Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Golden Sun vs Yakuza
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"...I can't believe there's still a place like this in Seoul."
I'd come to a neighborhood in Gangseo-gu late at night.
It was only about ten minutes deeper into a ritzy area, but I never imagined an alley reeking of Harlem vibes would pop up like this.
The grimy windows of dilapidated buildings that looked ready to collapse at any moment were smeared with damp stains, and under the streetlights piercing the darkness, globs of phlegm someone had spat out glistened stickily.
The sour stench of urine wafted from every direction. If I didn't have business here, it was definitely not a place to linger.
"Perfect spot for lowlifes to hole up."
As I walked the street, I recalled what Takahina Noah had told me yesterday.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Seong-muk sunbae, how much do you know about the Takahina family?"
"Just that they're one of Japan's top yakuza clans?"
"Yes, exactly! But beyond that well-known fact, there's a secret handed down through our family generations. It's related to the Dragon Blood."
"Dragon Blood?"
Dragon Blood was definitely Takahina Ryuji's skill name. So it was a family heirloom.
"This power is a mighty blessing and a curse at the same time. The thicker the Dragon Blood inheritance, the greater the physical abilities gained, but uncontrollable violence keeps surging up."
"Hmm..."
No wonder his eyes looked totally unhinged in the game.
So that's the backstory.
"You're a Takahina too. Don't tell me you inherited the Dragon Blood the same way?"
"Mine's weak, so it doesn't affect daily life. The stronger the blood, the redder the hair gets."
"...Ah."
Unlike pink-haired Noah, her brother Ryuji's hair was bright red. Even within the same family, the intensity varied quite a bit.
"Oppa had no issues when he was seriously playing baseball. Standing at the plate against a strong pitcher periodically suppressed the violence."
"Wait, that works...?"
The urge to beat someone down gets quelled just by smacking a pitch with a bat? Classic convenience of a world where baseball solves everything.
"The problem is, our father wants Oppa to inherit the family business and become the next boss. That's why he sent him to Munhyeok High and banned baseball..."
"So how does he vent that impulse?"
"In the end, he has no choice but to wield violence. To avoid harming innocent people around him, Oppa chose to hunt Seoul's violent gangs."
"So if he's gotta unleash violence somewhere, might as well use it to take down the bad guys."
"Yes, exactly. Thanks to him, the gangs' reign of terror in Seoul has died down a lot lately. I've heard rumors they're popping up around Gangseo lately...!"
And with that, Noah pulled up a map app to show me the exact spot. I dutifully copied it down.
"Okay, I'll check it out. Thanks."
"Seong-muk sunbae...!"
"...Yeah?"
"Please convince my brother, no matter what. I'm begging you."
Gone was her usual bubbly cheer; she pleaded with a serious expression.
"You got it."
I flashed a grin and left.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ This Gangseo back alley was perfect for hunting lowlifes if that was the goal. Way more of them than in any bustling district.
Sure enough, I'd nearly gotten jumped a few times already.
"Hey, check out that guy wandering alone? Ballsy enough to bust a gut?"
"Heh, you picked the wrong night, punk. We were bored..."
A few guys spotted me from afar and sauntered over like they wanted trouble. They closed in quick... then,
"Ahem...!"
They cleared their throats and walked past.
Instinct must've told them I was out of their league.
No need to stir up shit, so I let them go. But in the process, I spotted something odd.
'Bloodstains...?'
Fresh, warm blood trails and scattered gear. A fight had just gone down nearby. I followed the traces, walking and walking.
"Ughhh..."
Midway down the alley, three or four lowlifes sprawled on the ground. Only one was conscious. Their outfits marked them as from the same gang.
'Easy to get intel in a situation like this.'
I rushed to the conscious one with an urgent, rage-laced voice.
"Hey, snap out of it...!"
"Urk, who're you?"
"Big bro sent me. Damn it, who the hell jumped you...!"
"Ah, big bro..."
Every gang has a big bro figure.
To this dazed, beaten punk, my thuggy Geum Seong-muk vibe must've felt like the cavalry. He bought my act hook, line, and sinker, spilling what he'd seen without a second thought.
"Red hair, balaclava, cough! The same bastard who wrecked our plans before."
"...!"
Jackpot. Takahina Ryuji!
Even in this game world lenient on hair colors, bright red stood out like a sore thumb.
Convinced I'd found him, I suppressed a grin and kept up the urgent tone.
"That prick again...! Where'd he go? Any guess?!"
"Th-that way..."
He squeezed out the strength to point one direction. But then he noticed something off.
"Cough, wait. I ain't never seen anyone like you in the White Tiger Gang..."
"Sleep it off, punk."
Smack!
"...Gahk!"
A solid chop to the neck, and he went limp. I dumped him with the rest and stood.
I headed the way he pointed. An abandoned factory loomed ahead.
Screeech!
I shoved the rusty iron door aside, kicking up a cloud of dust inside.
"Cough, cough. Gross."
Through the settling haze, I saw it.
Someone else was here besides me.
"Hah, you chased me all the way here?"
A man with long red hair perched on a rickety desk, balaclava pulled high over his face. He sighed deeply at my entrance.
Assuming I was hostile, he dusted his hands and approached slowly. First, I confirmed his identity with one question.
"Takahina Ryuji, right?"
"...!!"
His blue eyes went wide.
Then the chime rang in my ears.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You can view Takahina Ryuji's stat window. View? Yes / No Nailed it.
I answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
⚔ STATUS ⚔ Name: Takahina Ryuji Nationality: Japan Age: 19 Height: 189cm Affiliation: Munhyeok High School Skill: Dragon Blood (S+) - When destructive instinct surges, Power stat greatly increases. Potential Keywords: Heavenly Hitting Body (EX), Defense Prodigy (A+) Batter Stats (*Potential) / Right Throw, Left Bat
⚡ Power: A+ (*S+) 📞 Contact: B (*A+) 🏃 Speed: B 👁️ Eye: A (*S) 🛡️ Defense: A (*A+) 💪 Shoulder: A+ (*S) Recommended Position: Third Baseman
'These stats are insane...'
A Heavenly Hitting Body owner, no less.
Me, Seok Un-gang, and a few others in this golden generation have it, so it's easy to overlook, but it's a once-in-a-generation talent.
And his skill, Dragon Blood, with its "greatly increases Power stat" effect? Straight-up broken.
As I marveled at the stat screen, Takahina Ryuji glared at me, his eyes complex now that his cover was blown. Then, as if realizing something,
"Just like the rumors, Kim Seong-cheol, White Tiger Gang exec."
"...?"
"You look like a total thug on the outside, but I've heard your brain's no joke. Didn't expect you'd uncover my identity, though. Gotta hand it to you."
"...??"
Who the hell is Kim Seong-cheol?
He must've mistaken me for some other Golden Sun.
The mood was turning dangerous, so I hurried to clear it up.
"Think you've got the wrong guy. White Tiger Gang? Kim Seong-cheol? No clue what you're..."
Thud!
Whoosh!
"...!!"
He charged straight in with a vicious flying kick. No more talk, huh!
I barely twisted my waist to dodge. His relentless assault flowed like water.
Crack! Pow!
Straight punch, spinning roundhouse, then left hook. No doubt—he understood the essence of fighting.
Smack!
"Kuh...!"
I blocked his kick with my right arm. Even glancing, the power numbed it.
'This guy's strong...!'
Like they say, no weak heirs from a great house.
Yakuza boss's son for real.
I didn't come to fight, but I couldn't just take a humiliating beatdown. I steadied my breath, prepping to counter. No need to overthink how.
Tingle! Tingle!
Just follow my lower body's instincts.
Where it tingles is the opponent's weakness.
The Tingly Sensor was part of my EX skill, Solar Divine Vein. Merging into the greater wave, I inhaled deeply, bending back like a bow.
"Hup...!"
'Open on this side, punk!'
Thwack!
"...Cough!!"
Ryuji slid back after eating one to the left side. He'd twisted at the last second to avoid a direct hit, but it still rocked him, leaving him staggering.
"Not bad, Kim Seong-cheol!!"
That's not even my name...!
After taking the hit, he tightened up, making it hard to land another.
Whoosh! Swoosh!
I struck where the sensor pointed, but he evaded with minimal motion every time.
No question.
He was reading and dodging every attack with his eyes.
'Monster reflexes...'
Worth the near-S potential in Eye.
No quarter given.
We read, swung, dodged, blocked.
How long did we trade blows?
Needing a breather, he stepped back a few paces, shaking out his fists with a grin.
"Hoo, you're seriously strong...!"
"Hey, like I said, I'm not Kim Seong-cheol or with the White Tiger Gang or anything..."
"I know, you're Geum Seong-muk. From Munhyeok High like me."
"...?!"
My eyes went wide.
He knew me?
"Sorry about earlier! It was dark, couldn't see right."
He raised one hand in a wink-apology, then whipped off his balaclava. A handsome face emerged.
I shot back at him.
"How'd you know who I am?"
"Ah, should we start there?"
He pulled out his smartphone and showed me the screen. Texts from someone.
'Oppa, a senior named Geum Seong-muk might come looking for you.'
'He looks like this, but he's not a bad guy, so ABSOLUTELY don't swing first!'
Attached was a sneaky-grinning photo of me, God knows when taken.
"...Sigh."
That explained the sudden recognition. My drive deflated.
"You've been in touch with your sister?"
"Nah, I don't reply. She just sends one-way."
Ignoring texts from his only little sister? Guy was something else.
"Heard about you now and then. Started a baseball team?"
"Yeah, and I'm here on her request. Wants me to convince you to come back to baseball."
"Noah...?"
"That's right, Takahina Ryuji. Join the baseball team."
"..."
He wore a complicated expression at my invite. Not good vibes.
"Sorry, still can't."
He refused with a bitter smile. I pressed right away.
"Because of your dad?"
"..."
He closed his eyes and bowed his head. Then sighed deeply, looking me straight in the eye.
"Friend, how about we cut the chit-chat here."
"What?"
"If you really wanna convince me, there's something better than words, right?"
"...Ho."
He grinned.
The message was clear.
Whatever you came for, earn it with fists. I'd have talked it out otherwise, but...
"Now you're talking, man. Let's throw down proper."
I was pretty heated myself.
Grinning at my response, I unleashed my ace.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Solar Divine Vein Activated! Stats strengthened!
Power: B+ → A
Power: A → A+
Speed: B → B+
Thrum!
I locked onto Takahina Ryuji as an enemy to take down. Instantly, Strong Surge kicked in, boosting my stats three tiers. Meant he was that tough.
"Oh ho."
He looked surprised at my shift, then grinned.
"Geum Seong-muk, you might be different."
"...!"
The air changed.
Like when I maxed Solar Divine Vein or Seok Un-gang unleashed Demon Monk.
'This is Dragon Blood...'
My senses screamed danger.
But oddly, I grinned.
"Yeah, now we're talking...!"
This was for landing an S-rank third baseman.
Some challenge was par for the course.
I'd beat him just enough not to break him and drag him to the spring tourney in a week.
"........."
"........."
We locked eyes silently.
Then charged.
Bam!!!
Force met force in a thunderous clash.
The impact echoed, dust billowing through the factory.