Inside an arcade gaming station, a frustrated shout rang out.
"Dammit, Dowan! You're cheating!"
Goo, dressed in a red and white track jacket with sporty black pants and glasses, stood in front of an arcade game machine. Beside him was Dowan, the two of them locked in competition.
"Haha, I'm just lucky." Dowan replied nervously. Since the karaoke night, Goo had called him to hang out at the arcade, and given Dowan's love for games, he agreed. Now they were playing against each other, but Dowan hadn't lost a single match to Goo yet, and there was a clear reason for that.
'Goo's terrible at games.' Dowan thought, though he didn't have the heart to say it out loud. He had expected Goo to be good at games since he was the one who suggested the arcade. But Dowan quickly realized that Goo was barely competent, not even at the level of a beginner. He wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
"There's no way!" Goo shouted in frustration as another "Game Over" screen flashed in front of him. "I'm such a loser." He slumped his head onto the arcade machine in defeat.
"It's okay, Goo." Dowan patted his back, trying to comfort him. 'This game's probably too hard for him. Let's find something easier.' He started scanning the arcade for simpler games but suddenly froze when he saw someone entering the arcade.
'Isn't that..?' Dowan immediately recognized the girl. "Goo, look, it's that girl from yesterday."
"Hmm?" Goo lifted his head, following Dowan's gaze. As soon as he spotted her, his mood shifted from gloomy to bright in an instant. He stood up straight.
"Yo! If it isn't cutie. What brings you here?" Goo cheerfully called out as he made his way towards her.
Earlier that day.
"Ugh, why do I always have to remind this asshole?" Si-Yeon muttered to herself in irritation as she entered the arcade. She was looking for someone who usually hung out there.
'Where is he?' Her eyes darted around the arcade in search of her target.
"Yo! If it isn't cutie. What brings you here?"
She suddenly heard a familiar voice and looked ahead to see a tall, yellow haired figure walking towards her.
'What's he doing here?' Si-Yeon was surprised to see Goo. She hadn't expected him to be there.
"Did you miss m-" Goo began with a grin, but he was abruptly cut off as a hand grabbed the back collar of his shirt, yanking him to a stop.
"Who are you calling cutie?" A voice spoke up, tauntingly. The person who stopped Goo had short black hair, black eyes, and was wearing a sports jacket and pants. His forearms were covered in tattoos. His name is Kang Sehun.
"Who do you think you are, calling Si-Yeon a cutie?" Sehun continued with a smug grin. "Go bac-"
But before Kang Sehun could finish, a sharp yet unsettling voice cut through the air.
"Oi, bastard." The words came from Goo, but there was something chilling about the way he said them. His head turned slowly, eyes wide, his face frowned, as he looked directly at Kang Sehun. "Do you have a death wish?"
The shift in tone sent a shiver down Kang Sehun's spine. His eyes widened as he instinctively released Goo's collar and took a step back.
'What... what the hell was that?' Sehun's body broke out in a cold sweat. He gripped his chest, panting, he felt as if something had sliced through every part of his body. He felt that he was cut. It was a cold, sharp feeling that left him paralyzed. 'Who is this bastard?' He glanced up at Goo's back.
Meanwhile, Goo continued walking toward Si-Yeon as if nothing had happened.
"Did you miss me by any chance?" He asked with a smile.
Si-Yeon stood there, surprised. She saw how Kang Sehun, the person she had been looking for, had backed down immediately after a look from Goo. The fear on Sehun's face said it all. She knew Sehun was capable, but clearly, Goo was on another level. Her curiosity about him grew.
"Come on, give your man a hug." Goo said with his arms wide open, moving closer to Si-Yeon.
"No, and you're not my man." Si-Yeon replied flatly, placing her palm on his face to stop him from getting any closer.
"Aw, why not?" Goo pouted, stopping in his tracks.
"Because you're annoying." She replied, crossing her arms.
"Hm, is that so?" Goo smirked, unfazed. "But I've been meaning to ask since yesterday." He looked at her with a curious expression. "What's your name?"
'Oh yeah…' Si-Yeon realized she had never given her name to him.
"Hmm, so?" Goo pressed.
"Si-Yeon." she finally said, as an idea popped in her head while she looked at Goo.
