"It seems Big Deal is out of the game. God Dog will take over Gangdong." Johan approached Vin Jin with measured steps.
Just as Johan was about to stomp down on Vin Jin, Eli lunged forward and bit into his neck, then drove his knee into Johan's face.
Johan clutched at his bleeding neck. "Hey... Who the hell are you?"
Eli wiped the blood from his mouth. "...Family... Don't touch... my family!"
He launched himself at Johan with a vicious punch.
---
Seongji Yuk was walking home from his convenience store shift, a bag of vegetables in hand. As he neared the house, he heard sounds of struggle. He quickened his pace. When he reached the scene, an unknown man had Eli by the jaw, speaking in low tones.
Nearby, Vin Jin, Warren, Max, Derrick, a large bald man, and another lanky kid lay motionless on the ground. Seongji rarely got angry, but seeing the beaten forms of these boys—especially Vin Jin, Warren, Max, Derrick, and Eli—sent pure rage coursing through his veins.
Gun seemed to notice Seongji's presence. "Hey, who are you?"
Seongji dropped his bag. "Those boys you beat down—they're very close to me."
Gun thought to himself, "A man close to Eli Jang? There shouldn't be anyone like that."
Suddenly Olly rushed onto the scene. Seongji stopped him. "Take the boys inside and close the door until I come back."
"Y-Yeah!" Olly complied immediately.
Gun walked toward Seongji Yuk. "Who are you? You look strong."
Seongji placed his hand on Gun's chest. "I don't know who you are or why you're doing this, but I can see you've beaten these kids. Whatever problem you had with them should be settled now. So I'm asking you not to take this any further."
A mad smile spread across Gun's face. "It seems that person hasn't finished his work completely. I was wondering why you felt so familiar—King of Cheonliang!"
With that, Gun threw a punch at Seongji's face. Seongji caught it with his palm. Gun immediately followed with a reverse side kick. Seongji crossed his arms to block, but the force sent him sliding backward. Gun rushed in with a punch aimed at his face.
Gun noticed Seongji gripping his hip. "Ssireum? He took the hit just to get a grip?"
Seongji executed a hip toss, slamming Gun into the ground. Gun grunted, but before he could recover, Seongji lifted him and slammed him down again. Seongji looked down at him.
"I don't want to hurt you. Leave now. You can't win."
A mad grin spread across Gun's face as he flipped up from the ground while launching a reverse axe kick. Seongji's body flew upward, but Gun immediately followed with a downward axe kick that drove Seongji head-first into the ground, creating a crater.
Gun removed his broken glasses and grinned wildly. "That's fun! I'm having so much fun!"
Seongji charged at Gun to tackle him. Gun jumped over him easily, but Seongji grabbed a nearby lamppost. He literally ripped it from the ground and swung it at Gun. Gun raised his arms to guard, but the attack smashed him into a wall.
Seongji rushed at Gun immediately. Both threw upward punches simultaneously, and both were sent flying backward. Gun followed with a flurry of kicks, but Seongji absorbed the beating as if it were nothing.
Seongji grabbed his leg and slammed Gun into the ground so hard that a crater formed from the impact. Gun stood up, blood streaming from his head, grinning madly.
Seongji rushed at Gun and attempted a shoulder throw, but Gun flipped mid-air and crashed down onto Seongji's back. Seongji coughed up blood. He wiped it away and took his stance.
Gun rushed in with another attack, but Seongji didn't budge even after taking the hit. He grabbed Gun's hips with both hands, lifted him overhead, and slammed him into the ground, creating another crater.
"You're the strongest opponent I've ever faced in a long time. But I won't be defeated. Not now, not ever again." Seongji said to the fallen Gun.
---
Hayan Taekwondo
"What do you think now, old man?" Baki breathed heavily as he looked at Hansu Seong.
Hansu Seong's eyes were wide with shock. "Monster! How could someone improve this much in such a short span of time?"
"Hahaha, old man, the look on your face reminds me of my friend!" Baki laughed.
Hansu asked, confused, "Did your friend teach you how to fight?"
Baki scratched his head. "Yeah! I learned judo from him. He had the same shocked expression."
Hansu nodded. "Your friend must be pretty strong then."
Baki nodded. "I trained judo with him for almost seven years, but I almost never beat him in pure judo."
"Another monster!" Hansu mused.
Baki wiped his sweat. "Old man, I'll be going now. It's been a while since I've been home."
---
"Huh! It's already night? I swear it was morning when I got on the bus." Baki thought as he stood at the bus stop. Then he started walking toward home.