Chapter 39 – Blood on the Streets

The city didn't sleep that night. The air was thick with anticipation, every alley and hidden corner buzzing with whispers. The Golden Serpent Syndicate had been humiliated, and their retaliation would be swift.

Joon sat in his office, staring at the city skyline. Soo-ah paced beside him, her nerves evident.

"They hit three of our businesses last night. Fires, destruction. They're making a statement," she said, throwing a folder onto the table.

Joon remained silent, flipping through the images. Burned-out buildings. Bloodied bodies in the streets. This wasn't just a warning—it was a declaration of war.

Hyun-soo leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "We knew this was coming."

Joon finally spoke, voice calm but edged with something lethal. "And we'll respond accordingly."

Soo-ah raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"

Joon leaned forward, his fingers tapping the desk. "We stop playing defense. We take the fight to them."

---

The plan was simple—hit them before they had a chance to regroup.

Joon gathered his most trusted allies. Hyun-soo, already armed. Min-soo, his mentor, bringing backup. Seok-jin, the mural artist, surprisingly skilled with a blade. Even Kyung-tae, the activist, had connections that would come in handy.

Their target? A Golden Serpent warehouse known for housing illegal shipments—guns, drugs, people. Tonight, it would burn.

As the team approached, Joon felt a familiar rush. He wasn't just fighting for himself anymore—he was fighting for his empire.

Hyun-soo led the way, disabling the security with ease. Soo-ah covered their flank, her movements precise. Joon moved like a shadow, silent, deadly.

The first guard barely had time to react before Joon's fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling. Hyun-soo took out another with a swift strike to the throat. Within minutes, they had infiltrated the warehouse.

The smell of gasoline filled the air as they worked quickly.

Soo-ah glanced at Joon. "Are we sure about this?"

Joon lit a match. The fire reflected in his cold eyes.

"We're past the point of doubt."

He dropped the match. Flames roared to life.

By the time the Golden Serpents arrived, all that remained was smoke and destruction.

---

Joon didn't make it back to his penthouse before the assassin struck again.

A knife cut through the air—Joon dodged just in time, rolling across the pavement. The Reaper stood before him, dressed in black, his expression unreadable.

"You don't know when to quit," the assassin murmured.

Joon smirked, wiping blood from his lip. "Neither do you."

They clashed. The fight was brutal, raw. Joon blocked a strike, countered with a kick. The Reaper was faster, but Joon had something he didn't—rage.

A sudden move—a feint, a twist—and Joon's blade was at The Reaper's throat.

For a moment, they were frozen.

Then, The Reaper smiled. "You're learning."

Joon pressed the blade harder. "Next time, I won't stop."

The assassin chuckled. "I look forward to it."

Then, he disappeared into the night.

Joon exhaled, his pulse steady. The war had only just begun.

And he was ready to end it.

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