Chapter 24: Into the Abyss

Jihan left the warehouse with the Broker's words still ringing in his ears.

"Welcome to the real war."

The air outside was thick with the scent of oil and rust. The city felt different now, like he had peeled back a layer of reality and found a beast lurking underneath.

He had spent weeks battling the Syndicate, thinking they were the apex predators.

But now, he knew they were just another piece of the puzzle. The real enemy was the Black Crown.

A Silent Warning

His phone buzzed.

Hacker: "You just made a deal with a devil."

Jihan smirked, fingers tapping a reply.

Jihan: "A necessary one."

A moment later, another message arrived.

Hacker: "Be careful. I traced the Broker's movements. She's not just an information dealer. She has ties to the higher-ups."

Jihan's eyes darkened. Of course, she does.

Jihan: "Then I'll have to watch my back."

The next message took him by surprise.

Hacker: "Meet me. I have something important."

Jihan hesitated. His hacker had always worked from the shadows, feeding him crucial information but never revealing herself directly. If she was asking for a meeting, it meant something serious was happening.

Jihan: "Where?"

Hacker: "Downtown. Old subway station. 2 AM."

Jihan exhaled, locking his phone. This night was far from over.

The Black Crown's Reach

Before heading to the meeting, he needed to gather intel. If Black Crown controlled the city, then their presence would be everywhere—in corporations, underground rings, even in the police force.

His first lead took him to a high-end club deep in the city's financial district.

The Red Serpent.

It wasn't just a nightclub. It was a hub—where the elite met to discuss business that never made the news.

Dressed in a fitted black suit, Jihan walked past the bouncers, his eyes scanning the room.

Wealthy men sipped expensive liquor. Women in designer dresses whispered in corners. And in the back, behind thick glass, were the true players.

Executives. Politicians. Crime lords.

Jihan exhaled. This was where the Black Crown thrived.

As he approached the bar, he caught snippets of hushed conversations.

"…Syndicate's been having trouble lately."

"…some kid's been stirring up chaos."

"…Black Crown doesn't like messes."

Jihan's grip tightened around his glass. They already knew about him.

Then he heard something that made his blood run cold.

"…word is, they've put a bounty on him."

Jihan didn't flinch, but his mind raced. The Black Crown was making its move.

And now, he was officially marked for death.

A Hunter Among Prey

Jihan set his drink down, eyes locking onto a man in the VIP section—a Black Crown lieutenant. A well-dressed, middle-aged man with silver rings on each finger, whispering into the ear of a woman on his lap. His presence alone was a sign of influence. If Jihan wanted answers, he needed to make a move.

Instead of barging in, Jihan played it smooth. He circled the lounge, watching. Studying. Every detail mattered.

The lieutenant wasn't just surrounded by pretty women—two bodyguards flanked him. One had a military build, cold eyes that scanned the club constantly. The other looked younger, but his fingers twitched near his jacket—likely carrying a weapon.

Jihan's instincts sharpened. Rushing in would be suicide. He needed a different approach.

Slipping into the crowd, he moved with purpose. A waiter carrying a bottle of champagne passed by, and in a seamless motion, Jihan brushed against him, palming the man's access card from his pocket.

He had his way in.

Breaking the Chain

Using the stolen card, Jihan bypassed the security checkpoint leading to the VIP area's back rooms. The corridor was dimly lit, lined with velvet wallpaper. He moved quickly, his footsteps silent.

At the end of the hall, a private office stood guarded by a single man.

Jihan didn't hesitate. He moved fast—one step, two steps, a pivot.

The guard barely had time to register him before Jihan's elbow drove into his throat. A sharp gasp, a struggle. Jihan caught his wrist, twisting the gun out of his hand before smashing his head against the wall.

The man crumpled.

Jihan exhaled, rubbing his sore knuckles. No time to waste.

Slipping inside, he quickly scanned the office. A mahogany desk. A large screen displaying stock market movements. And most importantly—a laptop left unlocked.

He moved to the computer, fingers flying over the keyboard. He wasn't a hacker, but he knew enough to dig through files.

Transaction records. Accounts. Names.

One name stood out: Vega.

Jihan's heart pounded. He had heard the name whispered before—someone high up in the Black Crown, but no one knew their real identity.

Before he could process further, a voice crackled through a hidden speaker.

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

Jihan's blood turned cold.

The office door locked behind him.

A trap.

New Mission Unlocked: The Black Crown's Hunt

Objective: Survive the bounty. Uncover the Black Crown's leadership.

Jihan smirked to himself, despite the danger.

Let them come. He was just getting started.