The road stretched out before him like a river of lights.
Tae-min drove through the night, his mind still burning from the rush of what had just happened in Nampo. His pulse hadn't slowed since the moment he'd pulled that trigger. The city lights rolled past, neon bleeding across the windshield, painting his face in shifting colors, from red, blue to gold.
He smirked faintly to himself. I could get used to this.
By the time he reached Seongrim, it was past midnight. But the city was wide awake, a monster of light and sound. Streets pulsed with music and voices, skyscrapers glittered like glass towers in a dream. He felt small again, but not powerless, just a stranger walking among giants.
The address Sang-ho sent him led to a casino at the edge of the entertainment district. A massive glass dome rose above the entrance, the sign glowing "BAEKHO PALACE CASINO." He remembered the name. Baekho Group.
So this was their territory.
Still, he walked inside.
The air was heavy with smoke and perfume. Laughter echoed from every table. Lights flashed in every color, bouncing off the spinning roulette wheels and the stacks of money changing hands. Tae-min blended into the crowd, scanning faces, until he found the man he was looking for.
The client was seated at a blackjack table, the center of attention. Gold watch, slicked-back hair, designer suit that screamed arrogance. His bodyguards surrounded the table, they were not street thugs, but trained men. Straight posture. Eyes sharp. Real professionals.
The dealer turned the last card. The client laughed, slapping the table as he pulled in the chips.
"One hundred million won!" he shouted, drawing applause from the onlookers.
Tae-min watched quietly. The man had just doubled the amount he owed and yet, when he stood and pocketed the chips, Tae-min knew what kind of answer he'd get.
This wasn't the place for chaos. Not here, not in Baekho's territory.
He followed from a distance as the man and his guards made their way to the exit.
Outside, the night air was cooler. The client waited near the entrance, checking his watch as his car approached, a black luxury sedan with tinted windows. Tae-min stepped out of the shadows.
"Mr. Kang," he called, his tone steady.
The client turned, surprised. "Do I know you?"
"I work for Sang-ho," Tae-min said simply. "Your debt's due."
The man's smug grin returned. "Debt? Now? You've got guts coming to me here." He gestured at the casino behind him. "You think I'd bring cash when I'm just playing a few games?"
"I saw you win," Tae-min said. "You have the money."
The man scoffed. "Come back next month. I'll pay then."
Tae-min shook his head. "No. Tonight."
That one word changed everything. The bodyguards stepped forward, surrounding him in a half-circle. No wasted motion, no hesitation, these men were used to violence.
Tae-min exhaled slowly, his pulse steady.
The first guard moved. Tae-min sidestepped, driving an elbow into his ribs and using the man's own weight to spin him into the next. A punch followed, quick, sharp, another man down. But they were fast, coordinated. The third came in low; Tae-min caught him by the wrist, twisted, and kicked his leg out from under him.
It was brutal and efficient, Tae-min's movements flowed like he'd been doing this his entire life. The sound of fists and groans echoed in the street until only a few remained standing, staring at him like he was something unnatural.
Then a voice cut through the chaos, cold, feminine, and commanding.
"What are you doing outside my casino?"
Every sound vanished.
Baek Ha-ryun stood near the entrance, flanked by two suited men. Her black dress shimmered under the streetlights, her long hair flowing like ink. Her gaze was sharp enough to slice through the tension. Even the client, who moments ago had been laughing, went pale.
"Ha... Ha-ryun-ssi," he stammered, bowing slightly. "This man, he's the one causing trouble! I was just..."
"Quiet."
Her single word froze him mid-sentence.
She turned her eyes to Tae-min. "You're Sang-ho's man, aren't you?"
"Yes," he said evenly. "Your guest here owes money. I came to collect."
Her eyes flicked between him and the trembling client. "Is that true?"
The man tried to speak, but her stare shut him up instantly. "Y-Yes… but I was going to pay..."
"Then pay."
He hesitated.
Her voice dropped lower. "Now."
Within seconds, the man fumbled with his wallet and pulled out the cash he'd just won, stuffing it into Tae-min's hands with shaking fingers. He muttered an apology and practically ran to his car, his guards dragging the injured behind him.
Ha-ryun watched them leave, expression unreadable. Then she looked back at Tae-min.
"You've got a talent for attracting attention," she said.
"Only when people don't pay their debts."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But next time, try not to start fights under my roof."
"Wasn't my intention."
She studied him quietly, like she was trying to figure out what kind of man he was. Around them, people whispered. No one dared speak too loudly, but everyone could see it: the Princess of Seongrim standing there, talking casually to a stranger, a man who'd just beaten her casino's client.
"Tell Sang-ho," she said finally, "that he should keep better control of his men."
Tae-min nodded, pocketing the cash. "I'll let him know."
Ha-ryun stepped closer, just enough for him to catch the faint scent of her perfume, which was sharp, elegant, dangerous. "But you," she said softly, "you should call me directly next time you're in Seongrim."
She reached into her clutch, pulled out a card, and handed it to him. A black business card. No name, just a phone number and a silver tiger embossed in the center.
Her eyes lingered on his for a moment longer before she turned and walked back into the casino.
Tae-min stood there, the card between his fingers, the city lights reflecting in his eyes.
People were still whispering around him,...Who is that guy?Did he just talk to Baek Ha-ryun?, but he didn't care.
He slipped the card into his jacket, smirked, and walked away.