章 5: Chapter 4: MK Group
"Leo, Noah," Michael said, his voice steady with newfound determination, "now that you've witnessed the capabilities of those at the top, it's clear we need more training. We also need to recruit more subordinates to protect our future businesses and build our empire."
"Yes, boss, we'll find more people and become much stronger than we are now," Leo responded, his calm demeanor slightly tinged with excitement.
"Then let's commence our conquest for wealth and power," Michael proclaimed, determination radiating from him.
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Michael and the twins began their ascent to power by systematically taking down the various gangs that plagued Seoul. Each victory led to the swift assimilation of smaller fractions into their growing influence.
As Michael's control over Seoul solidified, it was inevitable that his path would cross with Kwak Jichang, the man who held the title of "The King of Seoul." Michael knew Jichang well—not just through reputation but from his knowledge of the manhwa. Jichang was known as a smart and calculative leader, but even more famous for his terrifying hand chops, which he called the "Hand Blade." His hand was a weapon capable of immense destruction, strong enough to split wooden beams and, according to rumors, even break a safe with a single blow.
Their meeting took place in a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of the city, where the air was thick with tension. Michael, dressed in his usual tailored suit, stood tall and composed, flanked by his most trusted allies.
Opposite Michael stood Jichang, equally sharp in a tailored suit. His lean, towering build radiated an air of raw calm and authority. His presence was commanding, exuding quiet confidence, with every subtle movement hinting at the power he was ready to unleash.
As the tension in the room reached a boiling point, Michael and Jichang squared off, both men radiating an intensity that electrified the air. The moment the fight began, it was clear that Michael was a force to be reckoned with. He advanced swiftly, closing the distance between them in an instant.
Jichang attempted to counter, launching a precise Hand Blade strike aimed at Michael's midsection. However, Michael anticipated the move, sidestepping with fluid grace and countering with a powerful roundhouse kick that connected with Jichang's side, sending him staggering back.
In one swift motion, Michael caught Jichang's wrist mid-swing, stopping the deadly hand inches before it reached him. The room seemed to freeze as the two men locked eyes—Jichang's filled with disbelief, Michael's with cold confidence.
"Is that all you've got, King of Seoul?" Michael asked, his voice low and taunting.
Before Jichang could react, Michael deftly twisted his arm, locking it with expert precision. In the blink of an eye, he delivered a crushing blow to Jichang's chest, the force of the strike so powerful that it sent Jichang hurtling backward, crashing violently through a steel container.
The sound of metal buckling echoed through the warehouse as Jichang collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, his body barely responding. His vision blurred, and he hovered on the edge of consciousness, the overwhelming pain leaving him utterly incapacitated.
Your reign is over, Jichang," Michael said, his tone as cold as ice. "Seoul belongs to me now."
With Jichang defeated, Michael turned and walked away, knowing full well that Seoul was now his for the taking. Jichang's infamous "Hand Blade" was no match for his own overwhelming power. The balance of power in Seoul had shifted, and Michael had emerged as the undisputed ruler.
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After defeating Jichang, Michael cemented his title as the "King of Seoul." His next objective was to dominate the city's nightlife, seizing control of bars and nightclubs while recruiting skilled individuals to strengthen his ranks.
As Michael's crew dispatched another group of opponents, Alex Lee, a towering 195 cm fighter with a bulky, tank-like physique, kicked the last man to the ground. His heavy muscles, built for raw power.
"Man, this is so boring. Where's the real challenge, boss?" Alex complained, wiping the sweat from his brow. Michael had once defeated Alex in combat, recognizing his potential and bringing him onto his team.
"Shut your mouth and just follow orders, you pig," Jason Kim retorted sharply. At 188 cm tall, Jason had a lean, athletic build and was always calm under pressure. His sharp features and cutting words often ignited tension between him and Alex.
"What did you just say, you lanky bastard?" Alex growled, stomping toward Jason.
"You heard me. I called you a pig," Jason shot back, stepping forward with determination, eyes locked on Alex's.
