The room was dimly lit, curtains drawn against the city lights of Seoul. A mahogany desk dominated the center, and behind it sat Charles Choi, his immaculate suit framing a figure of power and calculation. Across from him lounged Gun Park and Goo Kim, their contrasting presences filling the silence—one like a coiled blade, the other like a wild storm barely restrained.
Charles's voice was calm, deliberate.
Charles Choi: "Daniel Park."
The name alone seemed to shift the air. Gun's expression remained unreadable, while Goo snorted, folding his arms.
Goo Kim: "That brat again? What's next—you want us to worry about some twelve-year-old? He's just a kid, Charles. Kids play at gangs all the time."
Charles ignored the outburst, his gaze moving to Gun.
Charles Choi: "You've seen the reports. His personality is… sharp. He's not reckless. He's calm, calculating. He built not one, but two organizations under his control. The Union in the schools, and Cheongryong on the streets. And in Gwangseong, he's extended influence to the point of dominance."
Gun leaned back, arms crossed. His tone was clipped, dismissive.
Gun Park: "And yet, he's still a child. Strength? Yes, impressive for his age. Wealth? Impressive, but unstable. His so-called power rests on middle schoolers and a fledgling gang. He's not worth my concern."
Goo let out a laugh, sharp and mocking.
Goo Kim: "Exactly. He beat some punks, gained a district, got a taste of money. Big deal. There are hundreds like him who burn out before they ever matter."
Charles's fingers tapped the desk slowly, eyes narrowing.
Charles Choi: "Hundreds, yes. But not this one."
The room fell quiet at his tone.
Charles Choi: "Think carefully. A twelve-year-old boy who has already amassed wealth rivaling the top of Korea's elite. Who controls two powerful factions—one in the underworld, one in the schools. Who crushed the Hyun brothers, leaders of the Gwangseong Quartet—high schoolers with years of dominance—while he was merely a freshman in middle school. Do you understand the scale?"
Neither Gun nor Goo spoke.
Charles leaned forward, his voice soft but edged with steel.
Charles Choi: "We are not dealing with a boy. We are watching the birth of something… unnatural. Dragons do not belong in cages, and he is no ordinary dragon."
Inside, Charles's thoughts turned sharper, colder.
He remembered the rise of others—how some kings had once looked unstoppable, only to fall into dust. Yet Daniel was different. He didn't just fight. He built. He planned. He conquered without hesitation. That level of ambition in someone so young was dangerous—perhaps even more dangerous than James Lee had once been. A boy who thought like a king, with the resources of an empire.
Gun's eyes flickered with a rare hint of curiosity, though his tone remained cool.
Gun Park: "So what do you want? Action?"
Charles shook his head.
Charles Choi: "No. We observe. Let him grow. If he falters, he dies on his own. If he survives… then we will know what kind of monster he becomes."
And if he becomes too great, Charles mused privately, I will crush him myself. Better to kill a dragon in its nest than face it when it learns to fly.
Goo chuckled again, but the laughter lacked its usual ease.
Goo Kim: "Fine. We'll watch your little prodigy. But if he steps out of line, I'll enjoy tearing him apart."
Charles smiled faintly, but his eyes were unreadable—calculating, already weighing the scales of power.
Charles Choi: "For now… let the boy play at empire. Sooner or later, we will see whether Daniel Park becomes an asset… or a threat to erase."
The discussion ended, but the echo of his words lingered. Somewhere in Gwangseong, a boy with a cruel smile and eyes too cold for his age was already plotting his next move.
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