The rain fell over Suwon in a quiet drizzle, painting the city's neon in streaks of blurred gold and crimson. Yujhae stood on the edge of the Phoenix rooftop, wind brushing across his face as he looked down at the streets he now ruled — streets soaked in the blood of his ambition.
He clenched his fists. Even now, he could still feel it — the weight of Tom Lee's strikes, the sheer difference in power. His ribs still ached where those punches landed.
> "47%," he muttered under his breath. "He used less than half of his strength and I still couldn't touch him properly."
The memory burned. Every blow, every moment where his body refused to keep up.
He'd thought he'd become untouchable — the conqueror of Suwon, the man who defeated the King. But against Tom Lee and Manager Kim, he felt small again.
Not weak — just unfinished.
---
The Fang crew was still recovering inside the Phoenix office. Kang's arm was in a sling, Dojin's ribs wrapped, Taejun bandaged across the shoulder, and Ryu icing his jaw. Yet despite their injuries, none of them looked defeated.
"Boss," Kang said, voice hoarse. "If those two wanted to kill us… they could've done it."
Yujhae nodded, eyes distant. "I know. That's what I don't understand. White Tiger doesn't play games. They were hired to eliminate me… but they didn't finish the job."
Taejun leaned back, grimacing slightly. "Maybe it wasn't an assassination order. Maybe someone wanted to test you."
Yujhae's gaze sharpened. "Test me…?"
Ryu added quietly, "Tom Lee could've ended that fight in seconds. He held back. A lot."
The room fell silent. The realization hung heavy — they hadn't just survived a death contract; they'd been measured.
---
That night, Yujhae sat alone in his office. The lights were off. Only the glow from the city outside filled the room.
He replayed everything — every move, every hit, every expression on Tom Lee's face. There was no malice, no bloodlust… just assessment.
"Maybe he saw something," Yujhae muttered. "Or maybe… he's giving me a chance."
His phone buzzed. An encrypted message flashed on the screen:
> "If you want answers — come alone. Downtown Busan. D-3."
No sender name. No number trace. But Yujhae knew exactly who it was.
Tom Lee.
---
Three days later, Yujhae arrived in Busan. The docks were empty, waves crashing against rusted containers. He walked through the mist until a familiar voice broke the silence.
"You came."
Tom Lee stood on a shipping container, arms crossed, wearing his usual black jacket. The aura around him was calm — but heavy, like a storm barely held back.
"I didn't think you'd actually show up," Tom said. "Most people I beat like that don't come looking for more."
Yujhae smirked faintly. "I'm not most people. I'm not here for revenge. I'm here to get stronger."
Tom tilted his head. "Stronger, huh? You've got raw potential, I'll admit that. But you're still relying on power and instincts. Against people like me — that's suicide."
"I know," Yujhae said firmly. "That's why I'm asking you. Train me."
Tom chuckled — a low, amused sound. "You realize how insane that sounds? I was hired to kill you."
Yujhae stepped closer. "And you didn't. Which means part of you already made a decision."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sound of rain filled the silence between them. Then Tom finally exhaled, the faintest smirk curling his lip.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that. Alright, Yujhae. I'll train you — but on one condition."
"What is it?"
"You follow everything I say. No system shortcuts, no Phoenix muscle. You strip everything down to the foundation. You'll train like a man, not a player."
Yujhae nodded without hesitation. "Deal."
---
Tom jumped down from the container, landing effortlessly. "Then training starts now."
Before Yujhae could even respond, Tom's fist slammed into his stomach — hard. Yujhae collapsed to his knees, coughing blood.
Tom's tone remained cold. "First lesson — reality. Power means nothing if your foundation can't hold it. You're overbuilt, unbalanced. You use your strength like a hammer. We'll fix that."
He grabbed Yujhae by the collar, dragging him up. "We'll rebuild you piece by piece — from stance, breathing, rhythm, and precision."
Yujhae wiped the blood from his mouth, breathing hard. "If that's what it takes… then hit me again."
Tom's grin widened slightly. "Good answer."
---
For the next several hours, Tom broke him down completely. Every punch Yujhae threw was parried, every kick countered. When he tried Combination, Tom dismantled it mid-motion, showing every flaw.
"You waste energy. You attack with emotion. Power without structure is chaos," Tom said calmly between strikes.
By the end, Yujhae could barely stand. His shirt was drenched, knuckles torn open, chest heaving.
Tom handed him a towel. "You've got potential to be more than just a gang boss. You've got the kind of hunger I've only seen in monsters."
Yujhae took the towel, wiping his face. "Then teach me how to become one."
Tom turned, watching the ocean crash against the pier. "Fine. But remember — once I start, there's no going back. You'll either break completely… or you'll evolve into something even the underground will fear."
Yujhae's grin returned, small but certain. "Then I'll evolve."
---
As the night deepened, the System chimed softly in his mind:
> [New Quest — "Under the Genius: Tom Lee's Training"]
Objectives:
1. Train under Tom Lee's supervision
2. Survive complete physical and mental breakdown
3. Reconstruct foundation and achieve mastery beyond current limits
Reward: ???
The rain began to fall harder, splashing against his bruised skin. But Yujhae didn't care.
This was the path he needed. The path to surpass every wall he'd hit before.
And as Tom Lee watched him struggle to rise again, he nodded faintly — a glint of respect in his eyes.
"Let's see if you can handle what it really means to fight."