Kim Jihoon was born late into his parents' lives, and they passed away when he was just six years old. His older brother, Kim Taeha, who had just graduated from college at the time, took on the role of both parent and sibling.
Taeha raised Jihoon with love, ensuring he had everything he needed. It didn't take long for Taeha to recognize that Jihoon was a genius.
From a young age, Jihoon showed a passion for martial arts, so Taeha enrolled him in classes. Jihoon excelled quickly, going on to compete in national competitions, where he emerged victorious.
His talent, combined with his sharp intellect, propelled him forward. Later, Jihoon moved to America to pursue higher education, where he studied and also made successful investments in the stock market.
After years abroad, Jihoon finally returned to Korea. When he arrived at the airport, Taeha was there to greet him alongside his 13-year-old nephew, Kim Shin.
"Uncle!" Shin called out, running up to him with a wide grin.
Jihoon ruffled the boy's hair, smiling. "You've grown so much, haven't you?"
Turning to his brother, Jihoon asked, "How have you been, hyung?"
"I'm good," Taeha replied with a warm smile. "How about you? Everything alright?"
"Everything's fine," Jihoon assured him, feeling a deep sense of comfort being home again. After a joyful reunion, they got in the car and drove home, settling into a peaceful routine. But Jihoon soon felt the call to serve his country.
He decided to join the military and was placed in the elite 707th Special Mission Battalion, South Korea's premier special forces unit.
Jihoon thrived in this intense environment, his skills in martial arts and strategy proving invaluable. Eventually, he was selected for a highly classified unit, where he worked alongside British and U.S. special forces as a unit commander.
But one day, while on duty, Jihoon received a call that would change his life forever. The voice on the other end was somber, delivering news that his brother, Taeha, had died. Jihoon's world crumbled in an instant.
His heart sank, and a scream tore from his throat as grief consumed him. But in that moment of despair, something else stirred within him—memories from a past life, long buried, began to surface.
Along with those memories came the realization of the wishes he had been granted, now awakened within him. His journey had only just begun.
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As Jihoon drove to his brother's grave, the weight of Taeha's death pressed heavily on his heart. Standing before the grave, his fists clenched, he made a solemn vow.
"I will avenge you," he whispered, his voice filled with both grief and resolve. "I swear it."
After paying his respects, Jihoon returned home, expecting to find his nephew, Kim Shin, waiting for him.
But instead, the house was empty. His heart skipped a beat as he noticed an envelope on the table with his name written in Shin's familiar handwriting. Slowly, he unfolded the letter and began to read:
"Uncle, Father was killed. I've joined a man who promised to make me stronger, so I followed him. I couldn't live knowing I hadn't taken revenge for what happened to Father. Please, forget about me. Go to another country and live your life in peace. If you ever need me, here's my number.
Your dear nephew, Kim Shin."
Jihoon's eyes narrowed as he finished reading the letter. He could sense the fear behind Shin's words—not for himself, but for Jihoon. The boy was afraid that Jihoon, too, would be caught up in the danger. But as Jihoon stood there, his grief slowly morphed into something darker, a cold rage simmering beneath the surface.
"Afraid I'll get hurt, Shin?" Jihoon murmured, his voice eerily calm. His eyes blazed with fury. "Don't worry. The day I return to this country is the day I'll be powerful enough to kill that bastard, Choi Minwook."
There was no hesitation. Jihoon booked a flight to the United States, his mind already calculating his next steps.
He knew what he had to do—he would build an empire, amass enough power to stand above anyone who stood in his way. Choi Minwook's days were numbered, and Jihoon was just getting started.