Baek Seongho had heard plenty of ridiculous things in his eighteen years of life.
His father once claimed he could beat Mike Tyson in a street fight.
His boxing coach insisted that running ten kilometers every morning was enjoyable.
And his best friend had once tried convincing him that investing his entire savings in cryptocurrency was a guaranteed way to become rich.
But Kang Minjun had just said something that surpassed all three.
"You want to create a crew?"
Minjun nodded.
They were sitting inside his mother's restaurant, which had closed for the afternoon.
Seongho leaned forward.
"An actual crew?"
"Yes."
"With members? Territory? All that?"
"Eventually."
Seongho stared.
Then he laughed.
"You're insane."
"Possibly."
"I'm serious, Minjun. You can't just wake up one morning and decide to become a gang leader."
"Why not?"
"Because there are already people running things!"
Minjun took a sip of water.
"Then they'll have competition."
Seongho opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then rubbed his forehead.
"Do you even understand how dangerous the crews in Seoul are?"
"Better than you think."
"There's God Dog in Gangbuk. Hostel in Gangdong. Big Deal in Gangseo. And Workers in Gangnam."
"I'm aware."
"Then what makes you think we can compete with them?"
Minjun smiled.
"You're asking the wrong question."
Seongho frowned.
"What?"
"You're asking whether we can compete with them."
Minjun leaned forward.
"I'm asking how long it'll take before they have to compete with us."
Seongho stared at him.
The confidence in Minjun's voice wasn't normal.
It wasn't the reckless boasting of someone trying to appear intimidating.
He spoke as though the outcome had already been decided.
"You're really serious."
"Completely."
Seongho remained silent.
Then he asked, "And what exactly would I be doing?"
"Helping me build it."
"Why me?"
"Because you're a decent fighter, you're loyal to your friends, and you have enough sense to admit when you're wrong."
Seongho blinked.
"That's your recruitment speech?"
"Would you prefer something dramatic?"
"A little."
Minjun stood.
"Fine."
He walked toward the restaurant's rear entrance.
"Come with me."
The Difference Between Talent and Power
Behind the restaurant stood a small storage building.
Its concrete walls were old, and several abandoned appliances were stacked beside the entrance.
Minjun approached a thick wooden support beam that had been removed during renovations.
It was nearly twenty centimeters wide.
Seongho followed.
"What are we doing?"
"Answering your question."
"Which question?"
"Why I think we can compete."
Minjun placed his hand against the beam.
"Watch."
He drew his fist backward.
Then punched.
BOOOOM!
The impact sounded like a gunshot.
The wooden beam exploded.
Splinters scattered across the pavement.
The upper half flew backward and crashed against the storage wall.
Seongho didn't move.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the shattered wood.
Then he looked toward Minjun.
Then back at the wood.
"What…"
Minjun shook his hand casually.
"That was around thirty percent."
Seongho slowly turned.
"Thirty?"
"Approximately."
"THIRTY PERCENT?"
Minjun laughed.
"You're going to wake the neighbors."
Seongho grabbed his shoulders.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU?"
Minjun removed his hands.
"A very talented seventeen-year-old."
"BULLSHIT!"
Minjun smiled.
"Want another demonstration?"
Before Seongho could answer, Minjun walked toward an abandoned refrigerator.
It was a large commercial model, heavy enough that two workers had struggled to move it during the restaurant's renovations.
Minjun gripped its side.
Then lifted it.
With one hand.
Seongho's jaw dropped.
Minjun raised the refrigerator above his head.
Held it there for several seconds.
Then lowered it gently.
"Better?"
Seongho stared.
"You're not human."
"That's rude."
"No, seriously. You're not."
Minjun laughed.
Seongho sat on a nearby crate.
He looked completely defeated.
"I've been boxing for three years."
"Good."
"Three years of training."
"Very respectable."
"And you just punched through a wooden beam."
"Technically, I broke it."
"THAT'S NOT BETTER!"
Minjun chuckled.
Then his expression became serious.
"Seongho."
The young man looked up.
"I'm not asking you to follow me because I need someone to fight for me."
"Then why?"
"Because I want people who can become strong alongside me."
Seongho glanced toward the shattered beam.
"Alongside you?"
"Not necessarily equal to me."
Minjun smiled.
"But strong enough that nobody can casually threaten the people under our protection."
Seongho considered that.
Then slowly stood.
"Alright."
Minjun raised an eyebrow.
"Alright?"
"I'm in."
"That was quick."
Seongho laughed.
"You just lifted a refrigerator with one hand. What kind of idiot would turn down that opportunity?"
Minjun grinned.
"A sensible one, perhaps."
"Too late."
They shook hands.
And just like that, Kang Minjun gained his first follower.
Trouble Doesn't Wait
Their conversation was interrupted by a phone call.
Seongho glanced at the screen.
His expression changed.
"What's wrong?" Minjun asked.
Seongho answered.
"Hello?"
A frantic voice emerged.
"Hyung! We need help!"
Seongho straightened.
"Slow down."
