Chapter 2

Hyun-woo was totally in a bad mood and wanted to go out first. He grabbed his towel and walked into the bathroom of his condo unit. His hands were stained with blood again but he harbored no remorse because a traitor deserved it! And if there were more like this within the organization, he would never hesitate to kill and punish anyone who defied his authority.

He soaped his body thoroughly and erased the three diamond tattoos on his left arm. After he showered, he left the bathroom and got dressed. He chose a blue polo shirt and paired it with black denim pants. He put on his black jacket and hid his gun underneath. It was different from the gun he used earlier because this one was provided by the agency he was connected to.

Then he took the hyperreal mask he used to wear whenever he wanted to shift his personality. He had three different masks, imitating people's real faces. They came from Japan and he bought them for ¥98,000 each, which is exactly 96,400 when converted to Korean won.

What he wore looked like his real face so no one would suspect that it wasn't his real face. After he made sure it was all right, he left in his black Toyota Corolla. Seeking to alleviate the anger that consumed him, he contemplated visiting the DM Lounge in Gwangju.

Upon arrival, he promptly sought out an available table. As it was seven o'clock in the evening, the venue was bustling with numerous patrons, and the dance floor came alive with rhythmic movements. He requested two bottles of Casillero del Diablo, a renowned wine in South Korea. His gaze wandered around the room until he caught sight of someone nearby. The woman sat alone, swiftly consuming a bottle of tequila in one gulp. Due to the dim lighting, he struggled to discern her facial features, yet a sense of familiarity washed over him.

As the light shifted and illuminated her location, a sudden recollection flooded his mind. He remembered the woman from the Masquerade party who had forcefully knocked down Choi Minjung. He had not anticipated encountering her at this particular moment. Furthermore, as the bar lights moved and cast their glow, the woman's face became even more distinct and recognizable.

The woman was indeed pretty much more when seeing up close. She had an angelic and innocent face that could captivate any mortal soul. He suddenly became interested in her because he didn't think that such a beautiful woman would be drinking alone in a bar.

"Annyeong oppa! (oppa refers to an older Korean guy) Can I join you?", a woman approached him with a flirty smile. Her dress was so daring, flaunting her full cleavage.

"I don't want to be with anyone. I want to be alone!", Hyun-woo snarled, showing the woman his frowning look.

The woman was quite intimidated by his rudeness, so she left in a hurry without any word.

As his gaze once again settled upon the woman who captivated his attention, a frown creased his brow when three men approached her table. Alarm coursed through him as he witnessed the men harassing her. However, his concern quickly transformed into astonishment as the woman unleashed a formidable strike, causing the first man to collapse onto the floor. When the second man brandished a gun, she swiftly seized it without hesitation. Anticipating an attack from the third man, she deftly evaded his punch and retaliated with a swift kick to his stomach, sending him toppling to the ground.

He was deeply impressed by her remarkable fighting abilities, which only intensified his eagerness to meet her later that evening. However, his attention quickly shifted when he noticed the third man rising to his feet, retrieving a concealed dagger from his jacket. Reacting swiftly, Hyun-woo rushed over and seized the man, preventing him from harming the woman. With a powerful kick, he sent the assailant stumbling to the ground. He proceeded to deliver forceful punches to the other two companions, causing them to writhe in pain. The security guards arrived immediately, promptly removing the three men from the bar premises.

"Hi, gwaenchanayo? (Are you okay)", he asked.

"Ne..komawoyo. (yes thank you)

"By the way, my name is Gwan Ji-hoo, from the Rifle Squad Team. Panggawoyo (nice meeting you)", he introduced himself and offered his hand.

"Park So-hee, imnida. Panggapseumnida. (I'm Park So-hee, nice to meet you)", she responded but immediately averted her gaze.

Their conversation was brief because Park So-hee departed soon after. Hyun-woo felt a slight sense of disappointment, perceiving the woman as distant and unresponsive, as she did not even accept his handshake. However, he had to suppress his emotions, as he was transitioning into another identity.

As he continued to pour wine into his glass, he couldn't help but think of the woman who had displayed impressive fighting skills earlier, incapacitating the three men. He recognized the importance of having someone like her to be in his organization for a particular mission.

As soon as his anger subsided, he decided to go back to his condo but the thoughts of Park So-hee kept lingering in his mind. He could not understand why he suddenly got interested in her and for the first time, he admired a woman not only for having a great fighting skill but also for her irresistible beauty and charm.

