All the children emerged in small groups, their expressions frozen in shock.
Uncertain.
Their clothes—cheap, stained from daily wear—clung to their thin frames, remnants of the life they had resigned themselves to. Or at least, used to. Because before their eyes, that abusive, torturous life was beginning to shatter.
The old woman trembled, her ever-violent bodyguard—the one who used to beat them into submission—now embedded deep into the ground. The pink-haired man who had just reached out with cruel intent lay twisted and broken in so many places that even the children felt pity.
And at the center of it all stood Jinrang.
The man who had freed them now stood tall in the middle of the concrete jungle. Broken pipes and shattered debris littered the ground around him, but his gaze never wavered from the crowd ahead. His eyes locked onto Jagyeon—who had carefully laid his brothers down in a safe spot. Jinrang noticed the boy's hands clenching and unclenching.
These guys aren't my enemies, Jinrang thought. All they want is for me not to go to jail.
His glowing violet eyes swept across the others. But that decision isn't theirs to make. From the day I chose to be a wolf… it was certain—I would kill anyone who hurt my pack.
His gaze landed on Dalyoung Oh. The metallic scent of blood lingered heavily in the air—his blood. Jinrang had beaten him until the very atmosphere reeked of carnage.
His fists tightened, memories clawing back. He remembered what life had been like—how Dalyoung used to beat them, how he broke one of his brothers' teeth.
He has to die, Jinrang decided. Even if I have to take down all of them.
His arms rose, fists drawing up near his jaw. His legs shifted into stance, mimicking the very form of Gapryong Kim.
And then—he vanished.
No crack, no warning—just a swoosh of air before an overhand punch came crashing down toward Taesoo Ma, the one Jinrang had judged to have the weakest endurance.
But before the punch could land, someone else stepped in.
Hair braided uniquely, a green sweater clinging to his form beneath a black leather jacket, and orange sunglasses gleaming—Gongseob Ji stood firm between the two.
Tongue poking from his lips, he stood tall. He hadn't been idle these past two months. He had watched Jichang's explosive growth, Apollo's blinding speed. He had felt the frustration of being unable to contribute.
His mind flashed back—to just a week ago.
He stood beneath a freezing waterfall, icy water crashing against his bare body. His expression was twisted in pain.
Improve.
The word repeated in his mind as he stared up at a massive two-ton boulder, tied by a rope, descending from the mountaintop.
The air split with a roar. The rock tumbled toward him at terrifying speed—jagged, heavy, fast. Ten kilometers per hour didn't sound like much, but with that weight, the force behind it was monstrous.
His torso was already torn and bloodied, the waterfall washing over his wounds.
Either I die or I improve, he told himself. Teeth grinding, he screamed:
"Iron Fortress!"
Endurance wasn't just physical. It was willpower. Determination.
I—I have the will to block any attack.
The rock struck his stance.
And stopped.
Not because it had broken.
But because he had become stronger.
Far stronger.
Gongseob Ji had shattered the wall.
. . .
Present Day
Jinrang's overhand punch landed on Gongseob.
The impact pushed him back two meters. Scorch marks trailed beneath his feet. And yet, the King of Daegu smiled through the pain.
"I gotta admit," he muttered, "I didn't think anyone could hit me like that."
Taesoo Ma, once again saved, grimaced. He didn't waste words. His body twisted, arm coiled, and his right hand landed squarely on Jinrang's elbow, sending him flying back.
"Urghh." Jinrang grunted, but the fire in his eyes burned hotter than ever. Gongseob had blocked the blow, but he was slower now—stiff.
The ground cracked beneath Jinrang's feet as he launched forward again, concrete exploding in his wake. Blue paint was erased beneath his stride as he surged once more toward a vulnerable Taesoo.
Taesoo struck back, aiming a counterpunch toward Jinrang's face.
But Jinrang ducked, letting the attack brush past harmlessly. His right hand, raised above, descended like a hammer.
The punch smashed into Taesoo's face like a speeding truck.
A loud crunch echoed across the battlefield as blood sprayed and Taesoo's body flew through the air.
Unconscious.
The remaining Kings moved to intercept.
But Jinrang tore through space like a demon incarnate. Or a god with vengeance in his bones.
His next target—Gongseob Ji.
Gongseob didn't flinch. He simply smiled.
The King of Daegu had yet to reach speed mastery. All he could do was brace himself.
Iron Fortress.
But Jinrang wasn't an idiot. A fight wasn't won by power alone.
He feinted high with a jab. Gongseob read it—until Jinrang twisted, crouched, and drove his right hand straight toward Gongseob's foot.
"ARGHH!" Gongseob cried out as pain exploded from his toes to his spine. His body screamed, legs heavy, balance lost.
Jinrang didn't stop.
Like a spring, he twisted his body upward. His left hand arced in a vicious uppercut, smashing into Gongseob's jaw.
The King of Daegu was sent flying.
And the rest of the Kings watched—frozen, helpless.
Their dominance—shaken.
Apollo exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing.
The fight was on.
The Wolf vs. The Kings.
......
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