The Art of the Con (???xMReader)

Chapter III - The Combat Specialist

"Remind me again why I need to come with you," Jeongyeon asked as she trailed behind Y/N.

"It's best if you see for yourself what she is capable of," responded Y/N. "Trust me. You're in for a treat."

They continued to walk down the midnight street, the cool breeze blowing against their exposed skin. Jeongyeon's scarf fluttered in the wind as the bow in her hair bounced with each step.

"Where are we going?" inquired Jeongyeon as she skipped after Y/N.

He stopped dead in his tracks. Jeongyeon, not anticipating, ran into and bounced off his back.

"Here", he replied as he opened the door.

Jeongyeon looked up at the window pane. Pasted on it were the words "XXX New York Gym" in big neon colors.

"Here? Of all places?" fretted Jeongyeon. "It's disgusting and looks like the mafia runs it."

Y/N smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. "Exactly."

The two walked into the club and looked around the dull environment. The faint stench of sweat and stale blood clung to the air, making Jeongyeon's nose wrinkle in disgust. A catcall pierced the air. Jeongyeon turned and made eye contact with a big-bellied man who smirked creepily at her.

"I really don't like it here," said Jeongyeon as she positioned herself so Y/N stood between her and the catcaller.

"Yeah, lots of misogynist guys here," answered Y/N as he wrapped his arm around Jeongyeon's shoulder. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. I'm sure Jennie likes it here. Chock full of decent sparring partners."

He looked around before turning to point at a nearby ring.

"Over there, probably."

In the ring was a beefy African-American man, the physical embodiment of a bodybuilder: 6'5" with bulky biceps and a narrow midriff. Across from him stood a statuesque Korean girl with a slender narrow body. She appeared slightly-built with a taut body and willowy limbs. Long, luscious, brown hair flowed down past her shoulders, stopping slightly above her waist.

Jeongyeon looked at the girl doubtfully.

"Are you sure?" questioned Jeongyeon, turning her head to face him. "She looks like she'll get blown away by a breeze."

Y/N raised his hand, encouraging a hush from Jeongyeon.

"Just watch," he said. "You'll see."

But Jeongyeon didn't get to see. By the time she turned back, a large thud resounded through the room and the man was already on the ground, the girl standing above him, fists pounding away on his bleeding face. The gym froze as blood began to stain the ring. Y/N ran to the edge of the ring as her knuckles grew increasingly red from her relentless thirst for blood.

"I heavily advise against killing him, Jennie," said Y/N calmly.

The girl spun around and looked Y/N dead in his eyes. A raging monster danced in a frenzy inside her eyes. It took all the rationale in Y/N to stay composed before it. Taking a deep breath, he carefully tossed a card onto the platform before her.

"Get yourself cleaned up," he said as he slowly backed away.

He made his way to the door and exited the facility, followed by a confused Jeongyeon. They continued to walk down the street.

"What just happened?" asked Jeongyeon as she followed Y/N back to his apartment.

"The guy picked the wrong fight. Those super-developed upper muscles of his are just for show and have very little real-life practicality. Someone like the creep who catcalled you earlier has muscles better made for―"