In every territory lies a predator, and Junseo is slowly making his ascent to the top of the food chain. With his mind set on becoming this concrete jungle's king, there isn't really anything that can stop him is there?

With a taste for cigarettes, coke, , and booze, he'll lie, cheat, and his way to the top. Afterall, when you have nothing to lose you have only everything to gain. But when everything is within reach, will it be enough?

NICKNAMES_&_ALIASES : MYTHS & LEGENDS
Legally, he's Shin Junseo; in every other aspect he's known by one name or another. A million different identities under his sleeve as a result of being a con-artist, it's almost instinct for him to give a name anything but the one he was born with. But perhaps the most constant and (in)famous name of all is 'Sin'. A slight play on his last name and the fact that one night with him feels just as filthy and exciting.

Other times he's known as Shouhei, during his dealings with the Japanese. A secretive and mysterious figure known to be rather playful during exchanges. If a deal is struck he'll ask to play one little game before parting ways, and if you get it right you'll soon reap the benefits as the game itself is a way to gain more information, if won.

And in other situations he might call himself Kyo, Seon, Nik, and a multitude of other things depending on if he's talking to a client, a contact, an ally or an enemy. However, if he finds himself visiting the Red Light District everyone knows him simply as Liu, tall and tempting as he looks for that night's conquest.

Amidst the names he's given himself there too are a few given to him by others. He'll be glad to say he's been called a 'handsome bastard' enough times (nevermind that they're simultaneously insulting and complimenting him). An unofficial title of sorts has him labelled as 'the Informant', although dealing with info isn't quite his main source of income, he's done it enough times and done it well enough all those times that people find him credible enough.

But he's also been called a piece of , a heartbreaker (oops) and a 'ing kid who should stop playing games he won't win' according to some flings, one-night stands and yet another boss of a gang he more or less ruined.

With how high risk it is to be identified and what with his job's needs, it's been a while since he's ever heard anyone call him as simply 'Shin Junseo' and maybe a while longer since he's ever felt like himself.

APPEARANCE : SIREN'S SONG
He's made deals thanks to his eloquency, contacts, and most definitely because of his good looks. New Seoul's greatest sinner has got devilish looks to match. A sharp jawline, toned body, and a height that has him towering over most. He's quite the catch, if he does say so himself.

Having lived on the streets for a greater portion of his childhood, it's safe to say he's carrying a few scars as remembrance of those times. A few on his arms and back, although mostly covered by his tattoos. On the expanse of his back is a dragon, behind his left ear is a cat-moon, on his inner left forearm is a fox, and on his right outer forearm is 'aut vincere aut mori' or 'either to conquer or to die' in Latin. He also has a few piercings he's collected over the years, although he does tend to take them off when he doesn't feel like they suit his cover. Two standard piercings, a helix on the right, and two upper lobes. He does have a lip piercing but seldom wears it, only putting it on every once in a while to prevent it from closing, or if his cover calls. 

With the amount of cash he's earned over the years thanks to his illegal dealing and conning, splurging on decent clothing is no big deal and actually a necessity for someone like Junseo who takes great care when it comes to his appearance.

Be it his favoured leather jacket, or something a little more formal, Junseo has almost everything in his closet. Partly due to disguises and the like, and partly due to his need to be well-dressed at all times possible.

LANGUAGES : IN TONGUES OF FIRE
It's amazing at times, to see Junseo in action. Despite being a "street rat" in the early stages of his life, it still can't take away the natural intelligence and talents he was born with. Quick to pick things up, he learnt to speak Japanese as a result of his time hanging around acting as a lacky for the Japanese in Korea, making him well-aware of the nuances of the language thanks to the immersion. English comes at third, an almost native accent wrapping up advanced grammar skills and vocabulary. 

While he didn't have the privilege before, he's been trying to learn the two other languages formally to prevent any mishaps during transactions and deals. Although most times his tutors get stuck setting his tongue straight in other ways...

A multi-faceted cover of lies. Junseo's a wily fox, hard to catch and even harder to read. He's got his bases all covered and sometimes it seems almost impossible to break him down.

Pleasure is an indulgence, one he takes and takes with no worry, one that comes so very easily. He could have it served on a platter if he asked. With his shamelessness, he'd have no problem asking for it either.

If there's anyone who makes most use of the expression, 'the world is your oyster', it'd be Junseo. Is it luck or perhaps a great knack for timing and taking advantage of current events, regardless Junseo knows how to work it around to his advantage so effortlessly and casually you'd question his effort.

A bit of a jokester, he makes New Seoul his playground with its underground business his playing fields. But beneath every joke and every quip is a well-placed threat. He's a joker, but he's no fool. But no matter what he does, no matter whose business he steps into. If it was never his business in the first place, he'll never make a move. Because he knows where to set the line so that his life isn't on that line.

