#Dr. Baek

[kyungraeist]

so. well. uhm.

[lunarwednesday]

Dr. Frost is such an underrated webtoon that deserves so much more attention -- please give it a read!

[forever-exobaek]

Dr. Romantic 3 OST teaser

Artist : BAEKHYUN(백현)

Title : Hello

Release : 2023.04.28

[shintaru]

characters I’ll write for + tags ~ prompt list

Who wants to be tagged for which characters when I post the finished project?

Fic REQUESTS CLOSED

Windbreaker:

Juwan Jang 🦈 TJ

Yumi

Kazuma Takeda

Sung kwon Monster @jesusownsme @cozyunderworld

Mahon Jo

Humming bird

Jo Jay @ankita607

Junsu Lee / June Lee

Minu yoon

Shelly Scott Dom kang @cozyunderworld @samuelseowife

Sabbath

Hyuk Kwon @inosukehana Wooin yoo @cozyunderworld Vinny hong @ankita607Joker (Hajun) @cozyunderworld @inosukehana

Light Calvary

Owen knight @catsrkool @rossesnd Camilla Nelson

Harry shepherd

Chris D’ Char ~ @rossesnd @cozyunderworld @inosukehana

Noah Austin

League of street

Sangho Choi @cozyunderworld @koiiiiijiii Hwangyeon Choi @koiiiiijiii

Juwon ryu

Kazuma

Kenji ikusaba

Kaneshiro Takeda Ryohei Hachijō Hyōma Nagase

Lookism:

Daniel Park @koiiiiijiii Vasco @koiiiiijiii Jay Hong @koiiiiijiii Zack Lee @koiiiiijiii Jace Park @koiiiiijiii Jiho Park @koiiiiijiii Mary Kim Vin Jin @koiiiiijiii Jaegyeon Na @koiiiiijiii Samuel Seo @vynnyll @samuelseowife @koiiiiijiii @dessmq Eli Jang @koiiiiijiii Johan Seong Jong Gun @vynnyll @koiiiiijiii Joon Goo @koiiiiijiii Jake Kim @vynnyll @koiiiiijiii DG @eugueen @koiiiiijiii Eugene @koiiiiijiii Ryūhei/Nōmen @koiiiiijiii Magami kenta @koiiiiijiii Seonji Yukcho @koiiiiijiii Cho Yisu @koiiiiijiii Cheon taejin @koiiiiijiii gongseob ji @koiiiiijiii gapryong Kim @koiiiiijiii jinyeong park @koiiiiijiii

Jinx:

Jaekyung Kim dan Heesung Yoon gu Baek Junmin

Kuroko’s basketball:

Tetsuya Kuroko Taiga Kagami @cozyunderworld Junpei Hyūga Teppei Kiyoshi Ryōta Kise Yukio Kasamatsu Shintarō Midorima Kazunari Takao Daiki Aomine @cozyunderworld Shōichi Imayoshi Atsushi Murasakibara @cozyunderworld Tatsuya Himuro Seijūrō Akashi Reo Mibuchi Makoto Hanamiya Kotarō Hayama Katsunori Harasawa  Chihiro Mayuzumj  momoi satsuki Alex Garcia 

Naruto:

Gaara @aishabbbb kankuro Sasuke @aishabbbb itachi @aishabbbb Kakashi hatake jiraiya Sai Pain sasori orachimaru

blue lock:

Michael Kaiser  shidou Ryusei Meguru Bachira  Rensuke Kunigami Yoichi Isagi  Ryosuke Kira Zantetsu Tsurugi  Reo Mikage  Seishiro Nagi Rin itoshi Sae itoshi Jinpachi Ego pablo cavazos ikki Niko Akira Endoji Jin Kiyora Jingo Raichi Oliver Aiku

one piece:

Luffy @ydkm00 Sanji @hi3431 Zoro Law @nah-idwin Eustass Kid Boa Hancock  Nami  Nico Robin Shanks  Portgas D’Ace  Vivi Nefertari  Crocodile  Smoker Donquixote Doflamingo  Paulie Dracule Mihawk Koby  Pell Hina  Sabo  Katekuri Koala Perona corazon

Bsd:

Osamu Dazai Chuya Nakahara Saigiku Jouno Atsushi Nakajima Doppo Kunikida Ranpo Edogawa Poe Bram Stoker Ryuunosuke Akutagawa

Hell’s paradise:

Gabimaru Aza chobe Aza Toma Yamada Asaemon Shugen Yamada Asaemon Sagiri Yamada Asaemon, Tenza Yamada Asaemon, Shion Yuzuriha

Haikyuu:

Miya atsumu @cozyunderworld Miya osamu Aran ojiro Semi Eita Suna Ushijima wakatoshi Tendou Oikawa toru Tanaka Mad dog kyotani Kentarou Kunimi Akira Bokuto Koutarou Akaashi Keiji daishou suguru Nishinoya Kuroo tetsuro Kenma Kageyama tobio Hinata shoyo Tsukkishima kei Terushima yuji Kita Hoshiumi Yamakoto Lev haiba Haiba Hiroo

jjk:

Gojo Choso Toji Yuta Sukuna Naoya that one hot guy with the mask Nanami

Hsr:

Boothill

Genshin:

Aether Childe ZHONGLI scaramouche Kaveh alhaithum

Windbreaker anime:

Burning kabaddi:

@duaajpeg Tatsuya Yoigoshi Kei lura Masato ojo Shinji date Ren takaya Manabu Sakura Yu eikura Yuuki hitomi

Bleach:

Grimmjow Ichigo Renji

Black clover:

Langris vaude Leopald Julius Vangeance Yuno Nozel Asta Luck Magna Klaus Jack Zora

Outer banks:

Rafe JJ Pope

Batman:

Bruce Wayne (bale) Dr. crane (cillian)

Harry Potter:

Draco Voldemort Fred George Harry

Suicide Squad:

Joker (Leto) Harley (Margot)

Jojo’s bizarre adventure:

Dio

Narancia

Anasui

Giorinni

Josuke

[teriri-sayes]

Reactions to Tsunami Creator's Chapter 176

TL;DR - Info about god's plate. Baek's special eyes can see the essence of people. The world in Cale's plate. Jungwon's message. GoD's message about Zed.

Soos? LSH = ✅ CJS = ✅

Plate of a God I would like to make a correction. Last chapter I called it "god's vessel", but it would be more correct to call it "god's plate." The plate here refers to the one Cale cracked and dragon Mila fixed. Personally, "vessel" sounds better, but I'll follow EAP's translation of "plate."

Baek was laughing when Cale did not know he even had the plate of a god. There was some explanation how one could get a god's plate:

An ability to create a "world" inside oneself - Because KRS possessed the Record ability that recorded everything he experienced, it created some sort of "world" inside him.

Have the mental strength to withstand the world inside oneself - We know how strong Cale's mental strength and resilience is.

Have the ability to dominate the world - Cale's Dominating Aura ancient power somehow helps in that part.

You ask, why is it called a world? Because it had the following:

Nature - Cale's ancient powers are all nature-related

Abilities from various time and space - Cale got various abilities and power-ups from his time as KRS (Record, Instant, etc) in Earth 1, and as Cale in Nameless 1 and Central Plains. So he got those from various times (time) and worlds (space).

Presence of records - KRS's Record ability recorded everything he experienced, so it created the foundation of a "world" inside him.

Cale and the King's Successor How did Baek know about Cale's plate anyway? Because he was born with special eyes that allowed him to see the essence of a person. That was why he hated humans. Because their essence was ugly.

Baek compared the worlds contained inside the plates of Cale and the king's successor whom he once saw in a festival when he was young.

The world of the King's Successor was full of good and evil emotions, of screams, and of things that a normal human could not bear. In short, it was scary and ugly. Baek was confused why the hunters did not see it, but he kept what he saw to himself.

The world of Cale was beautiful. It might be unbalanced, small, and fragile, but it was like how a world was being built. Nature shined, and numerous records flowed like a river, containing everything.

And thus, our Cale ended up derailing into the path to becoming god instead of the path to becoming a slacker... 🤣🤣🤣

Divine Mirror Messages We finally get an update on Jungwon and GoD. Jungwon's message was like some news headline:

Dramatic Negotiations Concluded! Cale Henituse's Power Balance Can Be Adjusted! ...Read more. - From Jungwon

And GoD's message, hahaha 😂 He reported that he found info about Zed, Alberu's father. Apparently, Zed was listed on the Book of Death something in half a year later, but his place of death kept changing locations, so GoD presumed Zed was being brought place to place. Afterwards, GoD was like, this was confidential info, but I leaked it to you, Cale, since you seem to be having a hard time. I did a good job, right?

Cale: I hate gods. GoD: You up...? Cale: Ah, so annoying. GoD: *talks about Zed* Cale: !!! GoD: I did a good job, right? Fufu. By the way, you're interested in the god position? Cale: *stiffens* Ah, you're seriously annoying. GoD: Sobs. You're so mean.

Seriously, GoD always makes me laugh. Some comments in Ridi even likened him to acting like an ex-boyfriend. 🤣🤣🤣

Ending Remarks We got info dump again. Next chapter will probably be about Baek's records about jiangshi production. As for the author's Q&A that was released today, I'll put it up in another post later. There's like 27 questions there, and I'm only at question #7. Expect it in a few hours soon~!

[miabebe]

I Am What I Am (VIII)

A man of the shadows and a woman who belonged in the skies - fate could not have brought two more different people together. But was this fate or was this a choice?

Pairing - Im Changkyun x OC, Kim Mingyu x OC

Word Count - 8.1 K

Warnings - Mentions of death, murder, mafia, guns, bullets, violence, drugs, toxic parents, sad parent backstory

Chapter summary - Trust lost, trust gained - the underworld was always questionable when it came to loyalty. But the real question was, who's trust was Na bi going to break?

| Previous Chapter | Masterlist |

“Min-ah I told you I was right-” 

The moment Na bi stepped into Seokmin’s office, she found herself being cut off by a pair of lips on hers, pressing hard and unrelenting. Even though her eyes were not shut by the suddenness and the grip of his hands on her hips were telltale, it took a minute before she realized it was Mingyu. 

