Chapter 25: Without me

There were six cars lined up in front of the building, engines quietly rumbling in the night. Si Mok and his friends, accompanied by Kang Jae-Sung, piled into the vehicles, the atmosphere tense with unspoken questions. The convoy moved through the city streets, heading toward the hospital where Goto was recovering.

After a while, they arrived at a hospital that looked fairly ordinary from the outside, but Kang led them to an entrance that veered off from the usual paths. He guided them to a separate elevator and pressed a floor number that wasn't listed on the panel.

"What is this place?" Han Park asked, glancing around.

Kang smirked. "Special floor for... well, let's just say it's not on the brochures. You'll see."

When the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by a completely different atmosphere. The floor was sleek and modern, its halls guarded by men in suits. The group's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the high-security area.

A man in a dark suit approached them, his demeanor professional yet intimidating. "Welcome. I'm Mr. Kim," he introduced himself with a polite bow. "I've been assisting Goto during his recovery. He's expecting you."

Mr. Kim led them further down the corridor and into a private room. Goto was seated on the bed, a faint bandage visible on his temple. Despite his injuries, his eyes were sharp, and his demeanor carried the weight of someone who had seen too much but wasn't about to back down.

As soon as the group entered, Goto gestured for them to sit. Without wasting time, he began.

"James Park," Goto said, his tone heavy. "That's the name of the man I met recently. Our encounter wasn't exactly friendly."

The room was silent as Goto recounted his past with James, explaining how James had been an enigma for years—always appearing out of nowhere, seemingly untouchable. Goto was careful not to reveal James's current identity, though his reluctance to share certain details didn't go unnoticed by Si Mok and the others.

After recounting his history, Goto leaned over and opened a folder on the bedside table. He held up the documents James had given him earlier.

"These are what he left me with. Evidence—enough to shake the assemblyman's entire network to its core," Goto explained. "But it's only a piece of the puzzle. The rest, we'll have to find ourselves."

Si Mok took the folder, flipping through its contents with a keen eye. "This is... significant," he murmured, his mind already racing.

"There's more," Goto continued, his voice firm. "I've made a decision. I'm leaving the country. I need to train and regroup. What's coming is bigger than anything I've faced before, and I need to be ready."

Han Park raised an eyebrow. "Train? Seriously? You're already strong enough to take on an army."

Goto smirked faintly. "Not for what's ahead. James made that painfully clear."

Osamu leaned back in his chair, processing everything. "So, what happens while you're gone? What do we do with this evidence?"

Goto nodded toward Si Mok. "You keep moving. Use it to dismantle the assemblyman's operations. And if you can, figure out who's pulling the strings behind him. There's someone bigger—someone dangerous."

The group exchanged glances, the weight of Goto's words settling in.

Kang Jae-Sung, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "Sounds like you're dropping a mountain on their shoulders while you go on a little soul-searching trip, huh?"

Goto gave him a pointed look. "I'll be back when the time is right. Until then, you handle things here."

Si Mok stood up, determination flashing in his eyes. "Don't worry about us. Just make sure you come back in one piece. We'll handle the assemblyman."

Goto nodded, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I'll hold you to that."

As they left the room, the weight of their mission became clearer. The assemblyman's network was massive, and the dangers they faced were unlike anything they had encountered before. But with the evidence in hand and their resolve stronger than ever, they knew the fight was far from over.