"That was a good plan—going after the head of the Workers to end the war, since you can't win against them in a direct confrontation. But Eugene is already in a safe place, which means your plan has failed." Xiaolong said as he approached Jake.
Jake chuckled. "Failed? Do you really think so?"
Xiaolong frowned. "What?"
Just then, Jake's phone rang. The caller ID read 'Smartass'.
Meanwhile, Samuel waited outside Eugene's secret villa, phone pressed to his ear. "Is he really dead?"
Yes—Samuel was talking about Jake. Samuel and Jake were working together. Jake had never actually failed to recruit Samuel to his plan. Everything happening now was according to their scheme.
---
Flashback...
Samuel waited at the lighthouse when he heard approaching footsteps. "Are you crazy? Calling me out here like I'm some stray dog?"
Jake answered calmly. "Why did you come if you hated it so much?"
"I'm just here to see you before you die."
"Well, the war is starting soon, after all." Jake stopped behind Samuel, who didn't turn around. "Take a look at the ocean, Samuel. It's been a while since we came here together. The day you told me you were going to Gangnam doesn't feel that long ago."
"Just say what you have to say and leave."
Jake asked, "Have you already paved the way?"
"What?" Samuel lit a cigarette.
"I'm asking if you can. I won't drag this out. Come back to Big Deal for this war. I'm giving you a chance. You'll regret it if you let it slip."
Samuel tossed the cigarette aside. "I'm leaving." He turned to go.
"We have allies," Jake said without turning back.
He glanced over his shoulder at Samuel. "Hostel, Burn Knuckles, Cheonliang Fam, and even the Chairman of HNH Group, Charles Choi. This war will be the end of the Workers."
---
Jake answered Samuel's call. "I thought you were sending the VIP to Big Deal Street. He's right over here, you bastard...!"
Before he could continue, Xiaolong lunged forward and threw a straight punch. "It's all just a bluff. Who's catching Eugene if you're right here?"
Jake blocked the punch and smiled. "Xiaolong, I'm sorry, but I'm not the main protagonist today."
---
Secret Villa
Eugene and several Workers members stood facing a silhouette in the darkness. Fear was evident on their faces.
In a single moment, the Workers members were taken out. Johan Seong stood face-to-face with Eugene. "Anything to say?"
Eugene smiled as he looked up. "You got me."
A punch connected with Eugene's face. His glasses shattered as his nose flattened from the impact. His body flew backward like a broken kite. Johan rushed forward, grabbed his head, and slammed it into the ground with immense force. Blood pooled beneath Eugene as his body went limp.
Johan muttered, "You made a mistake distributing those drugs to the Pungsun Cult. But you made a bigger mistake by targeting that person's family."
---
Yuseong stood before Jake, the earpiece in his ear crackling with static. After a moment, a panicked voice came through.
"Trouble... We're in big trouble... Johan Seong attacked the villa... HE KIDNAPPED THE PRESIDENT!!!"
Yuseong's eyes widened. Xiaolong noticed his reaction and understood that Jake hadn't been bluffing. He stepped in front of Yuseong. "Go. Your priority is the president. This perfect one-on-one match is what I wanted."
Yuseong fumbled as he pulled out his VVIP Workers badge. Xiaolong asked, "Why are you hesitating? Is it because of the president's order? Isn't the president more important to you?"
Jake dashed toward Yuseong. "I WON'T LET YOU GO!!"
Xiaolong stomped the ground. A wooden box flew up, and he grabbed the band attached to it. As Jake closed in, Xiaolong thrust the box into Jake's stomach. "Or maybe... you don't trust leaving me alone here?"
Jake doubled over, coughing up water. The wooden box shattered, revealing a long staff. Xiaolong grabbed it and spun it overhead. "This is one of the weapons that made me what I am today." He swung the staff behind him in a fluid motion. "Leave Jake Kim to me. Go save President Eugene."
Before Xiaolong finished speaking, Yuseong rushed forward and leaped toward the building's edge. Suddenly, Mandarin music blasted through the room.
"破碎的夜里只有铁声敲心,
你留下的伤像刀口在提醒.
别再装无情,我比你更冷,
灰烬里站着的,是被背叛后的我."
[In the shattered night, only iron beats against my heart.
