THE STREET KING

Jinwoo sat in silence.

The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint glow of streetlights filtering through the curtains. Ji-Eun was asleep on the couch, her breathing steady but weak.

His fingers curled against his palm. He had made a deal with the devil.

Joon-Sang's words echoed in his mind.

"You were never meant to be just another pawn, Jinwoo. You were meant to rule."

Jinwoo exhaled sharply. Rule? That wasn't what he had fought for. He had spent his life running from this world, clawing his way out of the abyss—only to be dragged back in.

A sharp knock on the door shattered the silence.

Jinwoo's muscles tensed. They were here.

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2. Welcome to the Game

He opened the door cautiously, gun hidden behind his back.

Hana stood in the hallway. Alone.

Jinwoo narrowed his eyes. "What now?"

She walked past him like she owned the place, taking a seat on the armrest of the couch.

Ji-Eun stirred slightly, but didn't wake.

Hana glanced at her before turning to Jinwoo. "She's going to slow you down."

Jinwoo's jaw clenched. "Say that again."

Hana shrugged. "You think Joon-Sang gave you a choice back there?"

Jinwoo folded his arms. "You tell me."

Hana leaned forward, her voice lowering. "You're in, Jinwoo. There's no backing out. And the first lesson? No weaknesses."

Jinwoo scoffed. "Funny. I don't remember asking for a lesson."

Hana smirked. "You're asking without realizing it."

She pulled a black envelope from her coat and tossed it onto the table.

Jinwoo stared at it.

The envelope had the same golden insignia as Joon-Sang's lapel pin.

Hana crossed her legs. "Your first assignment."

Jinwoo didn't touch it. "What happens if I refuse?"

Hana's smirk didn't fade. "You don't get to refuse."

Jinwoo finally picked up the envelope. Inside was a single sheet of paper.

One name.

One target.

Jinwoo's grip tightened. "This is a test."

Hana nodded. "You're smart. Pass, and you live. Fail?" She glanced at Ji-Eun. "Well. I think you understand how this works by now."

Jinwoo's heart pounded. He knew the game. Knew the rules.

But this time, he wasn't sure he could win.

---

3. The First Kill

The target's name burned into his mind.

Park Tae-Min.

A high-ranking lieutenant in a rival syndicate.

The catch? He was under government protection.

Jinwoo's lips curled in frustration. They weren't testing his loyalty. They were testing his ability to survive.

Hana stood, dusting off her coat. "You have 24 hours. Don't disappoint us."

Jinwoo didn't respond as she left.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Silence.

Ji-Eun let out a weak sigh in her sleep.

Jinwoo looked at her. She was the only reason he was still breathing.

And now, she was the reason he had to kill.

He closed his eyes.

There was no turning back.

---

4. A Dance with Death

Night fell over Seoul.

Jinwoo moved like a shadow through the city. He had memorized Park Tae-Min's schedule in minutes—he was a creature of habit.

A predictable man in an unpredictable world.

Jinwoo waited outside the bar where Park liked to drink. The moment he stepped out, it would be over.

His fingers brushed against the grip of his silenced pistol.

The door swung open.

A man in a tailored suit stepped out, flanked by two bodyguards. Park Tae-Min.

Jinwoo exhaled slowly. This was it.

He stepped forward.

One shot.

One kill.

Park never saw it coming.

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5. The King's Choice

Jinwoo didn't stick around to watch the body drop.

He vanished into the city, heart pounding in his chest. His first job as Joon-Sang's heir was complete.

But instead of satisfaction, all he felt was rage.

They had forced his hand. Manipulated him.

Jinwoo clenched his fists. Joon-Sang thought he was shaping a king.

But what he was really doing…

Was creating a monster.

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End of Chapter 105

(Next Chapter: The Monster Awakens)