Taesoo was roasting meat over the fire. Next to him sat Baki, who was already eating. A little farther away, Hudson Ahn watched them with a serious expression. Baki glanced at him, then at Taesoo Ma. "Is that your disciple or something?"
Taesoo Ma answered, "This kid's been pestering me for two whole years." Though he didn't admit that Hudson Ahn was his disciple, the pride in his eyes was unmistakable. He added, "You've grown a lot stronger. So, what are you doing in Ansan?"
Baki took a bite of meat and replied, "Just visiting old friends. Why? Can't I do that?"
Taesoo Ma shook his head. "No, you're free to do whatever you want. Just be careful. The world is in turmoil. Monsters are spawning everywhere."
Baki laughed. "Haha! They're just kids. They're a hundred years too early to pose a threat."
Then he stood up. Taesoo Ma asked, "Leaving already?"
Baki nodded. "I guess I can't have meat without seasoning. You'd better bring some on your next hunt."
With that, Baki was gone.
Hudson Ahn looked at Baki's retreating figure and asked, "Is he a King too?"
Taesoo Ma laughed. "Hahaha! That guy, a king? That'd be absurd! He's Baki Hanma, the Ogre!"
---
As Baki sped down the road, his phone rang.
Brrring! Brrring!
He pulled out the phone and answered.
"Old man, I'm not taking on any missions for a while. I'll let you know when I'm back to work."
Tom Lee replied, "Don't worry, brat. The target's close to you."
"Huh?! How do you know where I am?! Did you bug my phone or something?!"
Tom Lee laughed. "Brat, I've sent you the information. Check it out." With that, he ended the call.
"Tch! I should get my phone checked. That old man must have done something!"
Baki checked the information.
Target: Hae-Won Jo, "Ironclad"
Background: The "Ironclad" Gang
This small but ruthless gang is led by a disgraced former professional mixed martial artist. They operate a chain of underground, unlicensed boxing clubs across Daegu, preying on struggling young athletes and gambling enthusiasts.
Baki was on his way to Daegu to meet its king, Gongseob Ji.
After a few hours, he finally reached Daegu. Surrounded by mountains, it reminded him of Cheonliang. He decided to get some food first.
He parked his bike near a restaurant and went inside. Since he was already in Daegu, he decided to try something local: Dongin-dong Galbi-jjim, a spicy braised beef short rib stew that originated in the Dongin-dong neighborhood.
After a while, the food was served. Just as he was about to eat peacefully, a man came flying onto his table. He had just grabbed his chopsticks and hadn't even taken a bite.
Several men surrounded the man who had crashed into his table.
"You fucker! Didn't we pay you to lose?!"
The man cried as he knelt. "I don't know, boss! I really didn't throw any strong punches! I don't know how he became unconscious!"
The leader grabbed the man by his hair. "You fucker! You dare lie?! Do you know how much the boss lost because of you?!"
The man cried, "I don't kn—" Before he could finish, a punch landed on his jaw, knocking him unconscious.
The leader looked at his subordinates. "Torture him until he gives up information. Make sure you beat him up good. Because of this fucker, I lost face in front of the boss!"
He was about to leave when a hand clasped his shoulder. He turned to see Baki staring at him, veins bulging on his face.
The leader shouted, "What, you constipated fucker?!"
Baki's expression darkened. He squeezed the leader's shoulder. The man immediately dropped to his knees and groaned in pain. He yelled at his subordinates, "You motherfuckers! Do I have to invite you to beat him up?!"
The subordinates immediately rushed at Baki. Without removing his hand from the leader's shoulder, Baki delivered a high kick to one goon's head and followed with another kick to the midsection of the second. Both fell.
The leader looked at Baki with frightened eyes. "W-What do you want? Y-You can't att—"
Before he could finish, Baki slapped him across the face, knocking out his teeth. The leader continued anyway.
"I-I'm a membuh… o' th-the I-Ironclad g-gang! Y-You can't h-hurt me!"
An amused smile appeared on Baki's face. He pulled the man upward and began fixing his hair and straightening his shirt. "Phew. Thank God I didn't knock you out."
The leader sobbed. "W-what do you m-mean?!"
Baki smiled. "Didn't you say you're a member of the Ironclad gang? Do me a favor and take me to your boss."
The leader was confused. After a moment, he understood what Baki was saying. An evil grin appeared on his face.
"Yes. Let me take you to the boss."
Baki laughed. "Wow! Your stuttering seems to have disappeared! Did I not use enough strength...? Hmm... It seems I've been going easy... Should I try again?"
The leader immediately stuttered, "N-No!"
---
After a while, Baki reached an underground arena. Hundreds of men were watching two fighters battle in the ring. It was brutal, but the viewers were enjoying it.
The leader pointed at a table beside the arena where three men were sitting. It looked similar to a WWE setup.
Baki looked back at the leader. "Thanks, dude. You've been a great help."
The leader scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed smile. "I-It's noth—" Before he could finish, a punch landed on his chin. He dropped unconscious.
Baki slowly walked down to where the boss of the Ironclad gang, Hae-Won Jo, was sitting. He removed his jacket as he descended and tossed it onto a chair. Several gazes fell on him. His lean, muscular body seemed sculpted for fighting. He stood before Hae-Won Jo.
Hae-Won Jo looked at Baki with confusion. He shouted, "Who the fuck are you?! Where are the guards?! Take him away!"
Sadly for him, all the guards were unconscious with their teeth missing.
Baki cracked his neck. "Sorry, man. But you're going down today. Don't worry, I have no personal grudge. It's just my work."
Hae-Won Jo sneered and stood up. His large, bulging figure at 6'4" made him look far bigger than Baki's 6'1" frame.
Hae-Won Jo said, "Kid, I don't know who sent you, but if you ask for forgiveness, I'll let you go after breaking your legs and arms. But if you don't, you're not getting out al—"
Suddenly Hae-Won Jo was sent flying back into the audience. Baki picked his ear. "Bud, did the steroids eat away your brain too? Don't fucking go around threatening everyone."
Before Hae-Won Jo could reply, Baki appeared in front of him and sat on him, smashing his face repeatedly.
Hae-Won Jo tried to get up, but he couldn't. He shouted at the two men nearby. "Fuckers!" A punch landed on his face.
"Wh—" Another punch. "Are yo—" Another punch. "Standing th—" One final punch knocked him out. Hae-Won Jo, who had been kicked out of professional fighting for using illegal substances and for his brutality, was beaten to unconsciousness in his own arena.
One of the men who had been sitting beside Hae-Won Jo laughed crazily. "Hae-Won Jo, you fucker! Finally! You're finished! Did you think you built this empire with your strength?! I did it all! I'm the real boss! Hahaha!"
Baki looked at the man strangely. "Is this fucker the client? He seems to have gone mad. Whatever. As long as he pays."
---
After a while, Baki reached a temple, his clothes still bloodied from the previous fight.
A tall, bulky Buddhist monk with pale skin, a buzz cut, and a short beard appeared before him. The lobes of his ears were stretched, and his eyes were closed in a smiling expression.
"Amitabha. What is this monstrosity doing in the sacred temple?"