Episode 17 – Threads of Shadow
Rain swept across Seoul, washing neon signs into streaks of color on wet asphalt. At CHIPER HQ, a projector hummed softly, throwing grainy surveillance photos onto the wall.
Alex circled an image. "This man flew in from Bangkok on a forged passport, known alias 'Swan.' Suspected foreign assassin."
Dohee scanned the dossier, brows drawn. "And he's linked to the Silent Masquerade auction?"
Alex nodded. "He's rumored to do the final hand — the actual kill."
Kevin, standing with arms crossed, spoke coldly. "Any chatter about who hired him?"
"Not yet. But I found the auction moves tomorrow. Location: a luxury private yacht, anchored in Busan harbor."
Guen inhaled sharply. "Busan. That's less than 24 hours."
"We need to stop the auction before he acts," Kevin said, voice like iron.
---
Busy day – public jobs:
Morning light found them scattered again.
Guen pulled her lab coat over the black bruises of a sleepless night. At the morgue, she worked silently, scalpel steady, but her mind burned with worry about Swan and that auction.
A colleague offered her tea; she accepted with a weary nod, then slipped away to check messages from Alex, phone hidden in her palm.
---
Kevin sat in a sleek boardroom, suit immaculate. A report lay open, but his eyes barely read the words. Numbers blurred into thoughts of Guen, of the auction, of a faceless killer on foreign soil.
A knock. His father, Chairman Kim, entered. "Focus," the older man ordered. "One mistake, and shareholders will tear us apart."
Kevin lowered his gaze. "Yes, Father."
But in his mind, his team's safety mattered more than any stock price.
---
Dohee walked briskly through marble halls, case files under one arm. She stopped, texted Alex: "Be careful tomorrow."
Seconds later, her phone buzzed: "You too, my lawyer. Dinner after?"
She typed, "If we're alive, yes." And allowed herself a small, private smile.
---
Miran, at the toxicology lab, measured reagents with trembling fingers. The director praised her recent report, but she barely heard.
In a quiet corner, she texted Minjae hesitantly: "I finished your blood analysis." (He'd claimed it was "for the gym.")
"Good," he replied curtly. "Eat something too."
She glanced down at her uneaten lunch, heart fluttering with confused dread.
---
Alex sat among software engineers, pretending to debate AI models while hidden screens traced Swan's digital shadow. Every click brought them closer to the yacht.
One colleague teased, "Your mind's somewhere else, Alex."
He smiled faintly, "Yeah… you could say that."
---
Night – at CHIPER HQ:
Rain still fell when they gathered.
Alex dropped a new photo: Swan shaking hands with a man wearing a gold snake ring. "He's our local contact," Alex said. "Businessman, rumored to launder money through underground clubs."
Kevin's jaw tightened. "Then we use Minjae's connections."
Minjae smirked lazily, spinning a car key on his finger. "My boys already sniffed around. Snake Ring's hosting a pre-auction party tonight — deep in Gangnam."
Kevin nodded. "We need eyes inside."
Dohee spoke up, "We also need legal cover if the police raid. Leave that to me."
Guen glanced at Kevin, then away. "And tomorrow, we go to Busan?" she asked.
"Together," Kevin confirmed, voice low.
---
Minjae's night – darker edge:
Later, Minjae drove alone to a hidden club. Neon pulsed off wet pavement as he stepped inside, jacket unzipped, tattoos peeking from his collar.
In the shadows, he met Snake Ring — short, slick-haired, gold flashing on his hand. They exchanged a brief nod.
Minutes later, Minjae walked down a narrow hall behind the club. A man blocked his way, words lost in the music.
Without warning, Minjae's fist crashed into the man's temple. The man staggered, stunned, but Minjae pressed him to the wall, voice dark. "Next time, don't look in my eyes."
The man whimpered.
Unseen behind a crate, Miran watched, eyes wide, breath frozen.
Minjae sensed her. "Come out."
She stepped forward, shaking. "Why… why did you hit him?"
His eyes glinted, cold and unreadable. "Because I can. And because it's my world."
"I-I won't tell anyone," she stammered.
"Better not," he said, voice soft as a blade. "Or next time, I'll keep you beside me. In my bed."
Miran's breath stopped. She nodded, terrified.
---
Kevin × Guen tension:
Back at HQ, Guen reviewed files, hands trembling.
Kevin leaned closer. "Are you okay?"
She snapped, "Don't ask me like that."
His voice dropped. "Why do you always fight me?"
"Because you order people," she bit out. "I'm not yours to command."
Silence.
Then Kevin's voice softened, almost pained. "I don't want you hurt, Guen."
She looked away, pulse racing.
---
Dohee × Alex:
In a quiet hallway, Alex caught Dohee's wrist.
"Promise me you won't do anything reckless tomorrow."
"You too," she replied, lips brushing his cheek.
Alex hesitated, then pulled her into a brief, fierce hug.
---
Later that night:
Minjae slipped into a VIP booth, drink in hand. A girl curled into his side, laughing softly. Minutes later, they vanished into the back.
Later, shirt half-open, Minjae leaned over the balcony, cigarette glowing. His gaze dropped to the street where Miran walked past, head low, coat pulled tight.
His jaw flexed — something hot and dark twisting behind his lazy smirk.
---
Morning – day of the auction:
Alex's tracker pinged. "Yacht leaves Busan harbor at noon. Swan will be onboard."
Kevin checked his watch. "Then we move. Everyone ready?"
Dohee adjusted her jacket. "Let's finish this."
Miran swallowed, stepping beside Minjae. Her fear still raw — but she stood anyway.
---