"Not a bad name." Goo grinned as he adjusted his glasses. "I'm Goo Kim."
'Yeah, I already know that.' Si-Yeon thought. How could she forget when he had been bragging about his name nonstop yesterday, and his friend had called him out repeatedly?
"So, why are you here?" Goo asked with a playful smile.
"For him." Si-Yeon pointed toward Kang Sehun, who was still standing in the back.
"HAH?!" Goo's face twisted in disbelief as he turned to look at Kang Sehun, who flinched under his gaze. 'She came for that guy?' Goo was ready to go beat him up to a pulp, but Si Yeon's next words stopped him.
"And no, it's not what you think." Si-Yeon added, frowning slightly at his reaction. She smirked inwardly and continued in teasing tone. "Are you perhaps, jealous?"
"Jealous? Why would I be?" Goo shot back with a smile. "After all, that guy's nowhere near as handsome as me, so I know he won't be able to pull someone like you." Si-Yeon scoffed at his self praise, but before she could respond, Goo grinned wider. "And... we almost shared our first kiss togethe-"
Before he could finish, Si Yeon's hand shot u up, clamping over his mouth, her face flushed.
"Shhh!" She hushed him, clearly flustered. "Why are you bringing that up? And I wasn't even going to let that happen!"
"Not let that happen?" Goo teased, removing her hand from his mouth. "You were clearly waiting for it... Ow!" But he suddenly yelped as Si-Yeon pinched his ear.
"Okay, okay! I won't say anything!" Goo quickly surrendered, raising his hands in defense. Si-Yeon sighed and let go of his ear.
"Damn, you're a violent woman." Goo complained as he rubbed his sore ear.
"It's your fault for saying something like that out loud." Si-Yeon huffed, though she couldn't help but feel a bit pleased seeing him squirm.
Meanwhile, Kang Sehun watched from the back, utterly confused. 'Is that really Si-Yeon?' He could hardly believe it. The cold, aloof girl he knew was now talking and acting like a completely different person.
'Is it because of that guy?' He glanced at Goo, still shaken by him. The fear still lingered, making him shiver at the thought of the cold, cutting sensation he had felt when Goo stared him down.
'Damn, Goo is really cool.' Dowan thought. He remembered how cold that girl was yesterday, but now she seemed different around Goo, it seemed he was the only one who managed to get a different reaction from her. 'I wish I was like him.' He internally sighed, envying how effortlessly Goo interacted with people, mostly girls.
Even Si-Yeon herself was thinking along similar lines. 'Am I always like this?' she wondered. She had never acted so differently around anyone before. Normally, she was usually cold and uninterested, but yesterday and today it was different, and it's because she's with Goo, it seems that she feels relaxed around him.
"Goo." Si-Yeon suddenly said, catching Goo off guard. She never usually called out to him so unexpectedly. "Can you come with me somewhere?"
"Huh?" Goo frowned briefly but then smiled widely. "Ohh, could it be you want somewhere more priv-"
"No." Si-Yeon cut him off with a glare. "Just follow me." She started walking toward the exit, but before she left, she glanced back. "And Kang Sehun, in two hours you'll be there too."
"Huh?" Kang Sehun's eyes widened. 'She doesn't plan on bringing him to the meeting too right?" He could tell by her words that she was, but why?
"Dowan, let's go." Goo said, gesturing for Dowan to follow as they trailed behind Si-Yeon.
Some time later.
"Here we are." Si-Yeon said, stopping in front of a building as Goo and Dowan curiously eyed it. "Let's go."
They entered the building and headed to the elevator, taking it up to the seventh floor.
"Uhh, where are we going?" Dowan asked nervously, feeling uneasy as the elevator ascended.
"What are you worried about?" Goo chuckled, noticing Dowan's anxious expression. He casually threw an arm around Dowan's neck. "You've got Goo Kim with you. Besides, we'll find out soon enough."
'Yeah, I've got Goo here. There's no reason to worry.' Dowan relaxed slightly.
"We're here," Si-Yeon said, interrupting his thoughts as the elevator doors opened.
'What is this place?' Dowan's eyes scanned the room. It was dim, filled with rows of chairs occupied by people. A small projector was set up in the middle, projecting onto a screen above a podium.
