Dark clouds loomed over the city, as if mourning the pain that continued to suffocate two once-inseparable souls. Now, they were like two opposing axes moving in different directions—each firmly believing in their own path, unaware they were dancing to the rhythm of a hidden enemy lurking in the shadows.
Jung Kok stood in front of a small building on the edge of the old district—a place that once served as a shelter for women and children rescued from human trafficking. Now, it was half-burnt, reduced to ashes and twisted black steel.
"This place was supposed to be our symbol..." he murmured.
Yong Jin approached from behind, holding the latest report. "We investigated. The explosion was deliberate. But there's no sign Joon's men were directly involved."
Jung Kok clenched his jaw. "If not him, then who? Everyone thinks we're attacking each other. But I know my brother… he may be ruthless, but he wouldn't burn down a place like this. It's not his style."
"If it's not him, then who wants us to keep fighting?" Yong Jin asked quietly.
Jung Kok fell silent, staring at the shards of glass scattered on the sidewalk. "Someone is setting the stage... for us to kill each other."
Elsewhere, far from anyone's sight, Jung Joon sat deep in thought in the training room. In his hand, he held an old photo—him and Jung Kok as children, on Hwang's lap. The innocent smiles of the past now felt like strangers.
"My brother... why did you have to change everything?" he whispered.
One of his men, Kang Doo, stepped in. "We managed to reclaim our warehouse in the South. But we lost three men. They say... Jung Kok's men didn't strike first. They only defended themselves."
Jung Joon looked up. "So what are you saying?"
"This war... might not just be between you and him. There's someone else."
Jung Joon stood. "Or maybe my brother is more cunning than we thought. He knows how to play mind games. He shows mercy just to deceive. That's not something Father ever taught us."
Kang Doo lowered his head. "Maybe it's time... you met him again. Not as an enemy. But as a brother."
But those words were met with silence.
In the shadows, still unknown to both sides, someone continued to orchestrate moves from afar. Secret files changed hands, false messages were sent under different names, and financial records were altered to tarnish both sides. He knew the time to reveal himself had yet to come, but each time Jung Kok and Jung Joon clashed, he moved one step closer to the victory he desired.
In an industrial zone now under Jung Kok's control, a secret meeting was held with several young leaders.
"If we keep going like this, the entire city will collapse," said one of them, Lee Hwan. "We support change, but this isn't the way."
Jung Kok raised his hand, calm yet firm. "Change doesn't come without resistance. My brother uses fear to control the city. But we'll prove that true strength comes from hope."
Another, So Ra, chimed in. "We're not afraid of your vision. We're afraid of what happens if you lose. What happens to us then?"
Jung Kok took a deep breath. "That's why I can't afford to lose."
Meanwhile, Jung Joon was planning his next move. He arranged a secret meeting with one of their late father's former advisors, Im Seok. An old man, still shrewd and influential.
"You're making a mistake, Joon," said Im Seok. "Your father built this world with blood and sweat. You want to protect it? Destroy your brother now before he destroys you."
"He's not the enemy," Jung Joon replied. "He just... misunderstands."
"If he's not the enemy, then why are you losing control of your territory? Why are your men turning against you? This world doesn't need mercy."
Those words pierced Jung Joon's heart. But deep down, he knew. Jung Kok wasn't a killer. He was just trying to fight against the legacy they were both raised in.
And that night, as if it had been destined, another clash occurred. This time, at a port warehouse still used to store medical supplies for a smuggling ring.
Jung Kok arrived first, trying to direct his men to take over peacefully. But soon after, Jung Joon's forces stormed in from the rear.
"Don't fight!" Jung Kok shouted. "We're not here to battle!"
But the first bullet was fired. No one knew from where. In the chaos, everyone started shooting. Dust, blood, and screams filled the air. Yong Jin was pulled back, nearly hit by gunfire.
"It's a trap!" he yelled.
Jung Kok tried to find his brother's face in the chaos, and finally, behind a metal container, he saw Jung Joon standing—his eyes red with fury.
"I don't want to fight you, hyung!" Jung Kok shouted.
But Jung Joon only replied, "You started all of this!"
A small explosion went off behind them, causing a container to fall. Thick smoke clouded their vision. In the haze, the two brothers were separated once again—not just by principles, but by blood and devastation.
And through it all, the masked villain merely watched the live feed through a hidden camera. He smiled with satisfaction. Two eagles were fighting, unaware they were being pulled into a crumbling sky.
"Go on," he whispered. "Destroy each other. And I shall rise from your ruins."
(To be continued...)