[Jakga's Pov]
In front of an abandoned small shopping complex. I was about to meet up with another named character... What an exhausting and thrilling life, oh... how had things turned out for me.
I was wrecked y'know? Thinking if I was recognized by the union or was I just picked randomly because I was the most trustworthy in Phillip's contact list? Though I was hopeful, I stayed realistic and concluded it was the latter.
I soon received a text message on my phone from Phillip to come inside, and so I did not push and went in with my hands inside my pockets-- but I bumped into two people,
"Hey, watch where you're going motherfucker." the irritated voice belongs to the person who I directly bumped with when I entered the place.
I looked at his uniform blazer, *Gilshin Middle School.* "My bad, My bad. I didn't think punks like you like to hang out right at the door like a fucking mutt." my reply was short.
"You son of a bitch--"
The one beside him put a hand on his shoulder and shaked their head, "Jimmy, it's not worth it. We've already had seen enough for tonight, this place isn't worth it--"
It was then and there when I realized this was both Jimmy Bae and Jack Kang, *They're second years right now... Well it makes sense why I'm 15 and in the second year. So does that make the Mok-ha duo also second years?*
After some quick thinking, I turned my attention to something else like leaving a lasting impression on them if I want to be remembered at all by a future big shot.
So as they passed by me, "Yeah listen to your wife buddy." I said with a shit eating grin on my face,
Just then in a pivot of his heel Jimmy threw a fast right jab *Swoosh! Zip! I was only able to barely dodge it, the fist slightly slid past my ear.
Of course I put some distance between us by turning on my feet and throwing a back kick to his stomach and backing of, *There's no need to show them everything, just the gist of my skills.* I thought as I smirked.
With my small mocking grin, I lunged forward while he responded with a left hook but instead of dodging or absorbing the hit with a frame, I took it head on *POW!
And I exchanged it with a smack to the side of his head, specifically his ear followed by a stomp on his foot and a slam of my shoulder on his face.
*SMACK, BAM, WHAM!
Wiping the side of my face, I chuckled dryly: "Damn, you know how to throw a punch."
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[3rd Person's POV]
"This guy..." Jimmy grits his teeth and winces a little bit, his ears still faintly rings and his foot slightly aches when he puts weight on it,
*All those moves, they're aimed to disturb and irritate Jimmy from focus... Is that his tactic? Also that attack earlier, is he a kicker?* Jack sweats a bit as he watched the from side, it was clear from Jimmy's gaze on Jakga, "... He really wants to beat him."
"Jakga!" a voice erupted in seriousness as steps were heard, it was Phillip's. "You can't fight here, it's against the boss's rules." he says as he calls him over.
Of course, Kim felt embarrassed for being called like he was Phillip's dog, "You.... Fine." he then turned to Jimmy and glared, "When I see you again, I'm going to kill you myself. So keep your head down, you nobody."
Jimmy couldn't even retort when both Kim and Phillip had already turned and left, "Damn it... Fuck the Union, I don't need them!" after that being said, he left with Jake following behind with a sigh.
Meanwhile, Phillip was telling Kim about the rules, scolding, "You listen here, things work differently under Donald Na's rule. No seams or useless fights, only do things that are purposeful and beneficial--"
But his words flew over Kim's head, who was thinking of something else, *I need a stable form of income, it might be impossible since I'm literally a foreigner kid in another country. Should I start an illegal business?*
Those thoughts kept repeating until he was brought out of his own trance when Phillip finally said something worth attention, "Wait, Phillip, what did you say?"
Phillip: "I said you'll be heading up against people, apparently Donald wants me to get someone to test some people in Daehyeon before he offers them a peice of Union."
"So... I'm a test dummy?" Kim concluded it all, asking if he was right.
He looked at Phillip, both of them stopping in their steps, "Well I didn't pick someone randomly, I just picked someone who could be 'challenging' for the guys who Donald has tabs on ."
He turns to Kim and placed a hand on his shoulder, "And the person I picked was you, so do me a favor and put on a good fight in front of Kingsley, he reports everything to Donald anyway. After that then expect Half a million won in your bank account, all that is the overall payment from both me and the Union."
With that final statement they continued their walk until they stopped in front of a corner, "Just walk to the left and you'll meet the boss. And also, show him some respect he's not the head of the union for no reason." after that, Phillip left him alone and went off.
*Phew, heres the main antagonist! I'm so nervous and excited I am from meeting my favorite character in the whole Manhwa!* with a deep breath, Kim went inside.
But as he entered someone blocked his path, "Who are you?" a tall guy with glasses asked, his gaze was focused and haf that look of someone looking down at others.
Kim kept his flat gaze at him, his just blinked and raised his brow, "What the...? I was sent here by Phillip, he told me that you'd guys were interested in my services. My name is Young-Jae Kim, but I prefer the nickname Jakga."
Kingsley— the tall guy with glasses, just sighed, "So you're the guy he sent? Why?" he asked again.
Kim: "You may have heard of me before, but I have quite the reputation in Yongsan."
After a bit of silence, Kingsley opens his mouth, "You're the guy who Phillip hires to keep his territory in Yongsan, right? Demon of Yongsan..."
