Criss-Cross || Hyunin

Chapter 16

A powerful blow struck his stomach, causing Hyunjin to stagger back a few steps. Despite the opening for another hit, his opponent was not quick enough. This gave Hyunjin the opportunity to move with the motion, taking a few steps back as another punch was thrown his way.

Shuffling, Hyunjin shifted his weight to one leg and spun as his adversary lunged in with a solid punch. The sudden movement caused his opponent to miss, stumbling while Hyunjin elbowed him in the back, precisely on the spine, and knocked him down with a powerful kick.

Licking his bloody lip from a previous hit, Hyunjin's face remained concealed beneath a dark mask as he observed the fallen opponent. At that moment, his phone started vibrating in his inner jacket pocket, and Hyunjin gritted his teeth. It was not the right time.

Jumping a few feet away, Hyunjin managed to retrieve his phone. His eyebrow raised upon seeing Jeongin's name on the screen. However, it was enough time for his opponent to recover, a similar build to Hyunjin's, with a snarl contorting his face.

Swiftly, Hyunjin swiped the green button and placed the phone back in his jacket, setting it on speaker.

As the opponent advanced, Hyunjin yelled with his chin thrust downwards, "You've chosen a very bad time to call. Unless it's something very important, hang up."

His adversary randomly threw punches without any combination or style. Though wild, Hyunjin could only protect himself by absorbing the hits on his shielded arms covered in iron and leather clasps.

"Where are you?" Jeongin spoke after a brief silence.

"On a mission."

Another pause.

When the punches lost some power, Hyunjin seized one of the other guy's fists, pulling him towards himself and headbutting him under the chin. Now, he advanced on his opponent, knowing exactly where to strike.

Attacking the man's throat, Hyunjin quickly embedded a knife in his shoulder. While the man hunched over in pain, Hyunjin kicked him across the face, sending him to the floor once again.

"Thought you'd do better than that." Hyunjin huffed, placing his knee on the guy's back. The man, now flat on the floor, moaned in pain. Hyunjin pulled out handcuffs from his pocket and restrained him.

"Done." He kicked the guy in his sides, eliciting another painful hiss. Harshly, Hyunjin pulled the guy up from his collar, about to leave the place when he remembered Jeongin was still on call.

Annoyed, he took his phone out, releasing the half-conscious man, who dropped to the floor with a thud.

"Speak quickly." Hyunjin could already imagine Jeongin rolling his eyes, a common reaction from the man.

"Can you reach the office in an hour?"

"Yes."

"And who is with you?"

Hyunjin swept a glance around the vacant, under-construction building and said, "No one. Except..." He glanced at the man curled in on himself, and Jeongin understood when he heard him hum

"Good. I have something to tell you. Come quickly."

Hyunjin groaned. "Agh, don't tell me it's another assignment. It's my second one this week, and this week has six days left to end."

He heard Jeongin chuckle from the other side. "It ain’t an assignment, Just come, and then I'll tell you. And listen, come in through the back gate."

Hyunjin's brows furrowed at the unusual instructions, but he nodded. "Alright." He ended the call and hoisted his target up, jerking him by the shoulder when he tried to squirm.