to snap."
Taesan's heart skipped a beat, Do-jin's words cutting too close to the truth. He kept his expression steady, the weight of his secret pressing hard. "I'm fine," he said, his voice calm but strained. "Just got a lot to prove." Do-jin's faith was a spark, and the trust they were building was a tether, but the breaking point loomed, and Taesan could feel the cracks forming. The surge of momentum was driving him forward, but the weight of his secret was pulling him back.
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, though it felt fragile. "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 teetered on the edge.
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 Min-ho's hesitant nod as he 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 the breaking point came.
As he approached Choi's Taekwondo & Hapkido Academy, he spotted Min-soo Kang waiting near an alley, flanked by Ji-hoon and Dong-min. Their eyes locked on Taesan, their smirks sharp with intent. "You've been dodging me, Jang," Min-soo growled, stepping forward. "Think you're untouchable now? Let's test that."
Taesan's pulse quickened, his body tensing, his mind flashing to Master Choi's drills—stance, balance, strike. "I'm not dodging you, Min-soo," he said, his voice steady but edged with steel. "You want a fight? I'm right here." The breaking point was here, and Taesan's resolve burned brighter than his fear.
Before Min-soo could respond, a voice cut through the tension. "Enough!" Sophie Leclerc appeared, her ponytail swinging, her eyes blazing with authority. "Back off, Kang, or I'm calling the principal. You're done here." Min-soo's jaw twitched, his fists clenching, but the weight of Sophie's presence—and the growing crowd of onlookers—forced him to step back, muttering curses as he and his cronies retreated.
Sophie turned to Taesan, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. "You're pushing too many buttons, Jang," she said, her voice low. "I don't know what you're hiding, but it's going to get you hurt if you don't watch it."
Taesan met her gaze, his heart pounding but his resolve unshaken. "Thanks for the save, Leclerc," he said, his voice calm. "But I can handle myself." She shook her head and walked away, leaving Taesan with a mix of relief and unease. The breaking point had been delayed, but it was coming.
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, even as the breaking point loomed.
As the session ended, Noah approached, wiping his brow. "I heard about Min-soo," he said, his shy smile tinged with concern. "You okay? You didn't back down—that's incredible."
Taesan grinned, slinging his towel over his shoulder, his resolve burning bright. "I'm fine, Noah. He's not done yet, 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. I'm sticking with you."
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 breaking point still looming. Sophie's intervention, 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 breaking point is close, but I'm stronger. I'm ready for what's next.