Systemism

Main Quest (5.5)

The next day unfolded with an eerie quiet. Kai woke up, every muscle in his body screaming in pain. The bandages wrapped around him felt like they were suffocating, holding him together as if his body might fall apart at any moment. He groaned, shifting slightly, trying to ease the discomfort.

A soft noise pulled his attention to the corner of the room. There, a toddler played quietly. Her jet-black hair framed her chubby cheeks, and her heterochromatic eyes—one a piercing blue, the other a stormy grey—seemed to watch everything with intense curiosity. She glanced up as Kai groaned again.

Toddler: Up!

Before Kai could react, the toddler scrambled to her feet, her tiny legs carrying her faster than seemed possible. In a heartbeat, she was caught by a tall boy with brown hair and striking green eyes. He lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

Evan Yang: 178 cm, 82 kg.

Strength: ??? Speed: ??? Potential: ??? Intelligence: ??? Endurance: ???

Another figure followed closely behind. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his half-Japanese, half-Portuguese features distinct in his tanned skin and curly short brown hair. His dark, sharp eyes settled on Kai, observing him with a mixture of concern and disappointment.

Kwang Sun: 175 cm, 74 kg. 

Strength: ??? Speed: ??? Potential: ??? Intelligence: ??? Endurance: ???

Evan and Kwang Sun exchanged a glance, communicating without words. Evan, with the toddler now settled in his arms, turned to leave the room. The door closed softly behind him, leaving only Kai and Kwang Sun in the small space.

Kwang Sun stepped forward, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked down at Kai, who was still struggling to sit up.

Kwang Sun: What happened?

Kai hesitated, his pride aching more than his bruised body. The shame of being defeated—by kids no less—gnawed at him. He averted his gaze, unable to meet Kwang Sun's piercing stare.

Sighing, Kwang Sun knelt beside him, his disappointment palpable.

Kwang Sun: Both you and I know how dangerous the streets are, especially now.

Kai winced, the truth in Kwang Sun's words stinging more than any of his injuries. He wanted to argue, to fight back with words, but nothing came to mind. What could he say to defend himself?

Outside, Evan's laughter echoed faintly as he played with the toddler. The sound contrasted sharply with the tense silence in the room. Kwang Sun sat down beside Kai, his tone softer now, though frustration still lingered.

Kai: Can you not?

Kwang Sun: Nah.

The silence stretched out, thick with unsaid thoughts. Finally, Kwang Sun broke it.

Kwang Sun: Did you find him?

Kai shook his head in frustration. The failure weighed heavily on him, more so because of who he had lost to.

Kwang Sun didn't push further. Instead, he focused on changing Kai's bandages, his hands moving with practised precision. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again.

Kwang Sun: Who did you fight?

Kai: Five kids... our age. Jin Na was there.

Kwang Sun's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He paused, processing the information.

Kwang Sun: Jin Na? (chuckles) So, he's found his place. Good for him.

Kai clenched his fists, the anger bubbling up again, hot and fierce.

Kai: He attacked our territory.

Kwang Sun leaned back, his face unreadable for a moment. Then, to Kai's astonishment, he smiled.

Kwang Sun: That's a good thing.

Kai: How is that a good thing?

Kwang Sun stood, stretching before walking over to a dusty photo frame on the nearby shelf. He carefully wiped the dust away, revealing the image underneath. His eyes lingered on the picture for a moment, a hint of nostalgia in his expression.

Kwang Sun: Because now, we can let them expand... and fight over our territory.

Kai stared at him, his mind struggling to keep up.

Kai: What... are you talking about?

Kwang Sun turned, holding up the photo. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he showed it to Kai.

Kwang Sun: It's always been our way—letting others do the dirty work. The Point Organization, remember?

Kai's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the photo, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest.

Kai: Why do you still keep that? (gestures to the photo)

Kwang Sun's smile faded slightly as he looked down at the picture, his fingers gently tracing the edges.

Kwang Sun: It's a keepsake...

His voice grew softer, tinged with a wistfulness Kai rarely heard from him.

Kwang Sun: Who knows... maybe we'll reunite one day.

Kai didn't respond. He watched as Kwang Sun placed the photo back on the shelf, the weight of his words settling heavily between them.

------

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit alleyway, Hyeonwoo crouched low behind a row of trash bins. His breath came in shallow, controlled bursts, his heart racing in his chest. Beside him, another figure—just as tense, just as silent—kept watch on the narrow street ahead.

???: They're coming.

Hyeonwoo nodded, his eyes narrowing as the shadow of their targets approached. They couldn't afford to be seen. Not now, not yet.

As the figures drew closer, Hyeonwoo recognized them—one of them was Jin Na.

-----

Kai's mind raced as he processed what Kwang Sun had said. Could things fall into place like this? Could they let Jin Na and his group expand, only to reclaim everything in the end? It seemed like a gamble—a dangerous one—but it was the only option they had left.