I couldn't post because of my exams and attendance issues guys- College has been giving a lot of problems these days. I will try to write once in a while as long as I can find time.
........
"Kitae Kim."
The voice was calm, but its impact struck like thunder.
Cold sweat ran down Apollo's back. His fingers clenched tighter. His eyes turned icy.
"I know who you are... relentless, brutal monster."
His jaw tensed. "But as I am now... am I ready to face this man yet?"
"I see you know of me," came the reply, a laugh following—brutal, amused. "Good, good—that makes it more fun."
The voice dipped into a low growl.
"Let's meet. Tomorrow. In Seoul."
Apollo exhaled slowly, his hands finally unclenching.
"Sure. Let's meet."
His voice was calm, aloof.
No point overthinking it. First, I need to meet the Kingslayer.
He glanced sideways at the carefree Kings beside him.
They're not ready yet... I should handle this alone.
His gaze dropped to his own forearms—hardened muscle, like the will forged beneath it.
He picked up his phone, saved the number, and typed out the location. A breath escaped his nose, his muscles slowly relaxing as he leaned back in his seat. The late sun bled into the world outside, casting everything in its red afterglow. But even in the calm, he could feel it.
The thump of his heart—louder than ever.
Tomorrow would be exciting.
.
.
.
The rich scent of coffee floated through the air, blending with the aroma of braised pork and roasted chicken. Apollo gently set the cup down on the table, sitting on a plastic chair that felt like it could snap at any moment.
His eyes scanned the surroundings, alert.
Was this the right place to meet him?
He was seated in front of a tiny coffee stall tucked into one of Seoul's many backstreets.
"Backstreet" was just another word for the tight corners and alleyways where blue-collar workers came to steal a smoke. And where there was demand, supply followed—rows of food stalls and coffee vendors created havens of anonymity and rest.
Apollo closed his eyes, letting the background noise sharpen his senses.
The sound of laughter two tables down. A worker gossiping about a scandal. The sizzle of meat—an old couple barbecuing.
Then—
Chicken?
He twitched. The scent was close—moving.
His eyes snapped open. They widened.
A towering man was approaching, holding a half-eaten piece of fried chicken in one hand, a box tucked under the other.
Smooth, slicked-back hair with a single part framed his face. A chiseled jawline, like something carved from granite. Deep, dark circles shadowed his eyes, which stared forward—sharp and unblinking.
The crowd around them hushed, jaws parting in collective awe. Apollo heard it—the quiet murmur of astonishment rippling through the people. But his attention had already locked onto the man.
He stood up. His neck strained just looking up.
"You must be Kitae," he said—not a question, but a fact.
Apollo had meta-knowledge. The iconic shirt. The monstrous size. It wasn't hard to identify him.
Kitae's lips curled into a grin.
"I've heard of you, Apollo."
Mockery laced his voice.
"Father told me about you."
Apollo raised a brow.
Father? Did he actually talk to Gapryong Kim? Aren't they supposed to be enemies?
He calmly pushed out the chair across from him, gesturing for Kitae to sit. The stares from the crowd were beginning to wear on him.
"So... you know I'm not a Yamazaki," Apollo said, his tone sharp.
There's no use bluffing. The truth was bound to come out eventually.
His fingers tightened at the table's edge.
He got straight to the point.
"What do you want from me?"
He cracked his knuckles. Blood surged. His pulse quickened with an excitement he couldn't suppress.
Kitae's smile widened, eyes gleaming with something wild.
"It's simple," he said. "I want you to work under me."
His chest puffed. His voice unwavering.
"A talent like yours... I've heard how you beat members of the First Generation."
He stood, his shadow falling over Apollo.
"I will make sure you serve me."
Apollo's eyes widened. His fingers slipped slightly from the edge of the table.
He wants me to serve him?
The implications twisted in his head for a heartbeat—
Then he burst out laughing.
Hand clutching his stomach, he pointed a finger at Kitae.
"Never in a hundred years."
The laughter faded, but his expression didn't.
Reverse eyes narrowed, calm and composed.
I will never submit. Not to anyone.
Tension crackled in the air. The entire backstreet seemed to freeze.
The hairs on Apollo's skin rose. A shiver danced down his spine as he met Kitae's gaze—predatory and cold.
Pressure radiated from the Kingslayer like an aura. Kitae nodded slowly at Apollo's defiance.
"I wonder," he said, voice low and dangerous, "if your strength lives up to your words."
Then he moved.
The earth itself seemed to tremble as Kitae lunged forward, hand reaching for Apollo's neck. His muscles bulged beneath his shirt—pure, monstrous force unleashed.
Wind rushed past. The grasp was blindingly fast.
But Apollo didn't flinch.
At the last possible second, he dropped low, crouching under the grab with fluid ease.
A blur.
Then—he struck.
Twisting his body, he launched himself upward, feet flying toward Kitae with ghost-like speed.
There was no time to react. No way to trace the movement.
His foot connected with Kitae's jaw, forcing the giant's head to jerk back—if only by an inch.
Kitae's gaze lowered slowly, staring directly at Apollo.
The battle had just begun.
......
This Arc has been already finished in patreon but guys, I will post when I can find time there as well- So Update frequency is fucked up rn.