Ryuhei pushed the bike off himself and stood up, dusting his coat. "That hurt a bit."
Jewoo cracked his knuckles. "Taebong, let's handle this quick."
Taebong grinned. "Yeah! This guy thinks he can just waltz in here!"
Both rushed at Ryuhei from different angles. Jewoo grabbed Ryuhei's arm while Taebong went low, hooking his leg behind Ryuhei's knee. They worked together, pulling and pushing in opposite directions.
Ryuhei stumbled but didn't fall. "Wrestling? Boring."
Taebong pushed harder, and Jewoo yanked Ryuhei's arm down. Ryuhei's body twisted, and he crashed into a parked car. The door caved in with a loud crunch.
"Got him!" Taebong shouted.
But Ryuhei was already moving. He grabbed Taebong's collar and headbutted him. Blood splattered from Taebong's nose. Before Jewoo could react, Ryuhei kicked backward, his heel smashing into Jewoo's ribs.
Jewoo grunted and stepped back. "This guy's no joke."
Ryuhei rolled his shoulders. "Are you two done warming up?"
Jewoo and Taebong exchanged glances. They moved in sync again. Jewoo came from the front while Taebong circled behind. Jewoo threw a punch, which Ryuhei blocked. But that was the trap. Taebong grabbed Ryuhei from behind, locking his arms around Ryuhei's waist.
"Now, Jewoo!"
Jewoo charged forward and slammed his shoulder into Ryuhei's chest. The impact sent all three crashing through a storefront window. Glass shattered everywhere, raining down on the street.
Inside the store, Taebong still held Ryuhei tight. "Don't let him move!"
Jewoo picked up a metal shelf and swung it like a bat. It connected with Ryuhei's side. The shelf bent from the force.
Ryuhei coughed. "That one actually hurt."
He planted his feet and lifted Taebong off the ground despite the grip. Then he jumped backward, slamming Taebong into the floor. The tiles cracked beneath them. Taebong's grip loosened.
Ryuhei spun and kicked Taebong across the store. Taebong crashed into a display counter, scattering products everywhere.
Jewoo came at Ryuhei again, grabbing his coat. Ryuhei didn't resist. Instead, he pulled Jewoo closer and drove his knee into Jewoo's stomach. Once. Twice. Three times.
Jewoo's grip weakened. Ryuhei grabbed Jewoo's head and slammed it against a concrete pillar. The pillar cracked. Jewoo dropped to one knee.
"Jewoo!" Taebong got up, blood dripping from his mouth. He charged at Ryuhei with everything he had.
Ryuhei turned and caught Taebong's punch. He twisted Taebong's arm and kicked his legs out from under him. Taebong fell hard.
But Jewoo was back up. He tackled Ryuhei from the side, and both crashed through the store's back wall into an alley. Bricks scattered across the ground.
Jewoo pinned Ryuhei against the wall and threw rapid punches at his face. Ryuhei blocked most of them, but a few connected. His lip split open.
Ryuhei smiled through the blood. "Getting desperate, are we?"
He grabbed Jewoo's wrist mid-punch and pulled him forward. Ryuhei's forehead smashed into Jewoo's face. Jewoo staggered back, dazed.
Taebong appeared from the store entrance. "I'm not done yet!" He ran and jumped, aiming a flying tackle at Ryuhei.
Ryuhei sidestepped. Taebong crashed into the wall instead, leaving a dent in the bricks.
Ryuhei grabbed Taebong by the back of his shirt and threw him at Jewoo. Both men collided and fell in a heap.
They struggled to get up. Jewoo wiped blood from his mouth. "This guy's a monster."
Taebong breathed heavily. "We can't let him past us. I didn't expect Seoul to have monsters even stronger than those in Cheonliang. But no matter—it's fun."
They stood again, battered but not broken. Ryuhei watched them with mild interest. "What are you guys mumbling about? It's no fun if I don't understand what you're saying."
Jewoo and Taebong split up again, coming at Ryuhei from both sides.
Ryuhei dodged Jewoo's grab and caught Taebong's punch. He twisted Taebong's arm behind his back and kicked him forward into Jewoo. Both men stumbled.
Ryuhei was about to finish them when his phone rang. He pulled it out and answered. "Yeah?"
His expression changed. His eyes widened slightly. "What did you say?"
The voice on the other end spoke urgently. "Johan Seong... He kidnapped the president!"
Ryuhei sighed. "Is Glasses in danger? I knew this was going to happen..."
He hung up and looked at Jewoo and Taebong, who were trying to stand again. Ryuhei's demeanor shifted. The playful attitude was gone.
"Sorry, but I don't have time for this anymore."
He moved faster than before. Jewoo barely saw him coming. Ryuhei's fist drove into Jewoo's solar plexus with enough force to lift him off the ground.
Taebong tried to grab Ryuhei from behind again. Ryuhei spun and caught Taebong's arm. He pulled Taebong off balance and drove his elbow into Taebong's face. Taebong's sunglasses shattered. He fell beside Jewoo.
Both men lay in the alley, groaning.
"Damn it! Where's that bastard?! Why isn't he here yet?!"
Ryuhei stepped over them and headed back to his bike. The street around them was a mess—broken glass, cracked walls, scattered debris.
Ryuhei picked up his bike and got on. The engine roared to life. But for some reason, his bike didn't go forward. "Huh? Did that throw damage it? Damn it! It was a new model!"
But before he could continue, suddenly his bike—alongside him—started to slowly float. "Shit! What's this?"
A voice came from behind. "I remember you, you blond bitch!" With that, Vin Jin threw the bike alongside Ryuhei.
Ryuhei jumped off the bike and rolled. He looked at Vin Jin. "You?! You're that bastard who got caught at the 2nd affiliate!"
But Vin Jin didn't wait to hear him. He directly tackled him into the wall. "I've heard enough... But I don't know Japanese, you fucker!"
---
Johan was driving a sports car through the highway. In the back was Eugene's unconscious body. Just then, a car blocked his path. "Damn it!" Johan pressed the brake hard.
The car skidded across the road, stopping inches before crashing into the other car. Johan sighed and got out.
"Yes, Chief. I'll capture him now. Understood. Of course the safety of the VIP is important. But I will prioritize the plan. Don't worry." Manager Kim got out of the car and hung up the call.
Then he turned to Johan. "Johan. What do you think you're doing? This matter shouldn't concern you. Eugene is our VIP customer. Why are you intervening in this matter..."
Johan interrupted him. "Can we just get started? I don't want to waste time here."
Saying that, Johan lunged at Manager Kim and threw a flying kick. Manager Kim leaned back, and Johan's figure went flying over him. Manager Kim quickly threw a roundhouse kick at Johan's back.
Johan quickly blocked it and threw a straight kick. Manager Kim blocked it, but the impact made him slide back. "Director General... Does he truly want to replace Baki with this kid?"
Manager Kim took his iconic CQC stance. He called out to Johan, who was rushing back to the car. "Hey, punk. You're leaving without greeting me properly. It should be okay as long as I don't kill you."
With that, Manager Kim lunged at Johan with astonishing speed. His strike connected with Johan, but he could feel something amiss. Johan had actually blocked his attack. "Johan... Are you making it obvious that you're a genius?"
Manager Kim turned back, his eyes widened in surprise. "Hmm?"
Johan Seong stood in a fighting stance. It was identical to Manager Kim's CQC stance. Manager Kim was surprised. "Don't tell me you learned how to use it. It's not something you can follow after seeing it once. If you don't believe me, try it."