"They're here!"
"Who?"
"The guys from Gangbuk!"
Minjun's attention sharpened.
Seongho's face darkened.
"Where?"
"At the basketball court near the market! They brought a whole group!"
A crash sounded through the phone.
Someone shouted.
Then the call ended.
Seongho stared at the screen.
"Shit."
Minjun approached.
"Friends?"
Seongho nodded.
"The guys I told you about. The ones who got beaten up."
"How many attackers?"
"I don't know."
Minjun picked up his jacket.
"Let's go."
Seongho blinked.
"Just like that?"
"Did you want to finish your drink first?"
"No, but—"
"Then move."
Gangbuk's Dogs
The basketball court was surrounded by approximately thirty teenagers.
Several motorcycles were parked nearby.
A few students watched from a distance, recording with their phones.
At the center stood a tall young man with short black hair and a scar across his eyebrow.
He wore a dark tracksuit.
Three boys knelt before him.
Their faces were bruised.
One had blood running from his nose.
The scarred teenager crouched.
"I told you not to collect money around here."
The kneeling boy trembled.
"We stopped!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
The scarred teenager grabbed his hair.
"Then why did I hear you were threatening middle schoolers yesterday?"
The boy fell silent.
The scarred teenager sighed.
"You people never learn."
He raised his fist.
"HEY!"
Everyone turned.
Baek Seongho was approaching.
Minjun walked beside him, hands in his pockets.
The scarred teenager stood.
"Who are you?"
Seongho stepped forward.
"Let them go."
The surrounding boys laughed.
The scarred teenager examined him.
"Another friend?"
"Yes."
"Then you can join them."
Seongho clenched his fists.
Minjun placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Relax."
Seongho turned.
"Minjun—"
"I'll handle it."
Minjun walked forward.
The scarred teenager frowned.
"And who are you?"
"Kang Minjun."
"Never heard of you."
"That's about to change."
The teenager laughed.
"You think you're funny?"
"Occasionally."
Minjun glanced toward the kneeling boys.
"Did they actually threaten middle schoolers?"
The scarred teenager paused.
"Yeah."
Minjun looked toward Seongho.
His friend appeared uncomfortable.
Minjun sighed.
"Idiots."
One of the kneeling boys looked up.
"Seongho, help—"
"Shut up," Minjun said.
The boy froze.
Minjun turned toward the scarred teenager.
"Your friends have a point. These three deserve consequences."
The scarred teenager raised an eyebrow.
"Then why are you here?"
"Because beating them unconscious won't solve anything."
"And you have a better idea?"
"Yes."
Minjun smiled.
"Let me deal with them."
The teenager stared.
Then burst into laughter.
"You think you can just walk into our territory and give orders?"
Minjun's smile widened.
"Apparently."
The scarred teenager's expression darkened.
"Get him."
Six boys stepped forward.
Seongho immediately raised his fists.
Minjun held out one hand.
"Stay back."
"Minjun—"
"Watch."
The first attacker charged.
Minjun stepped forward.
A straight punch struck the boy's stomach.
THUD!
He folded instantly.
Before the second attacker could react, Minjun caught his wrist and threw him over his shoulder.
The boy crashed onto the court.
A third swung a metal bat.
Minjun caught it.
The teenager tried pulling it away.
Minjun tightened his grip.
CRACK.
The bat bent.
The surrounding crowd went silent.
Minjun examined the warped metal.
"Cheap."
He tossed it aside.
Then moved.
A kick struck one attacker in the chest.
Another received a short hook to the jaw.
The sixth attempted to flee.
Minjun caught his collar and pulled him backward.
A light tap to the forehead sent him stumbling onto his backside.
Six men.
Six seconds.
Seongho stared.
The scarred teenager's expression changed.
"What the hell?"
Minjun looked toward him.
"Your turn?"
The teenager clenched his fists.
"Everyone!"
The remaining boys hesitated.
"GET HIM!"
They charged.
Sovereign Instinct
Minjun smiled.
Finally.
A chance to move without worrying about humiliating an individual sparring partner.
He stepped into the crowd.
The first punch came from his left.
He slipped beneath it.
A knee struck the attacker's stomach.
The second swung from behind.
Minjun turned and drove an elbow into his chest.
The boy flew backward.
Three more attacked simultaneously.
Minjun moved between them.
His footwork was extraordinary.
Every step placed him outside an opponent's strongest angle.
Every strike targeted an opening.
And every movement flowed naturally into the next.
He wasn't simply fighting.
He was dismantling them.
One boy attempted a flying kick.
Minjun caught his ankle.
Then swung him sideways into two approaching attackers.
All three collapsed.
Someone grabbed his jacket.
Minjun turned.
A short punch struck the boy's shoulder.
The attacker spun and fell.
Another tried tackling his legs.
Minjun stepped aside and guided him face-first into the pavement.
The crowd began retreating.
But Minjun wasn't finished.
He wanted them to understand the difference.
He wanted the entire neighborhood to remember what happened when someone challenged him.
