The bartender, left in the aftermath of Jae-Hoon's departure, exhaled a long-held breath, releasing the tension that clung to the air like a suffocating fog. One of the bodyguards in the den, noticing the visible impact on the bartender, approached cautiously.

Bodyguard: "Boss, you good?"

**Bartender, still recovering from the encounter:** "Yeah, i'm still alive, surviving, barely. That guy... he's on a whole different level. 25 years in this line of work. Only few resonate such aura but I've never encountered such a menacing and enigmatic figure like him, like wraith prowling the shadows."

Curious, the bodyguard ask:"What happened back there?"

*Bartender, recounting the encounter:* “He wanted information, didn’t take no for an answer. I’ve never felt anything like this. It's like he bears the weight of the underworld's darkest sins. When looking at him, I feel like I’m inside the dark abyss of no return. His aura resonated with the same malevolence as 'those figures in positions of power.'"

Bodyguard: “Why didn’t you signal us to intervene? Our guy is skilled and formidable. I’m sure he couldn’t have held his ground.”

*Bartender, with a grim expression looking at his bodyguard:* "Are you really that tired with life? even if all of us inside this den attacked him, I doubt we could even soil his clothes, let alone inflict harm."

Bodyguard: "Is he truly that formidable to earn your praise? I know you. You have specific criteria for judging people. I don't find that guy intimidating at all. He looks younger than me, probably around 30."

Bartender: "Trust me. I've witnessed horrors in this line of work. If you want to survive in this business, you need to grasp that within our realm, there's another echelon we cannot afford to provoke. Those in that echelon are monsters, brutality and blood are their daily meal."

Facing the door where Jae-Hoon left, he continued:

"That man... he's one of them."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

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Gangnam Royal Hotel, located in the middle of Seoul, witnesses the gathering of the five clans that would shake the nation's underworld. The openly held meeting in the middle of Seoul, without getting raid from authorities, showcases their power in law and order. The dimly lit room buzzes with a tense atmosphere, emphasizing the fragile alliances among them. The leaders of each family sit around a glossy mahogany table, surrounded by an air of controlled strength, accompanied by their formidable right-hand figures.

1. Hwang Clan:

• Boss: Seong-Hoon Kim

• Underboss : Ji-Won Park

2. Jeonghan Clan:

• Boss: Joon-Ho Lee

• Underboss: Min-Ji Kang

3. Baek Clan:

• Boss: Min-Seok Baek

• Underboss: Eun-Mi Yoon

4. Jung Clan:

• Boss: Sang-Wook Jung

• Underboss: Hyun-Ah Shin

5. Yoon Clan:

• Boss: Seung-Ho Yoon

• Underboss: Tae-Yoon Oh

The room, decorated with soft lights and quiet conversations, buzzed with an air of secrecy. As the meeting started, the main topics hung over them like a dark cloud, casting shadows on the ambitious plans about to unfold.

Seated at the head of the table, Seong-hoon Kim, the leader of his group, spoke in a low, commanding tone, setting the mood for the gathering. The leaders exchanged nods, recognizing the seriousness of the meeting's agenda.

"Dear colleagues, it's time for us to strengthen our control," Seong-hoon Kim began, his eyes piercing through the smoke-filled room.“Our interests extend beyond the boundaries of Korea, and tonight, we discuss the means to grasp control of the Korean underworld and wield unparalleled influence over the political landscape of this nation. First of all I would like to thanks the.....”

As the meeting leader continued the speech, a sense of dark anticipation gripped the room. The underboss, silent guards at their bosses' sides, kept a vigilant watch.

The meeting progressed with each boss sharing their contributions to the sinister plan, discussing strategic moves and ruthless tactics. The atmosphere grew heavier as conflicting interests were set aside, at least for the moment, in pursuit of a collective malevolent goal.

The underbosses, loyal shadows to their respective leaders, observed keenly, amplifying the sense of power in the room. Yet, beneath the appearance of unity, the potential for betrayal and treachery simmered, adding a layer of tension lurking in the shadows.

The agenda unfolded like a dark story, connecting the destinies of these criminal masterminds, setting the stage for a dangerous alliance that could reshape the underworld and throw nations into chaos.

Unbeknownst to them, as they gathered, somewhere in Seoul , a new player entered the game — Jae-Hoon, the spectre, silently observing, gathering intel, and waiting for the right moment to strike.