"What a shabby place." Goo commented, glancing around. "Are we here to watch a movie?"
'A movie?' Dowan was unsure. The place had more of a sketchy, gang meeting vibe.
Suddenly, a voice from the front of the room interrupted their thoughts.
"We'll now begin the Gwanak-Gu regular bully general meeting." Said a man standing at the podium. He had black hair, wore a suit, glasses, and had an expressionless face. His name was Seokjin. "As previously announced, this is the first agenda item for today's meeting." He raised his hand, holding a remote. "Recently, in schools and karaoke bars, there have been dangerous individuals causing harm to our members." He clicked the remote, changing the screen. "The first is a second year student from Shinan High School." A photo appeared on the screen, black hair, black eyes, smiling. "Dowan Ha."
'What?' Dowan's jaw dropped. His photo was on the screen. 'Is that me?' He began to panic. 'Did he just mention the karaoke incident from yesterday? Was Jaemin part of this gang?' His mind raced with worry. If these people were after him, what could he do?
Dowan glanced nervously at Goo, who seemed to be grinning like he had expected something like this.
"That's him? The guy who beat up a few kids in Sillim Dong in one day?"
"He doesn't look like much, though."
The crowd murmured, surprised that this ordinary looking guy had caused such a ruckus.
"Let's proceed quickly." Seokjin continued. "Anyone who agrees to dispose with him, raise your hand."
Following that, every single person in the room raised their hand.
"Everyone agrees. From now on, Dowan Ha is designated as a target for the 497 members of the Gwanak-Gu bullies."
'W-what the hell?' Dowan broke out into a cold sweat. 'Are these people insane?' Did they just say they were going to dispose of me? Did that mean... they wanted him dead?
"Hahaha, Dowan, you're coocked!" Goo laughed loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
"What the hell?"
"Isn't that Si-Yeon? Who are those two with her?"
"Wait, isn't that the guy from the screen?"
The crowd noticed Si-Yeon, then turned their attention to Goo and Dowan. The realization that their target was standing right in front of them caused quite a stir.
"Please quiet down, seniors." Seokjin said, bringing the crowd's focus back to him. "There's still one more person involved in the incident." He clicked the remote again, bringing up another photo, blond hair, glasses, with a huge smile. "The second year student, Goo Kim."
"Huh?" Goo who was still smiling, paused.
"This is another perpetrator who was with Dowan Ha during the incident. He also took down some of our members." Seokjin explained.
Everyone turned to stare at Goo. He was the same person from the screen, the one they were supposed to target.
'Now Goo too?' Dowan thought, panic rising again. 'But...' He looked at Goo, who still seemed so relaxed, even after hearing they were both targets. 'Maybe Goo has a plan.'
But his hope vanished in an instant.
"Are you guys crazy?" Goo was now hiding behind Si-Yeon, gripping her shoulders and peeking out from behind her. "You want to kill me?" He shouted, earning weird glances from the audience. "Si-Yeon, do something! You're not gonna let your man die, right?"
The crowd was stunned by his words.
"Si-Yeon's man?"
"Are they dating?"
Whispers spread through the crowd. No one expected Si-Yeon, of all people, to have a boyfriend. Especially one who was their target.
"Goo!" Si-Yeon yelled in frustration, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks as she heard the whispers. Turning to Goo, she glared at him. "What did I tell you about saying things like that?"
"Oops, my bad." Goo shrugged with a mischievous smile. He enjoyed teasing her and watching her get flustered.
Si-Yeon sighed, realizing it was pointless to argue with him. "Just ignore him." she said to the crowd.
"Before you continue." Si-Yeon said, facing Seokjin. "I want to talk about the next agenda item."
"The next agenda item?" Seokjin adjusted his glasses. "Are you referring to the vacant position in the cadre? The leader election?"
"Yes." Si-Yeon confirmed. "I've finally found the right candidate as I'll speak on his behalf. The new leader will be..." She said, pointing to the person next to her. "Goo Kim."
"Huh? Me?" Goo frowned, clearly surprised.
