Kang stared at the empty doorway, rage overriding the agony stabbing through his ribs.
"Damn it…" he muttered, forcing himself upright though his body protested with every breath. The Professor knelt beside Sergeant Kim, trying to stabilize him, but defeat was written across both their faces.
Kang's mind spiraled with fury."That bastard… playing us like pawns…"
Sergeant Kim stirred, eyes barely open."Major Kang… are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Kang answered, even though the pain in his voice exposed the lie. He leaned closer. "How are the rest of the men?"
Sergeant Kim shook his head weakly, despair flickering across his features."I don't know… They were taken somewhere… I couldn't see…"
Before Kang could respond, a sharp metallic scrape echoed from outside.
Rattle… rattle…
The hairs on his neck rose instantly. Their captors were organizing—closing in. The Major scanned the dark room with sharpened eyes."What now…?"
No one answered.
The oppressive silence thickened—until an ominous creeebak cut through the stillness as the door slowly creaked open.
Blinding turquoise light flooded in.
A tall, imposing figure stepped inside, fully covered in tactical gear. His face was hidden beneath a heavy balaclava, only his eyes visible—cold, focused, merciless. He walked with military precision, every step declaring control over the room.
He locked eyes with the Major.
"Are you Major Hamchan Kang?"
Before Kang could answer, another presence slid from the shadows behind the masked man.
The second figure was leaner—more relaxed, more fluid in his movements. He wore the same dark cloth mask, but unlike the first man, his eyes weren't sharp and cold—they were deep, black, and unsettlingly calm. Eyes that absorbed light. Eyes that understood everything in a second.
Noir.
He didn't look at Kang.He didn't look at the Professor.He only eyed the hall behind them, scanning for exits, threats, weaknesses—as if this room, this situation, this danger, were nothing more than a routine annoyance.
His voice came soft, almost bored."Two at the far corridor. Three more outside. Heavy steps. Bad shoes."
The balaclava agent glanced back at him."Confirm?"
Noir's brows barely lifted."Yeah. And they're nervous. You can hear it."
Kang's heart hammered.
The first masked man took another step forward, towering over him."I'll ask again," he said calmly. "Are you Major Hamchan Kang?"
Noir finally shifted his gaze toward Kang for the first time—just a glance—but there was something behind that look.
Reassurance.
Calculation.
And a hint of:Try not to die while I'm here.