The alley was thick with tension. Rain slicked pavement reflected the neon signs of Ansan, flickering red and blue across the combatants' faces. Jacky Lee staggered back, gasping for air, blood trickling from his split lip. Dojin's eyes burned with intensity.
"You've had enough, Lee," Dojin growled, stepping forward. Jacky tried to lunge again, fists aiming to overwhelm, but Dojin's arms were like iron. With a swift motion, he grabbed Jacky by the shoulders, lifting him slightly off the ground and slamming him against the wet asphalt.
Jacky groaned, wind knocked out of him. Before he could recover, Taejun darted forward, launching a spinning kick that connected cleanly with Jacky's jaw. The force sent him sprawling backward, skidding across the alley. He lay there, dazed, unable to rise as Dojin and Taejun stood over him.
The team exchanged glances. Victory over Jacky Lee wasn't just a small win — it was proof that Phoenix security had grown strong enough to neutralize High Crew / Mid-Head level elites without MC stepping in directly.
Dojin cracked his knuckles. "That's what happens when you underestimate us."
Taejun smirked, brushing rain from his hair. "Next time, try picking a fight with all of us together."
Jacky groaned but managed a weak laugh. "Fine… you win… this time." He stumbled into the shadows, disappearing into the night.
---
The moment of calm, however, didn't last long. Footsteps echoed from the distance — heavier, more deliberate. The team tensed as a tall figure approached, one-arm swinging casually but with undeniable presence. Hudson Ahn, the strength specialist of Ansan, had arrived.
"I heard some noise," Hudson said, voice low and measured, eyes scanning the team before settling on Yujhae. "Looks like you're stirring things up."
Yujhae stepped forward, fists raised, calm but alert. "I've been expecting you, Hudson."
Hudson smirked, almost amused. Then, without warning, he lunged. His single-arm power was devastating — each strike carrying the momentum of a hammer, each swing precise enough to break through ordinary defenses. Yujhae dodged the first few blows, rolling and countering just enough to avoid serious damage.
The fight quickly escalated. Hudson's disciplined style was clear: he struck methodically, forcing Yujhae into defensive patterns. For several minutes, it seemed like Hudson held the upper hand, landing heavy hits that rattled Yujhae and pushed him back step by step.
For the reader: Hudson's strength and discipline were elite-level — stronger than most public crew heads. Each punch tested Yujhae's endurance and reflexes, but Yujhae was prepared, anticipating counters and dodges, keeping the fight within reach even when outmatched.
A crushing blow connected to Yujhae's side, knocking the wind out of him. He stumbled, tasting blood. His vision sharpened, heart racing — the perfect signal. Heat Mode.
The world seemed to slow. Yujhae's muscles surged with energy, reflexes enhanced, strength and agility spiking. He felt every nerve sharpen, every movement faster, more precise. Hudson's next punch came like a hammer — but Yujhae sidestepped, sliding under Hudson's arm, landing a precise jab to his ribs.
Hudson grunted, surprise flickering in his eyes. Yujhae flowed into a combination — a spinning kick followed immediately by a head-shot punch. The impact rattled Hudson, staggering him backward. Yujhae's Heat Mode amplified every strike, every movement perfectly timed.
Hudson's one-arm power was incredible, but Yujhae's speed and Heat Mode precision made him difficult to read. Hudson swung again, faster now, trying to end it quickly, but Yujhae countered, landing a body kick, pivot, then a final crushing head-shot punch. Hudson's eyes widened as he hit the ground, winded and temporarily stunned.
Yujhae stepped back, breathing heavily, fists still clenched. Hudson slowly pushed himself up, one arm braced against the ground, respect flickering in his eyes.
"You… you've grown," Hudson said, smirking despite the loss. "Heat Mode… that's… dangerous."
Yujhae wiped blood from his lip, sweat dripping down his face. "This city… doesn't forgive weakness. And I don't either."
The alley fell silent. Jacky Lee was gone. Hudson, beaten but still a formidable presence, acknowledged Yujhae's power without complaint. The Phoenix team gathered, bruised but victorious.
MC had faced one of the strongest fighters in Ansan, survived, and fully unlocked the potential of Heat Mode in a real fight. His security team had also proven their strength against high-level threats.
The victory wasn't just physical — it sent a clear message to Ansan. Yujhae wasn't just taking over clubs and businesses. He and his team had become a force capable of challenging even elite fighters, and the city would take notice.
---
Chapter Highlights:
Dojin & Taejun team up to defeat Jacky Lee
Hudson Ahn arrives, disciplined and powerful
Yujhae initially loses but activates Heat Mode after taking damage
Heat Mode amplifies strength & agility, allowing Yujhae to defeat Hudson
Security team and MC demonstrate clear dominance over Ansan public threats