The photograph arrived at 6:45 p.m.
Kang Minjun was sitting in the back of a black sedan, reviewing the financial statements of a security company his organization had recently acquired.
His phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
He opened the message.
The photograph showed a middle-aged woman leaving a small restaurant in Mapo. She wore a beige cardigan and carried two grocery bags. Her hair was tied loosely behind her head.
Kang Hyejin.
His mother.
The picture had been taken less than five minutes earlier.
Beneath it was a short message.
Come alone. No tricks.
Minjun examined the image, paying particular attention to the reflection in the restaurant window.
A motorcycle.
A silver helmet.
Part of a license plate.
He forwarded the photograph to Baek Seongho.
Find the photographer. Bring him to Warehouse Three. Alive.
Seongho replied within seconds.
I'll handle it.
Minjun sent another message to Taehwan, instructing him to place two trusted men near the restaurant without alarming Hyejin.
Then he returned to the financial report.
The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
"Something wrong, sir?"
"Someone made a poor decision."
"Should I change our destination?"
"No."
Minjun turned another page.
"Continue to Gangnam."
In his previous life, Kang Minjae had ordered men killed for considerably less than threatening his family.
He had also learned that reacting emotionally to a provocation was precisely what an intelligent enemy wanted.
Whoever had sent the photograph believed it gave them leverage.
Minjun intended to discover whether that person was clever enough to understand the consequences.
The Meeting
The underground parking garage occupied the lowest level of an expensive commercial building in Gangnam.
Its concrete floors had recently been polished. Security cameras covered the entrances, and a row of luxury vehicles stood beneath the fluorescent lights.
Minjun noticed the cameras immediately.
He also noticed the two men waiting beside a black Mercedes.
Gun Park stood with his back against the driver's door, smoking a cigarette.
Goo Kim sat on the hood, turning a set of car keys around his finger.
"Finally," Goo announced when Minjun approached. "I was starting to think our guest had gotten lost."
Gun glanced at his watch.
"Seven exactly."
"Still rude to keep important people waiting."
"You arrived twenty minutes early."
"Because I'm responsible."
Gun ignored him.
Minjun stopped several meters away.
For a moment, the three studied one another.
Gun's gaze traveled from Minjun's shoulders to his hands, then down to his feet.
There was no obvious opening in the teenager's posture.
More interestingly, Minjun wasn't watching Gun's fists.
He was looking directly at his face.
"You're Kang Minjun," Gun said.
"And you're Gun Park."
Goo raised his hand.
"Goo Kim. Since apparently we're introducing ourselves."
Minjun glanced at him.
"I know."
"Oh? I'm famous?"
"Infamous would be more accurate."
Goo laughed.
"I like him already."
Gun discarded his cigarette and crushed it beneath his shoe.
"I've been following your activities."
"I assumed so."
"You defeated Johan Seong."
"Yes."
"You've also taken control of several businesses in Mapo and recently begun operating in Gangnam."
Minjun slipped his hands into his pockets.
"Is there a question coming?"
Gun's mouth curved slightly.
"Do you understand whose territory you're entering?"
"Workers'."
"And who oversees the Four Major Crews?"
"You and your employer."
Gun adjusted his glasses.
"Then you understand the situation."
"I understand that you invited me here to establish whether I'm a potential asset or a problem."
Goo's grin widened.
Gun said nothing.
Minjun continued.
"Your people have been observing my organization for months. First the videos, then the inquiries into my businesses, and now this meeting."
He tilted his head.
"What I haven't decided is whether you're particularly interested in me or simply concerned that someone is building an organization outside your control."
Gun chuckled.
"Both."
"Good. At least we're being straightforward."
Gun stepped away from the car.
"I'll make you an offer. Join the structure we've established. Your organization will receive protection, resources, and opportunities you couldn't obtain independently."
"And in exchange?"
"You'll answer when called."
"No."
The answer came before Gun finished speaking.
Goo burst into laughter.
"Wow. Didn't even think about it."
Gun's expression remained composed.
"You should reconsider."
"I already have people working for me, businesses generating revenue, and plans that don't involve paying tribute to someone else's organization."
Minjun looked toward the Mercedes.
"Unless your employer is offering something considerably more interesting, there's nothing to discuss."
Gun removed his glasses.
Goo stopped laughing.
For the first time, the atmosphere changed.
Gun's dark eyes settled on Minjun.
"Perhaps you misunderstand your position."
Minjun noticed the subtle adjustment in Gun's stance.
The slight separation of his feet.
The relaxation of his shoulders.
A fighter preparing to move.
"No," Minjun replied. "I think you misunderstand yours."
