It was early morning, the sky still painted in a soft bluish hue as the weekend air wrapped Seoul in a gentle chill. Jahm was already up, wearing a black hoodie and joggers, ready for a quick run. He had learned to make the most of calm mornings like these peaceful, quiet, and perfect for staying sharp.
As he jogged along the Han River trail, he came across a quiet spot overlooking the water where the city lights still shimmered against the slow-moving current. He paused for a moment, catching his breath and admiring the view.
"This place," he murmured to himself, placing his hands on his hips. "Even danger feels calm here."
After a short break, Jahm continued jogging. By the time an hour had passed, the sun had climbed higher. Satisfied with his workout, he headed back to the safehouse.
As he entered the apartment, he was met with the familiar, deep sound of snoring coming from Justice's room. Jahm shook his head, half-smiling.
"Still asleep? It's almost noon."
Walking over to the kitchen, Jahm opened the fridge and scanned the shelves. A pack of hotdogs caught his eye. He grabbed three.
"Just a quick fry," he thought, but as he glanced at the cupboard above the counter, he spotted a bottle of ketchup tucked behind the condiments. A memory surfaced his mother back in the Philippines cooking breakfast for him.
"Why not try making it the way Mama did? Sizzling hotdog, Filipino style."
With focused hands, Jahm lit the stove and got to work. The sound of oil sizzling echoed in the kitchen, followed by the scent of slightly charred hotdog, ketchup, and garlic filling the apartment.
Justice stirred in his bed, the smell pulling him out of his sleep. He groaned and rubbed his eyes.
"That agent's cooking again… what time is it?"
Still half-asleep, Justice dragged himself out of bed. When he stepped out of his room, he saw Jahm, already at the stove.
"Bro," Justice yawned. "What random idea made you cook again this early?"
Jahm just grinned without looking back.
Justice made his way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face before returning to the kitchen. He leaned over the counter to peek at the pan.
"What is that?" he asked.
"Just try it," Jahm replied. "Tell me if it's good."
Justice narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "You're not trying to poison me, are you?"
Jahm laughed, shaking his head.
As the hotdog finished sizzling, Jahm plated the food and Justice eagerly sat down at the table, finally giving in to the aroma. He took a bite.
One chew and his eyes widened.
"Bro… what is this? This is amazing!"
Jahm chuckled. "That's how my mom used to make it for me back in the Philippines. Just tried if I could do it myself."
Justice nodded while chewing. "If your mom cooks like this every day, I get why you turned out okay."
The two sat down and shared the simple breakfast together, laughing, trading jabs, and enjoying the rare quiet of the morning. But even in the peace, both men knew it wouldn't last long not in their line of work.
SAFE HOUSE - AFTERNOON
By noon, Justice walked over to the fridge to get some water, but when he opened it, he noticed that it was almost completely empty. There was barely anything left to cook or eat. He also checked the top kitchen drawer where the condiments were kept and saw that most of them were running low as well.
"Bro, we need to go grocery shopping," Justice called out while Jahm was in the shower.
"Why?" Jahm replied from inside the bathroom.
"There's barely anything left in the fridge. We might die of hunger at this rate," Justice joked.
"Alright, after I shower, let's go buy groceries," Jahm answered.
"Okay, bro. I'll get dressed too," Justice responded.
Once Jahm finished his shower, he got dressed and stepped out of his room to see Justice already waiting, fully ready. Jahm put on his Rolex watch, grabbed the Mustang's keys, and they prepared to leave for the grocery store.
At the same time, Han Hanni was at The Seoul Eye, lost in thought about the night before. She was still surprised to discover that Jahm was Minister Kang's driver. A few minutes later, an idea struck her. Without hesitation, she approached one of her contacts and asked for Jahm's phone number.
GROCERY STORE
As Jahm and Justice arrived at the grocery store and were just about to get out of the car, Jahm's phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number. Jahm stopped in his tracks.
"You go ahead inside," Jahm told Justice.
"Why? Something wrong, bro?" Justice asked.
"No, nothing. I'll follow in a bit," Jahm replied.
Justice walked into the store while Jahm answered the call.
"Who is this?" Jahm asked.
"It's Han Hanni," the woman replied.
"Han what?" Jahm asked, confused.
"I'm the woman from the convenience store... and from the other night," she clarified.
Jahm was surprised. "How did you get my number? And what do you want from me?"
"It doesn't matter how I got your number. Can we meet?" Hanni asked.
"Why would we meet? You already thanked me last night," Jahm said, skeptical.
"This isn't about thanking you again. I need something from you. Can we meet?" she insisted.
After a pause, Jahm sighed. "Fine. Where?"
"I'll text you the place," Hanni said.
"Alright," Jahm replied before ending the call. He climbed back into the Mustang and drove off alone.
SEOUL GENERAL HOSPITAL
Meanwhile, Eun Ji and Han Min-Yoon were on a short break from their hospital duties.
"Min-Yoon, let's grab something to eat outside," Eun Ji suggested.
Min-Yoon smiled softly. "Sure."
They left the hospital and walked toward a nearby café.
THE SEOUL EYE
After ending her call with Jahm, Hanni quickly stood from her desk and prepared to leave the office. Jun-Woo noticed her.
"Where are you going, Hanni?" he asked.
"I have someone I need to meet. I'll be back soon," she replied.
"I'll come with you," Jun-Woo said with concern.
"No need, I won't be long," Hanni assured him.
Unable to argue, Jun-Woo simply said, "Take care, Hanni."
