Johan's POV
"I want to thank you for agreeing to become members of my crew."
I started by thanking the leaders of the different crews I had gathered.
We were currently in a karaoke place controlled by Jaehe Han, because I didn't want to organize this meeting in a classroom like Kim Suhyeon.
It's just... humiliating.
The reason for my thanks wasn't a burst of pure kindness.
These guys were leaders, big shots in their corner of the district.
They had their pride, and even though I had beaten them, nothing stopped them from going to another district of Seoul to start over from scratch.
Their presence here was a mark of trust in me.
I had to put on a good face and return this recognition with minimum respect.
"I've gathered you here not only to thank you, but also to establish a clear and temporary hierarchy among you, especially the top 5, and to explain how you're going to conduct your activities from now on."
I paused, observing each of them to detect any sign of discontent, but everything seemed to be going well.
"We know that Hanju is your number 2, but what will be the criteria for establishing the hierarchy of the others?" asked Jaehe Han.
He was really sharp, and his question seemed to awaken the interest of the other executives.
"My criteria are strength, but also contribution to the crew," I responded simply, honestly.
Like Big Deal, I wanted an organization founded not only on brute strength, but also on usefulness and emotions!
It's not for nothing that Gun favors Jack Kim as a "successor," and not Johan first.
One is a born leader with good potential in strength, the other just has monstrous talent.
If Gun only needed a dog, then Johan would be perfect... but he's looking for something more, and Jack Kim has it.
Unfortunately, those two didn't have the same worldview.
Later, Gun would end up finding the perfect blend of both: Daniel Park.
An individual capable of being a good leader, while possessing monstrous talent and strength that can't be underestimated without paying the price.
"If it's strength or contribution, then logically I should be third, or even second after you," declared Jaehe Han.
His words triggered perceptible hostility in the others, but he wasn't wrong.
He was the only one with a real "legal" business, and he managed his crew perfectly before I arrived.
"You're not wrong, but you have less potential than this guy," I said, pointing to Hanju beside me.
My statement surprised more than one of them. But I wasn't lying: apart from Gukja of the Yamazaki clan, nobody had more potential than Hanju in the district.
If Haru Seong or Gukja Yang had been there, I might have given them the number 2 spot because of their potential.
However, I would always hesitate because of their lack of maturity and efficiency.
Fortunately for everyone, they weren't present.
The only concern with Hanju was his lack of motivation.
Same problem as Yugyeom Na, from Seok Kang's crew.
Jaehe Han would have really been perfect as number 2, but he was too cunning, and I didn't want a second Jin Jang.
I had to hold him back a bit... This tactic doesn't please me, but I don't really have a choice.
I have to keep the reins of the crew, and Hanju is a naturally loyal guy.
The hardest part is recruitment. After that, it's fine.
"Indeed, gotta admit that this guy has monstrous potential," murmured Seok Kang, leaning against a wall not far away.
"So I've decided that number 3 will be you, Jaehe Han, number 4 Seok Kang, and the last executive would be Yugyeom Na."
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Obviously, I'm number 1.
I finished by announcing the hierarchy of my direct subordinates.
I also explained that if someone lost a duel, they would lose their place in the hierarchy.
"Did you hear that, Hanju? I just have to beat you to take your place," Jaehe Han said barely a minute after my explanations.
"If you're looking for me, you'll find me," Hanju simply replied, pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
"I also think the hierarchy between us should be based on strength and usefulness, not on potential, since it's not always exploited," explained Hakjin Ju, holding two metal bars while observing the others.
"Fine, you can decide the hierarchy among yourselves according to strength, but the crew's hierarchy is decided by me," I said firmly.
I wasn't planning to negotiate on this point, and my words seemed to calm the atmosphere.
"The rest of the hierarchy after the top 5 will be decided by pure strength and leadership abilities."
For leadership, I thought it would take me time to evaluate who, among the members below the top 5, was capable of it.
"You'll settle this in my absence under the supervision of the executives.
And for the financial organization..." I turned to Seok Kang, who seemed surprised that I was looking at him.
"The main sources of income will be in the hands of Seok Kang and Jaehe Han. I want to talk to you in private."
They exchanged a look and nodded.
They had understood that I knew how they ran their business.
I left the room with them.
"Seok Kang, I know about your trafficking, and same for your little extortions, Jaehe Han."
No need to beat around the bush, I was direct.
"What are you proposing?" asked Seok, slightly defensive. Jaehe Han was just as wary.
"I propose that you modify your system to avoid sinking the crew because of an incompetent subordinate."
I explained to them the system of the 4 major crews, repeating Olly Wang's words to Gun Park about how to make things untraceable for the police.
"It can work, but our members know us personally," replied Jaehe Han after reflection.
"That's true, but there will be no official evidence that can directly link us to it."
They exchanged a look, then nodded.
After Jaehe Han had left, I held back Seok Kang.
"Who is your supplier?"
I wanted to know who could supply this kind of stuff to high school students.
He explained that he didn't know the true supplier, but that he knew his pseudonym thanks to an intermediary linked to a certain: 244.
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"I see, the Viral Hit plot exists but hasn't started yet," I murmured.
To confirm that it was indeed the 244 I was thinking of, I searched for him on NewTube, and after a few minutes, I found his channel.
Surprisingly, I didn't find Yoo Hobin's channel.
That meant he hadn't started posting his videos yet, and that "Viral Hit" didn't exist yet.
The real question now was: should I side with Jinho Lee for the money or with Yoo Hobin for justice?
"Not important for now. I first need to regain control of Gangbuk, then deal with Olly Wang."
The Yoo Hobin vs Jinho Lee case was secondary for now, but that didn't prevent me from associating with certain characters from this plot.
I had someone in mind to associate with and enter the ruthless world of social media.
...
"Hello, I'm looking for the person in charge of this place."
I was in a taekwondo club that I had spotted online, after confirming the existence of the Viral Hit plot.
I had decided to find a mentor capable of helping me become stronger quickly to face Gun Park again and control Seoul.
"I'm the one in charge. Are you both here to sign up?" he asked, looking at Jaehe Han and me analytically.
I nodded to answer his question, before expressing myself clearly.
"Indeed, Mr. Hansu."
I was also planning to send Hanju to train at Zack's boxing club before sending him to the 1st generation king, Gongseob Ji.
My crew is cruelly weak at the moment, but I can solve that thanks to Apollo's Blessing and effective masters.
"I see you already have a good level in taekwondo. Are you sure I still have something to teach you?"
He seemed to want to test us or avoid taking us as students.
"A legend like you still has a lot to teach simple practitioners like us, Mr. Hansu Seong."
I expressed myself with respect before this master.
I couldn't just show up at Manager Kim's and ask him to train me in CQC like that.
I first had to build connections through intermediaries like this man, or later Tom Lee.
I was literally trying to approach a superhuman spy who had kidnapped a dictator for personal reasons.
"I see my reputation has survived all this time. Here, fill this out."
(Image)
He gave Jaehe Han and me the registration form.
One small step closer to achieving my ambitions.