For a moment, Eun-ak eye's were locked on the figure standing before him. It was like a mouse in front of cat. The newly triggered main Quest flashed before his eyes, repeating itself like an ominous warning.
[ Main Quest Triggered! ]
[ Defeat Ha-jun ]
[ Time Limit : 3 Days ]
[ REWARD : One PLATINUM Card ]
[ Failure Consequences : ??? ]
"Huh? ", a word clicked through Eun-ak mind. " Just... 3 days? " This time, time-limit was less than before. To defeat Song jae-hyun it was 6 days limit. To be precise about, a one week. But this time. It was half of it.
Three Days. That is what he all had to defeat this monster height guy. But what would happen if he would fail? The system never specified the punishment, which made it even more dangerous.
"Say something. Who are you? " Ha-jun asked.
Suddenly, a voice called from behind of Eun-ak.
"Brother! "
Eun-ak turned in shock. Brother?
Ha-eun walked forward. A warm smile on her face as she addressed the person standing before them.
"So this is Ha-jun — Ha-eun's Older brother." Eun-ak thought in his mind with a gasp. Maybe of a relief.
Ha-jun's piercing blue eyes softened as he looked at Ha-eun. He ruffled her hair in a casual, brotherly way. Ha-eun puffed her Cheecks in response too, to show she is not a kid anymore.
"You shouldn't wander off alone. ", he said in a calm yet protective tone.
Ha-eun huffed. " I wasn't alone. I am with a classmate. "
At this, Ha-jun gaze shifted towards Eun-ak.
Eeekk!
A low sound came from Eun-ak because of Ha-jun fear.
There was a sharpness in Ha-jun's eyes, assessing Eun-ak carefully.
"And who is this? " Ha-jun asked.
Ha-eun smiled. "This is Eun-ak. He is in my class. I am the one who invited him out for today."
As they met, they started talking. Both looked caring. Like how both, sister and brother care about each other so much, checking if they have their things with them or not, or if they having any problem. Such love between siblings, It made Eun-ak remember about his brother and sister. His Brother was living in Spain and his Sister was in Japan.
Eun-ak, he is middle child of his family. His brother is active in both, studies and games, and on the other her sister who is younger than him was good in martial arts. So for further acknowledgment she went to Japan.
As both Siblings stopped for a moment — Ha-jun looked towards Eun-ak again.
Ha-jun hummed in acknowledgement but said nothing. Instead, he glanced at his watch. "I have a match coming up. I should get going. " Ha-jun said.
Eun-ak's ear perked up. A Match?
Before he could ask, Ha-eun beat him to it. "Against who?"
"Some guy from another School. It is an underground match." Ha-jun answered nonchalantly.
Ha-eun sighed but didn't argue. "Alright, just don't overdo it. Keep yourself in sense. Don't lose yourself again. "
Ha-jun chuckles, "No promise. "
With that, Ha-jun walked off in one Direction, while Ha-eun and Eun-ak headed in another.
As they left the mall, Eun-ak curiosity got the best of him. " Youd brother fight in underground match? "
Ha-eun nodded. "Yes. He goes to Bangul High School. He is a year older than us, and he is been boxing since he was 12. He fights for money in those matches. "
Eun-ak frowned." And you are okay with that?"
Ha-eun smiled lightly. "It's his life. He makes his own choices. As long as he is not being forced into it, I have no right to stop him."
Eun-ak didn't respond, but a new realization dawned on him — this fight won't be easy.
After a little walk and some more talk, both took their farewells. Eun-ak went to his apartment, while Ha-eun went to her house.
- × - × - × - × - × - × - ×- × - × - × - × - × - × -
Apartment —
Back at his apartment, Eun-ak opened his Quest System. Ha-jun's name remained over the screen, reminding him of what he need to do now.
But how would he even fight him?
Ha-jun wasn't just strong — He was a trained Boxer. Unlike Jae-hyun, who relied on brute strength and intimidation, Ha-jun had technique.
Eun-ak only chance lay in his Cards.
He checked bis inventory -
[ System Screen ]
Bronze Card - Fake Faint
• Allows him to pretend to be unconscious in a match.
Bronze Card - Jump Master
• Doubles the Jump Height.
And their were other 6 more Bronze Cards who looked waste , but one of them still was a best choice.
Silver Card - Straight Punch
• Allows users to punch straight with a brute force.
Silver Card - Dodge
• Allows user to dodge attacks easily of an oppento who is weak than user.
Gold Card - Stats Rise
• Increase all stats ( Attack, Defense, Speed, IQ, Endurance, Power) for 3 minutes.
"Three minutes... That is all I have got." With a tense look Eun-ak thought.
He needed a strategy. He couldn't fight head on. If he did, he did get destroyed.
"I need to find a way for defeat Ha-jun. I need to find a way to join that Underground match. " Eun-ak thought with a serious intention.
As Eun-ak sat in thoughts, a familiar voice broke his focus.
"Spacing out again, Park? "
He turned his head and saw Min-jee standing beside him.
Min-jee is Eun-ak Neighbor, one of the few people who had stuck by him even during his worst times. She was cheerful, persistent, and had a way of making him do things he didn't want to.
She smirked. "Come on, we are going out! "
Before Eun-ak could protest, Min-jee grabbed his hand and dragged him towards the door.
Min-jee took Eun-ak to a restaurant. As they walked, she suddenly intertwined her fingers with his.
Eun-ak stiffened. "Hey — People will get the wrong idea."
Min-jee just grinned. "Let them. "
As they approached the restaurant, another pair of eyes caught sight of them.
Ha-eun.
She was walking with Ha-jun when she saw Eun-ak with an another girl, their hands stuck like magnets.
For a brief moment, she hesitated. A strange feeling surfaced — Jealousy?
She quickly brushed it off and kept walking, but Ha-jun had already noticed her reaction.
Ha-jun smirked, but said nothing.
As Ha-eun walked ahead, Ha-jun glanced back at Eun-ak.
" I have a strange feeling about that guy. " Ha-jun thought about in his mind as a ominous feeling.