Chapter 29 – The Weight of a Throne
Joon sat in his private lounge, gazing out at the city he had begun to shape. The skyline was his canvas, the streets his battlefield, and the people? They were either allies or obstacles.
The failed assassination attempt had sent shockwaves through every level of power. Politicians, corporate leaders, and underground bosses now knew one thing—Joon wasn't just a rising name; he was the name.
But power always came with a price.
And tonight, the cost would be high.
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A secret meeting had been called—one that even Joon wasn't invited to.
Inside a grand estate, under the glow of golden chandeliers, the most powerful figures in business, crime, and politics gathered.
At the head of the table sat Hana, the woman known as the "Steel Widow." She had spent years watching men rise and fall, but Joon's sudden dominance threatened everything.
"We underestimated him," she admitted, tapping manicured fingers against the table. "That was a mistake."
A gruff voice spoke. Byung-ho, the billionaire chef-turned-kingmaker. "Then we correct that mistake."
Whispers of agreement followed.
But one voice cut through them—Kyung-tae, the activist who had seen what Joon was building.
"You all see a threat," he said. "I see something different."
Hana's eyes narrowed. "And what is that?"
"A revolution."
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Meanwhile, Joon was already making his next move.
Seok-jin, the mural artist turned informant, slid a file across the table. "The major corporations that backed your enemies? They're on shaky ground. Stock prices dropping. Investors scared. If you strike now…"
Joon smirked, already knowing the answer.
"We take everything."
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The next morning, headlines across the country read:
"A Sudden Takeover – The Rise of Joon's Empire"
"Major Conglomerates Fall Overnight"
"Who is the Man Controlling the Shadows?"
At the same time, a massive digital billboard lit up in the city center. It played a single video—Joon standing on top of a skyscraper, looking down at the world below.
And then, he spoke.
"I'm not here to follow the rules. I'm here to rewrite them."
The world was officially on notice.
Joon wasn't just playing the game anymore.
He was the game.
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