The alley remained quiet for a moment after Jinsoo spoke, the silence heavy like humid air before a storm.
The defeated thugs groaned on the ground, but none of them dared to move.
Hajun, small, trembling, clutching his torn backpack, stared at Jinsoo as if he'd just witnessed a miracle.
Or a nightmare.
"…Join… your crew?" Hajun repeated weakly.
Jinsoo raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Got a problem?"
Hajun shook his head so fast Jinsoo thought it might snap off. "N-no, I just… I'm not… I can barely get through a day without someone picking on me."
"Doesn't matter," Jinsoo replied. "I don't need you to fight."
Hajun froze.
His mouth opened once. Closed. Opened again.
"…Me?"
"You. Unless there's another Hajun behind you I didn't notice."
The boy flinched, checking behind himself instinctively.
Jinsoo sighed.
Now comes the tricky part.
He muttered under his breath, almost as if talking to himself, "Time to sell myself without making it sound like a scam…"
A tiny blue box appeared before Jinsoo's eyes, glowing softly.
[Recruitment Conditions: Moderate]
[The target lacks confidence. Persuasion recommended.]
[Current Chances of Successful Recruitment: 43%]
Jinsoo glanced at the glowing numbers, suppressing a grin.
Hajun, of course, saw nothing but the alley and Jinsoo's shifting eyes.
"Alright," Jinsoo said aloud, leaning in slightly. "Look, Hajun. I'm not asking you to fight gangs or charge into danger. I'm building something… new. Something that doesn't rely on brute strength alone."
Hajun blinked, confused. "Something new…?"
Jinsoo crouched slightly, lowering his voice. "I can handle the fighting. I need someone who can handle everything else."
Hajun froze. "Everything else… like what?"
"Information. Watching people. Noticing things others miss. Connections, logic, planning. You've got eyes that think. I… don't."
Hajun's lips parted, his trembling hands clenching. "You… really think I can help?"
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't."
For a long moment, Hajun didn't speak. He just stared at his shoes, his hands shaking.
When he finally looked up, there was a flicker, just a flicker of something in his eyes. Hope? Fear? Desire? Maybe all three.
"…Alright. I'll join," Hajun said softly. Shaking, but determined.
Jinsoo grinned slightly, hiding the subtle glow of the blue box in the corner of his vision.
[Recruitment Successful!]
[Kang Hajun has joined your crew.]
[Reward: 150 Points]
[Crew Member Role Unlocked: Strategist]
[Crew Size: 1 / ???]
[New Crew Ability: Intel Detection (Passive)]
[Description: Crew members can detect hostile intent within close range.]
Jinsoo blinked at the numbers, then turned to Hajun. "Holy crap… that sounds broken."
Hajun tilted his head. "Sounds… what?"
"Never mind." Jinsoo waved a hand vaguely. "Just… rules stuff."
Hajun squinted but didn't press further. "Rules stuff… got it."
Before they could continue, Hajun stiffened. "…They're waking up."
And sure enough, the tallest thug groaned, dragging himself up on trembling arms. His eyes widened with fear when he saw Jinsoo.
"You... y-you damn brat…"
Jinsoo casually cracked his knuckles. "You want round two?"
The thug immediately shook his head and scrambled backward. "N-no—! No, we're leaving!"
He grabbed his two friends by their collars, pulling them like dead weights.
"We're sorry! Alright?! We're sorry!"
Jinsoo smirked. Hajun stared in awe.
"I've… never seen anyone make people run like that."
"Yeah… honestly? Me neither," Jinsoo muttered, secretly noting the boost in Hajun's confidence.
That's one small step.
A faint, almost imperceptible ping sounded only in Jinsoo's ears. The blue box flickered:
[Your presence has impressed the target.]
[Crew Morale: +5]
"Morale?" Jinsoo whispered under his breath.
Hajun saw nothing but Jinsoo's thoughtful expression. "The hell is that?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," Jinsoo decided. Not yet.
The two walked out of the alley.
Seoul's morning traffic buzzed in the distance, but the atmosphere between them felt strangely calm.
Hajun occasionally glanced at Jinsoo, still unsure whether this new kid was a threat or a savior.
"You live far?" Jinsoo asked.
"A-about fifteen minutes from here."
"I'll walk you," Jinsoo offered.
Hajun blinked. "…Why?"
"Because those idiots might return."
Hajun looked at the ground. "…Thank you."
They walked in silence for a while.
Finally, Hajun asked, "So… what exactly does your crew do?"
Jinsoo paused.
He glanced at the corner of his vision, where the blue box blinked with suggestions.
He muttered, mostly to himself: Think simple. Make it something he can get behind.
"The goal is simple,"
Jinsoo said aloud, ignoring the glowing instructions no one else could see. "Survive, grow, and stop letting idiots push us around."
Hajun nodded slowly. "…I think I understand."
A subtle flash in the corner of Jinsoo's vision:
[Crew Bond Level: 1 → 2]
[Passive Bonus Unlocked: Minor Coordination Boost]
Jinsoo ignored it for now, but he felt the weight of potential coursing through him.
They finally reached Hajun's apartment building, a small, cracked structure that seemed ready to collapse if someone sneezed too hard.
Hajun bowed slightly.
"I'll see you tomorrow?"
Jinsoo nodded. "Yeah. We've got work to do."
Hajun went inside. The door shut.
And immediately, Jinsoo felt it. The subtle vibration in the air only he could perceive:
[Major Quest Update]
[A rival crew has taken interest in your presence.]
[They are searching for you.]
[Prepare.]
"…Already?" Jinsoo muttered.
[Yes. Your existence is irritating enough to draw attention.]
He stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets. "…Guess things are starting sooner than I thought."