Jake and Lineman followed Boknam through a cluster of rusted pipes until they reached a heavy iron manhole cover. The metal groaned as Boknam gripped the edge and slid it aside to reveal a dark, vertical drop.
"Where do we go now?"
Boknam pointed directly into the hole where a ladder disappeared into the shadows. A thick vein popped on Lineman's forehead as he looked at the mud caked around the rim.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!"
Boknam raised his hands in a mock surrender and stepped toward the edge.
"I am not fucking kidding you. Follow me down, will you?"
Boknam disappeared into the manhole and his boots clattered against the metal rungs. Jake followed him down without saying a word.
"Hyung-nim!"
Lineman called out in a desperate voice but he unwillingly squeezed himself into the opening. Instead of a stinking sewer, they found a wide and dry underground pathway made of reinforced concrete.
"Woah! Who made this place?!"
Boknam shrugged and started walking through the dim yellow light.
"Don't know. We have been using it as our secret base since our other spot got exposed a few days ago. The Dark Crocodile Society has grown relentless lately and it makes me wonder if something big happened."
Jake kept his eyes forward and adjusted his jacket.
"Dark Crocodile Society... What is that?"
Boknam stopped and turned around with a shocked expression on his face. He let the bubblegum hang from his teeth.
"You don't know the Dark Crocodile Society?"
Jake shook his head.
"Why did you guys come to Incheon in the first place if you don't know who runs the show?"
Jake stayed silent and his face remained a mask of indifference. Boknam popped his gum and turned back toward a large metal door at the end of the tunnel.
"We are here."
He pushed the door open and the hinges screamed for oil. Inside, a fat man in a green tracksuit sat on a milk crate and munched on a slice of greasy pizza.
Across the room, a man with bleached hair in an orange tracksuit and another wearing a black tank top and a cap were focused on a handheld gaming console. The fat man waved a crust at them.
"Boknam, you returned so quickly."
Boknam nodded and gestured toward the newcomers.
"Yeah. Found two lost lambs on the street and decided to help them out a bit."
The fat man scanned Jake and Lineman from head to toe.
"You sure these guys are safe? Not one of those bastards from the Dark Crocodile Society."
Boknam stepped further into the room and leaned against a wall.
"These lambs are outsiders. I brought them here because of their skills. They will be a good addition to the Speed Circle."
Lineman's jaw dropped and he pointed a finger at his own chest.
"Who said anything about joining the Speed Circle?!"
Boknam shrugged and didn't look bothered by the outburst.
"You guys are already here. Might as well join us since the city is closed off to everyone else."
Jake stepped into the center of the room and his voice cut through the bickering.
"Where is the King of Incheon?"
The fat man stopped chewing and looked confused.
"King of Incheon?"
Boknam sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"He is talking about Jaegyeon Na."
The fat guy nodded and went back to his pizza. Boknam turned to Jake.
"Jaegyeon Na is out right now but he will return soon. In the meantime, let me introduce you to your new comrades."
Boknam pointed at the man in the green tracksuit.
"This fat guy here is called Sebastian. He might look chubby but he has some crazy power in those arms."
He then pointed at the two gamers who hadn't looked up yet.
"Those crackheads are Roy and Sung."
Sung waved a hand without taking his eyes off the screen.
"Good to see ya newbies. I am the number two of the Speed Circle."
Roy followed suit with a distracted nod.
"I am the real number two. You can come to me if you face any problems."
Boknam turned back to his guests.
"What were your names again?"
"I am Jake Kim."
Jake pointed a thumb at his companion.
"He is called Lineman."
Boknam nodded and checked his gum.
"Now, let's come to your previous question. What is Dark Crocodile Society?"
"Years ago, a bunch of bad guys came here from China. Their goal was to take over Incheon and slowly spread their influence all over South Korea and take over it too."
He paced the small room and his shadow stretched across the concrete.
"Our predecessors, meaning the previous members of Speed Circle stopped them for a while. But Dark Crocodile Society is a vicious gang. They have over 20,000 men. Don't ask me how I know that. They literally have two commanders of ten thousand men."
Lineman asked with a shaky voice.
"Don't the police or the government do anything?"
Boknam shrugged and looked at the ceiling.
"Never seen them take any action. The Society has taken over all of Chinatown and is forcing Korean citizens out. That is why the city looks like a warzone."
Lineman looked around the small, empty room.
"So, where are all your other members? Do you have bases all over Incheon?"
Boknam raised an eyebrow.
"Other members? We have Jaegyeon Na and Yeowool Ha."
Lineman shouted and his eyes nearly popped out.
"That's all?!"
Boknam nodded.
"That's all."
Jake stood up and immediately started walking toward the metal door. Lineman didn't hesitate to follow him.
"Hey, hey! Where are you going?!"
Jake waved back without turning his head.
"That's it. We are leaving. There is no point in hanging out with a bunch of delusional people."
Boknam jumped to his feet and followed them.
"Hey, stop there! You are already part of this. Didn't you agree to join us?"
Lineman raised his middle finger over his shoulder.
"Fuck no!"
Just then, the metal door swung open with a heavy bang. A tall guy with blonde hair entered the room followed by a person in a full biker outfit.
Jaegyeon Na stopped and looked at Jake and Lineman with a sharp, piercing gaze.
"Huh? What is happening here? Who are these bunch?"