"A person causing problems for our group being made leader could be an issue." Seokjin said
"No, it's perfect." Si-Yeon retorted. "The fact that he defeated several people in a single day is proof enough he deserves the position."
"Eunseong, are you just going to stay quiet?" Another voice asked from the crowd. "She's saying that beating up your guys qualifies him to be the leader."
"She's not wrong." replied Eunseong, a man with gray hair, dressed in a black trench coat and pants.
Goo, visibly bored, rolled his eyes. "What's this, Si-Yeon? There's no way I'm joining a lame group." There was no chance he was going to waste time with some wannabe thugs.
"Goo, think again." Si-Yeon's eyes locked onto his. "Consider your current position."
"My position?" Goo tilted his head. "What do you mean by that?"
"If you become a member, they won't expect you to take responsibility for what happened." Si-Yeon explained. "You don't have much of a choice here, unless you're ready to fight five hundred people."
'F-five hundred people?' Dowan's was shocked 'That's insane! No one can fight that many at once!' He nervously glanced at Goo, hoping for a solution, but the casual expression on Goo's face made him not know how to act.
"Nah, that's too scary." Goo said mockingly. "Why don't you make Dowan the leader instead?" He suggested, patting Dowan on the shoulder.
"Huh?" Dowan stammered, completely taken aback.
Even Si-Yeon was surprised. 'Did Goo just suggest Dowan?' She remembered Dowan knocking someone out with a mic, but that hardly qualified him for leadership.
"That won't work." Si-Yeon shook her head. "A leader has to be capable."
"Capable?" Goo's smile widened. "You're saying Dowan isn't capable just because you haven't seen him in action."
'Is Goo saying this guy can fight?' She wasn't convinced, but she considered his words.
"There's no issue with it, right?" Goo asked with a confident smile.
Si-Yeon sighed. "Fine, I suppose it could work." She reluctantly agreed, figuring it was better than the alternative. "So, Dowan will be the leader."
She doesn't think she would expect much from Dowan, but it was a safer bet than electing someone like Kang Sehun.
Dowan was stunned. They hadn't even asked for his opinion. 'I guess I can't refuse.' He weighed his options. Facing five hundred people was out of the question. 'Maybe being a leader isn't such a bad idea..'
Just then, all the eyes shifted to the elevator that opened, where Kang Sehun walked out with a smug grin.
"Si-Yeon, why didn't you tell me the meeting was starting now?" Sehun said with a smirk as he approached.
"Sehun Kang?" Si-Yeon was caught off guard. She had purposely told him the meeting starts in two hours. 'Someone must've told him for him to know.' she thought.
"Hmph, did you forget I'm not alone?" Sehun sneered. "Or are you just stupid? Even if you don't want me to be the lead-"
Before he could finish, a hand grabbed him by the back of his neck, pushing his upper body down, bending him over, holding him in place.
"Oi, bastard." Goo's voice was calm, but there was a chilling edge to it. His face was expressionless as he tightened his grip on Sehun's neck, preventing him from moving. "Who did you just call an idiot?" Goo's eyes narrowed as he stared Sehun down.
Si-Yeon's eyes widened in surprise not expecting Goo to have such a reaction for her.
Sehun struggled to break free, but Goo's grip was like iron. 'I can't move!' Panic set in as Sehun realized he was powerless. No matter how much he pushed up or tried to move, Goo's hand was rigid, keeping him in place. 'What the hell is with this guy?'
"Sehun's getting overpowered?"
"Yeah, what the hell's going on?"
The room murmured in shock. Sehun was strong, but seeing him being handled so easily was unexpected.
"Eunseong, are you seeing this?" a voice in the front row said.
"Yeah, I see it." Eunseong replied, equally surprised.
"Hey, Goo, that's enough," Si-Yeon intervened, not wanting things to escalate.
"No." Goo's refusal stunned Si-Yeon.
"What do you mean?" Si-Yeon asked, trying to understand what Goo was planning.
"It's simple." Goo's eyes turned cold, a small smile hung on his lips. "I'm going to kill him."
The room went silent. No one dared to move or speak. Cold sweat broke out among some people as they felt the seriousness in Goo's words as he said it with a smile.
Eunseong's eyes widened not expecting that guy to say such words.
