1 Clash in the Seoul Night

Seoul, a sprawling metropolis known for its neon-lit streets and vibrant nightlife, held within its depths a world of hidden conflicts and untold stories. Beneath the glitz and glamour of the city, its darker corners concealed a stark reality—a place where strength and pride were measured not in trophies, but in the raw intensity of street fights.

On this particular night, the moon cast a dim glow on the narrow alleyway, its cobblestone path echoing the distant hum of the city. A small group of high school students from Seongbuk High School had found themselves in an unforgiving predicament. Their friend, Jin-ho, had been provoked into this confrontation by a menacing figure.

As tension reached a boiling point, the air was charged with anticipation, and a small crowd of curious onlookers gathered around, their hushed whispers creating an eerie backdrop to the impending clash. There were no referees, no rules, and no formalities—just the primal instinct to defend honor and pride.

In one corner of the dimly lit alley, Suho Seong stood tall and resolute, his jaw clenched with determination. He had been minding his own business when the students from Seongbuk High School had attempted to pick a fight with him, goaded by their arrogant taunts.

Suho's patience had been tested as he effortlessly dispatched Jin-ho's friends, his moves precise and swift, leaving no room for doubt about his martial prowess.

Jin-ho, his adversary, loomed menacingly in the opposite corner. A wicked grin danced across his face as he toyed with a switchblade in his hand.

"You think you're so tough, huh?" Jin-ho jeered, his eyes locked onto Suho Seong.

Suho Seong's response was a steely silence, his fists clenched at his sides. The tension in the alleyway grew palpable, every spectator holding their breath, anticipating the explosive clash that was about to unfold.

Jin-ho, emboldened by his friends' presence and the adrenaline coursing through his veins, lunged forward with the blade gleaming in the faint moonlight. "You're just another punk!" he yelled as he struck.

Suho Seong's movements were fluid and almost preternatural. He dodged the attack with a graceful sidestep, then retaliated with a powerful, bone-crushing punch to Jin-ho's midsection. Pain flashed across Jin-ho's face as he dropped the blade, doubling over in agony.

Gasps and whispers erupted from the onlookers, but Suho Seong didn't let up. He stood over Jin-ho, who was struggling to regain his breath.

"You should've walked away when you had the chance," Suho Seong said, his voice dripping with warning.

Jin-ho, still defiant despite the pain, managed to croak out a response. "I... I won't back down."

Suho Seong shook his head, a hint of regret in his eyes. "You chose this path," he said, his voice low and solemn.

As Jin-ho's friends rushed to his side, their bravado extinguished by the sudden turn of events, the crowd began to disperse into the night. Amid the aftermath of the brawl, the CEO of the underground fighting world watched from the shadows, his interest piqued by the display of strength and skill. He approached Jin-ho, a card bearing the emblem of the underground world in his hand.

"Join us," the CEO said, his voice carrying an air of intrigue.

Jin-ho's vision blurred as he struggled to stay conscious. The invitation hung in the air like an unspoken promise, and in that moment, the boundaries between the street and the shadows of Seoul blurred, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Jin-ho's life—one filled with power, ambition, and the allure of the underground. But before he could respond, the world went dark, and he succumbed to the overwhelming darkness, his journey into the underground world only just beginning.