Jin stirred awake on the sagging couch, the dull ache in his skull pulling him from a heavy sleep. His body felt like it'd been run through a shredder, ribs throbbing, shoulders heavy from Joon's brutal kick in the pit.
Every muscle groaned, bruises pulsing with his heartbeat, the bitter sting of failure lingering from the tournament's loss. But beneath the pain, a quiet fire burned, a sense of accomplishment flickering, the fight club's foundation secured, a step closer to toppling the Drop Outs, to building the Apex Syndicate.
His eyes cracked open, squinting against the dim apartment, sunlight leaking through tattered curtains, casting faint streaks across the cluttered coffee table strewn with chip bags and soda cans. The air smelled of stale snacks and dust, the TV's low hum droning from last night's movie, now looping a late-morning infomercial. Jin's gaze landed on a crumpled note tucked under an empty can, scrawled in Joon's messy handwriting.
Gone to handle some shit. You're welcome for the couch. —Joon.
"Fucking Joon," Jin muttered, voice rough, thick with grogginess. His mind snapped to the day before, Joon's smirk, their agreement to build the fight club, the dream taking shape. Then it hit him, a jolt of panic, he'd promised Soo he'd meet her at the warehouse today. His phone buzzed on the table, screen flashing 10:43 AM. "Shit," he hissed, heart lurching. He was late, hours past his alarm, time slipping away.
Jin scrambled up, the couch creaking, his legs tangled in a ratty blanket. His body protested, ribs screaming, head spinning, but urgency shoved him forward. He stumbled to his feet, the cold wooden floor biting his bare soles, and grabbed a black hoodie, dark jeans, and scuffed boots from a pile in the corner. In the bathroom, he splashed cold water on his face, leaning against the chipped sink, the chill chasing away the fog. His reflection stared back, bruised but determined, eyes sharp with purpose. The fight with Joon had been a brutal wake-up call, his body had limits, but he'd push past them to make this work, to carve out his Syndicate.
No time to waste. He snatched his keys, shoved his phone in his pocket, and bolted out the apartment, the door slamming behind him. The late-morning air hit him, sharp and cool, as he hurried through Seoul's narrow streets, the weight of his plans driving each step.
The warehouse loomed ahead, a gray husk transformed by the steady thrum of construction, tools humming, metal clanging, voices murmuring with purpose. Jin stepped inside, and the change hit him like a punch. Gone were the cobwebs, the dust, the broken windows, replaced by a raw, bustling space alive with intent. Clean-swept floors stretched wide, new walls rising in sections, steel beams stacked in corners, some already bolted into place. The air smelled of sawdust and fresh paint, the chaos organized, a vision taking shape.
Jin's eyes swept the space, a grin tugging at his lips despite the ache in his ribs. This was it, the fight club's foundation, the Syndicate's first step. He spotted Soo near the back, surrounded by tools and materials, her faded blue overalls streaked with dust, hair yanked into a messy ponytail, her grin wide, eyes sparkling with passion. She was in her element, building their future with every swing of her hammer.
Soo looked up, spotting him in the doorway, her face lighting up. "Jin, you made it!" She wiped her hands on her overalls, brushing off sawdust, and strode over, voice bright. "This place is coming together faster than I expected, framework's almost done, might need to knock down a section for the gym space, but it's gonna be fucking awesome."
Jin chuckled, stepping closer, his boots scuffing the clean floor. "Looks like you've been busy, place is unrecognizable." His eyes flicked to the rising walls, the steel beams, the organized chaos. "You're killing it, Soo."
She beamed, motioning to the back corner. "We're making progress, but it's still a work in progress, don't look too close yet, I've got a vision, and I want it to surprise you." She grabbed a clipboard from a nearby table, thrusting it at Jin, a list of materials and suppliers scrawled across it. "We need more wood, some steel beams for support, I've lined up some deals, but you'll need to order and get them delivered."
Jin scanned the list, nodding, his mind already crunching numbers. The fight club was taking shape, but it was just the start. "I'll handle it, consider it done."
Soo's grin widened, satisfied. "Good, I'm having a blast, Jin, this place has potential, it's gonna be something real." She paused, her eyes softening. "Just don't burn out, we've got a long way to go."
Jin smirked, ignoring the throb in his ribs. "No peeking, right? I trust you to make it epic, just let me know what you need."
Soo laughed, nudging him playfully. "Deal, now get moving, I've got work to do." She turned back to her tools, but Jin's mind shifted, a new idea sparking. He hesitated, then spoke, voice low, serious. "Hey, Soo, you know anyone who could build something underground, like a basement, a hidden layer?"
Soo froze, pen hovering over her clipboard, her brows furrowing. "Underground? You mean literally under this?" She tilted her head, catching the edge in his tone. "That's big, Jin, we're talking millions of won, serious construction, I don't have that kind of cash."
Jin's eyes glinted, unwavering. "What if I can get the money?"
Soo laughed, light but curious. "You? Pull that off?" She shook her head, no malice, just skepticism. "Alright, say you do, why underground?"
