Jin Park's victory had turned him into a rising legend at Yeongseong High, but for every student who admired his strength, there was someone waiting for the right moment to bring him down. The senior class, particularly Woo-Sik and his crew, wouldn't let the freshman's rise go unchallenged.
They had a plan—a dark, cruel plan that would target the one thing Jin cared about most. They knew they couldn't break him with fists, but there was a way to break his spirit.
---
Woo-Sik's office had always been an intimidating space. The dimly lit room, with its heavy oak desk and shadowed corners, reflected his nature: mysterious and calculating. His most trusted seniors stood before him, their faces hardened by years of fighting and loyalty to their leader. Tonight, they were about to hear the most dangerous plan Woo-Sik had ever concocted.
"Listen carefully," Woo-Sik said, his voice calm but laced with authority. "We're going after Jin in a way that'll break him completely. This isn't just about fists anymore. We need to hit him where it hurts."
Kim Hye-Rin, the only woman in the room, crossed her arms. She had always been one of Woo-Sik's more strategic allies, not afraid to voice her concerns. "And you think that involves his mother?"
Woo-Sik leaned back in his chair, the faint glow from his desk lamp casting eerie shadows across his face. "It's the only way. He's not just some fighter trying to climb the ranks. He's stubborn, driven, and that's because of her. Take her out of the equation, and we destroy his foundation."
A murmur spread through the room as the seniors absorbed Woo-Sik's words. Most of them were hardened by years of brawling and street-level intimidation, but this plan felt different. More personal.
"I get it," muttered Park Hyun-Jin, one of Woo-Sik's most loyal enforcers. His hands were scarred from countless street fights, and his cold, calculating eyes reflected the same brutal nature that Woo-Sik admired. "We break him emotionally before we break him physically."
Woo-Sik nodded, a faint smile creeping across his lips. "Exactly."
"But Woo-Sik," Hye-Rin interrupted, her brow furrowed with concern. "This could go wrong. We're not just dealing with Jin here. If we touch his mother…"
Woo-Sik slammed his fist on the desk, silencing her. "That's why we're doing this. Because Jin is different. If we don't take him down now, he'll keep coming. And then, none of us are safe."
The room fell silent as Woo-Sik's eyes locked onto each of his seniors in turn. His gaze was cold, unforgiving, as if daring any of them to challenge his decision.
Hye-Rin clenched her fists but stayed quiet. She didn't agree with the plan, but she wasn't about to question Woo-Sik's authority in front of the others. She knew what happened to those who defied him.
"Kim Dae-Sik, Hyun-Jin, you'll take care of the logistics," Woo-Sik ordered. "Make sure there are no loose ends. I want this to go off without a hitch."
The two men nodded. They understood their roles perfectly. Dae-Sik was a master at surveillance, and Hyun-Jin had connections all over the city. Between the two of them, they could make anyone disappear if necessary.
As the meeting continued, Woo-Sik laid out the finer details of the plan. Every contingency was considered, every possible outcome accounted for. By the time the seniors left his office, there was no doubt in anyone's mind: Jin was walking into a trap.
---
Jin's mother, Yoon-Jae, had always been a pillar of strength in her son's life. She had raised him alone, working long hours at her modest café in one of Seoul's quieter neighborhoods. Tonight, like many others, she was closing up late, her body tired but her spirit unbroken. The familiar clatter of dishes and the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as she locked the door, her mind already focused on getting home.
The streets were dark, and the autumn wind was biting. Yoon-Jae pulled her coat tighter around herself as she began her walk home. She didn't notice the black van parked just down the street, its windows tinted too dark to see inside. As she passed, the van slowly rolled forward, its tires making barely a sound on the quiet road.
Yoon-Jae's instincts began to scream at her. She wasn't sure why, but the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She quickened her pace, her heartbeat pounding in her chest. The sound of the van's engine grew closer, sending a wave of cold dread through her body. She looked over her shoulder, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the van pulling up alongside her.