Before the situation could escalate further, Michael's cold voice sliced through the tension. "Enough." The authority in his tone made both Alex and Jason freeze, instinctively stepping back into line.
Turning to his right-hand man, Leo, Michael continued, "Now that we control Seoul, it's time to establish a legitimate business. We need to expand our influence into legal circles and politics."
Leo nodded, his sharp mind already working on the logistics. "We should appoint someone else as CEO of MK Investment—an adult who can handle the front while we focus on our other operations."
"Exactly. Do we have the chief of Seoul police on our payroll yet?" Michael inquired, his gaze narrowing slightly.
"Yes, boss. He's already in our pocket, and soon, others will follow," Leo replied with a smirk.
Michael tilted his head, assessing the situation. "Do we have leverage on him?"
Leo handed him a folder filled with incriminating photos. "Of course. We've got images of him with women in nightclubs and accepting bribes. We have him right where we want him."
Michael flipped through the photos briefly before closing the folder. "Good. Now it's time to expand into bigger fields."
"Everything is prepared, boss," Leo confirmed, his voice steady and assured.
Michael nodded, his cold gaze shifting back toward the sprawling city. "Then let's begin." He turned to Noah Han, his trusted left-hand man. "Noah, you'll train the recruits while Leo and I focus on the business."
"No problem, boss," Noah replied, his confidence unwavering as he prepared to carry out Michael's orders.
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While Michael and the crew were working in the shadows, having hid their traces of Michael being the owner, and only their crew having the backing of that company. They chose Ray Yu as the CEO of Mk investment .
With Michael's unique foresight and exceptional business acumen, along with Leo's strategic insights, and Ray's ability the company flourished.
Their ability to capitalize on emerging opportunities allowed MK Investment to expand rapidly across multiple industries.
It was not Before long that MK Investment became one of the biggest companies in korea. They slowly expanded to other industries, their ambitions took them beyond South Korea's borders, leading to successful ventures in the USA, Japan, China and even Russia.
As their operations grew, MK Investment evolved into MK Group, a powerful conglomerate poised for further domination in both the business and underworld arenas.
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3 Years Later
As Michael descended from his private plane, Oliver Ma followed closely behind, his silent presence exuding an aura of control and precision.
With his striking features and sharp demeanor, Oliver was not just Michael's trusted secretary; he was also a formidable bodyguard when the situation demanded it.
Recruited from overseas, Oliver's loyalty to Michael was rooted in a profound personal history.
In the past, Oliver was known as "Ghost" among elite military circles—a man whose name alone instilled both respect and fear. Born of half-Korean, half-American heritage, he embodied the perfect blend of both cultures, his imposing height of 6'7" and lean, muscular build making him a formidable figure.
His sharp features, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline, were often shadowed by a faint stubble. His dark hair, slightly tousled, contrasted with his intense, almond-shaped eyes that carried a deep, unsettling calm. The calm of someone who had walked through fire and emerged unscathed.
Oliver's reputation was built in the Delta Force, the elite unit of the U.S. military where he was regarded as one of the best, if not the best soldier in their ranks.
He was a master of covert operations, specializing in reconnaissance, hand-to-hand combat, and marksmanship. His ability to move undetected and execute missions with surgical precision earned him the nickname "Ghost."
But Oliver's life hadn't always been about the battlefield. Behind the lethal soldier lay a man burdened by personal tragedy. Years ago, his beloved grandmother, the only family he had left, passed away, and Oliver struggled to cover the expenses of her funeral. At that time, Oliver was at his lowest, worn down by his past and the weight of his emotions. It was Michael who stepped in.
Michael not only helped Oliver financially to ensure his grandmother received the proper farewell but also gave him something far more valuable—revenge. Oliver had long carried the desire to avenge his grandmother, who had suffered due to the actions of certain individuals involved in criminal dealings.
With Michael's resources and network, Oliver was able to track down those responsible, delivering swift and calculated retribution to every person who had wronged him.
