Ryuhei pushed the bike off himself and stood up, dusting his coat. "That hurt a bit."
Wooseok cracked his knuckles. "Hyungjae, let's handle this quick."
Hyungjae grinned. "Yeah! This guy thinks he can just waltz in here!"
Both rushed at Ryuhei from different angles. Wooseok grabbed Ryuhei's arm while Hyungjae went low, hooking his leg behind Ryuhei's knee. They worked together, pulling and pushing in opposite directions.
Ryuhei stumbled but didn't fall. "Wrestling? Boring."
Hyungjae pushed harder, and Jewoo yanked Ryuhei's arm down. Ryuhei's body twisted, and he crashed into a parked car. The door caved in with a loud crunch.
"Got him!" Hyungjae shouted.
But Ryuhei was already moving. He grabbed Hyungjae's collar and headbutted him. Blood splattered from Hyungjae's nose. Before Wooseok could react, Ryuhei kicked backward, his heel smashing into Wooseok's ribs.
Wooseok grunted and stepped back. "This guy's no joke."
Ryuhei rolled his shoulders. "Are you two done warming up?"
Wooseok and Hyungjae exchanged glances. They moved in sync again. Wooseok came from the front while Hyungjae circled behind. Wooseok threw a punch, which Ryuhei blocked. But that was the trap. Hyungjae grabbed Ryuhei from behind, locking his arms around Ryuhei's waist.
"Now, Wooseok!"
Wooseok charged forward and slammed his shoulder into Ryuhei's chest. The impact sent all three crashing through a storefront window. Glass shattered everywhere, raining down on the street.
Inside the store, Hyungjae still held Ryuhei tight. "Don't let him move!"
Wooseok picked up a metal shelf and swung it like a bat. It connected with Ryuhei's side. The shelf bent from the force.
Ryuhei coughed. "That one actually hurt."
He planted his feet and lifted Hyungjae off the ground despite the grip. Then he jumped backward, slamming Hyungjae into the floor. The tiles cracked beneath them. Hyungjae's grip loosened.
Ryuhei spun and kicked Hyungjae across the store. Hyungjae crashed into a display counter, scattering products everywhere.
Wooseok came at Ryuhei again, grabbing his coat. Ryuhei didn't resist. Instead, he pulled Wooseok closer and drove his knee into Wooseok's stomach. Once. Twice. Three times.
Wooseok's grip weakened. Ryuhei grabbed Wooseok's head and slammed it against a concrete pillar. The pillar cracked. Wooseok dropped to one knee.
"Wooseok!" Hyungjae got up, blood dripping from his mouth. He charged at Ryuhei with everything he had.
Ryuhei turned and caught Hyungjae's punch. He twisted Hyungjae's arm and kicked his legs out from under him. Hyungjae fell hard.
But Wooseok was back up. He tackled Ryuhei from the side, and both crashed through the store's back wall into an alley. Bricks scattered across the ground.
Woose6 pinned Ryuhei against the wall and threw rapid punches at his face. Ryuhei blocked most of them, but a few connected. His lip split open.
Ryuhei smiled through the blood. "Getting desperate, are we?"
He grabbed Wooseok's wrist mid-punch and pulled him forward. Ryuhei's forehead smashed into Wooseok's face. Wooseok staggered back, dazed.
Hyungjae appeared from the store entrance. "I'm not done yet!" He ran and jumped, aiming a flying tackle at Ryuhei.
Ryuhei sidestepped. Hyungjae crashed into the wall instead, leaving a dent in the bricks.
Ryuhei grabbed Hyungjae by the back of his shirt and threw him at Wooseok. Both men collided and fell in a heap.
They struggled to get up. Wooseok wiped blood from his mouth. "This guy's a monster."
Hyungjae breathed heavily. "We can't let him past us. I didn't expect Seoul to have monsters even stronger than those in Cheonliang. But no matter—it's fun."
