The sound of the dojo's sliding door broke the silence. Johan Seong entered, observing the empty place.

Suhyeon was waiting for him in the center, already dressed in a flawless black dobok. Without saying a word, he took another dobok, folded with precision, and handed it to him.

"You look better in black than I do," he said with a slight smile, not hiding the challenge in his voice.

Johan took the uniform without answering, but his eyes shone with the same intensity.

"I was thinking since yesterday, when you told me you wanted to have a fight with me… I suppose you want to test how strong I am?" he mentioned, slowly taking off his clothes and then putting on the black dobok.

Suhyeon watched him in silence, with a serene yet expectant expression. The air in the dojo immediately grew tense; something serious was about to begin.

—

[System]: You are using Spy on Johan Seong.

—

"His stats are so high that before I couldn't even see them… but now that he has become my ally, I can access them," whispered Suhyeon, while Johan adjusted the dobok.

"One of the strongest of the second generation… if not the strongest," he added, a serious glint in his eyes.

—

[Johan Seong]

Height: 187 cm

Weight: 86 kg

Strength: XR

Speed: EXR

Potential: SSS (Mastery)

Intelligence: A

Endurance: XR

—

"What the hell…? What do these stats mean?" thought Suhyeon, frowning.

"I think I rushed it when I asked to fight him…" he added as a bead of sweat ran down his temple.

—

[Suhyeon Kim]

Height: 180 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Strength: SSR

Speed: SSR

Potential: S

Intelligence: S+

Endurance: SSR

—

"Damn it… I'll have to use my whole deck," he muttered, a smile of excitement spreading across his face.

"I hope you're ready… because I don't plan to be gentle," said Johan, smiling, though his aura was now much more intimidating.

"I once heard that, if you want to be stronger, you must face the strongest," mentioned Suhyeon, taking his stance.

—

[System]: Automatically reserving all decks.

(All in One)

(Stunning Fist)

(Tactical Vision)

(Dodge)

(Shield)

(Recovery Seed)

(Additional Strength)

(Healing Peach)

(Diaper)

(Position Swap)

(Precise Attack)

(Instant Recovery)

(Warrior)

(Intensified Gravity)

(Wall)

(Fatigue Resistance)

(Luck Increase)

(Stealth Technique)

(Prediction)

(Give Me That)

—

At that moment, Johan, without any warning, lunged at me. But suddenly, his speed dropped and I appeared at his side.

Pah!

With one hit, he sent me crashing against the wall.

"Shit… you're really strong, hahaha. As expected," mentioned Suhyeon, as he wiped the blood from his mouth with his palm.

"I'm surprised… you could withstand that," said Johan, shocked.

"That's because I borrowed your endurance," whispered Suhyeon, slowly getting up.

—

[Suhyeon Kim]

Height: 180 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Strength: LR

Speed: LR

Potential: S

Intelligence: S+

Endurance: XR

—

—

[Johan Seong]

Height: 187 cm

Weight: 86 kg

Strength: XR-

Speed: EXR-

Potential: SSS (Mastery)

Intelligence: A

Endurance: XR-

—

"My body feels strange…" whispered Johan, looking at his hands with confusion.

"Don't get distracted."

At that moment, Suhyeon positioned himself behind Johan, attempting to punch him, but failing to connect. Instead, Johan grabbed his fist, lifted him into the air, and slammed him against the wooden floor.

Crack!

Suhyeon rose with effort, wiping the blood running from the corner of his lips. His gaze tightened, evaluating Johan. But before he could react, Johan had already closed the distance.

With an agile spin, he knocked him down with a leg sweep, making Suhyeon fall on his back against the tatami. The impact echoed in the dojo, and Suhyeon felt the air leave his lungs.

"Impressive… I really expected this," murmured Suhyeon, panting, as he tried to get back up.

Johan stopped for a moment, watching him with a half-smile that did not hide his confidence. "There's no need to underestimate anyone," he said firmly, as a reminder of his superiority.

Suhyeon nodded slightly, knowing that to continue the fight he would have to give everything, even beyond his limits. Every movement of Johan was a lesson in power and control, and Suhyeon felt his strategy had to adapt instantly.

"I know I won't be able to win this fight… but at least I can gain experience," murmured Suhyeon to himself as he slowly stood up. Every movement of Johan was so fast and powerful that any mistake could mean instant defeat.

