Player's Guide To Ever After? (PLAYBOOK #3)

CHAPTER 3: The profiles of the Dynasty

ODESSA

“Kudo.” I greet him first because despite the circumstance it is good to see him again. “Boys.” I address the rest to prove I am not afraid of anyone.

Back in Oakwood, I settled into my mundane alias as music major Odessa Vecker who honestly just wanted to be left alone.

I played the part even when I was provoked by students, the cartel and dynasty but I have not been Vecker in over a year. It took a while to break out of the mould I spent the rest of my teenage-hood building and though I did not return to the mob after graduation, I stayed fit and sharpened my skills just in case.

Vladimir’s order.

I admit Vecker’s heart stayed within me because of Liam but they just pulled me from the last person that kept me close to that version of me. They pulled me from the girl with compassion and mercy so as far as I am concerned, everyone but Ivan is fair game even our good pal Kudo Choi.

But it is weird, seeing all of them at once because though I cannot pin who is who yet, I am very well knowledge about The Seven Sons of Choi.

Kudo is pride, the leader, the oldest and the most even tempered. He dresses like a detective in an old school thriller movie and his jacket usually has a holster that holds two handguns inside which are his weapon of choice.

Kaizer is greed and the first of two. He is known for his aggressive nature hence his weapon of choice being a big bad AK47 accompanied by an ankle knife just in case. His twin Kairo is gluttony and though light hearted, his dark streak is subtler hence him not having a specific weapon, he just uses whatever is close whether it be a gun or a knife.

Kade is envy and the clear genius of the pack. I know he does not talk much which is why most people find him dismissive and cold but he is also an action man hence his execution style being poison.

Yes, actual poison like in food and drinks. He is so smart, there are rumours he can make his own airborne virus. This is because he likes the slow kills better than the messy weapon killing since he is also an expert mind-fucker.

I am not being funny. Kade Choi is a literal mind-tormentor, most people count bodies but his victims end up in asylums begging for the sweet mercy of death itself.

And the wicked part is, he never gives it to them so Kudo or Kaizer usually have to.

Katana is sloth and there is probably no drug or alcohol in the world the man hasn’t tried. His personality is literally being incoherent most of the time but when he chooses to focus, he is a master of the samurai swords.

If it wasn’t for his habits, I know Katana would be one of the highest ranking assassins in the industry because he is naturally talented in every field with weaponry to the point of it being admirable.

It is not an easy weapon to master.

Kiyoko is lust and one sentence is used repeatedly to describe him, bat-s**t crazy. From burning buildings to wearing the skin of his killings, the man is a walking bomb and hothead with the hands of a serial killer.

His weapon of choice is knives. From pocket knives to throwing knives, he is obsessed with looking his opponent in the eye and watching life slip away. If he was a sole soldier and not part of a pack, he’d honestly be serving a life sentence he is so reckless.

But he is, so here we are.

The last of the 7 is wrath who is Kai, the only grandchild in the pack. I am still yet to find out his true personality traits because he wears different masks. I know he prefers combat but I also heard, he is flawless with nunchucks.

Though still small, this information will increase my chances of survival which is why I need to put faces to these names.

“I thought the Choi’s had 7sons, why do I only see 6?” I provoke on purpose to discover who the hot head is.

I am still in the dark about current dynasty business but I will catch up. This is what I suspect lockdown in enemy territory is for and I will not waste it.

“You c**t.” The one with the bowl cut and athleisure spits as another one in a fancy silk shirt steps forward.

Two hotheads? Interesting.

“Ivan.” Kudo says everything with his eyes and I feel the shadow of my cousin over me.

When grandpa is not there, the heir is in charge which means I have to fall in line too but not before I have my fun. Unlike them, orders are more of a suggestion than a must do with my cousin—especially when he gives them to me.

“Fine.” I force my shoulders to relax when I sit up because I got what I wanted.

To hurt Kai and find their weakest links.

“I overreacted, please extend my condolences to your family.”

“Kai is not dead you sh*t.” Man bun jumps and because the one with similar face features to him holds him back I realize he must be Kaizer.

Which means the first hothead with the athleisure was Kiyoko. See, I am already catching up and it has been less than 5minutes.

“Odessa.” Ivan gives me my first warning and I raise my hands in surrender because now I really am done.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” I was just foreshadowing. “Apologies are not common but I will apologize to Kai in person when I see him because I truly appreciate you all for saving me.”

Saying the words is like swallowing broken glass but I need their guard down in order for this to work.

“You are never coming near Kai again, it is because of you he missed his sound check and rehearsal.” Kiyoko steps forward which makes Kudo roll his eyes. “The company is pissed!”

