Jung Gyu slowly closed the gap between them, his gun firmly attached to his hand.
"You're him. Aren't you?"
The back of an unknown figure whose face was yet to be revealed to the eyes of the officer.
"You're the Avatar."
Rokan slowly stood up erect after gently taking the lady's arm off him.
He put his arms up, gesturing he was unarmed and harmless.
Before he could turn around completely, one of the thugs, previously groaning in pain, suddenly pulled out his gun and aimed at Rokan.
Jung Gyu instantly noticed and fired toward him, leaving a lifeless criminal bleeding out continuously.
Rokan took this opportunity to pull up his hoodie, rush toward Jung Gyu, and tackle him to the floor, sending his gun flying across the room.
Before he could use his earth bending to trap Jung Gyu, Jung Gyu's resistance felt too aggressive for him to do so.
They struggled for a while before Jung Gyu finally headbutted Rokan.
Rokan fell onto his back on the floor.
Rokan had no intention of truly hurting Jung Gyu, but he didn't know how he would escape.
Rokan squirmed in slight pain before forcing himself up.
He couldn't fight at his fullest. With the bleeding on his leg and his previous fight with the four robbers, he was exhausted—but he couldn't let himself get caught.
Jung Gyu charged.
Calm and silent.
He threw several jabs at Rokan and weaved imaginary attacks.
With this movement, he looked like a seasoned kickboxer.
Rokan blocked most of them, but the ones he didn't block were critical.
Rokan had to focus.
He groaned, but that groan was a mix of pain and determination.
He tackled Jung Gyu again and tried to trap his feet, planting them into the ground with his bending.
That was the only thing he could do to escape without hurting a detective.
But Jung Gyu moved too quickly. He pushed Rokan back and slammed him against the wall.
Jung Gyu tapped his earpiece and spoke,
"Yuta, get down to the third floor. The Avatar is here. I repeat, get—"
Rokan pushed Jung Gyu back, knocking the earpiece to the floor and crushing it underfoot as they both stumbled.
They let go of each other and squared up.
They decided to throw hands.
The clash of styles — a kickboxer against a taekwondo specialist.
It looked evenly matched, even with Rokan's injury.
But it was also noticeable that Jung Gyu held back significantly.
After heavy, professional combat for slightly over a minute, Jung Gyu landed a precise kick to the side of Rokan's knee, dropping him to his knees.
Jung Gyu hesitated—
But he finished it with a sharp kick to Rokan's face.
Blood was noticeably coming out of Rokan's mouth.
Bruises and cuts spread across his face.
Jung Gyu walked over to him.
Panting—
He limped over to Rokan and placed cuffs on his wrists.
"You are under arrest. Anything you say or do will be used against you in the court of law..."
Yuta walked in, gun stretched forward.
He scanned the room before noticing Jung Gyu on top of a hooded figure, cuffing his wrists.
"Sir!" he rushed over, almost at a loss for words.
"A-are you okay?"
"I'm fine... I'm fine. Just..." Jung Gyu stood up slowly, stumbling slightly.
"...escort him to the car for me."
Jung Gyu says, falling to the floor to sit down. He was exhausted.
Yuta nodded.
Rokan remained face down on the floor, covered in blood, his leg injury worsening.
Yuta looked curiously at him, noticing the hoodie covering his face.
"Let's see who you are under the hood."
Yuta's hand gripped the fabric.
Before he could pull it open—
"Hey!"
A voice echoed from the darkness.
The dim environment concealed the identity of the person who shouted. A shorter figure stood beside him.
"Let him go!"
Silence followed.
Yuta stood up and stepped forward.
"You expect us to let him go because you told us to...?" he scoffed.
"...You're funny."
The figure stepped out of the shadows and into the light.
It was Rin.
And beside him stood Sumi.
Both wore masks, making their features hard to distinguish.
"And who are you guys?" Yuta asked, his tone low, cautious.
Jung Gyu stumbled slightly as he stood.
"They must be acquaintances of the Avatar..."
His gaze shifted to Sumi.
"...So that must be the fire bender."
Then he looked at Rin, confused. There had been no mention of a third person.
Yuta raised his gun.
"Get on your knees!"
Rin scoffed, a smirk forming on his face. He pointed his dagger at Yuta.
"You expect us to get on our knees because you asked us to...?"
His smirk twisted into something darker.
"You're funny."
Yuta charged.
At first, it looked like Rin was retreating—
But in reality, he was leading Yuta away from Jung Gyu, giving Sumi the chance to rescue Rokan without interference.
It was a gamble.
If she lost, he wouldn't be able to help.
But it didn't matter.
Jung Gyu already looked tired and bruised. Rin believed Sumi could handle him.
After leading Yuta up to the fourth floor, Jung Gyu was left alone with Sumi.
Sumi saw Rokan on the ground, bleeding.
