The morning fog rolled across the city, curling around the neon signs still warm from the night before.
Phoenix and its network hummed like a living thing, but Yujhae wasn't looking at his empire tonight.
He was scanning a new target: a small, dilapidated shop tucked into a corner of Jagang Street, infamous for gang activity, drug deals, and reckless speeders.
Taejun frowned as they walked the block. "Boss… this place? It's not exactly prime real estate. You'll get robbed before you even finish renovations."
Yujhae smirked, glancing at the narrow alleyways and flickering signs.
"This isn't about prime real estate. It's about control. One small foothold here, and the whole street knows who owns it."
---
The shop itself was a mess — cracked windows, graffiti splashed across the walls, and a rusty shutter that barely worked.
Yujhae pushed the door open, dust and broken shelves greeting him like old enemies.
"Perfect," he muttered.
---
SYSTEM:
Quest — "Street Foothold."
Objectives:
1. Buy and renovate the small shop on a dangerous street
2. Solve local threats using your strength
Reward: +20 Stat Points | Skill Unlock — Wheel-Kick & Counter
---
The deal was quick. A nervous landlord, a wad of cash, and the shop officially became part of the Phoenix network.
But the street wasn't done testing him.
Within hours, a gang of five local thugs showed up.
"New boss in the hood?" one sneered, cracking a baseball bat against the asphalt.
"Guess we'll teach you some respect."
Yujhae stepped forward calmly.
"Respect?" he asked. "I prefer results."
---
The fight began instantly.
A thug swung a pipe at him. Yujhae grabbed it mid-swing, twisted with his shoulder, and slammed him into the wall.
Another charged with a knife — a feint, a step aside, and his knuckles smashed into the man's ribs.
Dojin and Taejun moved in, but Yujhae stopped them with a raised hand.
"This is mine."
Pain and adrenaline surged as one thug tried to tackle him from behind.
Yujhae spun, lifted him with raw strength, and slammed him into the ground.
The last two hesitated, seeing their friends crumpled, and Yujhae grinned.
"Anyone else?"
They bolted.
---
SYSTEM UPDATE:
> Objective Complete — Local Threat Neutralized
Small Shop Secured and Renovated
Reward Granted — Skill Unlocked: Wheel-Kick & Counter (Lv.1)
Effect: High-speed wheel kick dealing heavy damage. Counter ability triggers automatically when blocked.
---
By nightfall, the shop gleamed under new lights.
Fresh paint, reinforced windows, upgraded security cameras, and a small Phoenix logo hanging above the door.
Even the local thugs had begun to whisper — this street now had a new boss.
Yujhae stood on the shuttered counter, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Small shop today… street tomorrow… the city next," he muttered.
Taejun shook his head, laughing. "You really are unstoppable."
Dojin clapped him on the shoulder. "Better watch out, boss. Streets like this bite back."
Yujhae smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"Then I bite harder."
---
The faint neon glow reflected in his eyes as he opened the System window.
[Yujhae — Status Window]
Strength: 31
Agility: 35
Endurance: 29
Perception: 15
Charisma: 12
Unused Points: 20
> +6 Strength
+6 Endurance
Skill Added: Wheel-Kick & Counter (Lv.1)
---
He flexed, testing the motion — a spinning kick that could obliterate a target, a counter ready to punish any mistake.
The street was dangerous. The city was dangerous.
But Yujhae was faster, stronger, sharper than ever.
And everywhere he stepped, he left the Phoenix mark.
---