Kim Sooyi – The Hidden Dragon

The snack shop gradually quieted as the last wave of customers trickled out, their satisfied chatter fading into the night air. The scent of grilled rice cakes, spicy sauces, and freshly fried tempura still lingered, filling the cozy space with warmth. Outside, the neon signs flickered on, their soft hum blending with the distant sounds of the bustling city.

Kim Sooyi stood behind the counter, her hands moving with practiced ease as she wiped down the surfaces. Every movement was precise—efficient, methodical—years of routine ingrained in her. Though her face remained composed, there was a flicker of fatigue in her eyes, barely noticeable to the untrained observer. She took a deep breath, inhaling the rich, familiar aroma of the shop—a scent that had become part of her life since childhood.

The door chimed softly as the last customer left, the sound echoing in the now-quiet space. The warm glow of the overhead lights illuminated the shop, reflecting off the polished wooden tables. Outside, the streetlights cast long shadows across the pavement, and a gentle evening breeze rustled the signs hanging above the entrance.

Letting out a slow exhale, Sooyi leaned back against the counter, stretching her sore shoulders. The day had been hectic as usual—wave after wave of customers eager for a taste of their famous tteokbokki and fried snacks. But beneath the exhaustion, there was a deep satisfaction. She had built this. She had created something stable, something real.

From the other side of the shop, her father was finishing up his own tasks. He wiped down the last of the tables with steady, deliberate movements, his weathered hands reflecting years of hard work. He had always been a gentle soul, a man who found joy in simple things—feeding people, watching regular customers grow up, seeing the smiles on their faces when they took their first bite.

Glancing at his daughter, he offered a warm smile. “Another busy day, huh?” His voice was filled with quiet contentment, the kind that came from knowing you had done a job well.

Sooyi nodded, her lips curling into the faintest hint of a smile. “Yes, it was,” she replied softly, though there was an unreadable depth to her expression.

Her father studied her for a moment, as if sensing something beneath her calm exterior. He often worried about how much she took on, how she rarely allowed herself to rest. But Sooyi had always been strong-willed, carrying burdens she never spoke of.

He let out a small chuckle. “You work too hard, Sooyi-ah. You should take a break once in a while.”

She merely hummed in response, her thoughts elsewhere.

There was a quiet elegance about Kim Sooyi—an effortless grace in the way she carried herself, in the way her hands moved as she tidied up the counter. To the outside world, she was nothing more than the dedicated owner of a small, thriving snack shop. A woman with skillful hands and a sharp mind, known for her impeccable cooking and calm demeanor.

But there was another side to her, one that no one in this small shop could ever fathom.

These hands, the same ones that carefully folded dumpling wrappers and prepared the perfect broth, had also wielded weapons. They had built an empire in the shadows, crushed those who dared to challenge her, and signed orders that determined the fate of people who would never even know her name.

By day, she was Kim Sooyi, the quiet, hardworking daughter of a humble shop owner.

By night, she was the Black Dragon—the ruthless queen of the underworld, feared by many and known by few.

But here, in this little shop, she allowed herself a sliver of normalcy.

A place where the blood on her hands could be washed away with nothing more than warm water and soap. A place where, just for a little while, she could pretend to be nothing more than a woman who loved to cook.

And for now, that was enough.

The peaceful atmosphere of the shop was comforting, but Sooyi knew it was only temporary. The life she had built outside these walls was one of constant tension, of power and control that kept her on edge. She had learned long ago to compartmentalize—her identity as a chef in this small shop was a shield, a way to keep her father and the people who adored her cooking from suspecting the dangerous world she inhabited.

As she finished packing up the last of the dishes, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Her father had worked so hard for this life, for this simple existence that he had dreamed of for them both. And yet, here she was, caught between two worlds that couldn’t be more different.

She had always promised herself that she would protect him, that he would never have to know the darkness that followed her. But the truth was, she couldn’t escape it. No matter how much she wanted to live a normal life, her role as the Black Dragon was not something she could walk away from.

The sound of the door jingling again broke her thoughts, and she looked up to see her father walking toward her with a concerned look on his face.

"Are you sure everything’s alright?" he asked gently. "You’ve been a bit off tonight."

Sooyi smiled, her eyes softening. “I’m fine, Dad. Just tired, that’s all.”

Her father nodded, though he didn’t seem completely convinced. “Well, get some rest. You deserve it.”

She nodded and began to turn toward the back of the shop, but her father’s voice stopped her once again.

“Just promise me one thing, Sooyi,” he said quietly, his voice full of love and care. “Don’t let the world outside take you away from me. No matter what happens, you’re still my daughter, and I need you here.”

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and Sooyi felt the familiar ache in her chest. She could only nod in response, afraid to speak in case her voice betrayed the storm brewing inside her.

“I promise, Dad,” she said softly, her voice barely a whisper.

She wanted to tell him everything—to confide in him about the darkness that consumed her life, to ask for his help, to make him understand. But she knew it was impossible. The truth would destroy everything they had built together. She couldn’t risk it.

With one last lingering glance at her father, Sooyi turned and disappeared into the back of the shop, the sounds of the busy street outside slowly fading as she stepped into the quiet solitude of her small apartment above the shop.

Tonight, she would rest. Tomorrow, the world of the Black Dragon would call again, but for now, she allowed herself a brief moment of peace.

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