Rise of outcast king

Joon stood alone in the middle of the street, the hum of the city around him feeling distant, almost like an echo. The weight of Baek Seung-hwan's presence still lingered, but the martial artist was gone—fading back into whatever world he'd come from. Joon was left to process everything that had happened in a matter of minutes.

The summoning system, the watch, the new reality that had just cracked open before him—it was all too much to fully grasp. But one thing was certain: power was within his reach.

As the night air settled around him, the Chrono System's voice rang again, sharp and clear.

"Beginner's Pack Complete. Summoning Portal Available. Influence and Power Required for Advanced Summon."

Joon knew he was just scratching the surface. Baek Seung-hwan might have been strong, but Joon had learned something important from the brief interaction. Summoning a fighter was not just about calling them into existence. It was about control. It was about what you could offer them in return for their strength. The more influence he gained, the more powerful the summons would be.

He looked down at the wristwatch again. There was no going back now.

"Alright," Joon muttered to himself. "Let's see what else I can do."

"Summon: Common Fighter."

The air shimmered once more. This time, the portal expanded quickly, swirling with energy. A figure emerged—this one much different from Seung-hwan.

It was a man with slicked-back hair, dressed in a sharp suit, his face calm but with an air of calculated menace. His eyes gleamed with intelligence, yet there was something cold and ruthless about him. Joon recognized him immediately.

Kim Seung-woo, a cunning and manipulative figure from another universe—known for his ability to gather information and manipulate those in power. He was a tactician, a mastermind, a kingmaker who could turn the tides of power with his words.

"Who are you?" Kim Seung-woo asked, his voice smooth and controlled, as if he had already sized Joon up in an instant. "What do you need me for?"

Joon blinked. He had never expected to summon someone so… different. Seung-woo wasn't a fighter. He didn't have the physical prowess of Baek Seung-hwan, but his mind was razor-sharp. The value of someone like him was clear.

"I need you to help me build influence. I'm going after Charles Choi, and I need to get to the top of this world. You're good at turning people, making alliances. Can you help me do that?" Joon asked, the determination in his voice clear.

Kim Seung-woo's lips curled into a slight smile. "Charles Choi, huh? You've picked a dangerous target. But yes, I can help you. Influence is key, and I can show you how to manipulate situations, gather allies, and tear down your enemies from the inside."

Seung-woo was a dangerous asset in his own right, though not in the traditional sense. His power wasn't in brute force, but in control—an invisible hand that could change the fate of battles without ever lifting a finger.

The summoning completed, and Seung-woo disappeared back into the portal, leaving only a lingering sensation of strategy in the air.

Joon knew that with Seung-woo's help, he would start making his mark in the underground world. He had the muscle in Seung-hwan, and now he had the mind in Seung-woo.

The Next Day

The school hallways were buzzing with students, but Joon moved through them like a shadow. He had no time for the petty squabbles of the popular kids or the whispers of the outcasts.

His goal was clear: gain influence, make connections, and find a way into Charles Choi's world.

As he entered the courtyard, Joon caught sight of a familiar figure—Park Min-ho, the notorious thug who ran with a gang on the fringes of the criminal world. He wasn't the biggest or the strongest, but he had connections, and those connections could be useful.

Joon took a deep breath and walked up to him. The moment Min-ho saw Joon approaching, his expression soured. He wasn't exactly someone who was friendly to Joon, but Joon had a plan.

"Park Min-ho," Joon said, his voice steady. "I need your help."

Min-ho looked him over, sizing him up. "You? Help me? What's in it for me?"

Joon didn't flinch. "I'm not asking for charity. I'm asking for your loyalty. In return, I'll give you a chance to rise to the top, to get out of this dead-end life of small-time crime."

Min-ho narrowed his eyes. He was skeptical, but there was something in Joon's tone, something that made him pause. "And what makes you think you can offer me something better?"

Joon wasn't going to reveal everything—he couldn't afford to. But he wasn't going to let Min-ho walk away either. "I've got resources you can't imagine. And I'm starting with Charles Choi."

The mention of Charles Choi's name hit harder than Joon anticipated. Min-ho hesitated, his face betraying a flicker of interest.

"You're going after Choi?" Min-ho scoffed, but there was no denying the edge of fear in his voice. "You're out of your mind. But… I'll listen. For now."

Joon had gained his first ally. Not someone he could trust fully yet, but an ally nonetheless. With Seung-woo's guidance, he would know how to twist this situation to his advantage.

Later that Night

Joon sat alone in his room, the watch glowing softly as he focused on the next step. The system's voice echoed in his mind.

"Influence Gained: Park Min-ho. Next objective: Infiltrate Charles Choi's Network."

Joon grinned to himself. He hadn't expected Min-ho to be an immediate powerhouse, but that wasn't the point. It was about connections, manipulation, and laying the groundwork. He was building a foundation, one piece at a time.

The road to the top was going to be long, but Joon was ready for it.

The system's voice chimed again, almost as though it were urging him forward.

"Summoning Ready: Choose your next fighter."

Joon paused, a new sense of clarity filling him. He needed someone who could operate in the shadows, someone who could help him move unseen, someone who could track, fight, and protect him.

"Summon: Ahn Jae-hyun (The Shadowed Assassin)."

End of Chapter 2