Chapter 3: “The name of the target- Kim Seo-Jun …”

"Phoenix team" was one of the very few remaining "legal mafias" in South Korea, a term that many believed had become obsolete in the country. Despite this, there were indeed still working teams operating under that label, with Phoenix being the second largest among them. While it might seem like a promising career path, the reality was that sustaining such a business was incredibly hard, often causing headaches for the team's boss, Minho's father.

The concept of a "legal mafia" revolved around a team that forged numerous partnerships, yet employed ethically questionable methods to achieve their goals. The information they held was often "sensitive", best kept under wraps rather than shared with the public. Phoenix aimed to establish as many partnerships as possible to thrive, much like any other mafia organisation would strive to do. This intricate balance of legality and morality defined their operations.

The Phoenix team engaged in various partnerships that showcased the complexity of their missions. For example, they often collaborated with local businesses, providing them with security services and legally owning weapons in exchange for a share of profits or favourable treatment in business dealings. This arrangement allowed businesses to operate smoothly while ensuring that Phoenix maintained a level of influence in the area.

Additionally, they formed alliances with influential figures in the entertainment industry, such as producers or event organisers. By sponsoring events or providing exclusive access to certain venues, Phoenix could promote their brand while gaining leverage in the entertainment scene.

Moreover, they sometimes partnered with import-export companies to facilitate the movement of goods, like car deliveries, ensuring that their operations remained discreet and profitable. These partnerships, while beneficial, often required navigating ethical grey areas, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a "legal" facade while engaging in morally ambiguous practices.

As Minho was congratulated for becoming a part of the team, the boss left the meeting room, leaving Minho in the hands of the other men to introduce him properly to the information regarding Phoenix's business. However, since Minho had been a "trainee" since the age of 10, he was well-acquainted with the mansion and all the men that were part of the teams, and they knew him just as well. The men exchanged knowing glances, recognising that an introduction felt unnecessary given Minho's familiarity with the inner workings of Phoenix.

More crucial in that moment was the entrance of the main team's boss. In such a large organisation, there was a main boss, Minho's father, his right-hand man, responsible for overseeing the 30 men in the room, as well as many teams, with only one that was called "the main team"- the 30 men in the room. This particular right-hand man was Minho's cousin, who was 24 years old, just like Minho. He had started working at Phoenix at 18, and Minho's father had raised him, placing his trust in him by making him the boss of the main team. Everyone had a certain fear of him, and his reputation for being too strict preceded him.

As he strode into the room, the atmosphere shifted, and all eyes turned to him. He scanned the room before locking his gaze on Minho, his expression was unreadable. "Are you ready for your first mission?" he asked, his voice steady and commanding. The tone of his words, along with the fact that he hadn't acknowledged Minho's welcome, made it clear that he and Minho were not very close. The tension in the room was palpable, as Minho felt the weight of expectation resting squarely on his shoulders.

Minho sharply said, "Yes! I am ready!" His cousin was watching him closely, his face betraying no emotion.

There was a reason why Minho hadn't joined the operation when he turned 18;

a tough business like this one did not welcome individuals who find it difficult to obey orders…

Minho's cousin then said, "Come with me then." It was obvious that he didn't want Minho to engage in any mission just yet, but he had an order to follow. Minho's cousin turned around and strode toward the exit of the meeting room, the air thick with unspoken tension. Minho followed behind him, the silence between them was heavy with anticipation.

After a few minutes of silent walking, they arrived at another room. It was luxurious, with a tall ceiling that seemed to amplify the gravity of the moment. The space resembled an office, perhaps a boss's office, filled with an air of authority. Minho stood close to the desk as his cousin approached it. He pulled out a thick folder from the drawer and handed it to Minho, the weight of it feeling significant in his hands. "This guy is our most crucial mission as of right now… We must put him down. Our team has been working on this matter for several years. It will be beneficial if we had one extra person to assist." his cousin said, his voice was steady.

As Minho opened the folder, a sudden shock coursed through his entire body. Inside were photographs and detailed reports that outlined their target's every move. But who was the person in this folder…

The seriousness of the situation hit him like a wave, and he felt a mix of anxiety and overwhelming feeling flood through him as he saw the name of the person he has to put down... This was it—the moment that would define his future in a world that demanded unwavering loyalty and obedience.

The name of the target…was Kim Seo-Jun …

Minho's cousin leaned in, getting closer to Minho, his voice steady as he said, "You probably already know the name. Seo-Jun is the leader of the biggest gang in the country—'Bloodline'. And I think you've heard that name before as well..." Minho paused for a moment, letting his words sink in his mind, before murmuring, "I have..."

His cousin's tone turned sharp, cutting through the tension. "He is our target now. We must put him down for our name to stand up. You understand?" His face was emotionless, leaving no room for doubt.

Minho nodded, but his mind was racing. "THIS GUY?! He's "the popular " Seo-Jun!? THE LEADER OF THE MOST POPULAR MAFIA GANG IN THE COUNTRY?!" He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice his cousin was still talking to him. It wasn't until his cousin saw that Minho was distracted and, annoyingly, his voice broke through, "Minho, are you listening to me?" that snapped Minho back to reality.

