H Group and HNH | City Development Joint Agreement Ceremony
Baki sat on his bike, watching as dozens of reporters gathered for the ceremony.
Steve Hong, CEO of H Group, and Charles Choi, CEO of HNH Group, stood on stage shaking hands. To the media, it was two major figures coming together for the city's development, but Baki could clearly see the tension between them.
"Hmm... Steve Hong... Does he know something about Charles Choi? Is he trying to eliminate him from the competition? Tch! I don't understand how these large conglomerates work."
The media event concluded. Steve Hong whispered something in Charles Choi's ear and left first. Charles Choi also began to leave.
Suddenly, Baki noticed a familiar figure walking toward the Charles Choi with a bag. "That kid... Isn't he the one from the gas station incident? Did I know him before that?"
The kid tried to speak to Charles Choi, but Charles Choi ignored him. Baki spotted another familiar figure—Goo Kim. It seemed the kid and Goo Kim had history. Goo Kim suddenly kicked the bag from the kid's hand.
Money flew everywhere. Sensing the atmosphere heating up, Baki decided to move closer.
Suddenly, Goo Kim and the kid started fighting. It was almost one-sided. No—the fight was one-sided. Goo Kim was getting his ass handed to him.
Baki popped a piece of gum in his mouth and started chewing. "Hmm... Is he going easy on the kid? Meh! It isn't any fun if it's like this. Finally! Is that a wooden stick?"
Goo Kim picked up a wooden stick. "My heart tells me I wanna be secret friends with you, but I don't think you'll do that because you're a momma's boy."
The kid lunged at Goo Kim. The next second, he was sent flying back and crashed into a wall. The kid rushed in again, jumping to deliver a knee strike followed by several kicks in an arc motion. But Goo Kim blocked all the attacks with the wooden stick.
Goo Kim hooked the stick around the kid's neck, flipped over him, and slammed the stick down on his head. The kid rushed in once more, but Goo Kim grabbed him by the arm and thrust the stick into his midsection. The kid bent over, coughing up blood.
Then Goo Kim delivered a flurry of thrusts with the stick. His movements were so fast they became a blur. The kid couldn't dodge a single attack, his body growing bloodied. Goo Kim performed three slashes to the chest that sent the kid flying.
Goo Kim appeared above him mid-air and slashed down with the stick. But suddenly someone grabbed it and broke it with their thumb.
Baki grinned at Goo. "The kid's already battered. How about you stop for now?"
Goo Kim smiled. "I didn't expect to meet you here after all this time, Baki Hanma."
Baki slowly ground the wooden stick into crumbs and clapped his hands to remove the dust. Then he smiled at Goo Kim. "I also didn't expect you to work for Charles Choi. Does he pay well?"
Goo grinned. "You know I'm not a cheap man. Did you leave White Tiger Job Centre?"
Baki shook his head. "No. Just taking a small break from all the missions."
Suddenly, Goo noticed a car honking outside. Goo turned back to Baki. "Tch! I would have really liked to continue, but work comes first. Let's meet again somewhere else. I have to go now."
Baki nodded. Goo Kim slowly walked away. Baki turned to the kid on the ground and crouched beside him. "Kid, do I know you from somewhere?"
Johan was barely conscious from his fight against Goo Kim. He barely muttered, "...Pungsan cult..."
---
A few hours later, Johan woke up in a hospital bed. He frantically looked around, searching for the money he'd collected for his mother's operation. He saw his bag on the table next to his bed and spotted another man standing by the window, biting into an apple. It was Baki.
"Kid, you're awake? Don't worry, I don't need your money."
Johan remained silent, hugging the bag. Baki tossed an apple at him. "Eat it. It'll give you some energy."
Johan didn't say anything for a while. Soon, his stomach rumbled. He started eating the apple. Baki walked toward his bed and sat on the side.
"It's good, isn't it? They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But what strange irony—we're in a freaking hospital. So, what's your name?"
Johan stayed silent for a moment before saying, "Johan Seong. My name is Johan Seong. I know you. You're the guy who saved us from the Pungsan cult."
Baki smiled. "It seems I've been helping people unknowingly." He extended his hand to ruffle Johan's hair. Johan tried to slap it away but was too slow. He moved his head, but he was still too slow for Baki. Baki ruffled his hair. "Your hair... It's messed up, isn't it?"
Johan made a nostalgic face and touched his hair. "I like my hair like this."
Baki smiled. "I guess it looks kinda good. So, what were you doing with all that money back there?"
"Mother... I went there for my mother's operation," Johan said with a pained expression.
Baki asked, confused, "Why would you go to a company CEO for your mother's operation? Shouldn't you go to a doctor? Don't you have the money?"
Johan shook his head. "I have the money, but the doctor said my mother's disease is rare. Even with all the money, he can't do it."
Baki laughed. "Kid, you're quite gullible. I understand why the doctor doesn't want to treat your mother."
Johan looked up at Baki with hopeful eyes. "Why?!"
Baki answered, "Because of the origin of your money. He can't accept such a large amount from an underage kid. There may be other factors too, but it's mostly because the money you have is illegally earned. So either you have to earn money legally, or you have to earn so much that you can stuff that shit doctor's mouth with money so he won't complain anymore."
Johan looked down. "How do I earn money? I don't have any way to earn it now. And it'll take too long."
Baki extended his hand. "Work as my sidekick. I'll help you earn money."