That smile.
That posture.
The clothes.
Everything.
The same.
Her blood ran cold.
"Detective Nam?" Ruby asked.
"I—I can handle this case," Selena said, forcing her voice steady. "Tell me where I need to go."
Ruby didn't notice the crack beneath her composure.
"You'll go to France," Ruby said. "Five people will be waiting for you.
Anna—the hacker.
Jack—the spy.
FuGeng—the sniper.
Yuri—the assassin.
And a cop who will lead the team."
"When do I leave?" Selena asked.
"Tomorrow night. 8 PM. Good luck."
The door closed behind her.
"Tomorrow night. 8 PM," Selena repeated softly.
Time really did fly.
She had been five years old when they destroyed her world.
Now she was twenty-three.
And she was going back.
At home, Selena stood before an old photograph.
Two girls. Smiling. Arms wrapped around each other.
Miya and Selena.
Her fingers tightened around the frame.
"I'll find you," she whispered.
"No matter what it costs."
And somewhere deep in the dark—
The past stirred.
-------
The weather was unexpectedly gentle.
Sunlight spilled over the streets of France, warm but not suffocating. A light wind brushed past Selena's face, carrying the faint scent of coffee, fresh bread, and something floral she couldn't quite name. Birds chirped from rooftops and electric wires, their songs clashing with the endless city noises—cars honking, people talking, footsteps echoing on stone pavements.
Noise.
Life.
Movement.
France felt alive.
And for the first time in years, Selena felt like she was stepping into the center of destiny rather than running from it.
This was it.
This was where everything would begin.
---
SelenaPOV
I stepped out of the airport, adjusting the strap of my coat over my shoulder. The air was cooler than Korea, fresher somehow. My eyes scanned the crowd instinctively—old habits never die.
Then I saw them.
Five figures standing together, unmistakable.
Just like Miss Ruby said.
Anna. Jack. FuGeng. Yuri. Noah.
So… this is my team.
Anna was the first one I noticed. She had short, slightly messy hair dyed a soft brown, round glasses resting on her nose, and a bright smile that made her look approachable—almost harmless. She wore an oversized hoodie layered under a leather jacket, fingers already tapping rapidly on her phone.
She looked… friendly.
And bossy.
Definitely bossy.
Then my gaze shifted to Yuri.
Okay. No.
She wasn't just scary.
She was terrifying.
Tall, sharp-eyed, arms crossed tightly over her black sleeveless jacket, combat boots planted firmly on the ground. Her stare was intense—too intense. Like she was analyzing me, calculating how fast she could kill me if she needed to.
Is she staring at me?
Yes.
Is she judging me?
Absolutely.
She gave off strong tomboy assassin energy.
Next—
Jack.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
No way.
He was leaning casually against a pole, hands in his pockets, chewing gum like he owned the place. Dark hoodie, ripped jeans, sneakers. He looked lazy. Careless. Confident.
I mentally placed him at twenty-five. Maybe twenty-six.
Then I remembered Ruby's words.
*Seventeen.*
"YOU'RE SEVENTEEN?!" nearly slipped out of my mouth.
I quickly swallowed it.
Fu Geng stood a little apart from the group, calm and silent. He wore a long coat, gloves, and had that unreadable expression people get when they've seen too much. His presence felt steady, grounded.
"Fu Geng," he said simply when our eyes met.
That was it.
Meh.
And finally—
Noah.
The leader.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Well-dressed in a dark coat and scarf, his posture straight but relaxed. He had that quiet confidence people naturally follow.
The kind of man girls whisper about.
Ahem.
Focus, Selena.
---
Anna suddenly noticed me and waved so enthusiastically I almost thought her arm would detach.
"HELLO THERE! Name's Anna! How are you doing? Oh—right—you must be tired! Come on, let's—"
"Anna!" Jack cut in, grinning. "Relax. You're gonna scare her away. She'll think you're a weirdo."
"HEY!" Anna snapped. "NOAH, DID YOU HEAR THAT?!"
Jack laughed. "Murghahaha—"
She slapped his arm.
Hard.
"Ow—HEY!"
I couldn't help it.
I laughed.
Jack stared at me. "Oh wow. She laughs. Guess you're human after all, Detective Nam."
"Careful," I replied sweetly. "I might report you for harassment."
"SEE?" Anna pointed at him. "I TOLD YOU!"
Noah raised a hand calmly. "Silence."
Instantly, they stopped. Scary leadership skills.
"Detective Nam," Noah said, smiling slightly. "We're happy to have you here. From now on, you're part of our organization."
"Oh—thank you, Mr. Noah. I'm glad to work with you all," I replied, bowing my head politely.
Yuri stepped forward. "I'm Yuri. Co-leader of this team."
She held out her hand. Firm grip. No hesitation.
"I look forward to fighting alongside you," she said.
"Same here," I replied honestly.
Then Yuri spoke again, her voice serious.
"As of now, two positions remain unfilled."
Everyone turned quiet.
"Vigilante," she continued. "Or Survivor."
She explained calmly, thoroughly.
Vigilante: infiltrate the underworld, work among criminals by day, eliminate targets by night—alone.
Survivor: fight openly with the team, protected at all costs, even if it meant someone else's life.
My chest tightened.
Later, we went to a small café, warm and inviting, lights glowing softly above wooden tables. Aromas of roasted coffee beans mingled with freshly baked bread and sizzling shawarma. I had a burger dripping with sauce, crispy fries, sweet mango juice, and a steaming coffee.
Jack sat across from me, smirking. "So… first day in France, huh? You're already judging the croissants?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Not judging. Observing. Big difference."
He leaned back, pretending to yawn. "Sure. Observing. Keep telling yourself that, Detective Nam."
I poked him in the arm. "Stop it. You're impossible."
He laughed. "And yet here I am, impossible and alive. Take notes, maybe it rubs off on you."
Then.
Jack stole my fries.
I punched his shoulder.
He yelped.
Worth it.
---
After the chit chat, they dropped me off at my apartment, alone in my room, I stared at my family photo.
Miya smiled back at me.
"I'll find you," I whispered.
I picked up my phone and typed one word.
Vigilante :)
Then I stepped onto the rooftop, stars stretching endlessly above me.
"Oh God," I murmured softly, "please protect me… and what's left of my soul."
Tomorrow, everything would begin.
Or so I thought.