Jake Kim and Johan Seong stood guard at the entrance. Johan sighed when he caught sight of Baki waving at him from inside the club.
Jake glanced sideways at Johan. "Who's that?"
Johan didn't answer. After a beat of silence, Jake spoke again. "I'm bored. Want to play word chain?"
"Nope."
And just like that, the banter between them began.
---
Inside, Baki surveyed his surroundings. He didn't drink alcohol, so he ordered fruit juice instead. His eyes landed on the pig-like Alexander Hwang working behind the bar. "Hmm... how the mighty have fallen."
A moment later, Gabriel Park appeared and slid onto the stool beside him. Baki took a sip of his drink. "Damn. You really got your ass handed to you by a kid."
Gabriel signaled the bartender, waited for his drink, then took a slow sip before responding. "I'm getting too old for this. Monsters are popping up left and right these days. Back in our time, kids like that were rare."
Baki chuckled.
Gabriel shook his head. "Don't let the kids leave you behind like they did us."
Baki drained his glass in one gulp. "Don't lump me in with you. These kids won't make it my level for another hundred years—let alone surpass me."
He stood and noticed Jake carrying Daniel Park on his back toward the stairs. Baki smiled to himself. "I didn't expect White Tiger Job Centre to pick up a new recruit. What was his name again? Ah, right—Jacob. Let's see what he's made of."
He followed them upstairs, where Jake and Daniel reached a private room guarded by Xiaolong. A brief scuffle broke out between Daniel and Xiaolong before the guard dragged Daniel inside.
Baki's interest fizzled. He turned and headed back downstairs to his seat at the bar.
A while later, Daniel emerged and took a seat at the opposite end. Baki nursed his drink, watching him from the corner of his eye.
Alexander Hwang suddenly materialized beside Daniel, all smiles and courtesy. "Mr. VVIP! I heard you wanted to meet President Vivi. You really surprised me—I had no idea you were a VVIP."
Daniel shot a quick glance back at Baki. "What's he doing here? Does he actually work in this place?"
When Daniel didn't respond, Alexander pressed on. "I know a way you could meet her."
That got Daniel's attention. Alexander leaned in conspiratorially. "She only meets with friends."
"So I just need to become her friend?"
Alexander shook his head. "Not quite. She only befriends the rich and influencers."
Baki overheard every word. "I heard the 4th affiliate really was taken down by kids. Is he one of them?"
His stomach suddenly growled. "Too much juice? Isn't this stuff supposed to be healthy?" He grimaced and headed for the restroom.
---
Meanwhile, at the entrance, Johan found himself facing Zack, Vasco, and Eli Jang. As they moved to enter, he stepped in front of them. "Sorry. No minors."
Zack shoved Vasco forward. "We're with our ajusshi here."
Johan crossed his arms. "Show me an ID."
Zack fumbled for a card and thrust it at Vasco, who passed it to Johan. Johan scanned it, then looked up slowly. "This says he's ninety years old."
Zack pinched Vasco hard. The bigger teen nodded uncertainly. "Y-yeah. That's right."
Johan exhaled through his nose. "Fine. Why do you want in? Give me a real reason first."
Eli Jang stepped forward. "Daniel Park is being held inside. We're here to get him out."
For a long moment, Johan studied them. Then he stepped aside. "Welcome, gentlemen."
Zack smirked and yanked Vasco through the entrance. Eli gave Johan a brief, respectful smile before following. Johan watched them go, muttering to himself, "Whatever. Not like I'm actually a real guard here anyway."
---
Inside the club, guards swarmed through the venue searching for Daniel Park, who'd managed to escape with a girl. They were tearing through every corner.
Baki emerged from a toilet and moved to the sinks. In the mirror's reflection, he spotted a massive bald man pummeling a kid who was shielding two others—the VVIP from earlier and a girl. The kid taking the beating was Lineman.
Baki dried his hands slowly. "Should I step in? Nah, I'm technically working security here. I'll wait. If it gets really bad, then I'll move."
A toilet door banged open. Another bald kid—this one even bigger—stepped out and positioned himself protectively in front of the bloodied Lineman. Jerry Kwon. What followed was painfully one-sided. Jerry absorbed blow after blow without flinching.
Then Jake Kim entered. He moved to intervene, but Jerry stopped him with a raised hand. "Go. I'll handle this. Save them. I'm your sword, Jake." His voice was steady despite the blood. "A sword that never breaks."
Jake hesitated, then nodded and left with Daniel and the girl.
The moment they were gone, everything changed. Jerry shifted his weight and threw a single punch. One. The executive crashed into a stall, and didn't get up.
Jerry turned and walked toward Baki, eyes hard. "You with them?"
Baki raised both hands, palms out, expression neutral. "Just a simple working man, kid."
Jerry studied him for another second, suspicion clear on his face, before finally turning away. He collected Lineman from the doorway, and they left together.
Baki rolled his shoulders and stepped out of the restroom. "Tonight's going to be a long one."
---
In the hallway, he spotted Johan and slung an arm around the younger man's shoulders. "So? Isn't working with me turning out pretty well?"
Johan didn't even look at him. "You haven't done anything except waste time."
Baki snorted. "Tch. You don't understand how professionals operate, kid."
Johan shrugged off his arm. "The whole security team's been called to the back exit. You coming or not?"
Baki stretched his neck until it cracked. "Yeah, I'll tag along. Maybe something interesting will actually happen."