Jin took a breath, choosing his words. "A public fight club's too risky, draws the wrong eyes, we need a place to operate clean, discreet, no exposure to the kind of people who'd shut us down."
Soo nodded slowly, thoughtful. "Makes sense, underground keeps it hidden, but it's a hell of a project, lots of work, lots of money." She tapped her pen, considering. "Above ground, though, we could do a gym, low-cost, draws people in, maybe a betting station for the fights, extra cash flow."
Jin's grin returned, impressed by her quick thinking.
"Exactly, something to keep the business running while the real fights stay below, out of sight."
Soo scribbled a note, her eyes lighting up. "I'll plan it out, but for the underground part, we'll need at least a million won just to start the foundation."
"No problem," Jin said, voice steady, confident. "I'll get it done."
Soo's grin matched his, a spark of shared ambition. "Alright, now go, I've got a lot to work on."
Jin nodded, turning to leave, his boots echoing on the concrete. "You've got this, Soo, I'll be back with the materials soon."
Jin turned back toward the street, his boots clicking against the cold concrete as he made his way out of the warehouse. His mind, still filled with the sounds of hammers and saws from inside, quickly shifted to the task ahead. Soo had everything under control for now.
She was a force of nature when it came to construction, and Jin trusted her to see it through. His thoughts, however, were already jumping ahead, considering what needed to be done next.
It wasn't just about building the warehouse or the underground club anymore. It was about securing the network, the information, and the connections that would take them beyond just a good idea. He needed a solid foundation, a solid network of contacts. And that's where Makato came in.
The Hammer Boxer. The man who knew people. Who had connections to everything in the underground world that Jin needed to tap into. From fighters to suppliers, maybe even more.
Jin wasn't sure exactly what he'd find at Neon Byte, but the boxer's recommendation held weight. It had to. The place was more than just an Internet cafe, it was a hub for the kinds of people who operated in the shadows, a safe space for the ones who preferred to stay off the grid. Jin knew that he'd be able to find the next piece of his plan there, one way or another.
He breathed in the cool air as he walked, the city of Gangnam bustling around him. The streets were filled with people rushing from one place to another, their footsteps a constant hum. The clash of noise, cars, and distant chatter was all a blur to Jin, his focus fixed on the path ahead. It felt like every move he made was a thread in the larger web of his plans, each one leading toward the fight club, toward a future that was quickly becoming real.
As he turned the corner of Dosan Street, the familiar neon lights of Neon Byte flickered on the building across the road. It stood out from the other shops, bright, electric, and bold against the darkening skyline of Gangnam. The cafe wasn't much on the outside, with its low-key exterior, but Jin knew better than to judge by appearances. This was a place where deals were made, where the right people came to drink coffee and exchange secrets, all while surfing the web or chatting about whatever was on their minds.
Jin adjusted the strap on his bag and crossed the street, the neon lights casting a purple glow on his face as he neared the entrance. He pushed the door open, the soft jingle of a bell overhead signaling his arrival.
Inside, the place was dimly lit, and the scent of strong coffee lingered in the air. The hum of computer screens mixed with the low murmur of conversation. A handful of people sat at various stations, their attention absorbed in whatever they were doing, be it gaming, chatting, or browsing.
Jin moved to the counter, where a barista with bleached hair greeted him with a quick nod. "What can I get you?"
He didn't need coffee. He needed information. He scanned the room quickly, noting the presence of a few people who seemed to be deeply involved in conversations that were a little too quiet, a little too focused.
"I'm looking for someone," Jin said, his voice casual, but his intent clear. "Makato."
The barista raised an eyebrow. "Makato? You mean the Boxer?"
Jin gave a slight nod, keeping his voice neutral. "Yeah, that's the one."
The barista didn't seem surprised. In fact, he barely blinked, as though he expected this kind of request. Without missing a beat, he pointed to a corner of the cafe. "He's usually in the back. You'll find him over there. But don't go rushing in. He's got his crew with him today."
Jin followed the line of the barista's finger and spotted a back room where a few people lingered, their heads close together in conversation. It was a private space, marked by the lack of open chairs and the more serious atmosphere that settled over that part of the cafe.
"Thanks," Jin muttered, his voice low as he turned toward the back.
He approached the room carefully, moving with purpose but not rushing. As he neared, he could hear muffled voices coming from within, deep, gravelly tones, and the sharp clicks of a lighter being struck. The smoke from a few cigarettes floated lazily into the air, making the place smell sharp and a bit gritty.
Jin stopped just outside the room and waited for a moment, considering his next move. He didn't want to make a big entrance, not yet. He needed to be smart about this. There was no rush. Not yet.
He took a moment to collect himself, straightening his back and adjusting his jacket. He hadn't seen Makato in a while, but the boxer's reputation preceded him. Makato wasn't just any underground fighter, he was a player. He had a network of connections that Jin knew he couldn't tap into without Makato's approval.
Finally, Jin stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door.