Chapter 4: The Night Activity

By nightfall, Hana’s life took on a different rhythm. She wasn’t just the woman behind the counter at a convenience store; she was also something else, something more. Something that kept the darker parts of her mind at bay.

After her day of dull monotony, she would head to a small, unassuming martial arts gym on the outskirts of Busan. The gym wasn’t anything special—dim lights, worn mats, and a handful of trainers who knew the difference between a chokehold and a headlock. But it was the one place where Hana could push the nightmares out of her head, if only for a few hours.

She had found her peace in the repetition of practice—strikes, parries, blocks. Her movements were fluid, a reflection of years of training in various forms of combat. The gym was where she could put her body through the paces and drown out the memories of her darker days.

The students were a mix of people—rich kids looking to build strength and discipline, office workers trying to shed a few pounds, teenagers looking for a sense of belonging. Hana taught basic martial arts—primarily self-defense and kickboxing—but there was always an edge to her lessons. Her students were impressed by how quickly she could demonstrate techniques and how effortlessly she’d adapt to each individual’s skill level. Some found her intimidating, others found her striking, though she hardly made any effort to draw attention.

She kept them at arm’s length, emotionally. Her job was to teach them, not to get involved in their lives.

But even if Hana was not here for the social aspect, the students often tried to get closer. Some of the men, noticing her toned muscles and the sharpness in her eyes, attempted to flirt. They would offer compliments, lingering too long after the class, but Hana remained distant, knowing the game too well. A smile, a polite thank you, and then she’d step back, maintaining the boundary.