Seoul Metropolitan Police Headquarters – 68 Hours After the Press Conference
Commissioner Jang stood before his assembled team. Fifteen of the department's best officers stood at attention.
"We move now," Jang said. "Target is considered extremely dangerous. Approach with maximum caution."
An officer raised his hand. "Sir, are we allowed to use firearms?"
"Only if he attacks first." Commissioner Jang tapped a location on the map. "He'll be here."
---
Gangbuk District
Six unmarked vehicles converged on a modest apartment building as the sun barely crested the horizon. Officers in tactical gear moved with practiced precision and cordoned off exits.
Commissioner Jang stepped out of the lead vehicle with a grim expression. He checked his watch. The time read 5:47 AM.
"All units in position," a voice crackled through his radio.
Jang nodded to his second-in-command. "Proceed."
---
Apartment 304
Baki sat at a small table. A cup of coffee steamed in front of him. His phone lay face-down beside it. The early morning light filtered through thin curtains.
This was a random hotel room he had booked for just one night. He had been expecting this.
The door exploded inward with a thunderous crash. Tactical officers flooded the room with weapons raised.
"ON THE GROUND! NOW!"
"HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!"
Baki didn't move. He took a slow sip of his coffee.
"GET ON THE GROUND!"
Commissioner Jang entered behind the tactical team. His hand rested on his holstered weapon. His eyes locked with Baki's.
"Baki Hanma," Jang said quietly. "You're under arrest for the murder of Charles Choi."
Baki set down his cup with deliberate care. "How amusing. I assume you have some solid evidence to back your claim?"
"We do have evidence." Jang's voice was steady. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you—"
"I know my rights," Baki interrupted. He stood slowly with his hands visible. "May I ask something?"
"No. Save it for your lawyer."
"How strict—"
"I said save it." Jang nodded to his officers. "Cuff him."
Two officers moved forward. Baki didn't resist as they secured his wrists behind his back. The cold metal clicked into place.
They led him toward the door. Baki spoke over his shoulder. "Commissioner. The evidence you received—is it okay to trust unknown info?"
Jang's expression didn't change. "Justice doesn't care about such things."
"Justice," Baki repeated with a mocking smile. "Is that what you call this?"
---
Outside the Apartment Building
A crowd had already gathered. News vans lined the street with cameras rolling. Reporters shouted questions as officers escorted Baki down the stairs.
"Mr. Hanma! Did you kill Chairman Choi?!"
"Why did you do it?!"
"What's your relationship to HNH Group?!"
Baki kept his eyes forward. His expression remained unreadable.
Commissioner Jang walked beside him with one hand on Baki's shoulder. Flash photography exploded like lightning. The crowd pressed against the police barriers.
A young reporter broke through and shoved a microphone toward Baki's face. "Do you have anything to say to Chairman Choi's family?!"
Baki stopped.
The officers tensed.
He turned toward the camera. His eyes reflected the morning sun. "The truth will come out. You just have to wait."
"That's enough," Jang said and guided him forward. "Keep moving."
They reached the police vehicle. An officer opened the rear door. Baki was lowered into the seat. He caught sight of someone in the crowd. A figure in a white sweater stood there with face obscured by a white mask, but his pink hair was prominently visible.
The figure raised a hand in acknowledgment, then disappeared into the throng.
Baki chuckled plainly.
The door slammed shut.
---
White Tiger Job Centre
Tom Lee sat at his desk and surfed through some documents.
His office door clicked open. Yeongcheol entered with a newspaper in his hand. "Major General."
Tom Lee looked up and nodded. He started to fold the documents. "Hoho~ Yeongcheol. Is it time for lunch so soon?"
Yeongcheol shook his head and handed the newspaper to Tom. "No. I just came here to inform you about something that might interest you."
Tom took the newspaper and started to unfold it. "Hoho~ What could interest me? Did Miss Kim post a new article or something? It's been a while since I heard—"
Tom stopped mid-speech. His eyes widened slightly. "What's this? Some kind of joke or what?"
