Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1: Intro - Walk the Line
We were finally here, we had both left our friends and family behind to pursue our dreams, to live in the crowded lit up city of Seoul. A cool breeze swept through the streets and I watched as hundreds, thousands, of people walked past. Now I was not the type to like the crowded cities but Mina really wanted to live in Seoul and deep down I did want to see what the place was like at night, the lights shining and the hustle of the streets. I wasn't as excited as Mina, but we had spoken about moving in with each other since a long time so it had to come to it one day. Tonight was going to be a big night; Mina had heard that there were underground fighting happening every night and that two of the most dangerous gangs were going head-to-head tonight. Mina being the type to follow danger insisted we go
"I can't believe were finally here" Mina exclaimed from next to me, grabbing a hold of my arm and squeezing it.
"Neither can I" I said looking up at all the skyscrapers.
"There's the taxi" Mina said as she grabbed her luggage and started bringing it over to the taxi.
I followed behind, also struggling with all my heavy suitcases "how far is it to the apartment?" I asked while throwing my bags into the trunk of the car.
"About an hour" she said as she hopped inside the car.
I did the same and buckled my belt after getting in. As we made our way through the city, I watched all the cars and people, there were so many. An hour later, we were at our new little apartment. It was nothing special, but it was enough for us to start our new lives. We entered the house and I ran around curiously like a child "Yes two bathrooms!" I cheered, causing Mina to laugh.
"Our stuff hasn't arrived yet, but we should get them this week" I said.
I threw all my luggage into my room and grabbed the small CD player I brought; I put on one of the CD's that I brought in my suitcase and started dancing and jumping around. I stopped when I felt a pair of hands on me "Ivy, concentrate, we have to go out now"
"Why?" I asked "we just got here"
"Because we have to find where the gangs are meeting up!"
"What's so cool about these gangs?" I said annoyed at the fact I have to leave the apartment already.
Mina laughed "They are the most famous people from Seoul"
"Then why haven't I heard of them" I crossed my arms.
Mina took a seat and I stayed there watching here closely "There only known among fighters and Seoul, most people fear them."
"Who's them" I asked annoyed.
"All I know is there a gang of four men, and they are the most dangerous and feared gang known in Seoul, they own the undergrounds fights and just have fun I guess"
"So why do you find them so important? It's dangerous!"
"Because, you know how I feel about fights... nothing's cooler than seeing this in real life"
I sighed "Fine" I headed for my room "But I'm getting changed first"
"Stupid Mina and her stupid ideas" I mumbled as I was searching through my suitcases for fresh clothes. I found my tight black top and a pair of baggy jeans so I threw them on my bed to get changed into. I dressed into the clothes I laid out on the bed and put my sneakers on before brushing my hair, letting it fall below my shoulders.
"You're wearing that?" she said looking up and down at me
"Sorry to disappoint" I mumbled.
"You should be, go put something revealing"
"No thanks" I said as I grabbed my keys and walked out.
We had been walking in dark streets for hours now, my feet were tired and I kept complaining I wanted to go home, but just as I was about to give up Mina screamed and pointed on her left. My eyes followed her finger. A narrow alley glowed with flickering red and blue neon, the bass from the music thumping through the pavement like a heartbeat. Smoke curled from the open doorway, voices shouted, a mix of cheering and cursing, and I realized we had finally found it. Mina started running towards the stairs that led down into the building. "Mina!" I gasped "Don't leave me on my own!" I said running after her. She races down the stairs and without me realizing, stopped instantly causing me to smash into her. "MINA!" I snapped but she ignored me, her eyes were straight ahead.
I looked up to see what she was so fascinated in and saw as a fighting ring surrounded by people. In the ring two men were fighting. One caught my eye. He was very tall with broad shoulders. He had a black undercut with a white highlight. He knows how to fight. He moves very fast, every punch is precise, leaving his opponent barely time to react. The man rushes at him, but he dodges effortlessly punching him in the back. They continued to exchange punches, even if he received almost none.
