Jackim_Ochieng

Joon, an ordinary high school student, unexpectedly inherits a fortune, transforming his life overnight. Initially celebrated, he soon faces mockery and betrayal from friends who envy his newfound wealth. As he strives to maintain his humility, a close friend's betrayal leads to personal and financial turmoil. Seeking solace and strength, Joon receives martial arts training, which empowers him to confront his past. As he travels through various cities, he navigates temptations of wealth and rebuilds his relationships, ultimately seeking revenge on those who wronged him. Through trials and growth, Joon learns that true success lies not in riches, but in integrity and personal connections.

RISE OF THE PHOENIX by Jackim ochieng

Joon stood at the window of his penthouse, watching the city breathe beneath him. The neon lights flickered, hiding the filth beneath their glow. The war he had been fighting wasn't just about survival—it was about rewriting the very foundation of power.

Soo-ah entered, throwing a file onto the table. "We have a problem. A big one."

Joon turned, his sharp gaze locking onto her. "Go on."

She exhaled. "They've been working behind the scenes, digging up everything about your past. They're erasing records, altering files, wiping out any proof that you ever existed before you built this empire."

Joon's jaw tightened. "Who's behind it?"

"Dae-hyun was just a pawn," Kyung-tae said, stepping in. "The real force? The Phoenix Conglomerate."

The Phoenix Conglomerate wasn't just a company—it was a dynasty. They controlled industries, governments, and underground networks. Taking them on wasn't just reckless. It was a declaration of war.

A slow smirk tugged at Joon's lips. "Good. Let's give them something to be afraid of."

The first move was never loud—it was always silent.

Joon's team infiltrated one of the Phoenix Conglomerate's key data centers, bypassing security, slipping through digital defenses like ghosts.

Min-soo plugged in a drive. "Five minutes. Then their stock value crashes."

Soo-ah kept watch. "We have company."

Joon turned as a dozen guards stormed in, guns raised. The air shifted—danger crackling like a live wire.

Joon moved first. A blade flicked from his sleeve, slicing through the first attacker's arm. Kyung-tae disarmed another, flipping him into the wall. Soo-ah shot out the lights, plunging the room into darkness.

Screams. Gunfire. Bodies dropping.

When the lights flickered back, only Joon's team remained standing.

Min-soo smirked. "Transfer complete. Their financial empire? Consider it shaken."

Joon adjusted his cuffs. "Let's go before the real storm hits."

The next morning, headlines screamed of the Phoenix Conglomerate's market crash. Stocks plummeted. Investors panicked.

And in the shadows, their true leader emerged.

Joon sat across from a man dressed in an immaculate black suit—Hwan, the hidden ruler of the Phoenix Conglomerate. His presence was suffocating, his gaze sharper than knives.

"You've made quite the mess," Hwan said, sipping his tea.

Joon leaned back, unfazed. "And I'm just getting started."

Hwan chuckled. "You have no idea what you've unleashed."

Joon met his gaze with cold amusement. "Neither do you."

The war had begun. And this time, there would be no mercy.

Chapter 22 – The War Behind Closed Doors