"Got it," she said as she left.
THE MEETING
At a small café, Hanni arrived first and waited. Soon after, Jahm pulled up in the Mustang, got out, and entered the café. He immediately spotted Hanni and approached her table.
"What do you need from me?" Jahm asked directly.
"Order something first. You're in such a hurry," Hanni teased, handing him the menu.
After they ordered, Jahm leaned in slightly. "Alright, what do you really want?"
Taking a sip of her coffee, Hanni answered bluntly, "I won't sugarcoat it—I want your help."
"My help? With what?" Jahm raised an eyebrow.
"I want your help taking down Minister Kang. You're his driver, aren't you?" she said.
Jahm was stunned. "You want to use me to bring him down? Is that what you're saying?"
"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying," she replied without hesitation.
Jahm chuckled in disbelief. "Sorry, but I can't do that."
"Why not?" Hanni asked.
"I love my job," he said flatly.
Hanni smirked. "Money really is powerful, huh?"
TROUBLE OUTSIDE
Back with Eun Ji and Min-Yoon, they were finishing their short break and preparing to return to the hospital. But as they walked, they noticed a group of eight rugged-looking men nearby.
"Ugh. People with nothing better to do," Eun Ji whispered to Min-Yoon.
Back at the café, Jahm and Hanni had finished talking and stepped outside together.
But just as Jahm was about to get into his car, one of the men from the group recognizing him—shouted, "Hey! You crazy lunatic!"
Jahm turned his head sharply. So did Eun Ji and Min-Yoon, surprised by the sudden yelling. Hanni's eyes widened.
"Not these idiots again," she muttered.
The group of eight men began approaching. One of them sneered, "This is your end. You think you were cool last time?"
Two of the others nodded. "Yeah, that's definitely the guy who beat us up near the convenience store."
"Now You're Dead"
Eun Ji and Min Yoon were shocked. Eun Ji whispered to Min Yoon, "Seriously, do these guys have nothing better to do with their lives?"
But Min Yoon spotted a familiar face. She leaned closer and asked, "Unnie… is that her?"
"Huh?" Eun Ji replied, confused.
Min Yoon took a few steps forward, staring. "It is her… That's unnie."
Eun Ji's eyes widened. "You're right… that's Hanni! But who's that with her? Is that her boyfriend?"
Jahm took a step forward, facing the eight men.
"Hey… isn't this a bit too much? There's a lot of you today," he said calmly.
The man in the middle sneered. "You're dead now, psycho."
Jahm braced his body, taking a deep breath. "Quien siembra vientos, recoge tempestades."
Hanni, growing anxious, whispered, "Let's just call the police."
But one of the men barked, "You talk too much! Let's just get this over with."
Four of them charged at Jahm. He swiftly dodged their punches, landing a strong blow to one man's stomach, then followed up with a punch to the face knocking him down.
The other three attacked together, managing to land a few hits on Jahm's body and face.
Meanwhile, Eun Ji and Min Yoon had already called the police.
Min Yoon suddenly shouted, "Unnie!"
The sudden call distracted the men beating up Jahm. Hanni and Jahm both turned toward the voice.
"Min Yoon? What are you doing here?" Hanni asked, stunned.
The moment of confusion gave Jahm a chance he kicked and punched the three attackers, dropping them one by one with precise strikes.
But his face was already bloodied.
"Get in the car," he told Hanni firmly.
Another man growled, "You're dead now."
Four more men rushed in, this time armed with baseball bats.
Eun Ji and Min Yoon ran inside the diner for help.
The four swung their bats together but Jahm evaded them with sharp reflexes. He grabbed the arms of two men, twisted, and snapped them both in one move, causing them to drop their weapons.
He hammered their guts and faces with rapid punches, dodging the bats of the other two.
Once those two went down, one bat slammed into Jahm's back. He grimaced in pain.
But his eyes blazed with fury. He grabbed the attacker and hurled him against the wall.
Everyone froze Hanni, Min Yoon, Eun Ji, and even the remaining thug who had been in the center earlier.
"Who is this guy?" Eun Ji whispered in awe.
The last thug, now nervous, lunged forward again, swinging wildly.
Jahm dodged, but the pain and blood loss were taking their toll.
He waited for the right moment then struck a clean punch to the man's face, followed by a powerful kick that sent him crashing to the ground.
Breathing hard, Jahm began to fall to one knee.
Min Yoon watched, eyes wide. Is he… the same guy who saved me that night? she thought. No, that's impossible…
Suddenly, police sirens echoed down the street.
Two patrol cars pulled up fast.
Officers jumped out and restrained the eight unconscious or groaning men.
Hanni stepped out of the car.
Eun Ji and Min Yoon rushed to Jahm.
Just as they reached him, Jahm stood up, surprising all three girls.
One officer approached. "You'll need to come to the station too. But you should get treated first."
Jahm nodded silently.
Min Yoon stepped forward, worried.
"Wait… You need to go to a hospital first."
"No need," Jahm said, brushing it off. "Just scratches."
"Scratches?" Min Yoon snapped. "You almost died!"
Hanni stepped in. "Give me your car keys."
Jahm hesitated. "No, it's fine—"
"I said give them to me."
Without another word, Jahm handed over the keys.
Min Yoon and Eun Ji helped him into the car.
Inside, Min Yoon pulled out a handkerchief and gently placed it on Jahm's head, holding it in place as they sat together in the back seat.
Surprised, Jahm turned slightly, staring at Min Yoon.