"What should we do?" Jin Jiang asked as he rubbed ice on his face to relieve the swelling.
Seo Joon didn't respond for the moment. He took a drag on his cigarette and exhaled, letting the smoke drift. "I heard the situation at Dog God is extremely dire right now." Instead of answering Jin Jiang's question, Seo Joon began to recount.
Jin Jiang frowned and nodded. "You're absolutely right. Things haven't been going very well since Johan took control of Gangbuk."
"Well, it's predictable. After all, from what I've heard, Johan demands a fee of 100 million won a month, all legally without resorting to illegal means. I imagine getting that amount and keeping the entire team happy would be extremely difficult," Seo Joon replied as he took another drag on his cigarette.
Jin Jiang, hearing the words coming out of Seo Joon's mouth, frowned even more as his face darkened, remembering how miserable Dog God was!
Seo Joon didn't wait for Jin Jiang's reply and, after a momentary silence, continued, "This miserable situation has driven you to disobey that Johan. In the end, you couldn't stand it, and you resorted to scams to keep things afloat, if I remember correctly."
"..."
Ah, this, this!" Jin Jiang exclaimed in surprise and looked at Seo Joon in astonishment and shock. Then, as if thinking of something, he looked at Ivan Park and Hope Park strangely.
Dominc Min and Kwon Scott also did the same. Seeing this, Ivan Park snorted coldly. He understood that, even if they didn't dare say it, they were blaming and cursing him from the bottom of their hearts. "Hmph, don't blame me, Jin Jiang. A smart person is the one who adapts best to situations. You should know better!"
Seo Joon watched this with interest and, before they could say anything, said, "Jin Jiang, you're no fool. All of you are accomplices in this scam network. If Johan finds out, what will happen to you?"
...
Jin Jiang said nothing. Instead, he lowered his head and began to think. Jin Jiang was no fool. He had already thought about what Seo Joon said. Now that he thinks about it, perhaps the scam system he launched was too hasty. After all, with just one variable, Johan would find out.
Jin Jiang sighed, stared at Seo Joon, and asked, "What are you up to, Boss?"
Seo Joon smiled inexplicably. "Currently, Seoul is in a state of balance. This has lasted for quite some time, but it's only a matter of time before it breaks. You're no fool, Jin Jiang, you should know that. Of the four main crews, the weakest is God Dog, not only in personnel, but also in organization. Without Johan, they would likely have been absorbed into another region by now.
Jin Jiang sighed and nodded. "It's just as you say. If any of the other groups are planning to take Gangbuk, they'll surely succeed. If it weren't for Johan, this would probably have happened already."
Saying that, Jin Jiang felt a bolt of lightning strike him in the head and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Shit, shit! How stupid! What the hell was I thinking? If we get Johan out of Gangbuk, what will happen to the other three groups? Will they just stand there idly? It shouldn't be possible, right?"
Thinking about this, Jin Jiang smiled bitterly. It seemed like his plan to get Johan out was being rushed; resentment had unconsciously clouded his judgment. Jin Jiang sighed, cursing himself for being an idiot.
Seeing Jin Jiang's face, Seo Joon smiled. It seemed like Jin Jiang understood what he meant. Seo Joon wasn't talking nonsense. Without Johan, Dog God would have been absorbed by the other crews by now.
You should know that not even the Workers, the strongest team in Seoul, dared to act rashly against Johan.
Seo Joon estimates that, if it weren't for the trouble Daniel Park and his group were causing, Gangbuk would likely have been absorbed since Johan's departure. Even Yun Jo, the antagonist of Questisim, didn't dare completely unify Gangbuk. He would only do so when he was absolutely certain Johan was no longer in Gangbuk.
This demonstrates the influence Johan has; a truly strong person, Seo Joon thought excitedly.
"Speaking of Yun Jo, does he exist in this world? If so, what should I do?" Thinking of those guys with systems in Questisism, Seo Joon felt uneasy, but then calmed down. "Why should I worry? My system is more powerful than theirs, so there's nothing to worry about. Besides, it's not safe for these guys to exist in this world."
