The tattooed man lay on the ground, foam bubbling from his mouth. Around him, the other naked men had collapsed. Johan's hands were smeared with blood. "What do we do now?"
Baki sat at the reception desk. Just as he opened his mouth to answer, a scrawny man with hair covering his eyes entered the outdoor bath.
"Uhm. I heard someone was looking for me?" Baek Hyeon walked over to the tattooed boss and crouched down, slipping a watch off the man's wrist. He glanced at Baki. "Did Choi Bongpal send you?"
Baki nodded. "Yeah. You're Baek Hyeon?"
"That's me. So what do you need?"
"T-Group," Baki said. "They're shipping a large quantity of drugs from South Korea to Vietnam. I need information on them."
At the mention of T-Group, Baek Hyeon visibly flinched. "I-I can't help you."
He turned to leave. Baki glanced at Johan. Understanding immediately, Johan grabbed Baek Hyeon's arm and slammed him to the ground, then planted his foot on the man's neck.
Baki smiled. "Will you cooperate now?"
Baek Hyeon cursed. "G-Get off me, motherfucker!"
Baki crouched beside him. "Tell me what you know and we'll leave."
Sweat poured down Baek Hyeon's face. After a long pause, he sighed. "T-Group—you think they work under their real name?"
Baki's smile widened. "If I knew that, would I be here?"
"G-Get off me first and I'll tell you everything."
Baki nodded to Johan, who removed his foot. Baek Hyeon stood, massaging his shoulder. "I'm not sure if the group I know is T-Group, but there's going to be a large shipment this week. I don't know the exact time or place, but if they're shipping products, there are only two possible locations."
Baki popped a piece of gum in his mouth. "Where?"
"B-Busan port or Incheon port."
"So the shipment's within the week, and it's either Busan or Incheon?" Baki nodded. "Good. I have connections in both places."
He started toward the exit. "Let's go, Johan."
---
The next day
Baki and Johan arrived in Busan. "How are you so sure Busan is the place?" Johan asked.
"Incheon's been taken over by the Dark Crocodile Society. T-Group wouldn't risk a conflict with them. Busan's the safer option—the Wolf, Jinrang, is in jail right now."
Johan nodded as Baki stopped in front of a large warehouse. He parked the bike and dismounted. Inside, workers glanced at them but continued their tasks.
They climbed the stairs to find Choi Bongpal sitting in a chair. "Well, well. The man who defeated all of Busan in one day. I heard they call you the Ogre."
Baki dropped into a nearby chair. "What's up? You've changed since last time."
Choi Bongpal smiled. "Side effects of success. So, did you get your information?"
"Yeah. I need your help again."
"How could I refuse the Ogre himself?"
"I want you to keep an eye on Busan port for unusual activity. High chance T-Group's using it for their shipment."
Choi Bongpal's eyes narrowed. "Coming to my territory. How sweet. Don't worry—I'll keep watch."
---
A few days later
Baki was doing handstand pushups with added weights, Johan following his regime. Choi Bongpal walked in.
Baki stopped mid-rep and grabbed a towel. "What's up? Find anything?"
Choi Bongpal settled onto the sofa. "A large group entered Busan. My informant was captured. I'm sure it's them."
Baki pulled on his T-shirt. "Is that so? Finally time to get some work done."
Johan stood, ready.
---
Busan Port
Near the eastern edge, away from the main traffic, a mid-sized cargo vessel was moored at Pier 7.
A guard with a shaved head and a scar running down his left cheek stood at the top of the gangway, assault rifle slung across his chest. He lit a cigarette and surveyed the port below. Behind him, two more guards patrolled the deck.
"How much longer?" the scarred guard called down.
In the cargo hold, men in black tactical gear worked methodically, loading wooden crates stamped "Agricultural Equipment" into a hidden compartment built into the hull.
"Another hour, maybe two," replied the supervisor, clipboard in hand.
The scarred guard took a long drag. "Hurry up. Don't waste time."
Inside the bridge, three guards monitored the operation. One watched multiple laptop screens showing security camera feeds. Another was on radio with spotters positioned throughout the port. The third stood by the window with binoculars, scanning distant warehouses and access roads.
Below, four men used a hydraulic lift to position the final large crate, faces slick with sweat despite the machinery.
"Careful!" the scarred guard barked. "That crate's worth five million. Drop it and you're going overboard."
The crate settled with a heavy thunk.
"Good. Seal it up."
Two technicians moved forward with welding tools.
Suddenly, a hand clamped over the scarred guard's mouth. His eyes widened as another arm wrapped around his throat. The cigarette fell from his lips. His rifle clattered softly against the railing as his body went limp.
Johan lowered the unconscious guard to the deck.
On the opposite side, two patrolling guards walked their rounds. One turned to his partner—
His partner was gone.
"Jin? Where—"
A fist crashed into his temple. He crumpled without a sound. Baki caught him, easing him down beside his already-unconscious partner.
Inside the bridge, the man with binoculars frowned. "Hey, I can't see the deck guards."
The one monitoring cameras leaned forward. "The angles are wrong. Switch to—"
The bridge door opened.
All three guards spun around.
Baki stood in the doorway, cracking his knuckles. "Evening, gentlemen."