"Maybe more like a stupid money hungry dog, rather...." he muttered the last part before letting Kim pass into the room with him following behind.
Inside, it was kind of tidy, it's mess moved to the edges and in the middle of it all was an intimidating blonde guy sitting on a chair behind a table, reading a list of names that Kim immediately recognized.
*Those are businesses that focus on supplying schools with stuff.* he thought as he walked forward and stopped in front of the table, he then turned to Kingsley who said nothing, so he decided to start of.
"Donald, I brought the guy that Phillip recommended to us." he went to took a stand besides Donald who now had lifted his head.
Donald, ever so calculative spoke in a low but eerily powerful voice, "So you're the strongest person among Phillip's connection?" he asked, looking at Kim up and down, "I was expecting more but I guess you have enough intimidation."
Once he finished talking, Kim put on his serious face, "I will complete the work you've commissioned me for, as long as you pay." he says with a slight bow, *Shit! Did I come off weird? I don't know what to say to this guy, I just want to seem professional with my temporary work.*
Donald stared at him for a second before focusing back down onto papers, "We'll take him with us Kingsley, he's good enough... I don't care if he loses, we just need to get a grasp of our potential members." with that Kingsley nodded and took Kim with him out of the building.
Kingsley: "We'll be calling you next week to head down to Daehyeon Middle School, don't be late. We're supposed to scout for a group of people but we just got word that someone else interesting came around."
"Of course you have to step forward and test how useful they really are. The union needs someone who's willing to do this, so please do as We tell you to."
*Damn he's not someone who beats around the bush, huh?* Kim raised his brows, "Sure, I'll do what I'm told to."
After a quick nod from Kingsley, Kim left the place and went on a hunting for loaded thugs in Yongsan with a certain thought in mind, *I'm merging with the story, it's confusing.*
After getting 100,000 won from just 'sweeping' the streets today, Kim went to the park and did his usual training; 20 jumping jacks followed by 2 kilometer jog, 20 pushups, 20 situps, 20 squats, 20 minute planks, and doing stretches, "Gotta... Keep in shape... With 3 times a week... Workout..." he muttered in a shaky voice as he struggles to keep his plank straight.
= == === ====
The Next Day
At Daehyeon Middle school. A guy sat down on a bench, reading a first volume of a famous manga. "Did Kenny left already?" a voice asked, it was from a tall guy wearing shades and a cap, he walked up to them and took a peek on the book.
"Yeah... He said he was called by his 'friends'" the guy who was reading was none other than Jake Ji and the person who was asking was Dean Kwan.
Dean then looked at his phone, "Should we skip English? I heard from Eunchan that there's a new café nearby." he says as looked around and saw the Naksung Fam glaring daggers at them.
"They're still at it even though they know well not to mess with us." he muttered, nudging Jake and pointing towards them.
Jake just stared at them which made them unnerved and shaken, soon they left but not before acting all begrudgingly. "Stupid people like them still cling to their belief in still having power even though they lost all of their power over this school."
"Yo guys!" a nerdy yet kind of delinquent looking guy walks up to them from behind, "You guys scaring the Naksung Fam away again?" he concluded, seeing how Jake had stared at a corner area.
Dean just sighed and nods, "Unfortunately, yeah. Anyways, what you got there Timmy?" he asked as he pointed at the tablet.
"Oh! You guys heard about what happened in Yongsan?" he asked, turning the tablet to show Jake and Dean the article in the SHUTTLEPATCH.
Jake raised his brow and looked at the names especially the highlights, "'Yongsan is now one of The Union's territory thanks to Phillip Kim's Demon Hound.'? Timmy what the heck, is this a new character? How far is he into the rankings?" he asked as looked interested.
Timmy smirks, "It's said he was just some random guy beating up thugs all over Yongsan and robbing them, but lately it's been confirmed through Phillip Kim's posts that the guy is now a hired muscle, attacking even Manwol." he says as he explained.
Dean rolled his eyes and just sighed, "So a thug beating thugs for money." he comments but it made Timmy huff a little,
"It's not like that, it was rumored that he usually go up against 5-10 people per night for a whole week and that's how he was named Demon of Yongsan-gu but the fact that he was hired by someone like Phillip made him known as the 'Demon Hound' basically a monster of a minion." Timmy quickly added.
"How does that tie into Yongsan being handed to the Union?" Dean asked with a frown, he was very curious but hesitant in asking since once Timmy talked about something from the SHUTTLEPATCH then it'll probably take hours.
Timothy just smiled brightly, "Thanks for asking! Phillip Kim is someone who has deep connections with the Union and like any member he sucked up to Donald by handing him Yongsan-gu as a territory under the Union."
Jake nodded and looked up, imagining rich thugs praising a strong warrior, "Huh, good for them I guess but why tell us?"
"Well I don't want you guys getting involved with the Union in any way, so if we go to Yongsan we better be careful and pull back from fighting--" he didn't get to finish his words when Jake pulled him by the shoulder and gave him a thumbs up, "Thanks for worrying buddy but I can handle the... Onions very well."
Timmy: "... It's called The Union."