Chapter 21: The Breaking Point
1. A Dangerous Gamble
Kim Do-yun sat in his dimly lit office, his fingers trembling as he reread the message.
Your wife and child are safe. For now.
Choose wisely, Do-yun. Loyalty or family?
Jinwoo had forced his hand.
He couldn't tell Tae-sung—not without risking their lives.
But betraying Tae-sung?
That was suicide.
His loyalty had never wavered before.
But now, for the first time, he felt something stronger than fear—doubt.
And doubt could kill a man faster than any bullet.
A knock at the door.
Do-yun stiffened.
Tae-sung's men?
Or worse—Tae-sung himself?
Slowly, he reached for his gun.
"Come in."
The door opened.
And standing there, her face unreadable—Hye-jin.
---
2. A Meeting in the Shadows
Hye-jin stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Do-yun's grip on his gun tightened.
"I don't have time for games."
Hye-jin tilted her head.
"Neither do I."
She slid a piece of paper across the table.
Do-yun hesitated.
Then, slowly, he picked it up.
The blood drained from his face.
"Where did you get this?"
Hye-jin's voice was quiet.
"Jinwoo isn't the only one making moves."
Do-yun stared at the paper—a detailed record of every crime Tae-sung had committed.
Murder.
Trafficking.
Corruption.
Enough to bury him forever.
"This…" Do-yun's voice cracked.
"This is dangerous."
Hye-jin leaned closer.
"So is staying loyal to a man who sees you as disposable."
Do-yun's hands shook.
He had spent years serving Tae-sung.
Killed for him.
Bled for him.
But now—he realized the truth.
Tae-sung would never hesitate to kill him, too.
"Why are you giving me this?" he asked.
Hye-jin's lips curled into a dangerous smile.
"Because I want to see what you'll do next."
---
3. The Wolf's Hunt
Jinwoo stood on the rooftop, watching the city below.
Seok approached, still bandaged from his injuries.
"It's been two days," Seok muttered.
"No word from Do-yun."
Jinwoo exhaled smoke, his mind racing.
If Do-yun didn't break soon—
He'd have to make an example out of him.
Seok hesitated.
"And Hye-jin?"
Jinwoo's jaw clenched.
She had spared him.
But that didn't mean she wasn't still a threat.
"We'll deal with her soon."
Seok nodded.
Then, his phone buzzed.
A message.
From an unknown number.
Seok's face darkened as he read it.
"He's made his choice."
Jinwoo flicked away his cigarette.
"Then let's see if he made the right one."
---
4. A Fracture in the Empire
Tae-sung stood in his private lounge, sipping his whiskey.
The city was his.
Jinwoo was a nuisance, nothing more.
And yet—
Something didn't feel right.
He could sense it.
A storm was coming.
The door opened.
Kim Do-yun stepped inside.
His face was calm, but Tae-sung noticed the slight hesitation in his steps.
"Boss," Do-yun said, bowing slightly.
Tae-sung gestured to a chair.
"Drink?"
Do-yun shook his head.
Tae-sung studied him.
Then, he smiled.
"I'll ask you once," he said softly.
"Are you still mine?"
The air thickened.
Do-yun swallowed hard.
And then—
The lights went out.
---
5. A Silent Coup
Gunfire exploded in the dark.
Tae-sung dived for cover, drawing his pistol.
Shadows moved.
His men were falling.
A betrayal.
Rage burned in his veins.
He turned, gun raised—
Only to meet Do-yun's eyes.
For a split second, time froze.
Then—
Do-yun pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The bullet tore through Tae-sung's shoulder.
Pain shot through his body.
But Tae-sung didn't fall.
His mind sharpened.
His survival instincts took over.
In one swift motion, he aimed—
And shot Do-yun in the chest.
---
6. The King's Wrath
Do-yun collapsed.
Blood pooling beneath him.
Tae-sung staggered, pressing a hand to his wound.
His vision blurred, but his rage was clear.
Jinwoo.
This was his doing.
Tae-sung's breath was ragged as he pulled out his phone.
A single call.
Hye-jin answered.
"It's time," Tae-sung growled.
"Kill him."
Silence.
Then—
Hye-jin's voice, quiet and unreadable.
"…Understood."
She ended the call.
But as she stood on the rooftop, looking out over the city—
Her fingers tightened around her gun.
Because she knew.
Jinwoo wouldn't be the only one to die tonight.
---
End of Chapter 21