THE STREET KING

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1. The Shot That Changed Everything

The gunfire echoed through the empty warehouse.

Jinwoo staggered back, his breath caught in his throat as the burning pain spread through his chest.

Do-yun stood motionless, his gun still raised, his face unreadable.

Blood dripped from Jinwoo's lips. His body screamed at him to fall, but his will refused.

He met Do-yun's eyes. "Why…?"

Do-yun exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around the grip of his gun. "Because no king can rule forever."

Jinwoo let out a bitter chuckle, the taste of iron thick in his mouth. "You always were the smart one, Do-yun… but you're still just someone's pawn."

A flash of hesitation crossed Do-yun's face, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

Jinwoo took a shaky step forward, blood staining his white dress shirt.

"Did Tae-sung promise you something?" Jinwoo asked, his voice softer now. "Your freedom? Power?"

Do-yun clenched his jaw. "None of that matters anymore."

Jinwoo smirked despite the agony. "Then you already lost."

In one swift motion, Jinwoo reached for his gun—

Bang.

Another shot rang out.

Jinwoo collapsed onto his knees, gasping. The pain this time was sharper, deeper.

Do-yun lowered his gun, his eyes filled with something unreadable.

Jinwoo fell onto his back, staring at the ceiling. The warehouse lights flickered.

For the first time in years, he felt… tired.

Was this how it all ended?

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2. The Queen's Move

Hye-jin stood in the shadows, watching it all unfold.

The moment Do-yun fired the second shot, she knew—

It was time.

She stepped forward, heels clicking against the concrete.

Do-yun turned, startled.

"You really did it," she murmured.

Do-yun's grip on the gun tightened. "What are you doing here?"

Hye-jin smiled. "Watching you make a terrible mistake."

She knelt beside Jinwoo, pressing two fingers to his pulse. Faint. Weak.

But alive.

"You should've shot him in the head," she said without looking up. "Now, I have to clean up your mess."

Do-yun frowned. "Tae-sung wanted him dead—"

"Tae-sung doesn't know what he wants," Hye-jin interrupted. "But I do."

She pulled a syringe from her coat pocket, filled with a clear liquid.

Do-yun's eyes widened. "You're not…"

Hye-jin smirked. "Oh, I am."

She plunged the needle into Jinwoo's neck.

He gasped, body jerking as the adrenaline surged through his veins.

Do-yun stepped back. "You—"

Hye-jin tilted her head. "You didn't think I'd let him die, did you?"

Do-yun's expression darkened. "You're playing both sides."

She stood up, eyes gleaming. "No, Do-yun. I'm creating a new side."

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3. The Dragon Awakens

Pain.

That was the first thing Jinwoo felt.

Then—

Rage.

His eyes snapped open, and the first thing he saw was Hye-jin smiling down at him.

"Rise and shine," she whispered.

Jinwoo's body ached, but the adrenaline was working. He sat up, eyes locking onto Do-yun.

A slow smile stretched across Jinwoo's face.

"That was a good shot," he said hoarsely. "Too bad you hesitated."

Do-yun took a step back. For the first time… he looked afraid.

Jinwoo stood up, the pain still there but manageable.

"Now," he said, voice laced with menace, "who wants to tell me where Tae-sung is?"

Hye-jin chuckled. "That's the spirit."

Do-yun remained silent.

Jinwoo's gaze hardened. "Wrong answer."

And in a flash—

He lunged.

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4. The Final War Begins

Tae-sung sat in his office, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

The Black Dragon Syndicate was already celebrating, thinking the war was over.

But Tae-sung knew better.

Jinwoo wasn't dead.

He could feel it.

And if Jinwoo was alive—

That meant the real war was just beginning.

He placed his glass down, his fingers tapping against the desk.

"Hye-jin," he muttered. "That woman… she always has a plan."

A knock on the door.

One of his men entered, face pale. "Boss, we have a problem."

Tae-sung sighed. "Of course we do. What is it?"

The man swallowed. "Jinwoo… He's coming."

Tae-sung smirked.

"Let him."

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End of Chapter 24