Slightly pulling back, lips hovering over hers, he whispered. “Jihoon is here, don’t mention Seokmin.” 

Placing a chaste kiss on her cheek, Mingyu grinned at her. “Hi babe.” 

Na bi tried not make her smile seem forceful looking up at him, but that was until she meet Jihoon’s eye over the bigger man’s shoulder - now she could no longer keep up the facade. 

“Hi babe.” Jihoon echoed mockingly, as Na bi rolled her eyes, walking into the room. 

“Jihoon.” She threw her bag on the couch. “I would’ve said it's nice to see you but it's really not.” 

“Can’t help it babe,” He leaned back against the window. “Duty calls.” 

“How is he here?” Na bi turned to Mingyu, annoyed. “Only authorized personnel are allowed in staff areas.” 

“Anything can be bought if you quote the price right.” Jihoon smiled, a smug expression dancing on his face. “I get my way when I want it.” 

“Who knew disregard for rules was something you indulged in officer Lee.” Na bi scoffed. “Not much difference between you and the ones you're chasing then huh?”

“Watch your mouth Doctor.” Jihoon walked up to her glaring and Mingyu immediately put himself between the two of them, sensing the tension rising. 

“Jihoon, Na bi has been doing some groundbreaking work with I.M!” His eyes flickered between the two of them. “I think she has information to give us today?”

Na bi stared at the older man with enough intensity to bore holes into his soul. 

“No.” 

“No?” Mingyu looked at her rather shocked. “I thought you might have-”

“I do have information,” Na bi crossed her arms. “But I won’t be giving it.” 

Jihoon narrowed his eyes at her, anger evidently coursing through his body. “And why is that?” 

“If I do your dirty work, you have to do mine. My one and only reason for agreeing to this mission was to find Ana’s perpetrator and get her justice. For that, I want access to her forensic records.” 

“How will that help you exactly?” Jihoon cocked his head at her. “Unless you believe something about her death does not make sense to you.” 

“I have my doubts.” 

“What is there to doubt? She had a slit on each wrist - that’s a signature killing, there’s no doubt about it.” 

“And what about the fact that she was also shot?” Na bi raised a questioning eyebrow. “Neither of you mentioned that.” 

Mingyu and Jihoon exchanged looks before Mingyu cleared his throat. “I mean… yeah she was shot, there were injuries on her back but the telltale sign was the wrists…. I did not think it was necessary to tell.” 

“How can you expect me to tell you everything if you don’t share anything with me Mingyu?” 

“Na bi, I’m sorry, I really didn’t think-”

“You’re not the problem Mingyu.” Jihoon moved him aside, eyes piercing into hers. “Dr. Baek here doesn’t seem to trust us anymore. She doesn’t think I.M could be responsible for her friend’s death…. Has your affinity towards that man grown Doctor?” His voice dropped to a low whisper. “You think I can’t see and tell how into a kiss a woman is?” 

Na bi glanced at Mingyu who looked at her concerned. Hurt. 

She couldn’t deal with his broken heart right now. 

“I don’t care if you doubt my loyalty Jihoon - I know when and how to show it.” She stepped closer to him, refusing to back down. “But I don’t like people doubting my capabilities. I am a doctor and I’ve dealt with these cases in the ER before - perhaps there’s something in that report that others have overlooked. Something I can piece together with my knowledge of him and my given expertise.” 

“Roping you in this mission was already frowned upon, doctor. Giving you access to classified files, I’m afraid, is beyond my jurisdiction.” 

“You’re denying me of my incentive Jihoon.” Na bi clicked her tongue mockingly. “It shouldn’t be so hard for you. I thought you got your way if you wanted it.” 

Chuckling, the older man pulled a chair, sitting on it with one leg thrown over the other. “Incentives are so mainstream Doctor, can I offer you a threat instead?” He pulled out his phone, flashing the familiar photo of the bullets they found in her kitchen drawer. “It would actually be much easier for me to pin the crime on you with fabricated evidence if you don’t bring the real one.” 

Na bi could feel the blood boiling in her veins. How dare he? 

“Sorry Jihoon.” Before a triumphant expression overtook his face, Na bi shook her head. “You’re wrong if you think I’m the kind to sit back and take whatever is thrown at me. If there’s one thing I learnt in the last month, it’s that the man you so desperately seek is incredibly protective of me. You think my mouth which opens here cannot open there? With the kind of network he has and given how you are still clueless about him, it won’t take long for me to turn the tables. So don’t push my buttons. I don’t appreciate being threatened.” 

Mingyu froze at her words, utterly shocked, but Jihoon continued to look impassive. Something told Na bi she hadn’t won yet. 

“Incentives I can’t give and threats you can’t take so let’s try again, shall we?” He leaned back into the chair. “How about a trade Doctor? You give me I.M and I’ll give you your sister.” 

Na bi’s eyes widened as her lips parted in shock, clearly declaring Jihoon the winner. Realizing that, he smirked at her, “Did you think we would involve you in this mission without doing a background check? Mingyu had thoroughly gone through every detail of your past before it all began.” 

She looked at the bigger man, the disgust of betrayal flashing in her eyes. Mingyu immediately stepped forward, “Na bi I-” 

“All this while, you knew about my sister?” 

“You mentioned her when you were drunk, you said you missed her but I didn’t know she was such a sensitive topic for you-” 

“Neither did I.” Jihoon confessed. “I took a shot in the dark and it looks like I hit the target Dr. Baek.” He got up, hands tucked into his pocket. “In case you didn’t hear me loud and clear the first time, give me I.M and take your sister. You have three days.” 

With that he left, basking in his coup, but Mingyu didn’t follow, reaching to hold Na bi instead. She immediately took a step back. 

“How many more times will you break my trust Mingyu?” She spat, the words bitter in her mouth. “You drugged me, you lied to me about Ana’s death, now this?” 

“Na bi I swear, you have to believe me, I just did what was protocol.” He insisted, desperately looking for her conviction. “I didn’t think Jihoon would use it to blackmail you like this-” 

“But he has!” Her voice raised, anger uncontained. “I… I didn’t even know if she was alive or not, now you’re telling me that she’s somewhere out there and if I don’t manage to deliver what Jihoon wants then the NIS might…..What if he does something to her??” 

“We only found out that your adoptive family had another child who absconded. Jihoon has no idea who she is or where she is so I’m sure that’s what he will put me up to next - to find her.” 

Na bi sat on the chair holding her head in her hands. Everything was spiraling out of control again. 

“But I promise you.” Mingyu crouched in front of her, taking her hands in his. “The minute I get the slightest clue about her, I will tell you. Not in exchange for I.M, not as a part of a deal. I don’t care if I have to go against Jihoon, I will do it, just for you - to prove to you that you can trust me.” 

Na bi looked at him, wordlessly. What was she to say to this man anymore? How could he possibly fix this? Faith already lost, she pulled her hands free and got up, walking away from the man who continued to look at her with hope. 

Yet again, like it was a bad habit she could not leave behind, Na bi found herself in front of Changkyun’s door. 

This time though, she knocked, making sure to display the etiquette he so often hinted she didn’t have. When he didn’t answer after 3 times and 3 minutes, losing her patience, she slowly opened the door and stepped in. The room was dark as usual, lit dimly by a few candles but bright enough for Na bi to notice something she had never seen before. Or she wasn’t meant to see. 

The bookshelf was slightly crooked, moved in front with a conspicuous tilt tempting Na bi to walk in and push it further. To her surprise, yet oddly meeting her expectations, was a dark passage with stairs leading of course to a basement. Classic mansion layout. Grabbing a nearby candle, Na bi made her way down the spiral stairs, taking each step cautiously, further and further into the darkness. As she got off the last step, her eyes fell on Changkyun in the middle of a large empty room, facing her but blindfolded. 

Na bi frowned confused, looking around the space that was absolutely empty except for a few fire torches burning around. Her eyes returned to Changkyun as she set the candle down, walking soundlessly towards him, trying to not be too affected by the fact that he was wearing a tank top that covered barely anything and a pair of sweats hanging low on his waist. As she approached him, hand reaching out to tap his shoulder, he grabbed it with a suddenness she did not expect given her silence and his sightlessness. 

“How did you know?” She asked as he let her hand go. 

“I spent much of my life in darkness, Ms. Baek.” He smiled. “I know my way around it.” 

Na bi took a step closer to him, fingers stroking the soft material of his blindfold.

“Don’t you get tired of the dark?” She looked at him sadly. “Do you ever wish to run away from it?” 

“We don’t get to choose certain things in life, Ms. Baek. I’ve made peace with where I am.” 

“I admire that.” Na bi sighed. “I can never seem to accept things. I’m always running. Away from something, towards something - I can never seem to just sit and take what life gives me.” 

“And I admire that.” 

Na bi stared at him in the dim light of the fires around her. He always seemed to say the words she had given up on hearing. 

“What are you doing here? What is this place?” 

“A sanctuary of sorts.” He looked around though he could see nothing. “I come here to fight battles that are personal to me. Conflicting thoughts, emotions, muddled perspectives.” 

“And being blind helps with that?” 

“Darkness doesn’t make a man blind Ms. Baek. Many can’t see reality even in the light.” Na bi wondered what he meant as he stepped back, cracking his knuckles. “If there’s anything you want to fight, you’re always welcome here.” 

Na bi felt a small smirk dancing on her lips as she pulled her hair into a ponytail. “How about I start with you? See how skillful in the dark you really are.” 

Changkyun’s features molded into amusement as he cocked his head at her. “You love picking battles you can’t win.” 

“Try me.” 

Na bi lunged at him with a swift movement but Changkyun quickly moved to the side, narrowly avoiding her. Not bad. She looked at him through her fringes, mildly impressed by how quickly he caught on. Na bi might not have seemed like it but she was a trained boxer, studying the sport for some 10 odd years now. Admittedly her skills had gotten a little rusty after she got busy in her residency but one on one, she was sure she could take him. 

Shuffling around to confuse his sense of sound, Na bi tried to land another punch but Changkyun immediately played defense. And that went on - her attacking with the moves he would least expect and him getting back at her in a way that was more unpredictable. Attempting one last move Na bi threw her jab at him with full force only for Changkyun to catch her wrist, and pull her towards him, wrapping their arms around her shoulders. Na bi’s chest heaved with the length of her back pressed against him, tapping on the arm he had trapped her with. 