After thinking this through, Seo Joon stopped mulling it over and continued, "It seems you're no fool. Jin Jiang, you've already figured out what I mean. Even if you get Johan out of Dog God, what will happen next? Do you think Big Deal, the Workers, and Hostel will just sit idly by?"
Jin Jiang sighed sadly, "It seems I was quite idealistic after all!"
Domin Min, Scott Kwoon, Ivan Park, and Hope Park, who were listening, also widened their eyes in disbelief upon hearing that their well-planned rebellion would end in fiasco.
"Thank goodness the boss has arrived; otherwise, what will become of Dog God?" Ivan Park thought with relief.
"It certainly seems like you understand, but there's still hope for you. With my arrival, your little coup can be carried out. As for the other crews," Seo Joon smiled excitedly, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. "When they arrive, let's crush them."
Hearing this, even Jin Jiang, Scott, and Dominic, who had just been beaten like dogs by Seo Joon, became excited and felt their blood boil.
"When do we get Johan out of God Dog?" Jin Jiang asked, his eyes blazing with excitement. The others in the room turned to Seo Joon. On their faces, Seo Joon could see the excitement, the ecstasy, and the desire to get Johan out of the equation.
Seeing this, Seo Joon sighed inwardly. This Johan was all brawn and no brains. No wonder he'd end up alone like a dog.
Seo Joon extended his hand, silencing the murmurs and quieting the room again. "No need to worry about Johan for now." Hearing this, everyone felt disheartened, but after hearing Seo Joon's next words, their faces lit up.
"Let's take care of the finances first," Seo Joon smiled mischievously as he made a money gesture with his fingers.
Jin Jiang smiled bitterly and asked, "Boss, I've thought about it, but other than scams, I can't think of anything better."
Seo Joon shook his head and sighed. "You're too narrow-minded, and your vision is limited by the little you know."
Before Jin Jiang could respond, Seo Joon began to describe his business model.
"You may think making money 'legally' is difficult, but from my perspective, it's easier than you think. Listen carefully, because this is new, and I can forget it. This is something no one in this world has ever attempted before." "Seo Joon," he began, his voice firm and his eyes twinkling.
Hearing this, everyone pricked up their ears and paid attention to Seo Joon's every word.
"My idea is simple: turn school delinquency into an organized, profitable, and scalable business."
Hearing this, everyone was puzzled. Wasn't this what they were doing?
Jin Jiang raised an eyebrow in confusion, but didn't dare to refute. Instead, he asked, genuinely curious, "Organized business? What do you mean?"
Seo Joon smiled inexplicably.
"Look, in this world, bullies operate as independent groups. Every school, every neighborhood, has its own boss who does whatever they want. Even a unified group like God Dog is no exception. When no one is looking, those guys just extort students brutally and rudely, creating discontent. Plus, it's all improvised, with no clear rules or stability."
Jin Jiang nodded. It was difficult to organize such a large group and force everyone to obey. This undoubtedly causes losses, but what should he do? Jin Jiang, at least, didn't know, so he simply listened to what Seo Joon had to say.
"This is inefficient, a waste of money, time, and opportunities. This is where my vision for GangBuk comes in!"
First, we need a structure with a clear hierarchy. Each group will operate as a franchise. For this plan to fully work, we need to take control of all the junior high and high schools in Gangbuk. The God Dog boys will be in charge of the junior high schools. As for the middle schools, we'll have to attract the boys from there to our side. Do you understand?
Jin Jiang nodded enthusiastically. At that moment, he cursed himself. Why had he forgotten? If he had taken control of all the schools in Gangbuk, his pressure to raise the 100 million won monthly would have been eased, and his situation wouldn't be so miserable.
