GANGBUSTER CHAPTER SEVEN: SEXY BEAST

The neon glow of The Stag flickered against the damp pavement, casting elongated shadows as Rafiel and Jae-Sun strode into the near-empty bar. The air was thick with the scent of cheap alcohol, and the only patron sat alone at the counter, nursing a half-finished drink.

Choi Seo-Jun.

Rafiel's blood boiled at the sight of him, his fingers curling into fists as he stormed forward.

"Where is she?" His voice was raw with fury.

Seo-Jun barely acknowledged him at first, tilting his head lazily before taking a slow sip of his beer. He glanced up, eyes cool and indifferent.

"Sorry, not sure what you're saying." His lips curled into a smirk. "Your accent's pretty thick."

Rafiel's breath came in ragged gasps. His nails dug into his palms.

"Park Hana." Each syllable was venom. "My sister. Where did you take her?"

Seo-Jun exhaled as if the question bored him. He made a show of thinking, tapping his chin.

"Hmmm… Hmmm… Nope. Sorry. Got no clue what you're saying, foreigner."

That was it.

Rafiel's patience snapped. He lunged, seizing Seo-Jun by the collar, yanking him forward.

"Listen here, you skinny little fucker! If you don't start talking, I swear I'll fucking—"

A fist crashed into Rafiel's face like a sledgehammer. The impact sent him soaring backward, his body slamming through a table before crashing onto the floor. Wood splintered around him. Pain exploded through his ribs.

Seo-Jun took another leisurely swig of his beer.

"I'm sure they haven't invented manners where you're from, but basic common courtesy over here is that you don't bug a man trying to enjoy his drink after a long day of work."

Rafiel coughed, struggling to push himself up. His vision blurred. How the fuck? He wiped his mouth, stunned. He's so strong…

Jae-Sun stepped forward, his eyes calm but assessing.

"Yeah, hate to say it, kid, but he's way too high-level for you." He cracked his neck. "Hey, bowl cut!"

Seo-Jun's gaze flickered to him.

"My name is Choi Seo-Jun."

Jae-Sun chuckled. "Choi Seo-Jun, huh… Okay." He glanced at Rafiel. "Hey, kid. I'll cover this one. You conserve your energy and take notes."

Seo-Jun raised an eyebrow. (What's this guy on?)

Jae-Sun rolled his shoulders. (This guy may not look it, but he's pretty strong.)

Without warning, Seo-Jun launched forward—a blur of speed. His fists became a whirlwind of motion, each strike a precise, lethal attack.

Jae-Sun barely moved.

Every punch sailed past him, narrowly missing by inches. He weaved through Seo-Jun's onslaught with effortless grace, his body twisting and shifting with fluid precision.

(Fast… and strong.) Jae-Sun's eyes gleamed. (Wow. His muscle mass is almost nonexistent, and yet I can feel the power behind his punches. How does a guy with this much potential end up with a wannabe like Ji-Ho? I'd love to find out more… but for the sake of my disciple, I'll end this quickly.)

Seo-Jun snarled, doubling his speed. His strikes became unpredictable, feints mixed into his assault. But Jae-Sun remained untouchable, sidestepping, ducking, leaning just far enough to let each blow pass harmlessly by.

Rafiel watched, awestruck. (By the time I register that this guy threw a punch, Sah Bum Nim has already dodged it. He's… incredible.)

Seo-Jun gritted his teeth. (How is he dodging every single thing I throw at him?! H-How?! No one's fast enough to counter me! He's not even countering me… he's avoiding me… like I'm some annoying fly trying to land on him!)

His frustration boiled over.

"You old bastard!"

Seo-Jun roared, throwing a punch with all his might. The air cracked with the force of it.

Jae-Sun sidestepped at the last second. His hand shot out, gripping Seo-Jun's forearm in an iron vice. In a flash, his leg swept behind Seo-Jun's, knocking him off balance. Before Seo-Jun could react, he was pinned—his arm wrenched painfully behind his back.

Jae-Sun leaned in, voice a low growl.

"So, like my disciple was saying… Park Hana. Where is she?"

Seo-Jun grit his teeth. "Just because you pinned me, you think that means I'll talk?"

Jae-Sun hummed thoughtfully. "Good point."

Then, he grinned—and snapped one of Seo-Jun's fingers.

A sickening crack filled the air.

Seo-Jun howled in agony.

Jae-Sun's expression didn't change. "How about now? Feeling a little more loose-lipped?"

Another finger snapped.

Seo-Jun screamed, his body writhing beneath Jae-Sun's grip. "AAAHHGG!!!"

"Look!" he gasped. "I'm sorry for taking your sister! But Ji-Ho has something on me too!"

Rafiel's gaze was unrelenting. "I don't care about you, your apology, or your fucked-up life. Just tell me where my sister is."

Jae-Sun applied slight pressure to another finger.

Seo-Jun caved instantly. "Okay! Okay! The Sexy Beast. He's over at The Sexy Beast."

Rafiel's brow furrowed. "The Sexy Beast?"

Jae-Sun cleared his throat. "It's a… love hotel."

Silence.

Rafiel trembled. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles went white. His vision blurred red.

"He… took my sister… to a fucking whorehouse?!"

Jae-Sun sighed dramatically, feigning a swoon. "Such a romantic." Then, his voice hardened. "And hey, if you lied and we have to come back here… I'm breaking the other arm."

Without hesitation, he twisted Seo-Jun's arm—another brutal snap.

Seo-Jun shrieked, his body convulsing.

Rafiel turned to Jae-Sun. "You know how to get to this place?"

Jae-Sun wiped his hands clean. "Couple blocks down. If we run, it should take us about fifteen minutes."

Rafiel's jaw tightened. "Then let's go."

Fifteen Minutes Later – In Front of The Sexy Beast

The neon lights of the love hotel buzzed ominously, casting a pinkish hue over the dark streets. Rafiel stood at the entrance, his entire body thrumming with rage.

Jae-Sun exhaled. "This might be too much for you, Raf. I can handle this if need be, or we could just call the cops. Up to you."

Rafiel barely heard him. His thoughts were a storm, his fury barely restrained.

"Nah…" His voice was steel. "This bastard bullied me for what feels like my whole life. He punched me, threw me, and insulted me. But now he's gone too far. Broke into my house, had his goons attack me, and kidnapped my sister. I don't want anyone to get in the way of what I'm about to do… including you, Sah Bum Nim."

Jae-Sun smirked. "Well, kid… let 'em have it then."

Rafiel exhaled, stripping off his shirt. His muscles tensed.

"Oh… I plan to."