She didn't know Jung Gyu wasn't the cause of all his injuries.
She assumed.
And that was enough.
No words.
No warning.
And then—
Out of pure anger, she launched consecutive fire attacks toward Jung Gyu.
Her rage was silent—
But undeniable.
Jung Gyu leapt away, barely evading the flames.
He landed near his gun.
He picked it up and fired multiple shots at her legs.
Sumi dodged, each movement precise—bullets missing her by inches.
Rokan struggled to move.
"S-Sumi..."
His voice was weak, barely audible.
Rokan had never felt this much pain, but he didn't care.
He tried to stand.
To help her.
But his body failed him.
He had reached his limit.
And all he could do… was watch.
But he trusted her.
If anyone could beat Jung Gyu—
It was Sumi.
---
Meanwhile, Rin and Yuta clashed on the fourth floor.
Both were breathing heavily after the sprint.
"Tired of running?" Yuta asked, masking his own exhaustion.
"Yeah..."
Rin took his stance, his grip tightening around his dagger, veins visible along his arm.
"...I'm done."
Yuta fired a stun shot—
But Rin moved instantly.
In a flash, he appeared inches from Yuta, slicing the weapon in half.
He redirected his momentum, aiming for Yuta's shoulder—
But Yuta barely evaded.
Rin caught fabric—
Leaving only a shallow cut along his neck.
Yuta stumbled back, a grin forming.
"Ha!... You're a strong little one, aren't you?"
Rin said nothing.
He stood still.
Then slowly raised his hand—
And beckoned him forward with a single finger.
Yuta smiled.
"You little—"
---
The bank was scorched, burn marks covering its interior.
Sumi continued launching relentless attacks.
Jung Gyu dodged, turning, weaving—gaining some distance little by little.
Until.
He vaulted over a counter and landed behind it.
The young worker hid, scared of being caught in a cross fire. As the attacks stopped. She took her chance and ran out.
Sumi didn't mind her. She just kept focus on the counter—
Unsure of Jung Gyu's next move.
Jung Gyu checked his gun.
"No bullets."
He closed it and slid it back into his jacket.
He took a deep breath.
Then moved.
Fast.
He dashed to the side.
Sumi launched more flames.
He dodged, spun, advanced—
Trying to grab her.
But Sumi reacted instantly, forming a burst of fire to force distance.
The explosion pushed him back.
Jung Gyu staggered.
"...I knew it. She's not skilled in physical combat."
Jung Gyu thought to himself.
He didn't want to hurt her.
So he spoke.
"Look!... I don't want to fight you."
He adjusted his jacket, revealing his badge.
"...I'm an officer. You know bending is illegal. Just co-operate. We'll take you in for a few days and get you cleansed."
Sumi listened.
Her brows still furrowed.
"...I promise, you can still live a normal life."
His voice sounded cold—
But he meant it.
He stepped closer cautiously.
"&?!//..."
Sumi spoke.
Barely.
The words didn't form properly.
But she tried.
Her head lowered.
Her expression hidden.
But something about her—
Felt wrong.
Jung Gyu frowned.
"What did she say?"
He couldn't hear a thing she said. Almost as if she whispered. He wanted to speak...
But then—
His vision blurred.
His head grew heavy.
"Shit!"
He curses to himself.
He was clearly in a state of pain, but he tried maintaining focus on Sumi.
Yet.
He blinked—
Sumi was gone.
"Huh?!"
He scanned the room rapidly—
But he missed one spot.
Behind him.
Sumi stood there.
Silent.
Her presence heavy.
Not loud.
Not explosive.
Just… pure, quiet anger.
She struck.
A punch—
So powerful it shattered bones.
Jung Gyu's arm fractured instantly as he was launched across the room.
He winced, letting out a strained groan as he clutched his arm.
"I thought she wasn't good at combat..."
He thought to himself.
After that he wondered. Should he have held back. Should he have underestimated th strength of these kids. If he didn't, would the results have been different?
His mind raced, then...
He looked up—
And saw Sumi already lifting Rokan, carrying him away.
He knew there was nothing he could do. He was severally injured.
But that didn't stop him from speaking.
"Look! You kids aren't bad people. But you're handling something that's a lot bigger than you..."
His voice was strained, yet it still carried that same composed tone he always gave off.
"...If you leave now, your case from four years ago will be reopened. It's not a wise decision to keep running, because one day... you will get exhausted."
Sumi, as always, remained quiet.
She placed Rokan firmly on her back and slowly walked away, leaving Jung Gyu on the ground—injured.
As they approached the fourth floor to check on Rin, Rokan spoke softly, his voice weakened, weighed down by pain.
"I-I'm sorry... Again... you had to protect me. I... I'm sorry."
Sumi heard him, and her expression tightened, threatening to break into tears. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, as if wishing all of this would simply disappear like a bad dream.
