Gaing leaned heavily against the wall, breathing in ragged gasps. Beside him, the younger recruit who had accompanied him stared in shock, clearly shaken by the scene before him.
Gaing was the younger brother of the left-hand man of Devil Iris. He was also considered one of the organization's finest intelligence operatives. Because of that, he rarely participated directly in combat missions and had never properly mastered hand-to-hand fighting techniques.
Those very weaknesses were the reason he had been captured so easily by Kakamora. Moreover, Gaing possessed deep knowledge of several of Devil Iris's classified operations. He had merely gone out casually on his own when he was caught off guard and abducted, leaving the organization unaware of his disappearance for quite some time.
Gaing possessed an unshakable spirit and remarkable courage. At sometimes, however, he could also be recklessly fearless. Once he decided on something he believed in, he would stubbornly stand by it no matter the cost. He was well-liked by many people, though the only true family he had left in this world was his older brother.
Suppressing the agony coursing through his battered body, Gaing propped himself up with his one functioning arm and adjusted his posture. The pain spreading through his ribs felt as though they had all shattered apart. Blood continuously dripped from the corner of his mouth as he turned his head slightly toward his companion, Min, using the last remnants of his strength.
"Hey… Kakamora… You may be a reckless bastard, but you can still make rational decisions, right?"
Gaing sneered weakly.
"If you want to kill me, then at least you'll need someone alive to deliver your message to my leader. Isn't that what you want? You're trying to start a war, aren't you?"
He tilted his chin toward Min.
"Then let that useless coward go. That little runt will deliver your message perfectly. And for this decision…"
His bloodstained lips curved into a cold grin.
"I guarantee you'll regret it."
Gaing shot Kakamora a mocking stare.
Kakamora merely smiled faintly in return before glancing at his subordinates.
"Hey… let the coward go,"
He ordered casually.
"He's useless to us anyway."
Then he turned toward Min.
"Listen carefully, Min. Go tell your leader exactly what your friend here wants you to say."
His grin widened darkly.
"If they don't show up within three days… or if they fail to bring what we want… then this bastard will become a permanent guard of this factory."
He paused before laughing coldly.
"Of course… we'll make sure to bury him properly afterward."
"Hahaha…"
Gaing let out a mocking laugh in response, his sharp gaze never leaving Kakamora's face.
...
Within a quiet residential district stood a vast estate filled with seasonal flowers blooming brilliantly beneath the morning sunlight.
Under the shade of a tree in the garden lawn, three well-dressed men sat around a table, casually drinking coffee while conversing. A gentle breeze drifted through the garden, causing the leaves overhead to rustle softly. The sound of the wind brushing through the trees created a strangely peaceful melody that calmed the surroundings.
Among them, the man who appeared to be the leader slowly closed the book in his hand before turning toward the man seated beside him — a broad-shouldered figure dressed neatly in a yellow suit.
"McGru… hasn't your brother been gone for too long?"
He asked quietly.
"Normally he'd be back by now. Something feels off. Check his location."
"Yes, brother. I'll take a look."
McGru nodded calmly.
"Maybe he just couldn't find what he was looking for."
As he spoke, he activated his tablet device.
At that exact moment, another man suddenly rushed into the garden while supporting someone badly injured.
McGru and the others instantly stood up.
"Min?!"
McGru's expression changed immediately.
"What happened to you?! Where's Gaing?!"
The man supporting Min carefully lowered him onto a nearby chair before rushing into the house. Moments later, a heavily built man wearing a tight black shirt sprinted out carrying an emergency medical kit. The earlier man grabbed supplies from the box and hurried back toward Min.
Everyone around them immediately descended into chaos.
The servants of the house rushed over carrying bowls of water and clean towels. Blood was wiped away from Min's face while his wounds were quickly cleaned and treated.
The leader slowly approached Min's side.
Kneeling slightly, he grabbed Min's face gently and examined him from side to side before staring directly into his eyes.
"Listen carefully, Min,"
He said in a calm, steady voice.
"Tell us exactly what happened."
His gaze sharpened.
"Where is Gaing? And which organization did this to you?"