THE STREET KING

Jinwoo's breath was ragged, his vision blurring from blood loss. His shoulder burned where the bullet had torn through, but none of that mattered.

Not when Hana was pointing a gun at him.

Behind him, Ji-Eun trembled, clutching his coat. Kang's men were regrouping. Time was running out.

"Hana." Jinwoo's voice was low, controlled. "Step aside."

She didn't move.

Her expression was unreadable, but her fingers were steady on the trigger. This wasn't hesitation. It was a choice.

"Kang paid you off?" Jinwoo asked.

Hana sighed. "I told you, Jinwoo. You're not ready for what's coming."

Jinwoo clenched his jaw. "Then explain it to me."

Hana tilted her head. "Not how this works."

Then—she fired.

Jinwoo barely reacted in time, twisting as the bullet whizzed past his face.

But it hadn't been aimed at him.

Behind him—Kang collapsed.

A bullet hole between his eyes.

Jinwoo spun back to Hana. What the hell—?

She lowered her gun.

"I just saved your life," she said flatly.

Jinwoo's grip tightened on his own weapon. "You expect me to believe that?"

Hana smirked. "Believe what you want. But Kang was never the endgame. He was just a pawn."

Jinwoo felt a cold chill creep down his spine.

Then—more footsteps.

Heavy. Measured.

Someone else was coming.

Hana stepped back into the shadows. "You should go."

Jinwoo didn't move. "Who are they?"

Hana's eyes met his. Something flickered there. A warning.

"The real power in this city," she murmured.

Then she was gone.

Jinwoo exhaled sharply. He didn't have time to chase answers.

Ji-Eun groaned softly against him.

He turned, lifting her into his arms. "Stay with me," he murmured.

Then, gritting his teeth, he ran.

---

2. Escape into the Night

Jinwoo's muscles screamed as he carried Ji-Eun through the alleyways. The city lights blurred around him, neon reflections glinting off the puddles of a recent rain.

His shoulder throbbed. His breath came in ragged gasps.

He needed a place to hide.

Somewhere safe. Somewhere Kang's people—and Hana's mystery benefactors—couldn't reach him.

Then—his old safehouse.

It wasn't much. Just an abandoned apartment, barely standing. But the walls were thick. The locks were good.

Jinwoo kicked the door open, staggering inside.

He set Ji-Eun down on a battered couch, hands already moving to check her injuries.

She was pale. Too pale.

Her wound wasn't fatal—but the blood loss was dangerous.

"Stay with me," Jinwoo muttered, tearing his sleeve and pressing it against the wound.

Ji-Eun's eyelids fluttered. "Jinwoo…?"

"Shh." He brushed hair from her damp forehead. "You're safe now."

She gave a weak smile. "Liar."

Jinwoo exhaled.

She wasn't wrong.

---

3. The Price of Survival

An hour passed. Ji-Eun's breathing steadied. The bleeding slowed.

Jinwoo leaned back, exhaustion weighing on him.

Kang was dead.

But instead of relief, all he felt was a deep, gnawing unease.

Baek's words haunted him. You don't understand how deep this goes.

Hana's warning echoed in his mind. The real power in this city.

And now, he was left with more questions than answers.

Jinwoo ran a hand down his face.

He needed intel. He needed a plan.

But most of all—he needed revenge.

For Baek.

For Ji-Eun.

For the ghosts that wouldn't let him rest.

---

4. A Shadow Returns

Jinwoo's respite was short-lived.

A knock at the door made his heart slam against his ribs.

No one knew about this place.

He pulled his gun, moving silently.

Another knock. Slower this time.

Jinwoo exhaled, pressing himself against the wall.

Then—a familiar voice.

"I know you're in there, Jinwoo."

His grip tightened.

Hana.

Jinwoo hesitated. Why was she back?

She'd let him go before. But he couldn't trust her.

Another knock.

"I have answers," she said. "But if you don't open this door in five seconds… I walk away."

Jinwoo cursed under his breath.

Then—he unlocked the door.

Hana stepped inside.

And this time, she wasn't alone.

Behind her stood a man Jinwoo had never seen before.

But he recognized the insignia on his coat.

Baek's ring bore the same symbol.

Jinwoo's pulse pounded.

Because that meant one thing—

Baek had never been the top.

And now, Jinwoo was face to face with the real king.

---

5. The True Mastermind

The man studied Jinwoo with sharp, calculating eyes.

Then, he smiled.

"I've heard a lot about you," he said.

Jinwoo's gun didn't waver. "That makes one of us."

The man chuckled. "Oh, don't worry. You'll know me soon enough."

His gaze flicked to Ji-Eun.

"She's lucky to be alive."

Jinwoo's jaw clenched. "What do you want?"

The man's smile widened.

"To offer you something no one else ever has."

Jinwoo didn't move.

The man took a slow step forward.

"A real place at the table."

Jinwoo exhaled slowly.

This wasn't over.

It was just beginning.

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End of Chapter 103

(Next Chapter: The Offer You Can't Refuse)

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