Eli and Warren stood before Eugene, who wore a knowing smile. "I guess today's my unlucky day. I knew you'd betray me eventually, but this soon? I underestimated the person who created the entire four major crew system."
Eli didn't react. He raised his hand and chopped downward.
A figure came flying at him, knee extended. Warren stepped in front of the attack and blocked it.
Eugene's smile widened. "My badge has a vital sign tracker with GPS—it's one of the features. When my life's in danger, it sends information to other badges, including my brother's. He can always find me."
Eugene looked up at Eli. "But I didn't expect even Samuel Seo to join your side. He'll pay for his betrayal later. You two will pay now."
As Eugene finished speaking, a black car rushed toward Eli at high speed. Eli jumped over it. The car drifted to a stop, and Xiaolong emerged, dragging the unconscious bodies of Jake and Olly.
Eli's eyes widened. Xiaolong limped to Eugene's side. Yuseong took position beside him as well, his expression cold and focused.
"Is that so? I guess he's a great brother and a genius then. But that doesn't matter—I've fought my fair share of geniuses." A new voice cut through the tension. "So, could you be kind enough to tell me where Johan is?"
Zack Lee dismounted his bicycle, wearing Gongseob Ji's clothes and glasses from his younger days.
Eugene immediately recognized Zack. But the Zack he remembered was night and day different from the one before him. He smiled. "Sorry, but I'm afraid I don't know where God Dog's Johan Seong currently is either."
Zack sighed. "So that's how you want to play? So be it. Kannon Bodhisattva."
Yuseong moved first. His body twisted low, one leg sweeping wide while his hands touched the ground. The spinning kick came from below, aimed at Zack's ribs.
Zack didn't dodge. His arm came down, blocking the kick. The impact made a sharp crack. Yuseong's leg bounced off.
Yuseong planted both hands and spun his whole body, legs whipping through the air. One heel caught Zack's shoulder. Zack's body barely shifted.
"That's all?" Zack stepped forward and threw a straight punch.
Yuseong dropped flat, the punch passing over him. He pushed off the ground, flipping backward. As he spun, his foot caught Zack under the chin. Zack's head snapped back, but his feet stayed planted.
Zack wiped his mouth. "Good. Keep going."
---
Warren moved toward Xiaolong. Xiaolong stood unevenly, his right leg dragging, but his eyes were sharp. Jake hadn't been able to defeat him, but he'd managed to break his leg.
Warren threw a low kick at Xiaolong's injured leg. Xiaolong pivoted on his good leg and swung his arm in a wide arc, his fist open.
The strike hit Warren's shoulder. Warren grunted and stepped back. Xiaolong pressed forward, dragging his broken leg behind him. He swung again, the open hand cutting through the air. Warren blocked with his forearm. The force drove him back two steps.
Warren shifted his stance. He closed the distance fast and drove his fist forward—a short, explosive punch from close range. It caught Xiaolong in the chest.
Xiaolong flew back. He tried to maintain his balance but couldn't and fell to one knee. He quickly got up and jumped at Warren, swinging his arm from overhead. Warren raised both arms to block.
---
Yuseong spun low again, his legs sweeping in fast circles. Zack blocked each kick, his arms absorbing the hits without flinching. Iron Fortress—a technique where the body becomes hard as iron and tough as a fortress.
Yuseong flipped to his feet and lunged forward, driving his knee toward Zack's face.
Zack caught the knee with both hands and shoved Yuseong back. Yuseong landed on his hands, kicked off the ground, and came at Zack from the side. His heel slammed into Zack's ribs.
Zack didn't move. He turned and punched. Yuseong twisted away, the fist missing by inches. He spun again, his other leg coming around fast and hitting Zack's temple.
Zack's head turned slightly. He blinked once. Then he grabbed Yuseong's ankle mid-spin and yanked him forward. Yuseong hit the ground hard. Zack stomped down. Yuseong rolled away.
A smile slowly spread across Yuseong's face.
Eugene's eyes widened in shock. "Yuseong only smiles when he faces extremely strong opponents."
---
Xiaolong swung his arm like a whip, the motion fast despite his injury. Warren ducked under it and drove an elbow into Xiaolong's side. Xiaolong grunted but didn't fall. He lifted his broken leg and swung it sideways—like a whip.
Warren stepped back. The leg hit a parked car. The door caved in, metal crumpling inward.
Xiaolong turned, dragging his leg. He swung his arm again. Warren blocked with his forearm, then stepped in close and punched—short and hard, right into Xiaolong's stomach.
Xiaolong coughed and doubled over, but his arm came up, slamming into Warren's side. Warren slid across the pavement, his shoes scraping the ground.
Warren straightened. Xiaolong stood hunched, breathing hard.
---
Behind them, Eli moved toward Eugene.
Eugene's smile faded. "You think you can just—"
Eli's hand shot out, grabbing Eugene by the collar. Eugene tried to pull back, but Eli chopped down at his neck. Eugene blocked with his forearm. Eli's other hand came up, striking Eugene's jaw.
Eugene's head snapped to the side. His legs wobbled. Eli grabbed him and slammed him against the car. The window cracked.
Eugene struggled. "Yuseong—"
Eli struck him again—hard, across the temple. Eugene's eyes rolled back. His body went limp.
Eli dragged him toward his car.
---
Yuseong saw it. His smile widened with tension. He pushed off from Zack and sprinted toward Eli.
Zack moved faster. He stepped into Yuseong's path and threw a punch. Yuseong twisted, barely dodging. Zack's fist hit a lamppost behind him. The metal bent, the light flickering out.
Yuseong spun and kicked at Zack's head. Zack blocked with his forearm. Yuseong flipped backward, then rushed forward again. Zack met him head-on.
---
Warren threw another low kick at Xiaolong's injured leg. This time it connected. Xiaolong's leg gave out. He dropped to one knee.
Warren stepped forward and drove his fist down. Xiaolong raised his arm, blocking it. The impact cracked the pavement around his knee.
Xiaolong swung his other arm upward. It caught Warren under the ribs, lifting him off the ground. Warren landed hard, rolling to his feet.
Xiaolong stood again, dragging his leg. His breathing was heavy. Blood dripped from his mouth.
Warren charged. Xiaolong swung his arm. Warren ducked under it and punched—twice, fast, into Xiaolong's chest. Xiaolong stumbled back. Warren didn't stop. He stepped in close and punched again, right into Xiaolong's jaw.
Xiaolong's head snapped back. He fell.
---
Eli threw Eugene into the car and slammed the door. He got in the driver's seat and started the engine.
Yuseong saw the car moving. He tried to run, but Zack grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. Yuseong spun and threw a punch. Zack blocked it and punched back—straight into Yuseong's stomach.
Yuseong gasped. His legs buckled. Zack shoved him to the ground.
The car drove off.
Yuseong stared after it, a smile of despair crowning his face. Zack stood over him, breathing steadily.
Warren walked over, holding his side. He looked at the car disappearing down the street.
"He left us," Zack said.
"Yeah," Warren said. "Our goal wasn't to fight to begin with."
Yuseong slowly stood, his fists clenched. His smile only broadened, but tears appeared in his eyes.