30: Incheon (5)
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All three of them looked at Vasco. His face was calm, but there was a strange spark in his eyes, like he'd finally pieced something together.
Vin Jin squinted, ready to open his mouth and throw another insult, but before he could—
Zack Lee suddenly grabbed Vasco's bicep with both hands and shouted.
"Ahah! Fucking perfect, Vasco! What the hell is going on with you? Your brain is actually working—for the first time in your life!?"
Vasco blinked, confused but not angry.
Vin Jin and Hudson just stared, brows furrowed. Vin Jin tilted his head.
"Oi, Zack Lee. You actually understand what this dumbass is saying?"
Both Zack and Vasco turned to him at the same time. Zack's grin widened.
Vin Jin continued, frustrated.
"He's telling one of us to be the son of the legend. Don't play dumb. He means Kitae Kim, right!?"
Zack looked Vin Jin straight in the eyes.
"Yeah. So what?"
Vin Jin's veins popped on his forehead, his jaw clenched so hard it looked like his teeth would snap.
"What do you mean, so what!? He's saying one of us should become fucking KITAE KIM! Do you realize how insane that is!?"
Zack let go of Vasco's arm and smirked, stepping closer to Vin Jin.
"Insane? Maybe. But it's solid."
Vin Jin barked back.
"Solid? Explain before I knock your teeth out."
Zack raised a finger, pacing in front of them.
"Listen. Openly? Yeah, risky as hell. But think about it. Right now, Incheon's a fucking mess. Everyone's fighting each other—gangs don't even know who their enemy is anymore. They're only looking for one thing: the symbol of Darkness. Just like Daniel told me."
He stopped, locking eyes with each of them.
"So if we act as Kitae Kim and his gang… the Port Goons will come for us. That's bait, and it's power. But here's the kicker—what if they don't know if Kitae Kim already came through the water… or if he's still coming?"
Silence. Vasco's lips curled into a faint smile. Hudson gave a slow nod. Vin Jin's frown deepened.
"So what you're saying…" Vin Jin muttered. "We take the risk and walk into Incheon as him?"
Zack smirked.
"Exactly. One of us becomes 'The Son of the Legend.'"
Vin Jin gulped, sweat running down his temple. Hudson raised his hand nervously.
"But wait… who's gonna do it? It can't be me. I'm not tall enough. And my hair isn't black."
Zack snapped his head toward him.
"You already gave up, huh?"
Then his eyes scanned the group. From Hudson… to Vasco… to Vin Jin… and back to himself.
"I can't be him either. I'm not built like you two."
Vasco and Vin Jin looked at each other, tension forming instantly.
"So it's one of us," Vasco said flatly.
"Yeah," Zack confirmed. "Now it's between you two. Decide. But I think—"
"It'll be you, Vasco!" Vin Jin shouted, cutting him off like a gunshot.
Without hesitation, Vasco untied his bandana and then tied it back tighter, his expression firm.
"Okay. Then it'll be me."
But Zack raised his voice sharply.
"Hold up. No. I think it should be Vin Jin."
Vin Jin's eyes widened. He threw his hands up like Zack had just stabbed him in the chest.
"THE FUCK!? Why ME!? Why not HIM!?"
Hudson quickly chimed in, almost apologetic.
"I… also think you'd be better, Vin Jin."
Vin Jin's voice cracked into a desperate yell.
"Better!? WHY!? WHY ME!?"
Zack walked right past him without looking, stopping at Vasco's side and putting a hand on his shoulder.
"There's one reason. Vasco's brain worked today, sure. But it only works once every eighteen years. If we gamble on him, he'll fuck it up the second we need him not to."
Hudson nodded in agreement, dead serious.
Vin Jin froze, veins bulging, face red.
"So you're saying… it's fucking me."
Zack smirked again, not even turning around.
"Exactly."
Vasco stood there, staring at Zack, completely lost in thought. His lips parted as the gears slowly turned in his head.
"…Wait. Did he just… praised me? Or… call me dumb?"
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Next: Kitae Kim Vs. Dark Crocodile...