"If it weren't for the fact that Johan is on my team and I had used my card 'Give Me That,' which allows me to swap endurance with someone on my team, I would have fallen in the first hit," he continued thinking, frowning. Still, something felt strange.

"It's weird that my other card doesn't work, the one that swaps all stats…" His eyes locked on Johan, evaluating every gesture and movement.

A small chill ran down his back as he realized that, despite everything, this fight was going to be much more complicated than he imagined.

Johan took a step back, spinning around, and suddenly, his leg rose in a spinning kick that seemed to cut the air toward Suhyeon.

"Damn it… I can't underestimate him for even a second," murmured Suhyeon as he blocked with his forearm, feeling the impact vibrate through his bones.

Without wasting time, Johan switched styles, adopting a low kung-fu stance, his movements fluid and fast like water. Every strike seemed like a calculated pattern, a dance of strength and precision.

"He's using martial arts from every style… how can he be so fast and lethal?" thought Suhyeon, stepping back a couple of times as he analyzed. His mind raced, trying to anticipate the next attack.

Johan gave him no respite. With a jump, he executed a kicksweep, aiming to knock down Suhyeon. He rolled to the ground, barely dodging, and felt his heart pounding.

"This fight… it's like fighting against an army in a single man," murmured Suhyeon as he leaped back up. He slightly activated his card, trying to balance Johan's endurance with his own.

Johan smiled, his eyes shining with determination. He shifted into a mixed martial arts style, combining judo and wrestling strikes, attempting to unbalance Suhyeon with grabs and throws.

"I must stay calm… I can't let his strength intimidate me," thought Suhyeon as he dodged a throw, rolling backward and placing his palm on the floor to push himself up.

Every movement of Johan was a challenge to physics, as if he had memorized every combat technique in existence. From karate, taekwondo, to aikido and capoeira techniques, Suhyeon could barely keep up.

"If this is the second generation… now I understand why everyone talks about him as one of the strongest," whispered Suhyeon, with a mix of amazement and excitement as he prepared for the next exchange.

"This time I'm going all out, Suhyeon. Don't die," said Johan Seong with a confident smile, making Suhyeon tense instantly.

Without warning, a blast of wind shook the room. Johan's fist struck directly into Suhyeon's stomach.

Boom!

The blow was devastating. Suhyeon felt the air being forced out of his lungs as the ground beneath his feet fractured into a web of cracks. He barely managed to raise his guard before the force knocked him down.

"Damn it… his stats have increased," Suhyeon muttered through clenched teeth, as his vision blurred and his head spun.

The impact sent him flying backward, unable to stay on his feet. His senses gradually faded, until he finally lost consciousness, crashing heavily to the floor.

Johan Seong leaned forward slightly, evaluating with a satisfied smile. "You have good endurance," he commented calmly, watching his young rival passed out.

—

[Johan Seong]

Height: 187 cm

Weight: 86 kg

Strength: EXR

Speed: DXR

Potential: SSS (Mastery)

Intelligence: A

Endurance: EXR

—

"But it's strange that only his endurance is good… his speed and strength are mediocre," Johan thought, watching Suhyeon unconscious. Carefully, he lifted him and laid him on a nearby couch, making sure he was comfortable.

Some time later.

Suhyeon slowly opened his eyes, his head heavy and stomach aching. He blinked several times, trying to focus on the room; light streamed softly through the window and everything seemed calm.

As he sat up a little, he noticed something on his chest. A sheet rested on his dobok, placed with care. With trembling hands, he picked it up and read the writing: a short but direct message.

"I have to leave for now. There are things I must do. We'll meet again soon. —Johan"

Suhyeon frowned, processing the information. Johan had left the note before leaving, without saying goodbye in person.

A slight shiver ran down his back, but he also felt a pang of determination: today's fight had only been the beginning.

Suhyeon kept the note close to his chest, breathing deeply, while his mind was already starting to analyze Johan's next moves and the possibilities his ally would bring with him.

One week later.

"Johan, I want to ask you a favor," said Suhyeon over the phone as if he were speaking to an old friend.

"What's it about?" asked Johan.

"I need you to come to the location I'll send you, I'll tell you the time. It's about the conquest of Gangbuk," replied Suhyeon.

"I understand, I'll be there. After all, I owe you one," Johan Seong mentioned with a smile.

Hours later.

"Hello… Daniel," said Suhyeon, who was walking through the streets of Gangbuk at night, holding his cell phone to his left ear.

"Huh? Who am I speaking with?" asked Daniel through the iPhone.

