Seongji suggested, "We should split up. That way, we can save time. I'll get the captain. You two handle these guys."
"Are you sure?" Baki asked.
Seongji adjusted Yenna's carrier. "Don't worry. I've been training."
"Be careful," Baki said.
Seongji left and climbed the stairs. The ship rocked slightly.
The bridge was several decks up. He walked through empty hallways and climbed another stairwell. Halfway up, he heard voices—a lot of them.
At the top, a corridor led to the bridge. Dozens of men blocked the path, armed with batons and knives.
A tall man with a scar on his cheek stood at the front. "Hmm... I expected Choi Sunjae to come. But what's with a man carrying a baby?"
Seongji said nothing. His right hand supported Yenna's carrier.
"Whatever. Let's break you first," the scarred man said.
Five rushed forward. The first swung a baton at his head. Seongji tilted his head—the baton missed. He stepped in and struck the man's chest with his palm. The man flew backward.
The second had a knife. Seongji caught his wrist and twisted. The knife clattered to the floor. He pulled the man forward and elbowed his temple. The man collapsed.
Three more came. Seongji jumped and kicked the middle one's face. He flipped backward, his heel connecting with another's chin. Both fell. The third lost his balance. Seongji landed and kicked his ribs. Something cracked. The man went down.
Eight more tried to surround him. Seongji moved first. He rushed two men standing together and shouldered into them. They crashed into the wall.
Someone swung a chain behind him. Seongji ducked. The chain hit the wall. He spun and swept the man's legs. The man hit the floor hard.
A baton swung at his ribs—at Yenna. Seongji turned his body so it hit his back instead. Pain shot through him, but nothing broke. He grabbed the man's arm, pulled him off balance, and kneed his stomach.
Yenna stirred but stayed asleep. The headphones worked.
Three came with knives. Seongji stepped in close. His palm struck the first man's throat. The man fell back choking. The second slashed. Seongji leaned back—the blade missed. He grabbed the arm and yanked. The man stumbled into the third. Seongji kicked both their legs. They fell.
More men charged. Seongji backed toward the wall.
A pipe swung at his head. Seongji blocked with his forearm. The pipe literally bent. He grabbed it and yanked it away, then swung wide and hit two men. Another lunged with a knife. Seongji sidestepped and brought the pipe down on the man's hand. Bones broke. The knife fell.
Someone grabbed him from behind. Seongji threw his head back into the man's nose. Blood sprayed. The grip loosened. Seongji spun and elbowed the man's jaw. He fell.
Four rushed in. Seongji dropped the bent pipe. His fist connected with one in the stomach. The man doubled over. Seongji kneed his face. Another swung at him. Seongji caught the punch and twisted the arm. The shoulder popped. The man screamed. Seongji shoved him into another.
The fourth got close with a knife. The blade cut Seongji's arm—not deep, but it bled. Seongji grabbed the knife hand and broke the wrist. The knife fell. He kicked the man's chest. The man flew back into two others.
The scarred leader and five others were left. Bodies lay everywhere. Seongji adjusted Yenna's headphones.
"Guys, please keep it quiet. You wouldn't want the baby to wake up, right?"
Six attacked. Seongji met them. He ducked under a punch and delivered an uppercut. The man lifted off his feet. Another swung a baton. Seongji blocked, grabbed it, and struck the man's knee. The leg buckled.
Someone tackled him. Seongji twisted as he fell, protecting Yenna. He hit the ground on his back. The tackler was on top. Seongji kneed him in the groin. The man's eyes bulged. Seongji pushed him off and stood.
Three jumped him. Seongji's palm struck one in the chest. The man flew back. He ducked the second's punch and hit the man's liver. The man folded. The third grabbed his arm. Seongji elbowed the man's temple. He dropped.
Only the scarred leader remained. He held a knife. "Who the fuck are you?"
He lunged at Seongji's throat. Seongji leaned back. The blade missed by inches. He caught the wrist and pulled the man close. His other hand grabbed the man's throat. Seongji squeezed.