His eyes darkened.
Faint silver rings appeared around his pupils.
Sovereign Instinct.
The world sharpened.
Movements became clearer.
Distances seemed shorter.
The remaining attackers appeared almost motionless.
Minjun exhaled.
Then disappeared from their sight.
BAM!
One boy flew backward.
CRACK!
Another collapsed after a perfectly placed strike.
THUD!
A third dropped before realizing Minjun had moved behind him.
The remaining teenagers froze.
They couldn't follow his movements.
To them, it seemed as though a black-haired monster was appearing wherever he pleased.
Minjun stopped.
His eyes returned to normal.
He looked around.
Twenty-nine teenagers lay scattered across the basketball court.
Some groaned.
Others remained unconscious.
Only the scarred teenager stood.
His legs trembled.
Minjun approached.
"Name?"
The boy swallowed.
"Choi… Choi Minseok."
"Are you actually part of God Dog?"
Minseok hesitated.
"Y-yes."
"Who do you answer to?"
"Johan Seong."
Minjun's smile widened.
There it is.
Johan Seong.
One of the most talented fighters in Lookism.
A copying genius.
And the leader of God Dog.
Minjun had wondered when he would encounter someone connected to the main story.
Apparently, the answer was today.
He stepped closer.
"Tell Johan something for me."
Minseok nodded rapidly.
"Anything!"
Minjun smiled.
"Tell him Kang Minjun is interested in meeting him."
Minseok blinked.
"Meeting… Johan?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Minjun looked toward the defeated teenagers.
Then back at him.
"Because I'd like to see how strong he is."
Minseok stared.
For a moment, he wondered whether the boy standing before him was insane.
Then he remembered the twenty-nine people lying around the court.
Perhaps insanity wasn't the problem.
Perhaps this Kang Minjun was simply that strong.
Minjun turned toward Seongho.
"Let's go."
Seongho remained frozen.
"Minjun…"
"Yes?"
"What the hell was that?"
Minjun laughed.
"A warm-up."
A Name Worth Remembering
That evening, a video began circulating through several private group chats.
It showed a handsome teenager standing alone on a basketball court.
Surrounding him were dozens of defeated fighters.
The footage was shaky.
Some movements were almost impossible to follow.
But one thing was unmistakable.
The teenager had won.
Alone.
In Gangbuk, a young man sat on the rooftop of an apartment building.
His dark hair moved gently in the evening wind.
Beside him lay a small white dog.
Johan Seong watched the video.
Once.
Then again.
His expression remained unreadable.
A subordinate stood nearby.
"Boss, that's the guy."
Johan didn't answer.
"He beat Minseok and everyone with him."
Silence.
"He also said he wants to meet you."
Johan finally looked up.
"What's his name?"
"Kang Minjun."
Johan returned his attention to the screen.
The video showed Minjun catching a metal bat.
Then bending it.
Johan's eyes narrowed.
He replayed the footage.
The boy's movements were strange.
Not because they were sloppy.
Because they were too clean.
Too efficient.
And his physical strength was ridiculous.
Johan stood.
The white dog looked up.
"Where are you going?" the subordinate asked.
Johan slipped his phone into his pocket.
"To find him."
Meanwhile, Kang Minjun sat inside his mother's restaurant, enjoying a late dinner.
Seongho sat across from him.
He hadn't stopped staring.
Minjun finally sighed.
"Are you going to eat?"
Seongho shook his head.
"You're insane."
"You've mentioned that."
"You challenged Johan Seong."
"Technically, I invited him."
"THAT'S WORSE!"
Minjun laughed.
Seongho leaned forward.
"Do you even know who Johan is?"
"Yes."
"Then why would you provoke him?"
Minjun placed his chopsticks down.
His expression became serious.
"Because I didn't come into this world to spend my life beating up nobodies."
Seongho frowned.
"What?"
Minjun continued.
"If we're going to build something powerful, people need to know who we are."
"But Johan Seong is one of the Four Major Crew leaders!"
"Exactly."
Minjun smiled.
"Defeating him would make an excellent introduction."
Seongho stared.
Then slowly leaned back.
He had agreed to follow Kang Minjun because the boy possessed extraordinary strength.
But now he was beginning to understand something else.
Minjun wasn't simply strong.
He was ambitious.
Dangerously ambitious.
And he genuinely believed that even the most powerful fighters in Seoul were obstacles he could overcome.
Seongho looked toward the restaurant entrance.
Then back at Minjun.
"You're really going to fight him?"
Minjun smiled.
"If he comes."
"And if he doesn't?"
"Then we'll find someone else worth fighting."
He picked up his chopsticks.
"Now eat. You're letting your food get cold."
Seongho stared at him.
Then burst into laughter.
"You're completely crazy."
Minjun grinned.
"Get used to it."
Outside, the streets of Seoul continued their ordinary rhythm.
But in Gangbuk, a young man named Johan Seong was already searching for the mysterious fighter who had defeated his subordinates.
And Kang Minjun?
He was looking forward to meeting him.