The White Ghost
Gun attacked without warning.
His right leg swept upward in a devastating kick aimed at Minjun's head.
It was fast enough that most trained fighters wouldn't have recognized the attack until it landed.
Minjun caught his ankle.
Gun's eyes narrowed.
He twisted his hips, using the trapped leg as leverage to launch a second kick.
Minjun released him and stepped aside.
The kick struck a concrete pillar.
CRACK!
Fragments scattered across the floor.
Gun landed smoothly.
He smiled.
"So the recordings weren't exaggerated."
Minjun glanced at the damaged pillar.
"You'll have to pay for that."
Goo nearly fell off the car.
Gun advanced.
This time, he attacked with a combination of punches and low kicks, each delivered with precise timing.
Minjun avoided the first three.
He redirected the fourth.
When Gun threw a powerful straight punch, Minjun caught his wrist and struck him in the abdomen.
The impact folded Gun forward.
Before he could recover, Minjun seized his collar and drove him into the ground.
BOOOOM!
Concrete fractured beneath Gun's back.
Dust erupted around them.
Goo's laughter stopped.
For several seconds, Gun lay inside the shallow crater, staring upward.
Then he began laughing.
A low, delighted sound.
He pushed himself upright.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Excellent."
Minjun watched him.
Gun's excitement was genuine.
He had spent years searching for fighters who could satisfy his appetite for combat.
And now someone had knocked him down with humiliating ease.
Gun rolled his shoulders.
"Again."
Minjun sighed.
"Fine."
Gun lunged.
Minjun met him halfway.
Their fists collided.
The shock traveled through Gun's arm.
Before he could adjust, Minjun struck his chest with a palm.
Gun flew backward, skidding across the floor before crashing into the side of an empty vehicle.
Metal folded inward.
The car alarm erupted.
Gun climbed out of the wreckage.
His suit jacket was torn.
His breathing had grown heavier.
But he was smiling wider than before.
Goo watched silently.
He knew Gun better than almost anyone.
He'd seen him fight countless opponents.
He'd seen him injured.
He'd even seen him pushed to his limits.
But this was different.
Gun wasn't losing an exchange.
He was being completely overwhelmed.
And the teenager responsible hadn't even begun breathing hard.
Goo slowly stood.
"Gun."
Gun ignored him.
He charged again.
Minjun stepped forward and delivered a single punch.
It landed squarely against Gun's jaw.
The sound echoed through the garage.
Gun's feet left the ground.
He flew several meters before striking a concrete support column.
The impact sent cracks spreading across its surface.
Then he fell.
Silence returned, broken only by the distant wail of the damaged car's alarm.
Gun attempted to stand.
His arms trembled.
One knee buckled.
Minjun approached.
"Stay down."
Gun looked up.
His expression was difficult to read.
There was pain.
Disbelief.
And something close to exhilaration.
"How…" he began.
Minjun crouched in front of him.
"Your technique is excellent. Your conditioning is exceptional. And your instincts are among the best I've encountered here."
Gun listened.
"But none of that matters when the difference is this large."
Minjun stood.
"Now you know."
Goo stepped away from the Mercedes.
His smile had disappeared.
"That's enough."
Minjun turned toward him.
Goo removed his glasses and folded them into his pocket.
"I'm going to be honest. Watching Gun get beaten up is usually one of my favorite things."
He glanced at his injured companion.
"But this is getting ridiculous."
Minjun studied him.
Goo's posture was loose.
Almost careless.
Yet his weight distribution was perfectly balanced.
His right hand rested near his waist.
There was no sword.
That was unfortunate for Goo.
He was considerably more dangerous with one.
"You want to try?" Minjun asked.
Goo looked at Gun.
Then back at Minjun.
For several seconds, he considered it.
Finally, he laughed.
"Not particularly."
Gun looked offended.
"Goo."
"What? I'm not stupid."
Minjun found himself genuinely amused.
"An unexpectedly sensible decision."
"Don't get used to it."
Goo approached the fallen Gun and offered him a hand.
Gun slapped it away.
"I can stand."
"Sure you can."
Gun forced himself upright.
Minjun waited.
Then he took out his phone.
He opened the photograph of his mother.
"Before I leave, there's something else."
He held the screen toward Gun.
"Recognize this?"
Gun examined it.
His expression hardened slightly.
"No."
"Someone sent it shortly before our meeting."
Goo leaned closer.
"A threat?"
"An invitation to make a mistake."
Gun looked at Minjun.
"I didn't authorize that."
Minjun studied him.
He believed him.
Gun had wanted to test his strength personally. Threatening an opponent's family wasn't necessary to achieve that.