Seo Joon continued, "Once this is done, the strongest person from each school will be chosen and appointed as leader. Each person will have control of the school they dominate, but under a system that standardizes processes, payments, and communication. No impulsive acts or pointless fights that damage our group's reputation." If you're caught doing this, you'll be dismissed and beaten like a dog to teach you a lesson.
"Among the services offered will be protection against bullying. In this sense, we must keep in mind that there must be two sides in the school: the good guys and the bad guys. Both will be part of our organization. The 'good guys' will be in charge of protection, and the 'bad guys' will be in charge of encouraging bullying. This is so there's business."
Hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up like never before. Jin Jiang cursed himself a million times. Why the hell hadn't he thought of this? Why hadn't he thought of such a plan? Instead of extorting, wouldn't it be better to implement Seo Joon's method? They would not only earn a good reputation, but also a lot of money.
At that moment, if Jian Jiang had submitted to Seo Joon out of force, at that moment he had done it with all his heart. Seo Joon wasn't a brawny, brainless guy like Johan, but a visionary, a person with strength and intelligence.
Seeing everyone's reactions, Seo Joon nodded with satisfaction and added, "You must remember that the group that acts as an incentive to hire our services—the 'bad guys'—must never say they're part of the organization; otherwise, our reputation will be tarnished, do you understand?"
Hearing this, Jin Jiang slapped his chest and said confidently, "Take it as a fact, boss. I won't allow anyone to tarnish our reputation. If they do, their life will definitely be worse than death!"
Hearing Jin Jiang's words, everyone nodded solemnly.
Seo Joon smiled inexplicably. "Not only protection, but we'll also sell exams and assignments written by experts. To do this, we'll have to recruit these guys. There are many students like this who are good at studying, but due to circumstances, they need money to survive, with a small commission from us. They'll definitely agree to join God Dog.
We'll offer student loans with reasonable interest rates. We'll distribute "special" products, from cell phones to exclusive clothing. We'll be deeply involved in inter-school sports matches or competitions, managing bets, and earning commissions. We'll be involved in all of this. Now you understand why reputation is important!"
"Shit!" Jin Jiang exclaimed, shocked, unable to hold it in any longer. Was his new boss an expert in illicit business?
At that moment, as they analyzed Seo Joon's plan, everyone's gaze grew even more fanatical and ardent.
Seo Joon smiled and opened his arms. "This will not only make us money, but it will also give us information coming from every school where we exert influence: rumors, leaks, movements of other crews. This allows us to anticipate conflicts and make decisions before anyone else."
Seo Joon's eyes glittered with greed, and he added, "Whoever behaves well and meets their quotas gains more support and access to 'premium clients.' Those who fail lose privileges or are expelled. No more betrayals without consequences."
Seo Joon paused and looked at everyone, who was watching him intently, absorbing the information. As time passed, his eyes glowed more and more with fanaticism.
Seo Joon smiled terrifyingly. With this model, we will not only violently control all of Gangbuk. We'll control the markets, the customers, and the flow of money. And it's not just Gangbuk. Over time, the other regions of Seoul will slowly be infested by our people. By the time the other gangs least expect it, it'll be too late.
Seo Joon wasn't joking. He clearly remembered that neither Big Deal nor Workers were involved in this kind of business. As for Hostel, he didn't know. That Olly Wang was pretty good at making money anywhere, so it was likely he'd notice their movements in his region.
But Seo Joon didn't care too much about a little Olly Wang, who couldn't cause much of a stir. The only ones he had to worry about were Workers and maybe Big Deal, of course, as far as the Seoul area was concerned.
Seo Joon stood up, walked to the edge of the abandoned building, where there was a huge hole from which most of Gangbuk could be seen, and pointed at the city lights. What do you think, guys? Do you want to join me on this trip?
At that moment, everyone said in unison, without hesitation.
YES, BOSS!
Hearing this, Seo Joon smiled, a faint twinkle in his eyes. Gangbuk was just the beginning. It would undoubtedly conquer all of Seoul and, in time, spread throughout Korea like a fucking epidemic!