The boy who stepped onto Incheon's broken streets was not Daniel Park.
At least, not in the eyes of anyone who looked.
His features were blurred behind subtle changes—a slight alteration in posture, a faint scar drawn across his jawline, contact lenses shifting his eye color, and a layer of makeup that reshaped his youthful face. His hair was styled in a way that aged him up, giving him the aura of an ordinary young man in his twenties.
This was not a simple disguise.
This was Nagumo Yoichi's art, a skill Daniel had inherited after hours of brutal practice under the legendary master of deception. Now, even if the Dark Crocodile Society's watchful eyes fell on him, they would never suspect that this "stranger" was Daniel Park, the twelve-year-old who had shaken Gwangseong.
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Surveying Incheon
As Daniel moved through the city, he saw firsthand what constant war did to a place.
The once-bustling heart of Incheon looked like a battlefield paused mid-siege. Crumbled buildings leaned against each other like drunks, alleys were scarred by old fires, and graffiti marked which faction had claimed a corner—only for it to be painted over days later.
Merchants glared with suspicion at newcomers. Children darted away from strangers. Every eye carried exhaustion, fear, and a grim determination to survive.
"This city bleeds war," Daniel thought coldly, his gaze scanning everything. "And yet, in this chaos… two kings stand."
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The Old Lady's Restaurant
By evening, Daniel stepped into a small, dimly lit restaurant run by an old woman. The air smelled of broth and fried dough, a rare pocket of warmth in this shattered place. He ordered quietly, eating alone at a corner table.
The food was simple—rice, soup, and pickled vegetables. But when he went to pay, the old lady quoted an amount nearly triple the worth.
Daniel didn't flinch. His face remained neutral, his movements steady as he handed over the bills.
Money, in this city, was just another weapon. Complaining would only draw attention.
As he stepped outside, the neon signs buzzed overhead, flickering like dying stars. He walked further down, booking a modest hotel nearby. Again, the price gouging was obvious, but Daniel paid without reaction. His disguise demanded silence.
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Meeting the Spy
Night draped itself over Incheon when Daniel's contact arrived—a local spy he had planted weeks before. The man bowed slightly before sitting across from Daniel in a shadowed corner.
"The situation here…" the spy began, voice low. "It's worse than you'd imagine. The Dark Crocodile Society grows stronger every day. They have men everywhere. Even asking the wrong question can get you killed."
Daniel leaned back, his face unreadable. "And the Speed Faction?"
The spy hesitated, his hands tightening.
"That's the problem. I can't locate their HQ. They're constantly on the move, shifting hideouts to avoid detection. Every time I get close, they vanish. The civilians…" His eyes darted around nervously. "They refuse to speak. Some run, some threaten me. Others pretend not to hear. It's as if even mentioning the Speed Faction is a death sentence here."
Daniel's sharp gaze narrowed.
"So. Even the shadows are being watched."
The spy's throat bobbed. "I fear I've been followed already. Someone knows I've been asking questions. I'll keep trying, but for now… we're blind."
Daniel said nothing. He simply stood, his presence calm but heavy. The spy bowed quickly and vanished into the night, disappearing into the maze of alleys.
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Daniel's Thoughts
Later, in his hotel room, Daniel stood by the window, watching the ruined streets of Incheon under the glow of the moonlight. His reflection in the glass showed the face of his disguise, but behind it burned the eyes of a strategist.
"So… Yujae Seon plays with crocodiles in Chinatown. Jaegyeon Na hides with what remains of the Speed Faction. And the people here… they fear speaking the truth."
His lips curved faintly into a smile.
"Tomorrow, I'll find him. Jaegyeon Na. The Speed Faction. And then… we'll see if Incheon bends, breaks, or becomes mine."
The city outside was silent, but to Daniel, it whispered promises of war.
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