Strength Mastery.
He had achieved its second awakening. The moment his strength surged, Taesoo Ma's durability began to crack unable to withstand Ha-Joon's blow.
"You're insane," Taesoo Ma muttered, his voice rough and breathless. "To grow in the middle of a fight… What a madness."
In the beginning, He could believe a small leap in strength, but now? He couldn't help but admire Ha-Joon.
In that instant, Ha-Joon seamlessly combined his technique with new strength. Kyoukushin's iron body, taekwondo's explosive snap and capoeira's flowing torque.
Ha-Joon stepped forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet. He launched forward with such speed that even Taesoo flinched.
The first strike was a left cross, clean, explosive, shattering Taesoo's defense. Before the older man could recover, a spinning back kick slammed into his ribs, followed by a downward punch that cratered the earth.
Taesoo rolled back, coughing blood, wiping his mouth again. His stance dropped low.
"Guess I can't just cruise through this," he muttered. But it was already too late.
Taesoo charged in, throwing a wide hook with his right but Ha-Joon slipped under, planting his foot, twisting his hips before delivering a devastating Uppercut.
It landed under Taesoo's chin with the full force of his combined threshold. The Ansan King's body lifted clean off the ground before crashing into the dirt with a shudder, almost making him faint on the spot.
Taesoo stood again, breathing heavy, his right arm trembling from impact.
"What a freak."
Ha-Joon didn't paused from his comment, just stared, eyes glowing faint light pink from the convergence of techniques.
And with that, he moved, taking three steps for a feint before executing a downward elbow to the clavicle, a hook to the liver. Then a final punch right at the center of Taesoo's core.
Taesoo Ma flew backward, crashing through a tree, slammed in the ground. The instant he fell, silence fell on the jungle.
He walked over, looming above the fallen king.
Taesoo coughed, wheezing, but still smiled. " Looks like I lost... But I'm not interested in your deal."
Ha-Joon didn't speak but simply stared at him, before reaching into his pocket and pulled out a small folded note, the edges slightly worn from the fight.
He crouched down and held it out.
"I figured you'd say that," he said. "Still…"
Taesoo's eyes flicked down to the paper.
"If someday you change your mind…" Ha-Joon added, placing the note beside the dying fire. "Call me. I don't make promises I can't keep, and I never forget those worth fighting alongside."
Taesoo Ma had declined his offer. Ha-Joon didn't hold it against him. He understood. Some men couldn't be tied down by someone else's dream, no matter how grand. Still, he left the man a number just in case.
And he didn't care about Taesoo Ma's rejection, even if he doesn't want to get along with Ha-Joon for now. He will surely make a call to him in the future, after getting a beatdown from James.
He didn't bother to invite the weaker king, simply because they were not worth his time except Jinyong Go, but the stronger one? He needed them in the future. If Ha-Joon's approve about his rejection will help him with his lost ego, Ha-Joon will gladly step aside for now.
Ha-Joon slowly stood up, dusted his pants, and turned toward the path leading out of the forest followed by Hyun-Woo and Minjae. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying away the sounds of battle.
As Ha-Joon's figure disappeared into the shadows of the trees, Taesoo glanced at the note again, his half-lidded eyes thoughtful.
Taesoo stood up, before taking the folded note in his hand and departed towards his resting place.
.....
After returning to the city, he quickly freshen up and went down the city's open market for fill his stomach.
Ha-Joon, in his loose black hoodie and bandaged hands, blended in just enough in the market. He stopped at a small food stall manned by a wrinkled woman.
"Sit down, boy," an ajumma said sharply, her voice cutting through the noises of the market.
"You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days... So skinny. At your age, my son was round like a ball, always eating twice as much as he should."
Ha-Joon blinked, then chuckled before sitting down the stool.
"Thanks."
She grunted. "What's your name?"
"Ha-Joon."
"You from around here?"
"No."
"Mm. You look like you've been in a fight." She glanced at his bruised hands, his stiff shoulders, the faint swelling around his jawline.
Ha-Joon nodded.
She squinted at him, not entirely amused. "Tch. Boys these days, thinking they can solve the world with fists. Eat."
Ha-Joon dug into the porridge. It was simple, rice, chicken broth, a hint of green onion, but it was hot, and the salt hit just right. After a few spoonful, she slid over a plate of jeon crisp-edged pancakes flecked with chives and squid.
After finishing his food, he quickly stood and smiled towards grandma. "Thanks for the food... Here's your money."
"Don't thank me. Thank the pigs," she said dryly
Before she could talk more, He quickly left from the stall without hesitation.
Ha-Joon spent the rest of the day walking.
He moved through the markets, watching how the city lived around him. Fishermen hawked early catch near the docks. Buskers sang on street corners. High schoolers in uniform rushed toward cram schools, while older men gathered around plastic tables outside convenience stores, drinking beer under umbrellas.
He ended up at a pier by sunset, resting on a wooden bench as the sea breeze swept through his damp hair. His bruises throbbed in time with the waves. He lit a cigarette, the flame trembling slightly in the wind.
He ended up at a pier by sunset, resting on a wooden bench as the sea breeze swept through his damp hair. His bruises throbbed in time with the waves. He lit a cigarette, while reviewing his next step.
He stepped off the boardwalk, heading back toward the street, when he heard the low rumble of an engine.
A black SUV slowed to a stop in front of him.
The window rolled down, and Hyun-Woo stuck his head out, his mouth curled into a half-grin. "Hop in."
Ha-Joon nodded slowly, his eyes trailing across the vehicle before stepping toward it.
"Let's move.' spoke Ha-Joon, before throwing the still burning cigarate.
Ha-Joon slid in, exhaling as he sank into the seat. The interior still smelled like leftover coffee and the fast food wrappers Minjae refused to clean out.
Hyun-Woo shifted the SUV into gear, pulling away from the curb.
"So…" Hyun-Woo glanced at him through the rearview mirror. 'Where to next."
"North," Ha-Joon said without hesitation.
"Towards Incheon."