It was nighttime. Baki was shoveling food into his mouth. Beside him sat Johan Seong, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
A middle-aged man emerged from the kitchen carrying a pot of food—Hansoo Seong. Noticing Johan's untouched plate, Hansoo asked, "What's wrong, kid? Why aren't you eating? Finish your food quickly." He glanced at Baki. "Otherwise this brat will eat it all himself."
Baki retorted, "Old man! Don't go spreading lies." Then he turned to Johan. "And you—why aren't you eating? Have you recovered from your injuries already? You want me to fail my missions because you're too weak to fight from not eating?!"
At Baki's scolding, Johan immediately began eating.
After they'd all finished, Baki followed Hansoo Seong to the kitchen. Hansoo asked, "What's gotten into you all of a sudden? Where did you pick up this kid?"
Baki washed his hands. "Kid got beaten up trying to save his mother. Brought back some old memories, so I took him in."
Hansoo placed a hand on his shoulder. "Is that so? What are you going to do with him now?"
Baki shook his head. "What can I do? He'll have to handle things himself. By the way, do you know anything about cornea transplants?"
Hansoo thought for a moment. "No, but I know someone who might. To contact him, though, you'll need to meet with that fool."
"Old man Kim?" Baki asked.
Hansoo nodded. "Yeah. He's got his full name now, you know."
Baki looked surprised. "Huh?! When did that happen? What is it? I thought he was born with the name Manager Kim since everyone calls him like that."
Hansoo laughed. "To find out, you'll have to meet him first. Also, take good care of the boy. He reminds me of my little brat."
Baki nodded. "Oh! Speaking of Taehun, I saw him doing NewTube. Seems like he's doing better."
Hansoo smiled. "Yeah... He seems to have found good friends."
Suddenly, Baki's phone rang. He recievied the call and talked about something. He turned to Hansoo Seong, " Old man, I have little work to do. Can you take care of the kid?"
Hansoo Seong nodded, " Yeah. Don't worry."
---
Gangdong, Seoul
Seongji Yuk and Gun Park stood facing each other. A newcomer entered the terrace—Vin Jin, crouching and gasping for breath. "Huff... huff... Teacher, I'm he—"
Before he could finish, he caught sight of Gun Park. Seongji handed Yenna to Vin Jin. "Take the kids and go home. Teacher will be a little late today."
Seongji positioned himself in front of Gun Park, his massive frame towering over him. A wild grin spread across Gun's face.
Gun said, "Are you going to stop me? I don't see any reason for us to fight. I'm just here to take what belongs to me."
Seongji ruffled Gun's hair. "Olly doesn't belong to you or anyone. Last time you managed to lead him astray, but this time I'll stop you."
Gun smirked. "Funny... there was a man who messed with my shades before but no one has ever messed with my hair."
Gun's hand fell from his head. His smile vanished.
He moved first—a straight punch aimed at Seongji's face.
Seongji tilted his head. The fist missed by an inch. His hand shot out, grabbing Gun's wrist. His grip was iron. He twisted and pulled Gun forward, trying to break his balance.
Gun wrenched his arm free and stepped back. He kicked low, aiming for Seongji's knee.
Seongji lifted his leg. The kick hit nothing but air. He stomped down, trying to pin Gun's foot. Gun was already gone, sliding to the side.
Gun came in again, dropping low with his hands touching the ground. His leg swung up in a wide arc, trying to clip Seongji's head from below.
Seongji ducked under it, his hand reaching out to grab Gun's ankle mid-swing. Missed by inches. Gun spun away, feet finding the ground.
Gun threw his glasses aside. He rushed forward with a combination—two punches to the body, then a hook to the head.
Seongji blocked the first two with his forearms. The third he caught with his palm, stopping it cold. He grabbed Gun's wrist and pulled him close, driving his other hand toward Gun's chin with both palms together.
Gun twisted his head away. The strike grazed his jaw. He brought his knee up hard, aiming for Seongji's ribs.
