Rise of outcast king

Morning: New Waves in the City

Seoul's underworld was shifting. Over the last few weeks, whispers about Charles Choi's latest project had begun circulating in hushed tones: the Ten Geniuses Initiative. From high schools to back alleys, fighters speculated about what it meant.

"Ten fighters, handpicked by Charles Choi," Yeon-ji explained, flipping through her tablet as she briefed Joon in their factory base. "Rumor is, he's planning to use them to create the strongest crews Seoul has ever seen. Each genius will lead one of his new crews under the 4-Crew System."

"Four crews? Sounds ambitious," Joon said, leaning back in his chair.

"Choi's always been ambitious. But this time, he's recruiting people who can handle more than just brute force. Word is he's looking for leaders who can control entire districts," Yeon-ji continued.

Joon smirked. "And let me guess—he's already started picking people from schools."

"Exactly. Some of the geniuses are already rumored to be rising stars from places like Jaewon High and Hyeongshin Technical," Yeon-ji said. "This project isn't just about controlling the city—it's about creating an untouchable empire."

Joon's expression darkened. "And anyone who's not part of it?"

"Gets crushed," Yeon-ji replied bluntly.

Afternoon: A Message from the Shadows

As Joon walked through the crowded halls of Seoul West High, his thoughts lingered on the implications of Choi's new system. His school was no longer the chaotic mess it once was, but its reputation still carried weight. If Choi's project was about power and control, Seoul West High couldn't remain independent for long.

Halfway through the day, a messenger appeared: a lanky student with bruises on his face and trembling hands.

"This… this is for Kang Joon," the boy stammered, handing over a black envelope.

Joon opened it, scanning the contents. Inside was a letter written in neat, calculated handwriting:

"To the leader of Seoul West High,

Your actions in District 4 have been noted.

If you wish to play in my world, I'll ensure you learn its rules."

The letter was unsigned, but the weight of the words left no doubt in Joon's mind.

"It's from Charles Choi," he muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Evening: Preparing for War

Joon gathered his inner circle that night. The factory buzzed with activity as members of Black Airs prepared for what was coming. The letter had confirmed it—Charles Choi was aware of their moves, and it was only a matter of time before the real battle began.

Min-ho slammed his fist on the table. "We can't take on someone like Choi. Not yet. He's got the city in his pocket, and we're barely holding onto one district!"

Joon met Min-ho's gaze, his expression calm but unyielding. "Choi doesn't know what we're capable of. He sees us as another gang to crush. We'll prove him wrong."

Yeon-ji nodded, her voice steady. "We need more territory, more fighters, and more resources. If Choi's building an empire, we need to disrupt it before it solidifies."

Do-hyun, silent as ever, spoke up. "What's the next move?"

Joon's eyes flicked to the map on the wall. District 4 was marked with a bold red circle, but other areas were starting to catch his attention.

"We take over the circuit completely," Joon said. "But we don't stop there. We make noise—enough to draw Choi's lieutenants out. If we can take one of them down, the rest will think twice about underestimating us."

Late Night: The Genius Appears

As the factory emptied, leaving Joon and Yeon-ji alone, a text came through on Yeon-ji's phone. She glanced at it, her face tightening.

"What is it?" Joon asked.

Yeon-ji hesitated. "One of Choi's geniuses. He just entered District 4."

Joon leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Who?"

"Han Seong-min," Yeon-ji replied. "They call him the 'Prodigy Brawler.' He's been tearing through crews across Seoul, and now he's here to take over the circuit."

Joon smirked, the challenge igniting a spark in his eyes. "Then it's time we meet one of Choi's chosen."

End of Chapter 7