Perfected Abnormality - Windbreaker

Uhh, I don't have a proper time schedule but I'll try my best to post one chapter a day.

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Chapter 3

Kurt couldn't stop himself from smiling as he stared at Minu Yun—one of the crucial characters in this story.

"Sup. How are you?" Kurt raised a hand in greeting, his voice casual.

Minu didn't respond right away. His wary eyes were locked on Kurt. And who could blame him? The kid had just obliterated another boy's face with a single punch. Even children had the natural instinct to fear the strong.

"Why did you do that?" Minu finally asked, his voice calm but firm.

Kurt tilted his head. "I assume he's a friend of yours, right?" He gestured toward Hwangyeon, who lay unconscious on the ground, blood pooling under his broken nose. His friends weren't any better—some had collapsed in shock, and a few were trembling with wet pants.

"For how long were you gonna let him be a bastard?" Kurt continued. "Since you weren't doing your job, I took the initiative."

He turned to Vinny, who still sat on the dirt, staring in disbelief.

"Oi, red-hair. Look at them."

Vinny glanced at the defeated bullies—the same ones who had tormented him for so long. It was that simple?

He clenched his fists, then slowly opened them again.

Meanwhile, Minu had stepped away from Hwangyeon and crouched beside Vinny. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern laced in his voice.

"Piss off," Vinny muttered, shoving Minu's hand away. He hated being pitied.

Kurt let out a small chuckle. "Seems like my work here is done." He stretched lazily and turned to Minu. "Take care of that mess, will you?" He nodded toward Hwangyeon before stepping toward his bike.

Minu held his gaze for a few seconds before sighing. "Alright."

Just then, his bodyguards arrived, their faces full of alarm.

"Y-Young master! What happened here?"

Minu didn't bother explaining. "Just call an ambulance."

The bodyguards rushed to follow his order.

Minu turned back toward Kurt—only to find that he was already gone.

He quickly scanned the area until Vinny nudged his shoulder and pointed at the road.

In the distance, Kurt's silhouette was barely visible, already blending into the streets.

Minu exhaled, shaking his head. "Ha… what a monster that kid is."

Vinny, for once, had no choice but to agree.

Minu was soon pulled away by his bodyguards, but before leaving, one of them shot a warning glare at Vinny.

"You again? How many times have I told you to stay away from the Young Master?" the man said coldly. "Listen, kid. Keep your distance from him."

Vinny didn't even acknowledge him.

His focus was on the stack of bills in his hands.

Kurt had given it to him—an apology for ruining his day. He had even told him to buy some chicken and share it with his family.

Vinny thought of his mom.

A grin spread across his face as he turned and hurried home.

The bruises? The pain? The humiliation?

It was already forgotten.

Because tonight, he wouldn't have to settle for just rice and soy sauce.

Kurt returned home only to be greeted by his mother waiting at the gate. Her arms were crossed, foot tapping impatiently against the ground.

She was pissed.

Dead.

Kurt sighed, already bracing himself for the endless nagging he was about to endure.

The next morning, Kurt woke up to an unusual sight.

Jay was on a bike.

The very bike their uncle had given him.

Kurt watched with interest. He knew Jay would develop a passion for cycling in the future, but at this point, he had expected him to remain tame. After all, Mahon had focused most of his attention on Kurt rather than Jay.

Yet here he was, riding.

"Hey."

Jay flinched at Kurt's voice, immediately stepping off the bike.

"Brother…" he muttered, avoiding eye contact.

"Hm? Why'd you stop?"

Jay hesitated, staring at the ground in embarrassment. "…I can't ride that well yet. Compared to you—"

CLANK.

Jay's words were cut short by the sound of metal hitting the pavement.

He looked up in confusion.

Kurt had tossed his own bike onto the ground. Then, with a smirk, he grabbed it and mounted it again.

"Wanna ride together?"

Jay's eyes widened.

For a moment, he didn't move. But then, with a hesitant nod, he got back on his bike.

And just like that, his passion for cycling was solidified.

As they rode under the setting sun, the warm glow casting long shadows across the pavement, Jay could feel something stirring inside him.

It was freedom.

"How does it feel?" Kurt asked, eyes fixed on the horizon. "To be released from your shackles and just enjoy it?"

