VROOOM!!!
Baki's bike tore through the highway. He was heading to Seoul from Daegu.
A white car suddenly cut in front of him, turning from the other side without warning—no horn, nothing.
Baki slammed the brakes. The bike lifted into a front wheelie before stopping just in time.
He was about to call out, but the car didn't stop. Another bike rushed past him, following the white car.
Annoyed, Baki followed. They stopped at a red light.
He peered through the window. A tall woman with long red hair sat in the driver's seat. The rest of the car was empty. Baki knocked on the side window, but she seemed oblivious.
Then he noticed her phone ringing. As he raised his hand to knock again, he spotted the other biker holding a plastic bag, motioning to throw it through the open window on the passenger side.
Baki immediately understood.
Inside the car, Heeyeon Hwang answered a call from an unknown number. "Hello?"
Silence.
She frowned. "What the hell? Is this a prank—"
An excited male voice cut in. "Found you."
Before Heeyeon could react, a large hand yanked her from the car and rolled her away.
She cursed. "The fuck are you—"
BOOM!!!
Her car exploded behind her. Metal shards flew toward them. Heeyeon squeezed her eyes shut, panicked.
The large figure who'd pulled her out shielded her body. Several hot metal fragments slammed into Baki's back, burning his skin and leaving cuts. His face showed no pain. Instead, he sighed.
Baki looked down at the girl clutching him. "It's over. You can stop hugging me now."
Heeyeon looked up, then pushed herself away. "W-Who are you?!"
Baki sighed again. "That should be my question. Who are you? Do you even know how to drive? My bike almost crashed into your car."
Heeyeon bristled. "You're one rude bastard! Is this how you address a lady?"
Baki shook his head. "I'd say you're the rude one. Instead of thanking the person who saved your life, you're cursing him."
Heeyeon flushed. "T-Thanks."
Baki chuckled. "You should also apologize. You almost caused an accident with your driving."
Her anger flared again. "Y-You, shut up and leave! I already thanked you. Isn't that enough?"
Baki chuckled and walked toward his bike.
Heeyeon noticed the cuts and burns on his back. Guilt stirred, but then she remembered—she had to leave. Another attack might come if she stayed.
She looked at what remained of her car. Her phone and bag were inside. No phone, no money. And she was stranded in the middle of a highway with no transport—except one.
She watched Baki mount his bike. She bit her lip, then walked toward him.
He noticed her approach. "What? Don't tell me you're here to blame me for not saving your car too?"
Heeyeon snorted. "I'm not here for that. The car doesn't matter, but what kind of man are you? Leaving a lady alone on the road. Have you no shame?"
Baki started his bike. "Well, what should I do then, my lady?"
"Take me to my destination."
Baki chuckled and pulled away. "Sorry, I don't take rude brats on my bike."
Heeyeon ran after him. "You bastard! Don't leave me here!"
Her curses turned to pleas. "Sorry! Just help once more! You bastard!"
Baki stopped. "I'll take you, but only on a few conditions. Say 'please,' stop calling me a bastard, and don't curse at me."
---
After a while, Baki entered Seoul with Heeyeon sitting behind him. Spotting a convenience store, she called out, "Hey, stop here for a moment!"
Baki stopped. Heeyeon jumped off and headed inside, then turned back and walked toward him. She opened her mouth as if to speak, then closed it.
Baki sighed. "What? What do you need now?"
Heeyeon looked flustered. "Lend me a few bucks. I'll pay you back when I get home."
Baki raised an eyebrow. "What do you need it for?"
"Just lend it to me."
Baki sighed and handed her the money.
Heeyeon grabbed it and entered the shop. She emerged with a cigarette in her mouth and climbed back onto the bike. Before Baki could speak, she said, "I can't help it. Especially when I'm stressed."
Baki shook his head and started the bike. "Where am I dropping you?"
Heeyeon gave him the location.
After half an hour, they reached a large building—at least twenty stories. Baki stopped. "Is this your home?"
Heeyeon shook her head. "My father is here. You know Congressman Yong Hwang? He's my father."
Baki nodded. "Never heard of him. I'm not into politics."
"That's fine. He's not great enough for people to know anyway. By the way, give me your phone number."
Baki chuckled. "For what?"
"I want to repay that money."
Baki shook his head and gave her his number. "Will you even remember it?"
Heeyeon snorted. "I will, you bastard! I'm not that dumb! I'm a prosecutor! Remembering a phone number is nothing!"
Baki sped off, calling back, "So you admit you're dumb, just not that dumb. Hahaha!"
Heeyeon shouted after him, "I'LL KILL YOU, BASTARD!!!"
---
Chungcheon
Jihan Kwak and Jibeom Kwak were at their base, both tense. Before them stood another figure.
Jihan stared at the ground. "What did you say?"
Little Daniel's expression was serious. "I think this case has something to do with the Workers. They should at least know something about it."
Jihan stood and looked directly at Daniel. "So they know where my brother is?"
Little Daniel nodded. "They should. Your brother was preparing to fight Charles Choi. Workers wanted him out too. Now that Charles Choi is dead, they must know something."
Jihan clenched his jaw. "So I just have to get to the Workers?"
"Yes."
Jihan walked past Daniel. "I'll cooperate with you. Call me anytime you need me. I'll be there. I'll protect my brother."
---
An old man sat on a wheelchair with crooked teeth and messy bleached blonde hair, wearing a hat.
Bongae Choi, also known as Lightning Choi—a member of the 0th Generation and former member of Gapryong's Fist.
Lightning Choi stared at a photo in his hands. He and Noh Bakugo stood side by side. Another memory flashed through his mind.
A young man wearing round glasses and black hair styled in a fringe, dressed in a light gray sweater under white suspenders and white pants with black stripes.
Bongae muttered, "What did you plan... Elite?"
Jake Kim looked at him. "Charles Choi is dead. He's been killed. What now?"
Bongae shook his head. "Something's wrong. The Elite I remember... he wouldn't die in a backwater place like this. Noh Bakugo, his helpers—none of them have the power to kill him. You didn't see him in his prime. The things Elite did... he was different from the rest of us."
Jake nodded. "Then should we find who killed him?"
"No. Elite wasn't the only one involved in Gapryong Kim's death. There were others. We need to find Jinyoung Park."
He handed Jake a piece of paper with an address written on it.
Shinsa-dong, Seoul
Workers 1st Affiliate, The Grim Plastic Surgery Hospital