Episode 12 – Auction of Shadows
The rain had turned to a bone-deep chill by the time the team gathered at the long oak table in CHIPER's hidden HQ. The glow from Alex's screens painted tired faces in shifting blues and greens, the hum of machines mixing with shallow breaths.
On the screen: a single word that made hearts sink — Auction.
And next to it, Guen Park's name. Price: seven million dollars.
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✦ The plan
Kevin stood at the head, tux undone at the collar, jaw locked tight. "They're auctioning off information about Guen — or worse, access to her. And others, too."
Alex scrolled through the list: lawyers, scientists, a journalist, a surgeon. "We traced the buyer to an exclusive black-market auction. Secret venue, invitation-only."
Minjae kicked back in his chair, legs crossed. "So we gatecrash the party."
Dohee's brow furrowed. "It's not that easy. They'll scan IDs, faces, bank accounts."
Kevin's voice dropped. "Which is why Guen and I will go in undercover as husband and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Lee — real estate investors from Hong Kong."
Silence hung heavy. Then Guen found her voice, quiet but steady. "It's the fastest way in."
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✦ Suiting up
At dawn, the team split.
Kevin disappeared into the tailored silence of a private fitting room. Silk ties, Italian suits. The seamstress flinched at his stare; he barely noticed, mind miles away.
Guen, across town, sat still as a stylist curled her hair. A pale gold dress clung to her like liquid metal, elegant but daring. She barely recognized the woman in the mirror.
Miran stood behind her, pressing a tiny earpiece into her palm. "For you," she whispered. "So we won't lose you."
Guen met Miran's eyes in the glass, voice softer. "Thank you."
Miran shook her head, blinking quickly. "Just come back safe."
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✦ Meanwhile
Alex tapped furiously, fingers a blur. "Fake profiles ready. Bank account seeded with real funds so the auction system believes them."
Dohee reviewed legal escape routes, filing papers that might shield them if the cover broke. Her hand trembled only once, then steadied.
Minjae stretched by the window, cracking knuckles. "If things go loud," he drawled, "I'll be close. And kitten—" his gaze flickered to Miran — "don't even think of running alone."
Miran scowled faintly, stepping back. But her voice quivered: "Just don't get shot."
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✦ Arrival
Night draped itself over Seoul like a velvet cloak. At a discreet underground entrance, Kevin offered his arm. "Ready?"
Guen swallowed, then slipped her hand into his. "Let's go, husband."
He smirked, brief, before it faded under steel-eyed focus.
Guards waved metal detectors over them, scanned IDs. Kevin's heartbeat barely rose. Inside, chandeliers spilled light across marble, reflecting in Guen's hair.
They blended in: two perfect strangers to this darkness, yet belonging.
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✦ The auction
Gold-numbered paddles. Diamond masks. Champagne and whispered sins.
On a raised platform, an emcee in a silver mask spoke softly: "Next item: classified files on Dr. Guen Park. Access to her phone records, medical history… even home address."
Kevin's hand on the paddle tensed.
"Wait," Guen hissed under her breath. "If we buy, we become suspects."
"I know," Kevin murmured. "We're here to see who else bids."
At the far end, a man in a jade mask lifted his paddle, voice silent but chilling.
Alex's voice crackled in Kevin's earpiece: "Got him. Tied to a biotech firm. Shady history."
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✦ Danger blooms
Guen's fingers trembled, hidden in Kevin's. "Why me?" she whispered.
Kevin's jaw clenched, eyes still on the bidder. "Because you saw too much. And you're harder to buy than the others."
His thumb brushed her wrist, an unspoken promise.
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The auction rolled on. Secrets sold like silk — politicians' mistresses, offshore accounts, military schedules.
Dohee's voice slipped into their ears: "Police can't move until we prove the list is real."
Kevin whispered back, "We'll get proof."
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✦ Minjae's night
Outside, rain traced silver lines down tinted windows. Minjae drummed fingers on the steering wheel, scanning exits.
Miran, beside him, clutched a tablet displaying the building's layout. "Two exits, three cameras."
Minjae turned, grin sharp. "Good girl. Scared?"
She stiffened, eyes darting away. "No."
He leaned closer, voice dropping. "Liar."
Miran's breath caught. "Stop," she whispered.
Minjae's smirk softened — just a flicker — then returned, sharper than ever. "One day, kitten, you won't want me to."
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✦ Shattered glass
Inside, Guen's earpiece buzzed. Alex's urgent voice: "Kevin! The bidder's moving to the lounge. Alone. Go!"
Kevin rose, pulling Guen up. "Apologies," he murmured to a passing server, then guided her through velvet curtains.
They found the jade-masked man in a quiet room, typing rapidly into a tablet.
Kevin stepped forward, mask in hand. "Problem, friend?"
The man glanced up, smirk cruel. "Stay out of business you don't understand."
Kevin's fist caught the man across the jaw before words finished. Guen shut the door, heart hammering.
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The man reached for his belt. Guen moved first, heel crashing into his knee. He dropped; Kevin grabbed the tablet.
"Alex, copying files," Kevin barked.
"Got it," Alex confirmed. "Thirty seconds!"
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The man lurched upright, knife flashing. Kevin deflected the slash; Guen slammed a bottle across his head. Glass shattered, blood blooming.
Kevin pinned him, breath ragged. "Who paid for Guen?"
The man spat blood. "You can't stop them. You don't even know who you're fighting."
Kevin's voice dropped, deadly soft. "Name."
"...The Circle," the man rasped, eyes rolling back.
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✦ Escape
Alarm klaxons erupted. Red lights painted marble in panic.
Kevin yanked Guen close. "Move!"
Through velvet curtains, dancers scattered. Security surged forward.
Minjae's voice: "North door! Run!"
Kevin's hand gripped Guen's, pulling her faster. He shouldered past a guard; Guen ducked low, dress tearing at the seam.
They burst outside — into rain, headlights, and Minjae's idling car.
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Minjae flung the door open. "Get in!"
They dove into leather seats. Tires shrieked as Minjae gunned the engine, fishtailing onto wet asphalt.
Behind them, men with guns spilled from the building. Too slow.
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✦ Heartbeats after
Kevin's breath slowed, head dropping back against the seat. Guen clutched the torn dress to her chest, chest heaving.
Miran, pale, whispered, "Are you hurt?"
Guen shook her head. Kevin's gaze flicked to her — eyes softer, but words hard. "You okay?"
She nodded, voice faint. "Just bruises."
Minjae cracked a grin. "Call that bruises? You hit that bottle like a damn warrior."
Guen managed a shaky laugh.
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Alex's voice cut in: "Got the files. It's real — the Circle is running black-market auctions. And the next target list is worse."
Dohee's voice, low but fierce: "We bring them down."
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Kevin turned to Guen, voice raw: "I promised they'd never touch you."
"And you kept it," she whispered back.
For a breath, the car felt warmer than any room. Rain drummed the roof, heartbeat steady.
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