"I heard you wanted to see me, unfortunately I'm no longer at the beach. I want you to come to the hospital, where your former leader is."

The call fell silent for several seconds, while Suhyeon only smiled, waiting for this reaction.

"You… are…"

"Yes, I'm Suhyeon, Haru gave me your contact."

"I see… then I'll see you there… Fuda Yaburi."

Then he hung up.

"Damn it… I wanted to hang up first," he exclaimed, looking at his already dark screen before putting the phone away.

"I hope everything goes according to plan," he mentioned while taking a cigarette from his pack and lighting it with his lighter.

Suhyeon walked toward the hospital, smoking calmly while thinking about his plan. "First stage, make Daniel come to the hospital, almost done," he thought.

"Second stage, I'll have to reveal all the information I know about him and Number 1, and if it doesn't go as planned and he doesn't join my team, then I'll have to move to Plan B—use Johan Seong," he finished thinking before exhaling smoke from his mouth.

When he arrived at the hospital doors, Suhyeon put out his cigarette and looked around.

A few steps from the entrance, sitting on the stairs, was Johan Seong.

He was looking down, a neutral expression on his face.

Suhyeon approached him, smiling slightly. "Johan," he said softly. Johan raised his gaze and met Suhyeon's, without changing his expression.

"I don't like you using me for these kinds of things," said Johan Seong, sighing.

"Come on, it's not that big a deal. After all, we're friends," said Suhyeon as he walked closer and Johan stood up.

Then they shook hands.

"It's been a while since I last saw you," added Suhyeon with an amused tone, unable to hide his excitement at seeing Johan again, though it wasn't like the first time he had seen him.

"It's only been a week," mentioned Johan, as a drop of sweat slid down.

"Besides, you wouldn't stop sending me messages," Johan exclaimed with an ironic smile.

"Hahaha, don't friends send messages to each other?" Suhyeon replied with a light laugh.

"Well… tell me, what needs to be done?" asked Johan, changing his tone to a more serious one.

Suhyeon leaned forward slightly, his gaze growing more intense. "The truth is Daniel currently wants to finish me and all of West Gangbuk. But I have a plan to bring him to our cause."

"Recruit Daniel?" Johan repeated, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "How do you plan to do that?"

"I have information that could make him change his mind," replied Suhyeon with an astute smile. "And I also have something that might draw him toward us. But I need you to be ready for anything, because if my plan doesn't work, we'll have to take more… drastic measures."

"And what role do I have in all this?" Johan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"You'll be my wild card," replied Suhyeon. "If Daniel doesn't join us after I show him my proposal, then you'll have to intervene. Your strength and skills could be the decisive factor in making him join West Gangbuk."

Johan nodded slowly, his mind already working on the possible consequences of what Suhyeon was proposing.

"But let it be clear that I'll only help you with this," said Johan Seong, recalling the moment he first met Suhyeon. "After all, you helped my mother recover her sight… I owe you one."

"Yes, yes, I don't like depending on someone either after all," Suhyeon replied with a neutral tone, as if he understood the situation perfectly.

Minutes later.

Johan was hidden in a strategic position, watching Suhyeon and Daniel's every move without being seen. His eyes followed every gesture, every word, evaluating the situation with precision.

"It seems he has no intention of fighting," Johan thought while adjusting his stance, keeping his focus.

His gaze didn't leave them for a second; he was ready to intervene at the first sign of danger, waiting for Suhyeon's signal in case something got out of control.

From his hiding spot, he attentively watched as Daniel left the place, walking away with a smile on his face. Johan could sense that Suhyeon now had absolute control of the situation.

Suhyeon, after seeing Daniel leave, leaned slightly against the wall. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with a slow, deliberate motion, letting the tip glow in the dimness of the place.

The deep inhale marked a moment of calm, while the smoke rose in soft spirals, fading into the air.

Then, with slow and steady steps, he began to walk toward Johan's hiding spot. The light of the cigarette barely illuminated his face, revealing a mix of determination and defiance.

"Daniel's gone, it looks like he accepted the deal," said Suhyeon with a smile.

"After all, it wasn't necessary to call me, Suhyeon…" said Johan reluctantly, scratching his hair.

"No… it was," thought Suhyeon, as he looked at one of the people he admired.

—

[System]: You are using 'Copy' on Johan Seong.

—

At that moment, a bluish cloud emerged from nowhere, wrapping around Johan without him realizing it.

