Chapter Text
James Lee sat on the threshold, his legs spread apart, leaning back casually as he observed the tense standoff. His gaze never wavered from Seongji Yuk, who stood resolute despite the violence around him. Not a single scream had escaped the young fighter's lips, and James found that somewhat interesting.
"Impressive," James remarked softly, his voice steady. "He managed to surprise me once again. He didn’t even let out a single scream. Perhaps it’s because the pre-generation fighters you hired are too weak, Sinmyeong Cheon."
Sinmyeong Cheon stood nearby, his frustration mounting. His teeth ground together in irritation. Without a word, he lunged forward, aiming to sever Seongji’s sixth fingers in a final act of punishment.
"Seongji Yuk," James Lee said , his voice smooth and deliberate. "Let me make you an offer. If you join our group, I’ll get you out of this mess. Think about it carefully. Your students, they’ll be safe. You want to save them, don’t you?"
Seongji's heart pounded as he glanced at his students. They lay unconscious on the ground, barely alive from the previous fight, vulnerable and helpless. Their faces were pale, their bodies barely moving. It was a sight that twisted something deep inside him. The thought of losing them, of failing to protect them, felt unbearable.
Seongji gritted his teeth, the pain shooting through his head as he fought to stay conscious. Could he trust James Lee? Could he really give in to someone like him?
The silence between them stretched for what felt like an eternity. Seongji’s students needed him. He couldn’t let them suffer. The weight of his decision was unbearable, but Seongji knew he couldn’t walk away from this now.
Finally, he managed to speak, his voice weak but firm. "Alright," he said, the words coming out slowly but with finality. "I’ll join you... but only if you promise to keep them safe."
James's eyes gleamed with approval, and for the first time, a smirk curled at the corner of his lips. He rose from his spot on the threshold, his posture smooth and commanding. "Smart choice," he said, his voice rich with satisfaction. "You've made the right decision. Welcome to the fold."
James Lee turned towards the Shaman and his lackeys, his smirk still lingering as he straightened up.
"Well, it looks like it's time to do my job," he said, his tone cold and calculating. "Time to get the red paper and rid myself of you for good, Sinmyeong Cheon."
The Shaman's eyes widened, his expression flickering between disbelief and fury as he realized the situation was quickly slipping out of his control.
With an almost fluid grace, James Lee shifted his stance, his body low and his movements almost indistinguishable from the wind. His first strike was swift, his leg snapping out from an angle that seemed impossible—an invisible kick that landed hard against Sinmyeong Cheon’s side. The Shaman barely had time to react as the blow sent him stumbling back, his ribs cracking under the force.
Sinmyeong Cheon tried to retaliate, but James was already gone, his movements too fast to track. A spinning kick came out of nowhere, catching the Shaman across the jaw with brutal precision. He staggered, struggling to maintain balance, but James was already closing in again, his legs whipping through the air like deadly serpents.
A low, powerful sweep of James’s leg knocked Sinmyeong Cheon off his feet, sending him crashing to the floor with a sickening thud. Before the Shaman could push himself up, James delivered a vicious high kick that collided with his chest, pushing him back into the wall.
The lackeys, seeing their opportunity, lunged at James, but the same invisible speed met them . James’s leg shot out in a low, spinning arc, sweeping the lackeys's legs out from under them and sending them sprawling into the shadows. James’s feet barely touched the ground as he flowed effortlessly from one attack to the next, his entire body a weapon of controlled chaos.
Sinmyeong Cheon, now on the ground, gasped for breath, blood dripping from his lip as he looked up, realizing he had no chance. James stood above him, his expression cold and unbothered, as though the fight had been no more than an afterthought.
With a sudden, effortless motion, James stepped over the Shaman, his foot landing with quiet precision on his chest. Sinmyeong Cheon wheezed, his body crushed under the weight. But James wasn’t done. He crouched down, one knee touching the ground beside him as he looked into the Shaman’s eyes—calm, distant, as if watching a fleeting moment of a dying animal.
