Chapter 21: Hunting the Broker

Jihan sat alone in his hideout, staring at the new mission prompt flashing before his eyes.

New Mission: Target Identified.

Objective: Find 'The Broker.'

The Syndicate was done playing games. They had sent their executioner, Han Gido, and failed. That meant only one thing—

The real mastermind was about to make a move.

His phone buzzed.

Hacker: "The Broker is a ghost. No photos, no records. But I found a lead."

A file appeared. Jihan opened it.

Name: Unknown

Alias: The Broker

Location: The Black Market District

Jihan exhaled. Time to go hunting.

The Underground Maze

The Black Market District wasn't a place for outsiders.

Jihan walked through the narrow alleys, his senses sharp. Faint neon lights flickered above, illuminating illegal stalls selling everything from stolen tech to forged IDs.

Everything here was controlled by the Syndicate.

He wasn't just walking into enemy territory—he was stepping into their kingdom.

A voice called out. "Hey, kid."

Jihan turned. A man with a scarred face leaned against a stall. "You don't belong here."

Jihan smirked. "Maybe. But I'm looking for someone."

The man's eyes narrowed. "You don't find the Broker. He finds you."

Jihan's fist shot forward, slamming into the man's gut.

The thug doubled over, coughing blood.

Jihan grabbed his collar. "Then I'll make enough noise for him to notice."

The Bait

Jihan spent the next hour wrecking the Syndicate's businesses—

Breaking into their safehouses.

Destroying their supply lines.

Beating down their enforcers.

The city's underworld was in chaos.

And then—

His phone vibrated.

Unknown Number: "You've made your point."

Jihan smirked. Gotcha.

A second message followed.

Unknown Number: "Meet me at Warehouse 17. Midnight. Alone."

Jihan cracked his knuckles. Time to meet the ghost.

The Meeting

Midnight. Warehouse 17.

Jihan stepped inside the massive, dimly lit space. A lone figure stood in the center, their face hidden beneath a hood.

A voice echoed. "You're either brave or foolish."

Jihan crossed his arms. "You're the Broker?"

A chuckle. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just the next test."

The figure lifted their hand. A dozen Syndicate enforcers emerged from the shadows.

Jihan sighed. Of course, it's a trap.

The Broker's voice was calm. "You want to fight the Syndicate? Show me you're worthy."

The enforcers charged.

Jihan grinned. "Bad move."

He dashed forward, fists flying.

War Begins

The first enemy swung a crowbar—Jihan ducked and countered with a brutal elbow strike to the jaw.

A second thug lunged—Jihan sidestepped and snapped his knee into their ribs.

Crack.

Another down.

Two more attacked at once—Jihan twisted, using one as a shield before slamming their heads together.

Five down. Seven left.

He grabbed a metal pipe from the ground, spinning it like a weapon.

"Come on," he taunted.

The enforcers hesitated.

The Broker watched in silence.

Jihan exhaled. This was just the beginning.