THE STREET KING

Jinwoo kept his gun raised, his body tense. The man standing before him exuded an aura of quiet authority, a presence that made it clear—he wasn't just another player in the game.

This man was the one who had been pulling the strings all along.

Hana stood beside him, her expression unreadable. Jinwoo wasn't sure whether she was here as a messenger or an enforcer. Either way, she was dangerous.

Ji-Eun let out a weak breath from the couch, still too injured to move. Her presence was a reminder—Jinwoo couldn't afford to make a mistake.

The man finally spoke, his voice calm, almost amused.

"Lower the gun, Jinwoo. If I wanted you dead, you'd already be buried."

Jinwoo's fingers twitched on the trigger.

"Funny," he said. "I was about to say the same thing."

The man chuckled. "I like you. You remind me of Baek in his younger days."

Jinwoo's jaw clenched at the mention of his former mentor—the man he had just killed.

"Who the hell are you?"

The man took a step closer, unbothered by the gun pointed at his chest. His coat shifted slightly, revealing a golden insignia pinned to his lapel—the same symbol Baek had worn.

Jinwoo's blood ran cold.

He wasn't dealing with just a criminal.

This man was the real king of the underworld.

"My name is Seo Joon-Sang." His smile was sharp. "And I'm here to change your life."

---

2. The Devil's Bargain

Jinwoo didn't lower his gun.

"You were Baek's boss."

Joon-Sang nodded. "Among other things."

Jinwoo's mind raced. If this man had been above Baek all along, then… everything he had done—killing Baek, surviving Kang's betrayal—had all been part of someone else's game.

And now, the true master had stepped onto the board.

"What do you want from me?" Jinwoo asked.

Joon-Sang's eyes gleamed. "You're smart. You already know."

Jinwoo exhaled slowly. "You want me to take Baek's place."

"Not just Baek's place," Joon-Sang corrected. "Something bigger."

Jinwoo didn't respond.

Joon-Sang stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"You think you've been fighting for survival. But the truth is… you've been fighting for a throne."

Jinwoo frowned.

Joon-Sang smiled. "This city is rotten. Filled with corrupt officials, backstabbing criminals, and spineless businessmen. They all answer to someone. But they don't realize—I hold the leash."

Jinwoo's grip tightened on the gun.

"You want me to become one of your dogs?"

Joon-Sang shook his head. "No, Jinwoo. I want you to become a king."

Silence.

Jinwoo's heart pounded. Every instinct screamed at him that this was a trap.

But then—Joon-Sang said something that made his blood run cold.

"If you refuse, Ji-Eun dies."

Jinwoo's eyes narrowed.

Joon-Sang's smile never wavered. "I have no personal grudge against the girl. But you know how this world works. A king's decisions have consequences."

Jinwoo could feel the weight of Ji-Eun's breathing against his back. She was already hanging by a thread. If Joon-Sang truly wanted her dead…

There would be nothing he could do to stop it.

---

3. The Clock is Ticking

Hana finally spoke. "You don't have much time, Jinwoo."

Jinwoo shot her a glare. "And you? What's your role in this?"

She didn't flinch. "I do what I have to. Just like you."

Joon-Sang let out a short laugh. "See? That's the beauty of this city. Everyone's just trying to survive."

Jinwoo took a slow breath. He had been cornered before. He had been outnumbered, hunted, betrayed.

But this was different.

This wasn't a fight.

It was a choice.

Joon-Sang's voice softened. "You were never meant to be just another pawn, Jinwoo. You were meant to rule."

Jinwoo stared at him. "And if I refuse?"

Joon-Sang's smile faded. "Then I'll find someone else. And you'll be nothing but a footnote in my empire."

Ji-Eun let out a soft cough behind him. The sound sent a knife through Jinwoo's chest.

She had already suffered because of his choices.

How much more would she have to endure?

Joon-Sang extended a hand. "Join me, Jinwoo. Let's stop pretending you're just another street rat. You were meant for more."

Jinwoo exhaled.

He had fought his entire life to take down the people who controlled this city.

Now, he had a chance to become one of them.

But at what cost?

He looked down at Ji-Eun. At her pale face, her barely moving chest.

His hands trembled.

Then, slowly—he reached forward.

And shook Joon-Sang's hand.

---

4. The New Order Begins

Joon-Sang's smile widened. "Good."

Jinwoo didn't return the smile. His stomach twisted. He had just made a deal with the devil.

But for now, he had no choice.

Ji-Eun needed medical help. He needed time to think.

And most of all—he needed to understand just how deep this rabbit hole went.

Hana crossed her arms. "We'll be in touch."

Joon-Sang gave Jinwoo one last calculating look. Then, he turned and left.

Hana lingered for a second longer. "You made the right choice."

Jinwoo's fingers curled into a fist.

Had he?

The door shut behind them.

Jinwoo stood there for a long time, his body motionless, his mind racing.

Ji-Eun stirred behind him. "Jinwoo…?"

He turned to her.

He forced a small smile. "It's okay. You're safe now."

But as he looked at his own hands—the hands that had just shaken the hand of a king—he wondered if he had just sealed his own fate.

---

5. The Throne of Shadows

Jinwoo stared at the flickering neon lights outside the window.

Somewhere in the city, his enemies were already shifting, adjusting, preparing for what was to come.

Baek was dead. Kang was dead.

And now?

Jinwoo was the last one left standing.

The underworld had a new heir.

But was he the king of the streets—or just another puppet?

Only time would tell.

End of Chapter 104

(Next Chapter: The Price of power)