The pavement cracked as Jinrang gazed at the scene before him. Dalyoung Oh stood over his sworn brothers—one unconscious, the other shielding him with his battered back.
Their bodies were bruised beyond recognition, blood spilling like a waterfall.
Jinrang froze as the image seared into his mind. He had been following orders. He had been the perfect, obedient dog. And yet... its owner had turned around and bitten him.
Hot blood surged from his tear ducts. His jaw clenched so hard he split his own lip.
From the sidelines, Jagyeon Na winced. He's really crying tears of blood...
The Kings had followed the man, just as Apollo instructed. But Apollo had given one strict order—do not interfere until the end.
Why?
Unknown. But they listened.
Standing beside an old woman—clearly the owner of the child trafficking ring—Jagyeon tightened his grip on her shoulder, drawing a sharp yelp from her.
Her jewelry, clothes, and pristine makeup didn't just suggest wealth—they declared it.
The King of Incheon narrowed his eyes. That wealth came from abusing these children. He could see their business for what it was.
Seeing Dalyoung Oh smile like a madman, Jagyeon barely held himself back.
What happened next stunned not only him, but all the Kings.
"That's the disciple of Gapryong Kim, right?" Taesoo muttered, seated on a cracked cement log, eyes locked on the pink-haired man.
Apollo nodded grimly. "Sadly, yes."
"Hm?" Taesoo raised an eyebrow, recognizing something strange in Jinrang's stance. He didn't fight me like that...
Seonji Yuk folded his arms, grinning. He could see it now—a blurry figure standing behind Jinrang.
Master told me about him...
In a blur of rage and gore, Jinrang's punch connected with the official disciple of Gapryong Kim. The shockwave rattled the very air.
The Kings braced themselves, holding out their arms as if it would help. Shock spread across each of their faces.
That punch... was stronger than anything I have ever seen.
Even Taesoo had to admit—if that landed on him, he'd go down hard.
Then came another. And another. And another. Each strike made Dalyoung visibly shudder.
Afraid. Trembling. The so-called disciple clung weakly to his sides.
I'm the disciple of a legend—I can't go down like this...
His freshly styled pink hair now lay disheveled, soaked with his own blood.
His once-luxurious tuxedo was in tatters. It was ironic—he who believed so strongly in appearances was now nearly stripped bare.
Overcome.
It wasn't an easy power to master. It demanded something precious to protect.
Dalyoung had once possessed it. Once, he had stood to protect the elderly and the weak.
But now, as another punch shattered his jaw into fragments, he couldn't even raise a hand.
What do I even have to protect anymore...?
His jaw hung loosely. His legs buckled inward. There was no strength left in him.
The hands he once used to crush others, the fists he wielded like royal decree—now clasped together, trembling.
"Please..." he muttered weakly, vision blurring from the relentless blows of the one he had once called a dog.
"Please... forgive me."
The pain was unbearable. His bones felt like jelly.
Why did I even come here? he berated himself as a brutal strike landed on his liver.
He begged harder. But like the karma he had sown, when life struck—it struck with the weight of a mountain.
Relentless.
I'll die like this...
And then, the final blow came.
He was done for.
But before it landed, a blur shot between them. The punch diverted just slightly.
All Dalyoung saw before losing consciousness was a tall figure shielding him.
Apollo.
Jinrang, knee-deep in bloodlust and rage, growled, "I'm going to kill him. Get out of the way."
Apollo sighed, raising his hands. "You've done enough, Jinrang. Any more, and you're going to jail for murder."
His voice was calm, but his eyes—unlike Jinrang's glowing violet irises—were dark and heavy.
"Move." Jinrang's voice was low. Dangerous.
Before being a friend, he was a leader—a wolf of the pack. And a wolf didn't stop until its prey was dead.
His purple-mahogany gaze sharpened as he launched an overhand right straight toward Apollo.
The black-eyed menace barely tilted his head in time—the punch flew past. But Jinrang wasn't done.
A hidden left hand shot forward like a viper.
Apollo's abs tightened. Legs coiled. No choice but to dodge. His instincts screamed.
Kicking off the ground with explosive force, the pavement shattered beneath him. The motion flung him sideways—barely dodging the devastating blow.
The Kings, watching Apollo finally intervene, exhaled in relief. Their thoughts wandered—back to a memory. Right before Busan.
Chilly winds surrounded them as they stood in a circle. Jinrang, the former King Hunter, was asleep nearby.
Apollo had looked at Taesoo, Jichang, Jagyeon, and Gongseob, eyes serious and sharp.
"You all know what he'll do tomorrow."
"If the guy hurt his brothers, Jinrang won't stop until he kills him." He tapped his own chest with a light smile.
"That's where I come in. Tomorrow... no matter what, we can't let Jinrang kill the disciple of Gapryong Kim."
Taesoo nodded silently. Jichang and Jagyeon stayed quiet, minds already calculating the consequences.
Only Gongseob looked confused.
We just met him yesterday. Why are we suddenly such good friends...?
And yet—deep down—he trusted Apollo.
If Apollo said it, it must be true.
.........
The Busan Arc
Patreon-patreon.com/Immortal806