Pause.

“Rehearsal?” I turn to Ivan because I am not taking any of their word as truth.

“We are in South Korea because Kai is performing at the MAMA’s this year.” Ivan stands to open the curtain that reveals we are in a hotel suite. “He is sort of a big deal in Asia.”

He points at the large poster covering half of the building next to us. Water is dripping over his white assemble as he holds a golden mic.

“Holy sh*t,” it slips out because a closer look to his hair covered face prove it is indeed Kai Choi. “He looks like a—”

“K-pop idol?” Kudo fills in proudly. “That is because he is. Odessa meet rising K-pop soloist KAI MASON KING.”

Who?

What?

Where?

“Here is the plan, we are all going to the MAMAs on Friday and since you are some music prodigy, we got you a spot in the orchestra with Kiyoko and starting today you have to rehearse with the rest of the crew till the show.”

Kudo takes the seat Ivan was in, right next to my bed.

“We will pay you of course and run it with your managers.” Kudo crosses his legs to press that, “it is a job so we expect you to be very professional.”

In other words, I need to behave.

“Hold on, he plays an instrument?” I point at hothead #2 because I highly doubt that.

“No, he is your bodyguard.” Kudo answers as everyone finally finds a seat. “Kiyoko will be posing as a stage handler.”

Of course.

“Let me guess? Little Ki volunteered.” I smirk at Kiyoko because he will be easy to take out, I do not care how crazy he is.

I took out his little brother with half of my body tied down so he will be a walk in the park once I oil the joints and stretch a bit. His psyche is not a match for me even on a good day.

“No, I was chosen because I will not hesitate to cut you if you f**k this up for my brother.” Kiyoko clarifies. “We worked too hard to let you ruin this for him.”

Ah, so this means it is another job and if everyone is on edge this means it is a really big one.

“Anyway, this is Saya—”

“Samori?” I straighten my posture when she walks into the room with an attendant holding a luggage bag. “No way,” I say in Russian because how many tricks do they have up their sleeves?

First Kai is an idol, then the awards and now a Yakuza Syndicate Royalty?

“Hi Dee.” She does not bother to say my name because she knows she will mispronounce it especially with her accent.

“Samori,” I acknowledge her striking presence.

I look at the well-built and formally dressed girl with dark hair held back in a black Chanel headband. The fair skin on her covering looks like cream and it highlights her dark monolid eyes, cherry lips shaped in the form of a heart and gloomy demeanour.

I almost smile because she looks like a fancy Asian girl with her head to toe designer assemble and subtle make up. This is amusing because Saya is a tomboy to the core.

One that hates skirts, makeup and well-groomed hair yet here she is, the picture of girly girl perfection with her manicured nails.

“Actually, I will be Saya Choi soon.” She lifts her left hand to show me the gold band on her ring finger.

“Congratulations,” it comes out automatically because it answers many of my questions.

“Thank you.” Saya turns to Kiyoko as the attendant leaves. “Where do you want me to set up?”

No way, hothead 2 is the Choi fiancé for the Yakuza Syndicate’s princess. My money would have been on Kudo since he is the eldest and calmest.

“I do not give s**t what you do with this.” Kiyoko kicks the suitcase but Saya doesn’t flinch or react.

Instead, she flicks her hair and turns her body to Kudo as her lips stay a flat line. The leader looks at who I decide to nickname hothead 1.

“I swear,” Kaizer warns in Korean. “I’ll drag you out of here bleeding if you touch her.” He doesn’t even look at Kiyoko as he lays down the threat.

“Now, go check on Kai.” Kudo does not look at Kiyoko either.

“Good idea.” Kiyoko storms out as my eyes stay on Saya.

I know her because we went to high-school together. This means her being here is no coincidence either but I am also still trying to see if the fierce girl I once knew is still in her.

She is the reason I can do a flying back kick. Saya is an expert swordsman, almost as good as Katana last I checked but settled for shurikens.

“I’ll set up in the lounge,” Saya drags the suitcase to the other room and since one of the brothers assists, I can already tell he is Kairo because he smiles at her.

“Be ready in 30, that is check out.” Kudo dismisses nonchalantly once Kairo comes back to the room and everyone leaves.

Because the one with the long hair and tired groan lags behind, I can already see he is Katana which means sweater vest and buzz cut is Kade.

That makes six which means I am up to date.

“They know we understand Korean and Japanese, right? What is with the drama?” I ask Ivan in Russian when he preps to leave too.

“Then you should also know, I understand Russian too.” Saya responds in Japanese and he leaves without saying a word.

I wait for him to give me the sign and after he nods, I am ready to pounce.