Months had passed, yet Daniel Park's presence in both the underworld and the legitimate business sphere had grown exponentially. At just eleven, he was no longer merely a student—he was a master strategist, a calculating mind behind the Cheongryong faction and the rapidly expanding Union.
In the high-rise office of Taesan Group, Daniel reviewed the company's quarterly reports. Charts, graphs, and numbers reflected a meteoric rise—investments in tech, logistics, and small enterprises across Seoul and neighboring cities had multiplied the company's value beyond imagination. Daniel's net worth now dwarfed that of local tycoons who had once scoffed at a child running a business.
"Profit margins from the new logistics branch are higher than projected," Daniel noted, adjusting his glasses with a precise flick of his fingers. "We need to reinvest in both the tech sector and small-scale franchise chains. Every penny counts toward expansion and consolidation."
Prosecutor Lee, seated across from him, nodded in agreement. "You've turned this into a legitimate empire, Daniel. Cheongryong is no longer just feared—it's respected. And your methods? Brilliant. You've blended fear, loyalty, and business acumen seamlessly."
Daniel's lips curved into a cold, calculating smile. "Respect is earned, Prosecutor. Fear is inherited through action. But money… money can solidify loyalty faster than both."
Across the city, Cheongryong's territory had expanded. Foot soldiers, captains, and Royal Guards patrolled key districts, protecting local businesses, enforcing order, and eliminating rogue elements. Daniel had organized each faction meticulously: captains handled operations, lieutenants maintained communication, and foot soldiers executed tasks with unwavering precision. The Union was no longer a school-based power—it was a regional force.
Back in his office, Daniel and Lee discussed strategic moves for the Union's student faction. "We'll create legal avenues for revenue," Daniel explained. "Small businesses, franchise stores, tutoring centers… all run under Union oversight. Profits feed the organization while keeping our hands clean."
Lee raised an eyebrow. "At your age, most kids are thinking about grades. You're building a financial machine."
Daniel's gaze hardened. "Grades are irrelevant when you can leverage money, influence, and loyalty. This is the first step toward absolute control—not just of schools, but the networks surrounding them."
Evening fell, and Daniel returned home. The mansion that he and his mother now resided in reflected the fruits of his labor: sprawling gardens, polished marble floors, luxury cars lined in the garage, and the kind of comfort only true wealth could provide. His mother, unaware of the full scale of his underworld control, simply smiled warmly at her son.
"You've been working so hard, Daniel," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm proud of you, truly."
Daniel's expression softened, becoming almost innocent in his mother's presence. "It's just the beginning, Mother. One day, you'll never have to worry about anything again. I promise you that."
She smiled, tears glinting in her eyes, and hugged him tightly. "I trust you, Daniel. Just… be careful."
Later that night, in the privacy of his study, Daniel reviewed maps of neighboring cities and school districts. Expansion plans for the Union were drawn meticulously: every faction's influence, every potential ally, every weak point of rivals noted in precise detail. His hand moved fluidly over the paper, plotting the next phase of control.
Cheongryong and the Union were no longer mere factions—they were regional powers with calculated influence, balancing the line between legitimate business and controlled street authority. Daniel's vision extended beyond his age, into an empire that fused wealth, power, and strategy.
And as he closed the ledger for the night, a small smile crept across his face—a rare moment where the ruthless mastermind became just a boy, dreaming not of domination, but of the perfect future for his mother and himself.
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