He stepped out from the Heo Fortress, smoke scent still clinging to his skin, and reached into his pocket. The old flip phone he used for untraceable communication flipped open with a sharp snap.
With his thumb, he typed out a short message to Seokdu Wang.
Its done. Doksu's down, I'll need him soon enough, tell him to be ready for what's to come.
After sending his message, He slid his phone back to his pocket and walked towards the same SUV that had brought him to Pyeongtaek hours earlier. As soon as the driver saw Ha-Joon walking towards him. He immediately started the engine and hummed to drive,
Ha-Joon gave a slight nod and opened the back door, and got inside.
"Head towards Seongnam."
Ha-Joon slowly leaned back at the seat, and rested his elbow on the door with a quiet exhale.
He thought about Somi. Hopefully, she was doing alright at the hospital back in Japan. She'd start her part soon, and he'd need her soon enough. Then his thoughts drifted to Seokdu, he wondered if the man really trusted him now, or if he was still waiting for Ha-Joon to make the first wrong move.
But either way it didn't matter. As long as he didn't plan to cause trouble for him. He will let them be as it is.
The driver took an exit and the cityscape ahead started to shift. Highways curved into long city roads. Bright apartment complexes stood shoulder-to-shoulder with old alleyways and fading signs.
They were entering Seongnam.
Not as flashy as Seoul, but not quiet either. Seongnam got its own charm with its city blend with natural beauty, making it a charming and diverse place to visit. The city is known for its planned development and is home to various local attraction.
Ha-Joon leaned forward slightly and looked ahead through the windshield.
"How much longer."
"Approximately forty minutes." Driver replied, with a respectful tone.
Ha-Joon chuckled and suddenly asked. "Are you nervous."
The driver blinked at him through front mirror. "Me"
"Yeah," Ha-Joon said, while shifting his seat. "You've been keeping your shoulders tight since we left Pyeongtaek. You think I'm gonna bite?"
The driver chuckled under his breath, eyes still on the road. "Can't lie, boss. Watching you take out ten guys like it was nothing? Makes a man feel like he's driving a damn war god."
Another man responsible for tracking chimed in. "You really handled Doksu like that."
He continued, voice filled with disbelief. "People say as long as he is in his area. He is said to be invincible."
Ha-Joon gave a dry smile and reached into the breast pocket of his coat, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He lit one, rolled down the window halfway, and took a slow drag.
"Rumors are but a rumors." Ha-Joon said. "If he was really invincible, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."
As they talked, soon they passed a toll gate, the highway stretching into the hills beyond. In the distance, the shape of Seongnam started to rise from the haze, tall buildings, dense neighborhoods, the thin glass towers catching the earliest light.
The driver hesitated, then glanced at him again through the mirror. "Can I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why do you do all this? You could've stayed underground, lived easy or take territories for yourself."
Ha-Joon's eyes drifted to the skyline.
"Territory? That's small time. I've got bigger ambitions to chase."
He took another long drag from the cigarette and flicked the ashes out the window.
"You got a name?" he asked the driver.
The man blinked, surprised. "Oh.... yeah. Hyun-Woo."
Then he gestured towards the other men. "Minjae."
"You two, how long have you been working under Seokdu?" he asked.
Hyun-Woo glanced at Minjae before replying. "Five years for me. Minjae's longer."
"Seven," Minjae said. "Since before he became Suwon king."
Ha-Joon stayed silent for a moment, and asked. "How about coming under me."
Hyun-Woo stayed quiet, but Minjae replied with a short laugh. "We go where the strength is... We gladly accept your offer."
"Good." Ha-Joon nodded. "Speed up."
Hyun-Woo nodded and started to move SUV in full throttle.
.....
The SUV rumbled to a halt at the foot of an old building that stood tall amidst the cityscape of Seongnam. Ha-Joon stepped out of the vehicle, he looked up at the structure, exhaling softly through his nose.
"So this is where Jinyong Jo runs his empire," he muttered.
Behind him, the two men from Suwon remained silent. One of them glanced around cautiously, the other adjusted the inside of his coat, likely resting a hand on a hidden weapon.
"Wait here," Ha-Joon said. He didn't wait for a response before walking toward the large double doors.
Inside the building, everything was meticulous. Clean floors, quiet halls, and a few men watching silently from the corners. Ha-Joon was escorted without a word through a long hallway lined with glass and stone, until finally they reached a wide room at the top floor, walled on one side by glass with a view of Seongnam city stretching far into the hills.
Jinyong Go. [Image]
Dressed in somewhat neatly, wearing a full suit, and box-frame glasses with his hair styled in a slick-back angled to the side, and with a golden pocket watch as an accessory.
The King of Seongnam.
The moment he saw Ha-Joon appear, He leaned slightly forward, fingers laced together.
"You made quite the noise down in Pyeongtaek," Jinyong said calmly. "Doksu's boys are unable to move from your beating."
Ha-Joon pulled out a chair across from him and sat down without asking.
Ha-Joon spoke filled with disdain. "Words do get fast to all the kings huh."
Jinyong chuckled, merely shaking his head.
"You've got some ambition, huh… First Seokdu, then Doksu, and now me?" Jinyong Go said, half-amused, half-curious.
"What's your game? What are you really trying to pull by going after the generation kings one by one?"
"And you came all the way here hoping I'd just hand over Seongnam."
Ha-Joon shook his head. "If that's what I wanted, I wouldn't be having chat with you. You know I can do it. But I didn't. That should tell you something."
"Hmm.. What."
"Don't play dump." Ha-Joon said. "You seem sharp enough to talk through than those two."
Jinyong stood up and walked to the window. He stared out across the city for a long moment before speaking again.
"You don't seem to be politician. Just a guy swinging fists and chasing power. What makes you think someone like me would ever follow someone like you?"
"I'm not asking you to follow," Ha-Joon said plainly. "I'm asking you to join."
The last sentence made Jinyong to glance back.
"I don't want to rule over you. I want you on my side. You've built something here, haven't you? Stability and Order. You made Seongnam useful. And that's valuable to me."
"And in return?"
Ha-Joon leaned forward.
"You get to be part of something that goes beyond borders. We both know the gangs and kings are all temporary. They rise and fall every year. But a system, one that stretches across Korea, maybe beyond, rooted in strength, unity, and discipline. That lasts."
Jinyong stared for a long time. His expression unreadable.
"And what if I say no?"
"Then we both lose time," Ha-Joon replied. "And eventually, someone replaces both of us. Someone less patient. Someone worse."
Ofcourse that someone he was referring to was Charles Choi and James Lee who hadn't made their debut yet in the 1 Generation who would eventually demolish the generation of circle.
Jinyong Jo chuckled softly. "You know... I expected you to bark and threaten. But here you are, sitting across from me like we're partners. Maybe I misjudged you."
Ha-Joon shook his head before replying. "You don't want blood on your streets. do you? And I don't want to waste energy fighting you. Let's move forward the smart way."
Jinyong turned back to face him fully. He walked around the desk, stood right in front of Ha-Joon, and studied him one more time.
"You'll keep your words?"
"Heh… Don't worry. I don't say things I can't back up."
A brief moment of silent passed, before Jinyong extended his hand.
"Then let's do it. For now. But if you fall, I won't go down with you."
Ha-Joon merely chuckled at his word, before shaking his hand.
"Happy cooperation."
And for the first time, Ha-Joon plan had taken its big step.
.....
Stone?