CHAPTER 39:

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Entering the chief's office, the air was thick with tension. Chief's stern expression hinted at the gravity of the situation. Suha, Kyoto, Juan, Ji Woon, and I took our seats, exchanging curious glances.

The chief's office felt suffocating as his stern gaze pierced through each of us. His frustration echoed in the room, demanding an explanation for the prolonged silence regarding the last investigation.

As the tension thickened, Suha, Kyoto, Juan, and Ji Woon exchanged uneasy glances. The chief's impatience grew, and he directed his gaze towards me, questioning, "Nara, why the silence? REPORT, NOW!"

A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I hesitated, grappling with the conflicting emotions within me. The truth of the investigation, the revelation about my brother's involvement, and the unexpected encounter with Rein weighed on my shoulders.

The chief's patience wore thin, and he slammed his hand on the desk, demanding, "I won't tolerate this silence any longer. Explain yourselves!"

Suha, sensing my struggle, stepped forward and began detailing the events of the investigation. She carefully navigated the complexities, omitting certain sensitive details. The chief, however, was not satisfied and directed his gaze back at me, demanding a more thorough report.

My silence persisted, a mix of guilt, confusion, and the recent emotional whirlwind rendering me incapable of articulating the intricate web of alliances and betrayals that had unfolded.

The chief's frustration erupted into anger, and he turned towards Suha, Kyoto, Juan, and Ji Woon, demanding, "Explain why Nara is silent! What is going on?"

Juan, typically unapologetic, spoke up, "Chief, it's complicated. We're dealing with unexpected twists and turns in the case."

Kyoto added, "There are layers to this investigation that we're still unraveling. We need more time to gather all the facts."

The chief, unsatisfied with the vague responses, directed his stern gaze back at me. "Nara, this is unacceptable. You're the lead investigator. Speak!"
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Taking a deep breath, I finally broke the silence, carefully choosing my words. "Chief, the case has taken unexpected turns. Ther...there....are personal connections involved, and I needed time to process and strategize our next moves."

He leaned back, eyes narrowing, "Personal connections? "

As I tried to navigate through the complexities without revealing the depth of my personal involvement, Suha interjected, "Chief, we're committed to solving the case. We just need a bit more time to gather all the pieces of the puzzle."

The chief, still visibly frustrated, reluctantly nodded. "You have one week. I want a comprehensive report by then, or there will be consequences."
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As we made our way back from the chief's office, Juan couldn't contain his curiosity. "Nara, are you planning to tell them about your brother and Rein's involvement with the Eviscerators?"

I hesitated, contemplating the potential consequences of revealing such sensitive information. Finally, I responded, "Not for now."

Kyoto chimed in, "What about the Eviscerators? We can't ignore their presence. Shouldn't we do something about it?"
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As we continued down the hallway, the weight of the chief's ultimatum lingered in the air. Juan and Kyoto persisted, pressing for answers about the Eviscerators.

I glanced at Kyoto, Suha, Juan, and Ji Woon, sensing their shared concern. "We can't ignore the Eviscerators, but revealing everything now might jeopardize the entire investigation," I replied cautiously.

Juan crossed his arms, clearly unsatisfied. "We can't afford to wait, Nara. The longer we delay, the more unpredictable the situation becomes."

As we returned, the atmosphere was tense, and the weight of the chief's ultimatum lingered in the air. I sank into my chair, contemplating the complex situation at hand.
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Just as l began thinking our next steps, Juan , with a hint of urgency, entered the room, holding his laptop. "Nara, you need to see this," he said, handing me the laptop.

The news on Juan's laptop sent shockwaves through my system. The revelation of the Eviscerators' faces and the connection between our team and them was plastered across the screen, exposing the intricacies of our hidden world.

As I processed the information, Juan's words hung in the air. "Nara, now everything will be upside down." I raised my eyebrows, seeking an explanation.

He gestured for me to see the news, and as I focused on the screen, the gravity of the situation became apparent.

The images of the Eviscerators, unmasked and revealed to the world, flashed before my eyes. The headlines highlighted the intricate web of connections, exposing our team's involvement with them. The news anchor's voice echoed the shockwaves this revelation sent through society.

Before I could fully comprehend the consequences, Ji Woon burst into the room. His expression mirrored the urgency of the situation. "Chief wants us right now," he declared, his eyes conveying a sense of urgency that cut through the chaos.

Suha's eyes narrowed as she looked at me, a mix of concern and suspicion in her gaze. "Nara, is this the work of Zaerim?" she asked, her voice steady but edged with worry.

I hesitated for a moment, weighing the consequences of confirming Zaerim's involvement. Finally, I nodded. "Yes, it's Zaerim. He was the only one present at that moment."

Suha's expression tightened, and she muttered under her breath, "This just got a whole lot messier."

Ji Woon, usually composed, couldn't hide his anxiety. " We're doomed," he exclaimed, his words hanging in the air like an ominous prophecy.

As the reality of the situation sank in, we exchanged glances.

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