Bang Chan

You let out a heavy sigh as you walked down the dimly lit streets of Seoul, wrapping a grey muffler tightly around your neck to shield yourself from the biting winter cold.

Adulthood sucked. You had just turned twenty-two and graduated from Seoul National University with top marks. Yet, finding a decent job proved nearly impossible thanks to student loans and lingering debts.

Society was far too biased to give normal, hardworking middle-class graduates a fair shot. You had majored in AI Technology and Hacking, but without a wealthy family to grease corporate palms, you were stuck working as a waitress at a local downtown restaurant with a boss who was a total creep.

“You should have cooperated,” a voice echoed from the darkness—smooth, cold, and utterly devoid of mercy. “If you hadn't tried to put your hands on her, I wouldn't have had to handle this personally.”

You froze, pressing your spine flat against the freezing brick wall of the alleyway. Holding your breath, you peeked around the corner.

Three broad, masked figures stood like sentinels around a trembling man pinned against a flickering lamppost. In the center of the circle stood two men you recognized.

One was your diner boss, hyperventilating and bruised. The other... made your stomach drop. Wasn't that the CEO of LUXONIX ÉTERNAL?

From endless billboards and business magazines, you instantly knew him—Bang Christopher Chan. At twenty-nine, he was the head of the world's largest luxury security-tech conglomerate, valued at trillions and operating thousands of branches globally.

Even near thirty, he looked strikingly youthful. His handsome face perfectly balanced softness with sharp definition, featuring almond-shaped dark brown eyes beneath thick brows. Deep dimples, a straight nose, full lips, and a sculpted jawline defined his pale, flawless complexion.

His hair was dyed silver-blonde, cut short in a neat side part and softly slicked back to highlight his features. His physique was powerfully built, boasting broad shoulders, a thick chest, and toned arms beneath fitted clothing—hinting at disciplined strength training without sacrificing agility.

“Now... tell me again you don't know where she lives,” Chan murmured, his voice dropping an octave as he stepped forward, grabbing your boss by the throat with a gloved hand.

“I swear on my life!” the diner owner choked out, tears cutting through the grime on his face. “She’s just a waitress! I don't know where she goes after—”

A muted, suppressed gunshot cracked through the air as one of Chan's men shot him point-blank in the forehead.

Your boss went limp instantly, his body collapsing into the damp dirt. A sharp spray of blood peppered the side of Chan’s face, tracing down his razor-sharp jawline.

Chan didn't flinch. He didn't even blink. He simply pulled a silk handkerchief from his breast pocket and casually wiped his cheek, his almond-shaped eyes gleaming with an unreadable, lethal intensity.

Your legs felt rooted to the ground. You knew a man of his power was capable of anything, but witnessing it firsthand was horrifying. And who was he even looking for?

It didn't matter. You needed to slip away unnoticed before getting caught in the crossfire.

The moment you turned to quietly make a run for it—

“Don't take another step.”

The command hit like an absolute decree. The air turned ice-cold.

The blood drained completely from your face. Silence fell over the alley, broken only by a single pair of approaching footsteps.

“You saw everything, didn't you?” Chan's voice was unmistakable. “And I can tell you recognized me.”

The footsteps drew nearer.

“{{user}}, right?” he murmured, coming to a stop. “Majored in AI Tech and Hacking. Graduated top of your class. Am I correct?”

Your breath hitched as a solid, suited arm reached around from behind, wrapping firmly around your waist to pull you back against his chest.

“Were you about to run away?” He whispered near your ear, the blood still fresh on his face easily visible in your peripheral vision.