Under Banpo Bridge, Kim Ji-Kai and Seong Jo-Han stood face to face, like perfectly sculpted statues—motionless, neither making a sound, as if even silence itself had bowed in reverence to the gravity of the moment. Only the sounds of cars rushing overhead, the gentle murmur of the Han River brushing against rocks, and the faint howling of the cold wind bore witness to their presence.
Jo-Han stood with an expression carved in stone, determination sparking from his eyes. Ji-Kai met his gaze with equal intensity, both frozen in time, waiting for the signal to begin.
Jo-Han finally moved, taking a small step forward. Ji-Kai responded with a mirrored step, as though they were closing the gap in preparation for an imminent explosion. In the blink of an eye, Jo-Han launched a quick punch toward Ji-Kai's face—but the latter tilted his head just enough to dodge it, missing by no more than a centimeter.
Incredible reaction…
Jo-Han thought, genuinely impressed by his opponent's speed.
He smoothly retreated and shifted into a different stance—one that immediately caught Ji-Kai's interest.
That stance… Is he planning to use Taekwondo now?
Ji-Kai studied the change with quiet intrigue.
Unable to suppress his curiosity, he asked in a flat, emotionless tone, tinged with a trace of inquiry:
"You came at me like a boxer just now… so why the sudden switch to Taekwondo?"
Jo-Han replied calmly, with quiet confidence:
"A lot of the people I've beaten bloody say you're a skilled boxer in close combat. So naturally… I'll use my best if I want to win. Makes sense, doesn't it?"
A faint smile tugged at Ji-Kai's lips, and he lowered his head slightly. But before he could say anything, Jo-Han's foot shot toward him like an arrow. Ji-Kai blocked it with his arm, but the sheer force made him stagger slightly, throwing him off balance for a split second.
Jo-Han seized the moment and attacked with his other leg—only to be startled when Ji-Kai suddenly closed the distance between them. It was dangerously close—too close for a Taekwondo fighter to maneuver freely. Jo-Han had no choice but to dodge and leap away.
"Damn it…" Jo-Han muttered, catching his breath.
Ji-Kai analyzed him calmly
This kid… he's got solid attack variation, but his adaptability is still slow… at least at his current level.
He took a deep breath, then said in a calm but razor-sharp voice: "Seong Jo-Han, I have one question for you. And I want an honest answer."
Jo-Han scoffed lightly, though he didn't let his guard down:
"You invite me out here for a fight, then ask me questions? Fine. Go ahead—ask."
Ji-Kai continued, unaffected by the sarcasm: "You're strong. You're chasing strength. You've built quite the reputation in Gangnam… even earned the nickname Mad Dog. So tell me—what is it you're really after? What's your true goal?"
Silence lingered for a moment before Jo-Han responded, voice steady: "I have a personal reason, but it's none of your business. Still, there's something else that drives me—something that pushes me to become stronger… I want to defeat Gun Park."
The moment Ji-Kai heard that name, his expression changed. The life drained from his face for a brief instant. He sighed, lowered his arms, then tensed again and resumed his stance. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, aiming his knee at Jo-Han's head in a sudden, explosive move that startled Jo-Han's dogs, sending them into a frenzy of barking.
Jo-Han managed to block the attack, but deep inside, something felt… off. It felt like he was facing Gan Park himself—but with a different spirit. Why did it feel that way? He had no answer, even in the middle of a fight.
He found a split-second window to strike and threw a direct punch toward Ji-Kai's face—but Ji-Kai received it without flinching, as if it were nothing.
Who the hell is this guy?!
Jo-Han thought, as unease began creeping into his mind.
Ji-Kai spoke with firm resolve: "You want to defeat Gun, Seong Jo-Han? Fine. But right now, you can't."
He raised his leg and brought it down with force toward Jo-Han's head. Jo-Han barely managed to block it in time.
"You're empty, Jo-Han. Like a fancy vase—beautiful on the outside, but hollow inside." Then, with inhuman agility, Ji-Kai leapt into the air and landed with one foot on Jo-Han's shoulder like a bird of prey.
With a chilling calmness, he said: "You need far more experience… but the seeds are there."
He raised his right foot again, as if to deliver a crushing blow—but instead, he leapt back, landing gracefully in front of Jo-Han.
Jo-Han stared, stunned.
"What the hell just happened?!"
Ji-Kai continued: "You're talented… but you're lost. You have everything it takes, but you haven't found your path yet. You want to defeat Gan? Then I'll give you the key."
Jo-Han's body froze for a second. He couldn't help but give Ji-Kai his full attention.
Ji-Kai said: "You need to understand the outcome you're chasing. Motivation alone isn't enough. If you don't comprehend what awaits you at the end of this path… you'll stay lost. Even if you defeat Gan, you'll just sink deeper. So here's my advice: Don't chase power blindly."
He turned around and began walking away, adding:
"I know you're uncertain—but that's okay. Once you understand things for yourself, you'll grow stronger. Just don't slack off… because realization that comes too late is useless."
He raised his hand in farewell.
"See you around… Mad Dog."
Jo-Han remained rooted in place, trapped in a storm of thoughts. Ji-Kai's words carried a weight he'd never felt before. He couldn't tell if what he felt was fear, awe… or respect.
He murmured: "That guy… Kim Ji-Kai. He's fast beyond belief. Strong in a terrifying way. He might be an even crazier version of Gan Park… or maybe I'm exaggerating? I don't know. But when I get stronger, I'll find out who he really is."
He turned to his dogs, who were still tense and agitated, and secured their leashes to his belt. Then, with a faint smile, he said: "Well, guys… our weird walk's over. But I think I got something out of it—something I'll be thinking about for a long time."
Meanwhile, Kim Ji-Kai was walking along the path overlooking the Han River, lost in thought. He let out a bitter sigh, then murmured softly: "I'm still weak… If I'd kept fighting, I would've lost. Ever since that day… I've never been the same. Damn it… it's tearing me apart."
He clutched his chest, continuing to walk without ever looking back.