“Okay fine, let me go, you win.” 

Changyun did not let her go. 

“Want to know why you lost Ms. Baek?” 

“I haven’t been in the ring in a while, I couldn’t-” 

“It’s because you assume your opponent will not be able to anticipate your moves.” Chankgun whispered, his breath by the shell of her ear. “But I have never once underestimated you.” 

Na bi smiled at that. Something about this loss felt like a victory. 

Changkyun let her go and she stumbled forward, turning to him as she massaged her wrist. He slowly untied his blindfold before tucking it in his pockets. Na bi watched him as he grabbed a bottle of water from the floor and crouched, gulping it down. Sweat ran down his face and bobbing adam's apple down to his tank top. Changkyun looked at her staring and chuckled. 

“You’re quite the fighter.” 

“Boxing helped me release a lot of anger when I was younger.” She sat down next to him, taking the bottle from his hands, chugging the remaining liquid. Changkyun settled on the floor next to her. Something about this scenario was oddly familiar - Changkyun and her sitting side by side, shoulders almost touching. The last time they were in this position, she poured her heart out to him and nuzzled in his arms for just a bit. Na bi wondered how this time would end. 

“You’re not too bad yourself.” 

“My dad used to train me when I was younger.” Chankgyun stared at the wall ahead. “It was one of the things we did to spend time with each other as a sort of bonding time. My sisters used to get so jealous,” He smiled at a memory. “Well one of them, the other was happy to just sit and giggle away with my mother.” 

“You must miss them.” 

He let out a soft breath. “I’m not sure. Is this feeling, this emptiness I feel called missing? Feels like too small a word.” He glanced at her. “Do you miss your sister?” 

“You only miss someone when they are gone. I’m not sure I’ve let her go yet.” She smiled sadly. “Sometimes I feel like when I open a door she’ll be right behind it. But for you…” Na bi hesitated but then remembered what he said. All she had to do was ask. “Changkyun, what happened to your family?” 

He blinked, staring at the cold, grey floor.

“We used to live in Seoul when I was young.” He began, picking on the skin of his fingernails, a habit oddly similar to hers. “It was a nice house, much like this one, tucked away deep inside the woods. We were isolated but it was never lonely; my parents did all they could to give us the best home.” 

Na bi let out a deep inaudible breath trying not to let the slight envy rise in her chest.

“One night my father came home and urgently moved us all to Jeju.” Changkyun continued. “I never asked him why but I knew he had a lot of enemies, that sometimes we had to lay low, go off radar. I remember the many days we were in Jeju. He was constantly worried, pacing around the room, scared, barely leaving the house, barely letting us out of sight. Then one day, my sisters and I were out in the backyard of the house. It was this large area we loved playing in, you could see the whole sea from there. I was just standing there, watching the waves and..…” His eyes shook as he swallowed on nothing. “The first bullet went right through my sister’s chest.” 

Na bi’s eyes widened. 

“About 20 men in black gear stormed into the woods. My mother immediately grabbed both my sisters and ran to get help. My father took me and ran into the house to hide. He hid me in a secret safe area under a table and made me promise not to make a sound. So I didn’t. And I watched soundlessly as my father was gunned down right in front of my eyes.” 

The picture of a 15 year old Changkyun watching his father die, flashed before Na bi’s eyes making her heart clench painfully. 

“Those men tried searching but they couldn’t find me. It was my father’s friends who discovered me hours later and brought me out of there. They told me it was all over, that I was the only one who made it. That I was the only one left to take over.” 

Na bi frowned. “Take over what?” 

“The empire my father tried his best to keep us all away from. I don't think he realized that in the end it didn't matter - those closest to us always end up paying for our sins.” He looked at her, sadness etched in his features. “My mother and sisters paid the price but I got handed a legacy - Tartarus.” 

And then suddenly so many pieces fit so fast, Na bi felt her mind reeling in shock. 

“You mean…. Your father was the original leader of Tartarus, the BlackJack?” 

Changkyun nodded. 

“That means during the WipeOut, they didn’t capture him, they killed him? The… The cops killed your whole family?” 

Changkyun nodded again. “It was their way of cleaning up loose ends. No one looks to protect those caught in a crossfire.” 

Na bi blinked at him.

“You did…..” She whispered. She had always wondered why Changkyun decided to go to such lengths to protect her all these days. Now, she knew exactly why.  “I was caught in the crossfire and you protected me.” 

“Some people belong in the sky Ms. Baek. It’s not fair to drag them to the shadows of the underworld.” Changkyun tore his eyes away from her and ran his hands through his hair. “My business is limited only to those who belong in this darkness. I do not seek to involve and consequently hurt anyone else.” 

Turning towards him, Na bi took his hands in hers.

“I’m sorry I….” She sighed. There were no doubts left in her mind anymore. “There were a lot of times in the beginning where I didn’t trust you.” 

“I would have thought you a fool if you had.” 

Na bi chuckled, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. 

Getting up swiftly, she pulled him up by his hand, much to his confusion. As he steadied himself, Na bi wrapped her arms around him, feeling the unwavering beating of his heart against her chest. Changkyun didn’t move for a minute and then eventually he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Thank you.” He whispered, holding her tighter and Na bi nodded against his shoulder softly. 

Na bi looked around her office, breathing a sigh of relief. 

Two more days and she could come back here. Back to her space, back to her world, back where she belonged. 

Arranging her things neatly on the table, wiping the layers of dust settled on it, she began to hum her favorite song when Seokmin knocked on her door. 

“I can’t wait for you to be back at work.” He grinned, handing her a cup of their usual horrible vending machine coffee. Na bi laughed, taking it - it somehow seemed like a treat now. 

“I can’t wait to be back too. I’ve had enough of this clownery the last month.” 

“Speaking of which,” Seokmin whipped out a phone from his pocket. “You left this here last time.” 

Na bi reached for the phone Mingyu had given her, safely slipping it into her pocket, muttering a thanks. 

“I haven’t seen you in a while Baek, what happened?” 

Na bi blinked at Seokmin. So much. So much had happened in the last few days, where was she to start from? Nearly every theory she had about Changkyun and his world had been right and it had been confirmed by the man himself. Not because of the truth serum, just because she asked. She, on the other hand, had spilt her heart to him without him even asking just because she felt like she could trust him. And she was right to. After hearing Changkyun’s past, she was more certain now. He knew what it was like to be collateral damage in a fight - Changkyun could not have killed Ana. She had to find something else for Mingyu to implicate him in. 

Just as she was about to sit to tell Seokmin all the details, her eyes fell on an envelope at the corner of her desk addressed to her. She frowned, reaching for it, turning it over in her hands. 

“Oh yeah,” Seokmin gulped his coffee hurriedly. “That came this morning, just before you got here.” 

Taking her letter opener, she slit it open, pulling out a small piece of paper. Scribbled on it was some kind of address. Confused, Na bi flipped it over and her heart dropped to her stomach. 

“Seokmin.” 

He hummed in response. 

“Give me your access card, I need to use the backdoor.” 

“Okay…” He drawled, pulling it out of his pocket. “But what happened-” 

Na bi did not answer. She grabbed the card from his hand and rushed, pushing through the crowd and the door, finally finding herself on the road. Quickly hailing a taxi and reading out the address on the paper with a shaky voice, she sat back into the softness of the leather seats, flipping it again, hands shivering.

Baek Bit Na

Na bi stood in front of the door, her breaths shallow and fast. 

She was in a quiet neighborhood at the edge of the city, in front of a small two storey house that looked like it came straight out of the sitcoms. There was a large yard around, a little set up for birds, a small dog house in the corner. The other side was filled with plants, flowers of all sorts, creepers crawling up the walls and the roof. Na bi stood there for around 15 odd minutes, looking at it all. 

She had reached out to ring the doorbell and then retracted her hand a dozen times now. When Mingyu had promised he would find her sister, she didn’t think it would be the very next day. The entire cab ride she had been wondering how she was to react when she finally came across Bit Na. Was she supposed to be mad that she forgot her for 12 years? Was she supposed to be happy knowing her sister was fine and doing  well? Or was she supposed to be upset that she spent all these years wondering whether her sister, the one person she cared about more than anyone in this world, was even alive?

Maybe it was best that she didn’t meet her. Na bi had no idea what reason Bit Na was about to give for her disappearance and she didn’t want to hear if there was any fault of her own. Or worse, if she was abandoned for no reason at all. 

Sighing, she turned to walk away, when a tall man walked in from the gate, looking at her quizzically. He opened his mouth, perhaps to ask who she was and she opened hers to make an excuse but before either of them could say anything, the door behind her flung open and a little pair of feet ran across the yard, a small girl jumping to the man’s arms as he lifted her with a happy laugh. Na bi stared at the two of them giggling away, a small smile growing on her face which froze at the voice from behind her.

“Na….Na bi?” 

Na bi slowly turned, heartbeat loud in her ears to see Bit na standing at the door, looking at her with huge, wet eyes. She looked just like she did 12 years ago - well maybe a little older now, eyebags prominent under her eyes, her usual hip fashion traded for a cotton dress with a stained apron over it, her arms caked with batter.

Na bi took a hesitating step forward, hand reaching for the other woman’s cheek, slightly caressing it, just to check if this was real. If she was real. 

Bit na’s tears drenched her fingers before she pulled her into a bone crushing hug, weeping into the crevice of her neck. 

Na bi stood still, finally letting it sink in - she had found her sister. 

“Tea?” 

Na bi shook her head as Bit na sank down on the couch next to her, wiping her hands on her apron. 

“Oh, have some. Hendery makes a mean tea.” 

The man at the kitchen entrance shot her a reassuring finger gun. Na bi nodded with a hard smile.

“Let me look at you.” Bit na turned towards her, leaning against the armrest of the couch. “You’ve grown so big…. Did you say you were a doctor?” 

Na bi nodded. 

“But didn’t you want to be a detective? Oh no, was it a cop?” Bit na squinted her eyes trying to remember. “Ah, you wanted to be a detective and marry a cop, so you both could have your little adventures together.” 

Na bi laughed softly. “That was over a decade ago.” 

