The Assassin | KITTYZ

Chapter 3: Palace Intrusion

HAERIN'S POV

The journey to Seoul was tense, filled with the silent anticipation of the mission ahead. Danielle, Hyein and I traveled under the cover of darkness, our minds focused on the task. Each of us carried the weight of their mission, understanding the gravity of what we were about to undertake.

Arriving in the capital, we moved into our safe house-a small, inconspicuous building on the outskirts of the city. The safe house was sparsely furnished, but it had all the essentials we needed: maps, weapons, disguises, and a secure means of communication. We spent our first evening in Seoul reviewing our plans once more.

"We go in at midnight," Hyein reiterated, her finger tracing the route we would take on the map of the palace grounds. "The guards change shifts at 11:45, so we'll have a small window to get inside unnoticed."

Danielle nodded, her eyes scanning the details. "We'll need to be quick and silent. No room for mistakes."

I leaned over the table, my expression serious. "What about the escape route?"

Hyein pointed to a narrow alley marked on the map. "There's an old servant's passage that leads to the outskirts of the palace. It hasn't been used in years, but it's still accessible. We'll exit through there."

As we finalized our plan, a sense of urgency filled the room. We knew this mission was our only chance at freedom, but the risk was immense. The palace was heavily guarded, and any misstep could mean our capture or death.

---

The night before the mission, I found myself alone in the courtyard of the safe house. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the city. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. This mission was different from the others. It wasn't just about survival; it was about redemption and a chance at a new life.

Danielle joined me, her footsteps quiet on the cobblestones. "You ready for this?"

I nodded, my eyes fixed on the horizon. "I have to be."

Danielle placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We've got this, Haerin. We've planned for every possible scenario. Just stick to the plan."

I managed a small smile. "Thanks, Dani. I don't know what I'd do without you."

---

As midnight approached, our team donned our disguises-simple servant uniforms that would allow us to blend in with the palace staff. We moved through the city with practiced stealth, avoiding the patrols that roamed the streets. The palace loomed ahead, a fortress of stone and iron.

Using the shadows as their cover, we approached the servant's entrance. My heart pounded in my chest as I picked the lock, the sound of the tumblers falling into place loud in the stillness of the night. The door creaked open, and we slipped inside.

The palace corridors were dimly lit, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the walls. We moved with silent precision, our steps light and purposeful. Every sound, every shift of the air, was amplified in the silence. I led the way, my senses on high alert.

We navigated the maze of corridors, following the route Hyein had meticulously mapped out. The palace was a labyrinth of opulence and secrecy, each turn bringing us closer to our target. I could feel the tension in the air, the anticipation of what lay ahead.

Reaching the inner sanctum of the palace, we encountered our first obstacle: a pair of guards stationed outside Hanni's chambers. Danielle and I exchanged a glance, our silent communication honed by years of working together.

Danielle moved first, her steps light and silent as she approached the guards. With swift, practiced movements, she incapacitated the first guard, her hand covering his mouth to muffle any sound. I followed suit, taking out the second guard with equal efficiency. We dragged the unconscious bodies into a nearby alcove, ensuring they wouldn't be discovered too soon.