THE STREET KING

The gunshot still echoed in Jinwoo's ears as he stood over Baek's lifeless body. The old man's final words clung to him like a curse.

"You never understood how deep this goes."

Jinwoo exhaled sharply, shoving the gun into his waistband. He had no time for doubt. No time for ghosts. Ji-Eun was waiting.

He turned on his heel and moved swiftly through the mansion's corridors. The air smelled of blood and gunpowder, but the eerie silence unsettled him. It was too easy.

Then—

A soft shuffle behind him.

Jinwoo spun just as a blade slashed through the air, narrowly missing his throat. He ducked, twisting as a second figure emerged from the shadows. A masked assassin.

Jinwoo barely dodged the next strike. Fast. Precise. Trained.

But he was faster.

He caught the assassin's wrist, yanking them forward and slamming an elbow into their ribs. A sharp gasp—feminine.

For a split second, Jinwoo hesitated.

That was his mistake.

The woman used the moment to twist free, delivering a kick to his chest that sent him staggering back. Jinwoo gritted his teeth. Whoever she was, she wasn't just another hired blade.

She lunged again.

This time, Jinwoo was ready.

He sidestepped, grabbed her wrist, and slammed her against the wall. The mask slipped off—revealing a face he hadn't seen in years.

His breath caught.

Hana.

The girl he thought was dead.

---

2. A Ghost Returns

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Jinwoo's grip tightened around her wrist. She was real. Alive.

But her eyes—cold, sharp, calculating—were not the ones he remembered.

"Hana," he murmured.

She smirked. "Miss me?"

Jinwoo's stomach twisted. This wasn't possible.

"You're dead."

She shrugged. "Not quite."

Jinwoo clenched his jaw. "Where have you been?"

Hana's smile didn't reach her eyes. "That's a long story."

Jinwoo didn't loosen his grip. "Who sent you?"

Silence.

Then—a whisper.

"Baek wasn't the top of the chain, Jinwoo."

A cold chill ran down his spine.

Baek was one of the most powerful men in the underworld. If someone stood above him…

Jinwoo narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

Hana tilted her head. "You're not ready for that answer."

Jinwoo's pulse pounded. This wasn't just about revenge anymore. It was bigger.

Ji-Eun. The ambush. Kang.

Everything was connected.

Hana leaned in. "Walk away, Jinwoo."

He scoffed. "You know I can't do that."

She sighed. "Then you're going to die."

Jinwoo released her. "Let them try."

Hana stared at him for a long moment before stepping back. "You really haven't changed."

Then—she was gone.

Jinwoo exhaled, his mind spinning. Hana was alive. The war wasn't over.

And he was about to find out exactly how deep this went.

---

3. A Deal with the Devil

Jinwoo didn't have time to process. His phone buzzed in his pocket.

He pulled it out—a message from Kang.

> One hour. Bring proof. Or she dies.

Jinwoo's grip tightened. Kang wasn't bluffing.

He needed a plan.

Baek was dead. But Kang wouldn't just take his word for it.

Jinwoo crouched, reaching into Baek's coat. He found what he was looking for—the old man's insignia ring.

Proof.

Now, he just had to make sure he survived long enough to use it.

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4. The Exchange

Jinwoo arrived at the abandoned factory on the city's outskirts. The place reeked of rust and gasoline.

Kang stood near the center, gun in hand.

Ji-Eun was slumped against a crate, barely conscious. Blood stained her shirt.

Jinwoo stepped forward, tossing the ring. It clattered at Kang's feet.

"It's done."

Kang smirked. "Good boy."

Jinwoo's fingers twitched. The moment Kang let his guard down, he'd strike.

Kang turned to one of his men. "Check it."

The thug picked up the ring, examining it closely. After a tense moment, he nodded.

Kang sighed. "Well, I'll be damned. You actually did it."

He gestured, and one of his men shoved Ji-Eun forward. Jinwoo caught her just as Kang raised his gun again.

"But you see, Jinwoo… I never said I'd let you walk away."

Jinwoo was already moving.

---

5. The Reckoning

Gunfire erupted.

Jinwoo rolled, shielding Ji-Eun behind a crate. Four men. Armed.

One chance.

He yanked his pistol free and fired.

First shot—direct hit to the nearest thug's knee.

Second shot—a clean headshot.

Kang cursed, retreating behind cover.

Jinwoo grabbed Ji-Eun, dragging her toward the exit. Almost there.

Then—a sharp pain in his shoulder.

A bullet tore through flesh.

Jinwoo grunted, forcing himself forward. He had to get Ji-Eun out.

He reached the door—and stopped.

Because standing there, blocking his path—

Was Hana.

Gun raised.

Expression unreadable.

Jinwoo's breath caught.

"Told you," she said. "You weren't ready."

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End of Chapter 102

(Next Chapter: Betrayal's End)

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