29 Cypher International

Cypher International. One of the largest companies based in Incheon, their name spread far and wide. Once a small company called Zhang Corporations, it was bought by none other than the hyungnim of the Kim Dragons, after the owner had gone bankrupt all of a sudden.

Of course, the owner going bankrupt was no coincidence. Just like how the hyungnim purchasing the company right at the perfect moment was not a coincidence.

The hyungnim had long had his eye on the company. He needed a cover. Within the blink of an eye, Cypher had grown to be a massive company, able to expand overseas and into the global market.

In this world, there were no lucky coincidences. No fate, no God in this world. Everything was up for humanity to manipulate behind the scenes; mere men playing at being God, holding the lives of others within their palms.

This was how the world worked.

This was how the previous Kim Taehyung thought of the world.

Taehyung shuddered. The violent darkness of the previous Kim Taehyung seemed to collide into his own; memories mixing together until he couldn't find which ones were his...and which ones were Kim Taehyung's.

His hand trembled under the table. A surging wave of anger threatened to overtake him; a dry bloodthirstiness that scared him. All of a sudden, he wanted to pick up the gun in his holster and shoot every single one of the bastards in the room.

Watch as the life died from their eyes. Watch as fresh blood bled from their bodies, staining the hardwood floor in puddles of red. Laugh as everyone around him collapsed.

Oh, he could do it all right. None of the men here would stop him. After all, they were under his control; puppets that were replaceable. They would let him kill them.

NO!

He could not! These people here, they were all human too. What right did he have to take the life of another person? To reap their souls like a cruel God?

Taehyung grimaced, gritting his teeth tightly. His other hand clenched his trembling one tightly, his knuckles turning white as his nails dug painfully into his skin.

Seokjin noticed Taehyung's struggle and leaned over, ignoring the droning of the other men in black.

"Tae? What's wrong?" he whispered in Taehyung's ear.

Taehyung shook his head. He took a few deep breaths, locking the darkness within him far, far away.

One of the executives noticed Taehyung's faintly annoyed expression, and assumed it was due to Seokjin speaking out of turn.

Donghyuk, the chief executive, glared at Seokjin.

"Hyungnim. Would you like us to escort him out?" he asked, emphasising the word 'him' and glaring at Seokjin.

Taehyung growled out, "Touch him, do anything to him, and I will personally slice your heads off."

Still imbued with tinges of the darkness, Taehyung's words turned out much harsher and huskier than normal. A faint chill fell over the meeting room.

Donghyuk bowed deeply, "Apologies, hyungnim."

Seokjin stared in wonder at Taehyung. "Tae…?"

Taehyung leaned closer to Seokjin. "Act your part. Pretend that this is a movie set. I'll...try to explain everything when we're alone."

Seokjin's eyes narrowed, but he nodded in understanding.

Donghyuk waited for a beat, before continuing on with the presentation. This time, Taehyung focused on what the executive was saying.

"...the SS have taken part of Wondang-dong and Ihwa-dong. Furthermore, some of the smaller groups have defected, and taken hold of a block in Nam-gu. Hyungnim, what should we do? Attack the defectors, or take back our territory?"

At each location he stated, Donghyuk pointed at a map of the Seoul and Incheon area, complete with different coloured lines representing each of the mafia groups in the area.

The SS was a new group that had taken the west side of Seoul, and were quickly moving to try to claim their territory in Incheon.

Taehyung leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg elegantly over the other. His eyes turned cold and dark, letting part of the darkness consume him.

One corner of his lips turned up in a smirk.

"Crush the traitors. Make an example out of them. One defector leads to many if they aren't quelled soon enough," he explained.

Jaehee, a demure looking woman, spoke up.

"The SS?"

Taehyung paused. "Try to plant a spy. Send Rory."

Jaehee nodded and immediately left the room to make a call. Before leaving, she bowed deeply towards the hyungnim.

Twirling a pen with his fingers, Taehyung raised an eyebrow at the other three executives.

"Anything else?" he asked, a lazy tone creeping into his voice.

A boy, with brightly dyed blue hair, stepped forward. "The shipments from last month came in. We've distributed them to various suppliers. The Russians have wanted to make a deal with us."

"Increase the shipments and make sure the government doesn't find out. Those bastards have been eyeing our backs recently."

"And the Russians?"

"Ignore those pricks for now. They can afford to wait."

The boy was the youngest in the room apart from Taehyung and Seokjin. From his outward appearance, he was like a fluffy bunny rabbit. The truth was far from it.

Everyone only knew the boy by his nickname: Dion.

And he was the mafiosos' best assassin and fighter.

At least, in terms of strength. Taehyung roped this monster to his side by simply outsmarting him. A tight leash, equalled to a tame beast.

Taehyung shuddered from the influence of the other Taehyung's darkness. It was like a heavy fog, slowly corrupting his mind. Nevertheless, it was the best tool he had to convince the others that he was still the hyungnim they knew.

"Donghyuk," Taehyung called out.

Donghyuk stepped forward, head bowed and arms crossed respectfully.

"I want you to take some of the men and create a diversion. Don't let the SS come for us just because we're quelling some small fry."

"I will follow your every order, hyungnim," Donghyuk said, deep admiration in his voice.

Taehyung stood up, stretching his long legs.

"Meeting adjourned. Seokjin, follow me. The rest of you -" he paused for a bit and glanced at the other executives, "- do what you have to do. Don't interrupt me."

With that, Taehyung strode out of the room, Seokjin at his side.

Donghyuk did not dare to glare at Seokjin. For the hyungnim to personally speak up for him...it could only mean one thing.

This Seokjin guy was much more dangerous than he looked. Donghyuk had long ago learned that looks were deceiving, especially in the mafia. Jaehee, who looked like a demure woman, had one of the sharpest minds. She single handedly brought Cypher to the level it was on today. The hyungnim played around with the company, and gave Jaehee the position of vice president.

This allowed the hyungnim, who was the CEO, to have more free time to do as he pleased.

The hyungnim allowing Seokjin to walk alongside him was one indication that Seokjin was not a simple character.