The city skyline glowed gold that evening — tall towers, flashing billboards, and the constant pulse of nightlife.
Inside Club Phoenix, the crowd was larger than ever. The sound system thundered, lights danced, and Yujhae watched from the second-floor balcony, a calm smile on his face.
Two clubs under his control.
Phoenix was stable. Nova was being renovated.
But Yujhae knew something: in this city, success wasn't about who ran the best club — it was about who everyone talked about.
---
SYSTEM:
New Quest — "Expand Influence."
Objectives:
Launch a marketing campaign
Gain sponsorship from a major brand
Upgrade club security
Reward: Skill — Business Instinct (Lv.1) + 12 Stat Points
---
Yujhae turned to Taejun, who was checking income logs on a tablet.
"People love the club, but it's time to go public," Yujhae said. "Ads, sponsorships, posters — I want everyone in Seoul to know the Phoenix brand."
Taejun nodded. "We'll need a marketing partner. Someone who can make noise fast."
Yujhae smirked. "I already know who."
---
The next day, he met with Yura, a sharp-eyed woman who ran a small but aggressive social media agency.
She flipped through the club's analytics and grinned. "You've got organic traction already. A little push — sponsored reels, nightlife events, influencer tie-ins — and you'll blow up."
Yujhae leaned forward. "How much?"
"₩7 million minimum to start."
He didn't even blink. "Do it."
---
SYSTEM:
Funds Spent: ₩7,000,000
Marketing Campaign — IN PROGRESS
---
Within three days, advertisements appeared all over social media.
Clips of flashing lights, smiling faces, and a sharp voiceover:
> "Club Phoenix — Where the Streets Come Alive."
The views exploded.
Influencers started tagging the location. Local news blogs called it the fastest-growing club in the district.
But that wasn't enough for Yujhae.
He wanted official sponsorship.
So he made a call to Rion Energy Drink, a popular local brand tied to nightlife and fighters.
He met their representative in a downtown café — a clean-cut man with a business smile.
"We've seen your campaign," the man said. "Phoenix has buzz, but can you keep it consistent?"
Yujhae leaned in, confident. "I built it from nothing while gangs tried to burn it down. Consistency isn't a problem."
The man paused, then chuckled. "I like that attitude. Rion will sponsor Phoenix for six months. You'll host our events, and we'll provide co-branding and funds."
SYSTEM:
Sponsorship Acquired — Rion Energy x Club Phoenix
Reputation +40%
Daily Revenue Boost +₩500,000
---
The deal made headlines across nightlife circles.
Rion posters appeared around the district with Phoenix's logo underneath. The club's new drink — Rion Rush — became the night's signature cocktail.
Business was booming again.
But Yujhae knew that success always drew attention — and danger.
---
He called Dojin into his office.
"Security needs to change," Yujhae said. "No more just muscle. We go pro."
Dojin smirked. "Finally."
They spent the next few days hiring a team of four — trained ex-bouncers, one of them a former Marine named Kang Jisu, known for his discipline and efficiency.
Each member received custom earpieces, cameras, and stun batons.
Taejun supervised the setup of new surveillance cameras inside and outside both clubs.
---
SYSTEM UPDATE:
Security Upgrade — Level 2 → Level 4
Personnel: 6 Trained Guards
Surveillance System: Active
Threat Detection: +60%
---
One evening, Yujhae stood in the security room at Phoenix, watching live feeds from both clubs.
He nodded in approval. "No blind spots. No weak links."
Dojin grinned beside him. "Feels like a fortress now."
"Exactly," Yujhae said. "We're not just running clubs anymore. We're running territory."
---
Later that night, he checked his System log again.
[Yujhae - Status Window]
Strength: 18
Agility: 20
Endurance: 19
Perception: 12
Charisma: 11
Unused Points: 12
He smirked. "Let's make this official."
> +6 Agility
+6 Endurance
Updated Stats Applied.
He clenched his fists — his body faster, sharper, his stamina surging like a wave.
"Speed and endurance," he muttered. "Perfect for both business and war."
---
SYSTEM QUEST COMPLETE:
Expand Influence — SUCCESS
Rewards Gained:
+12 Stat Points
Skill Unlocked — Business Instinct (Lv.1)
Effect: Slightly increases negotiation success and financial efficiency.
---
As the crowd roared below, Yujhae stepped out onto the balcony, looking over his empire — the lights, the people, the sound of money and music mixing in the night air.
Two clubs, a sponsorship deal, and a security team that could take on a gang.
He smiled faintly.
"The city finally sees me."
The neon sign of Phoenix glowed brighter than ever — and somewhere in the shadows, new rivals were already watching.
---
End of Chapter EZZ