The wounds you left cut like blades that never heal.
Stop pretending you're cold—
I'm the one standing in the ashes, forged by your betrayal.]
A figure tackled Yuseong mid-leap. He crashed into a desk, sending splinters flying.
Olly Wang crouched near Yuseong, a radio on his shoulder, his body smeared with blood. He looked back at Jake with a bloody grin. "Daddy's here. Long time no see."
Jake showed a pained smile. "Took you longer than I thought."
Olly licked the blood from his lips. "There were too many pests outside."
---
Jerry Kwon looked down at the fallen Mandeok, but his anger didn't diminish. He turned to find new prey when he heard a phone ring.
Mandeok sat up and answered the call.
"We have a problem... Johan Seong attacked the villa... HE KIDNAPPED THE PRESIDENT."
Panic overtook Mandeok. He shot up and bolted for the exit. Jerry's large figure slammed him down with an elbow to the back. Without hesitation, Jerry mounted Mandeok and rained down punches. A crater formed beneath Mandeok's head, painted with blood.
Mandeok twisted his torso and struck Jerry's face with the back of his palm, sending him flying.
Mandeok slowly stood. "We're wasting time here. Let's leave this for others to settle."
Jerry rose as well. "I won't let you go."
"What?" Mandeok asked, confused.
"If I let you go, I'll break my promise. I'll put my heart into this until the end—to protect the street." Jerry approached Mandeok.
Mandeok closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "In that case, I won't leave either. I just learned something from you." He opened his eyes slowly. "If I go rescue him, I'd also break my promise. So... I'll put my heart into this too and destroy this street completely." He tore off his shirt.
Jerry lunged forward and punched Mandeok in the face, drawing blood. Mandeok countered with an uppercut to the jaw. They exchanged blows without backing down, blood splashing with each strike. Their punches landed like cannon fire.
Nearby Workers members watched in shock.
"Ah... What the hell...?"
"Big Deal's number two is much stronger than I thought."
"He's on par with the vice president!"
Mandeok and Jerry punched each other in the face simultaneously. Their heads snapped back, but neither backed down. They retaliated with matching punches.
As the fight continued, Jerry slowly began to overpower Mandeok. He struck Mandeok's stomach, then his ribs, then his jaw. A straight punch followed, then an overhead blow.
Mandeok couldn't react. His face swelled. For the first time, he'd met his match. No—he was losing to someone stronger.
The Workers members couldn't believe their eyes.
"Ah..."
"It can't be..."
"If the vice president loses... it'll be the end of the Workers..."
Mandeok leaned back at the last moment, performed a handstand, and spun his leg into Jerry's jaw. "This is the first time I've met someone with this kind of strength."
Mandeok spun again and threw another kick. Jerry's head snapped back, and he quickly retaliated with an overhead punch, but Mandeok dodged. Mandeok's body hit a corner with nowhere to retreat. Before Jerry could attack, Mandeok coiled his body and launched a reverse roundhouse kick. It connected with Jerry's face, smashing his head through the concrete wall.
At that moment, Jerry burst forward with his remaining strength and struck Mandeok with crushing force. A crater formed beneath Mandeok's head, but Mandeok stopped the attack at the last second with his palm. "You're strong. Very strong. I can honestly say you're absurdly strong. I'm surprised—I never thought I'd be this tired. I have no idea who else I'll face, but I'm pretty sure no one is stronger than you."
Jerry didn't reply, nor could he hear him. When Mandeok's kick had connected, Jerry had already lost consciousness, but his body moved on its own—driven by his will to protect the street.
Mandeok started to walk away. "Don't worry about the street. The president's been kidnapped, and it might be the end of the Workers. But before that happens, I'll make sure this street disappears."
A female voice called from behind. "Oho~ What an endearing speech! Did you practice for it?"
A blonde girl walked in with a smile. She stood before Mandeok. He didn't recognize her. "Who are you—"
Before he could finish, the girl lunged forward and grabbed his arm. She dropped low and pulled him over her shoulder.
Mandeok's body flipped through the air. His back slammed into the concrete with a heavy thud, knocking the wind from his lungs.
The blonde girl leaned over him. "Hehe~ You're making me nostalgic. By the way, I'm Mary Kim."