Yeongcheol shook his head. "Major General, it's today's news. You can turn on the TV."
Tom nodded and turned on the TV.
---
KBS News - Live Broadcast
The screen showed a professional news anchor. She was a woman in her forties with sharp eyes and perfectly styled hair. Behind her, footage played on a large screen. Baki was being escorted by police through crowds of reporters. Flash photography lit up the early morning.
"Breaking news this morning. At approximately 5:47 AM, Seoul Metropolitan Police arrested twenty-two-year-old Baki Hanma in connection with the murder of HNH Group Chairman Charles Choi. Commissioner Jang, who promised an arrest within seventy-two hours, has delivered on that promise with what sources describe as 'substantial evidence.'"
The footage switched to Baki being escorted to the police vehicle. His mocking smile was clearly visible. The broadcast then cut to the woman from the crowd.
---
White Tiger Job Centre - Tom Lee's Office
Tom Lee stood frozen. His eyes locked on the television. The remote hung loosely in his hand.
Yeongcheol watched his boss carefully. "Major General?"
Tom didn't respond immediately. His jaw worked silently as he ground his teeth. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
"Hoho~" The laugh came out hollow. "So this is how it is."
He turned off the television and tossed the remote onto his desk. It clattered loudly in the sudden silence.
Yeongcheol stepped forward. "What happened?"
"I was wondering how someone like Charles could die. Even now I find it hard to believe." Tom walked to his window with hands clasped behind his back. "But what I find harder to believe is Baki getting arrested. It seems he is planning something."
"Should we help him?"
Tom stared out at Seoul's skyline for a long moment. "Yeongcheol, what does White Tiger Job Centre do?"
"We are mercenaries. We work for money."
Tom chuckled. "Then shove aside the news and focus on our work. He doesn't need our help. Not yet."
---
Donghwasa Temple, Daegu
Gongseob Ji stood in front of a large Buddha statue with his hands clasped. A black Rolls Royce car stopped before him. He smiled. "You're here. That's a nice car. Why don't you donate it to our temple, Dog- Taesoo?"
Taesoo Ma got out of the car. "Hilarious. Ask me after you donate everything you have to Buddha."
Gongseob Ji's smile didn't falter. "I don't believe I possess anything of value."
Taesoo Ma shot back with a straight face. "You mean you possess everything of value? By the way, what about the others?"
Gongseob Ji answered. "They've arrived behind you. Please take a look, if you have your own eyes. Ah right, it must be difficult for you since you only have one eye."
Taesoo Ma sighed. "Looks like I'll have to see the other end with you."
Gongseob Ji didn't answer him. He turned to the newly arrived King of Suwon. "Welcome. King of Suwon."
Seokdu Wang nodded. "It's been a while."
Taesoo Ma nodded. "It's nice to see you, Seokdu Wang."
Seokdu nodded. "What about the other regions?"
Before Gongseob Ji could answer, someone answered from the back.
"They won't be coming this time."
Everyone looked back.
Jichang Kwak was standing there. His torso was covered in bandages.
Seokdu inquired. "I heard you were attacked by someone from the pre-generation?"
Jichang nodded. "Elite, the second in command of Gapryong Kim's Fist Gang."
Seokdu nodded. "It seems he failed. So, what are we here for?"
Jichang closed in on them. "Elite is dead, but his crimes are yet to be revealed. You guys should know that Baki Hanma has been arrested for Elite's death."
Taesoo nodded. "Yeah. I saw the news. It was odd that he got arrested this quickly."
Jichang nodded. "Though Elite's dead, there's someone else out there. We have to find out who. We also have to clear Baki out of this case."
Seokdu asked. "How? According to the news, the police have evidence against him."
Jichang chuckled. "Don't worry. We have our own evidence too."
Just then, Gongseob Ji interrupted. "If it's about Baki Hanma, shouldn't he be helping us?"
Seokdu and Taesoo nodded.
Jichang smiled. "Don't worry, the King of Cheonliang is already on his way."