But someone else might have decided to interfere.
"Then you'll help me identify whoever did."
Gun's eyes narrowed.
"Are you giving me an order?"
"Yes."
Goo looked between them.
Then began laughing again.
Gun's jaw tightened.
"You're becoming rather arrogant."
Minjun took one step closer.
The laughter stopped.
"Gun, you invited me here because you thought you could decide what happened to my organization. You now know that isn't an option."
His voice remained level.
"I'm willing to discuss business. I'm even willing to cooperate when our interests align."
He held up the phone.
"But whoever took this photograph crossed a line. If they're connected to your people, I expect their name."
Gun stared at him.
Minjun continued.
"And if you decide to protect them, I'll treat that as your decision to become involved."
The garage was silent.
Finally, Gun spoke.
"I'll investigate."
"Good."
Minjun turned to leave.
Goo called after him.
"Hey, Minjun!"
He stopped.
"You seriously planning to challenge the Four Major Crews?"
Minjun glanced over his shoulder.
"No."
Goo raised an eyebrow.
"Then what's your plan?"
"To replace the people who think they own Seoul."
He walked away.
Neither Gun nor Goo followed.
The Warehouse
At 9:17 p.m., Minjun arrived at Warehouse Three.
The building stood in an industrial district outside Mapo, concealed behind a row of freight containers.
Inside, Seongho and Taehwan were waiting.
A man sat tied to a metal chair.
He wore a dark jacket.
A silver motorcycle helmet rested on the floor beside him.
His face was bruised.
Seongho approached.
"We found him outside your mother's restaurant. He tried running."
Minjun examined the man.
"Name?"
"Choi Minsik," Taehwan answered. "Twenty-six. Works as a private investigator."
Minjun pulled up a chair.
He sat opposite Minsik.
"Who hired you?"
The man swallowed.
"I can't tell you."
"Professional confidentiality?"
Minsik nodded quickly.
Minjun considered that.
Then he reached into his pocket and placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Minsik entering an apartment building with a woman and a young boy.
Minsik's face drained of color.
"Where did you get that?"
Minjun ignored the question.
"You followed my mother. You photographed her without permission. Then you delivered that photograph to someone who used it to threaten me."
"I didn't know what they were going to do!"
"That may be true."
Minjun leaned forward.
"But you knew you were following a civilian who had nothing to do with your client's business."
Minsik began shaking.
"Please. My family—"
"Your family has nothing to do with this. Don't confuse me with the people you work for."
Minjun placed the photograph aside.
"Now tell me who hired you."
Minsik hesitated.
Minjun stood.
"Taehwan."
The wrestler approached.
"Break his left hand."
Minsik screamed before Taehwan even touched him.
"WAIT! WAIT!"
Minjun raised his hand.
Taehwan stopped.
"I'm listening."
"A man from Workers! He said he worked for the Third Affiliate!"
"Name."
"Director Baek! Baek Junsu!"
Minjun looked toward Seongho.
"Verify it."
Seongho immediately opened his laptop.
Minsik continued talking.
"He paid me two million won! I was only supposed to photograph the woman and send him her schedule!"
"Did you give him anything else?"
"No!"
Minjun watched his face.
"Think carefully."
Minsik's eyes darted toward the floor.
Minjun sighed.
"Taehwan."
The wrestler seized Minsik's wrist.
A sharp crack followed.
Minsik screamed.
"HER ADDRESS! I GAVE HIM HER ADDRESS!"
Taehwan released him.
Minjun remained seated.
"Anything else?"
"No! I swear!"
Seongho looked up from his laptop.
"Baek Junsu. Thirty-one. Listed as a senior operations manager for a company connected to the Third Affiliate. The address checks out."
Minjun nodded.
"Good."
Minsik was sobbing.
"Please let me go."
Minjun looked at him.
"Eventually."
He turned to Seongho.
"Take his phone, computer, and every record related to this assignment. I want to know whether he's worked for Workers before."
Then he addressed Minsik.
"You're going to cooperate until I'm satisfied you've told us everything."
Minsik nodded desperately.
Minjun rose.
"Get his hand treated. He'll need it to sign his statement."
As he walked toward the exit, Seongho followed.
"What are we doing about Baek Junsu?"
Minjun stopped beside the warehouse door.
For a moment, he remembered another life.
A different city.
A rival lieutenant who had once sent men to follow his younger sister.
Minjae had allowed that lieutenant to live.
Six weeks later, the man tried again.
He hadn't made the same mistake twice.
"Find out where Junsu lives, where he works, and who protects him," Minjun said.
Seongho nodded.
"Then?"
"Then we take everything he values."
