Rise of outcast king

Morning: Life in the Lair

The old factory groaned as the wind pushed through its cracked windows and rusted beams. Kang Joon sat in the makeshift office on the second floor, sipping lukewarm coffee while reviewing the reports that Yeon-ji had compiled. The former thug-filled school now functioned as an intricate system of hierarchy, and the factory was its nerve center.

Stacks of papers and maps were scattered across the table, detailing rival factions and areas of influence. Most of Seoul's smaller crews had already caught wind of Black Airs and its ruthless leader. Whispers of the red samurai mask traveled through back alleys and underworld dens, warning those foolish enough to challenge Joon's authority.

Joon's phone buzzed. It was Min-ho.

"They're waiting at the gate," Min-ho said. "The first group you wanted to 'recruit.'"

"Keep them there," Joon replied, his voice calm. "I'll deal with them personally."

Recruitment: A Test of Loyalty

By the time Joon arrived at the school gates, a group of rough-looking teens had gathered. They were from the disbanded Yongsan Crew, a small-time gang crushed by one of Joon's summons weeks ago. Most of them looked scared, their bruises from the last encounter still fresh.

"I hear you want a second chance," Joon said, his arms crossed as he leaned against the gate.

The former leader of the crew, a lanky boy named Do Jin, stepped forward. His hands trembled, but he tried to put on a brave face.

"We'll work under you," Jin said, his voice shaking. "We don't have anywhere else to go."

Joon didn't respond immediately. He let the silence stretch, his Black Airs slowly seeping out around him. The dark tendrils curled at his feet, a silent reminder of the power he held.

"Working for me isn't about survival," Joon finally said, his voice cold. "It's about loyalty. If you betray me, you won't get a second warning."

Jin swallowed hard and nodded. The other members of his crew quickly followed suit, bowing their heads in submission.

"Good," Joon said, turning to Min-ho. "Get them settled. I'll find a use for them later."

Afternoon: Daily Life of a King

Running an empire wasn't all battles and strategy. Joon had made it a point to keep a low profile during school hours, blending into the routine of student life. It wasn't easy. Even though he sat quietly at the back of the class, his presence alone was enough to silence the chatter.

The teachers, once helpless against the school's chaos, now taught with renewed confidence. They owed that change to Joon, even if none of them dared to acknowledge it.

During lunch, Joon sat at a secluded table near the window, eating quietly while observing the other students. The once-rowdy cafeteria was now eerily orderly, with factions sitting in designated areas. Even within the newfound discipline, there was tension—factions still existed, though they all ultimately answered to him.

"I heard some kids from Songpa are planning to test you," Yeon-ji said, sitting across from him uninvited.

"Songpa?" Joon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Small-time gang, but they've got ties to one of Choi's lieutenants. If they're making a move, it's probably on his orders."

Joon set down his chopsticks and leaned back. Charles Choi's reach was extensive, and it was only a matter of time before his network began probing Joon's defenses.

"Let them try," Joon said, his voice calm. "It'll be a good chance to send a message."

Evening: Shadows of Choi

The Songpa Crew didn't waste time. By the time the sun set, a group of their members had gathered outside the factory. Unlike the Yongsan Crew, these guys weren't amateurs. They came armed with bats and chains, their cocky grins betraying their overconfidence.

Joon stood in the open yard outside the factory, his hands in his pockets. He wasn't alone. Park Do-hyun, his newest summon, stood beside him, arms crossed and expression unreadable. The enforcer's intimidating presence was enough to make the Songpa Crew hesitate.

"You've got guts showing up here," Joon said, his voice carrying through the still night. "But guts won't save you."

One of the gang members stepped forward, pointing a bat at Joon. "You think you can just take over without consequences? This is Choi's territory."

Joon smirked. "If it's Choi's territory, why am I standing here?"

The gang charged.

Joon didn't need to move. Black Airs erupted around him, the tendrils lashing out like living weapons. The first attacker was thrown back before he could get close, his bat clattering to the ground.

Do-hyun moved next, his massive frame bulldozing through the rest of the crew with ease. His punches landed like sledgehammers, each one sending a clear message: Black Airs wasn't to be trifled with.

Within minutes, the Songpa Crew was on the ground, groaning in pain. Joon walked over to their leader, crouching down to meet his terrified gaze.

"Tell Choi this," Joon said, his voice low. "Seoul doesn't belong to him anymore. It belongs to me."

The Bigger Picture

Later that night, Joon sat in the factory's main room, his mind racing. The encounter with the Songpa Crew had been easy, but it was just the beginning. Charles Choi wouldn't ignore a direct challenge, and Joon knew it was only a matter of time before the real fight began.

"Do-hyun, report," Joon said.

The scarred enforcer stepped forward. "The Songpa Crew won't be an issue anymore. They'll spread the word, just like you wanted."

Yeon-ji joined them, holding a file. "I dug up more intel on Choi's operations. He's running several fronts in this district—money laundering, underground fighting rings, and something bigger we haven't uncovered yet. If we hit his money, we can weaken his network."

Joon nodded. "Start with the fighting rings. If we take control of those, we'll gain manpower and resources."

Yeon-ji smirked. "Consider it done."

As the meeting ended, Joon leaned back in his chair, the faint glow of Black Airs swirling around him. His empire was growing, but the road ahead was treacherous. He would need every ounce of strength, strategy, and loyalty to survive the battles to come.

But one thing was certain: the era of Charles Choi was coming to an end.

End of Chapter 5

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