The battlefield was silent for a fleeting heartbeat. The stench of iron hung in the air, blood dripping from shattered wood and broken glass of the restaurant's ruins. Daniel stood in the center, his sword gleaming crimson in the dim light, his eyes cold as a predator's.
The 1000-Squad Leaders of the Dark Crocodile Society froze, their expressions a mix of rage and disbelief. They had seen ruthless killers before, but never a boy — a twelve-year-old — wielding a blade with such merciless precision. His slashes were effortless, each cut clean and absolute, like death itself was obeying him.
Mugak Wang's massive jaw clenched, veins bulging in his neck. His arrogance was trembling under Daniel's display. His subordinates glanced at him with unease — their commander was supposed to be unshakable, yet here even he looked rattled.
On the other side, the Speed Faction stood frozen.
Sung Jegal, who mocked Daniel earlier, swallowed hard, his fists clenching as he whispered, "What the fuck… is he really human?"
Roy Kwon shook his head, astonished. "He's cutting through them like they're paper. That sword… it's not just skill, it's something else. It's too sharp, too deadly."
Boknam Lee muttered under his breath, "I feel it… his presence. Like standing before a beast that's been waiting to devour us."
Sebastian Kang clenched his bruised fists, recalling his own defeat. "I told you… I fought him. That punch I took — it wasn't even half of what he could do. Now you see it too."
Even Yeowool Ha, who rarely showed emotion, stared at Daniel with widened eyes. For the first time, her apathetic mask cracked as she whispered, "A monster… fighting for us."
Then their gazes shifted to Jaegyeon Na. He stood tall, arms crossed, his Taekkyeon stance relaxed but his eyes sharp. A faint smile curved his lips, not of mockery but of understanding. This boy… he's dangerous. But right now, he's our danger.
The murmurs died when Mugak Wang stepped forward, rage dripping from his every word.
"You fucking brat!" he roared, his voice booming through the wreckage. "You think you can kill our men, spill Dark Society blood, and walk away alive? You don't know what the hell you've done!"
He pointed his thick finger at Daniel, his eyes red with fury.
"The Dark Crocodile Society will make you beg for death. We'll crush you, your faction, and every fucking rat that sides with you!"
Daniel didn't flinch. He slowly raised his sword, its edge gleaming with lethal sharpness, then leveled his gaze at Mugak. His expression was calm, cold — like a judge passing sentence.
His voice was low, sharp, and carried across the battlefield.
"You know…" Daniel began, "…whenever I commit a sin, I stand near the gates of hell."
He stepped forward, his aura pressing down like a suffocating weight.
"But right now…" his eyes narrowed, "…I commit no sin by killing you all."
The leaders stiffened. His words weren't shouted, but spoken like prophecy.
Daniel tilted his head, his smirk razor-thin.
"When you go to hell, Mugak… say hello to Yeomra for me."
The air split with tension, the Speed Faction behind him holding their breath, while the Dark Society's leaders readied themselves, rage masking their unease.
The war in Incheon had just reached its boiling point.
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