Seongho studied his expression.
"And if he fights back?"
Minjun opened the door.
"Don't mistake me for someone who needs an excuse."
A Debt Comes Due
At eleven thirty, Baek Junsu stepped out of a private club in Gangnam.
He was drunk.
His tie hung loosely around his neck, and he was laughing at something a companion had said.
A black sedan waited beside the curb.
Junsu approached it.
The rear window lowered.
Kang Minjun sat inside.
"Baek Junsu?"
The man's smile faded.
"Who are you?"
Minjun examined him.
Then opened the door.
"Get in."
Junsu took a step backward.
"Listen, kid—"
Minjun seized his collar and dragged him into the vehicle.
The door slammed shut.
The driver pulled away.
Junsu struggled.
Minjun struck him once in the stomach.
The man doubled over, gasping.
"Sit properly."
Junsu obeyed.
Minjun straightened his jacket.
"You hired someone to follow my mother."
Junsu froze.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Minjun handed him a phone.
On its screen was a recording of Minsik's confession.
Junsu watched.
His face turned gray.
When it ended, Minjun took the phone back.
"Who ordered it?"
Junsu swallowed.
"I can't—"
Minjun grabbed his little finger.
CRACK.
Junsu screamed.
"WHO ORDERED IT?" Minjun repeated.
"NOBODY! IT WAS MY IDEA!"
Minjun released him.
Junsu clutched his injured hand.
"I wanted leverage! I thought if I scared you, you'd leave Gangnam!"
Minjun watched him.
Then asked, "Did your superiors approve?"
"No!"
"Did they know?"
"No!"
Minjun leaned back.
That was useful.
A manager acting independently.
A weakness within Workers' chain of command.
And an opportunity.
"Here's what's going to happen," he said.
Junsu trembled.
"Tomorrow, you're going to provide me with complete access to the accounts you manage. You'll identify every business under your supervision, every intermediary you pay, and every person who answers directly to you."
Junsu stared.
"You can't expect me to betray Workers!"
Minjun looked at his injured hand.
Junsu fell silent.
"I can expect whatever I want. Whether you cooperate determines what happens next."
He leaned closer.
"You involved my mother in a business dispute. In my previous life, men who did that were buried before sunrise."
Junsu stared at him, confused by the strange phrasing.
Minjun continued.
"You're alive because your position is useful to me. Don't mistake that for forgiveness."
The sedan stopped beside an empty office building.
Minjun opened the door.
"Get out."
Junsu hesitated.
"What?"
"You heard me."
The man scrambled onto the pavement.
Minjun looked at him one last time.
"Eight tomorrow morning. My office. Bring everything."
The window rose.
The sedan drove away.
Junsu remained on the sidewalk, clutching his broken fingers.
He had entered the evening believing he was a senior manager in one of Seoul's most influential criminal organizations.
By midnight, he understood that his title offered no protection at all.
Back in Mapo, Minjun found his mother asleep at the restaurant's kitchen table.
An unfinished crossword lay beneath her hand.
He quietly draped his jacket over her shoulders.
For several minutes, he stood beside the table, listening to the hum of the refrigerator.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message from Seongho.
Junsu's accounts are being monitored. We'll know if he tries to run.
Minjun typed a reply.
If he runs, don't chase him. Take his assets and bring in the people closest to him. He'll come back on his own.
He slipped the phone away.
His mother stirred.
"Minjun?"
"Go back to sleep."
"What time is it?"
"Late."
She looked at him.
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet."
Hyejin pushed herself upright.
"I'll make something."
"You don't have to."
"Nonsense."
She disappeared into the kitchen.
Minjun watched her go.
In his first life, he'd built an empire through violence, bribery, and fear.
He'd trusted very few people.
Loved fewer.
And died surrounded by the consequences of his own ambition.
This time, he intended to build something greater.
But he had never promised to become a better man.
Only a more successful one.
Outside, Seoul stretched beneath the night sky.
Somewhere in Gangnam, a frightened manager was beginning to understand the price of crossing Kang Minjun.
And elsewhere, Gun Park was sitting in a hospital examination room, staring at the bruises covering his body.
Goo stood beside the door.
For once, neither man was laughing.
Gun finally spoke.
"Charles needs to know about him."
Goo folded his arms.
"Yeah."
He remembered Minjun's expression during their meeting.
Not the strength.
Not the speed.
The absolute certainty with which he'd spoken about replacing the people who controlled Seoul.
Goo looked toward the window.
"Something tells me this kid isn't going to be satisfied with four crews."
Gun's expression darkened.
"No."
He slowly put his glasses back on.
"He wants the entire board."