“True, but why did the dream change?”

Na bi took a deep breath.  

“Do you remember when I told you I was missing the kids at the orphanage, you said the best way to remember the people we love is to take a little something about them and make it ours?" Na bi plucked the skin on her fingers. “I then picked up one friend's fashion sense, another friend’s hobby, another’s eating habits.” 

“Is that why you picked my dream? Because I wanted to be a doctor?” 

Na bi nodded. “I guess a part of me also thought, maybe somewhere, somehow, at least professionally, I’d be able to see you again.” 

“Na bi, I know-”

“Twelve years.” Na bi murmured. “It’s been twelve fucking years-” 

Bit na hissed, looking towards her daughter sitting on the floor amidst her sprawled toys, playing happily. 

“Sorry, she’s at the age where she’s learning too fast.” 

Na bi looked at her niece's tiny hands, stacking the blocks, laughing as they toppled over. 

“How old is she?”

“Four this year.” 

“I don't even know her.” Na bi scoffed. “I should be her cool, favorite aunt but here I am, sitting like a stranger.” 

“She knows you.” Bit na’s voice left her softly. “My kids grew up hearing all about our stories. All the fun we had-”

“But I should have been there! I should have been there when you were married, I should have been there when you were pregnant, when you had your children, for god’s sake Bit na.” Na bi stood up, shaking her head. “I can’t be here. I can’t possibly sit here and see this entire life you’ve made for yourself in twelve years without me. I just-” 

“Na bi,” Bit na held her hand. “I didn’t have a choice, you know I would never have left if there was any other way.”

“What did you leave then?” Na bi sighed, pulling her hands away. “Why couldn’t you even tell me-” 

Hendery walked in with two cups in his hands, glancing at both women, reading the room. Placing them on the tea table, he picked up his daughter with an understanding nod and carried her away to the garden. 

“Do you remember him?” 

Na bi frowned as Hendery disappeared behind the glass. “No?” 

“Try to picture him in a leather jacket with a helmet and on a bike.” 

Na bi tried to form an image in her head, her jaw dropping as she realized. “The guy you were seeing back then?? The one you’d sneak out to meet at night?” 

Bit na nodded. “The one our parents so terribly hated.” 

“Hated is an understatement but….” Na bi glanced at him rolling in the grass outside, lowering her voice just in case he could hear. “Wasn’t he the typical bad boy kinda guy? Selling drugs, smoking joints?” 

Bit na laughed. “He was. Back then, teenager me loved that about him. Now, he’s the best dad my children could ever ask for. And now, I love that about him.” 

Na bi sat down next to her sister.

“I wasn’t with Hendery because I wanted to be rebellious or act out. I truly loved him, the real him - The one the world didn’t see or couldn’t see or didn’t want to see. I saw it and I fell in love with it and there’s not a cell in me that regrets that.” Bit na smiled, looking at her happy family. “Hendery was like you - lonely, adopted, no one to love, no one to love him. I chose to, even though our parents detested the idea and our forbidden love led to..... led to me getting pregnant.” 

“At 16?” Na bi blinked at her sister rapidly, confused. “You were 16 and pregnant??” 

Bit na chuckled. “Well, our parents reacted like this too. Unmarried, school going rebel daughter, pregnant by the motorcycle driving drug dealer - you can imagine the horror. I told them, after the WipeOut, Hendery had cleaned up his act, he had gotten his shit together but they didn’t listen. They said they didn’t want me to have the child. That wasn’t a choice I was willing to make - the child was Hendery’s only way to have a family that was truly and wholly his and I wanted him to have that. They asked me to leave home then and never come back, never contact them or you. They didn’t want my bad influence on their only other child. They said if I ever tried to meet you or tell you what happened, they'd disown you.” 

Na bi’s lips parted in shock. “That’s why you left? Because you were scared they’d leave me, that I’d be homeless? Bit na, that was not my home, you were-” 

“What you are saying is poetry Na bi, not reality. You were not a legal adult by then and neither was I, it wasn’t practical for me to rip you out of a house you were legally placed in.” Bit na sighed. “I did wait till you were 18 and no longer needed a guardian. I went home to get you back but they had moved out of there. I tried really hard and traced them to their new house and asked about you but they said… they said you went overseas to study and that you had forgotten all about me, happily.” 

“Your parents said that?” Na bi looked shocked. They of all people knew how devastated she was by Bit na leaving. Then why..... “Of course they did, this was payback. But how could you believe that-” 

“Payback for what?” Bit na narrowed her eyes. “Na bi, what did you do?” 

“Nobody would tell me anything about you. I screamed, I cried, I begged, I waited, yet neither of them would say a damn thing.” Na bi looked away nervously. “I didn’t mean to, it was an accident but….. I might have burnt down their house.” 

“You what??”

“Again, it was an accident and I even was in reformatory for a day or two. Then your parents claimed the fire was an accident and took me back. I have no idea why.” 

“Most probably to claim insurance.” Bit na shook her head. “I know because I have a friend who’s a lawyer.” 

“I’m assuming their little stunt of telling you I had moved on was payback for that….” 

“To think I could have been with you so much earlier.” Bit na tucked Na bi’s fringe behind her ear. “After that I didn’t try to meet you or find you. I guess a part of me was hurt that you moved on, but more importantly, they said you were happy, that was enough for me.” 

“There wasn’t a day I didn’t think about you.” Na bi sighed, holding her sister's hand. “I too just hoped you were happy wherever you were and looking at your house and Hendrey and your daughter, I’m glad you were fine.” 

Bit na nodded. “But there was always a gaping you shaped hole in my heart. I even named my first born Na bi.” 

Na bi gasped, looking at the little one playing outside. “Her name’s Na bi?” 

“No the older one, she’s-” Bit na glanced at the clock. “-yet to return from school. That’s the second one, Ha neul, and the third one is on the way.” She rubbed her slightly protruding belly, making Na bi break out into a wide smile. “It’s a boy.” 

“I’m afraid I’m gonna spoil this one rotten.” 

“And I’m going to have to reheat the tea.” 

The two girls turned to Hendery who had just walked in looking beat, staring at the two cups he had left which had long gone cold. Bit na laughed, getting up, taking their daughter in her arms. “I’ll do it, give my sister some company till then.” 

Hendery nodded, sinking into the couch across Na bi, looking at her with a sweet smile she did not remember him having. 

“Bit na never stops talking about you.” He pulled his feet up to the couch then immediately shook his head before he put them down again. Na bi smiled knowing her sister hated that. 

“When we were young, she would never stop talking about you too.” 

Hendery’s eyes shone like a young boy in love. “Really? I didn’t know she liked me so much.” 

“She didn’t, she was mostly complaining.” Hendery’s face fell immediately making Na bi feel bad as she laughed. “I’m kidding. She really liked you, enough to leave me.” 

“I hope you forgive her for that Na bi.” He looked at her sadly. “And me. I didn’t know that to protect my feelings she had to hurt yours.” 

“She did the right thing.” Na bi leaned back into the couch. “If she picked me over you and your child, it would have made me feel a whole lot worse. And because I know that you make her happy, consider yourself forgiven.” Hendery smiled at her with a happy nod. “Though I’m going to have to borrow her really often. I have twelve years to catch up on.” 

“Please do.” Hendery joined his hands, begging. “Take the kids also. I can use some time away.” 

“Repeat that.” Bit na walked out of the kitchen, handing Na bi her tea, looking at her man with narrowed eyes. 

“I uh… Lime! I was just telling Na bi about the wonderful lime harvest we just had.” 

“Ooh.” Her sister looked at her excitedly. “We really did have the best harvest last week. I’m gonna whip you up some lime pudding. I remember you love it.” 

Before Na bi could protest, Bit na hurried away into the kitchen, leaving behind Hendery sighing in relief. Na bi laughed. “Are you really that terrified of her?” 

“Not all of us have the luxury of Tartarus’s protection, do we?” 

Nearly choking on her drink, Na bi launched into a coughing fit. “What?” 

“I wasn’t born yesterday Na bi. You forget, I was once part of the underworld.” 

“You….you worked for Tartarus?”

Hendery shook his head. “Gods no. Back in the day, Tartarus was a living nightmare. The Blackjack led a small group of a hundred or so assassins and they were unstoppable. They turned murder in Seoul into a casual, daily occurrence. But I heard Tartarus after the Wipeout, IM’s Tartatus, is different - a lot larger in number but more discrete.” 

Na bi swallowed the bile rising in her throat. 

“During the WipeOut I had turned my back on my dealers, tattled some names. I was ready to leave behind the life of crime and settle with your sister so I did what I thought was necessary. I was put in witness protection - they changed our identities, helped us relocate. If there’s anyone who could have found us after all these years, it’s IM’s men. Besides,” He pointed at the window with a tilt of his head. “That black car has been out there ever since you came. There’s not a single black car in this neighborhood and Tartarus are notorious for trailing.” 

Na bi immediately stood up, running over to the window and looked out. 

Standing there leaning against the surface of a familiar car was Changkyun, his arms crossed in front of his chest, his gaze wandering over the house. Spotting her at the window, he gave her a small smile...

It was Changkyun who found her sister. 

Na bi broke into a smile of her own, giving him a small wave. Changkyun nodded in acknowledgement.

Beside him, Wonho opened the door and Changkyun shot her one last look as he got in. When he drove off Na bi's eyes followed him till the end of the street before meeting Wonho's slightly mad expression. Remembering she had bolted from the hospital without letting him know, Na bi took a sheepish step back. 

When she turned, Hendery was looking at her with raised eyebrows. 

“Ah, is our little butterfly in love?” 

Na bi stared at the empty space where Changkyun was just a moment ago. She could feel her heart beat loudly in her ears at Hendery’s question. But….it was so at peace when her eyes fell on Changkyun. Did that mean….

Please don’t fall in love with me Ms. Baek. 

Na bi half shook her head. “My life is a little complicated right now, I can’t indulge in the details but…”

“I’m not judging you Na bi, I would be the last one to.” Hendery assured. 

“He’s…. not as bad as they say he is.” 

