A black Mercedes with thin red racing stripes cut smoothly through the road. Inside, Joe and Woo-jin occupied the back, while Hyeon-ju gripped the wheel with Geon-woo in the passenger seat.
"Juju~ where are we headed exactly?"
Hyeon-ju winced at Woo-jin's overly affectionate tone. "Can you lose the voice? It's giving me the creeps. We're going to the orphanage I mentioned. Since Geon-woo's apartment address was leaked, it's not safe for his mom. Grandpa told me to take her there for the time being."
Geon-woo turned to Hyeon-ju, a flicker of genuine gratitude in his eyes. He managed a small smile. "Thank you, Hyeon-ju."
"Don't mention it. I'm the one who dragged you all into this mess. It's the least I can do."
"I'm just glad I can help," Geon-woo said firmly. "I only wish I could do more."
Woo-jin piped up from the back, punching the air. "Damn right! Let's kick those bastards' asses!"
Joe cleared his throat, his voice low and grounding. "It's only going to get more dangerous from here on out. Don't let your adrenaline do the thinking."
"Joe's right," Hyeon-ju added, pulling the car to a stop in front of a massive building. A banner draped over the entrance read: LOVE ORPHANAGE. "Now, get out. We're here."
Woo-jin and Geon-woo stepped out, groaning as they stretched their stiff limbs.
"Aren't you guys coming in?" Geon-woo asked, looking back at the car.
Hyeon-ju shook her head. "I'm not really in the mood for a tour. Make it quick."
Joe remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distance. In his world, silence was a clear 'no.'
"Suit yourselves. We'll be right back," Geon-woo said, and the two headed inside.
Left alone in the car, a heavy silence settled between Hyeon-ju and Joe. Feeling the awkwardness itch at her, Hyeon-ju decided to break the ice.
"So, are you actually training them? Geon-woo and Woo-jin?"
"I'm keeping them on their toes," Joe answered. "Preparing them for what's coming."
Hyeon-ju rolled her eyes. "That's exactly what training means, you know."
Joe didn't bother responding. Hyeon-ju muttered under her breath, "Total introvert."
"I am not," Joe said, his hearing sharper than she expected. "I simply prefer to speak when it's necessary."
Hyeon-ju sighed. "Fine. If you're not an introvert, you're just difficult to work with. Whatever. Tell me... why did you become a boxer anyway?"
To her absolute shock, a soft, faint smile touched Joe's lips. Hyeon-ju blinked, her jaw nearly dropping. "Holy shit! You actually know how to smile?"
"I am human. I have emotions just like anyone else."
"Okay, okay. So, what's the story?"
Joe leaned back, his eyes tracking a memory. "Nothing grand. I was an orphan. I had a hair-trigger temper, so I was shuffled from one orphanage to another. I hated it. I just wanted to be free. I tried to escape constantly, got caught every time... until one day, I finally made it out. I spent my days gambling, street fighting, and scamming people for pocket change. Looking back, those days were almost funny. I wasn't even fifteen yet."
Hyeon-ju nodded slowly. "Yeah. Sounds like we lived the same life."
"I know. When I heard your story at the BBQ place, I was surprised."
Hyeon-ju offered a small, knowing smile.
"Just like you found Mr. Choi," Joe continued, "I had someone, too. I was a real ass to him at first. His name was Danpei Tange. When we first met, he was a drunk trying to shake me down for cash. I beat the hell out of him. But instead of getting angry, he was fascinated. He told me I had a gift and begged me to box. I refused for a long time, but the old man was stubborn. He pestered me until I finally stepped into the ring. After that, the ring became my whole world."
"Seeing you now, it's hard to picture you as some feisty punk," Hyeon-ju remarked. "You look like a dead fish most of the time."
Just as Joe was about to retort, Geon-woo and Woo-jin emerged from the building.
"Guys, it's all okay. I have shown the place to mom. She likes it. I will bring her by the noon."
Hyeon-ju nodded. "Hmm."
---
That night, Du-yeong pulled his bike up to a neon-lit pool house. He stepped inside, the room washed in a hazy blend of blue and green light. His eyes landed on a strange man in the corner, exhaling cigarette smoke through a hole in his mask.
Du-yeong approached. "Hey, Gwang-mu. Been a while."
Gwang-mu stood up immediately. "Sir Du-yeong. I hope you've been well."
