BEYOND THE LOVE

CHAPTER 34:

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Kyoto and Ji Woon exchanged glances as they walked towards the meeting room, Suha trailing behind them. Ji Woon couldn't help but address the lingering tension, "Suha, do you think you might have gone a bit too hard on Rein back there?"

Suha huffed, her frustration still evident. "He deserves it. Betraying Nara like that, and joining the Eviscerators of all things. I can't just let that slide."

Kyoto added thoughtfully, "SUHA........... but we need to be careful not to let our emotions cloud our judgment. There might be more to the story."

As we entered the room, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Juan was focused on decoding Zaerim's drive, his fingers tapping away at the keyboard. The room fell into a hushed silence as everyone took their seats.

I broke the quiet, addressing Suha, Kyoto, and Ji Woon, "We need to discuss everything, lay out the facts, and figure out our next steps. Juan is decoding Zaerim's drive, and I believe it holds crucial information."

Kyoto nodded, "Agreed. We can't afford to operate in the dark, especially now."

Ji Woon leaned forward, his expression serious. "We have to be prepared for whatever comes next. The Eviscerators are making their move, and we need to understand their motives."

Suha sighed, "Fine, let's hear what you have to say. But I'm not promising to agree with everything."
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As the discussion unfolded in the meeting room, I found myself lost in my own thoughts. The questions swirled in my mind like a relentless storm. Why was Rein with the Eviscerators? How could my brother, presumed dead for seven years, be alive and involved with them? The weight of betrayal and unanswered questions pressed down on me, making it difficult to focus on the present conversation.

Suha's voice cut through my thoughts, her question pulling me back to the room. "NARA, are you even hearing us?"

I blinked, realizing that I had been zoning out. "Yeah, sorry. Go on."

Kyoto continued to share his perspective, trying to piece together the puzzle. Ji Woon added insights, and Suha's frustration lingered. The room was charged with tension and uncertainty.

In the midst of the discussion, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that we were missing something crucial. Suddenly, I spoke up, surprising everyone, including myself. "We need to reinvestigate the case."

The room fell silent, and Juan shot me a puzzled look. Suha's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about, Nara? We don't have time for that."

But I persisted, feeling a surge of determination. "No, we're missing something. There's a piece of the puzzle we haven't uncovered. We can't make informed decisions without all the facts."

Kyoto, Ji Woon, and Suha exchanged glances, skeptical of my suggestion. Suha voiced their collective concern, "Nara, we don't have the luxury to revisit the past. We need to focus on the present and the imminent threat from the Eviscerators."

Ignoring the opposition, I insisted, "No, there might be a connection we're not seeing. Rein, my brother, the Eviscerators—I think it's all linked. We need to understand the root cause to strategize effectively."

Juan looked at me, torn between supporting my idea and the practicalities of the situation. The room was divided, and tensions rose.

Kyoto questioned, "Nara, we can't afford to divert our attention. The Eviscerators are a real and immediate threat. Reinvestigating the past won't change that."

Ji Woon added, "Nara, I get that this is personal for you, but we have to prioritize the safety of everyone. The Eviscerators won't wait for us to figure out our history."

Suha's frustration peaked. "THIS IS A DISTRACTION, NARA. We need to deal with the Eviscerators now, not dwell on the past."

But I stood my ground, firm in my belief. "Understanding the past is crucial to facing the present. There are gaps in our knowledge, and those gaps could be exploited by the Eviscerators. We can't underestimate the power of information."

Juan finally spoke up, addressing me directly. "Nara, as much as I understand your need for answers, we're in the middle of a crisis. Reinvestigating the case could jeopardize our current mission."

I took a deep breath, absorbing the weight of Juan's words. He was right; the urgency of our current situation couldn't be ignored. But the nagging questions persisted, demanding answers that might hold the key to unraveling the complex web of betrayal surrounding us.

"Juan, I hear you," I began, acknowledging the validity of his concerns. "But consider this – Rein, my brother, and even the Eviscerators had ample opportunities to eliminate us if they intended harm. Instead, they've been elusive, LEAVING US WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.Something doesn't add up, and I fear those unknowns could become vulnerabilities in the face of the Eviscerators' moves."

Suha rolled her eyes. "Nara, this is not the time for conspiracy theories. We have concrete threats to deal with, and we can't afford to get lost in what-ifs."

Kyoto, however, seemed contemplative. "Nara does have a point. There's an inconsistency in their actions. It's worth exploring the possibility that there's more to the story than we know."

Ji Woon chimed in, "But how do we balance the past and the present? We can't let one compromise the other."

Inspiration struck, and I proposed a compromise. "What if two of us focus on reinvestigating the case, while the rest address the immediate threat from the Eviscerators? We need a comprehensive strategy that considers both aspects."

Juan raised an eyebrow. "You want two of us to dig into the past while the others face the Eviscerators head-on?"

I nodded. "Yes, it's about dividing and conquering. If we can unravel the mysteries of our history, we might gain insights that will aid in tackling the present danger more effectively. It's a risk, but the potential rewards are significant."

Kyoto, always the strategist, weighed the options. "It's unconventional, but it might be our best shot at balancing the two fronts. We'll need to coordinate closely and share any discoveries in real-time."

Suha crossed her arms, still skeptical. "This better not turn into a wild goose chase. We can't afford any distractions."

Juan sighed, "Nara, I get your need for answers, but remember, our priority is keeping everyone safe. Don't let personal quests compromise our mission."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Agreed. Let's proceed cautiously. Ji woon, you and I will delve into the past. Kyoto, Suha, Juan , stay vigilant and address the Eviscerators' threat. We'll maintain constant communication to ensure we're in sync."

As the division of tasks was settled, Ji woon and I delved into the labyrinth of old case files and forgotten leads. The room buzzed with a mix of tension and determination, the echoes of Suha's frustration still lingering.