Chapter 98: The Final Move

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1. Blood on the Streets

Jinwoo tightened the bandage around his wound.

The bleeding had slowed, but pain pulsed through his body with every step.

He had no time to rest.

Not now.

Not when he was this close.

Busan's neon glow reflected in the puddles as he walked toward the penthouse tower.

The building stood like a fortress.

Tall. Cold.

A place where betrayals were whispered behind crystal glasses and blood was spilled in silence.

Jinwoo's fingers curled around the pistol tucked under his jacket.

This wasn't a war anymore.

This was an execution.

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2. The Queen's Trap

Inside the penthouse, Ji-Eun lit a cigarette with steady hands.

Her heart shouldn't be racing.

But it was.

Jinwoo would arrive soon.

She had prepared for this.

Every possibility.

But one question remained—

Would she be able to pull the trigger?

A voice behind her broke the silence.

"Do you regret it?"

Ji-Eun exhaled slowly.

Madame Yoon stood in the shadows, her expression unreadable.

Ji-Eun didn't answer.

Because she didn't know.

Did she regret betraying him?

Did she regret surviving?

Yoon sighed.

"This is your last chance to leave, Ji-Eun."

Ji-Eun smiled faintly.

"I stopped running a long time ago."

Yoon watched her for a long moment.

Then she placed a gun on the table.

"Then don't hesitate."

Ji-Eun reached for the weapon—

And outside, in the distance, she heard it.

Gunfire.

Her breath caught.

He was here.

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3. The Last Stand

Jinwoo moved through the building like a ghost.

Security was already dead or dying.

Each bullet had been fired with precision.

Each knife strike was lethal.

His steps were steady.

His breathing calm.

But inside—

Inside, the rage burned hotter than ever.

Ji-Eun.

Alive.

And waiting for him.

He stepped into the penthouse, gun raised—

And found her standing by the window.

She turned slowly.

The city lights cast shadows over her face, making her unreadable.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, softly—

"You made it," she whispered.

Jinwoo's grip tightened on the gun.

His voice was quiet.

"Why?"

Ji-Eun's lips parted.

But before she could answer—

A second gun clicked.

Behind him.

Jinwoo froze.

A cold voice filled the room.

"You should have stayed dead, Jinwoo."

Madame Yoon.

Standing in the doorway.

Gun aimed at his head.

Ji-Eun's breath hitched.

This wasn't part of the plan.

Not her plan.

Jinwoo smirked without humor.

"So this was it?" he murmured. "A trap?"

Ji-Eun's fingers trembled.

Yoon's voice was calm.

"You should have never come back."

Jinwoo chuckled.

"Then pull the trigger."

A pause.

Then—

A gunshot.

Ji-Eun's heart stopped.

Jinwoo stumbled back, gripping his side.

Blood.

Spreading.

He had been shot.

But not by Yoon.

By Ji-Eun.

Her hands shook as she lowered the smoking gun.

Jinwoo's breath came in ragged gasps.

He stared at her, betrayal flashing across his eyes.

But Ji-Eun's eyes—

They were full of something else.

Not hatred.

Not anger.

Desperation.

She stepped forward, her voice breaking.

"You have to go."

Jinwoo's vision blurred.

His strength faded.

Ji-Eun grabbed him, pulling him close, whispering into his ear.

"They're coming. If you stay, they'll kill you for real this time."

Jinwoo wanted to speak.

To scream.

To understand.

But darkness pulled at him.

His body gave in.

And as he collapsed, the last thing he heard was Ji-Eun's voice—

Soft. Pained.

"I never wanted this."

Then everything faded to black.

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End of Chapter 98

(Next Chapter: Awakening.)