Jay hesitated.

A part of him wondered—was this really the right choice?

But as he looked at his brother's ecstatic expression, he knew his answer.

"…I like it, hyung," he said firmly. Then, for the first time in a long while, a genuine smile spread across his face. "Biking is the best."

Kurt chuckled, ruffling Jay's hair. "Then I'm glad. Pursue it. I'll support you. And don't worry about Mom—" He smirked. "I'll take care of her."

Jay deadpanned.

"Weren't you just running away in fear yesterday?"

Kurt simply whistled, ignoring the jab.

As they rode home, Kurt's gaze suddenly flickered toward something in the distance.

He slowed down.

Something on the street had caught his attention.

"Jay, go on ahead. Tell Mom I'll be back soon."

Jay frowned. "Where are you going?"

Kurt let out a low chuckle.

The kind that immediately gave Jay bad vibes.

"…Something fun."

And with that, he pedaled off into the night.

Jay sighed.

This idiot is always up to something.

Shaking his head, he turned toward home.

Iseul Hong had just finished work and was heading home with her son.

She glanced at Vinny walking beside her and couldn't help but frown.

It wasn't because she was dissatisfied with him. Far from it.

Despite everything, despite his condition, she treasured him more than anything in this world.

No, her frustration wasn't with Vinny—it was with herself.

She hated that she couldn't provide a better life for him. Hated that he had to grow up in poverty because of her incompetence. Every single day, she blamed herself.

If only I had a better job… a reliable husband…

Maybe things wouldn't be this bad.

But reality was cruel.

She was the only one providing for their family, and no matter how hard she worked, it was never enough.

"Mom, what's for dinner?" Vinny asked, eyes brimming with excitement.

That look.

It made her chest tighten.

She knew what would come after he heard her answer. The same cycle of disappointment.

She swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart… we'll be having the usual today," she admitted. "B-But I promise, in a few days when I get my salary, I'll buy us some meat!"

She forced a smile, gently patting his head.

Just as she expected—disappointment flickered in his expression.

It broke her.

I have to work harder.

Biting her lip, she swore to herself—she would take on more jobs if she had to. Anything to make sure Vinny didn't have to suffer like this.

"It's fine, Mom!" Vinny said suddenly, grinning. "We already ate chicken yesterday anyway!"

Iseul's heart clenched.

Vinny was maturing too fast.

He shouldn't have to accept suffering like this. He shouldn't have to act stronger than his age.

All because of their situation.

"R-Right…" she murmured, forcing herself to smile. Desperate to change the subject, she quickly asked, "You made a new friend, right? Bring him home sometime. I'd like to thank him."

Vinny blinked, then looked away.

His expression was complicated.

It was clear that he respected the boy… yet at the same time, he seemed to be in denial.

Not that it mattered to her. What mattered was that someone had accepted Vinny for who he was.

She could only hope that boy would be a genuine friend.

Then—

A voice echoed from the alley ahead.

"Hah, your guess was right, man. She really does take this path."

Iseul froze.

Her face drained of color.

That voice—

She knew it.

Too well.

From the alley, four men stepped out, their gazes filled with malice.

They were grinning.

But Iseul wasn't looking at them.

No.

Her eyes had already landed on the figure lying on the ground—beaten, barely conscious.

Her voice trembled.

"…D-Dear?"

One of the men sneered.

"Oh, this guy? Yeah, turns out he was useful. Didn't even hesitate to sell us your location," he said mockingly. "Thanks to him, we didn't have to waste energy looking for you."

Iseul felt her world collapse.

Her own husband had sold her out.

Her body stiffened, but she forced herself to speak. "What are you doing here? I… I already paid off my debt…" she whispered, fear creeping into her voice.

The men laughed.

Loud. Cruel.

"You're right," one of them said, wiping a fake tear. "That loan's been settled."

Iseul's stomach twisted.

Then—

"But this guy says otherwise."

They pointed at her wasted husband.

Her breath hitched.

Her mind spun, but she knew one thing—

She couldn't afford to break down now.

Not with Vinny here.

She had to end this.

"C-Can we talk this out?" she pleaded. "How much does he owe you?"

She already knew what they would say.

She already knew she had no way to pay.

