Chapter 77: The Price of Power
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1. The Crown of Blood
Jinwoo stared at the kneeling men.
The very soldiers who had fought for Hyun-seok—now bowing to him.
Ji-hyun's voice was low. "You don't have to take this."
Jinwoo's fingers curled into fists.
He had spent years fighting Hyun-seok's empire.
Now, it was his.
Wasn't this what he wanted?
Ji-hyun grabbed his arm. "Jinwoo. Look at me."
His dark eyes met hers.
"You know what happens if you take his place."
He did.
Power had a cost.
And the streets would never let him leave.
Jinwoo took a breath.
And then—he turned away.
"I don't want a throne."
The soldiers looked up in shock.
Ji-hyun exhaled in relief.
But then—someone moved.
And suddenly, a gun was pointed at his head.
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2. The Betrayer
"You're making a mistake."
Jinwoo slowly turned.
The gunman was Seo-jun.
One of Hyun-seok's top lieutenants.
A man Jinwoo had once trusted.
Jinwoo's jaw tightened. "Seo-jun—"
"No," Seo-jun snapped. "You're walking away? After all this? After everything we lost?"
Jinwoo stayed silent.
Seo-jun's hands trembled.
"You think you can just leave?" His voice cracked. "You're a king now, whether you like it or not."
Jinwoo didn't move.
Ji-hyun's grip tightened on her gun.
But then—Seo-jun laughed bitterly.
"I know you, Jinwoo." His finger hovered over the trigger. "And I know you won't let me live after this."
His voice turned cold.
"So I'll take my shot first."
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3. A Shot in the Dark
BANG.
Ji-hyun fired first.
Seo-jun's body jerked back.
Blood sprayed across the pavement.
Jinwoo caught him before he hit the ground.
Seo-jun gasped, eyes fading.
He tried to speak.
But no words came.
Then, he went still.
Jinwoo let out a slow breath.
And then—he dropped Seo-jun's body.
The remaining soldiers didn't move.
The air was heavy. Unspoken. Deadly.
Then—one by one—they left.
Ji-hyun lowered her gun.
"It's done," she whispered.
Jinwoo closed his eyes.
No.
It wasn't.
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4. A City Without a King
For the first time in a decade, Seoul's underworld had no leader.
Gangs scrambled for power.
Hyun-seok's empire fractured overnight.
And Jinwoo?
He disappeared.
The name "Street King" became a legend.
Some said he died in the flames.
Others swore he was still watching from the shadows.
But the truth?
He was far away.
For the first time in years—he was free.
Or so he thought.
Until one night—
A single call changed everything.
And Jinwoo's past came knocking.
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End of Chapter 77
(Next Chapter: A Ghost Returns.)