Author notes: After building a low-key life with few dangerous elements voluntarily added, the Gods decide to add something different to his so-called uncomplicated life. Please read, review, and join in the ride. :)
Undisclosed location near the Samsung shipping yards
As scheduled, the tugboat 'Seokga' guides the cargo ship 'Sang-Je' into port. The captain and shipyard's manager review the ship's manifest as workers inspect the unloading cargo. No one bats an eye to the side of the ship opening and ramp stretching to the dock. Several transport trucks unload and merge with the pipeline into the highway of Soeul.
Within two hours of touchdown, the area is coordinated off and set for the pre-set track and receives people for this month's Jowangshin Races. The bright lights and noise of the illegal operation are masked by the rumbling machines and boat horns of the shipping yards just miles away. The armed guards admit invitation-only guests as the bookies, pit bunnies, racers, and mechanics weave within the crowd.
There are a few rules in these events:
1) No talking about the races in the public.
2) All bets are final and paid at the end of the race.
3) No weapons.
If any rules are broken, the offender is banned from virtual and on-site future races. Availability is limited as these events were highly sought for mixing with the most influential and rising stars in the private sector and underground.
The roar of motorcycles and sketching tires streaming down the track mixed with the sound of spectators was deafening. Dark flags with a white outlined Fei Lian beast pattern flutter in the wind. Money and titles are exchanged with squeals and laughter as the disgruntled make their displeasure known.
The prominent Korean racers, Daegun, Wangja, and Dalnim, sit near the ramp door in their bike transport. The platform allows them to watch the crowd and stay out of the way of the mechanic's pit. All wear matching motorcycle black leather suits with white and black accents. The logo is a flame with an eternity symbol that sits over each wearer's heart.
Daegun and Wangja stand at 183 cm, with a muscular build. However, Daegun is broad with a honey complexion and long black hair. His dark brown eyes are fiercely cold and guarded, bordering on menacing. The breeze from the sea picks up his long hair. His full lips pull into a scowl as he ignores the lustful stares and blatant invitations.
Where Daegun is wide, Wangja is slender with brown hair, shorn sides, and long bangs that roguishly cover eyes with an easy smile and pampered pearl-like complexion. Many underestimate his intelligence and determination. Winking at a cluster of passing females, he smirks at the twittering he caused.
Dalnim, the shortest and only female of the group, sports colorful hair, tattoos, and a broad, muscular build. Her 157 cm means nothing. Big things come in small packages.
The new team, Teyrïn Cono (Mongolian for 'Heavenly wolf'), is buzzing with activity just meters away. New pit bunnies dressed in wolf ears and paws propped against the bikes showcase all the new bikes' features and add-ons for sale. The mechanics quickly move as they set up for the next race.
Three females in face paint and racing leathers holding their helmets come out of the tent, and all are wearing the Teyrïn Cono insignia over their hearts, a black flame outlining a wolf's skull. Ignoring the cat calls, they move as one toward the opening gates.
Usually, female racers wear skin-tight two-piece leather suits with little to no padding and high heels boots, looking more like pit bunnies instead of a racer. These women wore full one-pieces with shoulder, elbow, knee protectors, low heel biking calf boots, and low long ponytails. The one on the left face is painted in the traditional Kumiho. Her leather is blue with purplish-red diamond pattern panels. On the right, wearing tiger face paint, orange and green with a bamboo design, and the middle was interesting. Her face paint of green, orange, red, and gold is of the traditional Kohl theater design. Her suit is white, with dark red panels and gold wispy clouds on the left side of the suit. Wangja grunts, "Well, look at that, they're serious riders."
Nodding in agreement, Daegun looks closer. Their suits have wear, tear, and creases. Dalnim snickers, "At least we know now the rumors were true." Curiosity had Daegun speak first, "What rumors?'
Looking at him, "The one in white is Shira. Some years back, she was the best racer in Bangkok. Many racers disappeared when the government started cracking down on illegal racing circuits. Not all were sent to jail. Some bodies were found others just disappeared. It bled into other arenas like the fighting circuit almost started an underground war for a bit."
Crossing his arms, Wangja smirks, "Uhm, so this Shira is that good? Wonder if she would give me a taste of her skills."
Just to the group's left, the backers of the races, Taan Chaiyasan and P'il Joo-Won, burst out in laughter, Joo-Won motions them over. Well into their 60s, both men are the image of clean-cut businessmen with salt and pepper hair and beards with a small entourage of guards, "Ah, the Royal Court is speculating on a possible rival as you should. My dear nephew, your skills are known here on this Circuit. That woman is known in three. You couldn't handle a woman of that caliber." Pointing toward the track gate with an evil grin, "Watch her, and those acolytes of hers, Jetta the one with the diamonds, and Caster is the one with the bamboo. They may end your reign."
Walking away with a cackle as he rubs his hands together like a Broadville villain, the trio hears Taan, "I do love competition it gets the juices flowing."
The racers blink as they look at one another, Joo-Won doesn't compliment anyone. The hard ass was more prone to give a backhanded snark and sass than a compliment.
The trio scrambles to the Mechanic's pit, where they can see the race from a teleprompter. The women place their helmets on their color-matching bikes. Bookies make the last call for the closing of bets.
Another racer leans toward the trio with a leer, "Hey babies, are ya'll lost?" All give a deadpan look. Each presses their hands into a wai, with closed eyes, and says with reverence, "May the gods look to us with favor."
Some riders laugh, "Ya honey, you'll need it!'
Lead mechanic Semaj scoffs, "That idiot just disrespected a prayer for them all. I hope little shit crashes."
The second lead, Unji, snickers, "This is gonna be good. That is Lee's kid. That little bastard didn't know what he signed up for when he agreed to the mixed match." Clapping in glee, "I'm gonna make a fortune!"
Chinmin whines at her husband, "Don't tell me you're betting again."
Waving his hands, trying to calm her, "It's a sure bet five to one favor for the Lee. I've seen them ride. Everyone's underestimating them. Much to our advantage."
Tackling her husband to the ground, "They better win!"
They did more than win. It was a slaughter of epically embarrassing proportions. After the sound of the horn, all engines flared to full throttle, and the bikes were off. The Lee group tried to flank and bully the females back but skill out manuvers brawn in any game.
Instead of flustering the women, the audience saw the colorful suits weave between the basic black into an intricate pattern. The men were so focused on disrupting and embarrassing the women that they didn't notice they were too close to one another.
Unintentional break checking is interesting when it is within the same team members. Quickly pulling away as the other team struggled not to become a pile-up, the women tore away. First by a bike's length, then a car, and finally by a trailer. Leaning into each curve of the track, the men were forgotten as the women began jockeying for first position giving the crowd what they came for an adrenaline-induced high.
All watching from the teleprompter were at the edge of their seats as the crowd leaned so far forward that some looked as if they may fall onto the track. Just as Shira, Jetta, and Caster crossed the starting line, each woman pulled up their bike to one wheel riding high as if to salute, then each came down like a domino set then twisted around into a park position where the race started.
The men came into view just as the screaming crowd poured into the racing gate.
Daegun let go of the breath he unconsciously was holding. "The fu…"
Dalnim and Wangja "Dammmmnnnn…"
"Ah, I miss the showmanship, such a lost art." Leaning back on his chair, Semja nods as he admires the winners. Ignoring his pit team jumping around like fools.
Translation:
Daegun (Korean) - Royal court prince
Wangja (Korean) - Prince
Dalnim (Korean) - Moon Goddess
Shira (Japanese) - White princess
Jetta (Danish) - Home Ruler