The Rise of Cheongryong
The Cheongryong faction had claimed full control over the city, leaving behind whispers of awe, fear, and mockery. Rumors spread quickly through the underworld: a mysterious child was leading the faction, yet the discipline, coordination, and precision of their operations spoke of far greater experience. Every rival and regional king knew that something extraordinary had happened.
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Regional Kings' Reactions
Seokdu Wang – King of Suwon
Seokdu stood in his office overlooking the city, arms crossed, brow furrowed. "A child… leading a faction like this? Impossible." Yet he couldn't deny the reports of Cheongryong's precision strikes, the way they eliminated rival gangs' influence almost overnight. "Their strategy is impeccable… whoever is behind this must be a calculating monster." He leaned back, contemplative. "We need eyes on them. I can't ignore this."
Doksu Heo – King of Pyeongtaek
Doksu tapped his fingers against the polished desk, reading every intelligence report on Cheongryong. "They move like ghosts, strike like lightning, and vanish without a trace," he muttered. "A normal gang could never pull this off… and yet, no one knows who's controlling them. This could upset the balance of the entire region." He made a note to increase surveillance and prepare contingency plans.
Jinyoung Go – King of Seongnam
Jinyoung's fingers traced the edges of his map, plotting territories and possible Cheongryong influence. "The leader remains unknown, but the results speak louder than rumors," he said to himself. "They've taken control of the underworld, all while keeping their identity hidden… clever, patient, and ruthless. Whoever this is, they are thinking ten steps ahead." He made a mental note to send scouts disguised as merchants and traders to gather intel.
Charles Choi – Former Vice-Boss of the Fist Gang
Charles Choi leaned back in his leather chair, swirling a glass of whiskey. "This faction… they're moving too fast, too precisely. Disrupting everything I thought I knew about this city," he muttered. "And the kicker? A child runs it." He shook his head, unsure whether to laugh or prepare for battle. "No, I need information… I need to know who this kid is before it's too late."
Taesoo Ma – King of Ansan
Taesoo Ma grinned, showing his teeth. "Hah! A child ruling a gang? I like it. Bold. But boldness can't protect you forever." He leaned forward, voice darkening. "I'll admit, they've moved fast… too fast. If one misstep happens, the whole empire could collapse. But I want to see how far this kid can go. Entertaining… yes, very entertaining."
Gongseob Ji – King of Daegu
The "Crazy Monk" smirked behind his cane, eyeing the reports with amusement. "Hmm… unknown mastermind, ruthless efficiency, and no one knows their face," he muttered. "They're shaking things up… interesting. But a child? Pathetic, if that's truly the case. Still… I will keep an eye. Power like that can be dangerous if ignored."
Jichang Kwak – Former King of Seoul
Jichang leaned against the railing of his office, eyes narrowing. "I've seen many factions rise and fall," he said, speaking to no one. "A child leading Cheongryong… I don't believe it. But these moves, the strikes, the precision… impressive." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Even if it's a child, the man behind this is smart, cold, and ruthless. I must monitor them closely, or Seoul's balance will be broken."
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Speculation and Tension
Across the region, whispers continued:
Some laughed at the idea of a child commanding such authority, dismissing Cheongryong as a passing trend.
Others, more serious, realized that the unknown leader's strategic precision meant that even powerful kings could be vulnerable if they underestimated them.
Observers debated who the leader might be, unaware that it was Daniel Park, a mere 11-year-old middle schooler, standing silently behind the power of Cheongryong.
Every regional king weighed their options. Some were preparing spies, others silently fortifying their territories, and a few were already plotting ways to intervene or exploit any weakness. But one thing was clear: Cheongryong's rise was not a coincidence, and the unknown child at the helm had proven capable of shaking the entire underworld to its core.
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