'It's just like before.' Dowan and Si-Yeon both thought, recalling the deadly intent Goo had shown the previous day when he threatened to kill Jaemin. The pressure felt too real to dismiss.
"Ugh..." Sehun groaned, his eyes bulging as Goo's grip tightened around his neck by the second. 'My neck!' Fear overwhelmed him as he felt his neck was being crushed. 'He's going to kill me!' He couldn't talk or say anything as the pressure around his neck was increasing. As he thought he was a goner, suddenly, the pressure released.
"Just kidding." Goo said with a smile, releasing his grip from Sehun who gasped for air, clutching his knee as he breathed heavily, his hand rubbing around his neck. But Goo's words didn't ease the tension in the room.
'Kidding?'
'Is he serious?'
No one believed for a second that Goo had been joking. The intensity of his earlier words felt too real.
Sehun difficultly glared at Goo, he was angry from this humiliation, but he didn't dare make a move. For the second time, this guy had made him feel utterly dreadful.
"Please refrain from causing any more disturbances." Seokjin said calmly, addressing Sehun's darkening expression. "Now, about the leader of Boramae-Dong, is it true that Dowan Ha will take the position?"
Sehun took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "No, I'm going to be the leader." He declared, secretly relieved that Dowan was the one he'd have to fight instead of Goo.
"Stop talking nonsense!" Si-Yeon shouted. "You can't do that!" She didn't want that asshole the leader. If there were two contenders, it meant a fight, and she doesn't think Dowan stands a chance.
"You're worrying too much." A calm voice came from beside her. She turned to see Goo standing next to her with a reassuring smile. "Just watch the show."
She hesitated but knew talking wouldn't change anything.
"There are two candidates for the leader position." Seokjin announced. "That means we must proceed with the standard duel."
'Duel?' Dowan's eyes widened as people around the room began moving chairs aside, clearing the space. 'Why is everyone stepping back?'
"The fight will continue until one side concedes or is incapacitated." Seokjin continued. "If Dowan Ha wins, he'll become the leader of Boramae-Dong."
'A fight?' Dowan was stunned. He didn't want this. He glanced at Goo, hoping for help, but all he got was a thumbs up from Goo. 'I'm doomed.'
"And if you lose, you'll be dealt with according to the first agenda." Seokjin added.
'Yep, I'm so doomed.' Dowan thought, feeling even more anxious.
"Don't take it personally, Si-Yeon. Rules are rules." Sehun turned his head as he smirked at her, he wanted to say more but didn't considering Goo was beside her. "Now, the position of the leader will be mine."
Si-Yeon's focus, however, wasn't on Sehun.
'Even if I'm doomed... I'll try to win.' Dowan resolved.
"Hmm, what are you looking at?" Sehun saw Si-Yeon was looking up.
Dowan was in the air. He used his signature falling axe kick, the falcon drop, striking Sehun with full force. But..
'What?' Dowan was stunned as he saw Sehun, blocking the attack with ease. 'He blocked it?' That move had taken down Manchoon easily. But now, he was out of options.
[You don't have enough mana.]
'These skills are a one time use for now, which means that..' Dowan thought, feeling hopeless. 'I'm screwed.'
"What are you thinking about?" Sehun's voice came from behind him as he suddenly grabbed Dowan in a choking hold, lifting him off the ground.
"Keugh!" Dowan gasped, feeling the air cut off. He tapped Sehun's arm, but it only tightened.
"It's no good tapping out." Sehun hissed. "I'm not letting go until you're out cold."
Those words triggered a memory. Dowan realized why Sehun seemed so familiar at first, turns out this Sehun is the same fat Sehun from first grade. Back in first grade, Sehun had choked him out just like this following the same words 'I'm not letting go until you're out cold.' He'd been chocked out relentlessly, whether eating, peeing, or just existing, Sehun had humiliated him over and over again.
'Eugh.' Dowan's eyes suddenly opened finding himself lying on the ground, while he was remembering the past it seems he had passed out from Sehun's hold.
'I hate it!' His anger flared, remembering the torment. Sehun had lost weight, became more handsome, and had girls fawning over him, but to Dowan, he was still that same bully. 'You bastard, you were a fat pig before! I won't lose to you again.'
