Chapter 100: The Hunt

The city lights burned beneath him, casting long shadows across the rooftops. Jinwoo crouched on the edge of a building, his breath slow, controlled. The cold wind bit at his skin, but the fire inside him burned hotter. Ji-Eun was alive. Somewhere. And he was going to tear this city apart to find her.

Below, a convoy of black SUVs snaked through the empty streets. He recognized the emblem on the side—Baekho Syndicate.

His first target.

Jinwoo adjusted his grip on the knife strapped to his thigh. He had no guns, no backup—only rage and experience.

That was enough.

He exhaled.

Then he jumped.

---

1. A Storm Unleashed

The impact of his landing sent a ripple of pain through his ribs, but he ignored it. He rolled forward, crouching behind a parked car as the SUVs screeched to a stop.

Armed men spilled out.

Jinwoo recognized the leader—Seo Min-jun.

One of Baekho's top enforcers. Ruthless. Efficient.

Jinwoo stepped into the open.

The moment Min-jun saw him, his face twisted into a mix of shock and amusement.

"Son of a bitch," he chuckled. "They said you were dead."

Jinwoo tilted his head.

"They say a lot of things."

Min-jun's smirk faded.

His men shifted, hands on their weapons.

"You should've stayed dead," Min-jun said.

Jinwoo moved first.

A flick of his wrist—

A knife buried itself into the throat of the nearest thug.

Chaos erupted.

Gunfire split the night, but Jinwoo was already moving—

Sliding under the first shot, twisting around another man's outstretched arm—

His knife found its home in a second throat.

A third man tried to bring up his gun—

Jinwoo wrenched the firearm from his grip and slammed the barrel under his chin—

A single shot.

The body dropped.

Blood pooled beneath his feet.

Min-jun took a step back.

"Shit."

Jinwoo wiped his blade on his sleeve.

"Where is she?"

Min-jun's jaw clenched.

"Even if I knew, you think I'd tell you?"

Jinwoo's eyes darkened.

"Then you're useless to me."

He moved.

Min-jun barely had time to react before the knife entered his side.

He gasped, clutching the wound.

Jinwoo leaned in, voice like ice.

"Last chance. Talk."

Min-jun's breathing was ragged.

"…Warehouse 17," he coughed. "Dockside. That's all I know."

Jinwoo yanked the knife free.

Min-jun collapsed.

He wouldn't make it through the night.

Jinwoo didn't care.

He had a destination now.

And someone was going to pay.

---

2. The Trap

The docks smelled of salt and rusted metal.

Warehouse 17 loomed in the distance, dimly lit by a flickering streetlamp.

Jinwoo crouched in the shadows, scanning the area.

Too quiet.

Too easy.

A trap.

Of course.

Still, he had no choice.

He moved silently, pressing against the side of the warehouse. A single guard patrolled the entrance. Jinwoo slipped behind him—

A quick chokehold.

A struggle.

Then nothing.

He took the guard's keycard and entered.

Inside—

Darkness.

Then—

A voice.

"I was wondering when you'd show up."

Lights exploded to life.

Jinwoo's eyes narrowed.

At the center of the room—

Ji-Eun.

Tied to a chair, blood staining her clothes.

And standing beside her—

Kang.

The detective smirked, gun aimed at Jinwoo's chest.

"Surprised?"

Jinwoo's world tilted.

Betrayal.

Again.

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End of Chapter 100

(Next Chapter: Blood Price.)