The sky above Seoul had dipped into deep blue, the last remnants of daylight fading behind the forest of glass towers. Neon signs flickered awake one by one, splashing the streets with ribbons of pink, electric blue, violet and gold. Gangnam at night felt like a different world.

An alive, reckless and beautifully loud world.

And Liam, hands in his coat pockets, felt surprisingly energized.

He wasn't ready to return to the quiet apartment that has been prepared for him. Yesterday's club experience in Macau had been ruined—first by a pushy young master, then by violence.

Tonight, he wanted something different. Something normal. Something fun. He wanted to actually enjoy the atmosphere everyone kept raving about.

"Second chance," he murmured. "Let's see what Seoul can do."

He followed the wave of people moving toward the nightlife district.

He approached the entrance of one of the biggest clubs in Gangnam. The line outside snaked around the block.

But before Liam even joined the line, he noticed three people standing beside the velvet ropes.

A woman in a sleek black uniform. Two guards in tailored suits.

And all three were facing him.

Liam blinked in confusion and surprise.

When he got closer, they bowed.

"Good evening, Mr. Liam," the woman said warmly. "Welcome to GoodTime."

Ah.

Liam couldn't help the tiny amused smile.

Of course. Macau must have warned them.

The lady stepped aside and extended her arm politely.

"We've been informed of your arrival. Please, follow us."

"No waiting?" Liam asked, raising a brow.

"No need for that," she smiled. "You are a special guest of our network. Your convenience comes first."

He wasn't offended. Honestly? It was convenient. And if clubs across Asia were going to treat him like a walking black card, he wouldn't complain too much. At the very least, it reduced unnecessary trouble.

The guards escorted him past the long line, earning him hundreds of stares.

The automatic doors slid open. Inside, the lobby glowed with ambient purple lighting. The woman gestured toward a private corridor.

"If you follow me, we have a VIP suite prepared—"

"No need," Liam cut in, smiling politely. "I'm not interested in the VIP section tonight. I prefer the main floor."

She blinked—surprised, then quickly composed herself.

"Of course. As you wish. In that case, please enjoy anything you desire tonight. Drinks, food, service—everything is complimentary."

"That's generous," Liam replied.

She shook her head lightly. "It is simply the respect we give our most valued guests."

Liam didn't call out her lie. They weren't offering respect. Rather, they are offering protection. For themselves. No club wanted to be the one that upset him.

Am I getting myself a bad rep?

The guards bowed once more and stepped aside. Liam walked forward alone.

When he pushed open the final soundproof door, the world exploded around him.

The DJ stood on an elevated booth surrounded by LED panels showing shimmering graphics. The bass vibrated through the floor and straight into Liam's shoes.

He exhaled slowly, allowing himself to enjoy it.

This is much better than Macau.

He approached the long bar stretching across the left side of the club. Neon accents lit up the bottles stacked behind the counter.

A bartender with silver-dyed hair spotted him immediately.

"What can I get for you?" he shouted over the music.

"Vodka. One glass."

"One glass?" the bartender repeated with a grin. "Starting light tonight, huh?"

Liam shrugged. "Did enough drinking yesterday."

The bartender laughed and poured him the clean crystal liquid. Liam took the glass, swirled it once, then downed it in one smooth gulp.

The alcohol burned pleasantly on the way down.

"That's all for tonight," Liam said.

The bartender blinked. "…Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"You're weird, man," the bartender laughed. "But cool weird."

Liam tapped the counter in acknowledgment and turned toward the dancefloor.

He didn't intend to dance yet. He simply watched.

Hundreds of people moved like waves under the flashing lights. Some wild, some reserved, some feeling the music deeply, others just pretending to.

Liam was focused on the atmosphere when he heard someone calling him.

"Hey—hey! You!"

He turned to the direction.

A group of four Korean girls approached him, laughing loudly as they nudged their slightly tipsy friend forward.

The shy one, wearing a sparkly silver dress, held her hands up defensively.

"No—no, stop pushing me!"

Her friends giggled harder.

"You can do it, Minseo!"

"She's too shy to ask for your number, handsome!"

Liam blinked.

Minseo turned red.

"Wh-What? No! I—I just thought he was cute, I didn't say—!"

Liam smiled softly. "It's alright."

Her friends cheered.

Minseo covered her face with her hands. "Please stop…"

One friend leaned in and whispered loudly, "She never approaches anyone. You're her type. She said it."

Minseo squeaked. "Unnie!!!"

Liam laughed. It was one of the few actual genuine smile he has given.

It felt refreshing.

He stepped closer, with his expression gentle.

"Do you want to dance?"

Minseo froze.

Her friends screamed in excitement.

"Yes! She does!"

"No I—I mean… yes… I mean—"

Liam extended a hand.

Minseo hesitated… then placed her hand in his.

He led her toward the dancefloor.

The moment they reached the center of the crowd, the DJ switched the track into a deeper beat, with a slower rhythm, as neon pink haze filled the air.

Minseo moved tentatively at first, unsure, nervous. Liam matched her pace—slow, simple, easing her into the music.

"Relax," he shouted over the bass. "We're just having fun."

She nodded, letting out a breath, and slowly began to loosen up.

Soon, her movements became smoother, her steps more confident. She smiled shyly every time their eyes met.

"You're… really good at this!" she said.

"I just move until it looks right," Liam shrugged.

"That's not how dancing works!" Minseo laughed.

"It works for me."

They danced until Minseo eventually stopped, breathless, laughing into her hands.

"I need a break! You're too much!"

"You danced well," Liam said.

"I danced like a baby giraffe!"

"You danced better than most people here," Liam replied truthfully.

Her face flushed.

Her friends ran over, cheering her like she won a championship.

"You see. It's not that hard!"

Minseo gave Liam a shy bow.

"Thank you… really. I had fun."

"Same," Liam smiled. "Enjoy the rest of your night."

The girls waved excitedly as they left.

Liam returned to the edge of the dancefloor, letting the rhythm vibrate through him.

He couldn't help but wonder maybe this was why people loved clubs.

Because of the energy.

The feeling of being one heartbeat among hundreds. The feeling of being young. The feeling of living without thinking.

He made sure to enjoy himself. He didn't leave until it was past midnight. It was time for his weekly sign-in.

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