Night once again cloaked the city, but this time, the air felt far more still. It was as though the entire city was holding its breath, waiting for something big to unfold. At Jung Kok's temporary base, the footsteps of his men grew brisker, a clear sign of rising tension. Everyone knew the next confrontation was no longer about power — it was about trust, about who was truly right, and who was being played.
Jung Kok stood by the window, gazing out at the dim streetlights. In his hand was a report from last night's attack, now showing a disturbing pattern. But there was still no concrete evidence to point to anyone directly.
A soft knock came at the door before Min stepped in. His expression was calm, carrying that familiar slight smile.
"You look more worn out," he remarked, placing a file on the desk.
"Who wouldn't be tired, being betrayed from all directions?" Jung Kok replied with a weary sigh.
Min gave a small nod. "I just came back from the western district. Our men there are starting to have doubts. They're not sure who they should trust."
"And you?" Jung Kok asked, staring straight at his long-time friend.
Min didn't answer immediately. He took a slow seat before speaking, "I'm still with you, Jung Kok. I always have been."
Jung Kok lowered his gaze slightly, trying to mask his expression. "Sometimes I feel like this is all one massive trap, and we're just pawns in someone else's game."
Min leaned back in the chair, eyes studying Jung Kok closely. "Even if that's true, we can still control our moves. Don't stop now. That's exactly what the enemy wants."
Elsewhere, Jung Joon looked increasingly desperate. The recent attacks didn't just weaken his hold — they sowed doubt among his subordinates. He stood for a long time in his office, staring at charts of territories that once thrived under his command, now crumbling one by one.
"Why is all this happening at once?" he whispered to himself.
Without Kang Do by his side — after being removed for his betrayal — Jung Joon now had to rely on people he didn't entirely trust. But he knew, moving alone was far riskier.
As the night stretched on, a secret message arrived on Jung Kok's device. New coordinates, a location that had never been attacked before. The place — near the neutral zone border. If the enemy really intended to spark a full-scale war, this would be the ideal spot.
"We need to go ourselves this time," said Jung Kok. "I won't let anyone else become bait."
Min agreed without hesitation. "I'm coming with you."
As they prepared to move, something felt different. The sky turned overcast, strong winds began to blow — as if foreshadowing a greater storm ahead.
At the specified location, shadows began to appear one by one. Jung Joon also arrived, accompanied by a few loyal men. Once again, the two brothers faced each other in a dim, uncertain place — still shrouded in unresolved vengeance.
"You still don't get it, Jung Kok," said Joon, eyes sharp. "You're trying to change this world, but this world doesn't want to change."
"If everyone thought like you, we'd never move forward," Jung Kok replied. "I'm not stopping."
Before the clash could erupt, something unexpected happened. A small explosion near the building startled everyone. Gunfire rang out from an unknown direction. Chaos ensued, and amid the confusion, someone managed to slip into their communications system.
Min stayed close to Jung Kok, ever loyal and watchful — his trust in Jung Kok unwavering.
But far off in a shadowy corner, someone smiled. The trap was tightening, and the two brothers were falling deeper into a game far larger than they realized.
And with that, the curtain of night fell on the scene.
(To be continued...)