THE STREET KING

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1. The Silent Ruler

The man in the tailored black suit leaned back in his seat, sipping a glass of whiskey as if he already knew Jinwoo was watching him. His expression was unreadable, but his aura spoke volumes.

This wasn't just another syndicate leader.

This was someone who pulled the strings from the shadows.

Hye-jin whispered, "He doesn't look like a killer."

Jinwoo smirked. "That's what makes him the most dangerous one in the room."

Dae-hyun, who had reluctantly followed them inside, clenched his jaw. "I told you. The Butcher was a weapon. The Wraith is a shadow. But this man? This man is the one who built the empire."

Jinwoo's eyes stayed locked on him.

For years, the underground of Seoul had been ruled by violence, betrayal, and whispers of an unseen force controlling it all. The King of Shadows.

And tonight, they were about to meet him.

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2. A Conversation in Blood

Jinwoo walked straight into the VIP section.

The guards tensed, hands moving toward their weapons.

But the man in the black suit—Kang Seok-hoon—lifted a hand, stopping them. His gaze met Jinwoo's, amused yet cold.

"I was wondering when you'd come." His voice was smooth, calm, completely in control.

Jinwoo pulled out a chair and sat across from him. Hye-jin and Dae-hyun stayed close, their eyes on the guards.

Seok-hoon took another sip of whiskey before speaking again. "You've made quite a mess."

Jinwoo's lips curled into a smirk. "And I'm not done yet."

Seok-hoon chuckled. "Brave. Or foolish." He leaned forward slightly. "You killed the Butcher. That was impressive. But it was also a mistake."

Jinwoo remained unfazed. "He needed to die."

Seok-hoon tilted his head. "And what about you? Do you need to die?"

The threat was clear.

Hye-jin's hand tightened around the hidden knife under the table.

Dae-hyun exhaled slowly. "This is bad."

Jinwoo didn't blink. "That depends."

Seok-hoon raised an eyebrow. "On what?"

Jinwoo leaned in, voice cold.

"On whether you're ready to lose everything."

For the first time, Seok-hoon's expression changed.

A flicker of intrigue.

Then, he smiled.

"So that's how it is." He set his glass down. "Then let's make this interesting."

He snapped his fingers.

And all hell broke loose.

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3. The Club Turns into a Warzone

Gunfire erupted.

Jinwoo flipped the table, using it as cover as bullets tore through the VIP section. Hye-jin ducked, drawing her gun and firing back.

Dae-hyun cursed. "I knew this was a bad idea!"

Jinwoo ignored him. His focus was on Seok-hoon, who was already slipping away through a hidden exit.

Jinwoo gritted his teeth.

They weren't going to let him escape.

"Move!" he shouted.

Hye-jin took down two guards, her movements sharp and precise. Dae-hyun grabbed a bottle from the bar and smashed it against an attacker's head.

Jinwoo sprinted after Seok-hoon, pushing past the chaos.

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4. The Chase Through Gangnam

Seok-hoon's black car sped down the streets, weaving through traffic.

Jinwoo and Hye-jin were right behind him on a stolen motorcycle.

The city lights blurred as they raced through the neon-lit streets.

Hye-jin fired at the car's tires, but Seok-hoon's driver was good—too good.

Jinwoo growled. "He's heading toward the docks."

Dae-hyun's voice crackled through the earpiece. "He's got backup waiting. You're walking into a trap!"

Jinwoo smirked.

"Then we'll just have to spring it first."

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5. The Final Confrontation… for Now

The docks were empty except for a few cargo containers and the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Seok-hoon stepped out of the car, adjusting his suit.

He wasn't alone.

A dozen armed men surrounded him, their guns trained on Jinwoo and Hye-jin as they skidded to a stop.

Jinwoo exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Looks like you brought friends."

Seok-hoon smiled. "Did you think I'd come alone?"

Hye-jin whispered, "This doesn't look good."

Jinwoo's fingers flexed over his gun. "It never does."

Seok-hoon took a step forward. "You're talented, I'll give you that. But you're playing a game you can't win."

Jinwoo's smirk never faded. "Funny. That's what the Butcher said, too."

Seok-hoon chuckled. "Yes, and now he's dead."

Jinwoo tilted his head. "Maybe you should be worried, then."

Seok-hoon's smile disappeared.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then he said something that changed everything.

"You think this war started with me? You think killing me will end it?"

Jinwoo's expression darkened. "What are you saying?"

Seok-hoon smirked.

"I'm not the one you should be after."

Jinwoo's pulse quickened.

And that's when the real gunfire started.

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End of Chapter 57

(Next Chapter: The Man Behind the Curtain.)