Seongji turned his body. The knee hit his hip instead. He wrapped his arm around Gun's leg and lifted. Gun hopped on one foot, then jumped, spinning in the air. His free leg whipped around, heel aimed at Seongji's temple.
Seongji let go and raised his arm. The kick crashed into his forearm, the impact making him slide back a step.
Gun landed and immediately kicked again, this time at Seongji's thigh. The sound echoed across the terrace. Seongji's leg buckled slightly, but he stayed standing.
Seongji kicked back, his shin crashing into Gun's leg. Gun gritted his teeth but didn't fall.
Gun came in fast. He faked a punch, then dropped low and swept Seongji's front leg.
Seongji jumped over the sweep. Before he landed, Gun was already rising, fist driving upward toward Seongji's chin.
Seongji snapped his head back. The punch missed. He landed and immediately grabbed Gun's extended arm with both hands, turning his back to Gun and pulling the arm over his shoulder, attempting to throw him.
Gun planted his feet and resisted. His free hand grabbed Seongji's collar. He pulled himself closer instead of being thrown, then drove his knee into Seongji's lower back.
Seongji grunted. He released Gun's arm and spun around, his elbow swinging wide.
Gun ducked under it, now inside Seongji's guard. His hands grabbed Seongji's arms as he tried to sweep Seongji's leg while pushing his upper body.
But Seongji was too strong. His feet stayed planted. His hands came down on Gun's shoulders, fingers digging in like claws. Gun felt the pressure, felt his bones grinding.
Gun twisted hard, breaking free. He backed up, shaking his shoulders—already bruising.
Seongji pressed forward with a palm strike at Gun's chest. Gun blocked it, but the force pushed him back. Another palm strike came. Gun dodged to the side.
Seongji's leg came up, kicking at Gun's midsection. Gun turned his body, taking the kick on his side instead of his stomach. It still hurt. He grabbed Seongji's leg and tried to twist it.
Seongji hopped on one leg, then jumped and spun. His free leg came around, kicking Gun in the shoulder.
Gun let go and stumbled back. Seongji landed on both feet.
Gun charged in, throwing a flurry of punches—left, right, left, right. Seongji blocked most, but one got through, hitting his cheek. Seongji's head snapped to the side.
Gun followed up with a spinning kick, his foot aimed at Seongji's ribs.
Seongji caught the kick with both hands, pulling Gun toward him while lifting the leg higher. Gun lost his balance, his other foot leaving the ground.
Seongji slammed Gun down. Gun's back hit the terrace floor hard. Cracks spread across the concrete.
Gun rolled away immediately, getting to one knee, breathing harder now. Blood at the corner of his mouth.
Seongji stood over him, chest rising and falling steadily. "Stay down."
Gun wiped his mouth and stood up. "Not a chance."
He came at Seongji again with a jumping kick, both legs extended, trying to hit Seongji's chest.
Seongji crossed his arms in front of him. Gun's feet hit the crossed arms, the impact pushing Seongji back a few steps.
Gun landed and immediately went low again, hands on the ground, legs sweeping in circles, trying to trip Seongji.
Seongji jumped over the first sweep. Gun reversed direction, his leg coming around faster. This time it caught Seongji's ankle.
Seongji fell, hitting the ground on his side, but rolled immediately. Gun jumped on him, trying to pin him down.
Seongji's hand shot up, grabbing Gun's collar. He pulled Gun down while bringing his legs up, planting his feet on Gun's hips. He pushed and threw Gun over his head.
Gun flew backward, landing hard and sliding across the terrace.
Both men got to their feet at the same time.
Gun's breathing was heavier now. His shirt torn, blood on his lip. But his eyes were still sharp, still hungry.
Seongji's knuckles were bleeding, his cheek swelling where Gun's punch had landed. But his stance remained solid.
They stared at each other across the terrace.
Gun rolled his shoulders. "You've grown stronger. I'm loving it."
Seongji said nothing. Just waited.
Gun came in again.