"Looks like it's one sided."
"Did anyone expect that guy to win against Sehun?"
The crowd's mocking words echoed in Dowan's ears. But then, a sudden thought crossed his mind which will change the result of the fight.
"Goo, it seems your friend's done for." Si-Yeon sighed, disappointment heavy in her voice. She had expected more from Dowan, especially after Goo's words.
"Nah, you just don't know him yet." Goo smirked with confidence as he watched Dowan struggle to stand.
"What do you mean?" Si-Yeon asked, puzzled.
"Dowan's not like the rest. Sure, he's weak." Goo's smirk widened. "But he's full of surprises. Just keep watching."
Si-Yeon looked back at Dowan who slowly stood up, a smile wore on his lips.
"Well, looks like I'm the new representative leader of Boramae-Dong." Sehun declared arrogantly. "No complaints, right?" He turned to face Dowan, mocking him further as he saw him standing. "Oh, you still wanna fight? Seriously?"
"Worry about yourself." Dowan said with a grin, shrugging off his jacket as he walked towards Sehun. "From now on, I'm going to beat the hell out of you."
After some time.
'What did I just witness?' Si-Yeon stood in shock, witnessing at what just occurred.
Instead of Sehun standing victorious, it was Dowan who stood tall, with Sehun lying unconscious on the ground. The fight had taken a drastic turn. Initially, Sehun dominated, but then Dowan had landed a simple palm attack, sending Sehun flying across the room. Then, he relentlessly charged, landing punch after punch, until he had Sehun in a chokehold, putting him out cold.
"Told you not to worry," Goo said, walking up to Dowan with a grin. "He's my friend, after all. And my friends aren't weak."
'I.. I did it.' Dowan thought, panting as he looked at Sehun, who lay unconscious on the floor. He had actually won.
"Nice one, Dowan!" Goo's voice rang out as he slapped Dowan on the back, startling him. "You're the leader now." Goo hung an arm around Dowan's shoulders. "But man, you've got to teach me that palm move. It looked pretty flashy."
"Uh... sure." Dowan replied, still unsure of how he'd pulled it off himself.
"It seems we have a winner." Seokjin announced. "Dowan Ha is now Boramae-Dong's new representative leader."
'Am I really a part of this now?' Dowan thought, still trying to process everything. The idea of becoming a leader, especially in a bully gang, was something he could never have imagined for himself. Yet, here he was.
"Well, Dowan, let's go." Goo said, heading toward the elevator.
"Wait, Goo." Si-Yeon called out. "You can't go just yet."
"Huh? Why not?" Goo asked, confused.
"As of now, Dowan Ha is no longer a target." Seokjin said, adjusting his glasses. "But next on the agenda is the elimination of Goo Kim."
"What? My friend's the leader, and you're still coming after me?" Goo snapped, clearly irritated.
"It's true that Dowan Ha is the new leader," Seokjin replied calmly. "However, that does not absolve you of your previous actions. The task to dispose of Goo Kim remains unchanged."
'Are these guys serious?' Dowan grew nervous, wondering why they wouldn't let it go. He looked at Goo, hoping to offer some kind of support, but froze. Si-Yeon froze too as she looked at Goo..
"Oi, glasses," Goo's voice had changed, now very calm and cold which made it very unsettling. His usual carefree expression vanished, replaced with something deadly serious. The atmosphere around him shifted, becoming tense and dangerous. Even Eunseong widened his eyes, feeling the intensity of Goo's change, which was ten times more than before. Goo tilted his head up slightly, his eyes locked on Seokjin, who flinched under the gaze. "You're not seriously telling me that you stand a chance against me, right?"
Silence. No one moved. No one dared to breathe. The oppressive feeling radiating from Goo was suffocating, paralyzing everyone in the room.
'Who is this guy?'
The question rippled through the minds of everyone present. Just moments ago, Goo had been all smiles and jokes, but now it was like they were facing a completely different person. The air was thick with danger, and no one knew how to react.
Si-Yeon was equally shocked, but chose to remain silent. Goo's expression was unfamiliar, unsettling, and far more menacing than she'd ever seen from him.
"Let it go." Eunseong was the first to break the silence.
