Gabriel had planned everything carefully.
After a year of constant running and fighting, he finally scraped together enough stolen money to negotiate with a shady taxi driver. The man promised to take them straight to Cheonliang — no questions, no stops. For the right price, he'd drive through the night.
Gabriel sat in the back seat with Pearl on his lap, one arm protectively around her. His wild and feral eyes scanned the dark highway. Tired and protective as ever, but for the first time in a year, a tiny sliver of hope that safety was within reach grew in his heart.
"Almost there, Pearl," he whispered. "Hyung will find us a safe place."
The driver smiled in the rearview mirror. "What a lovely and sweet child."
Gabriel's eyes sharpened, but he didn't answer.
Twenty minutes later, on a winding mountain road flanked by steep cliffs, the taxi suddenly slammed on the brakes.
The car skidded to a halt.
In front of them, illuminated by the headlights, stood a man.
Tall. Broad. Covered in tattoos that marked him as the right-hand man of the regional king. A sadistic smile stretched across his face as he cracked his knuckles.
The driver immediately threw the door open and scrambled out, bowing deeply.
"Boss! I did exactly as you asked! Delivered the little monster right to you!"
The right-hand man patted the driver's head like a dog. "Good work. The King will reward you handsomely."
The driver beamed—right before the right-hand man grabbed his head with both hands and twisted. A sickening crack echoed through the night. The driver's body dropped lifelessly onto the asphalt.
Gabriel's eyes widened.
"Pearl, stay in the car," he growled, stepping out.
The right-hand man laughed loudly. "So you're the famous little monster who's been causing trouble? Killing my subordinates and running around like you're hot shit. Well, all I see is a runt begging for death. Let's see what you've got, kid."
What followed wasn't a fight.
It was a one-sided massacre.
Gabriel charged with all his raw power and instinct, throwing heavy, monstrous punches that had shattered bones for the past year. Each strike carried the full force of his perfect physique.
The right-hand man blocked them effortlessly.
Then he counterattacked.
A single punch to the stomach lifted Gabriel off his feet. Another to the jaw sent him crashing into the guardrail. Pain, like he had never felt before, exploded through his body. Every blow was precise and devastatingly powerful. This wasn't some street thug or low-level crew member.
This was a real monster of the first generation.
Gabriel's instincts screamed uselessly. His strength, his speed, his unbreakable will, and everything he believed made him the strongest proved completely inadequate. Blood poured from his mouth, nose, and multiple gashes. His ribs cracked. His left arm hung limp again.
Despair, true and pure despair, flooded his chest for the first time since that rainy night.
Am I… going to lose Pearl?
The right-hand man grabbed Gabriel by the throat and lifted him effortlessly, slamming him repeatedly against the car hood.
"You really thought you could escape the King? Cute."
As the man raised his fist for the finishing blow, Gabriel's eyes flashed bright green. In one last desperate act, he twisted and kicked as hard as he could — right between the man's legs.
The right-hand man grunted in pain and loosened his grip for a split second.
That was all Gabriel needed.
He broke free, snatched Pearl from the back seat, and ran straight for the cliff edge.
"NO! You piece of shit!" the right-hand man roared, lunging after them.
Gabriel didn't hesitate.
He jumped.
The fall was terrifying. Wind howled past them as they plummeted into the dark, forested valley below. Gabriel twisted his body midair, shielding Pearl with everything he had. They crashed through branches and slammed into the slope, tumbling violently.
When the world stopped spinning, Pearl was crying but mostly unharmed, thanks to his protection.
Gabriel, however, was a broken mess.
He collapsed, vision fading to black.
Three hours later.
Gabriel woke up to Pearl gently shaking him, her small hands covered in his blood.
"Hyung… wake up… please…"
He forced himself up through sheer willpower. Every part of his body screamed. But they were still alive.
He picked her up and started moving again—walking and limping through the dense mountain terrain. All night they pressed on. Gabriel followed the mental map he had memorized. Toward Cheonliang.
Dawn came and went. Exhaustion clawed at him, but he kept going.
Hours later, deep in the misty mountains, Gabriel finally stepped into what felt like different territory. The air itself felt heavier.
He stopped.
Every hair on his body stood on end. A primal danger instinct he had never felt before, not even against the right-hand man, screamed at him.
He spun, shoving Pearl behind him.
A blur of movement.
A devastating strike came from the shadows of the trees, fast, heavy, and filled with killing intent.
Gabriel barely dodged, the wind from the blow cutting his cheek.
Standing before him was a tall, beautiful figure with six fingers on each hand, eyes cold and evaluating.
Seongji Yuk — The King of Cheonliang.
The Six King looked at the bloodied, broken intruder who had dared enter his domain and spoke in a low, dangerous voice.
"Who the hell are you… and why did you bring a child into my mountain?"