Suddenly, the van's door slid open, and two men in dark clothing leaped out. Yoon-Jae barely had time to scream before they grabbed her, pulling her into the vehicle with terrifying force. She struggled, kicking and clawing at her attackers, but they were too strong. The door slammed shut, and the van sped off into the night.
Inside, Yoon-Jae was held down by Dae-Sik, his hand clamped tightly over her mouth. She could see Hyun-Jin driving, his face a mask of calm as if this was just another routine job for him. Tears streamed down her face as she realized what was happening. They were taking her as a pawn to get to her son.
"Stay quiet," Dae-Sik hissed in her ear. "It'll be easier for you if you don't fight."
But Yoon-Jae's thoughts were only on Jin. She prayed silently that he wouldn't do anything reckless, that he wouldn't walk into whatever trap these men had set for him. But deep down, she knew her son too well. Jin would come for her. He would do anything to protect her, even if it meant risking his life.
---
Jin had been in the gym for hours, his body covered in sweat as he pounded away at the punching bag. His muscles screamed in protest, but he didn't care. All that mattered was getting stronger. He had to be ready for anything Woo-Sik and his gang might throw at him. His mother's safety depended on it.
As the bag swung back from his latest punch, Jin's phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He pulled it from his pocket, frowning as he saw an unknown number. For a brief moment, he considered ignoring it, but something told him to answer.
"Hello?"
"Jin."
The voice on the other end sent a chill down his spine. Woo-Sik.
Jin's grip tightened on the phone. "What do you want?"
There was a pause, and then Woo-Sik's voice took on a mocking tone. "I've got a surprise for you."
Jin's heart raced as Woo-Sik continued. "Your mom... she's with me."
The words hit Jin like a punch to the gut. He felt the world around him tilt, his vision narrowing as rage boiled inside him. "What the hell did you do to her?!"
"Relax, Jin. She's fine... for now. But that all depends on you."
Jin's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His mind was racing, filled with images of his mother, terrified and alone, surrounded by Woo-Sik's thugs. "If you hurt her, I swear—"
"You'll do what?" Woo-Sik interrupted, his voice dripping with amusement. "You'll come after me? That's exactly what I'm counting on."
Jin's breathing was heavy, his thoughts chaotic. He knew Woo-Sik was trying to provoke him, trying to make him act recklessly. But the thought of his mother in danger was too much. There was no time to think, no time to strategize. He had to go.
"Where is she?" Jin growled.
Woo-Sik chuckled. "Come to the warehouse on the east side of town. Alone. You have one hour."
The line went dead.
Jin stood frozen for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. His mother was in danger because of him. Every instinct screamed at him to run to her, but he forced himself to stay calm, to think.
Min-Soo, who had been watching Jin from across the gym, walked over. He had heard enough to know something was very wrong. "What happened?"
"They took my mom," Jin said, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes were dark with fury. "I have to go."
Min-Soo placed a hand on Jin's shoulder, trying to steady him. "You can't just rush in there. It's obviously a trap."
"I don't care," Jin snapped, shaking off Min-Soo's hand. "I can't let them hurt her."
Min-Soo looked into Jin's eyes and saw the determination there. He knew there was no stopping Jin once he had made up his mind. "Then at least let me come with you."
Jin hesitated for a moment but shook his head. "No. This is between me and Woo-Sik. I have to do this alone."
Min-Soo nodded reluctantly. He knew better than to argue. "Be careful, Jin. Don't let him get inside your head."
Jin didn't respond. He grabbed his bag and headed for the door, his mind already focused on what lay ahead.
---
Woo-Sik stood in the warehouse, his arms crossed as he watched his lieutenants prepare for Jin's arrival. The building was large, dimly lit, and filled with rusting machinery and abandoned crates. It was the perfect place for an ambush.
His crew worked efficiently, setting up the room just as he had instructed. Dae-Sik and Hyun-Jin stood near the entrance, keeping watch, while the rest of the seniors spread out