**Ganglord: Rise of the Outsider**
**Chapter 3 - The War for Gangbuk Begins**
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### **Recap:**
Daesung successfully recruits Zack, Eli, Jisoo, and Jaesung into his crew, Allied. Their first mission: take over Gangbuk, which is now divided into four warring factions after Jihan’s mysterious disappearance. Allied moves in to claim Gangbuk, unaware that a greater threat awaits them.
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### **The Battle for Gangbuk**
Allied arrives at Gangbuk and observes from the shadows as the four factions wage war against each other. After analyzing their opponents, they realize that the gang leaders aren’t particularly strong. Confident, Daesung orders Eli and Jisoo to take on the leaders while Zack and Jaesung handle the gang members.
The battle starts, but it ends just as quickly. Eli and Jisoo annihilate the leaders in seconds, and with their bosses down, the remaining gang members stop fighting. The war for Gangbuk seems too easy—until a suffocating aura washes over them from behind.
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### **The Return of Jihan**
Eli, sensing the familiar presence, turns around.
?? **Eli:** "Hey, Daesung, is that you? Your aura feels the same."
But as they look back, their blood runs cold.
It’s not Daesung.
It’s Jihan Kang—the **Copy Genius**.
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?? **Eli:** "Didn’t you say you don’t care who rules Gangbuk anymore? So why are you here now?"
?? **Jihan:** "I said I wouldn’t interfere—**as long as one of these four ruled.** But I won’t let an outsider take it."
Eli smirks. "You’re acting like you’re stronger than me. But you’re not."
Before Eli can react, Jihan punches both him and Jisoo in one blow. Their bodies hit the ground—**unconscious.**
?? **Eli (before losing consciousness):** "H-He’s... a hundred times stronger than Daesung... But Daesung must have a plan..."
Zack steps forward, cracking his knuckles.
?? **Zack:** "Jihan... I’ve been training for **three years** to take you down. Let’s see who’s stronger now."
Jihan swings at Zack, but unlike Eli, Zack doesn’t fall. He doesn’t even move.
?? **Jaesung:** "H-How is that possible? Zack is weaker than Eli... and Jihan took Eli out in one hit!"
Jihan frowns and attacks again—this time, Zack collapses. He tries to get up, but Jihan moves in for a finishing blow. Before the punch lands, a hand **grabs Jihan’s wrist.**
?? **Daesung:** "If you hit him again, he’ll die. Fight me instead—I’m the leader of Allied."
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### **Daesung vs. Jihan**
Jihan smirks and throws an Aikido strike, but Daesung dodges effortlessly.
?? **Daesung:** "I’m also Tatsuya’s student—I already know all the moves you’re using."
?? **Jihan:** "You think you’re my equal just because you trained under Tatsuya? You only know **his** fighting style because you copied him. **I** have fought legends—**Joo Seok, Ryuji.** You think two years of training is enough to take me down?"
?? **Daesung:** "If I’m so weak, why did Tatsuya **choose me** as his successor instead of you?"
Jihan’s expression darkens. **He snaps.**
He **unleashes his full strength**—and lands a devastating punch.
Daesung collapses.
?? **Jihan:** "It’s over. Allied belongs to me now."
Daesung coughs blood and **smiles.**
?? **Daesung:** "Stop dreaming."
He **stands up again.**
?? **Jihan (shocked):** "He’s... not the same fighter I just took down..."
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### **Daesung’s Crazy Mode**
Daesung **laughs.** It’s not his normal voice—it’s **crazed.** Obsessed. The voice of someone who lives for battle.
?? **Daesung:** "Let’s fight."
He rushes Jihan and throws a flurry of attacks, but **Jihan dodges them all.**
?? **Jihan:** "He’s stronger... faster... but his fighting style hasn’t changed. **I’ve already beaten this.**"
Jihan counters and knocks Daesung down **again.**
Jihan sighs. "I expected more."
Then—**Daesung stands up.**
But this time, his **eyes turn black.**
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### **Daesung’s UI Mode Awakens**
?? **Jaesung:** "What... is that?"
?? **Eli:** "That... isn’t Daesung anymore. That’s the **UI Monster.**"
?? **Jaesung:** "UI... Monster?"
?? **Eli:** "Daesung is a vessel for something **far more dangerous.** Tatsuya has complete control over it. But Daesung? **He doesn’t.** Right now, he doesn’t see us as allies or enemies. He only sees **the strongest opponent.** And once he’s done with Jihan... the next strongest is **me.** Then you. Then Zack."
Jihan clenches his fists. "Tch. His aura is completely different. **It’s like I’m facing all the First-Gen Kings at once.**"
?? **Jaesung:** "How is that possible?!"
?? **Eli:** "Every time Daesung uses a copied move, he unconsciously absorbs a part of their aura. That’s why right now... **he’s not Daesung. He’s something else entirely.**"
Jihan takes a step back. "A monster, huh? **Then I’ll just have to put it down.**"
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**To Be Continued...**