She hated even the thought of Rokan getting hurt—let alone seeing it happen right in front of her.
---
Rin, on the fourth floor, was effortlessly weaving through all of Yuta's attacks.
Punches.
Kicks.
All of them were useless.
Rin evaded every single one.
He was simply too quick for Yuta.
But Rin noticed something.
"One hit from him, and I might break in half... I've got to keep my distance. But that doesn't help if I'm also a close-range fighter..."
Rin analyzed, his mind racing even as his body moved.
He leapt back and observed.
Waiting.
Watching.
Patiently searching for the slightest opening Yuta might give him.
His grip tightened around his dagger as he readied himself.
And then—
Sumi walked in.
Rokan, unconscious, draped over her back.
"Rokan..."
Rin murmured under his breath.
Yuta saw them—and in that instant, a thought struck him.
"That means... Detective!"
His mind raced. He needed a way to detain them quickly—something that would also give him time to get back to Jung Gyu.
There was only one option.
A bluff.
He raised his hands into the air, a pretentious smirk creeping across his face.
"I guess you got us. Looks like I have no choice but to give the order."
Rin frowned slightly, confused.
"What order?"
Yuta scoffed.
"There are officers outside, just waiting for a command to storm the building. You really think you can get out of this?"
Rin slowly stepped forward, eyes sharp, mind dissecting every word.
"If that were true... at least one of you would've called for backup the moment we showed up. That's the most logical move in a situation like this."
Yuta said nothing.
The bluff had already begun to crumble.
"So here's the possible truth..." Rin continued, calm and precise.
"You were contacted by that detective—but you have no way to reach anyone outside. The only person who had some kind of connection outside... was your partner downstairs."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"And judging by the fact that no one's stormed this place yet... he lost that too."
Yuta stood still, momentarily stunned.
The logic lined up perfectly—and he knew it.
Still, his expression held firm.
"The longer you drag this out..." he said coldly,
"...the worse it gets for you kids. All you have to do... is get cleansed."
Rin turned his back and began walking away.
"Thanks... but no thanks."
He shrugged lightly.
"We know what you do to people like my friends over here..."
He turned again, now walking backward, eyes locked on Yuta.
"We're good."
Then he faced forward and approached Sumi, who still carried Rokan on her back.
Rin spoke softly.
"Let's get out of here."
---
Police officers. Ambulances. Injured civilians.
The entire area was in chaos, surrounding the destroyed bank.
From a distance, Dier and Rage watched.
A part of them already believed the job had been completed.
"Can we leave now?" Dier asked.
Rage said nothing at first.
He observed the scene—the wounded civilians, the shattered structure, the exposed interior of the bank.
His face remained stern.
Then, finally—
"Yeah. He hasn't come out yet. Let's just hope they did the job."
Dier smiled.
"Of course they did. Those were four of Zed's handpicked men."
Rage lingered for a moment longer before starting the engine.
The vehicle drove off.
---
The officers suddenly heard it.
'Clack!'
'Clack!'
'Clack!'
Footsteps.
Slow.
Echoing.
All visible officers raised their guns.
"Hold!" one of them shouted.
The footsteps grew louder with each passing second.
"Hold—!" the same officer repeated, his voice tightening.
His hands trembled.
The uncertainty was eating at him—whether it was a suspect... or a hostage.
Then—
A figure burst out.
A woman.
She stumbled forward, breathing heavily.
Her legs gave out beneath her as she collapsed to her knees, her breath seizing.
Relief on the faces of the officers.
A saved civilian.
Immediately, medics rushed to her side.
"Are you alright? How did you get out?" one of them asked.
The woman tried to speak.
Her voice barely audible.
"B-black..."
"Huh?" the medic leaned in closer.
"H-he... He wore black. A b-black hoodie... Yes... a black hoodie..."
The young worker stuttered, her voice shaking as she tried to process everything.
The medics exchanged confused glances.
Not fully understanding what she meant.
Moments passed—
Then an officer shouted:
"We've received orders! Move in!"
An officer remained confused. He yelled out to the officer that spoke.
"From who?!"
"Captain Hanns!" the officer replied
Ten officers rushed into the bank, splitting into teams as they began sweeping each floor.
---
The next day.
Jung Gyu stood inside the office of Captain Hanns.
Hanns dropped a file onto the desk in front of him.
A photo slid into view.
A younger Rokan.
Jung Gyu's eyes settled on it, studying it without moving.
Silence filled the room.
Cold air lingered between them.
Neither spoke—
Until Hanns finally broke it.
"After two years... we're reopening the case."
Jung Gyu stood there, battered—his arm in a cast, bandages lining his face.
His expression, as always, unreadable.
"And I want you to handle it."
For a brief moment—
something shifted within him.
Not visible.
But present.
A quiet resolve.
"Of course, sir."
...To be continued...