Renji sidestepped the punch, and with a swift motion, he kicked his attacker, sending the assailant sprawling to the ground. The room echoed with the sounds of the scuffle, the tension thickening with each passing moment. Woojin watched from his hiding spot, his heart pounding, unsure whether to intervene or continue observing.
Renji took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes darting around to assess the situation. The remaining attackers hesitated, wary of his quick reflexes and formidable skills. It was clear that they had underestimated him.
"Who's next?" Renji challenged, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The shadowy figures exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence wavering. One of them stepped forward, a guy who seemed to be enjoying the fight. It was Wang.
"You're no ordinary fighter. Donghyun was right about you. Where did you learn to fight like that?" Wang asked, a serious tone beneath his grin.
Renji stared at him. "You don't need to know."
Wang just laughed and motioned for the other guys to attack him all at once. They obliged and quickly launched an attack from both sides.
Renji braced himself, his muscles tensing as the attackers closed in. The first guy swung a fist towards his head, but Renji ducked and countered with a swift kick to the side, sending the attacker stumbling backwards.
Another attacker lunged from the left, aiming to tackle him to the ground. Renji sidestepped and grabbed the assailant's arm, using the momentum to flip him over and onto the floor. The third and fourth attackers came at him simultaneously, throwing punches and kicks in rapid succession. Renji blocked and parried, his movements fluid and precise.
Woojin, still hiding, felt his anxiety grow. He wanted to help but knew he might be more of a hindrance than a help. He couldn't look away, though. Renji was outnumbered, and despite his skills, he couldn't keep this up forever.
Just as he was about to deal with the last standing assailant, Wang moved in. Unlike the others, Wang's approach was calculated and methodical. He feinted a punch, and when Renji moved to block, Wang followed up with a powerful kick to Renji's midsection.
The impact forced Renji to stagger back, momentarily winded. Wang grinned, sensing an opportunity. He advanced with a series of quick jabs and kicks, pushing Renji on the defensive.
"What's the matter, Renji? Getting tired?" Wang taunted, his voice dripping with mockery.
Renji didn't respond, focusing instead on deflecting Wang's attacks. He knew he couldn't afford to let Wang get the upper hand. Summoning his remaining strength, Renji launched a counterattack, aiming a powerful punch at Wang's jaw.
Wang dodged, but not quickly enough. The punch grazed his cheek, causing his grin to falter for a moment. Angered, Wang retaliated with a fierce uppercut that connected with Renji's chin.
Renji stumbled, but before Wang could press his advantage, he immediately moved aside to avoid the incoming attack from his left.
Wang, irritated by Renji's resilience, lunged forward with renewed aggression. He aimed a flurry of punches at Renji, but Renji's reflexes kept him a step ahead, blocking and dodging each blow. Wang's frustration grew, his movements becoming increasingly erratic.
Seizing the opportunity, Renji launched a swift combination of strikes—an elbow to Wang's ribcage, followed by a knee to the gut. Wang gasped, the wind knocked out of him. Renji didn't let up, delivering a sharp uppercut that sent Wang reeling backward.
Wang tried to regain his composure, but Renji was relentless. With a final burst of energy, Renji spun and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick that connected squarely with Wang's jaw. The force of the kick lifted Wang off his feet, and he crashed to the ground, unconscious.
"I'm impressed. You actually defeated Wang," said by a person who had been watching the fight unfold. Renji turned to face him, recognizing the man.
Not as a schoolmate, but as a member of one of the exclusive crews known in Gangnam.
"Yoo Minhyuk," Renji said quietly, addressing him.
Minhyuk, who had been leaning against the wall, approached slowly. He glanced at his unconscious friend and the other gang members they had brought along
"Wang is my friend. I know him. He's really good at fighting. That's why I'm quite surprised he actually lost to you," Minhyuk said with a grin. "And it seems you know me? Are you part of any crew?" His voice carried a hint of curiosity.
Renji, still catching his breath, managed to smirk. "I'm not. And I'm not planning to," he confirmed.
Minhyuk was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing Renji's words. "That's too bad. I was hoping to invite you to join us. But never mind... let's get this over with." Then he quickly moved to attack.
Minhyuk's attack came fast and precise. He launched a series of swift jabs, exploiting Renji's momentary fatigue. Renji fought to keep up, his movements slowing as he struggled to recover from his earlier exchanges.
Dodging a kick aimed at his right side, Renji leaped into the air and attempted a high kick aimed directly at Minhyuk's head.
Minhyuk, anticipating the move, smoothly sidestepped and grabbed Renji's leg mid-air. He twisted it sharply, causing Renji to lose his balance and crash to the ground.
As Minhyuk prepared to deliver a series of kicks, Renji quickly rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the incoming strikes. He scrambled to his feet, trying to regain his footing.
Minhyuk didn't hesitate. He closed the distance between them with lightning speed, unleashing a flurry of well-timed punches. Renji attempted to block and dodge, but his earlier exertions had taken a toll on his stamina and reflexes. Minhyuk's strikes were relentless and precise, exploiting every opening in Renji's defense.
With a final, decisive move, Minhyuk executed a spinning kick that struck Renji in the face. Renji crumpled to the floor, his body limp.
Woojin, who had been watching from his hiding spot, felt a surge of panic and anger at seeing Renji's fallen form. Unable to stay hidden any longer, he burst out from the shadows.
"Renji!" Woojin shouted, rushing to his friend's side. His voice was filled with desperation and fear as he knelt beside Renji.
Renji, struggling to open his eyes, heard Park Woojin's voice.
Despite his pain, he tried to open his eyes. Woojin's face came into view.
"You? Why are you here?" Renji asked sharply, his voice weak with the effort. He felt exhaustion and pain slowly overtaking him.
"Sorry. I followed you here," Woojin said softly.
Minhyuk raised an eyebrow, surprised by Woojin's sudden appearance. "And who might you be?" he asked, his tone a mix of amusement and curiosity.
"Hey, get out of here! You're only going to get yourself hurt," Renji said angrily, but Woojin simply shook his head and stood up.
"Remember the time you saved me? I didn't expect you'd show up. So now, let me save you," Woojin said gently.
Renji winced in pain as he felt the sharp throb of his injuries. Dizziness began to overcome him, but before he lost consciousness, he saw one of Minhyuk's gang members stand up and grab a wooden club. Without hesitation, the gang member swung it at Woojin's head, hitting him hard.
Renji felt Woojin collapse onto him as he lost consciousness himself.
But what Renji didn't realize was that, after he fell into the darkness, the supposedly unconscious Park Woojin had actually gotten right back on his feet. Moving with ease, as if the pain he had just experienced was insignificant.
His entire demeanor was a stark contrast to the Park Woojin everyone knew—he seemed like a completely different person.