The scarred man dropped the knife and clawed at Seongji's hand. His face turned red, then purple. His struggles weakened. His eyes rolled back. He went limp. Seongji released him. The man fell.
Seongji checked Yenna. Still asleep, thankfully.
He stepped over bodies and walked to the bridge. The door had a sign: "Bridge - Authorized Personnel Only."
The door was locked. Seongji kicked next to the lock. The frame splintered. He kicked again. The door swung open.
The bridge was dim. Control panels blinked. Through the windows, he saw dark ocean and an island outline in the distance.
A man in a captain's uniform stood at the wheel—fifties, gray hair, sweating. That was the captain.
Between Seongji and the captain stood a massive man with long hair.
"Gong Cheol," the captain shouted. "Don't let him get me!"
Gong Cheol didn't look at the captain. He watched Seongji. "You fought through all of them. With a baby. You're strong."
Seongji met his eyes. "Move. I have some questions for the captain."
"Can't do that." Gong Cheol rolled his shoulders. "I don't like people who don't have manners."
He stepped forward.
"You know, I'm not much of a fighter," Seongji said. "I just have some questions."
"No."
They faced each other.
Yenna made a small sound and shifted in her sleep.
Seongji adjusted his stance.
Gong Cheol charged.
---
Meanwhile, in the cargo hold...
Baki and Sunjae stood over the fallen enemies. Sunjae crouched next to a younger guy who was still conscious—broken nose, blood on his face.
Sunjae grabbed his collar. "Where are the kids?"
The man spat blood. "Fuck you."
Sunjae looked at Baki. "They never talk easy."
Baki knelt down. His face twisted in anger. "Normally, I would fucking love a good fight. But right now, I just want to enjoy my fucking vacation. But for God's sake, you guys had to ruin it."
The man glared at him.
Baki grabbed the man's finger and bent it back—not breaking it yet, but close. The man gasped.
"The kids," Baki said. "Where?"
"I don't know exactly! They move them!"
Sunjae tightened his grip on the collar. "You know something. Talk."
The man hesitated. Baki bent the finger more. The man yelped.
"Okay! There's a secure room. Deck B, section four. They keep them there before the transfer. It's guarded."
"Who has the key?" Baki asked.
"Maybe the newcomer. I'm not sure."
"Newcomer?" Sunjae asked.
"I don't know much. She's from the black market. Codename 'Spider.'"
Baki stood. "Let's go."
They left the cargo hold. The corridor was empty. They headed to Deck B.
"Think Seongji's okay?" Sunjae asked.
"He can handle himself," Baki said. "Even with Yenna."
They descended a stairwell to Deck B.
---
Gong Cheol charged.
His fist came fast. Seongji moved his head. The fist struck a control panel behind him. The metal bent inward. Sparks flew.
Seongji's eyes narrowed. That strength wasn't normal.
Gong Cheol kicked low. Seongji stepped back. Gong Cheol kicked again, higher—aiming for Seongji's stomach, for Yenna. Seongji twisted his body and took the kick on his hip. The impact sent pain shooting down his leg.
"You're fast," Gong Cheol said. "But that baby is slowing you down."
He threw a punch at Seongji's face. Seongji tilted his head. Another punch came. Seongji blocked with his left arm. The impact made his arm go numb. Gong Cheol's hits were heavy.
Gong Cheol grabbed for Seongji's shoulder. Seongji twisted away, but Gong Cheol caught his shirt. He yanked Seongji forward and drove his knee up toward Yenna. Seongji turned his body sharply. The knee struck his thigh instead, sending a jolt of pain through his leg.
Seongji's left palm struck Gong Cheol's chest. Gong Cheol stumbled back two steps.
Gong Cheol looked at his chest, then at Seongji. "That hurt."
He charged again—low this time, going for Seongji's legs. Seongji couldn't let him get close to Yenna. He grabbed Gong Cheol's head with his left hand and pushed it down while stepping aside. Gong Cheol's momentum carried him into a console. Glass shattered as he crashed through it.