They stood again, battered but not broken. Ryuhei watched them with mild interest. "What are you guys mumbling about? It's no fun if I don't understand what you're saying."
Wooseok and Hyungjae split up again, coming at Ryuhei from both sides.
Ryuhei dodged Wooseok's grab and caught Hyungjae's punch. He twisted Hyungjae's arm behind his back and kicked him forward into Wooseok. Both men stumbled.
Ryuhei was about to finish them when his phone rang. He pulled it out and answered. "Yeah?"
His expression changed. His eyes widened slightly. "What did you say?"
The voice on the other end spoke urgently. "Johan Seong... He kidnapped the president!"
Ryuhei sighed. "Is Glasses in danger? I knew this was going to happen..."
He hung up and looked at Wooseok and Hyungjae, who were trying to stand again. Ryuhei's demeanor shifted. The playful attitude was gone.
"Sorry, but I don't have time for this anymore."
He moved faster than before. Wooseok barely saw him coming. Ryuhei's fist drove into Wooseok's solar plexus with enough force to lift him off the ground.
Hyungjae tried to grab Ryuhei from behind again. Ryuhei spun and caught Hyungjae's arm. He pulled Hyungjae off balance and drove his elbow into Hyungjae's face. Hyungjae's sunglasses shattered. He fell beside Wooseok.
Both men lay in the alley, groaning.
"Damn it! Where's that bastard?! Why isn't he here yet?!"
Ryuhei stepped over them and headed back to his bike. The street around them was a mess—broken glass, cracked walls, scattered debris.
Ryuhei picked up his bike and got on. The engine roared to life. But for some reason, his bike didn't go forward. "Huh? Did that throw damage it? Damn it! It was a new model!"
But before he could continue, suddenly his bike—alongside him—started to slowly float. "Shit! What's this?"
A voice came from behind. "I remember you, you blond bitch!" With that, Vin Jin threw the bike alongside Ryuhei.
Ryuhei jumped off the bike and rolled. He looked at Vin Jin. "You?! You're that bastard who got caught at the 2nd affiliate!"
But Vin Jin didn't wait to hear him. He directly tackled him into the wall. "I've heard enough... But I don't know Japanese, you fucker!"
---
Johan was driving a sports car through the highway. In the back was Eugene's unconscious body. Just then, a car blocked his path. "Damn it!" Johan pressed the brake hard.
The car skidded across the road, stopping inches before crashing into the other car. Johan sighed and got out.
"Yes, Chief. I'll capture him now. Understood. Of course the safety of the VIP is important. But I will prioritize the plan. Don't worry." Manager Kim got out of the car and hung up the call.
Then he turned to Johan. "Johan. What do you think you're doing? This matter shouldn't concern you. Eugene is our VIP customer. Why are you intervening in this matter..."
Johan interrupted him. "Can we just get started? I don't want to waste time here."
Saying that, Johan lunged at Manager Kim and threw a flying kick. Manager Kim leaned back, and Johan's figure went flying over him. Manager Kim quickly threw a roundhouse kick at Johan's back.
Johan quickly blocked it and threw a straight kick. Manager Kim blocked it, but the impact made him slide back. "Director General... Does he truly want to replace Baki with this kid?"
Manager Kim took his iconic CQC stance. He called out to Johan, who was rushing back to the car. "Hey, punk. You're leaving without greeting me properly. It should be okay as long as I don't kill you."
With that, Manager Kim lunged at Johan with astonishing speed. His strike connected with Johan, but he could feel something amiss. Johan had actually blocked his attack. "Johan... Are you making it obvious that you're a genius?"
Manager Kim turned back, his eyes widened in surprise. "Hmm?"
Johan Seong stood in a fighting stance. It was identical to Manager Kim's CQC stance. Manager Kim was surprised. "Don't tell me you learned how to use it. It's not something you can follow after seeing it once. If you don't believe me, try it."