The man throws a desperate punch, too slow. He dodges it again and crashes his fist into the man's jaw with a sick crack. Blood sprays, and the body crumples to the floor with a heavy thud. Silence falls over the crowd. The fight is over.
We preferred to stay back, I mean, I forced Mina to stay behind, not wanting to be noticed.
I see three guys join the winner to congrats him. Leaving the ring, first to came out is a black-haired male with black glasses, then a tall thin man with black hair falling over his face, next was a tall man with a black middle part followed by Him.
"Omg it's them, I'm sure about it" say Mina cheerfully.
I watch him get out of the ring as he grabbed the girl closest to him and proceeded to make out with her, but I quickly looked away when I saw Mina begin to walk towards them "Mina" I snapped at her, almost in a whisper "You can't seriously want to go over there" I grabbed her arm.
"Oh, I seriously do" she said back freeing herself from my hold.
I grabbed her again "They can be dangerous, that's what you said, they're dangerous"
"I don't care, I came here to see them, and I'm not turning back out now" she said, and I admired her determination.
I nodded a yes and followed behind her, she was acting as my shield as I walked behind her. We got closer to the crowd of men and few women in tiny skirts and bras. I continued to stay behind Mina, too frightened to look anyone in the eye. We got to the crowd and Mina stood there awkwardly with me still behind her, it wasn't long till someone spotted us "Oh my god Ivy"
"What" I said scared out of my mind. I jumped to look behind me in case someone was sneaking up.
"He's coming over" she said excitingly.
I peaked around her shoulder to see the tall man with the black middle part "Who are you" he asked "I have never seen you here before, and I wouldn't have forgotten you" he said with a smirk.
I slightly laughed which caused him to spot me "Well hi there" he said with an odd expression on his face.
I sighed and stood up, trying to seem calm and strong. "Hi" I said back annoyed.
"Were you hiding?" he asked.
"Mh no" I said back annoyed. I stepped beside Kim
"Nice, so why haven't you answered my question yet?"
"Oh, my name is Mina and this is Ivy"
I gave her a death look when she gave him my name.
"What are you doing here, it is dangerous you know, Strays like you shouldn't come to place like this"
"Watch your mouth di-" Mina cut me off with her hand muzzling my mouth.
"Just ignore her" she chuckled "I heard of you guys from a friend and have had a fascination in fighting sport since I was a young teen and just really had to meet the strongest guys in Seoul"
He chuckled and Mina removed her hand, I wiped my mouth annoyed at her actions "Well you have found them" He said with a smile "Hey, how would you like to cheer for me, I'm fighting soon and would love to have you by my side"
"Definitely" Mina said happily taking the hand he offered her.
I grabbed her arm immediately "Kim, no way you are following him in this place"
"Look, do you have a problem?" The tall man said looking at me annoyed.
"Yeah, I do" I snapped at him.
"Come on Ivy, this is a dream come true"
"But it's dangerous"
"He'll protect me" She chuckled.
I sighed "What's your name" I asked.
"Jake Sim...why?"
"Mmhm Jake, well I wanted to know in case Kim goes missing and I have to call the cops" He laughed "They wouldn't do much good sweetheart"
They began to walk off and I watched on worried as hell "and don't call me sweetheart" I yelled, my voice getting lost in the noise around us
I stood there awkwardly, watching Jake disappear with Mina in the crowd. The music grew louder, men were shouting, laughing, placing bets. Somewhere nearby, fists slammed into flesh, followed by cheers.
I was starting to feel nauseous. I needed to get out of here. I turned around too fast and slammed into someone's chest.
"Shit— I'm sorry," I blurted out, already stepping back.
The man didn't move. Not even a little. I slowly looked up. Black undercut, a white streak cutting through his hair, eyes cold and sharp. Everything about him screamed danger.
The noise around us seemed to fade. My heart started racing. People nearby went quiet, some stepping away like they knew better.
"I didn't mean to—" My voice shook
I turned around to leave quickly, but someone grabbed my wrist.
"Where do you think you're going"