Reality Quest: Lookism

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Seok's lips curved into a sly smile as we stepped into view. "So, we finally meet." he said, his voice smooth, yet carrying a hint of menace.

I returned his gaze with a faint smile, nodding slightly. "Indeed."

Seok tilted his head slightly. "I've heard about you, the masked guys tearing through my territory. I take it that's you?"

Without breaking eye contact, I nodded again. "That's correct." I said, gesturing to Dowan beside me. "And he's the other one."

Seok's eyes flicked to Dowan, briefly sizing him up before returning to me. "So.." he began, "these are the people you brought to take us down?" His tone was laced with amusement.

I nodded once more, calm and composed. "They're enough."

Seok's grin widened, but his eyes narrowed with suspicion. He opened his mouth to speak again, but I raised a hand, cutting him off.

"Your three free questions are up." I said, my tone steady. "From now on, every answer will need to be purchased."

Seok's grin faded, replaced by a sharp frown. His fingers twitched before he raised his hand, signaling his men. "Then let's stop wasting time." he said coldly. "Take them."

With that, his three men sprang into action.

Ji Baek lunged at me, his expression twisted with a mix of rage and determination. Before he could reach me, Se-Hoon intercepted him. Their hands locked in a brutal grip, muscles straining as they entered a contest of raw strength. Their feet dug into the ground, neither willing to back down as they pushed against each other, their gritted teeth mirroring their equal resolve.

Meanwhile, Cho Il Seok charged toward Dowan and Yu, his frame moving with surprising speed. But before he could swing his arm, Dowan stepped forward and grabbed his head and with a sudden, brutal motion, he slammed Cho's head backward into the ground, the impact creating a crater in the concrete.

Seok's right-hand man made a beeline for me, his large fists raised. But before he could close the distance, Dowan stepped in again, his fists glowing faintly with energy. With precise and devastating speed, Dowan unleashed Multi-Strike Destruction, a flurry of blows that connected with bone-shattering force. The man staggered back, his body crumpling as Dowan's final punch sent him flying into a pile of debris.

Silence fell over the rooftop, the groans of Seok's fallen men the only sound.

Dowan turned to Se-Hoon, who was still locked in a deadlock with Ji Baek. "Why is this so easy?" he asked, glancing at me.

I walked forward, my steps slow and deliberate as I answered, "Because Bongcheon-dong is just fodder compared to the real threats."

Dowan nodded thoughtfully, his gaze shifting back to the scene in front of him. Ji Baek and Se-Hoon remained locked in their clash, their foreheads beaded with sweat. Yu, on the other hand, hadn't moved a muscle, leaning casually against a beam with his hands in his pockets, watching the entire fight with disinterest.

Ignoring the others, I focused on Seok. His smirk was gone, replaced by a calculating expression as I closed the distance between us. He rolled his shoulders, his body visibly tensing in preparation.

"You've got my attention." he said quietly, his voice devoid of its earlier amusement.

I stopped a few steps away from him, meeting his gaze with calm determination. "Good." I replied. "Because you'll need to pay attention to survive."

Seok cracked his knuckles, his grin returning as his excitement began to build. "You've got guts." he said, stepping forward with a casual air, though his eyes betrayed a hint of caution. "But guts don't mean much when I'm done."

Jin remained still, his posture calm and collected, his hands loose at his sides. "You talk too much." he said softly, his voice carrying a cutting edge.

Seok's grin widened. With a sudden burst of speed, he launched forward, his fist rocketing toward Jin's face. The sheer force of the punch created a faint whistling sound as it cut through the air.

But just as the punch was about to connect, Jin's hand shot up. He caught Seok's fist with ease, his palm absorbing the impact. Smoke curled from the point of contact, a testament to the raw power behind Seok's strike, but Jin's expression didn't change.

Seok's eyes widened. "What the-"

Before he could finish, Jin's free hand moved with surgical precision, darting toward Seok's throat. The speed and intent behind the motion made Seok's instincts scream in warning. He leaned back abruptly, disengaging and creating distance between them.

"Good reflexes." Jin said, rolling his wrist as if loosening up. "But it won't matter."

Seok's surprise quickly melted into exhilaration. His lips parted in a wild grin, his breaths quickening. "Finally, someone worth my time!" he shouted, his body trembling with excitement.

He charged again, this time moving erratically, his footwork unorthodox and unpredictable. He feinted a right hook but twisted mid-motion, delivering a powerful spinning kick aimed at Jin's ribs.

Jin sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and economical. As Seok's kick whiffed past, Jin countered with a sharp elbow aimed at Seok's torso. Seok managed to block, the force of the impact reverberating through his arm, but Jin's calm expression only fueled his excitement further.

"Come on!" Seok yelled, his voice brimming with adrenaline. "Hit harder!"

Seok launched into a flurry of attacks, each strike faster and more aggressive than the last. His punches and kicks were wild yet carried immense power, forcing Jin to focus on deflecting and sidestepping. The floor beneath them creaked and groaned as their movements grew faster, more intense.

Jin remained composed, his movements sharp and deliberate. He stepped inside Seok's range, deflecting a punch before landing a precise strike to Seok's ribs. The hit sent Seok stumbling back, coughing briefly before steadying himself.

"You're strong." Jin said coolly, "but you waste it. Raw power means nothing if you can't control it."

Seok laughed, the sound almost manic. His movements became even more erratic, his strikes fueled by both excitement and frustration. He leapt into the air, twisting his body for a downward kick aimed at Jin's shoulder.

Jin raised an arm to block, the impact reverberating through his body but leaving him unfazed. As Seok landed, Jin seized the opening, delivering a sharp knee strike to Seok's solar plexus. The force drove Seok back several steps, his breath hitching for a moment.

"You're starting to slow down." Jin observed, his tone clinical.

Seok's grin faltered but didn't disappear. "Slowing down? I'm just getting started!" he roared, surging forward once more.

But Jin had seen enough. As Seok threw another wild punch, Jin weaved past it, his body coiling like a spring. With a swift, devastating motion, he drove his fist into Seok's liver.

The impact was thunderous. Seok's body jolted, his eyes rolling back momentarily as a strangled gasp escaped his lips. He staggered back, his face pale, clutching his side as he coughed violently. His legs trembled, threatening to give out beneath him.

Jin straightened, brushing off his sleeve as if nothing had happened. "You have talent." he said. "A body built for combat. But you've wasted it. Instead of refining your skills, you've relied on brute force to get by."

Seok, still trembling in pain, raised his head. His lips curled into a weak smirk despite the agony written across his face.

"Disappointing." Jin finished.

Seok forced himself upright, his body shaking but his grin unwavering. "Don't count me out just yet." he rasped, his voice strained.

Jin's eyes narrowed slightly. Without a word, he shifted his stance, his movements seamless. Seok barely had time to react as Jin executed a flawless Brazilian Kick.

Seok raised his arms to block, anticipating the strike. But Jin's leg twisted mid-motion, the trajectory changing effortlessly. The kick smashed into Seok's shoulder with brutal precision, sending him smashing towards the ground hard, his body limp as the shockwave of the kick reverberated through the rooftop. His smirk was gone, his consciousness slipping away as his eyes fluttered shut.

Jin lowered his leg, standing tall and composed as silence enveloped the rooftop. He glanced down at Seok's unconscious form before turning toward his team.

"It's over." he said simply.

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1373 words.

Jin is aura farming at this point! Throw him stones!

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