“I know.” Hendery sighed. “The first few months after your sister gave birth were hard. She couldn’t go to work so we had to rely on just me for the mortgage and the medical bills and the baby products, it was a struggle. For a brief moment, I gave in to the idea of a life in crime again - it’s easy to fall back on old habits you see. When I reached out to a friend to see if he could get me work in Tartarus, he said the boss refused. They didn’t take men with families and initially, I thought it was because he saw family as a liability, a weakness but a week later, there was a box with a fat wad of cash in it, asking me to find a decent job and never to look for Tartarus again. That was when I realized, for him, family was-” 

“A strength he wanted you to preserve.” Na bi whispered softly.

Hendery nodded. “There’s good in bad and bad in good. He’s no angel, he’s not someone to look up to or anyone to be proud of but he values people. And if he values you, cherish it. There’s not many left in the world who know how to love.” 

“Ms. Baek.” 

Changkyun knocked on the open door of her room, glancing at the empty premises. Up in the loft, Na bi looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. 

“Looks like tables have turned. How come you’re at my door today?” 

“Because you asked Mrs. Lee to tell me that you were looking for me?” 

Na bi rolled her eyes. “Come in, I’m just getting dressed.” 

Changkyun glanced at the clock, walking in. “It’s 10pm, are you going out somewhere?” 

“Not me, we are.” Na bi threw on a dress, looking at her reflection disappointed. “We’re going to the club.”

“We?” Changkyun raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, unfortunately, I won’t be able to accept your offer-” 

“It wasn’t an offer. I wasn’t asking.” 

“Ms. Baek-” 

“Na bi.” She peered at him from above, looking at the way he stood in the middle of her room, hands tucked in his pocket, expression amused. “Is there a reason you never call me that?” 

“First name basis is for those who are acquainted.” 

“Oh,” Na bi feigned thoughtfulness. “We aren’t acquainted because we aren’t friends or enemies or lovers. But we are two people who bared themselves to each other…....figuratively. Does that not count?” 

“I suppose it can.” Changkyun smiled at her with a tilt of the head. “Na bi.” 

“Changkyun.” She replied, smiling back. “Come on, I’ve got what, another day here before I have to return. Let me show you one fun, Na bi style night before I leave. As a thank you.” 

“You don’t have to-” 

“You didn’t have to find my sister either.” 

“It's not a hard task for a man like me.” Changkyun looked at her pointedly. “Speaking of which, I thought you’d be there tonight.” 

Na bi broke her eye contact with him and dragged herself back to the mirror. “I wanted to but her older daughter had some lessons in the evening and the younger one was getting cranky so I thought I could go back another day.” 

She threw on another dress, looking at herself skeptically. Something more revealing would be better.  

“Do you know an interesting piece of news though? My sister and the father of her children aren’t married. I mean they are, legally, but they didn’t have a proper ceremony for it. My sister didn’t want to do it when I wasn’t around so now that I’m here, I’m undoubtedly going to throw them an intimate wedding, some day.” Na bi looked at herself in the mirror now, finally happy with her pick. “So you have a choice. Come to the wedding as my date or come to the club with me now.” 

“I uh…. weddings aren’t my thing.” 

“So I guess it's decided then.” Na bi walked down the stairs in her blue bralette and ripped jean combo, her hair done pulled up in a tight sleek ponytail, the scent she had sprayed on stronger than usual. Changkyun’s eyes did not leave her till she came down from the last step, neither did any words from his mouth. 

“I didn’t know it was so easy to get you to agree.” She smirked at him playfully. “If you wanted to see me dressed in something slutty, all you had to do was ask.” 

Changkyun leaned close, whispering into the shell of her ear. “Who said I wanted to see you dressed in anything at all?” He gave her a cheeky smile as he took a step back and another. “I’ll see you down in 10.” 

“You know I’ve been to this club a million times but I don’t ever remember the music being this bad.” Na bi frowned, leaning against the bar, Changkyun right by her side. “Or maybe I need more alcohol in my system.” She turned to the bartender behind, screaming for another order of drinks, before looking at Changkyun expectantly. 

“No thanks.” 

“You’re such a bore.” 

“I prefer a neat glass of whiskey in my room. Diluted shots of tequila are not my poison.” 

Na bi rolled her eyes as she reached for her drink and downed it in one gulp. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand she cocked her head at the dance floor. Changkyun shook his head again, making her sigh and walk over all by herself. Stopping at the middle of the floor she turned to him, slowly swaying her hips to the music, eyes fixed on his. Of course she wasn’t expecting him to turn up to the club in a suit but something about his navy blue shirt and black slacks combo was throwing her off her game. Maybe it was the fact that he had the first two buttons undone, or that silver chain shining against his pale skin or the way his hair was falling into his eyes….. He looked hotter than usual and Na bi was drunker than usual. 

He watched, mildly amused as Na bi got bolder with her moves, pulling the hair tie off, letting her waves fall over her shoulder, the way she knew he liked it. Changkyun’s eyes darkened, just a little, but Na bi soon realized the real reason why. 

“You with anyone tonight sweetie?” 

An unknown man pressed himself against her back, slurring into her ear. Na bi looked at Changkyun who didn’t move. 

“I am.” 

“Don’t see him though. He doesn’t seem to be taking good care of you.” His breath smelt like a weird mix of soju and kimchi. “I could look after you much better.” 

“No thanks.” Na bi pushed him away with a soft jerk, but he moved towards her again, his hands on her waist this time. 

“Don’t fight it sweetie. I can show you a real good time.” 

Na bi nearly gagged, feeling his boner press up against her. Holding him by the wrist, she twisted his arm, earning a loud shriek. 

“Learn to take no for an answer dickhead.” 

She let him go, making him stumble, his drunk self easily loosing footing. The man staggered, getting to his feet, trying to charge at her angrily but one look behind her and he froze. Watching the fear creep on his face, Na bi knew that Changkyun was standing inches away from her. 

“Y-you shouldn’t go around leaving your girl alone like that. ” The man stuttered. “L-look after her well.” 

“You should worry about yourself.” Changkyun looked at him pitiably. “My woman is more than capable on her own.” 

Fucking hell. 

Na bi didn’t know if the man left or not. She didn’t even care. Turning around, she grabbed Changkyun by his chain, yanking him forward looking at him with big eyes. 

“Na bi…” 

“Shut up and kiss me.”

And when she pressed her lips on his, he did. For barely a second though. Hands softly on her waist, he pulled her back. 

“Why don’t you ever listen?” He shut his eyes, swallowing hard. “We can’t….” 

“Why not?” Pressing her forehead against his, she sighed. “I want to. I want you. I….” 

From the corner of her eye, she noticed the crowd moving uncomfortably. Na bi gulped, knowing the purpose she had dragged him to the club was finally about to commence. 

“I’m so sorry Changkyun.” 

And then came the gunshots. 

[imaginative-tekken]

What about everyone’s favorite type of snacks?

hmmm. snacks huh...

Anna - salted popcorn

Asuka - salt & vinegar chips

Baek - jerky

Bruce - nachos

Bryan - apple pie

Christie - oreos

Claudio - pretzels

Dr. B - raspberry mousse

Eddy - mint chocolates

Lili - napoleon pastry

Feng - roasted almonds

Forest - churros

Ganryu - cupcakes

Heihachi - snickers

Hwoarang - hot cheetos

Jin - ice cream sundae

Josie - chocolate chip cookies

Julia - veggies and dip

Jun - strawberry ice cream

Katarina - beijinhos

Kazumi - stir-fried anchovy banchan

Kazuya - chili cheese puffs

King - lemon meringue tarts

Kuma - i wanna go typical bear stuff and say (smoked) salmon

Lars - polkagrisar

Lee - chocolate dipped strawberries

Lei - i wanna say noodles, but idk if that counts as a snack so... fruity hard candies

Leo - gingerbread cookies

Ling - soft caramel

Lucky Chloe - lollipops

Marshall - donuts

Master Raven - bundt cake

Michelle - candy apples

Miharu - salty fudge

Nina - punsch-roll 

Panda - rhubarb

Paul - baconchips

Raven - twinkies

Robert - ranch doritos

Sergei - stuffed buns

Shaheen - zaatar croissant

Steve - cinnamon rolls

Zafina - peanut butter cups

[worldwarriorandfriendsbracket]

THE KING OF IRON FIST TOURNAMENT PRELIMINARIES OUT NOW!

I figured to wait until the release day of Tekken 8 to start the The King of Iron Fist Tournament! Or the Tekken Tournament. I'll let you guys decide on the name but for now I will just say Tekken Preliminaries!

So who is fighting it out and who is currently in the 64 bracket? I did the same seeding I did for Mortal Kombat, where I based it off of playable appearances. The 8 mainline games and the Tekken Tag Tournament games, any other spinoff is not included.

Tekken Characters In the Bracket

10 playable appearances (all ten games!)

Nina Williams

Paul Phoenix

Yoshimitsu

9 playable appearances

Heihachi Mishima

Jack

Kazuya Mishima

Lee Chaolan

Marshall Law

8 playable appearances

King II

Kuma II

Anna Williams

Lei Wulong

Bryan Fury

Eddy Gordo

Hwoarang

Jin Kazama

Ling Xiaoyu

Panda

7 playable appearances

Ganryu

Julia Chang

6 playable appearances

Wang Jinrei

Steve Fox

5 playable appearances

Baek Doo San

Bruce Invin

Mokujin

Craig Marduk

Emilie De Rochefort

Sergei Dragunov

Asuka Kazama

Devil Jin

4 playable appearances

Armor King II

Kunimitsu I

Michelle Chang

Prototype Jack

Jun Kazama

Christie Monteiro

Raven

Alisa Bosconovitch

Lars Alexandersson

Leo Kliesen

Zafina

3 playable appearances

Armor King I

Alex

Angel

Ancient Ogre

Forest Law

Tiger Jackson

True Ogre

Roger Jr.