"Huh?" Seokjin frowned with surprise not expecting this particular senior to say something like that. "What do you mean, Eunseong Sunbae?"
"Let it go. Goo Kim will no longer be a target." Eunseong's face was serious, with a faint trace of nervousness. He wasn't arrogant, nor was he a fool. He wasn't the type to back down, but even he could see the danger they were facing.
The shock spread through the room. People stared at Eunseong in disbelief. Was he really suggesting they back down from Goo Kim?
Eunseong was the number one in their group, and his capabilities were well known. For him to say this meant he wasn't confident about taking Goo on.
'He said that?' Si-Yeon couldn't believe what she had just heard. Before, Eunseong wouldn't have cared about who they were supposed to take down, but now he had chosen to personally intervene. Was it because of the sudden change in Goo?
Everyone glanced at Goo, unsure of how to react, but they didn't question Eunseong's judgment. He was rarely wrong.
"Alright, Goo Kim is officially removed from the target list." Seokjin announced with a nervous tone as the gaze from Goo was on him, his back soaked with cold seat. He noticed the shift in Eunseong's tone and didn't want to push any further. If Eunseong was wary of Goo, that meant he was someone not to be reckoned with.
"Well, looks like it's over, Dowan. Let's go." Goo's face shifted back to his usual cheerful demeanor, leaving everyone questioning whether the intimidating presence they had just felt was even real.
'Who really are you Goo?' she wondered, watching Goo's carefree smile return. There was something about him that continued to intrigue her. His unpredictability. From the moment they met, Goo had been an enigma, funny and casual one moment, and terrifyingly serious the next. His personality made him both approachable and annoying and to be wary of. People won't truly understand who Goo is until they spend more time with him.
'He's unique... in a terrifying way.' She thought.
"Come on, Dowan, let's roll." Goo called as he made his way toward the elevator, Dowan trailing behind.
Once they were gone, the people in the room collectively exhaled, as if a sword hanging over their necks had suddenly been lifted.
"Damn, what was that?"
"Yeah, that was intense."
"I felt like something sharp was right on my throat."
The murmurs spread as people tried to shake off the lingering dread from Goo's presence.
"All right, the meeting is officially over." Seokjin announced.
People began filing out, some helping Sehun up and dragging him away. The room quickly emptied until only Eunseong, Seokjin, and Si-Yeon remained.
"Eunseong seonbae, may I ask why you stopped us from acting against Goo?" Seokjin inquired. Though he knew why, he wanted to hear Eunseong's reasoning firsthand.
Si-Yeon, equally curious, watched Eunseong closely.
"It was dangerous." Eunseong replied, his expression still serious. The feeling he had gotten from Goo wasn't normal, and it had unsettled him. "If we had gone through with disposing of Goo Kim, I doubt it would've ended with just a simple beating." He glanced at his hand, noticing a faint tremble. "What I felt from him was different from anyone I've ever faced." He recalled the images of Goo's expression, cold, detached. His look is of that a cold blooded killer. "His expression, those eyes. if we had pushed him, someone would've ended up crippled or worse... killed."
Both Seokjin and Si-Yeon were taken aback by his words. For someone like Eunseong to admit this, it meant the situation had been far more dangerous than they realized.
'I felt it too.' Seokjin thought, recalling how Goo's gaze had been fixed on him. Just a simple glance from Goo had made him break into a cold sweat, as if a blade had been pressed against his neck. Even thinking about it now sent a chill down his spine.
Si-Yeon stayed quiet, reflecting on her own experience. She hadn't felt the same level of fear or danger, just a heavy, oppressive weight around her. 'I can't imagine Goo killing someone.' she thought. Even in his serious moments, she struggled to picture him committing such violence. He seemed too carefree, right?
"Si-Yeon." Eunseong turned to her. "You brought him here. What do you know about him?"
"I don't know him at all." she replied. "We just met yesterday at the karaoke place."
"Huh? But aren't you two in a relationship?" Eunseong asked, confusion evident in his voice. After all, it was the first time he'd seen her act that way with anyone.
"What? No!" Si-Yeon exclaimed, her face flushing red. "If we're done here, I'm leaving." She hurriedly made her way toward the elevator, flustered.
