Apollo laughed, his eyes sparkled. He held his hand, pointing at James Lee.
"You—You will kill me?"
He pointed at himself at the end, breaking out in another fit of laughter, his joy interrupted by the pain in his ribs.
Kitae Kim still resided two feet away from him. Apollo's eyes narrowed as he took in the stature of the man.
Maybe I should surprise James and kill Kitae in one swift strike...
Yet the blob of blood that escaped his lips told him another story.
James Lee raised his eyebrows in intrigue, his eyes locked onto Apollo's wounded figure.
"What do you find so funny? Tell me," he insisted.
Apollo calmed down for a second, his heart thumping against his chest.
I am too tired to go into that state again... In fact, I am barely clinging to consciousness.
His eyes gazed at the curious figure of James.
He doesn't know that I don't have any plan at the moment—all I can do is bluff.
Of course, regardless of his inner turmoil, Apollo appeared easygoing on the surface. His smile stretched, confident, cocky.
"Let's say you do defeat me," he spoke, his voice firm and controlled. He pushed his finger onto James's chest.
"Then what? You do understand I wouldn't come without some back-up plan... would I?"
His voice was cherry.
James smiled.
"So you mean someone is coming, huh—" his eyes narrowed, dangerous killing intent ringing amok. His body enveloped itself in his aura—strong.
Apollo could feel the danger radiating off the man. His hair rose on his back, sweat pouring faster than it had before, his feet fidgeted.
It seems he really plans to kill me...
His thoughts calculated the best possible way to escape the situation.
He smiled—a dangerous, calculating smile.
It's my final bet—so I hope it works.
His fists clenched.
"James Lee, I know many things... and most of all, I know you have a grand plan—a plan to reach the top," Apollo spoke, his chest strong and wide.
"However, you are forgetting one thing."
He raised his finger, his lips parting into a knowing smirk.
His next words brought the entire atmosphere crashing down.
"For your plan to work—you need Gapryoung Kim dead, don't you?"
His voice was firm and playful.
James Lee nearly slipped, his shock betraying his usual all-knowing demeanor. His eyes widened, looking at the enigma in front of him—broken arms, bleeding legs, and yet he stood there, confident and strong. His body rang out in sheer goosebumps.
"How?" he muttered, his inner turmoil nearly slipping out.
"Shush," Apollo spoke, his eyes twinkling.
"If you do kill me today... a pre-constructed video from me will be sent to every member of the Fist Gang."
His voice took a dangerous undertone as he glared at the One Man Circle.
"You wouldn't want your merry little group to disband before it even begins—do you?"
That was the final nail in the coffin.
James Lee nearly took a step back, his face grimaced yet appeared curious.
How does he know so much...?
His eyes narrowed, his mind processed every statement that had been said.
With him knowing so much—I doubt what he said is a bluff. And if the Fist Gang hears of this—of us...
His thoughts spiraled into chaos.
Checkmate, Apollo smirked, seeing the shock on the face of the troublemaker.
It wasn't every day that he got to use his meta-knowledge in such a fun way.
James Lee took a minute, calming his mind, making a plan for his future actions. His eyes locked onto Apollo.
"What do you want?"
His tone was less curious and more wandering into threatening territory.
"Nothing—just let me kill him," Apollo spoke, his voice still playful. His fingers pointed toward the husk of the man lying on the ground—Kitae Kim.
James Lee, hearing the words, quickly shifted in front, his body protecting the son of Gapryoung.
"Unfortunately—that is not something I can grant."
Apollo stared at the man for a second before nodding. His eyes landed on the King Slayer in contempt.
The day I find you again... I will make sure you suffer.
His gaze darted back to James.
"Sure then—we can come to a different agreement."
James nodded, curious.
"Two years—for two years, don't kill Gapryoung. Let the era remain as peaceful as it can for two years," Apollo muttered, his voice firm yet hopeful.
James stood there, deep in contemplation.
"One... I can give you all one year. I can promise not to interfere with this era for one year."
His answer was clearly the limit of what he could grant.
Apollo nodded, raising his right hand.
"Let's see each other next year then—James Lee."
His eyes sparkled with confidence.
This was the biggest mistake you could have made. By the time the year ends... I alone will crush you all.
"Likewise," James spoke, his eyes locked onto Apollo.
One year—that should give me plenty of time. I need to rethink the Four-Crews initiative... It seems there needs to be some changes in the plan.
Both of them smiled.
Both prepared—for when the next year starts.
War will happen.
One that might engulf the whole of Korea.
.
.
.
Jichang stared at his phone, the message crystal clear. His eyes darted to the vastness of Seoul, taking in the buildings—the different people. His hands held the wooden door. The wood, tattered under the years, barely held together in his grasp.
As he moved, the broken paint fell randomly. The house, merely standing on its last legs. He sighed—yet his eyes looked determined, the message igniting the fire deep in him.
(Jichang get ready... and so do you lot. From tomorrow, we are starting our business. It's about time we got rich.
—Apollo)
His hands clenched the phone.
By the end of this year—I will make sure I will be rich enough to provide for everyone—my brother—my friends.
His eyes shifted back to his brother, eating peacefully in the living room, his eyes glued to his phone.
The idea wasn't bad after all... A delivery service, huh...
.......
Thats it for now guysss, thank you so much for reading through this journey together with me..Honestly, my exams are still going on and I haven't had much time to write, let alone post..So, thank you all for reading.
Peace