Miguel Caballero Rojo

Robert "Bob" Richards

Tekken Characters in the Preliminaries

2 playable appearances

King I

Kuma I

Devil Kazuya

Roger

Dr. Bosconovitch

Unknown

Combot

Miharu Hirano

Jinpachi Mishima

Claudio Serafino

Shaheen

Leroy Smith

1 playable appearance

Violet

Tetsuji

Jaycee

Sebastian

Slim Bob

Master Raven

Fahkumram

Gigas

Josie Rizal

Katarina Alves

Kazumi Mishima

Lucky Chloe

Kunimitsu II

Lidia Sobieska

Azucena Milagros Ortiz Castillo

Reina

Victor Chevalier

Eliza (gonna appear in Last Chance as I forgot)

Just like last time, four groups to decide who will get the open spots. However there is a odd number so we might do a Last Chance Preliminary poll once again. The top 3 of each group will move on to the bracket. Number 4 will go to Last Chance. The rest are banished to catering forever.

The preliminaries themselves will be out soon hopefully in the next hour or so are out now. Thank you for the support and here's to another fighting game tournament.

Also been dead for a month so tagging for visibility, however you are not obligated to. If you do, then thank you very much.

@cinderpoll @victimsofyaoipoll @elementspecificcharatourney @tournament-announcer @favoritesegacharacterbracket @clash-of-the-wizards @characterswithcolorsnamesfight @silly-name-tourney @bestadaptationtournament @best-female-villain-tournament

[kyungraeist]

im being so normal about this

[ladywillowwc-blog]

Dr Cha - who’s watching?

I have been enjoying the Kdrama, Dr Cha, starring Uhm Jung-Hwa as a woman, Cha Jeong Suk, in her late 40s who, after a health scare, returns to her residency to become a fully certified doctor in South Korea. 

As a (much) older viewer, who has also had to reinvent myself more than once from wife/mother into various professional roles, I find the plot line (while obviously over-the-top for comic effect) pretty realistic. I have to wonder when I read reactions that say she should “just” 

divorce her no-good husband 

start an affair with the second lead

‘throw hands’ at another woman 

make any move that doesn’t fit with her personality, upbringing, or culture 

Who is watching this show? 

Clearly the people I am seeing reactions from are young. They don’t understand how much a woman can become identified with her roles as a wife and a mother. Some of that is personal - some of us lean into that role more than others. Some of it is cultural - why do you think so many of the women in Cha Jeog Suk’s life counsel her to stay in her marriage at first? Because they know how little an unmarried, divorced woman is valued in society. At least her unmarried friend, Baek Mi Hee, has money and therefore status. She is also lonely and wants what Jeong Suk has, even if it isn’t perfect.

In a divorce, Cha Jeong Suk is not guaranteed “95%” of the family finances, as I saw one reviewer proclaim. I don’t know what the divorce laws are like for family or community property in Korea, but I can guarantee you Dr Cha will be worse off financially if she divorces. Even in North America, most women lose financially. Yes, I’m sure you know of someone who “had to give everything to his bitch of a wife in a divorce.” Statistically, that is unusual, no matter what Men’s Rights Groups want you to believe.

Seo In Ho, the husband, has all the power in the family - he inherited money, his mother controls the money, he makes more money. Until after her surgery, Dr Cha had never used his credit card. What does that tell you? Once she goes back to work as a resident she would make some money, yes. I can guarantee it would not be enough to retain the house her husband would still own, or live the life she had been living. If it were, she wouldn’t have moved in the hospital residence.

Divorce is a difficult, complicated issue. It represents a complete failure of her whole adult life. She was young - early 20s - when she had Jung Min and got married. She stayed in medical school in spite of having a baby until Jung Min and her mother were in a car accident - perhaps when he was about 7? Then she had another child the same year her husband was in a program in the US, met his 1st love, had an affair, got her pregnant and came back to Korea. Irang and Eun Seo were born the same year - they are now 16 or 17. She stayed home for 20 years making a home and bringing up her children to be good people, which, in spite of some childish behaviour on the part of the literal children, they have become.

So asking for and planning for a divorce should take some time, don’t you think? It means rejecting her whole life - admitting that EVERYTHING she has worked for was a lie.

Having an affair with Dr. Roy Kim? He is a good person (which is why he is careful about how he deals with her) and she is a little overwhelmed with shit right now. He saved her life (and is very good-looking, and pays attention to her when her husband doesn’t) - she must wonder if any feelings she has are real. She constantly rejects Mi Hee’s hints that he is into her. She ‘builds rapport’ by being there for him when his personal journey goes badly - and she must feel so grateful to be able to repay him a tiny bit for everything he has done for her - but she doesn’t have the space or the time to work out how she’s feeling about him, and anything she decides now could be a disaster down the road. And I’m not sure she is that interested in sex at the moment either - she’s been 10 years without, and she probably thinks she’s over that stage of her life. (It happens. Our sex drive fluctuates through life. A lot.)

Getting into a physical altercation with another woman? Does that seem like Jeong Suk? She is angry throughout most of this show (14 of 16 episodes down), and so far has only thrown a coffee pot and a bracelet. Besides, whether she wants to or not, she feels for Choi Seung Hi, the other woman in this story. She thought her husband was worth giving things up for too, for a long time. She rightly puts most of the blame on him, although she would still like Dr Choi to leave the hospital!  

Finally, it amazes me that people watch shows deeply rooted in a different culture, with different philosophical roots and ways of seeing the world, and demand that the plot conform to their own narrow understanding. North American/white Protestant values are not the norm worldwide. Watching Korean dramas (and I am quite new to this) shows how often Confucian or Buddhist thinking underpins everything, even when the characters themselves are neither. The cultures are steeped in a way of seeing, a way of moving through the world. It’s important to step back and try to see that. Isn’t learning more about the way other people experience life the point of all fiction?

TL/DR - I just had to say all of this. I may have written some of this plot differently, but I am not mad about how it is unfolding. So far, it holds together for me. If Dr Cha decides not to go through with the divorce, for example, I will feel sad for her, but not angry at the writers. I know lots of women who would make the same choice. And choosing to be alone if she does divorce Seo In Ho also would make sense to me. As my grandmother said when she was widowed, “Why would I want to wash someone else’s socks again?” Being alone is not punishment. It can be freedom.

[best-yandere-tournament]

Tentative list of characters!

1. Siyun Baek, Dreaming Freedom:

2. Juhyeon, Dreaming Freedom:

3. Khalid, From a Knight to a Lady:

4. “hikaru" from the summer hikaru died.

5. komaeda, danganronpa:

6. Dagmar from Disenchantment -

7. Zylith, Freaking Romance:

8. Morae Baek, I Don’t Want This Kind of Hero:

9. Fiona Frost, Spy X Family:

10. Der Tod, Elisabeth:

11. Ijin Yu. Teenage Mercenary.

12. Fu Shenxing, Who is the Prey:

13. Cutthroat from Akudama Drive:

14. Damon Gant from Ace Attorney:

15. godot from ace attorney.

16. Atsushi Nakajima from Bungo Stray Dogs.

17. Ken Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul.

18. Hidan from naruto!

19. Nagisa Kaworu from Neon Genesis Evangelion.

20. Joshua Kiryu from The World Ends With You,

21. Tomura Shigaraki, BNHA,

22. Qifrey from Witch Hat Atelier

23. Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen

24. Killua Zoldyck from Hunter X Hunter

25. Nikolai Gogol from Bungou Stray Dogs

26. Akio Ohtori from Revolutionary Girl Utena:

27. Some Rabbid from Rayman Raving Rabbids.

28. Tooru Mutsuki from Tokyo Ghoul.

29. Hoshiumi Kourai, Haikyuu

30. Allegro from Vampire in the Garden.

31. Pina, Beastars.

32. Henry from Fire Emblem.

33. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII series.

34. Edelgard von Hresvelg from Fire Emblem.

35. Divus Crewel from Twisted Wonderland.

36. Sky Kids from Sky: Children of the Light.

37. Charlotte Wiltshire from Hello Charlotte (video game series)

38. Kim Namwoon from omniscient reader's viewpoint,

39. Mammon Obey Me!

40. Quercus Alba from Ace Attorney Investigations.

41. Kyubey from Madoka Magica:

42. Shinya Banba from Akuma no Riddle:

43. Yukako Yamagishi from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable.

44. Enrico Pucci from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean.

45. Sukone Tei, VIPPERloid.

46. Cecil Palmer from Welcome to Night Vale,

47. Lysithea von Ordelia from fire emblem three houses.

48. Ursula - The Little Mermaid -

49. Shogo Makishima from PSYCHOPASS.

50. Enoch Drebber from The Great Ace Attorney 2.

51. Ayame Sohma, Fruits Basket:

52. Yashiro nene

53. Muraki Kazukata (Yami no Matsuei/Descendants of Darkness)

54. Brook (I’m the Grim Reaper)

55. Dr Frost

56. Reinhart (I Failed To Oust the Villain)

57. The Sandman from The Sandman (Uri/RPGMaker).

58. Sal (Wadanohara)

59. Kanna kamui from Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid.

60. Ice King from Adventure Time.

61. Jiraiya from Naruto.

62. Dash X from Eerie Indiana:

63. griffith of berserk.

64. Noi, Dorohedoro

[manawari]

Imagine a solo leveling au where the korean s_rankers meet their most challenging ever in the history of dungeons. The scenario is called survive high school drama. In this scenario,you have to act based on the system giving you a role to play aka as school stereotypes. If you succeed,you get amazing upgrades and a weapon. If you fail the role,you have to read fairy tale books that are like dr seeus and grimm fairy tales.

lmaoooo that'd be so chaotic!

The S-Ranks as high school stereotypes? Hmm. . .

Sung Jin-woo

definitely an emo. The system will give him that role and he will do it naturally. All he has to do is wear black, stay quiet, and do whatever he wants by not bothering people.

Cha Hae-in

I imagine her as a "popular girl" for a challenge and she won't likely do a good job on it. She hates attention and being gawked at, preferring to be alone or with people closest to her. Yep, she will end up reading fairytales instead.

Choi Jong-in

shockingly for him, the system gives him the nerd role. He will probably do well. . . Or not. Nonetheless, he won't mind reading Grimm's fairy tales.

Baek Yoon-ho

a jock, to be precise. I think he will do well in his role as he's already got the looks and demeanor, but he can't stand acting tough all the time. He gets through the challenge and hopes to forget everything he had done for the system.

Lim Tae-gyu

the class clown! Of all the S-Rankers, he is the one who hates his role the most. It feels an insult to him. He fails a few moments later, but Tae-gyu still hates it since he's not fond of reading fairytales, and at least it's better than acting like a clown even though he is.

