Tom Lee tore down the entire wall. He looked back at Baki. "Kid, the warm-up's over. Now let me train you on how to protect your client." With that, he threw a punch at the fat boy nearby. "If he gets hit even once, he might actually die, so take this seriously!"
The fat boy wet himself in terror. Baki grabbed a nearby pot and motioned to throw it. Suddenly Tom Lee froze in his tracks. "WAIT! YOU BASTARD! DON'T THROW IT! THAT'S THE POT MISS KIM BOUGHT! YOU'VE PASSED, PASSED!"
Hearing him scream, Baki stopped as well. "Huh? It looks like a cheap pot from a roadside stall, old man. Why do you want to keep it? Let's continue our fight." He raised the pot again.
But Tom Lee rushed forward and snatched it, setting it down gently. "Y-YOU CRAZY BASTARD! I TOLD YOU TO STOP!"
Baki asked, "But you seem fine with destroying the wall, old man?"
"WE CAN REBUILD THE WALL, YOU BASTARD! BUT I CAN'T REBUILD THE MEMORIES WITH MISS KIM! SO STOP!" Tom Lee shouted.
Baki scratched his head. "Okay then, old man. You need to calm down. It's not good for your heart at your age."
Tom Lee seemed ready to retort, but seeing Baki standing near the pot Miss Kim had given him, he held his tongue.
---
Some time later
Baki and Tom Lee sat side by side on a sofa. Tom grabbed an instant coffee. "You need to recruit criminals from all over South Korea for Circus."
"The fuck are you talking about, old man? Why would a circus need criminals?" Baki asked, surprised.
"Hahaha, calm down, kid. Though it's called Circus, it's not what you think. There's this organization called Workers. One of their VIPs has been my long-time client. They introduced our services to the head of Workers. That guy runs a casino." Tom Lee explained.
"Wait! Aren't casinos illegal in Korea?" Baki asked.
Tom Lee nodded. "Yes, but the head of Workers is smart. The casino only admits foreigners, which makes it legal."
Baki nodded in understanding. "So? What's its connection with Circus?"
Tom Lee explained, "Circus is the main business they run under the guise of the casino. It's where they plan to kidnap the world's most dangerous criminals and force them to fight to the death for the entertainment of the casino's VIPs. It hasn't been established yet. They want to hire a mercenary to lighten their workload."
Baki nodded. "So you want me to work with them?"
Tom Lee nodded. "Yeah."
"So... when will I be going?" Baki asked.
Tom Lee answered, "Sera will show you the place whenever you're ready."
Baki put on his shirt. "Well, seems I'm ready now."
"Hahaha! Good! I'll inform Sera. Wait a bit." With that, Tom Lee left.
---
Gangnam
Baki stepped out of the car. Before him stood a large building with "Casino" written in bold letters across it. Sera exited the car as well. She walked to the door and spoke to the guards, who opened it for them.
Sera looked back at Baki. "I've informed them about you. Someone will take you to the President of Workers. I'm heading back now."
Baki nodded and went inside. The casino was filled with foreigners. A lady wearing a fox mask walked toward him.
"Welcome to Lucky Casino! I am Neko, the CEO of the 2nd Worker Affiliate. The president has invited you to spectate the Circus. Please follow me."
Baki followed Neko to an elevator. She suddenly produced a traditional Japanese mask and handed it to Baki.
"Put the mask on. It's a rule."
Baki didn't ask questions and put on the mask.
Baki followed Neko through a secret passageway. After a while, they reached a massive arena. It was mostly empty. A kid wearing a school uniform and round spectacles walked toward them, followed by a tall, muscular African man with a broad build and a large black afro.
"Welcome. I've been waiting for you," the kid said.
But Baki walked past him and extended his hand toward the African man. "Hello, Mr. President. I am Baki, Baki Hanma."
Mandeok Bang looked at the man before him with confusion. He couldn't quite understand why this person was addressing him as the president when the real president stood right beside him. He shook Baki's hand. "Hello, Mr. Hanma. I am Mandeok Bang, the Vice President of Workers."
Baki asked, "Oh, my mistake, Mr. Bang. I thought the president was going to greet us."
Neko quickly interrupted to resolve the situation. "Mr. Hanma, the president is right beside you."
Baki looked around but saw no one except the kid. "Where is he? I don't see him."
A vein bulged on Eugene's forehead. He stepped forward to introduce himself. "Hello, Mr. Hanma. I am the president of Workers, Eugene."
Baki realized his mistake. He extended his hand for a handshake. "Oh... I see. I didn't expect the president would be this young."
Eugene smiled. "It's okay, Mr. Hanma. Everyone makes mistakes. Let me take you to meet your future coworkers."
Baki followed Eugene to a room. Eugene opened the door. "This is the office of the Second Affiliate."
Inside the room were three people wearing traditional masks.