THE STREET KING

Chapter 9: A Dead Man's Revenge

1. Nowhere to Run

The freezing night air bit into Jinwoo's skin as he dragged Kyung-ho through the alley. His brother's weight pressed heavily against him, his breath ragged and uneven.

The warehouse burned behind them, the sky glowing orange. Thick smoke rose into the air, mixing with the city's neon lights.

Kyung-ho grunted, his legs barely supporting him. "You know… I think I'm dying."

Jinwoo gritted his teeth. "Not today."

Kyung-ho snorted weakly. "You always say that."

Jinwoo wasn't listening. They needed to disappear. Choi might be dead, but his men wouldn't stop hunting them.

They had nowhere to go.

Their safe house was compromised. Every ally they had was either dead or in hiding.

Jinwoo pressed a hand against Kyung-ho's wound, trying to stop the bleeding. His fingers came away slick with blood. Too much blood.

Kyung-ho saw it too. His lips curled into a tired smirk.

"You look worried."

Jinwoo ignored him. They needed help. Fast.

And there was only one person left to call.

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2. A Call to the Devil

Jinwoo pulled out an old flip phone from his pocket. A burner. One last line of contact.

He dialed a number he never wanted to use.

The line clicked. A voice, smooth as silk, answered.

"Well, well. If it isn't Kang Jinwoo."

Jinwoo's grip tightened on the phone. "I need a doctor."

A soft chuckle. Mocking.

"And what do I get in return?"

Jinwoo's voice was ice. "I'll owe you."

Silence. Then—

"That's dangerous, Jinwoo. A debt to me? Are you sure?"

Jinwoo closed his eyes. He had no choice.

"Just send the doctor."

The line went dead.

Jinwoo pocketed the phone and exhaled sharply.

Kyung-ho raised an eyebrow. "Who was that?"

Jinwoo didn't answer.

Because if they survived tonight, they would have an even bigger problem.

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3. The Cost of Survival

Thirty minutes later, a black SUV pulled into the alley.

A man stepped out, tall, dressed in a sleek suit. Yoo Min-jae.

A name that sent fear through the underworld.

His men carried Kyung-ho inside the SUV, no questions asked.

Min-jae studied Jinwoo, his gaze sharp. "You look like hell."

Jinwoo didn't smile. "You have what I need?"

Min-jae nodded to the back seat. A doctor waited inside, already preparing supplies.

Jinwoo followed, watching as Kyung-ho groaned in pain, the doctor working fast.

Min-jae leaned against the door, smirking.

"You're in my debt now, Jinwoo."

Jinwoo met his gaze. "I know."

Min-jae's smile widened. "Good. Because I have a job for you."

And just like that, Jinwoo realized he had walked into another war.

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End of Chapter 9