Chapter 95: The Last Bullet
---
1. The Weight of a Trigger
Jinwoo's gun felt heavier than it ever had before.
His finger hovered over the trigger, his breath shallow.
Seo stood before him, smirking, knowing—mocking.
He had spent years dreaming of this moment.
Ending Seo.
But now, as his vision blurred with rage and pain, he realized the truth.
Seo didn't fear death.
He had already won.
Because Jinwoo had already lost.
Lost himself.
Lost his purpose.
Lost everything.
"Go on," Seo taunted, his voice calm. "Kill me. But it won't bring her back."
Jinwoo's jaw clenched.
His heartbeat pounded against his ribs.
Every part of him screamed for revenge.
Pull the trigger.
End it.
But then—
A whisper in his mind.
Not Seo's voice.
Not his own.
His mother's.
"Jinwoo… this world is cruel. But you don't have to be."
His grip faltered.
And then—
The door burst open.
---
2. The Betrayer's Gambit
Gunfire exploded in the room.
Jinwoo barely had time to react as a bullet grazed his shoulder.
He spun, taking cover behind the desk.
Seo's smirk never faded as he reached for his own gun.
More bullets flew.
Jinwoo peeked out—
And his stomach dropped.
Standing in the doorway, gun raised—
Was Minho.
Jinwoo's closest ally.
The man he had trusted with his life.
Betrayal burned through him.
"Minho?" Jinwoo's voice was raw.
His friend didn't flinch.
"I'm sorry," Minho said. "But you were never meant to win this war."
Jinwoo's grip tightened around his gun.
He should have seen this coming.
Seo chuckled. "You always were too sentimental, Jinwoo."
Jinwoo's mind raced.
His wounds burned.
Minho—his brother in blood—had chosen Seo.
And now, only one of them would leave this room alive.
---
3. War Between Brothers
Jinwoo moved first.
A shot rang out—Minho dodged.
The two men circled each other, the air thick with tension.
"I didn't want this," Minho admitted, his voice low.
Jinwoo's eyes burned with fury. "Then why?"
Minho exhaled.
"Because I knew you wouldn't stop."
Jinwoo's blood ran cold.
Minho had always been the cautious one. The one who warned him about his obsession with revenge.
And now—
He was standing against him.
Jinwoo swallowed the pain.
The betrayal.
It didn't matter anymore.
There was only one way this ended.
Minho aimed.
So did Jinwoo.
Seconds stretched into eternity.
Then—
They fired.
---
4. The Final Shot
Silence followed.
Minho staggered back.
A gun clattered to the floor.
Jinwoo stared at his shaking hands, blood dripping from his fingers.
Minho's eyes widened.
Then he smiled.
"Good shot…" he whispered, collapsing.
Jinwoo rushed forward, catching him before he hit the ground.
Minho coughed, blood staining his lips.
"You never listen," Minho chuckled weakly.
Jinwoo's chest tightened.
"This didn't have to happen," he whispered.
Minho's breathing slowed.
"It was always… going to end this way."
Jinwoo's vision blurred.
Minho gripped his sleeve.
"Finish it," he breathed.
Jinwoo swallowed hard.
Then—
Minho's body went still.
A sharp inhale.
And then—
Nothing.
Jinwoo's hand trembled as he lowered his friend's lifeless body to the floor.
The war wasn't over.
But a part of him had died with Minho.
Seo watched, amused.
Jinwoo stood.
His gun raised.
And this time—
There was no hesitation.
Bang.
---
End of Chapter 95
(Next Chapter: The Cost of a Crown.)