The streets of Yeongdeungpo-gu had quieted down, but Yujhae wasn't one to linger in victory. He leaned against the railing of the Phoenix shop, the neon light casting a faint glow across his face. Rain had stopped hours ago, but the streets still smelled faintly of wet asphalt and smoke.
He closed his eyes for a moment, recalling the events that had led him here. A life that had ended abruptly, a body that wasn't truly his at first glance, and yet… the skills, instincts, and sheer drive that had awakened in him since his reincarnation felt natural now. Every punch, every strategic move, every investment had been sharpened by something he couldn't quite name — a past life's hunger for survival, or perhaps fate itself.
But there was no time to dwell. A new mission was waiting. The System's notification blinked in front of him:
> New Mission: "Buy Gaming Hub"
No explanations. No hints. Just four words.
Yujhae smirked, tilting his head. "Straight to the point. Fine by me."
---
The next morning, Yujhae scouted the town, searching for an ideal location. He spotted a medium-sized building near the intersection of two busy streets, abandoned for months. A faded sign read "Level Up Arcade." Windows were cracked, graffiti smeared the walls, and the faint hum of broken electronics lingered inside. Perfect.
Negotiations with the landlord were simple. Yujhae handed over a stack of cash, enough to make the man's eyes widen, and the keys were his. Ownership was immediate.
He stepped inside. Dust motes floated through the sunlight streaming from broken windows. Old gaming machines sat in rows, some functional, most needing repair. Yujhae ran his hand across the counter. "Small shop today… gaming empire tomorrow."
---
Over the next few days, he poured the renown and capital he had accumulated from Phoenix into renovations.
New flooring replaced cracked tiles. Neon lights adorned the walls, pulsing in rhythm with the music system he installed. State-of-the-art gaming PCs, consoles, and VR stations replaced broken arcade cabinets. Even the old snack bar was upgraded — energy drinks, fresh food, and a small menu designed for long gaming sessions.
The building transformed quickly, almost overnight. The smell of paint mixed with electronics and fresh coffee — a subtle, intoxicating combination that made the place feel alive.
By nightfall, Yujhae stood in the center of the newly renovated hub, hands on his hips. Screens flickered across every corner, machines hummed with potential, and the faint glow of neon reflected off polished counters.
"This… this is just the beginning," he muttered.
Taejun peeked in, eyes wide. "Boss… it actually looks amazing."
Dojin laughed, clapping his hands together. "A gaming hub in this neighborhood? You're insane… but this is brilliant."
Yujhae smirked. "Insane? Maybe. But it's opportunity. Everyone's waiting for something new… and I plan to give them exactly that."
---
SYSTEM UPDATE:
> Mission Complete — "Buy Gaming Hub"
Reward Granted: Renown Increased
New Mission Pending
Yujhae leaned back, scanning the glowing monitors. The hub wasn't just a building. It was a statement: the Phoenix mark wasn't just about streets and fights anymore. It was influence, culture, and power manifesting in new forms.
As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but think of the life that had brought him here — the reincarnation, the skills, the battles fought, the streets conquered. And yet, every thought was fleeting. Another mission awaited, another step in the endless chain of opportunities.
"Alright," he whispered, cracking his knuckles. "Time to make this place matter."
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."