Tae Hwan, the head of the gangsters, sat on an old rusty chair, his laughter echoing through the abandoned lot. The sun was setting, casting long shadows on the ground.
"Haha! Look at this guy," he said, rubbing his hands in amusement. "He really made us worry!"
Taek Jung, sitting next to him, looked at his boss with confusion. "You mean Ming You? He won against us by making his team lose, Tae Hwan. Doesn't that mean he's smarter than we thought?"
"Smarter?" Tae Hwan laughed again, but this time his laughter was filled with admiration. "He really surprised me! There's something special about him. I see potential in him. This guy knows how to play, and he's not afraid to take risks!"
"But he put us in danger; we shot him in the leg at his instruction, and if he tells the police about the bullet, we're all done for," Taek Jung pointed out, glancing uneasily at his companions. "Maybe we should be more careful?"
"Careful?" Tae Hwan leaned closer, his eyes sparkling with eager anticipation. "You don't understand! This is just the beginning. Ming You thinks he's one step ahead, but I know how to catch him. He's too overconfident, and that's his weakness; besides, he's just a schoolboy."
The other gangsters began to exchange glances, their doubts gradually fading under Tae Hwan's confidence.
"And what are you going to do?" asked one of them, named Sung Wo. "We can't let him keep doing this."
"It's simple," Tae Hwan replied, his voice growing more serious. "We'll create a situation where he continues to manipulate things, thus bringing us money. We'll make it so he has to come to us for help. It'll be a brilliant move!"
"But how?" asked Taek Jung, still skeptical about his boss's plan.
"We'll set up a game," Tae Hwan said, his smile widening. "But not just any game. We'll gather the best players from all around, and let Ming You try to deal with them. If he loses, he'll be in our hands! Plus, to play the role of the caring captain, he'll have to play our games."
"That's risky," Sung Wo noted. "What if he actually wins?"
"If he wins," Tae Hwan raised a finger, "we'll just set another trap. After all, he can't play forever. He doesn't have our experience. He's just a kid who thinks he can control this game."
"To brilliant moves and successful schemes!" proclaimed one of the gangsters, raising a glass of cheap alcohol.
"To us!" the others echoed, and laughter filled the space again, creating an atmosphere of unity and confidence in their upcoming plans.
After the Yoshido team went home, Ming You began to take action. His first step was to learn about his opponents, and since the gangsters had informed him about the opponents in the last game, they could do so again.
Ming You approached the streetball court where Taek Jung and his crew usually hung out.
Taek Jung was sitting on a bench, surrounded by his henchmen. Without hesitation, Ming You walked up to them.
"Taek Jung," he began, "I've come with a proposal. I know you're aware of the upcoming games. I'd like to know about the team we're going to face."
Taek Jung raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Interesting. And what are you willing to offer in return?"
Ming You knew he didn't have much time, so he quickly adapted. "The first time, you told me about the opponents just like that."
"That's because you wanted to place a bet, and now the games have become more serious. But for half a million won, I'm willing to tell you about the team, and for another half a million, we'll find out all their weaknesses and tell you about them."
"I could figure out the weaknesses myself, but my time is limited, so it's important for me to know both the team and their weaknesses," Ming You stated confidently, tossing a million won onto the bench.
"And your team won't find out that you're throwing money around here while they're all in debt? Hehe," Taek Jung laughed.
"Just tell me what team it is," Ming You insisted.
"The team itself isn't much, but their most dangerous player is the center, who controls everything and around whom his team revolves, making them unbeatable on the court. If you're going to win," Taek Jung said, "you and your team need to focus on Hee Rak. He's their heart and brain. If you can prevent him from attacking and intercepting balls, the others won't be able to resist."
Ming You memorized every word, realizing that this information could be crucial in their game. He felt the plan starting to take shape, and his confidence in his actions only grew.
"Thank you, Taek Jung," Ming You said as the conversation came to an end. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
"Likewise, Ming You," Taek Jung replied, counting the money once more.
Returning home, Ming You realized that he now had everything he needed to execute his plan. He was ready to go to extreme measures to eliminate Hee Rak and elevate his team to a new level. With each passing minute, his determination grew stronger, and he knew this step could change everything.
Meanwhile, Ming You sat at the table, surrounded by maps and empty notes. Leaning back, he studied the upcoming game where they were set to face a team known for its strength and skill. This team had a reputation in betting games, but Ming You knew that every team had its weaknesses.
"Hee Rak," he said aloud, pointing to a photo on his phone of a muscular guy with tanned skin, who was the real star of the opponent. "He's their ace. If I can neutralize him, a quick victory is guaranteed."
Ming You knew that Hee Rak was not only an outstanding player but also the leader of the team. His presence on the court inspired his teammates and instilled fear in their opponents. Therefore, Ming You decided that the only way to win was to eliminate him from the game.
"Assassination," he whispered, contemplating his words. "That's the only way. In the game, he surpasses me in everything, but what about outside of it? Hehe. If I can take him out, the others will be disoriented."
He began to devise a plan, considering all the details: timing, location, and method. Ming You understood that this was a risky step, but a clear picture formed in his mind. He needed to act quickly and discreetly to avoid raising suspicions.
"The first step is to find a place that's closest to Hee Rak and his usual movements; the second step is to buy plastic wrap; the third step is to extract maximum benefit from Hee Rak before eliminating him."
Ming You spent several minutes preparing, meticulously planning every detail of his scheme. He knew he had to act alone so that no one would suspect his intentions—neither his team nor the gangsters. He thought through every step to avoid unnecessary questions and suspicions.
He started by tracking Hee Rak. Ming You studied his daily routine, memorizing the places he visited and the times when he was completely alone. It wasn't easy, but he was determined. He used his stealth skills and asked Jung Ho to mark him during practices, saying he was preparing plans for the next game. That way, he already had an alibi to remain unnoticed, hiding in the shadows and observing every move of his opponent.
One evening, when Hee Rak left the training hall, Ming You noticed he was heading toward the bus station. This was his chance. He quickly assessed the situation—there was no one around who could interfere with his plan. His heart raced with adrenaline, but he knew he had to stay focused. He had already killed out of desperation, but now it was time to kill for a purpose.
Ming You chose the right moment when Hee Rak was distracted by a phone call, which Ming You had initiated. He approached from behind, using a crowbar to knock out the center player with one precise blow.
"Ugh…" Hee Rak didn't even have time to understand what was happening and instantly lost consciousness. Ming You quickly grabbed him and, trying not to attract attention, dragged him toward a nearby basement close to the bus station and where he trained.
"There's no defense against a crowbar, hehe," Ming You sinisterly smirked as he carried him like a drunken friend toward the basement.
The path to the basement was not easy. Ming You felt the adrenaline surging through his veins, but he knew he couldn't afford to make a mistake. He checked every corner, listening for sounds to ensure that no one noticed his actions. Finally, he reached the basement and struggled to open the door, trying to make no noise.
Inside the basement, Ming You quickly covered everything with plastic wrap and tightly bound the center player to a concrete pillar, also covered in plastic.