The streets of Gwangseong City trembled under a new order.
The Quartet, once untouchable rulers of high school dominance, had fallen.
Their empire—clubs, gambling dens, karaoke bars, and internet cafés that laundered money—now bore the mark of a new master.
Daniel Park's Union swallowed it all.
Middle schoolers and high schoolers alike now moved under a single banner. What was once seen as an impossible divide had been crushed with ruthless precision. By the time dawn broke after the Quartet's collapse, everyone knew one truth:
The city—its schools, its streets, its underground businesses—belonged to Daniel Park.
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Consolidation of Power
In the following weeks, Union squads spread through neighborhoods like wildfire.
Rival gangs either bent the knee or vanished overnight.
Former Quartet captains now served as "advisors," their influence broken but their survival ensured by Daniel's mercy—or cruelty, depending on perspective.
Union colors appeared outside arcades, convenience stores, and bars once claimed by the Quartet.
Daniel moved like a shadow behind it all, watching, calculating, ensuring no weakness remained.
"Middle school or high school… doesn't matter anymore," one rival whispered in fear.
"Union runs everything now."
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The Old Kings React
Far away, men who once ruled the streets in a different era listened to the news. They were older now, their glory days whispered about in half-forgotten tales. But their instincts, honed in blood and battles, hadn't dulled.
One smirked, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"A brat unifying schools? Either the world's gone soft… or that kid's got steel in his veins."
Another frowned, the weight of experience in his voice.
"Kids shouldn't be playing this game. The higher you climb, the more enemies wait to tear you apart. That boy's heading straight into the fire."
And another, voice calm but unsettling, let out a low chuckle.
"A monster in the making. How delightful. I wonder if he'll become another pawn… or a king who overturns the board."
Their thoughts drifted back to their own youth, to battles that shaped the streets long before Daniel was even born. And though they didn't say it out loud, one truth lingered between them—
This boy was different.
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The Choi Tower – Charles Choi's Lounge
High above the city, in a luxury office draped with glass and steel, Charles Choi leaned back in his chair, expensive wine swirling in his glass.
Across from him sat Gun Park and Goo Kim, lounging with their usual polar-opposite demeanors, while James Lee stood silently at the window, hands in his pockets, sharp eyes reflecting the skyline.
Charles spoke first, calm and measured.
"So. The Quartet has fallen. A middle schooler now holds both middle and high schools of Gwangseong. Tell me—what do you think of this… Daniel Park?"
Gun Park laughed dryly, lighting a cigarette.
"A brat who thinks he's king because he can throw a few punches and scare kids. Impressive, sure, but kids are kids. Put him in front of real men and he'll crumble."
Goo Kim, sitting cross-legged on the table, grinned with manic glee.
"Oh, but isn't it fun? A little monster crawling out of the mud, crushing high schoolers, making noise in the city… I love chaos. Maybe we should let him grow just to see how messy things get."
James Lee finally turned, his voice calm, deliberate, almost surgical.
"Messy or not, he's a variable. He did what no one else in his age group dared: unify both divisions. Strategy, timing, intimidation… he's not just a fighter. He's dangerous because he thinks."
Charles Choi's smile was faint but sharp.
"A thinking fighter. A leader. A king, at eleven years old."
He raised his glass, the city lights glinting in his eyes.
"Keep your eyes on him. If he continues this path, he could become useful… or troublesome."
Gun scoffed, Goo grinned wider, James stayed silent.
The room smelled of smoke and ambition.
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White Tiger Job Center – Tom Lee's Office
At the White Tiger Job training hall, the air was filled with the thud of fists against pads and the bark of instructors drilling men. The organization was Charles Choi's private army—mercenaries, specialists, professional muscle.
Inside his office, Tom Lee sat reviewing the same report. His second-in-command, Manager Kim, stood beside him, expression grim.
"So it's true," Manager Kim muttered. "The Union took everything. The Quartet is done."
Tom leaned back, folding his arms, voice calm as ever.
"Not just done. Erased. Their name means nothing now."
One of his men, a younger recruit, snorted.
"With respect, sir, they were just kids. Can't compare to White Tiger Job. If you told us to move, we'd crush them in a night."
Tom's sharp gaze cut him down instantly.
"That's exactly what the Quartet thought before they lost everything. Underestimate Daniel Park, and you're already dead."
Silence. Even the sound of training outside seemed to dull at his words.
Manager Kim adjusted his glasses, speaking with rare tension.
"He's… different, isn't he?"
Tom smirked faintly.
"Different is an understatement. This boy builds empires where others just swing fists. If he survives long enough… he might change the balance of power in this country."
The subordinates exchanged uneasy looks.
For Tom Lee to speak like that—for him to respect a child's potential—meant Daniel Park wasn't just a rumor.
He was a storm.
A storm that could one day swallow even them.
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