The neon glow of the Phoenix shop reflected in puddles along Yeongdeungpo-gu's streets. Rain drizzled lightly, mist curling along cracked asphalt. Despite the shop's renovation, the street remained dangerous — controlled by a local gang that hadn't taken kindly to a newcomer staking territory.
Yujhae leaned against the shop's shutter, arms crossed. Taejun and Dojin flanked him, alert, scanning the alleys. "They won't back down," Taejun murmured, eyes narrowing at the shadows. "We're walking straight into a fight."
Yujhae smirked. "Good. I like testing the waters. Let's see who remembers who built the streets."
---
Minutes later, five gang members emerged from a nearby alley. Tattoos snaked across their arms, and knives reflected the neon in sharp glints. Their leader stepped forward — tall, broad, scar running from his temple to jaw. "New player on our street," he said, voice cold, "doesn't get to stay. Move out, or get taught respect."
Yujhae straightened, scanning the group. "Respect is earned… with results."
The thugs laughed, the tension building until it snapped.
---
The fight was chaotic.
One thug swung a bat; Yujhae caught it, twisted the attacker into a wall. Another lunged with a knife; he sidestepped, slammed a forearm into the man's chest. Dojin and Taejun intercepted the remaining three, neutralizing the threat with precision.
But the leader remained.
---
Gang Leader Duel (~50 words)
The leader charged with a brutal hook. Yujhae ducked, shifted weight, and twisted the man's arm mid-swing. With a surge of raw power, he slammed him onto the asphalt. The man scrambled up, eyes blazing. Yujhae's fist struck the temple cleanly. The leader collapsed, unconscious, the fight ending as quickly as it began.
---
The remaining gang froze, awe and fear etched on their faces. Within minutes, they retreated into the alleys, muttering warnings. The street had shifted. The Phoenix mark was now unmistakable.
Yujhae wiped blood from his lip, flexing his fists. "One street today… district tomorrow."
---
SYSTEM UPDATE:
> Quest Complete — Gang Defeated, Street Secured
Reward:
Skill Unlocked — All-Vision (Detect enemy members, hidden threats, gang layouts)
Skill Unlocked — Head-Shot (Straight punch to the head; can KO enemies 5 levels below)
> Stats Upgraded:
+6 Strength
+6 Endurance
---
The rain eased, leaving the street glistening. Yujhae walked among the scattered debris of broken bottles and knocked-down signs, testing the All-Vision skill. The faint glow of hidden threats, alley exits, and gang members who had fled showed up in ghostly outlines. Even unseen, every corner of the street was mapped in his mind.
Taejun observed quietly. "That's insane… you can literally see everyone on this block."
Yujhae smirked, testing Head-Shot on a training dummy left over from the fight. The straight punch landed with devastating force, knocking the figure backward as if it had never stood a chance. "Good. If anyone tries this again, they'll know what a real Phoenix strike feels like."
Dojin leaned against the shop wall, grinning. "From a small shop to street domination… Boss, you're unstoppable."
Yujhae glanced at the shop's neon sign, glowing red against the wet asphalt. "Unstoppable isn't the word. Unforgettable is. Every street corner, every alley… they'll know who owns it."
---
By nightfall, neighbors peeked from behind curtains, whispering about the new order. The once-feared gang had disappeared, leaving only silence and cautious respect in their wake. The Phoenix mark now claimed the street — reinforced, defended, and controlled.
Yujhae stood atop the counter inside the shop, flexing his fists, muscles coiled, ready for the next challenge. The city was larger, the streets more dangerous, but he was faster, stronger, and sharper than ever.
"Small street today," he murmured, eyes glowing faintly under the neon.
"District tomorrow. And the city… eventually."
(That's end)