Min Byung-gyu

this man will squeal if he gets the nerd role. Or theater kid. Either way, as long as he gets to talk about history, he will be fine. Though, he might request the system to let him read Hans Christian Andersen stories despite succeeding the challenge.

Eun-seok

maybe "popular guy"? Lol, he'd mess his role just like Hae-in. Or not at least, since he's friendly and wouldn't mind communicating with others while ignoring how annoying it gets. Plus, he likes challenges, and will likely fail on purpose just so he can read the "punishment" books.

[pod-together]

Pod-Together Day 4 Reveals 2023

something like a prayer [text, audio] (The Magnus Archives (Podcast)) written by Lua, performed by semperfiona Summary: It’s a never-ending prayer: his heart belongs to her. . . . It’s a never-ending prayer: his heart belongs to him.

A Lesson in Binary (Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) - All Media Types) written by cac0daemonia, performed by Flowerparrish

Angelic Rage Generates Humdingers (ARGH) (Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens (TV)) written by Sodium_Azide, performed by Djapchan and Sodium_Azide Summary: Their bosses have less than no idea about the best way to actually get things done, so this cooperation with The Enemy is important in a couple of ways. Face-to-face conversations are easy, but few and far between. The humans have invented plenty of ways to communicate long distance-it will probably be fine. In which Crowley's handwriting is the true enemy, and Aziraphale somehow invents the Twitter thread via actual birds.

These Are the Words You’re Looking For [text, audio] (The Mandalorian (TV)) written by bluegeekEM, performed by blackglass Summary: The droidsmiths were onto something when they created the IG-11 mecha, so Din turns to them and Greef for help once again. (And again. And again...)

A Nightmare within a Dream (Hannibal (TV)) written by poppetawoppet, performed by NotBatman52 Summary: A Princess Bride fusion, as every fandom deserves at least one.

Illness of the Heart (The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien) created by Sivan325, PolynomialPandemic, and Juulna Summary: Gandalf could hear a very distinct coughing sound and when he stepped inside the room, there were green leaves everywhere. He stepped closer to examine the prince, and it was then that he noticed a symbol, inked over the prince's heart; a sword, a bow, and an axe. The elf prince looked paler than Gandalf had ever seen him.

The Great Globe Itself Job (Leverage) written by shadowsong26, performed by Shakespeare_stole_my_url and Wereflamingo Summary: So this is the Leverage team, going about their business--in the style of William Shakespeare.

The Art of Not Letting Go (Ted Lasso (TV)) written by rockinhamburger, performed by klb Summary:Beard takes a deep breath and gives in to the impulse he’s been restraining for weeks: “But with your permission, I'd love to run off this plane and into her arms.”

Ted’s eyes widen now, and Beard watches anxiously for hints of how he’s taking this. Ted leans back in his seat and closes his eyes for a few moments, like he’s doing some internal reflection. Then he opens his eyes again, looks at Beard, and says, soft and quiet, “No.”

No. The no hangs in suspension as Beard struggles to make sense of it, that’s how sure he was Ted would say yes. He’s too surprised to speak. He must be taking too long because Ted shifts forward, expression conflicted. “Now, obviously you got free will, Beard. I’m not about to tell you what to do. You’re free to make whatever choice you want, so if you wanna stay here… stay with her? I trust you to make good choices, and I’ll support whatever you choose.” Ted lets out a slow, emotional breath. “But if you’re asking for my permission, I--” He visibly swallows, “I’m not giving it.”

The Ones Who Need Us (The Ones We Need) [text, audio] (Good Omens (TV)) written by estelraca, performed by justaphage Summary: Aziraphale and Crowley haven't just had each other through the years. The problem is that pets (and people) just never last long enough.

Once a great love (Original Work) created by Colourofsaying, Flowerparrish, Hagar, jennisaisquoi, kittona, MsTiggy, Rambling_Company, sapphoenyx, stargateinmybasement, and bluedreaming Summary:“Once a great love cut my life in two. The first part goes on twisting at some other place like a snake cut in two.” -Yehuda Amichai Far out in the Asian Badlands, Colonel Dr. Baek needs to keep alive a psychic who just lost her supporting partner, and solve a seemingly-unrelated medical mystery.

I Am Not There (I Did Not Die) (The Locked Tomb Series | Gideon the Ninth Series - Tamsyn Muir) written by zombified_queer, performed by CrimsonMoonn Summary: After everything that's happened, John Gaius, the Emperor Undying, takes a moment to read the letters his Saints have sent and kept secret behind his back.

[teriri-sayes]

Reactions to Tsunami Creator's Chapter 177

TL;DR - CJS misunderstanding Cale. GoD and Cale's convo. Cale and Alberu's convo. Cale's group arrives at Guangdong Beach.

Soos? LSH = ❌ CJS = ✅

The Misunderstanding The first part was so hilarious that I translated it:

Cale's expression hardened as he frowned. What did this guy just say? "…Sob. You're so mean…?" Cale was so dumbfounded that he read the message sent to him. It was something he did without even realizing it. "Hey, you know-" Choi Jung Soo, who happened to be just entering, saw Cale holding up a dazzling mirror and saying, "Sob, you're so mean." And he quietly went out. With an expression that he saw something he shouldn't see.

Ahahahaha 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 CJS thought Cale was talking to himself and immediately went out of the room in shock.... 😂 And it doesn't stop there. Remember that Ron is in the room too? Does Ron know that Cale can talk to GoD with that mirror? Or does he also think that Cale had gone crazy? 😂

Cale: ...Sob. You're so mean...? Ron: ... Cale: Have you gone crazy? Ron: ... Cale: Ron. Ron: Yes, young master. Cale: I'm going to have a conversation, so please take that man out. Ron: Have a pleasant conversation. *takes Baek out with him*

No, seriously. I want to know if Ron is aware of the divine mirror's function. 🤣🤣🤣

GoD's Info Dump This part took half of the chapter, but to summarize:

GoD will tell Zed's location in exchange for Cale finding CJG

GoD got stepped on by GoB again

God of Hope came to save GoD

GoB was deeply concerned after hearing the report about the Aipotu world, and gave Cale more freedom

GoD warns Cale (out of his own goodwill) to not know more about the divine world if Cale did not want to be a god

Cale and GoD's conversation always makes me laugh too... 🤣🤣🤣

GoD: I'll tell you Zed's current location if you do me one favor. Cale: To find CJG? GoD: I really like how you can talk with me. Cale: I hate the fact that I can communicate with you. GoD: Sobs

Bob Alberu in Endable Cale contacted Alberu to report what he found about Zed, and was surprised to find that Alberu was disguised as the dark elf Bob again. So what happened? Apparently, while he and Eruhaben were looking for a location to place the mine in Endable, they found a suspicious place deep underground of White Star's palace.

There were some traces of crossing worlds there. And the traces of a god's power too. Woah. And the first god Cale suspected was... God of War. Why? Because Cotton was in Endable at that time.

It doesn't help that GoW treated the Water AP badly. Sure, he cherished her, but kept her "chained" unlike GoD who doted on Cage and let her run free. Water AP knew that GoW was good, but also cold. She herself was left confused after Cale's conversation with Alberu.

Ending Remarks Chapter ended with Cale arriving at the beach where they will board a boat to head to Hainan Island. Anyway, today was a good chapter. Lots of funny stuff and some info dump. Next chapter will probably be the prelude to the battle. Ah, I'm excited to see another tsunami again!

[letthemhateme]

eugh it's so hard to find people to roleplay with these days, everyone is in private cliques and discord servers

so anyway here's my last attempt at screaming into the void to find interactions, these are all the canon characters I write in all the different fandoms. I write para/multipara, just about any genre (esp angst and fluff and smut) m/m ships only and 18+ for various nsfw themes, and I'm open to canon compliant threads and AUs. I'm a lil slow on replies sometimes because life sucks and so does chronic pain, but I'm also down to just hang or play games or whatever idk. I don't always feel like writing every muse on the list, and I have my favorites, but I also have pretty niche interests so don't be afraid to reach out if something catches your eye. I'm a lil picky in who I write with, I don't care for drama and I require at least basic literacy, but other than that just be nice :3

I don't write on tumblr because I have no idea how to work this hellsite tbh, but I'm open to trying

Right now my biggest muse is probably Goro Akechi (P5R) and I have the worst akeshu brainrot rn hehe I would die for akeshu interactions

Games

Cyberpunk 2077 — Johnny Silverhand, male V

Persona 5 — Joker, Akechi

World of Warcraft — Anduin Wrynn, Mathias Shaw, Sabellian, Neltharion/Deathwing, Koltira Deathweaver, Azuregos

Warframe — Tenno

Genshin Impact — Childe

Witcher — Jaskier, Iorveth, Gaetan, Detlaff, Regis

Nier Automata — 9S, Eve

Dishonored — Daud, the Outsider

Hades — Zagreus, Thanatos

Morrowind — Nerevar, Nerevarine, Dagoth Ur

The Legend of Zelda — Link (SS, TP, TotK, BotW)

Haven — Yu

Nier Replicant — Brother Nier, Emil

A Date With Death — Casper

Anime/Manga

Jujutsu Kaisen — Satoru Gojo, Toge Inumaki

To Your Eternity — Fushi

Natsume's Book of Friends — Natsume Takashi

B: the Beginning — Izanami

TAL — Baek-Jeong

Hozuki's Coolheadedness — Hozuki, Hakutaku

Bungo Stray Dogs — Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Chuuya Nakahara

Attack on Titan — Levi

Castlevania — Alucard

D. Grayman — Allen Walker, Lavi

Kara no Kiyoku — Tobi

Dororo — Hyakkimaru

The Case Study of Vanitas — Noe, Vanitas, Louis

Kara no Kyoukai — Mitsuru Kamekura, genderbend Shiki Ryougi

Talentless Nana — Jin Tachibana

Night Head 2041 — Takuya Kuroki

Shows/Movies

Every Hugh Dancy character ever tbh

The Witcher — Jaskier

Hannibal — Will Graham

Books

Animorphs — Tobias

Skulduggery Pleasant — Skulduggery, Nefarian Serpine, Lord Vile

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde — Jekyll and Hyde

Other

Fate/ series — Robin Hood, Cu Chulainn, Andersen, Gilgamesh, Zhou Yu

YouTube — Jameson Jackson, Antisepticeye

Forgotten Realms — Bishop, Artemis Entreri, Jarlaxle

Fallen London — Mr Eaten/Candles, Mr Veils, Mr Stones, Mr Pages, Mr Wines

[whats-wild-to-you]

Dr. Daredevil (Jay Park AU)

Chaeyeon

'Nurse Jung could become an issue.'

