Chapter 5 : The breaking point

As Hye Jin stood over her father, victorious, Ji Won slowly rose to his feet. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, a mix of pride and something darker—relief, perhaps, that she had proven herself. But beneath the surface, a ripple of unease stirred within him. He had always known she had potential, but this... this was different. She wasn't just strong—she was ruthless. For the first time, Ji Won felt a sliver of fear creep into his heart, hidden behind the satisfaction on his face. He had created a monster, one he wasn't sure he could control.

"Well done," he said, his voice steady, but his eyes lingered a little too long on the syringe still in her hand. Hye Jin met his gaze with an emotionless stare, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if she was already considering what it would be like to turn on him.

Ji Won stood in the corner of the room, watching Hye Jin as she casually wiped the sweat from her brow. He had taught her well, far better than he realized. The satisfaction of her victory flickered briefly in his chest, but the unease had already settled in. She had shown no hesitation, no emotion. He had expected her to feel something—pride, excitement, maybe even fear. Instead, she was as calm as ever.

"You're ready," Ji Won said, though his voice lacked its usual confidence. Hye Jin didn't respond, simply nodding as if his approval was an afterthought. She was thinking of something else—something he couldn't quite place.

As they left the park, Ji Won couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking beside a stranger. This was no longer the daughter he had raised, the girl he had molded in his own image. She was something more—something dangerous. He cast a sidelong glance at her, trying to gauge her thoughts, but her face remained unreadable.

 In the days that followed, Ji Won began to distance himself, ever so slightly. He watched Hye Jin with careful eyes, noting how she moved, how she spoke. The way she carried herself now was different, more assured, more in control. It unnerved him. She no longer sought his guidance, no longer needed his approval. Ji Won had always believed he could control her, but now, for the first time, he wasn't so sure.

 Hye Jin, on the other hand, felt an exhilarating sense of freedom. Winning the bet had given her more than just power over her father—it had given her control over herself. She no longer looked to him for validation; she was carving her own path. And as she observed Ji Won's subtle withdrawal, the flicker of fear in his eyes, she knew that she had gained something else too—dominance.

 Over the next few weeks, the dynamic between father and daughter shifted in ways both subtle and sharp. Ji Won began watching Hye Jin more closely during their interactions, careful to hide his growing wariness. He still guided her on their hunting trips, still spoke with the same authoritative tone, but Hye Jin noticed the difference. He no longer gave commands—he made suggestions. The power had shifted, and they both knew it.

One night, Ji Won invited her to join him on a routine "hunt," but this time it felt different. There was something in his eyes that made her pause. His movements were too deliberate, his words carefully measured.

 They arrived at an abandoned building deep in the outskirts of the city, the perfect place for their usual activities. But as they made their way inside, Hye Jin realized something was off. The air was heavier, the silence more oppressive. Ji Won handed her a weapon—a knife, sleek and sharp—but for the first time, Hye Jin sensed hesitation in his movements.

He turned to her, his face unreadable. "You've come a long way, Hye Jin," he said, his voice low