"You thought you could outlast me," James said, his voice low and cutting. His foot shifted, applying more pressure to the Shaman’s chest, and a sickening crack echoed as ribs broke beneath his weight. Sinmyeong Cheon gasped, his eyes widening in pain, but he didn’t scream. He didn’t have the strength.
With a final flick of his leg, James sent a brutal kick to the Shaman’s head, the force sending his body limp. The lackeys, still attempting to rise from the floor, didn't stand a chance either. James spun, his foot whipping out in another perfect, invisible arc. The lackeys' head was struck before they could even react, sending them crashing back into the wall.
James stepped back, surveying the bodies on the floor, his smirk finally fading. His movements were slow and deliberate, as if he were savoring the final moments of the fight. It had been easy—almost too easy.
The Shaman’s body lay crumpled, blood pooling around him, and the lackeys ' body slumped against the wall, their neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
James wiped his hands clean, straightening up, the tension in his posture easing as he regarded Seongji Yuk, still struggling to stay conscious on the ground. His eyes glinted with satisfaction as he turned toward Seongji.
"It’s done," James said simply, his voice full of finality. "Now, you can make the right choice."
Seongji’s heart pounded in his chest, the tension in the room thick and suffocating. Blood from his own wounds seeped into the ground, but his mind was still racing, still trapped between what had just happened and what would come next.
James’s eyes narrowed slightly as he read the hesitation on Seongji’s face. "You don’t have time to waste. Your students are safe. You can’t afford to stay here."
Without waiting for Seongji to respond, James moved swiftly, his hands reaching down to grab Seongji. One arm slid around Seongji’s waist, while the other snaked around his neck, lifting him with ease from the dirt. Seongji’s feet were briefly off the ground as James pulled him upright, bringing him to a standing position, steady but firm.
Seongji winced, his body protesting the sudden movement, but he remained standing. His eyes narrowed as he met James’s gaze, a silent challenge lingering in the air between them. He wasn’t completely at James’s mercy, not yet.
“Let go of me,” Seongji growled, trying to steady himself in the grip, but James held him firmly, his strength unyielding.
James’s gaze was unwavering, his expression calm, but there was something in the way he held Seongji that made it clear: the situation had already been decided. “We’re done here,” he said. “Now, come with me.”
Seongji’s jaw clenched, blood seeping into the earth beneath him as he fought the dizziness threatening to overtake him. “I can’t leave Cheonliang,” he spat, his words sharp but laced with quiet desperation.
The air between them grew thick with tension. James stood still, unflinching, as Seongji’s resistance flared. His grip tightened around Seongji’s waist, pulling him even closer, as if to reinforce the point that there was no escaping this moment.
Seongji stiffened, his muscles tensing under the pressure. James’s arm around his waist was firm, unyielding, and the sharpness of his touch only reminded Seongji of the power that was holding him in place. He frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly in response. He wasn’t about to show weakness, not to James, not to anyone. He didn’t like the way James’s grip intensified, as though forcing him into submission—he refused to let it break him.
James's gaze remained cold, but there was a subtle shift in his expression, something that almost resembled amusement at Seongji’s resistance. His voice was calm but authoritative. “Mr. Seongji Yuk, you already made the choice. You said you’d come with me. You can’t back out now. Not after everything that has happened.”
Seongji’s heart hammered in his chest, but his face remained set, his jaw tight with defiance. The weight of his decision pressed down on him, the tension between them palpable, but his resolve didn’t falter. His loyalty to Cheonliang, however strong, wasn’t enough to break him under James’s hold—not yet.
“I can’t just walk away from them,” Seongji shot back, his voice low but firm, still fighting, though his body betrayed signs of exhaustion.
James didn’t loosen his grip. Instead, it only seemed to tighten slightly, his hand anchoring against Seongji’s waist with calculated force. He leaned in closer, his breath a mere whisper against Seongji’s ear. “You don’t get to back out now,” James’s voice dropped an octave, becoming cold and deadly serious. “Promises don’t mean anything if you’re dead. You’ve already made your choice. They’re safe. But you? You’re the one who needs to move forward.”
