⛧°。 ⋆༺♱༻⋆。 °⛧

Beomgyu sat in his office, papers spread across his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration. He had spent countless hours evaluating the members who would form the core team for the Seoul branch of his family's mafia. It wasn't just about numbers—it was about loyalty, skill, and trust. Every name on the list carried weight, and any misstep could cost them everything.

With a deep breath, he finalized the list:

Kang Taehyun: A strategic genius and tactical planner, Taehyun was someone Beomgyu trusted implicitly. His quiet demeanor masked a mind that could outthink even the sharpest adversary.

Choi Soobin: The calm, level-headed advisor who had a knack for diffusing tensions and balancing Beomgyu's occasional impulsiveness. Soobin was the backbone of every operation, ensuring stability.

Huening Kamal Kai: The tech specialist and reliable ally. His discreet yet critical role in monitoring communications and setting up secure networks made him invaluable. His connections with Yeonjun's family only strengthened his position.

Choi Yeonjun: Beomgyu's husband and combat powerhouse. His presence wasn't just symbolic—it was a statement of unity and strength. Yeonjun's sharp instincts and unparalleled combat skills added an edge to their team.

Alongside them were 60 assassins from Yeonjun's family and 70 elite soldiers from Beomgyu's father's mafia. It was a mix of expertise and brute force, but also a blend of personalities that could be as volatile as it was formidable.

Beomgyu stared at the finalized roster and leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. "This is it," he muttered to himself, feeling the weight of the decision settle on his shoulders. The Seoul branch was no longer just a vision; it was becoming a reality.

Later that evening, Beomgyu gathered everyone in the newly renovated Seoul headquarters. The space was vast, with state-of-the-art technology, soundproofed meeting rooms, and a secure underground level for training and strategy sessions. The walls were lined with monitors displaying live feeds from cameras positioned throughout the city—Kai's handiwork.

The room buzzed with quiet conversations as the assassins and soldiers mingled cautiously. The assassins, sleek and silent, carried themselves with a lethal grace that intimidated even the most seasoned soldiers. Meanwhile, the soldiers exuded raw power, their presence a reminder of Beomgyu's father's influence.

Taehyun and Soobin stood off to the side, discussing logistics and potential vulnerabilities in the city. Kai was engrossed in his tablet, likely reviewing surveillance reports or setting up new encryption protocols.

When Beomgyu entered the room, all chatter ceased. His presence commanded respect, even if he still felt a flicker of self-doubt beneath the surface.

"I've chosen all of you for a reason," Beomgyu began, his voice steady and authoritative. "We are the foundation of this branch. It's not going to be easy—there will be challenges, enemies, and risks. But I believe in each and every one of you."

His gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly on Yeonjun, who gave him a small, reassuring smile.

"This isn't just about expanding territory or power," Beomgyu continued. "It's about proving that we can thrive, even when our main base is relocating. Together, we'll make this branch stronger than anyone imagined. We're not just a team—we're family."

The room erupted into applause. For the first time in weeks, Beomgyu felt a flicker of pride in himself. But behind the applause, he could sense the undercurrent of pressure. The stakes were high, and failure wasn't an option.

After the meeting, the core team gathered in Beomgyu's office for a private discussion. Taehyun spread out a detailed map of Seoul on the table, marking potential hotspots where rival groups might interfere.

"Soobin, I need you to oversee the recruitment of local allies," Taehyun said, his tone precise and measured. "We can't rely solely on our current resources."

Soobin nodded. "I'll handle it. But we'll need to vet them thoroughly. One weak link could jeopardize everything."

Kai looked up from his tablet. "I've set up surveillance on the key areas we discussed. There's already some chatter about our presence. We might face resistance sooner than expected."

Yeonjun crossed his arms, his expression serious. "Let them come. We'll handle it."

Beomgyu listened quietly, absorbing the information. The dynamic between the team was natural, each member falling into their role effortlessly. It was moments like these that reminded him why he had chosen them.

  ⛧°。 ⋆༺♱༻⋆。 °⛧

Later that night, Beomgyu found himself alone in his office, staring out the window at the city lights. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily on him. He knew the challenges ahead would test not just his leadership but his relationships as well.

The door opened softly, and Yeonjun walked in, closing it behind him.

"You did great out there," Yeonjun said, leaning against the desk.

Beomgyu turned to face him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks. It still feels surreal, though. This responsibility..."

"You're handling it better than anyone else could," Yeonjun replied, his tone sincere. He stepped closer, placing a hand on Beomgyu's shoulder. "And you've got me, Soobin, Kai, and Taehyun. You're not doing this alone."

Beomgyu chuckled softly, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. "I know. It's just... a lot."

Yeonjun studied him for a moment before pulling him into a brief hug. "You've got this, Gyu. And when you doubt yourself, just remember—there's no one better for this job than you."

Beomgyu nodded against Yeonjun's shoulder, his resolve strengthening. For now, he allowed himself this moment of quiet reassurance. Tomorrow, the real battles would begin.

  ⛧°。 ⋆༺♱༻⋆。 °⛧

i took a hiatus from this book writing others and trying to come up with a plot ill truy finish it soon