The Speed Circle marched toward the Dark Crocodile Fortress with Jake and Lineman at their side. The area looked deserted at first, but the silence was unnerving. As soon as they crossed the outer perimeter, hundreds of shirtless men covered in thick black tattoos began pouring out from the surrounding buildings.
"Looky 'ere, boys! It's da Speed runts tinkin' dey can walk right in!"
A massive man with a snake tattoo across his chest spat on the ground and brandished a lead pipe. The mob of tattooed fighters closed in from all directions, their voices rising in a jagged chorus of threats.
"We're gonna carve yer up and feed yer ta da gators, we are! Get 'em, lads! Leave nuffin' but bone!"
Jaegyeon Na stepped to the front and adjusted his shirt as the crowd surged forward. He did not wait for them to reach him.
"Break through!"
Jaegyeon Na surged forward and unleashed a flurry of rapid kicks. His legs moved in a blurring rhythm as he struck the necks and chests of the closest men. Every hit sent a body flying into the crowd behind them.
WHACK!
Jake ducked under a wild swing from a pipe and countered with a crushing liver shot that folded a man in half. He grabbed another goon by the throat and slammed him into the pavement with enough force to crack the asphalt.
Sung followed Jaegyeon's lead and delivered a series of high-precision kicks to the shins and ribs of the attackers. Beside him, Roy used his fists to punch through the line.
THUD!
Despite the massive numbers, Jaegyeon frowned as he cracked a man's collarbone. These fighters were sloppy and their movements lacked the bite he expected from the Society's headquarters.
"Something is wrong. These guys are too weak for the main fort. Are these really the best they have?"
Yeowool Ha spun through the chaos and landed a double-heel strike on a tattooed head. She pushed off the man's shoulders and landed next to Jaegyeon.
"The numbers are the only thing slowing us down! These aren't the elites, Jaegyeon! Go! Get Daniel before the real ones show up!"
Jaegyeon hesitated, his eyes darting between the endless sea of tattooed thugs and his friends. He tightened his grip on his sleeves, his feet staying planted in the defensive line.
"I am not leaving you guys to get swamped by a thousand people!"
Roy punched a man so hard the goon's feet left the ground. He turned his head and spat blood to the side.
"Stop being a mother hen, Jaegyeon! We can handle these bottom-feeders! If you stay here, we all get stuck in the mud. Move!"
Jake looked at Lineman, who was currently a blur of motion as he intercepted a group of attackers with rapid-fire jabs. Lineman stopped for a fraction of a second to nod at his leader.
"I will stay here with them, Big Deal! We will hold the door! You and Jaegyeon Na go get our guy!"
Jake gave a short nod and grabbed Jaegyeon by the shoulder.
"They are right. We are wasting time on small fry while the clock is ticking for Daniel. Let's go!"
Jaegyeon looked at Yeowool, Sung, and the others one last time. They gave him determined grins as they pushed the mob back.
"Don't you dare get a scratch on you!"
Jaegyeon shouted over the roar of the crowd. He turned and sprinted toward the massive iron doors of the fort with Jake right behind him.
WHAM!
The sounds of the tattooed mob screaming and the heavy impact of kicks faded as they breached the entrance. They did not know that the true main force was currently miles away at the Incheon port, leaving only the dregs to guard the fortress.
Jake and Jaegyeon ran through the long, dark, echoing hallway of the middle layer, their footsteps the only sound in the hollow halls.
The fortress was built in sections and they were currently between the outer walls and the inner sanctum. They needed to reach the meeting point before the inner guards spotted Daniel.
A voice echoed off the cold stone walls and stopped them in their tracks.
"Long time no see."
Jake and Jaegyeon turned around at the same time. A man leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. He wore a crisp white shirt that looked like it was about to burst from his massive chest. He had a build like a sculpture and adjusted his glasses while smoking a cigarette.
Jake's face turned stiff and his eyes narrowed into slits.
"Samue...l Seo. What are you doing here in Incheon?"
Samuel did not answer. He tossed his cigarette to the floor and crushed it with his shoe. He began walking toward them with a slow and heavy stride.
Jaegyeon Na looked at the newcomer and then at Jake.
"Jake, we do not have time for this. Is he an enemy?"
Jake kept his gaze locked on Samuel. He waited for a few seconds before he finally spoke.
"It is a bit complicated. Jaegyeon Na, I would like to handle this situation myself. Can you go ahead and find Daniel?"
Jaegyeon Na looked at the two men. He could feel the tension rising in the air. He knew the smart move was to fight together, but he could tell this was personal.
"Okay. I will go ahead. Don't fall here."
Jake gave a short nod as Jaegyeon sprinted past Samuel and deeper into the middle layer. Samuel did not even look at Jaegyeon as he passed. He kept walking until he was standing right in front of Jake.
Their foreheads were almost touching. Samuel had a relaxed and arrogant expression on his face. Jake stayed tense and ready to move at any second.
"Don't worry. I know this guy quite well. Well enough that I know there is no chance I will fall here."
Samuel let out a small, dry laugh and adjusted his glasses again. He looked Jake up and down.
"You speak with a lot of confidence, Jake Kim. Have you forgotten how things usually end when we stand this close?"
Jake didn't take the bait. He simply shifted his weight and lowered his center of gravity.
"I haven't forgotten anything, Samuel. But today is different. I have people waiting for me."
Samuel's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. He slowly began to unbutton his cuffs, revealing the intricate tattoos snaking up his wrists.
"People waiting... how touching. Let's see if they'll be waiting for a corpse."