Seongji’s eyes flashed with irritation, the frown on his face deepening as he met James’s eyes with renewed intensity. His every muscle screamed to fight, but he held his ground, unwilling to give in despite the bruises on his body and the pain shooting through his limbs. His breath remained steady as he pushed against James’s grip, unwilling to show any weakness.
“You’re wasting time,” James added, his voice softer now, but the pressure in his words more suffocating than before. “Move forward, Mr. Seongji Yuk. Stop pretending you have any other option.”
Seongji’s body was tense, his expression a study of determination. The more James squeezed, the more Seongji refused to bend, his will still a solid wall against the pressure. “I’m not just following your orders,” Seongji bit out, the frown still present on his face as he glared up at James. “Not yet.”
But James didn’t release him, his grip a silent warning. “You’ve already chosen,” he said, the finality in his words undeniable. His hold was firm, controlling—unbroken by Seongji’s resolve.
For a moment, the two locked eyes, both spirits strong and unwavering, the tension between them so thick that it could have snapped. Seongji’s mind raced, his thoughts at war with his instincts, but he knew deep down that there was no other way out of this. His shoulders sagged ever so slightly, as the weight of the decision began to sink in.
James’s voice was a whisper of finality. “Now, we leave. No more hesitation.”
Seongji’s frown softened just a fraction, his breath catching in his throat. Though his body was still taut, his resolve—his resistance—began to fracture. He finally gave in, his pride making the decision harder than it needed to be.
And despite the strain in his chest, despite the clash of wills between them, Seongji took a step forward—allowing himself to be led by the one who had proven to be stronger in that moment.
James’s grip on Seongji’s waist softened as Seongji took that first step forward, acknowledging the inevitable. There was no turning back now. With a subtle nod, James began to lead the way, his calm, measured steps guiding them both out of the chaotic battlefield. Behind them, the echoes of the battle and the bodies of those who had fallen lingered in the silence.
They left the scene, leaving behind the broken remnants of a fight that was now history.
It wasn’t long before Seongji’s friends arrived. The moment they stepped onto the battlefield, they took in the sight of the bloody aftermath. Their expressions darkened as they surveyed the carnage.
Ma Taesoo, his voice steady, spoke first. "What happened here?" His gaze swept over the bodies strewn around them, his sharp eyes narrowing.
Gongseob looked around and raised an eyebrow. "More strangely, what's up with these bodies? Do you guys think Seongji lost control and became like... 'that'?" His voice wavered with unease, the possibility of Seongji’s descent into something darker hanging in the air.
Jaegyeon scanned the scene with growing tension, finally let out a frustrated sigh. "Now that you mention it, where is Seongji...?" His voice trailed off as he finally caught sight of the students lying unconscious in the distance, their bodies barely stirring.
Jinchang stepped forward, his voice calm but firm, the leader in him always present. "I think it’s better to take them away first. We’ll investigate what happened here later. There’s no time to waste."
The kings moved quickly, their focus now shifting to Seongji’s students, who were unconscious and vulnerable. The battlefield was not the place for answers, not yet. The tension was thick as they carried the students to safety, each of them feeling the weight of the unknown that lay ahead. What had truly happened to Seongji? And what path was he now on, with James Lee pulling the strings?
Only time would tell.
________________________________________________
James Lee rode through the streets of Seoul on his bike, the engine's low hum a constant backdrop to his thoughts. The city moved around him, alive with the typical hustle and bustle, but he remained focused, eyes ahead. The cool night air whipped past him, but it did little to affect the steely calm in his expression. He was in control, and everything was proceeding as planned.
As he navigated through the streets, his mind replayed the events of the day—the fight with Seongji, the uneasy tension between them. It was a mix of both frustration and satisfaction; the older man was strong, no doubt about that, but James could feel that he was slowly bending to his will. The resistance, though, only made it more interesting.
The bike swerved effortlessly through the streets, his movements fluid and practiced, as though he had been born on the wheels. In many ways, it was the perfect mode of transportation for someone like him—quick, efficient, and direct.
Soon, he was pulling up to the hideout again, the familiar building rising in front of him. He parked the bike outside, its engine humming to a quiet stop. After dismounting, James glanced back at the bike for a moment, his fingers running along the handlebars before he made his way inside.
