Chapter 38 – The Price of Power

The city's elite had always operated in the shadows, orchestrating power shifts from behind gilded curtains. Now, they were forced to acknowledge a new force—Joon.

A private meeting was called in an undisclosed underground chamber. The room smelled of old wood and expensive whiskey. The council sat in silence, their aged faces wrinkled with concern as Joon leaned back in his chair at the head of the table, completely unbothered.

"You've made a mistake," one of the elder figures, Chairman Seo, muttered.

Joon smirked. "Correction—I made a move. You're the ones who failed to anticipate it."

An older woman, Madam Oh, tapped her cane against the marble floor. "Your actions have disrupted the balance. The Golden Serpent Syndicate is enraged. You won't be able to stop them."

Joon's expression darkened. "I don't intend to stop them. I intend to erase them."

The council members exchanged uneasy glances. Joon could feel their fear, their uncertainty.

Chairman Seo leaned forward. "We'll offer you a deal—step back, let us handle the situation, and we'll ensure your safety."

Joon chuckled. "You think I need your protection?" His gaze sharpened. "I don't negotiate with relics who are too afraid to take risks."

A tense silence filled the air. Then, he stood up. "You have two options—either you stand with me and survive, or you stay in my way and perish."

Madam Oh exhaled deeply. "You're a reckless boy playing with fire."

Joon's lips curled. "And you're a coward who forgot what it means to fight."

He turned and walked out, leaving them in stunned silence.

---

Soo-ah was waiting outside, scrolling through her tablet. "You just pissed off the most powerful people in the city."

Joon smirked. "They were already pissed off. I just reminded them why they should be afraid."

She sighed. "And the Golden Serpent?"

Joon's jaw clenched. "They'll come soon. And when they do, we won't just fight back—we'll burn everything they own to the ground."

Hyun-soo walked up, his usual stoic expression unreadable. "We got intel. They've sent their top assassin after you. A man called The Reaper."

Joon's smirk didn't falter. "Then let's welcome him properly."

---

The city streets were unusually quiet that night. Joon sat inside an abandoned warehouse, waiting. A single lamp flickered overhead.

Then, he heard the faintest whisper of movement.

He barely moved as a blade sliced through the air—missing him by inches.

"Fast."

Joon turned just in time to block a second strike with his forearm. The assassin moved like a shadow, nearly invisible in the dim light.

With a twist, Joon countered, shoving his attacker back.

A man dressed entirely in black stepped into the faint glow of the light. His eyes were cold, calculating.

"The Reaper," Joon murmured.

The assassin smiled. "Joon. You've made quite a mess."

Joon rolled his shoulders. "And I'm just getting started."

The Reaper tilted his head. "You're a businessman, not a killer."

Joon's smirk turned razor-sharp. "You'd be surprised."

Without warning, the assassin lunged.

Joon dodged, feeling the whisper of steel graze past his cheek. He countered with a swift kick, sending The Reaper skidding back.

But the assassin was unfazed. "Impressive. But you're not ready to face the real monsters yet."

Joon's eyes darkened. "Then I guess I'll just have to become one."

---

By dawn, the news spread like wildfire. The city was on edge. The Golden Serpent Syndicate was preparing to retaliate. The underworld trembled in anticipation.

Soo-ah walked into Joon's office, arms crossed. "You really think you can win this war?"

Joon leaned back, his eyes glinting with something dangerous.

"I don't need to win," he murmured. "I just need to make sure they lose."

The battle for the city had officially begun.

And Joon was ready to burn everything down.

---