Mandeok was choking Johan. Suddenly, a red invitation card drifted down and landed on Johan's face. A downward punch struck Mandeok's face, drawing blood. He released Johan and looked at the newcomer—Zack Lee, the boxing prodigy of J High.
Johan's vision was blurred, but he seemed to recognize Zack. "Zack? Is that you?"
Zack positioned himself protectively in front of Johan. Johan sighed. "Zack, this isn't your fight. You're too weak to win. Don't drag yourself into a mess you can't escape. Leave."
Zack sighed, his body burning from within. He could feel something trapped inside him, something he wanted to unleash. "Johan, I know I'm weak."
Jake, who had been watching this spectacle, failed to notice Vasco approaching. Vasco threw a flying kick at Jake's chest. Jake brought his hands up at the last moment, but the sheer impact slammed him into the wall, creating a crater.
Eugene smiled. "I've been waiting for you, Burn Knuckles boss. I sent you the invitation, but I was afraid you wouldn't show up. Looks like you came to help Hostel. Why don't we talk first?"
Samuel chuckled. "These guys couldn't even put up a fight in the 3rd affiliate. What can you two do now?"
Suddenly, everyone noticed a new party entering through the front door. Everyone's back soaked in cold sweat—everyone except Vasco and the Workers. It was none other than Big Daniel.
Eugene looked at him. "You're late, Daniel Park. I've been waiting for you, the one who took down the 4th and 3rd affiliates."
Big Daniel rushed at Eugene and jumped. The cap-wearing guy, also known as Yuseong, rushed toward Big Daniel and threw a kick. Daniel blocked it with his arm.
Meanwhile, Mandeok landed a side punch on Zack Lee's cheek. Zack stumbled back but didn't fall. He pressed his cheek. "Hey, why do you keep hitting me like that?"
With that, he threw an uppercut to Mandeok's jaw. Mandeok's head snapped upward. Mandeok threw a straight punch, but Zack caught it in his armpit and threw a straight punch at Mandeok's face. Then he crouched down, accumulating power, and lashed out with a punch to Mandeok's leg.
Then he grabbed Mandeok by the head and headbutted him. Mandeok finally landed an uppercut on Zack's jaw. Zack's body flipped through the air. He pressed against Johan's face and propelled himself higher, throwing a pivot blow on Mandeok's head.
---
Vasco wrapped his thighs around Jake's neck and brought down his elbows to strike at Jake's head. Just at that moment, a punch landed on Vasco's elbows, launching him back. It was none other than Jake's sword, Jerry Kwon.
Warren had left Jerry alone because Jerry was taking a one-sided beating—he didn't want to show his full strength in front of Jake. Jake looked back at Jerry. "I guess it looked like I needed help. But are your hands okay?"
Jerry pressed his right hand. "Looks like I won't be using my right hand for a while."
---
Big Daniel struck at Yuseong with his elbow. Yuseong leaned backward and launched a one-handed handstand kick at Big Daniel. Big Daniel stopped it with his palm and used that momentum to spin his whole body and throw a kick, but it didn't connect. Big Daniel immediately improvised, grabbing Yuseong's arm and slamming him into the ground. Big Daniel placed his right leg on Yuseong's neck, balancing with the other leg.
Eugene looked at the scene with surprise. He hadn't expected Yuseong to lose. He walked toward Big Daniel. "You're strong. Your potential is also immense. I've decided to offer you a deal. I'll even tell you about James Lee. Aren't you curious about who James Lee is?"
Big Daniel released Yuseong and slowly stood up. "James Lee?"
Eugene smiled. "You must be dying to know about him. What do you say, Daniel?" Eugene extended his hand. "I know you want to know more about James Lee. I'll tell you on one condition. Come, join Workers. Together, we'll bring Charles Choi down."
Daniel shook his head. "I can't. You're the same type of person as Charles Choi. I've seen what the 4th and 3rd affiliates have done. How can I trust that the 2nd affiliate won't be the same?"
"That's what I thought." Eugene looked at Mandeok. "Wrap things up."
Mandeok nodded and threw a punch at Zack. But before his punch could land, he was bombarded with punches and kicks. It was Johan.
"Now I can finally see," Johan said.
Eugene's smile faded. "Bummer. Did he get his vision back?"
All of J High and Hostel gathered with Johan, while Big Deal stood beside the Workers. The clash seemed imminent.
Eugene walked to the front and pushed his glasses back with a smile. Then he looked at Eli. "I remember. Your daughter's name is Yenna, right? She's just over three years old. There's also Amy and Natalie, right?"
Then Eugene looked at Vasco. "Your Burn Knuckles crew members are having a good time. I wonder what they're doing."
Then he turned to Johan. "I wonder how your mother is doing. She must be having a hard time."
Then he turned to Big Daniel and Zack. "I wonder what your precious friends from J High are doing."
Then he smiled at everyone. "Aren't they all too unattended?"
Suddenly, laughter echoed through the hall. Everyone looked at Sally. Sally wiped tears from her eyes. "Dear President of Workers, are you currently threatening us?"
Eugene smiled. "What if I am?"
Sally laughed again. "Then you'd better quickly take your men away. It's fine that you want to mess with Hostel and the others. You can surely do it. But threatening us with Yenna? That's the most hilarious thing I've heard since... ever. I implore you to call your men and check what they're doing."
Eugene's face darkened, but then his usual smile returned. He glanced at Mandeok. Mandeok understood what Eugene wanted. He took out a phone and called their men. He tried once, twice, three times—six times total—but there was no answer.
Eugene's face darkened. Johan walked toward him and tapped his shoulder. "Didn't I tell you not to act like a god? There are plenty of demons outside. You might have just encountered one of the most dangerous ones."
Suddenly, Mandeok's phone rang. Seeing this, Eugene smiled. "Have I?"
Mandeok received the call, but his face darkened. He came to Eugene. "President, all our men are being hunted down. Our men near Hostel were wiped out first. Now the others are facing the same thing."
Suddenly, Eli's phone rang. Eli answered it. It was Seongji Yuk. After a while, Eli ended the call. "Mr. President, I pray that you won't explore your stupidity any further."
With that, Hostel and Johan started to leave. Eli smiled at J High. "Don't worry, guys. Everyone has been taken care of. You can return now."
Everyone was confused about what had happened and how it had happened, but they trusted Hostel. Suddenly, Big Daniel's mind clicked. He leaned toward Eugene and whispered something. Then he left with Zack and Vasco.