5:30 p. m.
Seoul National Karate Tournament

7-0

The scoreboard provided a lot of assurance indeed, but that did little to diminish my anxiety as I walked towards the fighting ring. Our team was 7 points ahead of that of the opposing, so we would definitely win, but was that a justification to make me stand against the most muscular and fiery player of the opponent team?

I gulped hard as the referee asked us to take our positions.

You are an assassin Erin. How can you be afraid of this steroid-puffed shit of a muscle?

Be that as it may, it just brings us to the next question of discussion.

Am I wronging my father by engaging in these petty tournaments and competitions while he left all that he ever had in Daegu and came to Seoul to pursue his enemy?

But it wasn't the time to get distracted.
I realised it soon enough, when I was just in time to dodge a severe blow from my opponent.

The first round was a 0-0 tie. The bulky bastard had too much of muscle strength (an obvious outcome of in taking too much of steroids),for me to overpower using Taekwondo skills. Only if I could get a knife or a Berreta...

I came out of the ring and plopped down in one of the seats, between Jungkook and the senpai.

"You did well, Erin. Making the enemy impatient is a very good tactics. But do try some punches next time, we must try and score some more points".

I liked how he always mentioned the opponent as the enemy. It helped instigate anger against the opponent, and was definitely a great stimulation.

"You'll do great", Jungkook whispered with a pat on my back, as I faked a smile. The thought of facing the giant again made me nervous.

My opponent, or enemy as you may call him, appeared more enraged at not being able to score points against me. But no way was I letting him win this time.

The struggle was hard indeed. For a long time, neither of us gained any grounds. All of a sudden, however, I felt him grabbing my hair in his fist, and tugging my head low, trying to kick at my ankles, almost  making me fall on my back. That would give him 5 points straight.

No way. Grabbing one's hair is against the rule! But who was listening.

I tried kicking him behind his knees, one of the pressure points of our body, but the bastard grabbed hold of my wrists, and twisting them, threw me straight onto the carpet.

"1... 2...and...3! Team Gangwon  plus 5! "

I lay panting on the ground, as I saw dismayed, the referee holding up his hand, a mocking smile plastered on his damned face.

That's when the pain surged through my left wrist, it felt as if someone had just crushed all of the bones that were there.

The round was over, so I had to get on my feet, but more than the pain, I felt ashamed to face the senpai.

Wincing with pain, I glanced at the scoreboard.

7-5

My mind wasn't done registering the loss yet when I heard Jungkook's voice over and above all the cheer's for the opponent team, "There! She's hurt! She needs help please, over there".

I turned to see that he was now standing near the audience seat, calling out to one of the paramedic, who, on hearing his urgent calls, was rushing down the aisle with a first aid kit.

Some of the staff members understood that it was me who he was pointing at, and soon I found myself in one of the resting rooms wincing as the paramedic held an ice pack against my wrist.

I wanted to cry then. No, not because of the pain—Kim Erin wasn't raised up to cry at petty sprains —but because of the humiliation which was too much for me to take.

Just then, the door opened and I saw Jungkook rushing in.

"You okay?", he asked as he came towards me, but halted as his eyes landed on my rapidly swelling wrist which now looked like an inflated football, " Oh my god Erin this is-".

"It's just a sprain Jungkook, I tell you I'm fine", I tried to assure him hurriedly, being slightly troubled as I saw his jaws clench dangerously.

" That fucking son of-"

"Calm down Jungkook", I cut him off, throwing a sideward glance at the paramedic to make sure if she was comfortable with him cursing out his anger. " You'll be getting late, it's time you went back".

I wasn't having him standing there and get more worked up each minute.

"Where will I go- oh c'mon man I'm not leaving you to fight there. I wanna smash the referee's head at this moment. Like couldn't he see the bastard grabbing your hair? "

Shit. He had noticed that too. But it still didn't feel right that he should miss the chance, after being selected as the best four for the tournament (which was, indeed, a difficult task), just for me. I was fine anyways.

"Look here Jungkook, we are just 2 points ahead of them. If you don't go and fight that bastard, he'll win without even having to fight. You won't let that happen would you?", I said. Encouraged to see that it was working, I added , " Please Jungkook. You gotta do this. For me".

That finally worked, for he got up from his chair with a determined look in his eyes and said, "I tell you Erin, if I don't break that bastard's nose today, I'll change my name", with that he strode out, closing the door behind him with a bang.

I wondered what other name would suite him.

For there's no fucking way anyone could win against that monstrous beast's foul play.

Ms. Kazuha, as I learnt was the paramedic's name, had given me a painkiller to reduce the unbearable pain, and I had hardly popped the pill into my mouth when in came that burly beast, his hands pressed against his face.

I nearly choked on my saliva.

Where is Jungkook. Is he fine. What was he doing here?.

To both of our astonishment, the player removed his hand and we saw that he was bleeding profusely, his nose and his mouth were smeared with blood.

"Internal injury. Surveillance advised. May need artificial respiration", one of the staff members who had escorted him called out and exited the door.

Since I was the one who was eliminated, Jungkook was supposed to fight him, and it was more than clear to me, what had occured between them. With one last glance at the bleeding man, I left the room, frantically searching for Jungkook.

The tournament was over by now, and I could see the scoreboard proudly displaying our team's victory.

I finally found Jungkook with the senpai, the latter smiling proudly and patting him on the back. Seeing me he said, "I'm really proud of you both. Though it's bad that Erin got hurt so badly, but you didn't let our team down! Kudos kids! "

"Jungkook what the fuck? ", I whisper yelled at him once the Senpai had gone to congratulate Byeol and Bong Hun, " What did you do to him? "

"I'm sorry Erin", he said looking down and slowly stroking my bandaged wrist,
" Next time anyone dares to lay a finger on you, I promise you I'll do better than just breaking their nose".