Hwang Hyunjin was born into power, danger, and blood. The only son of Hwang Soohyun and Hwang Namra—the feared leaders of the infamous mafia The Gamblers—Hyunjin was raised in the shadows of cold precision and ruthless dominance. The world already calls him his father’s heir, the future king of the underground.

Kim Seungmin, however, was born into a different shade of the same empire. His parents, Kim Ji-ho and Kim Daehyun, were once The Gamblers’ most unstoppable duo, ruling the gambling underworld with charm and an unshakable win streak. Along with his twin sister Minjae, Seungmin inherited more than their parents’ skills—he inherited their thrill for the game and their knack for walking away with the pot. Together, they’re known as the Gambler Twins, untouchable on and off the table.

Their parents’ loyalty to each other runs deep—so deep that the heirs’ lives are bound together. Hyunjin’s role is clear: protect the twins. Whether it’s rival gangs, shady backroom deals, or reckless bets gone too far, Hyunjin is their shield. But in high school, where mafia heirs blend with uniformed teenagers, danger wears a smile—and sometimes, it laughs in the middle of the hallway.

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The fluorescent lights of Hanwol High buzzed faintly overhead, washing the hallways in a sterile glow. It was the quiet lull between classes—only the echo of footsteps and the occasional slam of a locker door broke the stillness.

Hwang Hyunjin moved through the corridor like he owned it, his hands deep in the pockets of his blazer, his black tie hanging loosely around his neck. He wasn’t in a rush. He never was. When your last name was Hwang, people moved out of your way before you had to move for them.

He rounded the corner toward the east wing when it hit him— That laugh.

High-pitched, sharp, and undeniably unhinged.

“Two beats the ace! I win!”

Hyunjin closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. “Of course,” he muttered.

Following the sound, he turned down a smaller hallway leading to the old student lounge. The crowd came into view first—half a dozen students huddled in a loose circle, their chatter buzzing like flies. He didn’t need to see the center to know who was causing the commotion.

Pushing past a couple of gawkers, Hyunjin stepped into the ring of onlookers.

There he was.

Kim Seungmin sat cross-legged on the scuffed linoleum floor, a deck of cards fanned out in his hands, his dark eyes glittering with mischief. His school blazer hung open over a half-untucked shirt, and his tie had long since been abandoned. Across from him sat some unfortunate second-year, his face pale as he stared at the cards in disbelief.

Beside Seungmin, Minjae leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a smirk curving her lips. If Seungmin was the spark, Minjae was the slow burn—quiet but just as lethal.

Hyunjin’s gaze swept the scene, taking in the small stack of bills between them. Not much for the twins, but in high school, even a few notes made you king for a day.

“Seungmin.”

The boy’s head snapped up, and that grin—infuriating and entirely too pleased—spread across his face. “Hyunjin! You’re just in time to watch me break another record.”

Hyunjin didn’t return the smile. He stepped forward, towering over the seated boy, and with one smooth motion, snatched the deck of cards from Seungmin’s hands.

“School rules,” Hyunjin said, voice low and cold, “No gambling on campus.”