Things were moving in the right direction, but there was more to be done. Seongji’s arrival was just the beginning.
James Lee entered the building, his steps purposeful as he made his way through the halls. The space was familiar, the quiet corridors a stark contrast to the weight of the situation. When he entered the room, he found Seongji standing firm, while Gun Park leaned casually against the wall, looking unfazed by the tension.
Gun glanced over at James, a slight smirk pulling at his lips. “Finally decided to show up, huh?”
James Lee stepped fully into the room, his eyes scanning the scene with calm precision. His gaze lingered on Seongji for a moment before shifting to Gun, the corner of his lips curving ever so slightly. “Didn’t have much of a choice,” he replied, his voice low and steady.
He stepped further into the room, his posture unbothered, but the air between him and Seongji was thick with unspoken words. "Getting comfortable, Mr. Seongji yuk?"
James Lee’s words hung in the air, the light tease laced with an underlying tension. Seongji’s eyes flickered for a brief moment, but he quickly regained his composure, his stance still firm despite the quiet stir of irritation that bubbled beneath the surface.
Seongji didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he stared back at James, the weight of his gaze almost challenging. “Comfortable?” he repeated, his voice low but pointed. “I’m not here to get comfortable.”
James’s smirk widened just a fraction as he took another step closer, his eyes never leaving Seongji’s. “I see,” he replied smoothly. “Then you must have some plans, huh? Or are you just trying to convince yourself of that?” His tone was teasing, but the sharpness in his eyes didn’t let it be mistaken for anything less than a challenge.
Gun pushed off the wall with a casual grace, his smirk still intact as he moved towards the door. “Do you two have some kind of unresolved argument? Well, I won’t bother to find out since I have to go now. See you later, I guess.” His tone was light, almost dismissive, but there was an underlying curiosity in his voice.
"Do what you have to, Gun," James Lee replied, his voice steady.
Seongji, however, didn’t take his eyes off James. The challenge in the air was thick now, and the space between them felt like it could snap at any moment.
Once Gun had left, the room seemed to contract, the atmosphere heavier, more intimate. James’s smirk faded into something more serious as he turned his full attention back to Seongji. “So, now that we’re alone... What’s your next move, Mr. Seongji Yuk?”
Seongji’s muscles tensed, his fists clenching at his sides, but he said nothing. He wasn’t going to let James bait him into another useless confrontation. His mind raced as he tried to read James’s intentions.
James took a step closer, his presence still commanding, yet there was an air of understanding in the way he held himself.
James’s eyes never left Seongji as he closed the distance, the tension between them palpable. With each step, the air seemed to tighten, making everything feel more charged. He was inches away now, and despite the defiance in Seongji’s posture, James Lee could sense the shift, the smallest crack in his resolve.
“You’re still trying to figure me out, aren’t you?” James’s voice was smooth, almost contemplative, as if he was reading Seongji like an open book. “But you don’t need to. You already know what I’m capable of. You’ve seen it firsthand.” He allowed that statement to linger in the silence, letting the weight of his actions settle between them.
Seongji’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent. He wasn’t going to give James the satisfaction of reacting to his words, but deep down, the truth of them gnawed at him. He had seen James’s power, and it was undeniable. But that didn’t mean he had to follow his lead.
James chuckled quietly, a sound almost too soft to hear, but the edge to it was unmistakable.
"Are you giving me the silent treatment now, eh?" His lips curled into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched Seongji’s unyielding expression.
Seongji didn’t flinch, though his fists clenched even tighter at his sides. The smirk on James’s face only seemed to deepen, as if savoring the standoff. “It’s cute, you know,” James continued, taking a slight step closer, his voice low but cutting through the silence with ease. “You think that by staying quiet, you’re asserting control. But all it does is show how much you’re holding back. You’re just making it more interesting.”
Seongji’s gaze flickered for a moment, but he remained firm. “You talk too much,” he said through gritted teeth. His body was coiled tight, every muscle ready to react, but he wasn’t about to give James the satisfaction of a full response. Not yet.