But she had to stall.

One of the men grinned.

"1 million won."

Her heart plummeted.

"Now," the man continued, stepping forward. "Be a good girl and hand over whatever's in that bag of yours."

He reached out—

And suddenly, something slammed into his leg.

"…What's this?"

The man looked down.

Vinny.

The little boy was kicking him.

Trying—desperately—to fight back.

Iseul's breath caught.

No, Vinny—!

The man smirked.

His hand shot forward, grabbing Vinny by the hair.

"Do you think we're playing around, huh?"

And then—

With a single swing—

He threw him.

Vinny's small body collided with the wall.

"STOP!"

Iseul rushed forward, panic consuming her.

She didn't care about the debt.

She didn't care about the men.

All she cared about was Vinny.

She dropped to her knees beside him, hands shaking as she checked his condition.

His breathing was ragged. His tiny chest rose and fell unevenly.

Iseul's hands trembled as she frantically checked Vinny.

He was breathing.

She felt a wave of relief crash over her. No major injuries—thank God.

But that relief lasted only a second.

Because then, she realized—her situation hadn't changed.

Her heart pounded as she looked up at the four men, their twisted grins cutting into her soul.

She didn't care about herself.

She only cared about Vinny.

Iseul grabbed her bag with shaky hands and threw it toward them.

"Take it! Please—just don't hurt my son!" she pleaded.

The men exchanged amused glances before tearing the bag open.

Their smiles quickly disappeared.

"Are you kidding me?!" one of them roared.

There was nothing valuable inside.

The anger in his eyes made Iseul's stomach drop.

Before she could react, he grabbed her hair and dragged her across the ground.

A sharp scream ripped from her throat as pain flared through her scalp.

She crashed onto the pavement beside her unconscious husband.

"Ha! As expected, you two are perfect for each other," one of the men sneered.

Then, the kicks started.

Stomp.

Her ribs screamed in agony.

Stomp.

She couldn't breathe.

Stomp.

Her body felt like it was shattering.

But even through the overwhelming pain—her eyes were only on Vinny.

She could see him stirring, slowly regaining consciousness.

Her chest clenched.

Please… don't do anything rash.

"Two pigs enjoying the party! Squeal for—"

CRACK.

The man froze.

His knees suddenly collapsed inward with a sickening snap.

A horrible, unnatural angle.

"…Huh?"

His mind couldn't process what had happened.

But then—pain.

Raw.

Overwhelming.

His mouth opened to scream—

But before the sound could escape, a fist buried itself in his face.

CRUNCH.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

A blood-curdling shriek tore through the night as his front teeth flew from his mouth.

His entire face felt like it had been smashed by a hammer.

He gasped for breath, vision spinning, struggling to focus.

And then—he saw it.

The nightmare unfolding before his eyes.

A child.

A boy no older than the red-haired freak they had just tossed aside.

And he was breaking his men.

Bones snapped under his fists like brittle twigs.

Each punch landed with a sickening, wet crunch.

Flesh pulped.

Limbs twisted at angles they shouldn't.

The alley echoed with the gruesome sounds of destruction.

"W-What… what is this?!"

The man's voice was barely more than a broken whisper.

That was his mistake.

Because the moment he spoke—

The child's eyes turned to him.

His stomach dropped.

That gaze.

Cold.

Unfeeling.

Predatory.

His body moved on its own.

He tried to crawl away, hands clawing at the pavement, dragging himself forward with everything he had.

His legs were useless. Completely shattered.

But even then—he had to escape.

He had to.

The footsteps behind him were slow.

Measured.

Each step carried a weight so heavy it pressed him further into the ground.

Five seconds.

That's all it took.

Five seconds before Death caught up to him.

The man barely managed to twist his body to look back.

And then—the child raised his foot.

Aimed at his chest.

And stomped.

CRACCCKKKK!

Ribs snapped like brittle twigs.

His lungs collapsed.

A gargled wheeze escaped his throat as he convulsed on the ground, pain drowning out every thought.

The sound of breaking bones rang through the alley.

A sound so satisfying—yet utterly horrifying.

Vinny could only watch.

Eyes wide.

Breath stolen.

To him...

The kid same age as him has become the greatest person in the entire world.