This act solidified Oliver's loyalty to Michael, binding them in a way that went beyond mere duty. Now, standing by Michael's side, Oliver exuded quiet confidence. Most often, his wardrobe consisted of tailored suits—sleek, stylish, and functional—that balanced sophistication with an edge.
The suits only enhanced the calculated grace with which he moved, every step fluid, every action measured, like a predator waiting to strike.
Oliver Ma had traded the battlefield for boardrooms and back alleys, but the Ghost still lingered in the shadows, ready to protect and eliminate as needed, always loyal to the man who had not only helped him rise from his darkest moment but gave him a new purpose.
As Michael slid into the back seat of the car, he dialed Leo's number, his voice calm yet purposeful.
"Leo, I'm back from the U.S. business trip. I won't be going anywhere for a while now," Michael said, leaning back into the seat. "I'm going to visit old man Gapryong's grave since I didn't get the chance to attend the funeral."
There was a brief silence, and as Michael's gaze drifted out the window, memories of his final fight with Gapryong flooded back.
Flashback:
It had been a year since their first clash, and now they met again under the cover of night, in an abandoned warehouse by the docks. The air was thick with tension, punctuated only by the distant crash of waves against the pier. Shadows stretched long across the floor, the cold light of the moon filtering in through broken windows.
Gapryong stood tall, his powerful frame casting a looming silhouette, eyes locked onto Michael with the same fierce determination he had in their first encounter. But something was different now—an unspoken acknowledgment between two warriors who had crossed blades before.
"You've come for another round, haven't you?" Gapryong's gruff voice echoed through the empty space, devoid of malice, only respect for the opponent standing before him.
Michael didn't respond with words. His calm, intense gaze said it all. His posture was relaxed, yet his every muscle was ready, controlled, and primed for what was to come.
The fight erupted in an instant. Gapryong's strength was monstrous, each punch and kick carrying the force to crush bone, his years of experience sharpening every strike. But Michael had grown since their last battle. With full control of the Hanma bloodline coursing through his veins, his power now exceeded that of Gapryong. His reflexes were sharper, his movements precise, and every counter landed with brutal efficiency.
Gapryong swung with the force of a battering ram, but Michael, always one step ahead, dodged smoothly. With a swift pivot, Michael landed a devastating punch into Gapryong's ribs, the sound of impact echoing like a crack of thunder in the warehouse. Gapryong staggered back, gasping for breath.
For a moment, silence filled the space. Gapryong struggled to stay upright, a small, weary smile creeping across his face. "You've gotten stronger," he muttered, barely able to contain the pride in his voice.
Michael didn't hesitate. In one fluid motion, he delivered the final blow—a vicious kick to Gapryong's chest. The force sent him crashing into the concrete wall, creating a crater with the impact. Dust and debris settled around Gapryong's crumpled form as he lay defeated.
"And you've grown old," Michael said, his voice calm, as if the fight had been nothing more than a simple task.
Breathing heavily but otherwise unscathed, Michael stood over the fallen Gapryong. A few bruises marred his skin, but there was no question this time—he had won. The battle was over, and with it, any doubt about his dominance.
End of Flashback
Michael blinked as Leo's voice brought him back to the present.
"No problem, boss. Just come to headquarters after," Leo said. "Oh, and before I forget, I found out that some of the Kings have gone to Cheonliang."
Michael's eyes sharpened. "Which Kings?" he asked.
"The King of Incheon, King of Daegu, King of Suwon, King of Ansan… and Jichang, who's now the King of Chungcheong after you beat him," Leo informed him.
Michael's expression remained unreadable, though the gears in his mind were clearly turning.
"Interesting," Michael murmured, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "Call the boys and get them ready. You can head to Cheonliang ahead of me. I'll visit the old man's grave first, then meet you there."
"Understood, boss," Leo responded.
As the call ended, Michael's gaze returned to the horizon. The next move was already set in motion.
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