Both Eunseong and Seokjin frowned in surprise, watching her reaction.
'Yep, they're definitely in a relationship.' they thought simultaneously, exchanging a knowing look.
Outside, Dowan walked alongside Goo, replaying the events in his mind. He couldn't forget the way everyone's demeanor had shifted the moment Goo spoke up in the meeting.
'Goo really made them act like that.' Dowan thought, still amazed.
"What's on your mind, Dowan?" Goo asked, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.
"I want to ask you something." Dowan said, determined. Goo glanced at him, waiting. "How do I become strong like you?"
"Strong?" Goo raised an eyebrow.
Dowan nodded, no longer willing to be a pushover. He had seen firsthand how powerful Goo was, up there in that room, it had felt like Goo could easily take on everyone. Dowan didn't want to keep relying on the system. He wanted to be strong on his own.
"It's simple really." Goo grinned, and Dowan listened intently, ready for the secret to strength. "1,000 pushups, 1,000 sit-ups, 1,000 squats, and a twenty kilometer run. Every single day. Do it even when your body's broken. Do it even when you're bleeding. Do it even when you're in pain. That's how you get strong."
'What did I just hear?' Dowan's eyes widened. That sounded… insane. It was easier said than done for sure, but he knew what that kind of deadly training that was. In the past he'd tried doing just a few pushups and failed miserably. "But… wouldn't that kill you?"
"Do it even if it kills you." Goo said bluntly. Seeing Dowan's shocked expression, he added, "Dowan, if you really want to get strong, that's your choice."
'My choice?' Dowan thought to himself. If I want to be strong... He clenched his fists in determination. 'I'll do it, even if it kills me.'
Goo, watching Dowan's resolve harden, smiled.
"I guess I'll head home now," Dowan said as they approached the turn toward his house. "See ya, Goo." He waved as he left, and Goo waved back with a grin.
After a few minutes of walking, Goo spotted someone in the distance and smiled.
"Yo!" He called out, waving.
Earlier.
Si-Yeon had left the building, her face still flushed with embarrassment. She walked toward her house, lost in thought.
'What's wrong with me?' she wondered. She was usually composed, but every time Goo came up, she found herself acting out of character. 'Do I li-'
"Yo." A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to see Goo waving at her.
'What is he doing here?' she thought, surprised to see him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, stopping in her tracks.
"My house is two blocks away from here." Goo replied as he walked toward her, stopping right in front of her.
"Is that so?" Si-Yeon was taken aback. She hadn't expected that Goo lived so close.
"And I'm assuming this is your house?" Goo glanced to his side. Si-Yeon nodded.
"By the way, give me your phone." Goo said, holding out his hand.
Si-Yeon frowned but handed it over without saying a word.
After a minute, Goo returned her phone with a grin. "I put my number in your phone, and yours in mine. If you're ever in trouble or need anything, just call me."
Si-Yeon blinked in surprise. "Okay…" she replied, her face blank, but inside her mind was racing with thoughts.
"Well, it's getting late. I'll catch you later." Goo said as he started walking past her. "See ya!"
"Wait, Goo." Si-Yeon called out, her voice soft but enough to make him stop and turn back towards her, looking at her back. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Thank you."
"Thank me? For what?" Goo asked, clearly confused by the sudden gratitude.
"For standing up for me back there." Si-Yeon turned to face him, her expression softening as a smile spread across her lips.
'Woah, she's smiling.' Goo's eyes widened slightly, stunned for a moment. 'Is she talking about that time?' He realized she was talking about the time he took action against Sehun for calling her an idiot, a moment he hadn't thought was significant.
"No problem. You can always rely on me." Goo chuckled. "And by the way.." His smile became sunny and bright. "You should smile more often, you look cuter that way."
"Well, take care." Goo waved as he turned and walked away, leaving Si-Yeon standing wide eyed.
"You too." Si-Yeon whispered softly, her voice barely audible. Her face flushed as she processed what she heard. She hadn't expected a sudden compliment from him, and now her thoughts were a jumble of emotions.
Goo's words replayed in her mind, and a small smile crept onto her face. 'This idiot.' she thought, shaking her head as she headed into her house.
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Question: Should I add some characters from Lookism or nah.