Gong Cheol stood up. Blood ran down his forehead. He smiled. "You can fight with one hand."
"Move aside," Seongji said. His right arm stayed around Yenna's carrier. With all the movement, the carrier would shake too much and awake Yenna.
"No."
Gong Cheol picked up a piece of broken metal and threw it at Seongji's chest—at Yenna. Seongji turned fast. The metal struck his shoulder. Pain exploded, but Yenna was safe.
Gong Cheol rushed in while Seongji was hurt. He punched at Seongji's ribs—at Yenna. Seongji twisted hard. The punch glanced off his side, but Gong Cheol's other hand came up fast and grabbed Seongji's face, slamming his head back into the wall. Seongji's vision blurred, but he didn't let go of the wrist he was holding.
But Seongji had Gong Cheol's other wrist now. He yanked down and slammed Gong Cheol's face into the wall. The wall dented. Gong Cheol's nose broke.
Gong Cheol pushed off the wall and spun. His elbow came at Seongji's head. Seongji leaned back. The elbow missed. Seongji's palm struck Gong Cheol's side. Gong Cheol grunted and stumbled.
He turned around. Blood covered his face. "Why are you so strong?!"
He threw three punches. Seongji blocked two with his left arm. The third hit his chin. His vision blurred. Gong Cheol grabbed Seongji's collar with both hands and tried to headbutt him.
Seongji dropped his weight and twisted. Gong Cheol's hands slipped. Seongji grabbed Gong Cheol's arm, stepped behind him, and twisted the arm up. He swept Gong Cheol's leg. Gong Cheol fell face-first into the captain's chair. The chair broke.
The captain screamed and ran to the corner.
Gong Cheol got up slowly, breathing hard. "Who the fuck are you?!"
He circled Seongji, then dove at Seongji's legs—a tackle. Seongji couldn't fall with Yenna. His left hand grabbed Gong Cheol's head. His knee came up, connecting with Gong Cheol's face. Again. Again. Blood sprayed.
But Gong Cheol's arms wrapped around Seongji's leg. He yanked. Seongji fell backward.
Seongji twisted as he fell. He landed on his left side, not his back. His right arm protected Yenna. He hit the floor hard. His hip and shoulder took the impact.
Gong Cheol came at him. Seongji's legs wrapped around Gong Cheol's neck—a choke. But the angle was bad because he had to keep his upper body turned away. Gong Cheol's face went red. His hands grabbed Seongji's leg, pulling it away.
Seongji released him and kicked Gong Cheol in the chest. Gong Cheol flew back into a console.
Seongji pushed himself up with his left hand. It took time. His shoulder hurt. Blood ran down his arm.
Gong Cheol stood across from him.
"You can barely move," Gong Cheol said. "One hit on that carrier—"
"Try it," Seongji said. "I'll kill you."
Gong Cheol charged, arms wide, going for Yenna.
Seongji stepped forward. His left hand caught Gong Cheol's throat. His fingers squeezed. His other palm struck under Gong Cheol's chin—hard. Gong Cheol's head snapped back.
Seongji's knee hit Gong Cheol's ribs. Once. Twice. Three times. Bones broke. Gong Cheol went limp.
Seongji swept his legs and took him down. His hand stayed on Gong Cheol's throat. He pinned Gong Cheol's shoulder with his knee and kept squeezing.
Gong Cheol's face turned purple. His hands clawed at Seongji's wrist, then stopped. His eyes rolled back.
Seongji released him. Gong Cheol was still breathing—just unconscious.
Seongji stood. His shoulder and hip hurt. He checked Yenna. Still asleep. The headphones worked.
He turned to the captain.
The captain shook in the corner. "Please don't kill me."
Seongji walked over. His right hand stayed on Yenna's carrier. "I just have questions."
He adjusted Yenna's carrier. She made a small sound but didn't wake.
"Now," Seongji said. "Tell me where are the kids."