I replayed Kang Hyuntae's words in my mind over and over again.

Jaebeom had left for the hospital but insisted that I stayed here and, as he so eloquently put it, heal.

I was absentmindedly chewing on my french toast when I heard the front door spring open. Thinking that Jaebeom came back because he forgot something, I jumped on my feet, eager to meet him halfway.

Only when I stared into the cold eyes of his grandfather, I realized I was wearing one of Jaebeom's shirt that barely covered my ass.

"Figures." The old man commented dryly.

"Mr. Park, I-"

"Save it. I'll wait here while you get dressed."

Much to my surprise I complied and shuffled back to the bedroom, picking up my clothes that there scattered all over the floor.

"I had no idea Jae-"

"That stupid immature boy really thinks he can keep secrets from me."

"I-"

"Let's get to the point of my surprise visit. Ms. Baek, I'll make it quick. I want you gone! Out of my grandson's bed, and life. Out of Seoul. Tell me, how much will it cost?"

I was so taken aback that for a moment I was glad that I didn't sell my parents's house in Andong. But then I came back to my senses. Jaebeom's grandfather was controlling his life and maybe he was intimidating enough to threaten a few more people but he wouldn't succeed with me.

"I'm not quitting!"

"I gathered that much. I'm sad to say that leaves only one option."

He turned on his feet and left without finishing his thought, but I had a pretty good idea about what was going to happed. He would get me fired. I had no doubt that Jaebeom's grandfather possessed that kind of power. All I could hope for was that Kim Donghyun wouldn't let himself get bullied by an old man with money.

Kang Hyuntae

The minute I saw Chaeyeon walking towards me, I knew something was wrong. All her measly attempts to appear busy and dodge everyone who tried to approach her couldn't fool me.

When she passed by me, nodding her head in greeting, I grabbed her arm and dragged her inside the nearest supply closet.

"What the fuck is wrong?"

"With you? I'd say a lot!"

"Quit bullshitting. What happened?"

She pushed past me, shooting me a warning glare. I decided to let her go, I'd approach her later when she had time to cool off.

But I didn't see her for the rest of the day, and stayed well after I was done with work, waiting for her.

Chaeyeon

Thank God my day turned out to be busy. I welcomed the workload, as it kept my mind from spiraling. There was no doubt in my mind that Jaebeom's grandfather had threatened me. I needed someone to confide in, but I couldn't talk to either Jaebeom or Dr. Kang.

Twelve hours after I entered the hospital this morning I checked up on my last patient and handed my files to the night nurse. My job here was done and I had earned myself a hot bath and a warm meal at home.

"Dr. Baek?"

I turned around, looking into the frightened eyes of a younger doctor.

"The director wants to see you."

Even though I was desperate to take a quick shower and change out of these filthy scrubs, I nodded and changed my direction, walking towards the elevators.

At an easy pace I walked up to Kim Donghyun's office. I had caught a rare case earlier. A patient who came in, displaying conflicting symptoms. Every doctor was in his room, trying to figure out what was wrong with the man, but in the end it was me who diagnosed him correctly. I guess word travelled back to Kim Donghyun and he wanted to congratulate me. Maybe even present me with a premium. Already schemening about how I would spent the money, I pushed down the handle, casually walking in and plopping down on his comfortable couch.

"Hello, Mr. Kim." I said in a chipper tone.

Kim Donghyun looked up from his folder, acknowledging my presence.

"Dr. Baek, you're here."

I was still on a high from my earlier success that I failed to hear the dull tone in his voice.

"I heard you had an interesting case earlier..."

I was grinning from ear to ear, impatiently waiting to hear about my reward.

"... which makes what I'm about to say even more difficult. Dr. Baek, I'm sorry but you're fired."

It was as if someone had dropped a bucket of ice cold water over my head. I was petrified, my mind was racing to make sense of what I just heard, yet I couldn't move my lips to utter that one word swirling around in my head.

Why?

I watched as Kim Donghyun shifted his focus back on the folder on his desk, indicating that our conversation was over.

Just like that?

Fired?

Without any plausible reason?

Really?, the voice in my head screamed.

It took all my willpower to get up and leave his office with my head held high, when all I wanted to do was cry, drop down on my knees and beg him to change his mind.

You know why you're fired!, a much smaller voice answered in my head as I finally shuffled out of his office.

It appeared that Jaebeom's grandfather was a lot more powerful than I had imagined.

Not wanting to deal with anyone, I just exited the hospital, needing to get far away from this place. In reality I was cowering on a park bench in a nearby park, waiting for the time to pass. Eventually I had to go back for my clothes and stuff but the later it got the bigger were my chances to walk into an empty hospital.

It was close to midnight when I heaved my body off the wooden park bench and began walking towards the building. I passed by the security guard who greeted me and turned left heading towards the cafeteria. It was a shortcut. If I took the emergency staircase up to the fourth floor I could avoid the night nurse too.

"There you are!" I heard someone call after me.

I immediately recognized his voice. Moments later he emerged from the shadows.

"Maybe you want to talk about it now?"

"What's the point? You already know!"

"I do. You got fired. Did you run into Jaebeom's grandfather? Where? Did he threaten you? Ask you to leave? Talk to me!"

I cringed when Kang Hyuntae mentioned Jaebeom. For a moment I wondered if he knew. If I would find a dozen unanswered calls and messages on my phone.

"He doesn't know. He left early."

Does that mean everybody else in this hospital knows I was fired?

"I just came back to get my stuff."

"What will you do?"

I just shook my head, unable to form a coherent thought. I'd have to confront myself at some point and seek answers to these questions, but not tonight.

Jaebeom

After I had left work early, I had dinner with some businessmen my grandfather insisted I had to meet. Dinner led to drinks, which led to more drinks at a bar and by the end of the night I was drunk and had to call a substitute driver.

I barely made it into my apartment and sulked when I realized Chaeyeon wasn't there. Surely she must've seen the key I left for her on the shoe rack. I smiled to myself, realizing I probably had to spell it out for her.

I didn't think I was ready for her to move in permanently but I definitely wanted her to use the key and make a surprise appearance every now and then.

My last thought before I drifted off to sleep was how the sheets still smelled like her and how that was the closest this place ever felt to a home.

I texted Chaeyeon first thing in the morning, asking if we could meet outside the hospital for lunch. When I didn't get a text back I chalked it up to her busy schedule. As I walked in through the door I texted Hyuntae, asking him to meet me in my office.

When he showed up, he looked like he had a rough night and an even rougher morning.

"Everything okay? You look like crap."

He nodded, but there was surprise, astonishment and worry in his eyes. His lips formed into an o-shape and he avoided eye contact.

"You're being weird today. Weirder than usual. Hey, have you seen Chaeyeon this morning? She must be super busy!"

He shook his head, trying to squeeze his body past mine even though I was effectively blocking the door.

When I fixated my stare on him he sighed before racking his fingers through his hair.

"Last night Kim fired Chaeyeon."

"What?" The word came out as a angry roar.

Why didn't she contact me? Why didn't Kim contact me?

"I don't know the specifics, all I know is that this has Park Min Gu written all over it!"

"My grandfather? Why would h-" The words stuck in my throat. Of course he would do something like that. He probably had planned it all along.

"I tried to talk to her, yesterday morning, but she wouldn't tell me what was wrong with her!"

"Yesterday morning?!"

My mind was going a mile a minute. I left in my apartment yesterday morning. Could my gr- No! Impossible. I bought the apartment with my own money, using an alias. There's no way he found out I own it. But what if he-

"Fuck! Do you know where she is right now?"

"No idea. I tried to call her but her phone must be turned off."

"What about Lee Kangmin?" I hated this guy with a passion but he was Chaeyeon's friend. Maybe he knew something.

Kang Hyuntae's face lit up. "I didn't even think about asking him. I'll track him down and see what I can find out. I'll text you as soon as I know more."

He patted my shoulder and left me alone with my thoughts.

This time the chairman went definitely too far.

Chaeyeon

Soojung loaded my plate with scrambled eggs and french toast and placed a mug of black coffee next to it.

"Eat. Then talk." She demanded, while angrily stabbing the scrambled eggs with her fork.

I had showed up at her door late last night and initially offered no explanation for my sudden visit.

Instead I noticed the absence of her husband, but not only he was gone. His stuff was gone too.

'We're not going to talk about my failed marriage when you look like you've been crying. Spit it out or I'll make you!'

Soojung had always been intimidating, but because I was her friend I was immune to it. Last night though she was terrifying, so I gave her the Reader's Digest version before curling up into a ball on the couch and falling asleep.

After I had told her the whole story over breakfast the next morning, she sighed, impatiently tapping her perfectly manicured nails on the marble counter.

"What are you going to do next?"

"What else? I'm going back to Andong."

"No way! You have to stay and fight. They can't fire you like this!"

"What's the point? Jaebeom's grandfather has too much influence! I can stay but I won't get hired by another hospital in this city! Mr. Park made sure of that."

"What will you do about Jaebeom? I'm sure he's going to call when he finds out what the old man did. Are you going to ignore him?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "They're family."

"And you really want to go?"

"Want, no! But I have no choice. I'm going to call Hwang Inseok and beg for my old job back, and pray that the news haven't reached his ears yet."

My genius plan backfired, royally, when Hwang Inseok ignored all my calls.

An unnerving thought sat in the pit of my stomach. Did the old man's power reach so far that he was able to manipulate Hwang Inseok too?

Surely that wouldn't be the case, but I had to see for myself. I had to go to Andong and see Hwang Inseok in person.

After charging my phone, I switched it back on and, no surprise, found several dozen messaged and missed calls from Jaebeom. Out of instinct, I blocked his number and asked Soojung for the keys to her car.

-> next chapter