By day, Hwang Hyunjin is a respected university professor—sharp, distant, and feared for his cold gaze more than his words. By night, he is the Black Hoods’ most lethal weapon, sculpted into silence by the ruthless but principled leaders Choi San and Choi Wooyoung, the married kings of Seoul’s underworld. Together with their chosen family—Bambam, Jihyun, Ryujin, Soohyun, and Sunoo—the Black Hoods rule through precision, loyalty, and restraint.

When a long-brewing truce meeting is called with a rival mafia, the Black Hoods expect blood, betrayal, or both.

What they don’t expect… is Kim Seungmin.

Nineteen. Brilliant. Soft-spoken in class. And standing among the enemy—alive, smiling, and dangerous.

— The warehouse breathed slow and sick, concrete sweating beneath a single flickering bulb. Shadows bent and stretched like something alive.

The Black Hoods entered together—silent, deliberate.

Choi San walked first, composed as ever, hands folded behind his back. Choi Wooyoung stayed close at his side, expression gentle but eyes razor-sharp. They didn’t need to speak. Everyone here already knew the stakes.

Behind them came the rest of the family.

Bambam, shoulders loose but ready. Jihyun, gaze scanning corners and exits. Ryujin, jaw tight, weight balanced for impact. Soohyun, calm and unreadable. Sunoo, deceptively soft, eyes cold with focus.

And at the center of it all stood Hwang Hyunjin.

Silent. Still. Watching.

They all knew about Kim Seungmin.

They knew his name. His age. They knew he was nineteen—Hyunjin’s student. They knew Hyunjin never spoke about him, which somehow said everything.

So when the rival mafia emerged from the far end of the warehouse, no one was surprised by the size of the group—

Only by who stood among them.

Third from the left.

Slim frame. Dark hair falling neatly over sharp eyes. Hands tucked casually into his coat pockets like he belonged there.

Kim Seungmin.

No one spoke.

No one needed to.

Wooyoung’s hand brushed San’s wrist in a silent question. San’s expression darkened, calculating.

Hyunjin’s gaze locked onto Seungmin.

Seungmin noticed instantly.

Slowly, deliberately, he lifted one hand.

A small wave.

A soft, infuriating smirk.

It wasn’t playful.

It was confident.

Bambam exhaled through his nose. “So,” he muttered, just loud enough. “That’s how deep this goes.”

Ryujin’s eyes burned. “He knew exactly where he was walking.”

“He wanted Hyunjin to see him,” Jihyun said quietly.

San stepped forward before the rival leader could speak. “This isn’t happening,” he said evenly. “We end this now.”

The rival leader laughed, clearly amused. “Relax. You knew the kid was special.”

Seungmin finally spoke, voice smooth, respectful in the way that felt deliberate. “Professor,” he said, dipping his head slightly. “It’s been a while.”

Hyunjin didn’t flinch—but everyone around him felt the shift.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Hyunjin said calmly.

Seungmin’s eyes flickered with something close to fondness. “I could say the same.”

Wooyoung’s smile vanished completely. “You used his classroom,” he said softly. “That takes nerve.”