When he was already at his condo, he immediately removed the hyperreal mask and put on again the temporary tattoo on his left arm. He had to go back to his villa or else, his men would become suspicious of him and find out his secret. His transition between different personalities should be kept confidential until he would be able to carry out his mission.

After putting on his Venetian mask, he set off to his villa situated in Mokpo. Typically, the trip from Gwangju to his villa would take around thirty minutes, but by driving at a high speed, he managed to reach his destination in just twenty minutes.

His car entered the wide gate of his luxurious abode. It has a two-story building with a wide ground and in front of the building, there was a large swimming pool. There was also a secret tunnel leading to his safe house which was just a walking distance from the villa. It was a place where his men gathered together to discuss operations or any other activities related to the organization.

The villa was surrounded by bodyguards while the safe house was guarded by 500 men. With him inside the house were his three most trusted men Hwangbu, Dong Hyun, and Gunwoo. They had served him for a long time, but still, his real identity remained unknown to them.

"Annyeonghaseyo hyungnim", his men greeted him, showing a 15-degree bow. He just nodded at them and continued his way inside, while his men followed him two steps behind.

As soon as he reached the doorstep of his room, he paused and spoke to his men.

"I want to sleep for a long time. Do not wake me up until I call you."

"Ne, hyungnim", his men responded in unison.

Subsequently, he entered the room, with his three men stationed just outside. Each of them had a designated schedule for resting, as it was crucial to ensure that their boss was never left unattended.

*******

"Hwangbu-yah!", Hyun-woo immediately called one of his men.

"Ne, hyungnim!" (yes boss)

"Deurowa!" (come in)

He was standing, facing the window when Hwangbu entered. He was not yet wearing a mask, because he removes it when he sleeps, so he can't face any of his men.

"Annyeonghaseyo hyungnim!", Hwangbu greeted and bowed to him.

"What's the update? Is everyone who will participate in the competition, already on the ground?", he asked.

"Ne, hyungnim."

"Oh okay, I'll be down in fifteen minutes. I hope this time I can choose someone"

"Alright, wait for me outside", he said.

"Yes boss!!!", Hwangbu answered, and left the room.

Hyun-woo dressed in a fitted black tshirt, paired with black jeans and loafer shoes. He also wore his black leather jacket where he tucked his M1911 gun and his metal hand. He always carries them with him wherever he goes. And even though he was inside the villa, it was still attached to his body because he did not know which of his men would betray him. He also put his cellphone in his jacket pocket. A dagger knife is placed under his pants, in case he runs out of ammunition. The last thing he wore was his full face venetian mask. This is the very important thing that he must not forget because once everyone knows his face, the painful secret of his past will be revealed which might be the end of his life. He will never let it happen, not until he would be able to avenge the death of his family.

He left the room and went down to the first floor. As he instructed, his men waited for him. They went to the safe house where the competition will be held. His men were already on the ground because he ordered all of them to witness the said competition. When everyone saw him coming, they immediately cleared the area to let him pass at the center while bowing their heads in great respect. His three men followed him and were also given the utmost respect.

Until they reached the middle where four chairs were lined up. The seat at the center was intended for him, on his right side was for Hwangbu, while the seats on his left were intended for Dong Hyun and Gunwoo.

When everyone was already settled in, the boss stood up and began to speak. "Those who will compete in the competition, fall in one line in three counts..."

Hana.. (one)

Dul... (two)

Set… (three)

"You know why you are here. This is not merely a game, rather, it is a deadly competition. Take each other's lives, with your bare hands. No weapon is allowed. Anyone caught cheating will be killed, and the one who will be left standing will work with me, and will be called the "Star of the Diamond Kkangpae". Aside from that, she will sleep with me for one night."

He knows why these girls want to compete. Their main reason is not to work at Diamond Kkhangpae but to be able to sleep with him. Aside from being a heartless and ruthless mafia boss, he is also known as 'the hot mysterious leader of the powerful mafia organization in the entire city with many international connections.

All women inside the organization dreamed of being noticed by him but it's not that easy. He was very picky when it comes to women. He doesn't just settle down. And as far as his memory serves him right, he only slept with three women in his entire 33 years of existence. No feelings but purely sex. And once he's done with a woman, he won't feel like going to sleep with her again.

He looked one by one at the women who were ready to fight just to be in bed with him. All of them were beautiful and attractive that it's hard to believe that they were capable of fighting.

"The first in the line will fight the third in line, the second against the fourth, the third against the fifth, and so on...

"Moduga junbidoemyeon, Sijak!! (Start when everyone is ready)", the boss ordered.