Rise of outcast king

Morning: The New Order

Kang Joon leaned against the railing on the roof of Seoul West High, watching the students below. The once-chaotic school now resembled something closer to order, but the cracks were still there. Groups whispered in corners, rivalries brewed under forced truce, and tension hung in the air.

This was Joon's empire now, but he knew it wasn't enough. If he wanted to climb higher, he had to leave his mark beyond the school gates.

A knock on the rooftop door interrupted his thoughts. Yeon-ji stepped out, her sharp eyes scanning the empty rooftop before handing Joon a manila folder.

"New intel," she said. "District 4. One of Charles Choi's proxies is running an underground fight circuit, and they're recruiting heavy hitters from schools all over."

Joon flipped through the pages. The file contained photos of brutal fights and detailed reports of the fighters involved. Many of them were high schoolers like him, kids who had been drawn into the life either for survival or ambition.

"Why recruit from schools?" Joon asked, narrowing his eyes.

"It's Choi's style," Yeon-ji said. "Get them young, make them loyal. These kids will either rise or get crushed, but either way, he profits."

Joon's grip on the folder tightened. "If Choi's empire is built on kids like us, I'll break it from the ground up."

Afternoon: Uncovering the Circuit

Later that day, Joon walked through the streets of District 4, blending in with the crowd. Do-hyun followed closely behind, his massive frame drawing wary glances from passersby.

The underground circuit wasn't hidden—it thrived in plain sight. The fights took place in abandoned warehouses, disused factories, and even old school gymnasiums, each venue more dangerous than the last.

Joon and Do-hyun stopped outside a dingy building with loud music thumping from within. A group of teens loitered near the entrance, their jackets emblazoned with the name Black Cobra Crew.

"They're gatekeepers," Do-hyun said quietly.

Joon nodded. "Then let's knock."

The group noticed them approaching and stepped forward, blocking the entrance.

"This isn't a place for tourists," one of them sneered, cracking his knuckles.

Joon didn't respond. Instead, Black Airs seeped out around him, the dark tendrils wrapping around his arms like smoke.

The leader hesitated, his bravado faltering. "Wait, you're—"

Before he could finish, Do-hyun stepped in, his massive fist slamming into the nearest thug. The rest scattered in panic, leaving the entrance unguarded.

"Efficient," Joon said with a smirk as they stepped inside.

Evening: The First Fight

Inside, the warehouse was packed. A steel cage dominated the center of the room, where two fighters were locked in a brutal brawl. The crowd roared with every punch, the atmosphere electric with violence and adrenaline.

Joon scanned the room, his eyes locking on a man sitting in a corner booth, surrounded by bodyguards. It was Jung Dae-shik, one of Choi's most trusted lieutenants.

"Time to make a statement," Joon muttered, stepping toward the cage.

Before he could reach it, a towering fighter blocked his path.

"You want in the ring?" the man growled, his voice low and menacing.

Joon's smirk widened. "Why not?"

Minutes later, Joon stood in the cage, the crowd jeering and cheering in equal measure. Across from him was the towering fighter, his muscles rippling as he cracked his knuckles.

The bell rang.

The first blow came fast—a haymaker aimed at Joon's head. But Joon sidestepped, his movements fluid. He countered with a quick jab, followed by a low kick that sent his opponent stumbling.

The crowd's cheers turned to gasps as Joon unleashed Black Airs, the dark tendrils striking like whips and forcing his opponent to the ground.

By the time the fight ended, the towering fighter lay unconscious, and the room was silent.

Joon turned to the crowd, his voice cutting through the tension. "Tell Jung Dae-shik this: Black Airs is here to stay."

Night: The Puppet Master's Watch

Across the city, in a luxurious penthouse overlooking Seoul, Charles Choi sat at his desk, scrolling through a report on his tablet.

The footage from the underground fight played on the screen. Joon's face was clear, his powers unmistakable.

"A new player," Choi murmured, his lips curling into a smile. "Interesting."

He tapped the screen, sending the video to his network.

"Let's see how far he thinks he can go."

End of Chapter 6