Above all he's independent, perhaps overly so. He works for himself, he's a free soul, a sense of self-preservation bred into him after years of fending for himself. He relies on no one because he has no one, and there is no one to trust in this day and age.

He makes it seem easy, he makes it seem fun. Like life under the neon lights and dark alleys is the new 'American Dream' but really, he's just like everyone else fighting to survive. He's only trying to make it seem like he's living the life.

(how did you survive?) they ask.

how much did they have you bleed;
how long did they make you suffer;
how low did they force you down;
how dark did they tint your dreams?

—until you had their blood glistening on your teeth;
—until your suffering paled in comparison to their own;
—until it was their throats pinned under your boot;
—until you learned to enjoy the sounds of screams.

(i didn’t.) you reply.

to defeat monsters: become the greater monster | m.a.w

—

In this world we live in money is tough to come by and living is even tougher. With little to hold to their name, and even less upon his birth, Junseo's only ever known hardship.

Orphaned at the early age of 3, Junseo's only ever known the textbook definition of family and home. The orphanage serving as a prison more than anything else. Little care or warmth was ever present.

From childhood to his adolescence, Junseo's behavior earned him a reputation that did very little to help his already small chance of adoption. He didn't really care, it just meant there would be no one else to disappoint or leave him.

With a tendency to sneak out, he got in trouble quite often. But the frequency and increasing lack of care meant far less scoldings and far less searches for the boy. Eventually his adventuring would lead him to Japanese territory, and maybe it was a fluke or maybe it was destiny but the way he managed to get out unscathed made it seem like he was made for this kind of life. Even moreso when the leader told him to come back, make himself useful.

At fifteen years old he was running small errands for the yakuza in Korea. By the time he was eighteen he seemed like a flame that had no thoughts of dying out. He was at his prime, the epitome of youth. He was fearless, he was reckless.

From pick-pocketing to breaking and entering. From small scaled con jobs to detailed and complex deals that took months of planning. He started from the bottom, nothing in his hands, and now it seemed like everything was at the tip of his fingertips.

Along his runs he makes a few allies, Ryo, the son and next in line to the Japanese mafia and a few other leaders from the older groups. But he's also made enemies from his jobs and meddling, the newer groups think he's a threat, a nuisance that should be eradicated. The feeling is mutual.

Junseo's story starts just at the peak of his 'career'. Where he's at the near top and maybe he realises he has the choice to keep trying to reach higher, or settle for something more permanent.

FIRST TO THIRD YEAR :  he still belongs to a family
MID OF THIRD YEAR : abandoned because money is also something a child needs to live and grow

THIRD TO EIGHTEENTH YEAR : abandoned still
· SIXTH TO EIGHTEENTH YEAR :  a runaway who always has to come back, an adventurer with no destination
· FIFTEENTH YEAR : he stumbles on japanese territory and simultaneously forms one of his longest connections
· FIFTEENTH TO EIGHTEENTH YEAR : he's running errands, picking pockets (and hearts by the time he's seventeen). he's slowly building up his... repertoire
· EIGHTEENTH YEAR : freedom, plus the cat-moon tattoo as a symbol of his alliance. he's not theirs anymore, but he's got his first taste of having someone to rely on

i can also sequence the rest of his background if necessary, i just thought that his childhood was a little fuzzy.

WILL ADD LATER??? OR IF HE GETS CHOSEN I GUESS??? ? ID K

SIDE A.1 : CHESSBOARD (ALTERNATIVELY: WAR-RIDDEN)
It's pouring rain and Junseo's soaked to the bone, hair sticking to his skin as he stands out in the middle of the storm. His hands are steady, despite the shivers wracking his body as the wind blows against him. A smirk. He has his eyes trained on the man in front of him, never once wavering. 

There are no gun shots, no stab wounds, no poison, nothing. But the two settle their fight, not with weapons, but with mental warfare. The weak of mind and heart have no room in this place.

Junseo has his eyes on the retreating figure, the smirk widening into a cocky grin. He's the ing king, that's what he is and if the previously ousted ruler tries to regain his throne. Clearly he doesn't see just how tenacious Junseo can be.

Junseo fights for control over New Seoul's underground, the black market. He's successful, but it also means trading in the constancy of relationships when everyone could be ready to slit his throat for the throne.

SIDE A.2 : JOKER (ALTERNATIVELY: WAR HERO)
He was one miracle away from becoming a saint. He was Icarus, reaching for something so seemingly great only to meet his end beacus

SIDE B : SAFETY (ALTERNATIVELY: NEW HOMES)
Junseo finds love. Or something like that.

SIDE C : PARADISO (ALTERNATIVELY: FAIRY DUST)
Junseo finds love in the form of illusions.