Du-yeong patted his shoulder and took a seat. Gwang-mu sat across from him, leaning in.
"Did you find anything out?"
Gwang-mu nodded, flicking ash from his cigarette. "Yeah. I have an old school friend who works for one of Kim Myeong-gil's guys. He was there when it went down. From what I hear, it was brutal. They were waiting at a gas station—as soon as the Il Group heir showed up, they snatched him. Beat him, threatened to end him. They're probably the only crew in the country crazy enough to touch a family like that."
Du-yeong leaned in. "And?"
Gwang-mu took a long drag of his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "And they filmed the whole thing. But... it's messy."
---
After finishing his talk with Gwang-mu, Du-yeong left the pool hall. He kicked his bike into gear and headed toward Yang-jung's sushi restaurant. The "Closed" sign was already hanging out front, but he slipped inside through the back entrance.
He made his way to a private room and gave the sliding door a sharp knock.
A moment later, Yang-jung slid the door open. Inside, President Choi and Mr. Oh were already waiting, their faces cast in shadows by the dim lighting.
Du-yeong took a seat at the low table next to Mr. Oh, while Yang-jung sat beside President Choi.
Mr. Oh slid a few photos across the table. He tapped the first one. "This is Kim Jun-min, the Sales Director at Smile Capital. Six priors for fraud—used cars, credit cards, you name it. He did a stint at the Seoul Nambu Detention Center."
Then, he pointed to the second photo. "Im Jang-do. He was a cadet at the police academy until he got kicked out for sexually harassing a junior. No priors, and he's currently their Head of Strategic Planning."
Du-yeong raised an eyebrow. "That's a weird pair."
President Choi shook his head. "Not at all. Having someone who knows exactly how the police operate is how they've managed to stay under the radar for so long."
Yang-jung studied the photos carefully. "So, it's these two?"
Mr. Oh nodded. "Yes."
Yang-jung pushed the photos back toward Mr. Oh. "Do you have addresses?"
"I have one for Jun-min," Mr. Oh said, pointing at the photo. "He lives in Saseong-dong. We have his car model and the plate number."
Yang-jung turned to President Choi. "We need to hit them hard and fast. Before they see us coming."
"They'll catch on soon enough," President Choi agreed with a grim nod.
Du-yeong reached out, dragging Jun-min's photo toward him. He pressed his index finger firmly onto the man's face. "This one. I'll handle him."
Yang-jung nodded. "Tomorrow night?"
"How far should we go?" Du-yeong asked, his voice flat.
Yang-jung looked surprised by the question. "What do you mean 'how far'? Take them out of the game."
Du-yeong gave a solemn nod.
"I'll deal with Kim Myeong-gil," Yang-jung added, turning to President Choi.
"He never goes anywhere alone," Choi warned. "And he's a master manipulator. Make sure you and Du-yeong go together. Don't let him get in your head."
Yang-jung looked like he wanted to argue, but he eventually gave in. "Fine. I'll just tail him for now."
President Choi turned back to Mr. Oh. "Was there a massive guy with Myeong-gil, by any chance?"
Mr. Oh nodded. "Ah, yes. The agency asked for more time on that one. I'll look into it further."
"Who is he?" Du-yeong asked.
"The man who threw me out the window," President Choi answered, his voice cold. "He's as strong as an ox."
Yang-jung suddenly spoke up. "Sir, what's the plan for the cash at the bookstore?"
"We have to move it," Choi replied. "I've seen strangers hanging around the area for a few days now. I'm afraid Myeong-gil already knows the location."
Yang-jung hesitated. "Why don't we let the kids move the money?"
President Choi looked him dead in the eye, his gaze sharpening.
Yang-jung sighed. "The truth is, we're running out of time and we're short on manpower."
"Those kids are the real deal," Du-yeong chimed in. "They mowed down thirty men."
Yang-jung glanced at him. "You saw that?"
"They were all face-down by the time I arrived," Du-yeong said. "Thirty men, and they didn't even use knives. They're not your average kids."
Yang-jung turned back to President Choi one last time. "Sir, if they move it early in the morning, it should be fine. Give them a chance. Hyeon-ju is smart; she'll lead them well."
President Choi took off his glasses, his face etched with tension. He remained silent for a long moment, but he didn't say no.