Choi San, a revered and feared mafia boss, reigns over Seoul's underworld with an iron fist, his influence extending seamlessly across both legal and illegal domains. But his empire is shaken to its core when his beloved daughter, Eun-ji, is kidnapp...
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As I drove through the dimly lit streets, the weight of the meeting with Viper and Blaze still hung over me, but my mind was already shifting gears. The real test was about to begin. I had told Seongjun that I'd take him to San, and now it was time to make good on that promise. Whatever came next would determine the balance of power in the city, and I had a sinking feeling that everything was about to explode.
The familiar streets leading to my home passed by in a blur, the lights and shadows flickering like memories I was trying to shake off. As I pulled up in front of my place, I could see Seongjun already waiting outside, leaning casually against the side of the house. Even in the darkness, his presence was impossible to ignore. He looked calm, but there was a sharpness in his eyes—one that spoke of years of experience, of battles won and lost, of survival.
I killed the engine and stepped out of the car, the cool night air brushing against my face as I approached him. He didn't say anything at first, just studied me with that quiet, unreadable expression he always wore. He was a man of few words, but I knew he had been waiting for this moment.
"You ready?" I asked, my voice quieter than usual, the tension of the night catching up with me.
Seongjun nodded slowly, pushing off the wall and walking toward the car. His movements were deliberate, calculated, like a man who was always prepared for whatever came next. He opened the passenger side door and slid inside without a word. For a moment, the silence between us felt heavy, loaded with all the unspoken things that lingered from our past and everything that lay ahead.
I got back into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel a little tighter than necessary, feeling the weight of what was about to happen. "They still think you're dead," I said after a moment, starting the engine again. "Viper and Blaze—they're convinced you're gone. I didn't tell them anything."
Seongjun glanced at me, his eyes cold but with a flicker of amusement. "Good," he said calmly. "Let them believe what they want for now. When the time is right, we'll deal with them."
I nodded, focusing on the road ahead as I pulled out and started driving. The streets were quieter now, the occasional car passing by, but for the most part, it felt like the whole city was holding its breath. The headlights cut through the darkness, the sound of the engine the only thing breaking the silence between us.
"How did the meeting go?" Seongjun asked after a few minutes, his voice steady, though I could sense the curiosity beneath the surface.
"Exactly how you'd expect," I replied, keeping my eyes on the road. "They're paranoid. Think I'm playing both sides because of San's daughter. They wanted me to swear loyalty, make sure I wasn't going to turn against them."
Seongjun chuckled, a low, humorless sound. "They don't realize the game they're playing. They're not ready for what's coming."
"Yeah, well," I muttered, glancing at him briefly, "neither am I. Not with San involved. I don't know how he's going to react to all of this."
