The next day, in the middle of the day, Ming You arrived at the streetball court after school, where a group of gangsters led by Taek Jung was already sitting on a bench.
Ming You approached them with his plan. "Hey, guys, how's it going? Or should I just get straight to the point?" Ming You asked with a sly grin.
"I see you're up to another crazy scheme," Taek Jung said after he and his cronies chuckled. "Go on, tell me what you've got in mind."
"I want each of you to bet 10 million won on my team," Ming You declared confidently.
"I know you're a bit of a madman, but asking us to bet such amounts is pushing it, even for you," Taek Jung said with a loud laugh.
"I know you wouldn't agree to it right away, which is why I'll place the first bet," Ming You said unemotionally.
"And what are you willing to bet that makes you demand 10 million won from each of us?" Taek Jung asked skeptically.
"My life and freedom," Ming You replied with a manic smile.
"Throwing your life around like that is quite a bold move, but your life is clearly not worth 10 million won from each of us," Taek Jung said with a serious expression.
"Not just my life; I said freedom too. In other words, if I lose, I'll become your slave and do whatever you say," Ming You said, gambling gleaming in his eyes.
"But honestly, I'm not planning to lose, heh heh," Ming You smirked to himself.
"Since you're so confident, I might as well place my bet, but don't expect everyone to follow suit," Taek Jung continued. "But if you lose, you'll regret it. Don't forget who you're dealing with."
"Great, so we have a deal, right?" Ming You extended his hand to Taek Jung.
"Don't let me down, Ming You," Taek Jung shook his hand.
After the betting agreement, Ming You returned to his team, which was sitting in the school locker room. He opened the door and confidently walked in, where his team was already waiting for him.
"So, are you all ready to win?" Ming You asked slyly.
"Of course!" his team shouted in unison.
The Yoshido team stood up from the benches in the locker room. Taking their belongings, they headed to the streetball court.
When they arrived, spectators were already seated on the benches, waiting for the game to start and placing their bets. Ming You and his team stood by the first hoop, waiting for their opponents.
"Are they not here yet?" Jung Ho asked.
"Extra time is just in our favor," Ming You said without suspicion.
"Oh, here come our opponents," Lu Shen pointed to four people approaching the opposite hoop.
Meanwhile, with the opposing team.
"Hey, where's Hee Rak? Why did we come without him? Can anyone get in touch with him?" one of the players asked anxiously.
"I can't reach him either," replied another taller player, named Gun Yi, in a panic.
"Is he really okay? He hasn't shown up for almost two days," said the third player, trying Hee Rak's number again.
"Alright, it's time to start the game. The spectators aren't going to wait long," Taek Jung exclaimed.
"But we can't start the game without Hee Rak!" the opponents shouted at Ming You.
"I don't care what's going on with you; if I say start, then we play, or we'll call it a loss for you," Taek Jung interrupted them.
"But there are only four of us, and there are five of them! We don't have enough players!" temporary team captain Jin Suk exclaimed.
"And why should we care about that!? Just play! We're already delayed!" insisted Sung Wo, the referee for the game.
"Hey, guys, we don't mind removing one of our players, and then it'll be four against four. Would that work for you?" Ming You said with a deceitful smile.
"We don't care how many are against us; we just can't get in touch with Hee Rak!" Jin Suk said with anger and panic.
"Listen, bastards, either you play, or give me the money and you're free, or do I need to explain this to you differently?" Taek Jung threatened them.
"Fine, we'll play…" the players agreed anxiously.
"Then let's start! Jump ball!" Sung Wo announced.
The crowd erupted in cheers supporting those they had placed their bets on.
As soon as the jump ball began, Jung Ho took the ball and drove it toward the hoop. Gun Yi stood in defense against him.
"Without a center, you really are weak!" Jung Ho quickly passed to Lu Shen, who scored effortlessly, making the score 1-0 in favor of Yoshido.
"Get it together!" Jin Suk shouted.
Gun Yi began to dribble the ball, but as soon as he was about to pass, Ming You intercepted it.
"You're pretty predictable," Ming You said with a smirk, maneuvering around the defense and passing behind his back to Jung Ho.
Jung Ho took the ball and jumped without any obstacles, scoring a dunk.
"Gun Yi, next time, watch who you're passing to!" shouted the player Gun Yi was supposed to pass to.
"I know without you!" Gun Yi replied, getting back on defense.
Meanwhile, Jin Suk, bringing the ball to the center, locked eyes with Ming You.
"Well, hello there," Ming You smiled at him.
"Behind you!" Jin Suk heard his teammate's shout, but he didn't react in time, and Haru Lin stole the ball from him.
Due to the absence of a center, the team was noticeably disoriented. While Haru Lin dribbled the ball, Gun Yi stepped up to defend, but Haru Lin suddenly threw the ball from three-point range, and Jung Ho, having seen Haru Lin's glance, ran to the hoop and made an alley-oop.
Yoshido dominated the entire game. Thanks to the absence of their opponents' center, they successfully scored points. It was time for the decisive shot.
When Ming You received the ball from Jung Ho, he faked and dribbled past his opponents, positioning himself at the edge of the three-point line and took the final shot. The spectators held their breath in anticipation, and three seconds later, the ball went through the hoop.
Whistle.
The Yoshido team achieved an undeniable victory. Understanding that their debts were settled, they joyfully embraced in a circle.
"We did it!" Lu Shen rejoiced.
"Thank goodness we didn't have to play against their center," Jung Ho said with joy in his eyes.
"We were lucky to have Ming You! If it weren't for you, we'd be in slavery right now," Haru Lin thanked him.
"It's thanks to your perseverance. Alright, go on, I have some unfinished business to attend to," Ming You said, stepping toward Taek Jung to collect the winnings.
But as the Yoshido team was leaving, the boss of the thugs, Tae Hwan, approached Ming You and stopped him.
"Bastard! What did you do to Hee Rak!?" Tae Hwan asked furiously.
"What are you talking about? We just won, that's all. You should have bet on us; it's your problem for underestimating our team," Ming You replied cunningly.
"Don't lie, you scum!" Tae Hwan grabbed Ming You by his t-shirt. "I'm asking you again, what did you do to Hee Rak!?"
"I told you, I don't know," Ming You replied with an indifferent expression.
"Please, boss, calm down. He really won and cleared his team's debts, and if we try to squeeze more money out of him, our reputation…" Before Taek Jung could continue, he was cut off by Tae Hwan, who released Ming You.
"I don't give a damn about his money; I'm asking where Hee Rak is!"
"I'm telling you for the last time, I know nothing. I really asked Taek Jung about Hee Rak, but all I did was plan how to break him in the game; my team can easily confirm that," Ming You confidently continued.
"And how do I know your team isn't in cahoots with you? Especially when they obey you without question!?" Tae Hwan pressed on him.
"At another time, I was at school and training; I think you'd definitely believe the teachers and the coach, although I think it's quite risky for you to talk to them, let alone ask anything about their students," Ming You confidently stated his alibi.
"Damn it! Fuck! Where the hell could he have gone?" Tae Hwan cursed, continuing to ask questions.
"That's no longer my concern, so goodbye, and thank you for the game," Ming You said, taking his winnings from the bets with Taek Jung and leaving the court.
"That bastard managed to earn about a hundred million won from us!?" Tae Hwan asked in shock.
"Those are the rules, boss; you made them yourselves. If we break them, our reputation will be ruined, but we also made a good profit," Taek Jung replied.
Tae Hwan, gritting his teeth, left the court along with the others.