Seoul General Hospital – Late Morning
The familiar scent of antiseptic lingered in the halls as Han Min-Yoon and her fellow nurse, Eun-Ji, walked side by side after attending to a critical patient. They turned a corner, headed for a small break room, both still catching their breath.
"Whew. That guy almost didn't make it," Eun-Ji muttered, wiping sweat from her brow. "You sure you should be working this soon? Your arm still has that bandage."
Min-Yoon gave her a small smile, sitting on the bench and stretching her arm slightly. "I couldn't just stay at home. I needed to move... focus on something else."
Eun-Ji tilted her head. "Something happen? You look like you haven't fully processed something."
There was a pause before Min-Yoon took a breath and leaned closer. "I didn't tell you what really happened that night. When I said I was attacked… I wasn't alone." Her voice softened. "A man saved me."
Eun-Ji blinked. "What?! What kind of man? Wait—what do you mean, saved you?"
Min-Yoon looked at her hands, her fingers curling slightly. "I was cornered by this gang. There were at least six of them. I thought I was going to die. And then, suddenly, someone showed up out of nowhere. He fought them off… alone. He was bleeding… hurt. And when I passed out he carried me."
Eun-Ji gasped. "Carried you? Like in his arms? Min-Yoon! That's like something from a drama!"
"I woke up in a different hospital," Min-Yoon continued. "Not far from where I bought vegetables. The nurses said a stranger dropped me off and left. No name. Just gone."
Eun-Ji was now grinning like a teenager. "You mean to tell me you were rescued by a handsome, bleeding mystery man who carried you like a princess? Girl, you need to find him!"
Min-Yoon chuckled, but her smile faded slightly. "I don't even know what he looked like. But I need to thank him. I owe him my life."
Eun-Ji rested a hand on hers. "Then let's find him. Maybe he left a trace... a report, or something."
Just then, a nurse from the station called out, "Min-Yoon, Eun-Ji! We need you Room 203, urgent!"
They both stood up from the hallway bench where they had been sitting.
Eun-Ji gave her a light pat on the shoulder and smiled. "We'll continue this later. Let's save lives first, love story after."
Min-Yoon chuckled softly, the warmth lingering in her chest as they hurried toward the room.
Unknown Location – Private Meeting Room
Inside a heavily guarded compound, Minister Kang sat at the head of a long marble table. Two others flanked him. One was an older man with silver hair and sharp eyes, dressed in traditional attire. The other silent but menacing wore a dark green military uniform. His posture was straight, his gaze cold and calculating.
"The cargo must move on schedule," the uniformed man said flatly. "Delays are unacceptable."
Kang leaned forward, fingers steepled. "The ports are ready. Customs is paid. The coast will be clear."
The older man grunted. "This shipment isn't just profit. It's a demonstration. If this succeeds, our grip tightens." He looked directly at Kang. "And failure? It means you're replaceable."
Kang's jaw twitched slightly. "It won't fail. My new driver starts tomorrow. Clean record. Foreign. Loyal. He'll be our shadow."
The soldier smirked. "Make sure he stays loyal. We've burned better men."
Kang nodded, concealing the flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Understood."
The older man leaned forward, his tone lowering. "Once the shipment arrives at the port, distribution begins within the week. I've arranged routes—Daegu, Busan, and straight into the clubs in Gangnam. The others will move through the underground tunnels in Incheon."
Minister Kang narrowed his eyes.
"No interruptions. We've paid off the right people. Cops, customs, even a few politicians. This operation must be smooth."
The soldier beside him, still unreadable, added
"And the clubs? You're certain they're secure?"
"We've taken care of it," Minister Kang said calmly. "By the time anyone catches wind, the product will already be sold, and the money clean."
The elderly man paused, his gaze sharp as he met Kang's eyes. "If you fail, there will be no connection between us anymore."
Afternoon Incheon – Outside of Ko & Shin Law Group.
Han Hanni adjusted her coat as she stood across the street with her cameraman, Jun-wo. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows against the building.
Jun-wo said, checking his watch.
"Just wait, and besides, the boss isn't here, so don't worry, I'll take care of it," Hanni whispered. "and he'll come out soon."
Moments later, the glass doors opened. The attorney emerged, looking polished and confident, glancing at his phone before heading off.
"Move," Hanni ordered quietly.
They tailed him through backstreets, careful to keep their distance. After several turns, the attorney stopped at a private residence. A security guard opened the gate.
Jun-wo lowered the camera. "Is that..."
"The mayor's house," Hanni finished, eyes narrowing.
She stepped back behind a van, voice tense. "What the hell is our top firm's attorney doing here? They only represent corporate elites."
Jun-wo frowned. "Maybe he's friends with the mayor?"
"Or maybe this is bigger than I thought," Hanni muttered. "We follow him again tomorrow. I want to know who he really works for."
Safe House –Night
After his shower, Jahm stepped out of the bathroom, towel in hand, beads of water still trailing down his bare chest marked with scars from past missions. He dried off in silence, muscles taut beneath the glow of the dim kitchen light.
"You ready for tomorrow?" Justice asked while he was cooking in their kitchen what they would eat.
Jahm didn't hesitate. "I'm always ready."
He pulled on a white sweater, the fabric hugging his frame. Justice smirked and asked teasingly, "Why do you keep working out on the rooftop like a maniac, even with that wound on your shoulder?"
Jahm didn't respond. He simply walked past him, but Justice called out, "Food's ready. Come eat. I made kimchi jjigae and some bulgogi figured you'd want something warm after that rooftop workout." Jahm nodded, grabbed a seat at their small dining table, and sat down. Justice brought over the freshly cooked meal, and they quietly ate their late dinner together.
After they eat Justice asked Jahm "Is my cooking good, bro?"
Jahm simply nodded in response, then stood up to get some air by the window
After a brief pause, Justice leaned back and tapped his chopsticks on the plate.
"What do you think the Minister's gonna ask you to do tomorrow, huh?"
Jahm stared out into the quiet Seoul night, the city lights blinking in the distance. He didn't say a word but his eyes were full of thought