Several police cars skidded to a halt, boxing in the exits of the Jagalchi Fish Market. The rhythmic flashing of red and blue lights sliced through the heavy rain, casting an eerie glow over the destruction.
A swarm of officers spilled out, leveling taser guns at Baki, who stood amidst the wreckage.
"Freeze!"
"This is your final warning!"
"Don't even think about resisting, you bastard!"
Baki turned his head slowly, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. "...The police?"
He started to raise his hands to comply, but the sight of him—drenched in blood and radiating a terrifying pressure—sent the jittery officers into a panic. The simple movement was mistaken for a threat.
Thwip! Thwip!
Two taser probes slammed into Baki's chest.
"You think police orders are a joke?!" one officer barked. "Rascals like this need a few thousand volts to get it through their thick skulls!"
High-voltage current surged through Baki's frame. But instead of collapsing in agony, Baki's expression remained flat—almost comfortable. To him, the electricity felt less like a weapon and more like a luxury.
'Ah... so soothing. Is this what they call electrotherapy? It's like a deep-tissue massage for my nerves.'
On the other side of the plaza, Daniel was kneeling over the injured Jinrang. The "King of Busan" was fading fast, his consciousness slipping.
"Daniel Park, are you okay?"
Daniel looked up to see a familiar young man with a distinct scar above his lip approaching through the rain.
"You called the police, didn't you?" Daniel asked, relieved. "Jake Kim."
Jake shook his head. "Wasn't me. I just got here."
Daniel blinked, confused. "It wasn't you?"
Jake glanced over at Goo, who was casually leaning against a pillar nearby, staring at his phone. "That guy probably called them."
Goo looked up and waved a hand dismissively. "Wasn't me either, kid."
"But you've been on your phone this whole time!" Daniel pressed.
"I was just checking my messages," Goo replied. Just then, his phone began to vibrate. He held up a finger to silence Daniel and answered the call. "Before you say a word, let me ask: did you send the cops? James Lee."
In a high-end office in Seoul, James Lee sat cross-legged on a leather sofa, radiating an air of absolute authority. "Indeed. It was me. Now, tell me—where is Kitae Kim?"
Goo glanced toward the massive crater in the pavement and let out a soft chuckle. "In a coma, I'd guess? Or maybe he's crossed over to the other side."
James's voice sharpened over the line. "This isn't the time for jokes. He didn't kill anyone, did he? I tried reaching him, but his phone is off."
"He's nowhere in my line of sight," Goo said, shrugging. "I'm telling you, he might have left the mortal realm behind~"
James went silent for a moment. "It seems things have slipped out of my calculations. Was Jinrang truly that strong? Strong enough to best Kitae? How disappointing."
Goo shook his head. "Jinrang got manhandled by Kitae. But there's a bigger monster than Kitae lurking here in Busan. A name you should know well. Baki Hanma."
James's brow furrowed. "Baki Hanma? He's in Busan?"
"Yep," Goo popped the 'p'. "Said he had business with Kitae. Something about kidnapped friends. A real hero type."
"And what were you doing?" James asked coldly.
Goo shrugged again. "My job was to accompany him, not babysit him. Why would I get involved in a mess I'm not being paid for?"
James's expression smoothed out. "Fair enough. Retrieve Kitae Kim. I need him for my plans. I'll pay extra for the trouble."
Goo's eyes lit up at the mention of a bonus. "Now you're speaking my language. Consider it done."
While Goo was occupied searching for Kitae, several officers surrounded Baki, forcing his hands behind his back and snapping cold, steel handcuffs onto his wrists.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?"
Vin Jin and Zack Lee saw this and immediately sprinted over.
"Let him go! He's the one who helped! That giant freak over there is the one you should be worried about!" Vin Jin shouted, pointing toward the crater.
Zack joined in, his voice urgent. "Officer, you've got it all wrong. Without him, this place would be a graveyard. He's the good guy here!"
But the police weren't listening. One officer shoved Vin Jin back, barking a harsh warning. "You high schoolers stay out of this! All we see is a man who caused massive destruction. If you have something to say, say it at the station!"
"You bastard..." Vin Jin's temper flared, his fist tightening.
Zack gritted his teeth, ready to retort, but the confrontation was cut short. A senior officer came running over, breathless and frantic.
"Stop! Stop right now! Uncuff him immediately!"
The younger officers froze, staring at their superior in total disbelief.
"Sir? What are you talking about? This guy is extremely dangerous!"
"Yeah, if we let him walk, how are we supposed to explain this to the brass?"
The senior officer looked helpless, even a bit humiliated. He lowered his voice to a hiss. "This is a direct order from the very top. Release him now! Don't ask questions—if we screw this up, we're all losing our badges!"
Though they were fuming with resentment, the officers saw the look of genuine panic on their boss's face. They had no choice. Reluctantly, they clicked the handcuffs open and stepped back.
Meanwhile, back in Seoul.
James Lee sat in his dim office, elegantly swirling a glass of wine while watching some news. It was his hand that had pulled the strings to secure Baki's release.
'If Baki gets arrested now, the news will spread like wildfire. It won't take long for the investigation to implicate Kitae.'
James watched the screen, a cold smile playing on his lips.
'Kitae is a valuable pawn. I can't have the authorities breathing down his neck before my plan is finished.'
To the public, James often acknowledged Kitae as his equal. But in reality, everyone was just a piece on the board to him. It just so happened that some pawns were more important than others.
Back at the market, Jake Kim turned to Daniel, his brow furrowed.
"What exactly happened here? That guy who sent Kitae flying... that was Baki?"
Daniel nodded, his expression complex as he recounted the battle.
Jake listened, his eyes widening with genuine shock. "You're telling me Baki is that strong? He actually overwhelmed a monster like Kitae?"
'I guess I really did underestimate the world outside my own...'
"Now isn't the time to be impressed," Daniel said, scanning the area. His face suddenly paled. "Wait... where did they go?"
Jake followed his gaze.
The crater where Kitae had landed was empty. And Goo, who had been lingering nearby just moments ago, was nowhere to be found.
"Did they vanish?" Jake muttered, teeth clenched. "That slippery bastard..."