The streets buzzed with activity, neon lights reflecting off the rain-slick pavement. Gok and Wu-Ji moved cautiously through the unfamiliar cityscape, the weight of their absence pressing heavily on their minds.
As they passed through a crowded intersection, a commotion caught their attention. A boy, no older than 14, was cornered by a towering figure wearing sleek Ranker gear. The man's wristband glowed with impressive stats, his face twisted into a sneer as he leaned over the trembling child.
The boy's name flickered on the glowing display over his chest: Dun Lee.
"Your stats are trash," the man spat, shoving the boy against a wall. "You shouldn't even be in the system. You're a waste of data."
A Sudden Intervention
Wu-Ji's temper flared. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, his hand gripping the hilt of the Infinity Dagger, a fragment of the legendary Infinite Blade. In one fluid motion, he threw the dagger with precision, its enchanted edge slicing through the air toward the man.
The man tilted his head ever so slightly, dodging the attack with ease. The dagger embedded itself harmlessly in the wall behind him, radiating faint energy.
The man turned, his expression one of mild annoyance. "You've got some nerve," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Problem with me, ass?"
Wu-Ji's eyes burned with defiance. "Yeah. I've got a problem with people who bully kids."
The Crowd Gathers
The exchange drew the attention of nearby passersby. People stopped to watch, their eyes lighting up with recognition as they realized who was involved. Whispers spread through the crowd.
"Isn't that Sung Min-Ki from the Korea Team?"
"The guy who helped clear all the towers?"
"Who's the other guy? Is he crazy, attacking a Ranker hero?"
Sung Min-Ki, one of the most celebrated members of the Korea Team, grinned smugly as he gestured toward Wu-Ji. "You're either brave or stupid to pick a fight with me. Which is it?"
A Fierce Exchange
Wu-Ji didn't respond. Instead, he dashed forward, summoning the Infinity Dagger back to his hand. The blade glowed with an otherworldly light as he launched a series of swift, precise attacks.
Sung Min-Ki smirked as he dodged each strike effortlessly, his movements almost lazy. "Is that all you've got? No wonder you're nobody."
But Wu-Ji wasn't deterred. He feinted left, then suddenly thrust the dagger downward, creating a shockwave that cracked the pavement. The attack caught Sung Min-Ki off guard, forcing him to leap back to avoid the brunt of the impact.
"Not bad," Sung Min-Ki admitted, dusting himself off. "But you're still out of your league."
Gok Steps In
Before the fight could escalate further, Gok stepped forward. His imposing presence silenced the crowd, and even Sung Min-Ki hesitated for a moment.
"That's enough," Gok said, his voice calm but commanding. "We're not here to start a war."
Wu-Ji glared at him but reluctantly lowered his dagger.
Sung Min-Ki chuckled, crossing his arms. "Smart move. You wouldn't have lasted much longer anyway."
Gok's eyes narrowed. "Maybe. Or maybe I just don't want to embarrass you in front of your fans."
The subtle challenge in his tone wiped the smirk off Sung Min-Ki's face. For a moment, the two men locked eyes, the tension palpable.
A Parting Warning
As Sung Min-Ki turned to leave, he called over his shoulder, "Stay out of my way. The Korea Team has bigger things to deal with than nobodies like you."
The crowd dispersed, and Dun Lee, still shaking, looked up at Wu-Ji and Gok with gratitude.
"Thank you," the boy said quietly.
Wu-Ji ruffled his hair. "Don't thank me yet, kid. This city's full of people like him."
Gok sighed. "And we're going to have to deal with all of them if we want answers."