[Seoul – 9:15 PM]
The city lights shimmered across the glossy hood of Jahm's Mustang as he cruised through the quieter streets of Seoul. After surviving the Minister's brutal driving test and securing the job, Jahm decided to take the long way around the city. The intensity of the day still lingered in his muscles, but tonight, the streets were his escape. He let the roar of the engine soothe his mind as he drove aimlessly, enjoying the neon-lit calm of Seoul. Eventually, he pulled over near a local market—remembering the promise he made to Justice that morning. With a tired but satisfied smirk, Jahm stepped out of the car to buy the meat he said he'd bring home
The night breeze carried the scent of grilled meats and fresh produce as the local market buzzed with quiet energy. Small neon signs flickered overhead while vendors called out their last deals before closing.
Jahm stood by a butcher's stall, pointing to a tray of marinated short ribs.
"That one," he told the butcher, who was already wrapping the meat. "Make it double. I promised someone a feast."
The butcher chuckled. "Celebrating something, sir?"
"Sort of," Jahm replied with a half-smile. "A brutal job interview... and I lived."
"Well then, you deserve it!" the butcher laughed. "That'll be 28,000 won."
Jahm handed over the cash, nodding in appreciation.
Meanwhile, across the street from a quiet local market, Han Min-Yoon stepped out with a small paper bag of fresh vegetables. Her shift at the hospital had just ended, and she was planning to cook something warm for her sister, Hanni.
"Unnie, I'll be home in twenty minutes. I'm just getting some greens," she said over the call.
Han Hanni's voice came muffled but urgent on the other end, "Don't take too long. You know I get nervous when you walk alone at night."
Min-Yoon sighed, smiling gently. "I'll be fine. I'm just across from the meat shop. It's bright here."
She ended the call and turned to the old lady running the stall.
"Ahjumma, how much for the spinach and the carrots?"
The vendor smiled. "For a pretty nurse like you? 5,000 won. But only if you promise to eat well."
"I always try," Min-Yoon replied sweetly, handing over the money. "Thank you."
As she turned a corner, her steps slowed. The street was nearly empty.
Then she saw them.
Six men loitering near an alley. Faces she recognized. The same gang she had stood up to a week ago when they were beating up a helpless man outside the hospital.
"Hey," one of the thugs growled. "Ain't that the nurse from last time?"
"Yeah," another hissed. "She thought she could embarrass us."
They moved fast.
Han Min-Yoon gasped and took a step back—but it was too late. One of them pulled out a switchblade.
"We're gonna teach you a lesson," he said, raising his hand to strike.
As Jahm walked toward his Mustang, a shadowy movement in a dark alley nearby caught his eye. Something felt off.
He dropped the bag in passenger seat and ran.
The blade came down.
But it never touched Min-Yoon.
Jahm's hand intercepted it—barehanded.
Steel met flesh.
A sickening slice.
Blood spilled down his arm.
"Ahh!" Jahm grunted but didn't let go. He twisted the man's wrist, forcing him to drop the knife.
Han Min-Yoon's eyes widened at the sight of her savior before she collapsed, unconscious from shock.
"You picked the wrong girl to mess with," Jahm growled.
"You'll die here, hero," of the gang members shouted.
The other five surged forward.
Jahm shifted his stance, fists raised. One thug came swinging with a metal pipe—Jahm ducked and countered with a hard punch to the ribs. Another tried to stab him from the side. Jahm turned just in time, but the blade sank into his shoulder.
"Tch..." he hissed, then headbutted the attacker.
Someone struck him across the back with a wooden bat. He stumbled but didn't fall.
His mind went blank—training took over.
He threw elbows, knees, and brutal counters. One by one, the gang dropped like flies. Bruised, groaning, and broken.
Breathing heavily, Jahm looked around at the bodies groaning on the ground.
"I warned you,wait the cops here"he muttered, blood dripping from his arm and hand.
[Hospital Entrance]
Carrying the unconscious nurse in his arms, Jahm staggered to the emergency entrance of the nearest hospital, just two blocks away.
"Hey!" a nurse at the reception shouted. "What happened?"
"She was attacked. Needs help—fast," Jahm said, placing her gently on a bed near the entrance.
"Sir, you're bleeding! You need treatment too!"
"I'm fine," he said firmly, backing away.
"But—"
"She needs it more than I do."
Without another word, he turned and walked out, blood still dripping from his shoulder and hand.
[Safe House]
Justice opened the door and nearly dropped the water he was drinking.
"Bro! What the hell happened to you?!"
"Got the meat though," Jahm muttered, half-smiling as he raised the plastic bag.
"You're bleeding! Sit down. Sit down now!"
Justice rushed to his room, grabbing the first aid kit.
"Who did this? Do I need to hack someone's bank account out of revenge?"
Jahm chuckled weakly. "Just some street thugs. Long story."
Justice cleaned the wound and bandaged his shoulder.
"You're insane, man. Saving people like some low-budget K-drama hero."
"Felt right."
Justice finished patching him up. "Get some rest, soldier."
Jahm leaned back on the couch. Exhausted. Silent.
Within minutes, he was asleep.
Outside, the city lights still blinked. Somewhere across Seoul
Moments later, Min-Yoon slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the sterile white lights above her. She jolted slightly, confused and disoriented, realizing she was in a hospital bed. Her voice came out hoarse.
"W-Where am I?"
A nurse gently approached her side. "You're safe now. You were brought here earlier."
"Brought here?" Min-Yoon's brows furrowed. "By who?"
The nurse gave a soft smile. "A tall man in a formal suit. He was injured—bleeding from his hand and shoulder. He didn't say his name. Just dropped you off and disappeared."
Before Min-Yoon could process it all, the door burst open. A woman rushed in—Han Hanni. Her face was pale, eyes filled with worry.
"Min-Yoon!" she cried, hurrying to her sister's side. "What happened to you? Are you okay?"
Min-Yoon nodded weakly, still trying to make sense of the night before. "Unnie… there was a gang… I thought I was going to die…"
Hanni hugged her tightly, her voice trembling. "You're safe now. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."
But in the back of Min-Yoon's mind, the image of a man's shadow standing in front of her just before everything went black flickered—faint, blurred… but unforgettable.