TMPG Prologue

Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
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02:00 AM

During the time when the lights of buildings and houses were dimming and people were resting and sleeping, on one road in the heart of Bangkok, there was movement instead.

Vroom

Several large, pitch-black cars drove at the legally permitted speed in an orderly line, before the first two cars came to a stop at a certain point on a street corner. However, they did not park by the roadside, nor by the sidewalk. Instead, they stopped, blocking the road, leaving a one-lane gap in the middle, and letting the other cars drive through to the very end of the road.

Then, they did the same thing.

Once the cars were completely stopped, dozens of robust men stepped out, going straight to their assigned positions, ready to signal that the “arena” was ready for tonight’s guests.

02:15 AM

“Hey, Phîi Pakin has arrived!”

Not long after the signal was given that the arena was ready for use, the sound of a high-speed engine tore through the air, telling all the underlings that... the boss... was about to arrive.

Not long after, an American supercar, the Hennessey Venom GT, made its appearance, showing off the sleekness of its modern form and its metallic grey color that reflected the nighttime lights like a precious gem. The luxurious supercar that held the world record for top speed... the new darling that had just recently entered the private showroom of “Pakin,” freshly delivered—a darling brought out for its debut to show everyone “who” held the most power here.

His appearance caused the gatekeepers to move their cars aside, allowing the supercar to rush into the center of the arena. Then....

Screech

The luxurious car turned almost ninety degrees, the sound of its brakes echoing loudly and shockingly. Finally, it came to a majestic stop right in the middle of the road, and its owner stepped out.

A man who, just by arriving, changed the atmosphere of the event.

From a silent, lonely darkness, it was being transformed into the scorching heat that speed lovers yearned for.

The fiend of the city-center racing arena had arrived.

The fiend, owner of a height over 185 centimeters, a handsome, rakish face, thick eyebrows, a prominent, high-bridged nose, and sharp, glinting eyes that, with just a glance, made everyone submit at his feet. His short-cropped hair only multiplied how good this man looked. Not to mention his tall, large frame; even wearing just branded jeans and a short-sleeved shirt did not diminish his imposing presence. On the contrary, it only revealed more of this man’s charm.

No matter how he dressed, no matter his hairstyle, this man could never conceal the raw quality within him.

The raw quality that was this man’s deadly charm.

“How’s it going?” Pakin turned to ask his close associate who had arrived earlier.

“Just the bikes remain. They’re on their way.”

It was beginning.

Panchai, a subordinate with a large, tall build, answered the question in a way that made Pakin nod in acknowledgement as he swept his gaze around the event area. Then the corner of his mouth lifted. His eyes glinted with pleasure at the speed race that was about to—races on official tracks were interesting in one way, but races that broke every rule, yet where the law could not touch him, were something else... thrilling and exciting.

02:30 AM

Beep, beep, beep

A large container truck was reversing into a parking spot not far ahead of the event. The skilled mechanic Pakin trusted was standing with his arms crossed, watching the workers give reversing signals without taking his eyes off them. Because inside the container were six superbikes worth millions.

Superbikes... not just big bikes or mini bikes that ordinary people thought were all the same just because they were large vehicles.

They were different.... Different in ways that bike enthusiasts knew well.

“What do you have to show this time?” At that moment, Pakin stepped right up and patted the shoulder of the man standing with crossed arms twice, causing the head mechanic, Payu, to turn and look. The corner of his mouth lifted high.

“And what did Phîi send for me to play with?”

“A DUCATI 1099 Panigale, this year’s model. An import; it just arrived a week ago,” Pakin said with a laugh in his voice, thinking of the latest superbike that had come into his possession.

A price of one million did not make him bat an eye.

“Phîi gave me little time, and also requested it be repainted black.”

“I just don’t like red, it doesn't suit me,” Pakin replied with a smile, but his eyes clearly showed the question... So, can’t you even do that?

A question to which Payu himself smiled at the corner of his mouth.

“Repainting isn’t hard, but the test ride is. Phîi knows I modify but don’t race. I had Sai-fah take it for a lap, so I changed the clutch pump; the old one was too stiff. And changed the brakes, modified the headlights a bit..... Today, I’ll bring it to test on the actual arena first, then I’ll know what else should be modified for this year’s model. Phîi knows I haven’t handled it yet.” Payu mentioned his twin brother who preferred hitting the track more than himself, but who still could not compare to another close friend.

A close friend of theirs... but Phîi Pakin’s favorite racer.

A favorite whom Phîi Pakin would undoubtedly have test the new bike.

“Can it compete with the 1299?”

“This isn’t just about the bike’s performance, but also the rider,” Payu said with a smile, because this time it was clear Pakin intended to have his favorite take the new one out, even though he usually used a DUCATI 1299 Panigale.

“Heh, we’ll just have to wait and see. But is he here yet?”

“He’s here. Saw him kissing his romantic partner behind the container.” Pakin nodded in acknowledgment as he looked towards the event area where luxury sports cars were still constantly driving in.

One could look down on street racers all they wanted, but one could never look down on the members of his racing event.

This event was not for just anyone; you could not get an entry ticket easily.

The event is exclusive, Pakin thought, smiling contentedly at the lively atmosphere of the event, while he himself walked towards the opened container, revealing all six race bikes he had selected himself. Here, his arena, his rules, his vehicles. No one could break the rules, unless there was a special case-by-case agreement.

