Johan's Point of View
"I don't understand why you're signing up for a taekwondo club and why you want me to come too."
Jaehe Han complained a bit on the way back, but he had the right to.
He had participated in several taekwondo competitions, so he saw things with more perspective.
"I have my reasons. Just trust me."
I replied with as much conviction as possible in my voice.
I couldn't tell him that his future teacher was a former spy who had already participated in an assassination attempt on a dictator.
"If it's about his past, it's not that impressive. Being a good fighter doesn't mean being a good teacher."
He wasn't wrong.
But knowing Taehoon Seong's reputation in Lookism and Viral Hit, I preferred to learn from Hansu Seong rather than ignore him.
And unlike Jaehe Han, I can just copy his techniques and train my body with him.
I don't need long training, unless he takes me under his wing like Manager Kim did with Warren.
But that's unlikely.
"Your arguments are valid. I'll let you quit in two months if you feel you haven't learned anything."
I told him that before leaving him.
I'm not going to force his hand, but he'll probably regret this opportunity.
...
Back at home, I had a hearty dinner with my mother in this life.
She seems to be doing much better.
I should seriously consider moving, as she's almost healed at this point thanks to Apollo's blessing.
Johan Seong's wish is almost fulfilled.
I think I no longer have a moral debt to him.
I no longer want, or rather no longer wish, to be influenced by his emotions.
I am me.
He is him.
"I'm going out, there's nothing left in the kitchen."
After announcing my departure, I left the apartment to buy a bag of chips and some odds and ends at a local shop.
"Be careful," I said, without being too concerned about the small intimidation attempt.
A slightly imposing woman had bumped my shoulder as I left the shop.
She was wearing casual clothes, but what stood out most was the smell of cigarettes, alcohol... and her aura.
No doubt, this woman is strong.
She could give the current Hanju a hard time.
Worse, she could win against a guy like Jin Jang.
(Image)
"What did you say, kid?!!"
"What?!"
I was so taken aback by this woman's behavior that I was momentarily shocked by her audacity.
Of course, it was only temporary.
I was so used to my reputation in the district that her attitude surprised me.
So, I let my Johan Seong side run free in response.
The situation got worse because she had a temper as explosive as mine.
Something I never thought I'd see... someone with a temper as volcanic as Johan's?
"Anyway, why are we still talking? You're a man, right? So come on."
She didn't hear my response but headed for a nearby alley.
So, I found myself alone with a woman in a deserted alley, in the middle of the night.
I don't know why, but it sounds weird.
"I swear... kids these days think they're big shots," she muttered between breaths heavy with alcohol and nicotine.
"Honestly, I advise you to stop this madness..."
Before I could continue, her fist was already flying toward my face.
Fast.
But not fast enough.
However... I was right.
She is strong.
Much stronger than that traitor Jin Jang or Hanju, physically speaking.
"Huh?!"
She let out a strange sound as she found herself in my arms, in a somewhat embarrassing position.
(Image)
Thanks to aikido, I had managed to unbalance her by using her own strength against her.
Unfortunately, I was too nice and prevented her from falling at the last moment.
That's what led to this situation.
Apart from this awkward moment, her strikes had no real technique.
It was just savagery.
A raw, innate strength guided by pure instinct.
Yet, she clearly aims for vital areas... simple and effective.
She has potential, a raw talent still unshaped.
"Honestly, stop smoking. It ruins your health and spoils your pretty face."
I don't know who this girl is, but she could be useful to me.
And besides, she's pretty.
That's enough to spare her the 'right to gender equality...' Yes, it's hypocritical.
Given her age, she's probably not from the second generation, but from generation 1.5, like Sinu Han, Gun, or Goo.
Damn... do people from this generation all have monstrous talent or what?
I really want to recruit her.
It's difficult, in my current situation, to find strong women.
Why am I looking for a strong woman?
You can't imagine how exhausting it is to be constantly surrounded by men...
I doubt Jaehe Han's karaoke is enough to preserve my mental health.