—

[System]: Johan Seong has been completely copied.

—

"Well… you didn't have to do anything, so now you owe me a favor, right?" joked Suhyeon, leaning back calmly as he watched Johan blink, completely stunned.

"W-what… what…?" stammered Johan, his eyes wide open, unable to process what had just happened.

"Nah, I'm just kidding, don't worry. You did a good job helping me," said Suhyeon with a faint smile. He averted his gaze from Johan, exhaling cigarette smoke calmly. "If anything happens to you or you need my help… I'll be there, my friend."

Johan shook his head side to side, closing his eyes with a smile. It was as if he accepted Suhyeon's words without the need to respond.

Some time after sealing the pact with Daniel, Suhyeon headed to the strategy room of the Western school, where his officers were already gathered, waiting for him.

We can see Suhyeon sitting in front of a large table, surrounded by his officers at the sides and his advisor by his side.

"This is the plan," he began to explain. "Surely Jaeha will think he has us in the palm of his hand now that he got Seok Kang on his side, but he is completely wrong. To win this battle, we need to scatter his troops around his whole area; this way, they will leave Jaeha defenseless and, at that moment, Gukja and Hajun will take action in his main base."

"We'll be ready by then," said Gukja with a smile.

On the other hand, Hajun just smoked and listened attentively.

"While the others will be attacking the other areas, as for me… I'll fight against Ryu Sikyung," continued Suhyeon, but then he was interrupted.

"Why will you face East's number 3?" asked Jihyeon. "Shouldn't we go directly for Jaeha?"

"There's no need to worry about that," said Hajun, exhaling. "Gukja and I will take care of Jaeha. The two of us together can defeat him without a problem."

Yugyeom nodded in agreement with Hajun.

"Ryu Sikyung is not what he seems," replied Suhyeon. "He's an infiltrator from the North, secretly working to weaken the East from within. And I can frankly tell you that Ryu, the number 10 of the North, is much stronger than Jaeha."

"How do you know that?" asked Haru, surprised.

"I have my sources," said Suhyeon. "But what's important is that if we can eliminate Ryu Sikyung, we'll significantly weaken the East and gain an advantage in the battle."

"As for Seok Kang," said Suhyeon with a smile, "we'll try to distract him. After all, he's an idiot." The others laughed at Suhyeon's comment.

"I understand… sunbae," said Hyeondong, somewhat excited.

"After that, we'll make sure Jaeha is not a problem," replied Suhyeon. "By then, Gukja and Hajun should have already finished him off."

With that, Suhyeon stood up from his seat and leaned slightly forward, placing his hands on the table, while looking at all his officers and saying:

"Tonight we'll attack the East, so get ready. Everyone must be in position. If for some reason you fail, you must resist as much as you can until you defeat their leader," said Suhyeon, concluding the planning.

"My lord," whispered Ji-hyuk, his advisor, as the other officers left.

"What is it, Ji-hyuk?" asked Suhyeon, noticing that his advisor seemed somewhat nervous.

"Sir, there's still something that worries me a lot," he replied.

Suhyeon looked at him for a second and continued: "And why didn't you say it earlier in the meeting?"

"That's what I wanted to talk about with you in private. If I say it here, it could demotivate the others," commented Ji-hyuk.

"I understand, come for a moment," he said, as the two went off to a corner.

"The problem is this: I don't doubt your plan, but there's a bigger flaw in it. If we defeat the East, it's very possible that the North will attack us in our most vulnerable moment, and by then, we won't be able to do anything," exclaimed Ji-hyuk, breathing heavily.

"I see, I was also thinking about that, but you don't need to worry about it," said Suhyeon with a smile, knowing he had his trump cards.

"Then… what are you planning to do?" asked the advisor again.

"There are two reasons why the North, or rather Choyun, the number 1, cannot attack me," said Suhyeon, placing his hand on his advisor's shoulder.

"Two reasons… don't tell me that… you did what I told you before."

"Indeed, my good friend, I recruited Johan Seong. He is our trump card, and Choyun surely already knows it. On the other hand, the other reason is a bit more personal between him and me," explained Suhyeon, then turned to look out the window toward the North of Gangbuk.

"As expected of you, my lord," he said, bowing 90 degrees, while a tear fell down his face.

"He can't attack me, I… I have the system on my side," he thought, as the black spade ♤ under his left eye shone briefly.

"Soon I will see you, Choyun, and once I do… I will end you!" he added.