"Ah, yes! What do I have to do?" he replied, kind of hesitating.

Minho's cousin's voice, steady once again, said, "For now, we are trying to get closer to him. If we could do that, we might get some information that can be used against him. For instance murder, human trafficking, drugs. Anything would be useful … as long as it's connected to him. You must look for this kind of information." Minho was still staring at the record files in the folder, his mind focused on the case as he absorbed the weight of the situation. The name and all details about Seo-Jun swirled around him, leaving him stunned.

Suddenly, the office door swung open with a loud creak, and a man stepped in. "Yes, Jae. You're right. But we've been trying to get that information for years, and we still got nothing, so Minho, don't feel obligated to find it at all costs. And you (Jae) don't put more pressure on him." His voice was firm, but there was an underlying frustration that hinted at Jae.

In an instant, Minho's shock transformed into joy as he recognised the man's voice. A wide smile appeared on his face, and he rushed toward him, arms open wide. "Jin!" he shouted, embracing the man in a warm hug. Jin- four years older than Minho and Minho's closest friend- returned the hug with a chuckle.

Meanwhile, Jae watched them hugging with an angry and annoyed face. He rolled his eyes and remarked, "He must try if he wants to be in the team." as he began to organise the files that Minho had carelessly left scattered across the desk.

Then Jin quickly added, "Don't worry, I will look after him and help with the case." But Minho already had a plan in mind for carrying out the mission. "You don't have to do that... I think I already know a way to get closer to him." As he spoke, memories of the previous day's encounter with Seo-Jun and their "night experience" flooded back, causing a slight blush to slip onto Minho's face, causing him to feel embarrassed. Jae, intrigued, raised an eyebrow at Minho's sudden, unexpected words.

"Yesterday, I went to a popular bar in town, and I saw him there—" Minho began, but Jae interrupted him, a hint of recognition in his voice, "Are you talking about 'Moonlight' bar?" Minho nodded sharply, "Yes." Jae's expression shifted to annoyance again, as he said, "He is the owner of this bar." Minho's eyes widened in shock, stepping back as the realisation hit him. "What?!" he thought, piecing together how Seo-Jun had walked past all the security guards and entered the private room without a reservation…

Jae sighed in disappointment, turning back to the desk, his frustration was obvious. "And how is this going to help us exactly? Our people have already tried to approach him at the bar, but it was in vain. He is too good to be tricked." A heavy silence enveloped the room. Jin glanced at Minho, ready to defend him, sensing where the conversation was going. Minho wrestled with his thoughts, "What am I supposed to say now… "Oh, I just fucked him last night. It's no biggie." Certainly not!"

As Jin was about to speak, Minho quietly said, "I think I might have done it..." His words hung in the air, catching Jae off guard and prompting him to turn around, causing confusion in his gaze.

After Jae turned around, his disbelief was visible as he stared at Minho, demanding, "You did what?" Minho felt a wave of panic wash over him, and suddenly he was at a loss for words. He murmured, "I... I was..." but nothing clear came to mind. The pressure of the moment made it hard to think rationally. Jae, sensing Minho's frivolity, sighed and turned away again, leaving Minho feeling quite frustrated.

Gathering his courage, Minho said, "I talked to him and spent time with him at the bar." A slight blush was already on his cheeks, regardless of his nervousness. Jin and Jae stared at him in shock for a moment, their expressions a mix of surprise and intrigue. Then, Jin's voice broke the silence, shouting, "WHAT?! YOU DID?!… THAT IS THE CLOSEST WE HAVE EVER BEEN! GOOD JOB, MINHO! You haven't even started doing the job yet, and you've already helped us so much. You have to go and get even closer with him!" As he patted Minho on the shoulder, Jae rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. Despite Jae's reaction, Minho felt a warm smile showing on his face , encouraged by Jin's enthusiastic support. Just then Jae said, "Well, do as Jin said, get closer to him. When you do that, then I'll believe you're worthy for the team. Inform me as soon as you find something." With this, he picked up the folder and left the office, leaving Minho standing there in complete shock. The seriousness of Jae's words hit him hard, and he couldn't shake the feeling of pressure weighing down on him once again. "WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?! DO I REALLY HAVE TO TALK WITH THIS GUY AGAIN?!" he thought, his mind racing with uncertainty and frustration.

As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, Jin walked over closer to him and said, "Oh, don't worry. Jae is always like this, just try to get close to Seo-jun. And even if you fail, it's okay, we all failed before, so… Just try your best." Jin's voice was calm and reassuring, and he helped Minho relax with a warm smile that seemed to cut through the tension. Minho felt a bit of hope going through him as he processed Jin's words. With a bit more confidence, although still tinged with disbelief, he replied, "I will give it a go."

Jin's smile widened as he patted Minho on the shoulder, saying, "That's the spirit! Keep it up! Now let's go! The rest of the team is waiting for us." Minho nodded, feeling a surge of determination. He watched as Jin confidently started walking toward the door, and though he hesitated for a moment, he took a deep breath and followed behind him, ready to face this "impossible mission".