The aftermath of the battle left both Tae-jin and Min-ho physically exhausted but mentally alert. The estate was eerily quiet now, the once-threatening shadows retreating into the corners of the night. Their victory had bought them some time, but the threat was far from eliminated.
Min-ho and Tae-jin sat together in Tae-jin's study, the soft glow of the desk lamp illuminating their faces. Tae-jin's father, Kim Jae-hoon, joined them, his expression a mix of pride and concern.
"We did well tonight," Jae-hoon began, his voice steady. "But Hyun-soo will not stop. We must remain vigilant."
Tae-jin nodded, his thoughts already racing ahead. "We need more information. Ji-woo's intel was invaluable, but we can't always rely on last-minute warnings."
Min-ho leaned forward, his eyes filled with determination. "Agreed. We need to understand Hyun-soo's next move before he makes it. There's someone I know who might be able to help."
Jae-hoon raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
Min-ho hesitated, glancing at Tae-jin before continuing. "A former ally of Hyun-soo. Someone who fell out of favor and went into hiding. He's kept a low profile, but I think I can persuade him to provide us with the information we need."
Tae-jin's expression brightened with a mixture of hope and resolve. "Do you trust him?"
Min-ho nodded. "He has no love for Hyun-soo. And he owes me a favor."
Jae-hoon considered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Arrange a meeting. But be cautious. We cannot afford any more risks."
The next day, Min-ho and Tae-jin set out to meet Min-ho's contact. The rendezvous point was a discreet café in one of Seoul's quieter neighborhoods. As they entered, Min-ho scanned the room, quickly spotting a man seated in the corner, his face partially obscured by a hat.
"Jin-woo," Min-ho greeted, his voice low. "It's been a while."
Jin-woo looked up, his eyes narrowing in recognition. "Min-ho. You still know how to find me."
Min-ho smiled faintly. "You owe me a favor, remember?"
Jin-woo's expression softened slightly. "I haven't forgotten. What do you need?"
They took a seat, and Min-ho explained their situation. Jin-woo listened intently, his face betraying little emotion. When Min-ho finished, Jin-woo leaned back, his gaze thoughtful.
"Hyun-soo has always been ambitious," Jin-woo said slowly. "But he's grown reckless. He's aligning himself with outsiders, people who have no loyalty to any of us. They only care about power."
Tae-jin leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "Who are these outsiders?"
Jin-woo shook his head. "I don't have names, but they're dangerous. Mercenaries, assassins, people who thrive in chaos. Hyun-soo believes they will help him seize control, but he's playing with fire."
Min-ho exchanged a glance with Tae-jin. "We need to find out more about these outsiders. If we can expose their plans, we might be able to undermine Hyun-soo's position."
Jin-woo nodded. "I can help with that. But it'll take time. And it's risky."
"We understand," Min-ho said firmly. "But we have no choice. We need to stop him before he brings more chaos to our world."
As they left the café, Tae-jin felt a renewed sense of purpose. They were stepping into a dangerous game, but with Min-ho by his side and Jin-woo's help, he believed they could outmaneuver Hyun-soo.
That night, as Tae-jin and Min-ho prepared for whatever lay ahead, they found strength in their shared determination and unwavering bond. The shadows might be closing in, but together, they were ready to face whatever darkness awaited them.
ns 15.158.61.16da2