“Tell them, first round in ten minutes,” Pakin turned to give orders to his close associate, then stepped out to stand with his arms crossed, leaning against his car, waiting for tonight’s excitement.

A wait that he did not know... would be utterly ruined because of a certain someone, Pakin thought.

02:45 AM

And then, the moment arrived. The time everyone was waiting for had come, because all the participants gathered to stand beside the arena—which was, in truth, a road in the city center—watching the racers preparing to start on their stylish bikes. Of course, this event involved gambling.

A large amount of money, part of which was hush money for government employees.

“Hey, are you looking for trouble with me or what?!” Graph shouted.

However, before the start, before the competition could begin, a shout full of anger came from the side of the arena, causing Pakin, who was standing with his arms crossed, to turn sharply and look. His pair of sharp eyes, which had shone with satisfaction, turned displeased. His long legs strode straight towards the source of the incident, while everyone at the event watched with interest.

“I’m not looking for trouble! You’re the one who started it with me first!” the other man retorted.

Thud

Pakin pressed forward, but he had not even reached the point of seeing who was having trouble with whom when a shrill cry, brimming with willfulness, rang out, causing his long legs to halt. From a relaxed demeanor, his eyes became tense and stern, and he stepped—

A brave youth, still in his school uniform sleeves, was arguing with two other men.

A youth whose face, the moment Pakin saw it, made him grind his teeth.

Grab

“Hey, you damned troublemakers... Phîi Pakin!” Graph shouted.

The tall figure immediately grabbed the collar of the youth who was complaining loudly, causing that youth to turn around sharply, ready for a fight. But merely seeing who was staring, Graph started, calling out with a face that had lost color. Of course, anyone staring into the eyes of someone extremely angry would naturally be afraid.

“How did you get here?” Pakin’s deep voice, usually easy-going, was now forced out angrily. However, Graph took only a fraction of a second to put on a boastful face, lifting his chin, replying in a simple voice.

“I walked in. I have legs, you know,” Graph said.

“Don’t come here to stir up anger,” Pakin said.

“I did not—” Graph began.

“Graph!” Before he could finish his full reply, Pakin shouted with a harsh voice, causing Graph to startle and shut his mouth abruptly upon being called by his name.

And without waiting for this youth to answer any further, Pakin swept his gaze around the event and asked in a strong voice,

“Who allowed this youth into the event?!”

A question that made the entire event fall completely silent. Even Graph’s adversaries retreated fearfully. Of course, the gatekeepers who had taken three thousand in hush money did not dare step forward to admit it, besides quickly stuffing the money into their pockets and bowing their heads to look at the ground in fear.

“I asked who let this youth in!” Pakin asked again, his sharp eyes looking, demanding an answer.

“So what? Who cares who let me in? I’m in now,” Graph, who had his collar grabbed, quickly said, fearing he would not be able to enter next time like this, causing Pakin to turn back and lock eyes with him.

“Are you sure you want to answer like this?” Pakin asked, a question that made Graph hesitate.

“I... I mean...” Graph stammered.

“I let him in myself, Khun Pakin,” Panchai said.

At the moment Graph spoke haltingly, knowing how severe the punishment for sneaking in was, a voice sounded from behind, causing Pakin to turn and look... his close associate.

“You let this youth in, Âi Chai?!” Pakin asked.

A question accompanied by sharp eyes demanding an answer, causing Panchai to turn and meet the eyes of Graph, then look back at his boss’s face.

“Khrap, I let Khun Graph in myself,” Panchai said.

“Phîi Chai, you did not let me...” Graph began.

“I let Khun Graph in myself, Khun Pakin,” before Graph could deny it, Panchai quickly said firmly, looking at his boss with a serious expression, causing Pakin to narrow his eyes, and then...

Thud

“Ouch!” Graph cried.

Graph’s body was thrown with a crash onto the middle of the road surface, causing him to cry out loudly. He looked up, ready to fight, only to meet terrifying eyes and a deep voice that announced harshly,

“Go home, all of you. Today’s event is over,” Pakin said.

“Hey, Phîi Pakin, you can’t do this!” a voice protested.

“That’s right, Phîi, it’s just one youth. Just throw him out and it’s over,” another added.

The moment the words ended, complaints rang out because today’s event was fully prepared. What’s more, they were ready to race, just waiting for the start signal. And that made Pakin sweep his gaze around the event and ask one single question.

“Here... who’s the boss?” Pakin asked.

Silence

One single question that silenced all complaints, while everyone hesitated, not daring to answer, because if they dared oppose him... do not expect to come next time.

The silence made Pakin speak in a cold voice.

“If I see this youth in the event again, I will shut down the event like this. And if anyone allows him into the event...” The corner of his mouth lifted just a bit.

“I’ll kill them!” Pakin declared.

It was not a threat.... because Pakin was serious.

Having finished speaking, he turned to his close subordinate.

“See you at the house. Bring him back with you,” Pakin said, the ‘him’ referring to Graph sitting and moaning on the road surface.

Then, Pakin, who was the biggest at the event, turned towards his new darling car, got in, and drove away without listening to anyone’s dissuasion, leaving behind only disappointment, dissatisfaction, and anger. But no one dared do anything, because everyone here knew well.

Knew that at this racing arena… The man named Pakin... was the greatest, they all thought.