As for her lack of technique, I plan to teach her myself.
She probably doesn't have any gift for copying styles, but I'm convinced I can make her strong enough.
Anyway, it's too late to change my mind.
The moment I caught her, I activated my blessing to the maximum.
Is it a low blow?
Manipulation?
Yes!!!
But it was necessary this time.
I need to put all the odds in my favor.
"L... let me go!!!"
"Okay."
Her face was scarlet red, surprisingly cute despite her fiery temperament.
Looks like she really sobered up thanks to my blessing.
"...I hope you now recognize the difference in level between us, right?"
"I... I wasn't in good shape! It doesn't count!"
She immediately denied it, despite her obvious embarrassment.
She started making all sorts of excuses to justify a new fight.
In the end, I accepted.
Conclusion?
I won again.
"No... no... I can't lose to a pervert..."
She started mumbling weird stuff to herself, some delusion about a grizzly and mapo?
Finally, I had to intervene.
BAM.
I hit the wall of the alley, which instinctively pinned her against it.
Our faces were incredibly close.
Despite the effect of my blessing to sober her up, her breath still smelled of alcohol... an intoxicating scent.
Our eyes locked.
I broke this silence with a phrase that Johan Seong himself would probably have thrown out:
"If you're not satisfied with the result, I'm your man. Anywhere, anytime."
She said nothing.
She just swallowed, probably nervous, before slowly nodding.
"Perfect. Here's my number for your rematch. Do you want me to walk you home?"
"Didn't you mention that you weren't in good shape?"
Honestly, letting a girl with a physique like that wander alone at night would be a waste.
She had that typical bad girl look.
And yeah... I admit, I like it.
Even though she used alcohol as an excuse for her defeat, she declined my offer.
But I refused her refusal.
Thank you, Luffy-sensei.
"You must be quite a pervert to follow a girl all the way home, in the middle of the night."
"I'm just making sure you don't get beaten up or worse, by some scumbag," I replied to Na Seyoung.
Yes, I'm talking to a pornhwa heroine.
I already had suspicions, but this is irrefutable proof.
I am indeed in a PTJ-Verse"+".
There are other manhwas integrated into this universe.
"There, happy? This is my place!"
"Perfect. And I hope you'll avoid confronting strangers while drunk. Today it was just me... but next time?"
I allowed myself one last jab about her defeats.
You need to know something important about this heroine: she's very proud and can literally do anything out of pure pride... especially when it comes to strength or in relation to her perpetual virginity.
She's never had a single boyfriend...
So I better understand her reactions since our meeting at the shop.
Back then, I touched on one of the things she was most confident in: her strength.
Unfortunately, she lost.
"See ya!"
"Go to hell!!!"
"Who's that...? You brought a boy?!"
And that's how I ended up getting home super late... without my groceries.
A vixen, who's also Na Seyoung's roommate, stole everything.
Cough... cough... but she had huge arguments.
...
Hanju's POV
It's been a week since Johan Seong, aka God Dog, became the boss of southern Gangbuk.
And so far, he still hasn't moved against Sechan Kang and his northern Gangbuk.
Instead, he sent me to a boxing club, and Jaehe Han to a taekwondo club with him.
I remember he tasked Seok Kang and Yugyeom Na with finding a certain Gwang Yu in some weird agency.
(Image)
Is he paying attention to something? Or is he just distracted by that crazy woman...
"I just hope he'll remain interesting."
Without realizing it, I'm starting to get too involved in this crew.
It seems like Johan's ambitions have infected me, or maybe I've gotten a bit too attached to him.
I must say he has something... that makes him hard to hate.
"Hey, Hanju, sorry to bother you while you're smoking, but could you help me get in touch with the new guy?"
Looks like he wants to follow Johan.
The problem is, he's weak.
And this guy seems to place a lot of importance on strength.
"Go see him yourself, Hyeondong Lee. He's not a psycho."
(Image)
I crushed my cigarette, then went back to class.
"Yeah... he's different from the others."